Directed by: Jay Cheel
Starring: Lance Anderson • Hector Avalos • Bridget Baiss • Nate Bales

Vincent Bauhaus • Stefano Beninati • Michael Berryman • Linda Blair

Tony Burke • Sean Clark • Michael Correll • Douglas Cowan • Eileen Dietz

Richard Donner • Stephen Farber • Colin Geddes • Matt Gourley • Sarah Graff

Kane Hodder • Robert Hofler • Richard Holloman • Mitch Horowitz

Matthew Hutson • Lloyd Kaufman • E.A. Koetting • Barton Lane

Max MacDonald • Joseph Mazur • Matt Miller • Jeff Most • Mace Neufeld

Phil Nobile Jr. • Craig Reardon • Clay Routledge • Richard Sawyer

Gary Sherman • Michael Shermer • Ryan Turek • April Wolfe
Written by: Jay Cheel
Runtime:  30 min per episode
Rating: R
Our Rating: ★★★★

Cursed Films is a five-part documentary series which explores the myths and legends behind some of Hollywood’s notoriously “cursed” horror film productions. From plane accidents and bombings during the making of The Omen, to the rumored use of real human skeletons on the set of Poltergeist, these stories are legendary amongst film fans and filmmakers alike. But where does the truth lie?

Cursed Films reveals the real-life events that haunted these productions through interviews with experts, witnesses and the cast, directors and producers who lived through them. Were these films really cursed, as many believe, or just the victims of bad luck and bizarre circumstances?

First off, Robert Stack’s trench coat would be proud of Shudder’s Cursed Films. Instead of documenting real life cold cases and paranormal incidents from the lives of ordinary people, this docuseries explores the real-life paranormal incidents, accidents and death involved in some of horror’s most legendary films.

Poltergeist — Premieres April 9
Untimely deaths connected to the making of the Poltergeist films inspire rumors that the production was cursed, stoked by stories that real human skeletons were used during the making of the film.

A series of unfortunate events plague the cast and crew during the making of The Omen, raising fears that the film might be cursed by the devil himself.

The second episode of the series is about the 1982 film Poltergeist and it also explores incidents involving the two other films in the franchise. As many fans have speculated and discussed throughout the years, during production these films suffered more than a few mishaps, one of which involves the clown scene with Oliver Robins.

The film was also plagued with real life death, including two young stars Heather O’Rourke and Dominique Dunn. The episode finally addresses a big question – were those real skeletons in that pool with JoBeth Williams? There’s another, “cursed” situation the episode didn’t mention, cast member, Richard Lawson, is a survivor of the 1992 plane crash of USAir 405. The plane crashed into the Flushing Bay in Queens. Of the 51 people on board, 27 were killed, including the captain and a member of the cabin crew.

The Omen — Premieres April 9
The third episode ‘The Omen‘ is also full of some of the freakiest bad luck for a film production. This time there are car accidents, two plane crashes and even a real-life decapitation. So, was this film cursed or just the byproducts of a bunch of random horrifying coincidences? This episode brings in a real-life witch and speaks to experts on curses and black magic. Legendary director Richard Donner offers commentary on the films crazy incidents as well.

The Exorcist — Premieres April 2
The release of The Exorcist was surrounded by controversy, as reports of fainting theatre-goers and mysterious on-set accidents raised questions as to whether or not the film itself was evil.

Cursed Films premieres on Shudder Thursday, April 2, with The Exorcist episode, followed by the Poltergeist and The Omen on April 9 and The Crow and Twilight Zone: The Movie on April 16.