Horror Movies Set in Asylums

Even without anything particularly sinister happening, asylums have always sent chills down our spines. That’s what makes them the perfect natural setting for horror films. Just walking into an abandoned asylum with a camera would be enough to unsettle viewers. It’s no surprise, then, that they’ve served as the main location for countless films. I’ve compiled a list of my personal favorites and the most noteworthy entries in this subgenre. So let’s dive into the list.

Gothika (2003)

This Halle Berry-led thriller follows a psychiatrist who wakes up one day to find herself a patient in the very asylum where she once worked. Alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Penelope Cruz, we watch as our protagonist Miranda navigates her predicament—sometimes feeling the injustice of her situation, other times questioning whether she’s actually lost her mind. There are jump scares that’ll make you flinch. But through it all, we never quite rise above mediocrity. Unfortunately, we’re dealing with a film that’s a little bit of everything without excelling at anything. That said, thanks to its atmosphere and solid performances, it’d make for an enjoyable watch on a rainy evening, wrapped in a blanket.

Shutter Island (2010)

One of the standout collaborations between Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, this film follows two U.S. Marshals who travel to an asylum on Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a patient, and Things Unfold. Is the asylum hiding dark secrets, or is everything happening inside the marshals’ minds? You’ll find yourself teetering on the edge of reality, swaying back and forth, and even after the film ends, the questions in your head won’t stop. It’s a brilliant film that succeeds on every level. Also, it upholds the unwritten rule: if there’s a movie involving asylums and madness, Ben Kingsley will be in it.

Session 9 (2001)

One of the gems on this list. Director Brad Anderson stretched his modest budget to its limits and created something impressive. In fact, he benefited from the creative advantages that often come with working on a shoestring budget. A cleaning crew is hired to clean up an abandoned asylum, and Things Unfold. After reading that, you might think this is just another classic haunted house film, but don’t—because the script takes a completely different and surprising direction. And while doing so, it manages to terrify and keep you on edge.

Stonehearst Asylum / Eliza Graves (2014)

Based on Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether,” this film follows a young doctor who encounters strange and disturbing events at the asylum where he’s just started working. Kate Beckinsale plays Eliza Graves, while—naturally—Ben Kingsley appears as the superintendent. The superintendent subjects patients to extremely harsh and unethical treatments, also showcasing the horrifying state of early psychiatric care. And yes, there’s a twist at the end.

The Ward (2010)

Directed by the legendary John Carpenter, this film follows a young woman—played by Amber Heard—who gets committed to an asylum after setting a fire. But when other patients start disappearing one by one, Things Unfold. While it didn’t meet expectations as Carpenter’s return to cinema after a decade away, I disagree with the general consensus. Even though genre veterans might spot the twists coming, it’s still an engaging watch that doesn’t drag.

Grave Encounters (2011)

Our found footage entry on the list. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge fan of found footage films. While the premise might be highly predictable, it’s well-executed and definitely worth your time. A reality TV crew begins investigating paranormal activity in an abandoned asylum, but they quickly come face to face with the building’s dark secrets.

Asylum (1972)

A doctor arrives at an asylum for a job interview and, as he listens to each patient’s story, begins to drift further from reality. He confronts a series of horrific events. The film tells four different stories, capturing both Poe and Lovecraft vibes at times. It features a strong cast including Peter Cushing, Richard Todd, Britt Ekland, and Barbara Parkins.

Don’t Look in the Basement (1973)

Also known as The Forgotten. An asylum has completely isolated its patients from the outside world while granting them freedoms within its walls. When the head physician of this facility—where experimental treatment methods are being tested—is found dead, Things Unfold. Nurse Charlotte, the new staff member, tries to set things right in this strange and unsettling place.

The Ninth Configuration (1980)

Written and directed by William Peter Blatty, who also wrote The Exorcist. Set in the 1970s, the film takes place in a military psychiatric hospital located in an isolated castle owned by the U.S. Army. This hospital treats soldiers who’ve suffered mental breakdowns during war. At the center of the story is a newly appointed psychiatrist tasked with working with the facility’s unusual patients and understanding their psychological conditions. Comparing this to Shutter Island wouldn’t be far off the mark.

Unsane (2018)

Steven Soderbergh’s film shot on an iPhone 5. Of course, this isn’t some random guy pulling out his phone and deciding to make a movie on the spot—it involved tons of lenses and other equipment. Starring Claire Foy, the film follows a woman who’s involuntarily committed to an asylum and believes she’s encountered an old stalker there. Throughout the film, we question whether this is real or not. It has a fantastic atmosphere, though I wouldn’t call it horror. Calling it an excellent thriller, however, would hit the bullseye.

House on Haunted Hill (1999)

The film that, when I watched it alone as a kid, kept me up for weeks. We see Geoffrey Rush in a role that’s both in name and appearance a nod to Vincent Price—fitting, since the original version of this film was made in 1959 with Vincent Price in the lead. At a birthday party held in an abandoned asylum, guests find themselves face to face with supernatural entities. As they struggle to survive, they also uncover the location’s history and secrets. It’s packed with iconic scenes that stick with you.

The Snake Pit (1948)

A classic film about a young woman committed to an asylum in the 1940s, focusing on the hardships she endures and the mistreatment within the hospital. This isn’t a horror film either, but I included it on the list because it’s both a psychological thriller and one of the earliest examples of this theme.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

More of a drama than a horror film, this is a classic known in our country as “Guguk Kuşu.” If you’re wondering “Wait, this isn’t horror, what’s it doing on this list?” here’s my defense: A list about asylum-themed films that doesn’t include this movie simply cannot and should not be accepted. As for the plot: We follow the despotic system within an asylum and the patients trying to breathe within it. Jack Nicholson leads and absolutely crushes it. The film won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, while Miloš Forman won Best Director, Jack Nicholson won Best Actor, and Louise Fletcher won Best Actress. Although Will Sampson didn’t win an Oscar for his performance, Chief Bromden holds a special place in the hearts of everyone who’s seen the film.

Gen (2006)

Now we’ve arrived at our first Turkish film. Standing apart from the jinn movie craze in terms of subject matter, this film also ranks far above the rest in production quality. For that reason alone, it holds a special place for me, and it’s directed by Togan Gökbakar. The plot goes like this: There’s an asylum in an isolated, mountainous area, and one of the patients commits suicide. But the incident is somewhat suspicious, so two police officers are assigned to investigate. Bad weather closes off the roads, and the officers become trapped with the patients and staff. The weather also cuts the phone lines, severing all contact with the outside world.

HTR2B: Dönüşüm (2012)

The last film on our list and our second Turkish entry. Directed by Osman Evre Tolga, I should mention this is a thriller and action film unlike what we’re used to seeing in Turkish cinema. Now for the plot: A group of patients are used as guinea pigs in drug trials but somehow manage to escape. These patients take over a house near the isolated asylum and terrorize its occupants, and they’re extremely dangerous. For some reason, it’s not well-known. It fell through the cracks, but when you watch it, you’ll think “Wow, what a great film this is.”