Get your pop and Red Vines out. These horror movies will hit too close to home for Iowans.
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We’re probably not going to face off against the razor-sharp dream-walker Freddy Krueger or battle supernatural evil like Ash Williams in the “Evil Dead” series. But these horror flicks will look and feel — distressingly — a bit familiar to Iowans, either due to the subject matter or their settings. Binge these flicks this Friday the 13th or anytime you’re looking for a good scare.
‘Children of the Corn’
Stephen King’s classic transforms corn into something nefarious in “Children of the Corn.” Adults become the victims in the fictional Nebraska town Gaitlin, where a dangerous cult and an evil entity rule. The 1984 movie was filmed in Whiting, Hornick and Sioux City, the Des Moines Register reported in 2014.
‘The Crazies’
George A. Romero’s 1970s film “The Crazies” got a remake in 2010, and this time, it was set in a fictional Iowa town. The story follows a group of survivors who attempt to flee their small town when its inhabitants are infected and become bloodthirsty killers. One of the filming locations includes Lenox in southwestern Iowa, according to Travel Iowa.
‘The Axe Murders of Villisca’
The movie “The Axe Murders of Villisca” is based on the true Iowa crime that took place more than a century ago in the southwest Iowa town Villisca. In 1912, eight people were bludgeoned to death in their sleep at their home. The case remains unsolved.
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‘Signs’
M. Night Shyamalan’s “Signs” doesn’t take place in Iowa, but its rural farm setting will feel familiar for many. The 2002 flick follows a family dealing with mysterious crop circles and other inexplicable events. Can you guess who’s arrived at their farm? The film stars Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix and Abigail Breslin.
‘It’
In 1980, serial killer John Wayne Gacy was convicted of sexually assaulting, torturing and murdering 33 boys inside his Illinois home, but he has a connection to Iowa. That includes living in Waterloo prior to moving to Illinois, and serving time in Iowa prison in 1968. Gacy would also spend time dressed as a clown to entertain, making Stephen King’s evil Pennywise the clown feel far more grounded in reality than what’d we care to believe. Watch the original miniseries from 1990 that stars Tim Curry or the 2017 remake starring Bill Skarsgård, Jessica Chastain and Bill Hader.
More: From John Wayne Gacy to the 'I-65 Killer,' how these 11 serial killers are connected to Iowa
The best Halloween movies in Iowa for kids
Avoid losing sleep later with these movies. The little ones, and adults, will have fun so that no one is pulling an all-nighter with the lights on.
‘Hotel Transylvania’ at Flix Brewhouse
Follow Count Dracula try to keep teen daughter away from a human at his hotel that serves only monsters in the animated hit. Adam Sandler and Selena Gomez lend their voices to “Hotel Transylvania,” the first of four movies.
When: Oct. 14 at 11 a.m.
Location: Flix Brewhouse, 3800 Merle Hay Road, Suite 1300, in Des Moines
‘Hocus Pocus’ at Varsity Cinema
Get spellbound by the Sanderson sisters, the trio of witches who are accidentally resurrected by a teen boy three centuries after their deaths. The 1993 film directed by Kenny Ortega has become an October classic.
When: Oct. 21
Location: Varsity Cinema, 1207 25th St. in Des Moines
‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ in Ankeny
Tim Burton’s classic follows the great Pumpkin King Jack Skellington, whose boredom in Halloweentown leads to the discovery of the dazzling Christmastown and his nightmarish efforts to take over Christmas. This showing is part of Ankeny’s Outdoor Cinema Halloween Series, with "Ghostbusters" playing on Oct. 14 and “Casper” playing on Oct. 21.
When: Oct. 28
Location: 417 S.W. Third St. in Ankeny
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: These are the best Halloween movies to watch in Iowa
