Utah County might be known for its gorgeous mountain ranges and peaceful valleys, but it also hides a darker side. Over the years, the scenic beauty of this area has been transformed into a backdrop for many haunting and spine-tingling films. Let’s count down the horror movies filmed in Utah County, from the most recent to the classics that have terrified audiences for decades.
1. Cryo (2022)
Location: Provo Center Street
One of the newest horror movies to emerge from Utah County, Cryo takes viewers deep underground, where five scientists awaken from cryosleep with no memory of who they are. As they realize a killer is among them, suspense builds in the claustrophobic, subterranean setting of Provo’s Center Street. Directed by Utah’s own Barrett Burgin, Cryo uses familiar locales to create an atmosphere of paranoia and dread. Next time you’re downtown, you may feel a chill imagining the secrets hidden below.
2. The Appearance (2018)
Location: Provo Canyon
Set in medieval times, The Appearance is a tale of monks, witchcraft, and paranoia. Filmed along South Fork Road in Provo Canyon, the movie turns this beautiful area into a foreboding place of mystery. With its captivating sound and award-winning score, the film draws viewers into an unsettling world where nothing is as it seems. If you’re a fan of historical thrillers, this one will haunt you long after the credits roll, especially when driving through Provo Canyon’s winding roads.
3. Nightlight (2015)
Location: Alpine & Provo
This psychological horror film brings a supernatural twist to Utah County’s scenic Alpine woods. Nightlight follows five teens who venture into the woods, only to awaken a malevolent force that feeds on their deepest fears. With scenes shot in both Alpine and Provo, the film captures the eerie beauty of Utah’s wilderness at night. It’s a perfect watch for anyone who has ever wondered what might be lurking just out of sight in the shadows.
4. Snow Beast (2011)
Location: Mount Timpanogos
Mount Timpanogos doubles as the snowy Canadian wilderness in Snow Beast, a monster horror film that pits a research team against a fearsome yeti. The towering, snow-capped peaks of Utah County add a layer of realism to this creature feature, making the fear feel all too real. If you’ve ever gone skiing or hiking in the area, you might catch yourself glancing over your shoulder, just in case.
5. Bats (1999)
Location: Genola
In this campy yet terrifying thriller, a swarm of mutant bats descends on a small Texas town. Genola, with its open, rural landscape, served as the perfect stand-in. Starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Bats blends horror and action, with Utah County’s stunning but desolate scenery playing a key role in the tension. If you’re passing through Genola, imagine the eerie sound of wings beating overhead and try not to shiver.
6. Troll 2 (1990)
Location: Sundance
Dubbed “the best worst movie ever made,” Troll 2 is an unforgettable mix of unintentional comedy and true horror. The film centers on a family battling goblins who disguise themselves as humans in a small town. Filmed at Sundance, Troll 2 transforms the picturesque mountain community into a bizarre nightmare world. Whether you love it or hate it, the film has cemented its place in cult horror history.
7. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
Location: Orem, Salt Lake City, & Ogden
Michael Myers returned once more in Halloween 5, filmed in various locations across the Wasatch Front, including Orem. The quiet suburban streets of Utah County became the battleground for Myers’ latest rampage, adding a layer of dread to familiar neighborhoods. For horror enthusiasts, it’s chilling to think that the masked killer once stalked the streets of Orem, just a stone’s throw from everyday life.
8. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
Location: Stockton
The Halloween franchise brought its fourth installment to Utah, with Stockton standing in for the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois. The rural roads and isolated homes around Stockton created the perfect hunting ground for the ever-terrifying Michael Myers. The tension between small-town normalcy and slasher horror is palpable, especially if you’ve ever driven through these quiet areas after dark.
9. Slaughter of the Innocents (1993)
Location: Dry Valley, Home of Truth
This psychological thriller follows an FBI agent and his genius son as they track a child-killer in Utah’s eerie ghost town, Home of Truth. Located in Dry Valley, this abandoned settlement lends a haunting authenticity to the film. Its real-life history as a failed utopian religious community only adds to the creepy atmosphere, making it a perfect setting for a story steeped in darkness and obsession.
10. The Stand (1994)
Location: Cedar Fort, Lehi, & Olmstead Hydroelectric Plant
Stephen King’s The Stand came to life in Utah, with scenes shot in Cedar Fort, Lehi, and the atmospheric Olmstead Hydroelectric Plant. This apocalyptic miniseries, which chronicles the battle between good and evil after a deadly plague, captures the eerie isolation of these places perfectly. Driving through Cedar Fort, you might get a sense of foreboding, as if you’ve stepped into King’s end-of-the-world vision.
11. Warning Sign (1985)
Location: Payson
An early sci-fi horror film, Warning Sign was shot in Payson, transforming the sleepy town into the site of a biological outbreak. The plot centers on an agricultural research facility where an experiment gone wrong causes widespread panic. Payson’s small-town charm serves as an ironic backdrop for this terrifying tale of science run amok. As you drive through, you might feel the lingering unease of a once-contained threat.
From the latest horrors to classic thrillers, Utah County’s breathtaking yet eerie landscapes have made them perfect for Hollywood’s most terrifying tales. Whether it’s a haunted mine, a killer lurking in the shadows, or a monster on the loose, these movies leave a ghostly mark on the beautiful settings we know so well.
