Canada has a thing for horror movies. Films that chill you to the bone, drawing not just on the genre itself but on what’s lurking in our collective past. Canadian filmmakers, for whatever reason, keep returning to horror as a way to dig into those distinctly Canadian themes. When you think about it, makes sense. The vast, sometimes scary wilderness, the isolation, indigenous folklore, and a mishmash of cultures are all the stuff we don’t necessarily talk about over dinner. Horror’s practically become part of the country’s cultural DNA at this point, though you might not catch Canadians admitting it outright. But it’s not just Canadians that film horror movies, it’s Hollywood as well.

Why do We Love Horrors?

Why are humans so drawn to horrors anyway? Some people pay good money to be terrified, while others would rather do anything else. Scientists have tried explaining this through biochemical arguments and novel experiences. Whatever it may be, horror as a concept inspires the entertainment industry, be it the movies, video games or live games. Yes, even casino games can revolve around horror themes. And don’t get us started on video games, which have seen so many great titles from the horror genre in the last few decades. But this article is about movies, so let’s get on with our list of iconic filming locations in Canada.

Locations in Ontario

Ontario is one of the top filming locations in Canada where many well-known horror movies, both Canadian and American, were filmed. Naturally, if we’re going to mention iconic locations, we need to tie them with the iconic Canadian horror movies. Even if you’re not a horror fan, you’ve probably heard of Black Christmass (1974), often mentioned as the best Canadian horror title of all time, mostly because it didn’t spoon-feed its mystery. The killer’s identity is never revealed, and that’s where the tension sticks. The movie was shot in different locations across the town. Moving down the list, IT(2017) is another famous horror movie shot in downtown Toronto. The abandoned house from the movie is a real 122-year-old abandoned house, and several other locations in town were used for filming as well. Three movies from the famous Silent Hill series were also filmed in Toronto, as well as the Saw II–Saw VII (2005–2010), Jigsaw (2017), and Spiral (2021). Oh, and American Psycho (2000) was also shot in Toronto, at least some parts of it that weren’t shot in New York.

Locations in Alberta

Alberta is a very attractive filming location, especially the south and the southwest and has seen many filming crews in the last few years. Part of the reason is that Edmonton has a surprising number of creepy places, most notably the abandoned Charles Camsell Hospital. It’s hard to beat the creepiness of this reportedly haunted building. One of the horrors filmed there was Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004), a movie about two teen sisters where one gets bitten by a werewolf. Children of the Corn: Revelation (2001) is another Steven King’s book adaptation filmed in Alberta. The Last of Us is perhaps the best known name from this list. The show was filmed in many different locations like downtown Edmonton and Calgary which were made to look post-apocalyptic. And please allow us to say – we can’t wait for season two!

Locations in Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Canada is perfect for filming horrors, although, surprisingly, there aren’t that many well-known titles filmed there. You’ll find small coastline towns, thick forests and a lot of fog in Atlantic Canada. Can it get any better for shooting anything unsettling? As for the title, Blood Quantum (2019), the zombie apocalypse movie has some scenes filmed in Campbellton, New Brunswick. People have compiled endless lists of the best Canadian horror movies which mostly revolve around 10-15 of the same titles, and it’s hard not to find Treevenge (2008) there. A true standout, this horror-comedy short comes straight out of Halifax. And it’s no exaggeration to say that in the world of blood-spattered, darkly funny films shot in Atlantic Canada, this one holds its own. So if you haven’t seen it already, we strongly advise you find it online and give it a shot.