10 R-Rated Horror Movies About Ghosts For The Spooky Season

Horror movies about ghosts are as classic as it gets for seasonal Halloween scares, and a few of them are even spooky enough to warrant an R-rating. Despite their ubiquity as horror movie villains, ghosts rarely break the boundaries of PG-13, relying more on tension, gore, and eerie sights than straight-up gore, as is the case with many other horror genres such as slasher movies. However, a select few are able to break the boundaries of spectral scares far enough to be branded as true R-rated horror movies, suitable only for the most fright-forward audiences.

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Ghost movies can achieve an R-rating through a few different means. Sometimes, the subject matter or circumstances revolving around a specter’s death can be drastic or macabre enough to warrant an R-rating on their own. In other cases, the best ghost movies are simply so frightening in their depiction of wraiths that they require the rating through sheer terror.

10 We Are Still Here

The Movie Was Released In 2015

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We Are Still Here NR

We Are Still Here is a supernatural horror film directed by Ted Geoghegan. Set in a remote New England village, the story follows Anne and Paul Sacchetti as they encounter eerie occurrences believed to be linked to their deceased son. The couple enlists the help of a pair of spirit communicators to uncover the unsettling truth.

Director Ted Geoghegan Release Date June 5, 2015 Cast Barbara Crampton , Andrew Sensenig , Lisa Marie , Larry Fessenden , Monte Markham , Susan Gibney , Michael Patrick Nicholson , Kelsea Dakota , Guy Gane , Elissa Dowling , Zorah Burress , Marvin Patterson Runtime 83 minutes

Critically acclaimed at the time of its release but woefully underseen even almost ten years later, We Are Still Here is a great example of how to make an R-rated horror movie work. The film centers on a young couple that find themselves in mourning after their son dies in a tragic car crash. Moving to a secluded New England residence to help facilitate the grieving process, the seeming presence of their son’s ghost in the house soon gives way to an ancient, unknowable evil associated with the place.

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Related 10 Great R-Rated Horror Movies

From classics like Child’s Play and Evil Dead to new hits like Hereditary and Smile, here are some of the best R-rated horror movies, ranked.

We Are Still Here leverages some powerful performances to inflict both terror and grief upon its viewer, making for one of the better horror movies of the 2010s. But where the film truly earns an R-rating is in the shocking gore, with some of the most intense violence inflicted upon living mortals by ghosts ever shown on screen. As campy and over-the-top as it can get, We Are Still Here makes the most of an R-rating with visceral fear.

9 Stir Of Echoes

The Movie Was Released In 1999

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Stir of Echoes R

Stir of Echoes, directed by David Koepp, follows Tom Witzky, who begins experiencing unsettling visions after a hypnotic session by his sister-in-law. As these ghostly apparitions intensify, he becomes entangled in uncovering the mystery surrounding the haunting apparition of a young girl.

Director David Koepp Release Date September 10, 1999 Writers David Koepp Cast Jennifer Morrison , Kathryn Erbe , Kevin Bacon , Zachary David Cope , Illeana Douglas Runtime 99 minutes
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A mystery thriller and supernatural horror movie all in one package, Stir of Echoes is a macabre hidden gem in Kevin Bacon’s lauded cinematic career. Bacon stars as a blue-collar worker who begins to experience vivid visions of violence after agreeing to be hypnotized by his sister-in-law. These frightening premonitions soon betray a connection to the disappearance of a differently-abled teen girl and his own son’s supernatural powers of perception.

In 1999, Stir of Echoes was sadly lost in the shuffle of other horror icons like The Mummy and The Blair Witch Project. This is a true shame considering how well Bacon does in the role, conveying the dizzying barrage of supernatural intrigue as a relatable everyman. Some of his visions also get painful mileage out of the otherwise understated R-rating, particularly in the infamous tooth extraction scene.

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8 Crimson Peak

The Movie Was Released In 2015

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5/10 6.6/10 Crimson Peak R

In turn-of-the-century England, young heiress Edith Cushing marries Sir Thomas Sharpe, who whisks her off to his family’s mansion in a largely rural and mountainous region. But when she is visited by spirits and inflicted with mysterious ailments, she discovers that her charming new husband is not who he appears to be.

