Local scares: Horror movies and thrilling shows set in the Poconos
If you've ever thought your own backyard could be the backdrop for a horror film, or that a local camp or main street could be a great setting for a scare— you're probably right. The Poconos have served as inspiration, and setting, for many a thriller on both big and small screens.
Read on for a list of Pocono pop culture, just in time for Halloween. Did we miss your favorite? Email us at afontones@gannett.com, or mhood@gannett.com and we will add it to this list.
Horror productions with ties to northeast PA
Bruce Harrison Smith, the mind behind 6 Degrees of Hell, starring Corey Feldman, and the 2017 flick Death House is from Stroudsburg. Rent or buy on Amazon Prime, watch on Fandor, the Roku Channel or Tubi TV. Both movies are rated R.
The 2006 reboot of the classic "Omen" features East Stroudsburg's own Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick as the spawn of Satan: Damien. Stream on HBO Max, or rent/buy on Amazon Prime. Rated R.
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Thrilling movies set in the Pocono Mountains
6 Degrees of Hell: The 2012 film, staring 1980s heartthrob Corey Feldman, was set at the popular Saylorsburg Halloween attraction, Hotel of Horror. Watch for free on Fandor, the Roku Channel or Tubi TV. Rated R.
The Fields: A 2011 horror movie shot in and around the Poconos, starring Tara Reid. Watch for free on the Roku Channel, Tubi TV; and on Fandor or Peacock. Rated 16-plus.
The Molly Maguires: This 1970s classic film set in Jim Thorpe stars Sean Connery and follows the legend of a group of Irish coal miners that retaliate against the cruelty of their work environment in 1876. Stream the Oscar-nominated film on Hoopla or PlutoTV; available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, or Vudu. Rated PG. You can visit the site of the Molly Maguires' demise at the Old Carbon County Jail in Jim Thorpe, which is supposedly haunted.
Brutal Massacre: David Naughton (of An American Werewolf in London fame) stars as horror director Harry Penderecki whose career has been plagued by violent mishaps and critics' attacks. Filmed on location in parts of Northampton County and Allentown. Stream on Tubi or rent from Amazon Prime.
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TV shows set in the Poconos sure to scare
Pretty Little Liars- "March of Crimes", episode 9, season 5: There's a bit of a mystery here, and it's not the perilous plot of Pretty Little Liars. A mysterious cabin belonging to the Hastings family is the backdrop for this episode. PLL lore has the cabin set in the "Stroudsburg area", of a random part of Pennsylvania that doesn't appear to be Monroe County (episodes of the show a route to the cabin near Stroudsburg on a map). Still, we can imagine this spooky hideout on any lake in the Poconos. The entire series is set in a fictional town in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Stream the original series, as well as the reboot, on HBO Max.
The Man in the High Castle: Multiple episodes of the Amazon Prime original series includes a major Poconos plot point: The Nazi train mentioned throughout the series is bound for the Pocono Mountains. Stream the series on Amazon Prime.
Deadly Cults - Oxygen TV: An episode of "Deadly Cults" centers around Monroe County's infamous Reptilian Murder Case, in which Barbara Rogers was found guilty of killing Steven Mineo. Watch reruns on cable TV or sign in to Oxygen.com to stream with your cable TV provider.
Heart of Darkness: - "Murder in the Poconos", episode 5, season 1: Former lovers are soon at war in court, but the day before their final custody hearing, a murder changes everything. Watch on TV, or stream online, on Investigation Discovery. Available to rent on Amazon Prime.
The Tony Randall Show - "Phantom of the Poconos", episode 19, season 2: Originally airing in 1978, this classic episode sees Judge Franklin inheriting an isolated mountain cabin.
Mathnet - "The Case of the Poconos Paradise", episode 5, season 4: George and Pat question the victims, most of whom turn out to be YOGURTs (Young Overbearing Greedy Upwardly-mobile Rude Twerps) robbed of unusual appliances while staying at the "Poconos Paradise resort" in this 1991 episode. A lower-resolution online stream is available here: bit.ly/3SGw2QH.
Ghost Detectives: "Daniels Top O the Poconos", episode 7, season 3: Paranormal reality show set in northeastern and central Pennsylvania. In this 2012 episode, the team investigates a Poconos location. Buy the episode on Amazon Prime to watch.
Dead Motel: Multiple episodes feature host Dan Bell exploring abandoned resorts in the Poconos. Watch the entire series online on YouTube.
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit - "Contagious", episode 11, season 6: This 2005 episode of the hit show features a suspect that runs a camp in the Pocono Mountains. Watch reruns on cable TV or stream online with Peacock.
Ashley Fontones is the managing editor of the Pocono Record and Tri-County Independent, and enjoys writing about local arts and culture from time to time. Reach her by emailing afontones@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Poconos pop culture: Horror movies, TV shows set or filmed in the area
