Some upcoming 2022 summer horror releases feature perfectly eerie settings, from a mansion in the middle of nowhere in Bodies Bodies Bodies to the secluded ranch of Nope. A horror film set in a hotel is always fun as the main characters are often far from home and, in many cases, in a rural area where there is no one who can help them if things go awry.
There are several impressive horror movies set in motels or hotels, some of them haunted by evil spirits and others featuring killers who are thrilled when their latest victims check in. These hotel stays are memorable but not in the way that the characters expected.
1408 (2007)
Stream on Tubi and rent on AppleTV
Redditor cbri recommended 1408, the 2007 movie about Mike Enslin, a writer who stays in a haunted hotel although he isn't convinced that he believes in that. The fan wrote, "It's one of my favorite movies. Does it all take place in his head while he's sitting on the bed? Does he come out of the trance long enough to start the fire?"
1408 is a great adaptation of a Stephen King short story, as Mike realizes that he was totally wrong to think that the supernatural doesn't exist, and he has a terrifying experience in room 1408 in New York City's The Dolphin. The movie has all the hallmarks of a good King tale, from things that can't be explained to a main character wrestling with his own sad emotions and demons.
Werewolves Within (2021)
Stream on Fubo and DirecTV
While Werewolves Within tells the story of the residents of Beaverfield who learn that a creature is hunting people, there is a hotel element as well. Redditor terrorplex shared that "Parts of Werewolves Within is set in a hotel. Good watch if you haven’t seen it yet."
The movie is a unique take on the haunted hotel subgenre as the characters find safety at a lodge for a while, and it's the perfect creepy spot for them to take stock of what's going on and figure out a plan. It helps that Werewolves Within is also hilarious and smart, making it one of the most unique takes on a werewolf film that has been released in a long time.
The Innkeepers (2011)
Stream on Peacock
Redditor grunulak shared that "The Innkeepers is great, I really enjoyed it." While there are many fictional haunted hotels, this one might just take the cake. Luke and Claire work at the Yankee Peddler Inn and they seem to like their jobs, although the place is closing down so they're thinking about what's next. They love looking for spirits and Luke even has a website where he shares the creepy ghosts at this particular spot.
As Claire learns more about the darkness at this inn, she becomes more and more involved. Fans of Ti West's popular 2022 release X will want to watch his 2011 movie, especially because the ending is incredibly well-done.
Hostel (2006)
Stream on HBO Max
Replying to a thread about movies that focus on motels and hotels, Redditor zionvongrimm mentioned "Hostel." Josh Brooks and Paxton Rodriguez travel to Slovakia with a man named Alexei whom they know nothing about. This already sounds like the worst idea, and the friends learn that the extremely hard and painful way.
Hostel is not for the faint of heart and is an incredibly dark, bloody and brutal story about two friends being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It takes the common advice to not trust strangers to a whole new, horrible level.
Vacancy (2007)
Stream on Hulu
Several horror movies take a couple who are already in dire straits as their marriage is failing and then put them in the eeriest situation imaginable. Redditor SunnyKick shared that a hotel is a "Really great setting. I love it too" and said that Vacancy fits this category.
Amy and David Fox stay in a hotel where there are cameras in each room, and they learn that they're being watched, quickly wondering what else is going on there. While Amy isn't a famous enough character to be considered a classic final girl, she does stand up to the killer in an impressive way, figuring out how to get herself and her husband out of this awful situation.
Eaten Alive (1977)
Stream on AMC+ and Shudder
One Redditor suggested Tobe Hooper's "Eaten Alive" as a scary film about the Starlight Hotel, which is in Texas. The main characters all end up there for various reasons, and since it's near a swamp and there's also a crocodile, it's not a story that audiences will forget all that easily.
The movie is campier than The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the 1974 film that Hooper is famous for directing, and it's a wild ride that has a quick pace and shocking scenes.
Psycho (1960)
Stream on DirecTV and rent on AppleTV
Redditor Pwengu wrote that "Hitchcocks Psycho is the obvious choice" for a scary film that takes place in a hotel. The Bates Motel in California is one of the most iconic haunted hotels, along with the Overlook Hotel from the horror classic The Shining.
Norman and Norma Bates live at the motel together and since they are so far from other people, this creates an even creepier setting. The location is one reason why Psycho holds up today.
Cold Prey (2006)
Rent on Google Play
Redditor Tee_313 recommended the Norwegian film Cold Prey, describing the plot as "5 friends head up to the mountains to snowboard. They end up spending the night in a big, abandoned hotel, closed 30 years ago."
Horror fans looking for a particularly unnerving setting will like the lodge in Cold Prey, where no one has stayed in decades. While the friends decide to stay there since they have no other options, they quickly realize it was a terrible idea. The movie is one of the most alarming and terrifying stories with this kind of location.
Motel Hell (1980)
Rent on AppleTV
Redditor MagicalMysticalMyth shared that their "Guilty pleasure pick" is "Motel Hell." The great horror comedy movie tells the story of Vincent Smith, who runs a motel and is also a butcher. It's easy to guess what is going to happen next, but even though the plot is expected, it's still horrible to imagine this story actually taking place.
The film definitely gets pretty gross and gory as people learn that they want to get as far away from Vincent and his strange motel as possible. It's not for everyone, but Motel Hell does offer up a distinct take on a scary hotel story, as Vincent isn't exactly a typical hotel owner who wants everyone's stay to be as nice and comfortable as possible.
Identity (2003)
Stream on Netflix
Redditor ubuntu000 recommended "Identity," which finds ten strangers staying at a motel in Nevada. As people begin getting murdered, the characters want to learn who the killer is and also get to know each other better.
Identity has some shocking deaths along with a twist that audiences won't soon forget. The fact that a huge storm is also taking place at the time that the guests are in the motel makes it even more powerful, so the setting of Identity really can't be beat.