Director Guillermo del Toro Release Date October 13, 2015 Writers Matthew Robbins , Lucinda Coxon , Guillermo del Toro Cast Charlie Hunnam , Jessica Chastain , Tom Hiddleston , Mia Wasikowska , Doug Jones , Burn Gorman Runtime 119 minutes

An underrated entry in the filmography of horror visionary Guillermo del Toro, Crimson Peak is an atmospheric ghost tale matched by few peers. A period drama taking place in the early 20th century, the story centers on the titular manor, a rotting English fortress built on blood-red soil that causes all who trod upon it to leave red tracks in their wake. When a young American woman comes to live at the mansion after marrying its owner, the frosty reception by her new sister-in-law soon turns into a ghoulish conspiracy.

But make no mistake, the film is full of chilling scares that take full advantage of the R-rating, with stylized violence, intense sexual imagery, and gallons upon gallons of fake blood.

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Crimson Peak is more of a Gothic romance melodrama than a traditional scary movie, with the ghosts serving as the connective tissue for a winding yarn rather than the main subject. But make no mistake, the film is full of chilling scares that take full advantage of the R-rating, with stylized violence, intense sexual imagery, and gallons upon gallons of fake blood. The final result is an intriguing, twisted narrative that clearly takes cues from the likes of Hitchcock’s Rebecca.

7 13 Ghosts

The Movie Was Released In 2001

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Thir13en Ghosts R

Thir13en Ghosts, released in 2001, follows Arthur and his children as they inherit a glass house serving as a ghostly prison. Trapped inside, the family and their companions must navigate the sinister structure and its supernatural inhabitants, seeking to escape with the help of a ghost hunter and an activist.

Director Steve Beck Release Date October 26, 2001 Cast Embeth Davidtz , Tony Shalhoub , matthew lillard , Shannon Elizabeth , Rah Digga , Alec Roberts , JR Bourne , F. Murray Abraham , Matthew Harrison , Charles Andre , Laura Mennell , Kathryn Anderson , Craig Olejnik , Shawna Loyer , Xantha Radley , C. Ernst Harth , John DeSantis , Mikhael Speidel , Mike Crestejo , Jacob Rupp , Ken Kirzinger , Aubrey Lee Culp , Daniel Wesley Runtime 91 minutes Expand

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Even if 13 Ghosts isn’t the most technically proficient narrative, it holds undeniable weight as one of the most frightening ghost movies ever conceived. The film centers on a ghost hunting team tasked with investigating a perilous mansion to capture the terrifying wraith known as the Juggernaut. The group soon finds that the manor is haunted by dozen ghoulish specters, each more terrifying than the last. In order to stop them permanently, team lead Arthur will have to sacrifice himself, becoming the 13th ghost.

The lore and world-building of 13 Ghosts may be all over the place, but that doesn’t stop the R-rated film from getting in some entertaining scares. Each of the ghosts has their own uniquely terrifying form of body horror in their bloody spectral appearances, all conveying their grisly cause of death. Pepper in a great performance by Matthew Lillard of Scream and Scooby-Doo fame as a psychic, and 13 Ghosts is worth a Halloween evening of fun despite its flaws.

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6 Talk To Me

The Movie Was Released In 2022

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7/10 8.5/10 Talk to Me R

While trying to cope with the death of her mother, Mia (Sophie Wilde) becomes enthralled with an embalmed hand that can conjure spirits. While Mia and her group of friends get a thrill out of communicating with spirits, things go too far when Mia doesn’t close the door to the other side.

Director Danny Philippou , Michael Philippou Release Date July 28, 2023 Writers Bill Hinzman , Danny Philippou Runtime 94 minutes

A brilliant horror film out of Australia, Talk to Me is another exploration of grief through the literal medium of ghastly encounters from beyond-the-veil. From the perspective of the 17-year-old Mia, still mourning the recent loss of her mother, a paranormal object is discovered in the possession of her new friend group – A severed hand which allows whoever holds it to become a mouthpiece for spirits.

