7 Haunted Horror Movie Props That Allegedly Cursed Cast Members

Who it “cursed”: The entire cast and crew felt strange occurrences, especially the set designers, technical crews, and actors Jack MacGowran and Max von Sydow's brother.

How it "cursed" them: A mysterious fire destroyed the film's set, halting production, yet bizarrely, actress Linda Blair's bedroom remained untouched amid the destruction. Director William Friedkin later described the incident as "inexplicable" given how thoroughly the flames consumed everything except that pivotal room. Several cast members suffered strange accidents during filming, while actor Jack MacGowran and Max von Sydow's brother both died shortly after production.

Technical crews encountered their own troubles, with equipment malfunctioning specifically during disturbing or blasphemous scenes. Though Friedkin acknowledged these occurrences, he maintained a practical stance: “I don't personally believe the set was haunted, but I understand why others might.” Whether supernatural or coincidental, these incidents have significantly contributed to the film's enduring mystique.

Who it “cursed”: Two of the films stars, Heather O'Rourke, who played Carol Anne, and Dominique Dunne, who portrayed older sister Dana felt the ramification of the films “curse.”

How it "cursed" them: Persistent rumors suggest that using actual human skeletons as props in the first film's swimming pool scene triggered supernatural retribution. Production designer Richard Edlund confirmed years later that "yes, those were real human remains" used for budgetary reasons rather than creating fake skeletons, a practice not uncommon in older Hollywood productions. This macabre revelation has long been suggested as the curse's origin.

Young actress Heather O'Rourke, who played Carol Anne, died unexpectedly at age 12 from complications of intestinal stenosis. Dominique Dunne, who portrayed older sister Dana, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend shortly after the first film's release. The deaths of two additional actors from the sequels further cemented the curse's reputation.

Who it “cursed”: The crew, director James Wan, and actors Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga felt strange occurrences and had bizarre and terrifying moments on set of the films.

How it "cursed" them:The Conjuring universe draws directly from Ed and Lorraine Warren's collection of allegedly haunted objects. The Annabelle doll (represented by a stylized version in the films) remains secured behind blessed glass at the Warrens' occult museum, however, according to Vira Farmiga, production was plagued by unexplained claw marks appearing on documents and crew members experiencing unusual accidents after handling certain props.

During The Conjuring 2, actor Patrick Wilson's hotel room fire alarm inexplicably activated at 3:15 AM (the "witching hour" referenced in the film) multiple times throughout filming. Director James Wan faced unusual technical issues while editing footage containing the demonic nun character, specific scenes repeatedly became corrupted or disappeared from hard drives.

Who it “cursed”: Multiple cast members and star Ryan Reynolds felt numerous disturbances while filming at the legendary Amityville house.

How it "cursed" them: The notorious Amityville house, site of the DeFeo family murders in 1974, inspired both book and films. While filming the 2005 remake, multiple cast members reported waking precisely at 3:15 AM, when the original murders allegedly occurred. Star Ryan Reynolds experienced inexplicable insomnia, and the real-life Kathy Lutz passed away ring the first week of filming.

Several crew members quit after experiencing what they described as oppressive energy and unexplained equipment failures. The set reportedly received multiple blessings from clergy at the request of nervous cast members. Notably, filming didn't occur at the actual Amityville house but at locations some believed had absorbed similar negative energy through their association with the production.

Who it “cursed”: Actor Gregory Peck, producers David Selzter and Mace Neufeld, special effects consultant John Richardson, as well as animal handlers and various other crew members were affected by the films alleged curse.

How it "cursed" them: The Omen endured perhaps the most extensive series of misfortunes of any horror film. Tragedy struck before filming began when star Gregory Peck's son committed suicide. Subsequently, both Peck and screenwriter David Seltzer had their planes struck by lightning in separate incidents, as did producer Mace Neufeld on his own flight.

More disturbingly, special effects consultant John Richardson survived a car accident that decapitated his assistant, mirroring a death scene they had created for the film. The accident reportedly happened near a road sign indicating they were 66.6 kilometers from a Dutch town. Animal handlers hired for the baboon attack sequence were attacked by the animals shortly after filming. This collection of incidents has created what many consider Hollywood's most comprehensive “curse.”

Who it “cursed”: The cast and crew of the film all had to deal with bizarre and unusual occurrences while filming Annabelle.

How it "cursed" them: The real Annabelle doll (a Raggedy Ann, unlike its porcelain counterpart in films) remains one of the Warrens' most infamous possessions. During Annabelle production, set lighting reportedly fell precisely where actor Ward Horton had been standing moments earlier.

Director John R. Leonetti later described finding unusual claw-like marks on set materials that defied explanation. Crew accounts suggest the actual Annabelle doll, securely locked in the Warrens' museum miles away, inexplicably changed positions during filming of certain scenes. Producer Peter Safran remarked that while he remained skeptical, the frequency of unusual occurrences during production unsettled even non-believers on the set.