43 Creepiest Locations Around The World To Be Actually Used In Film

Some of the most spine-tingling moments in cinematic history weren’t crafted on a soundstage—they happened in real places, soaked in atmosphere, mystery, and in many cases, a genuinely disturbing past. These are the haunted hospitals, crumbling prisons, eerie ghost towns, and mist-shrouded forests where the horror wasn’t just acted out—it was already there. With dark histories, tragic events, and chilling urban legends baked into their walls and landscapes, these real-world locations brought an authenticity to the screen that no CGI could replicate. Some were already infamous before the cameras rolled—places whispered about for their paranormal activity, unexplained disappearances, or ties to horrific crimes. Others became infamous because of their roles in terrifying films, gaining a cult following among horror buffs, thrill-seekers, and ghost hunters alike. Now, we’ve expanded our list to 43 of the creepiest, most unsettling filming locations around the world. These are the places where fiction meets reality—and reality is often far more terrifying.

1. The Overlook Hotel’s Real-Life Twin – Timberline Lodge, Oregon, USA

Fans of The Shining will recognize Timberline Lodge as the exterior of the infamous Overlook Hotel. Perched high in the Oregon mountains, this remote lodge exudes an eerie isolation, much like its fictional counterpart. Surrounded by vast stretches of wilderness and prone to heavy snowfall in winter, the lodge's setting alone gives off an unsettling sense of being cut off from the outside world. While the film’s chilling interior shots were created on a set, the exterior of Timberline Lodge, blanketed in snow and surrounded by towering pines, captured the desolate, claustrophobic horror that made the Overlook Hotel so terrifying. The lodge’s association with the film has only added to its mystique, drawing in fans and ghost hunters alike, despite no confirmed paranormal activity. However, its long hallways, dimly lit corners, and the howling winds outside still make it easy to see why The Shining found its perfect home here. Even in broad daylight, the lodge carries an eerie atmosphere, and for those brave enough to spend the night, the thought of Jack Torrance's slow descent into madness is never too far from mind.