Cursed objects are a beloved staple of horror, and they pop up in the genre in a few different ways. Often, just introducing an ominous soundtrack and slow camera tracking can make rare or everyday objects scary.
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On the other hand, there are plenty of comedy-horror movies spoofing the “cursed object trope,” as well as a number of symbolic horror movies. Surprisingly enough, the cursed object has a deeper meaning about spirituality or our human nature.
Child’s Play(1988)
The firstChild’s Playmovie was a surprise hit and birthed the franchise with a large cult following. Child’s Play is about a doll that the soul of a serial killer possesses.
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The firstChild’s Playmovie took the horror seriously. The other movies became more comical, like the laterA Nightmare On Elm Streetmovies. Chucky has gone through many changes, but he is still one of horror’s most popular villains.Child’s Playcan be streamed on Sling TV and Amazon Prime Video
The Ring(2002)
The Ringis about a cursed videotape. Whenever someone watches the tape, they watch nightmarish images on the screen. They then receive a phone call that tells the viewer they will die in seven days.
This is a movie that effectively uses creepy images and a common everyday object (in 2002) like a VHS tape to terrify audiences.The Ring can be steamed for free on Pluto TV or on Netflix and Paramount+ with a subscription.
Fire Walk With Me(1992)
Fire Walk with Meis the prequel to theTwin Peaksseries, and it is about the last days of Laura Palmer’s (Sheryl Lee) life. Sheryl Lee did a fantastic job of giving life to a character that the audience, up to that point, only knew as a corpse except for a few video clips.
Fire Walk with Meis about a lot of things, but one object stands out, and that is the owl ring. Owls representsecrets and traveling spiritsin the world ofTwin Peaks. When Laura Palmer takes the ring, it seals her tragic fate.Fire Walk With MeCan be streamed on HBO Max with a subscription.
Long beforeSam RaimidirectedSpider-ManorDoctor Strange into the Multiverse of Madness,he directed a horror movie in the backwoods of Tennessee that became a cult hit film and changed the way directors made movies.
The cursed object inThe Evil Deadis an old book called the Necronomicon. The book’s text awakens the dead when it is read aloud.The Evil Deadcan be streamed on Pluto TV and Tubi for free or on Amazon Prime Video with a subscription.
Cabin In The Woods(2011)
Cabin in the Woodsnot only has a cursed object but a basement full of cursed objects. The movie is poking fun at how many times horror movies use the cursed object story.
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Cabin in the Woodsis a horror movie that pulls back the curtain on the audience to reveal what is going on under the surface of the horror entertainment that people enjoy.Cabin in the WoodsCan be rented on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vudu or Google Play.
Christine(1983)
Christineis about a cursed carthat finds lonely owners who are vulnerable to her influence and destroys the people in their lives until all they have is her.Christineis a movie about toxic relationships and when possessions possess us and how obsession with possessions can rob someone of their family, friends, and even their life.
Christineis based on the novel byStephen Kingand is directed byJohn Carpenter.It can be streamed on Netflix with a subscription.
Maximum Overdrive(1986)
Christinewas a cursed car.Maximum Overdriveis cursed trucks along with many other machines. It is a movie written and directed by Stephen King. The movie is about a comet that causes a radiation storm on earth and causes machines to turn against humans.
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It may sound like the plot ofTheTerminator, but, trust us, it is a different movie and a fun watch if you’re in a “let’s watch a goofy horror movie” mood.Maximum OverdriveCan be rented on YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video.
Poltergeist(1982)
Poltergeistis one of the scariest PG horror movies you’ll ever see. It was before the PG13 rating system. It was between PG or R. Houses were built on top of the cemetery, and the bodies were not moved when a family moved into one of the houses; strange and creepy things happened.
The spirits are playful at first but become more sinister. The cursed object in the movie is a television set that the spirits use to communicate with the family.Poltergeistis considered a cursed movie because unusual tragic things happened to some cast members after the movie was released. It can be streamed on HBO Max with a subscription.
Death Bed: The Bed That Eats(1977)
Death Bedis the worst executed movie on the list. One of the problems with cursed object movies is that the movies can get pretty silly, and this is definitely one that takes it a little too far.
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The movies on the list up to this point has overall done a great job making the objects scary. That is not true withDeath Bed.Death Bedis silly.Death Bedis about a possessed bed that eats its victims. Still, by its ludicrous premise alone, it has earned its place in the 70s horror canon.Death Bed: The Bed That EatsCan be rented on Amazon Prime Video
Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes
Attack of the Killer Tomatoesis a spoof of B-horror movies. If the plot sounds silly, it is, but it is meant to be. The movie doesn’t explain why tomatoes have turned against humanity, only that they have and now are killing humans.
The movie is dated but can be a fun movie if you are in a certain mood. If you watch it and enjoy it, then check out the movieRubber.Rubberhas a different vibe thanAttack of the Killer Tomatoes. It is a movie about a killer tire.Attack of the Killer TomatoesCan be streamed for free on Pluto TV, Tubi, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, and Plex.