The catch? After 90 seconds, the possessions become more and more intense, and Mia soon becomes a fiend for the opportunity to see her mom again.

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In a way, Talk to Me is oddly realistic about its supernatural phenomena, quickly becoming a party trick rather than a groundbreaking threat. However, the intensity dials up as victims of the hand’s possession that exceed the 90-second mark violently attempt to kill themselves, making for quite a harrowing climax that more than earns the film’s R-rating. Tense, funny, and genuinely tender at times, Talk to Me is a great film to hear out for a properly scary R-rated horror movie to celebrate the Halloween season.

5 The Changeling

The Movie Was Released In 1980

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The Changeling R

The Changeling is a supernatural horror-mystery film by director Peter Medak, released in 1980. A composer named John Russell moves to Seattle, Washington, after his wife and daughter are killed in a tragic car accident, but soon discovers his new residence may have uninvited guests of the otherworldly variety. 

Director Peter Medak Release Date March 28, 1980 Writers William Gray , Diana Maddox Cast George C. Scott , Trish Van Devere , Melvyn Douglas , John Colicos , Jean Marsh , Madeleine Sherwood Runtime 107 Minutes

A scary movie from the Great White North of Canada, The Changeling is a haunting film that kicked off 80s supernatural horror quite strongly. The narrative follows a successful composer who moves from New York City to a mansion in Seattle following the sudden death of his wife and daughter in a car crash. Soon, the new house quickly reveals itself to be haunted, seemingly by the spirit of a sickly young heir who was murdered by his father in an effort to secure his inheritance.

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The somber quality of The Changeling and the tragedy it’s narrative is soaked in makes for an atmospheric horror film. In truth, The Changeling is far from the most intense ghost story, mostly earning an R-rating for the uncomfortable subject matter of an innocent child being cruelly killed by his own father for pure financial motivations. That being said, the culmination of all the story’s moving elements is a challenging journey worth undertaking in the shadow of the spooky time of year.

4 Ju-On: The Grudge

The Movie Was Released In 2002

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See more : Who is Sterling Marlin’s Wife? Know Everything About Sterling Marlin

Ju-On: The Grudge RHorror

Ju-On: The Grudge (2002) is a Japanese horror film directed by Takashi Shimizu. The narrative unfolds through a series of non-linear, intersecting vignettes that detail the curse created when someone dies in a state of extreme rage or sorrow. This curse haunts the house where the deaths occurred, affecting anyone who dares enter. The film’s unsettling atmosphere and intricate storytelling have garnered it significant acclaim in the horror genre.

Director Takashi Shimizu Writers Takashi Shimizu Cast Megumi Okina , Misaki Ito , Misa Uehara , Yui Ichikawa , Kanji Tsuda , Kayoko Shibata , Yukako Kukuri , Shuri Matsuda Runtime 92 Minutes
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One of the most brilliant horror films to ever come out of Japan, Ju-On: The Grudge inspired a whole host of The Grudge movies, and for good reason. Told in a nonlinear narrative, the film slowly weaves together the story of a vengeful family curse that spreads from person to person, infecting new households with pale apparitions of the dead one at a time. The latest victim is the social worker Rika, who must exorcise the spirits now attached to her once and for all or be consumed by their hatred.

R-rated through sheer terror alone rather than cheap gore or taboo subject matter,
Ju-On: The Grudge
is a classic ghost movie with one of the most intense downer endings ever conceived.

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The winding non-chronological narrative of Ju-On: The Grudge makes for an eerie tale that transcends time and space, smashing the limits of typical haunted house stories. The tension is constantly high between the jumpscares and deviously frightening scenes of ghosts taking their vengeance on the living, haunting them beforehand with beats like the infamous staircase scene. R-rated through sheer terror alone rather than cheap gore or taboo subject matter, Ju-On: The Grudge is a classic ghost movie with one of the most intense downer endings ever conceived.

3 The Fog

The Movie Was Released In 1980

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The Fog R

The Fog is one of John Carpenter’s supernatural horror films that was released in 1980. After a strange fog sweeps over Northern California, vengeful ghosts of leprous mariners wreak havoc on a small coastal town. After starring in Halloween, Jamie Lee Curtis returns to work with Carpenter alongside Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins, and Curtis’ mother, Janet Leigh.

