From Detroit To The Wilderness: Michigan’s Scary Movie Legacy

Michigan itself isn't all that scary unless beautiful beaches, snowy winters, and beer scare you. But, Michigan is very commonly used as a location for horror movies that come out of hollywood.

Some of them crutch on the idea that 'Detroit is sooo scary' (it's really not). While others depend on the mystery of our wooded areas and wilderness to maintain their scary element.

We all love to see our own town/state featured on the big screen, even if it's not in the most positive of ways. So, which horror movies can you find set in the mitten state? Here's a list:

Barbarian (2022)

This film about a woman who travels to Detroit to take a job interview only to stay in the world's worst Air b&b is a little exaggerated when it comes to it's portrayl of the city. If you ignore that part, it's honestly one of the best on the list.

It Follows (2014)

Set in a suburb in Detroit, according to IMDb: "For 19-year-old Jay, autumn should be about school, boys, and weekends out at the lake. But after a seemingly-innocent sexual encounter, she is plagued by strange visions and the inescapable sense that someone, or something, is following her. Faced with this burden, Jay and her friends must find a way to escape the horrors that seem to be only a few steps behind."

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

This movie, also based in Detroit, is about two lonely lovers who have lived for ages, and are now dealing with the collapse of society as they know it.

Don't Breathe (2016)

Set around 3 delinquents in Detroit, this movie produced by Royal Oak native Sam Rami is about a group of friends who dream of leaving Detroit to go to California. They decide to break into a house, and it ends up being a terrible idea.

The house in the movie is a real (mostly) abandoned house that you can visit in Detroit, and yes there is a dog at the house in real life too, but it didn't seem as mean as the one in the movie.

Pitchfork (2017)

This movie is about a group of friends from New York City who travel back to a friend's family farm in Michigan for a weekend break, it all seems fine until a monster starts to chase them.

Dogman (2011)

According to Wikipedia "In folklore, the Michigan Dogman was a creature allegedly witnessed in 1887 in Wexford County, Michigan, United States. It was described as a seven-foot tall, blue-eyed, or amber-eyed bipedal canine-like animal with the torso of a man and a fearsome howl that sounds like a human scream." This film also debuted in Traverse City as a nod to it's Michigan roots.

The Rosary Murders (1987)

This film follows follows a series of gruesome murders occurring within a Detroit Roman Catholic parish. While it seems real, this one isn't based on a specific crime.

Antibirth (2016)

While this movie is set in a fictional town of "Nowheresville, Michigan" it's still on the list. This haunting movie is about a woman in LA who parties non-stop so she moves back to her hometown in Michigan to settle down, only for things to go horribly wrong.

Honorable Mentions:

Jeepers Creepers (2001)

While the movie itself is set and filmed in Florida, it's based on a very real Michigan murder.

The Evil Dead franchise

While a lot of the story happens in Tennessee, in the original movie the characters are spotted in Michigan State gear, and Ash has a "Grand Rapids Boom Stick". And, they do eventually make their way to the mitten state.

American Horror Story: Cult

While not a movie, this entire season was set in Michigan, so it basically counts.