13 Films With Reputations For Bad Luck
Some movies carry stories that refuse to stay on the screen.
Long after the final cut, whispers follow them through film history, tied to accidents, strange coincidences, and patterns that feel unsettling once you start connecting the dots.
These reputations rarely come from a single incident. They build over time through injuries, sudden setbacks, eerie parallels, or productions plagued by one problem after another.
Whether coincidence or something harder to explain, the narratives stick because they play into a long-standing fascination with the idea that certain projects invite misfortune.
The myths become part of the movie’s identity, passed along with trivia, late-night discussions, and the uneasy feeling that some productions carry more than just a script.
Disclaimer: This article reflects widely reported production histories, documented accidents, and long-circulating film lore associated with the titles listed. Some stories have been amplified through retelling, and interpretations vary by source and time period. The content is provided for general informational and entertainment purposes and is not legal, financial, or professional advice.
1. The Exorcist
A mysterious fire tore through the set during production, destroying nearly everything except Regan’s bedroom where the possession scenes were filmed. Spooky, right?
Cast members reported strange occurrences and unexplained illnesses throughout shooting.
Even audiences weren’t safe! Reports of fainting, vomiting, and panic attacks flooded theaters during early screenings.
Some theaters even stationed ambulances outside just in case.
Decades later, people still debate whether dark forces were genuinely at play or if it was all just unfortunate coincidence.
2. The Omen
Lightning strikes don’t usually happen twice, but Gregory Peck and screenwriter David Seltzer both had their planes hit during production. What are the odds?
Shortly after filming with the baboons, a zookeeper was tragically mauled by a lion.
Special effects artist John Richardson survived a car crash that killed his assistant, eerily near a road sign marking the distance as 66.6 kilometers. Talk about chilling!
These incidents transformed the film from horror fiction into something that felt disturbingly real.
3. Poltergeist
Real human skeletons were used as props in the pool scene because they were cheaper than plastic ones. Creepy decision, right?
That choice seemed to invite genuine tragedy into the production’s future.
Young Heather O’Rourke passed away at just 12 years old from a misdiagnosed intestinal issue. Dominique Dunne was murdered by her ex-boyfriend at 22, shortly after the first film’s release.
Two other cast members also passed away young, cementing this franchise’s reputation as Hollywood’s most genuinely haunted series.
4. The Crow
Brandon Lee’s death during filming remains one of cinema’s most heartbreaking accidents. A prop gun that should have been harmless fired a lodged bullet fragment, killing him instantly.
Production shut down immediately, leaving everyone devastated.
Filmmakers later used digital effects and a body double to complete his remaining scenes. The movie became both his memorial and his final performance, forever linking his legacy with tragedy.
5. Twilight Zone: The Movie
A helicopter crash during filming killed actor Vic Morrow and two young children, Myca Dinh Le and Renee Shin-Yi Chen.
This wasn’t just bad luck – it was a preventable tragedy caused by dangerous working conditions and ignored safety protocols.
The resulting trial and investigations changed Hollywood forever, leading to stricter child labor laws and safety regulations.
6. Rosemary’s Baby
Roman Polanski’s wife, Sharon Tate, was brutally murdered by the Manson Family just a year after this film’s release.
The connection between the movie’s satanic themes and real-world horror felt disturbingly prophetic to many observers.
Composer Krzysztof Komeda died from a head injury shortly after completing the film’s haunting score.
Even the Dakota building where exterior shots were filmed later became infamous as John Lennon’s murder site.
These tragedies cast a permanent shadow over what was already an unsettling psychological thriller.
7. Superman
Christopher Reeve’s paralysis from a horse-riding accident became the most visible part of the so-called Superman curse. However, the tragedies extended far beyond just one actor’s misfortune.
George Reeves died under mysterious circumstances in 1959. Margot Kidder struggled with severe mental health issues.
Richard Pryor developed multiple sclerosis, while Marlon Brando faced family tragedies.
Whether curse or coincidence, the pattern of misfortune surrounding Superman actors has become impossible to ignore.
8. Apocalypse Now
Typhoons destroyed expensive sets multiple times, forcing costly rebuilds and delays.
Martin Sheen suffered a near-fatal heart attack during filming at just 36 years old, yet continued working after minimal recovery time.
The Philippine government recalled helicopters mid-shoot to fight actual rebels, disrupting production schedules.
Director Francis Ford Coppola had a nervous breakdown, and the entire production spiraled into chaos that mirrored the film’s subject matter.
Sometimes art imitates life a little too accurately for comfort.
9. The Passion of the Christ
Jim Caviezel was struck by lightning during the crucifixion scene – not once, but the assistant director standing beside him was hit twice!
How’s that for divine intervention or cosmic coincidence?
The actor also suffered hypothermia, pneumonia, and a dislocated shoulder during the grueling production. His body temperature reportedly dropped so low that he needed extended medical attention.
10. Atuk
This unproduced comedy about an Eskimo in New York became Hollywood’s most feared script.
John Belushi read it shortly before his fatal overdose in 1982, starting a disturbing pattern that nobody could explain.
Sam Kinison died in a car crash after considering the role. John Candy passed away suddenly after reading the script, and Chris Farley died shortly after expressing interest.
Whether coincidence or genuine curse, the project remains permanently shelved, and most actors now refuse to even acknowledge its existence.
11. The Wizard of Oz
Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the Tin Man but nearly died from aluminum powder in his makeup.
Margaret Hamilton suffered severe burns during a fiery scene, spending weeks recovering from second and third-degree injuries.
The Wicked Witch’s copper-based makeup was so toxic it couldn’t be ingested, meaning she could only consume liquids through a straw.
Meanwhile, the asbestos fake snow potentially exposed everyone to dangerous carcinogens.
Behind the rainbow and cheerful songs lurked genuinely dangerous working conditions that would never fly today.
12. Rebel Without a Cause
James Dean died in a car crash just weeks before the film’s release, instantly transforming him into a tragic legend.
Natalie Wood drowned under mysterious circumstances in 1981, adding another layer of sorrow to the film’s legacy.
Sal Mineo was stabbed to death in 1976, making him the third young star from this production to die tragically early.
Their combined fates seemed to mirror the film’s themes of doomed youth and rebellion.
13. Macbeth
Theater folks never say “Macbeth” inside a playhouse, calling it “The Scottish Play” instead to avoid bad luck.
That superstition extends to film adaptations, which have experienced their own share of bizarre accidents and misfortunes.
Roman Polanski’s 1971 version faced particular scrutiny given his wife’s recent murder. Orson Welles’ 1948 adaptation dealt with constant technical problems and financial struggles that nearly derailed the entire production.