Director John Carpenter Release Date February 8, 1980 Cast Adrienne Barbeau , Tom Atkins , Jamie Lee Curtis , Hal Holbrook , Janet Leigh Runtime 89 minutes

A criminally overlooked film by John Carpenter of The Thing and Halloween fame, The Fog was one of the earliest films to make ghost stories genuinely threatening. The film surrounds the nautical ghosts of a sunken clipper ship that return from their watery graves to terrorize the residents of a coastal town, rolling in with the supernatural fog. The ship’s sinking is soon revealed to be no accident, giving the ghostly crew a very justified target for their revenge.

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Like many of Carpenter’s films, The Fog was underappreciated by contemporaneous critics, only to gain a dedicated cult following in the modern day. In truth, it’s R-rating is likely the product of 80s conservatism, not featuring anything especially gory by today’s standards. That doesn’t mean that The Fog isn’t scary, however, as Carpenter manages to stretch a meager budget far beyond the horizon of the chilling sea.

2 The Orphanage

The Movie Was Released In 2007

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The Orphanage R

The Orphanage follows a woman who returns with her family to her childhood home, a former orphanage she plans to reopen. Strange occurrences begin when her son befriends an invisible entity.

Director J.A. Bayona Release Date December 28, 2007 Cast Belén Rueda , Fernando Cayo , Roger Príncep , Mabel Rivera , Montserrat Carulla , Andrés Gertrúdix , Edgar Vivar , Óscar Casas , Geraldine Chaplin , Carmen López , Óscar Lara , Georgina Avellaneda , Carla Gordillo , Alejandro Camps , Enric Arquimbau , Blanca Martínez , Isabel Friera , Jordi Cardus Runtime 105 Minutes Expand
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A deviously scary Spanish-language horror film, The Orphanage is an award-winning chiller that gets lots of mileage out of its ghosts. The story concerns a young woman who tasks herself with purchasing and restoring the orphanage she grew up in, hoping to restore her happy memories into reality.

When her son suddenly goes missing during the renovations, she becomes increasingly desperate, eventually turning to the orphanage’s child ghosts to lead her investigations.

In truth, The Orphanage most likely earns its R-rating for a single scene alone, in which a woman is violently hit by a bus, with no part of the explicit gore being shied away from. But beyond this particularly grueling scene, The Orphanage is an atmospheric, psychologically challenging film that lives up to its lofty reputation. The bittersweet ending is the perfect cherry on top of a wonderfully cinematic ghost story.

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1 Lake Mungo

The Movie Was Released In 2008

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Lake Mungo RHorrorDramaMystery

Lake Mungo is a psychological horror film directed by Joel Anderson. The story centers around the Palmer family, who experience a series of unexplained and unsettling events following the tragic drowning of their daughter, Alice. Utilizing a mockumentary style, the film delves into themes of grief, loss, and the supernatural as the family’s investigation into Alice’s death uncovers disturbing secrets and mysteries.

Director Joel Anderson Cast Rosie Traynor , David Pledger , Martin Sharpe , Talia Zucker , Tania Lentini , Cameron Strachan , Judith Roberts , Robin Cuming

The best ghost stories are always rooted in tragedy, as proven by the Australian picture Lake Mungo. Part supernatural drama and part psychological thriller, the narrative follows the grief of a family following the tragic drowning of their daughter, Alice, in the titular body of water. When Alice’s spirit seems to be haunting the mourning process, the family probes deep into her personal life, making some shocking discoveries.

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Lake Mungo‘s R-rating revolves around the horrific bloated corpse of Alice’s spectral appearance, which is used to horrifying effect at multiple points. Her sexual promiscuity is also further preserved by the rating, adding to the complicated inner life of the teen girl her parents were unaware of prior to her death. Tragic, intriguing, and relentlessly terrifying, Lake Mungo is an excellent horror movie concerning ghosts to reach for as Halloween approaches.

Source: https://truongnguyenbinhkhiem.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment