13 scary movies filmed in SC to binge this Halloween season
South Carolina might be known for its historic charm, Lowcountry cuisine and coastal beauty – but it also has a spooky side that’s lured filmmakers here for decades.
From slasher films to psychological thrillers and horror movies, the Palmetto State has served as the eerie backdrop for numerous scary movies, thanks to its moss-draped oaks, isolated woodlands and historic architecture.
If you’re searching for your next pick for a Halloween-themed movie night, here’s a chronological list of scary films made right here in the state.
“The Long Night” (2022)
Filmed in: Charleston
A quiet weekend getaway turns deadly when a couple is targeted by a mysterious cult carrying out an apocalyptic ritual. With its ominous vibe and unsettling villains, this thriller adds a modern cult-horror twist to South Carolina’s filmography.
“Halloween” (2018)
Filmed in: Charleston
The 11th installment in the “Halloween” franchise picks up 40 years after the original, with Jamie Lee Curtis reprising her role as Laurie Strode. This film is her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped him on Halloween night four decades ago.
“South of Hell” (2015, TV Series)
Filmed in: Charleston
This supernatural television series follows a demon-hunter-for-hire navigating a sinister underworld of evil spirits and personal demons. The series offers eight episodes of spooky southern suspense.
“The New Daughter” (2009)
Filmed in: Charleston
When a writer and his two children move to rural South Carolina, their new home and its mysterious burial mound trigger bizarre behavior in his daughter. This atmospheric thriller taps into local folklore and supernatural suspense.
“Asylum” (2008)
Filmed in: Rock Hill
This movie takes place in a college dorm with a dark history as it becomes the site of new horrors where students are tormented by the ghost of a sadistic doctor. Shot at Winthrop University, this horror flick gave a local campus a terrifying makeover.
“The Strangers” (2008)
Filmed in: Timmonsville, Florence County
Loosely inspired by the Manson family murders, this movie follows a young couple through a tense home invasion thriller. Filmed entirely in a converted warehouse in Florence County, the movie delivers chills with its haunting simplicity and the killer’s eerie motivation: “Because you were home.”
“The Haunted Mansion” (2003)
Filmed in: Beaufort
Eddie Murphy stars in this family-friendly spooky tale about a real estate agent and his family trapped in a haunted southern mansion. While mostly filmed in Louisiana, portions of this Disney film were shot in the picturesque town of Beaufort and in Savannah, Georgia, showcasing the Lowcountry’s atmospheric charm.
“The Rage: Carrie 2” (1999)
Filmed in: Rock Hill
A sequel to the Stephen King classic, “Carrie,” this film follows a teen outcast with telekinetic powers seeking revenge after being publicly humiliated. Parts of the movie were filmed at Winthrop University, bringing supernatural high school horror to South Carolina.
“Last Dance” (1996)
Filmed in: Beaufort and Ridgeland
This psychological thriller follows Cindy Liggett, a death row inmate, and her evolving relationship with the lawyer trying to save her life. The drama was filmed in Ridgeland and Beaufort, adding a Southern backdrop to this emotional story of redemption.
“Campfire Tales” (1991)
Filmed in: Columbia and Hunting Island
An anthology of scary stories, this four-part cult horror film has tales ranging from zombie pirates to killer Santa. The film was shot in both Columbia and Hunting Island.
“Sleeping with the Enemy” (1991)
Filmed in: Spartanburg, Abbeville and Clinton
Julia Roberts stars in this classic romantic thriller about a woman faking her own death to escape her abusive and obsessive husband. While the story takes her character across the country, key scenes were filmed in South Carolina – including Presbyterian College in Clinton.
“Swamp Thing” (1982)
Filmed in: Charleston and Cypress Gardens
Before Wes Craven terrified audiences with “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Scream,” he turned a research scientist into a swampy creature in the Lowcountry swamps. Shot entirely in South Carolina, the film transformed local swamps into the eerie lairs of a mutant monster.
“Deliverance” (1972)
Filmed in: Chattooga River, Lake Jocassee, Beaufort
Though set in Georgia, this survival thriller used the Chattooga River and Lake Jocassee for some of its most iconic scenes. This film follows four friends who find themselves in a fight for their lives when their canoe trip through the wilderness leads them into a gang of unwelcoming backwoods locals.
Did we miss any? Let us know by emailing amiller@islandpacket.com to have another scary film added to this list.
Reader recommended scary movies
This list will be updated to reflect scary movie suggestions from readers:
“Pater Noster and the Mission of Light” (2024)
Filmed in: Columbia
This horror film follows a group of record store workers who encounter a vinyl record that features music from a 1970s hippie cult. Through a series of events, they are eventually drawn into discovering more about the cult and its hidden commune, and eventually, bloody carnage ensues.
This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "13 scary movies filmed in SC to binge this Halloween season."
