Ready to get into the Friday the 13th spirit?
We’ve all heard about how Victoria is the most haunted place in the Pacific Northwest, but did you know there’s also been a handful of frightful movies and TV shows filmed in the capital city?
Clearly, Greater Victoria is the perfect backdrop for fearful cinema.
Victoria’s spooky reputation has stuck around for years, so on this Friday the 13th, why not commemorate the notoriously freaky day with a movie marathon with a local flair?
We’ve compiled a list of scary movies and shows we recommend you cozy up and watch, so without further ado, here are 9 horror films and TV shows shot in and around the Greater Victoria area:
The Changeling (1980)
This haunted mansion story about a spectre stalking a troubled man uses Colwood’s Hatley Castle as a location for the Senator’s home.
The Boy (2016)
A ghostly doll makes trouble for Lauren Cohan’s character in the jump-scare packed film that again used the Craigdarroch Castle set.
The Poltergeist: Legacy (1996-1999)
This mid-90s series based on the iconic film of the same name used Hatley Castle for its 1996 episode titled “The Legacy”.
Ripper (2001)
This lesser-known film following the survivor of a massacre who studies serial killers and then finds herself hunted by a Jack The Ripper copycat was shot entirely in Victoria. In particular, it featured—you guessed it—Hatley Castle.
Scary Movie (2000)
This horror film spoof that pokes fun at late 90s pop culture references and classic horror films was shot around the city, most notably at Victoria High School.
The Girl in the Photographs (2015)
This indie film used Wellburn’s Market as both an indoor and outdoor shooting location for one of the main character’s jobs at a grocery store.
The Fog (2005)
The remake for the 1980’s John Carpenter ghostly tale used Cowichan Bay and Tofino instead of California for some of their haunting locations.
Lake Placid
Before 2019’s Alligator horror film Crawl, there was another film that kept people from getting into the water (outside of Jaws).
The New York lake in this film was actually Shawnigan Lake, which thankfully is alligator-free in real life.
Final Destination (2000)
Death stalks Devon Sawa and friends in this frightful story of not being able to escape one’s destiny. The death of the main character happens near Bastion Square, which is also believed to be haunted IRL!
Did we miss any? Comment below to let us know!
With files from Joel Brewster
