10 Most Shocking And Strange Facts About Famous Horror Movies

1982's Poltergeist is said to be a "cursed movie" where several of the series' cast suffered real-life tragedies subsequent to working on the film. Much like others featured in this list, many have blamed these tragedies on the production itself, and it's easy to see why when the common link to a web of death and misfortune is a movie about dark spirits.

Shortly following the release of the first movie, actress Dominique Dunne, who played eldest Freeling sibling Dana, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, hence not appearing in the sequel. Actors Will Sampson who played heroic Shaman Taylor, and Julian Beck who played the villainous preacher Kane, also died after appearing in Poltergeist 2: The Other Side, due to medical conditions.

Most famously, Heather O'Rourke, who in all three Poltergeist movies played Carol Anne, the young girl pursued by evil spirits, died unexpectedly at the age of twelve. This was the result of cardiac arrest, but it would add fuel to the legend of the "Poltergeist curse" which would continue to have an impact on the superstitious Hollywood community for years to come.

In 1990, several cast and crew of the Patrick Swayze movie Ghost swore that they were haunted by the spirit of O' Rourke while shooting on the same set where Poltergeist and Happy Days (which O' Rourke had also appeared in) were filmed - Paramount's stage 19. In each case they reported hearing the laughter of a little girl and small footsteps running the catwalk where it is said O'Rourke often liked to play.

Was this just a bad taste attempt to build hype for Ghost? We'll probably never know. But over the years many Paramount security guards have been keen to avoid this set at night.