12 Incredible Places to Film Horror Movies in Los Angeles

Horror films are extremely location dependent. And lighting. A vibrant toy store can be converted to match the tone of a horror film, but that requires a fair amount of effort. What’s better is using an ideal setup which requires minimal changes to the set. We here at Giggster get that. Which is why, we've scoured through our extensive collection of film rentals in Los Angeles and created this list comprised of the best locations you can rent for filming horror movies in the City of Angels.

A 1909 craftsman home built in a Gothic/Tudor style, this historic home is immaculately designed and decorated with time correct antiques and fixtures. The first floor has a darker, creepy, moody vibe, while the top floor is a little brighter and lighter. The house has a lot of neutral and warm colors with plenty of quirky patterns and relic-level installations all around — a treat for both director and the DoP.

A craftsman home that was freshly renovated, this space has all the workings of a scary house. Blank walls, a fireplace with a mantle, neglected yards and a shower with a glass partition. Near the Ascot Hills, this gateside property barely gets much natural light which adds a gloom to your shots even in the daytime. Any footage shot here is worthy of sending chills up the spine!

An imposing space that has a warm tones all over, this Victorian home has all the making of a haunted venue. Just look at the picture above and try to imagine the amount of things that could be haunted and possessed within that photo. The exposed beams and vaulted ceiling really add to the theme along with the brick walls. There’s also an old pump organ, a ton of Victorian art, a faux fireplace and more.

Yup! You read it right. Built in the 1930s, this gorgeous family home was reduced to an abandoned film set after a sudden house fire in 2016. Talk about bringing in realism to your horror movie. Nestled on a 10-acre ranch, this one-of-a-kind property features all sorts of ranch sights as well including outbuildings, rural roads and paths, vineyards, horseshoe pits, fruit and vegetable gardens, stables, fountains and much more. You can even rent camera and lighting equipment directly from the venue at an additional cost, greatly reducing any logistical challenges on the day of the shoot.

Motels are haunted; this much is a given. But when you find an abandoned motel and pool hall in DTLA you can be sure of one thing, it’s definitely haunted. The metal is rusting, the floors are stained, the walls are drab and bare, and there are multiple rooms, all of which look equally haunting. So much so that if used wisely, this could be the only location you need to film at. Fitted with all the workings of a motel, including guest rooms, a bar, an office space, an accessible balcony and fire escapes; this space has a spooky aura which the camera can capture perfectly.

Featuring a rich blend of Victorian and Craftsman styles, this horror listing features a ton of retro, bespoke decor and furniture. Built in 1902, this mid-sized house has a unique "boarding house" style bathroom as well, which let's face it, you won't really find in home in-and-around Los Angeles. What's more, the home features an original exterior and the interiors showcase some truly gorgeous woodwork and craftsmanship. There's even a basement with a creepy floor texture, thoroughly fitting the theme of a horror house.

Not all horror films are shot in the dark, with bad lighting and cliched props. Some are shot in beautiful, abandoned locations where the grass is green and the area looks friendly. The Grinhart Ranch Scary House in Brea is one such location. Far from the noise and sights of the city, this ranch property is desolate and undisturbed. An isolated home far from the rest of the world, now that is horror show waiting to happen!

A literal warehouse panic room in Downtown Los Angeles! Red & white weathered walls make up most of the desolate, neglected space that also features exposed beams and pipes, yellowing sections in the ceiling and walls, and rusting metals. The wall is chipping down in places and there’s a definite eeriness to the air. That said, this place is commonly used by artists and has made its way into plenty of music videos owing to its drab and plain visual overtone.

Most walls world over are white, or some shade of it. They’re more welcoming that way. But when you have an entire hallway that is black, then you know there is something sinister that is about to happen. With just one window to control light, you can draw the maximum horror value from the space with ease.

A dark, cavernous location, these dungeons below DTLA have everything eerie going on. With ornate decor and a rustic vibe, let’s rephrase what these are - dungeons. Paralleled in the film world with something scary and spooky, these dungeons are no different. The tiled walls, low hanging archways and exposed columns really sell the aesthetics of the place. A definite spot which you should consider filming at since all the visuals and decor looks spectacular on the camera.

Registered with the US Department of the Interior as a National History Place in America this house has a lot of features and onscreen presence. An attic, a ball room, sweeping verandas, courtyard gardens and incredibly thoughtful interiors, this rustic house is definitely spooky. The house itself was built in 1882 and lends itself beautifully to a horror and thriller. Widespread, and featuring multiple bedrooms, baths and fireplaces there’s even a butler’s pantry, sunroom and more to make use of on your movie shoot here.

A dingy warehouse space, this neglected lot has all the grit and character a horror film could ask for, and then some. The distressed wood, exposed brick, vintage industrial elements, stained glass, dilapidating doors, exposed beams, and dull columns here are extremely photogenic. There are a ton of different textures and features for you to play with, of which the floor drain and rollup gate are noteworthy mentions especially for a horror movie.

Horror films are really sold on the location and how the location is dressed up. Some of these locations require a few props, whereas the other ones really have all you could ask for. But regardless of that, that was our pick for the top spots to shoot for horror movies in LA. If you’re interested in any of these locations for your next shoot, or want to know more about them, see more pictures perhaps, then please follow the links in the description. In case you'd like to see listings, please click on this link to view our full list of all available photo and film rentals in LA.

Happy scaring!

Find and rent more horror movie locations in Los Angeles on Giggster.