10 Best Films Based On Urban Legends

Wednesday, 3 a.m., 1974. A 23-year-old Ronald De Feo Jr. walked from room to room in his family's Long Island home and emptied shells of a .35 caliber rifle into his parents and siblings. This is an undisputed fact.

What is not is the supposed haunting that occurred to the Lutz family who moved in 13 months later and stayed less than a month before being scared out by ghostly happenings and father George's seemingly psychotic transition throughout their stay. Reportedly, the "true story" that served as the basis for the 1979 film was concocted "over many bottles of wine" according to De Feo's defense attorney William Weber. Others have criticized that changes have been made about Jay Anson's book, stating that many changes were made in different editions.

Supposed cloven hoof prints in the snow have been disproven, given that Long Island experienced no snow at the time they supposedly appeared. Though the priest does still claim hearing the infamous "Get Out!" as he does in the film, he never ascribed it to anything supernatural.

In the mid-to-late 70s, however, the horror genre was drawn to religion. The success of The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby gave way to The Omen, The Sentinel and God Told Me To, potentially reaching a climax with The Amityville Horror.

This is one thoroughly disproven urban legend that has lived on primarily due to the film's success. Though a critical failure, it was one of the most successful independent films of its era, spawning 18 sequels and a remake (so far). Believers still make the trip to 112 Ocean Ave. just to take a peak at the house's exterior. Alas, no supernatural occurences have been confirmed.