The Amityville Horror (1979)
George Lutz, his wife Kathy, and their three children have just moved into a beautiful, and improbably cheap, Victorian mansion nestled in the sleepy coastal town of Amityville, Long Island. However, their dream home is concealing a horrific past and soon each member of the Lutz family is plagued with increasingly strange and violent visions and impulses.
Details
Budget
$4,700,000
Rating
6/10 (934 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
American International Pictures
About The Amityville Horror
Released in 1979, *The Amityville Horror* draws from the haunted house subgenre, focusing on the Lutz family's experiences in their new Long Island home. The film explores themes of paranormal activity and possession, with the setting itself, a Victorian mansion, becoming central to the horror. As strange events escalate, the family confronts a supernatural presence rooted in the house's past.
The film's approach to horror relies on creating a sense of dread through ambiguity and the psychological impact on its characters. It avoids overt gore in favor of unsettling incidents and the gradual deterioration of the family's well-being. The story positions the house as an antagonistic force, impacting its inhabitants both physically and mentally, and delving into elements of religious horror.
Why you might be searching for The Amityville Horror
People are often searching for this film due to its iconic haunted house setting, the premise of a family moving into a home with a dark history, and specific imagery such as a priest cleansing a house. The enduring mystery of the Amityville haunting and its connection to real-life claims also contributes to its searchability, along with its status as a foundational film in the horror genre.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer noted that this 1979 version, based on a purportedly true story, was a highly successful haunted house film for its time, predating *The Shining* by a year. They found it still functions as a moody and mysterious drama with horror elements, taking its time to build suspense.
Read the full reviewAnother review suggests the movie established many conventions for subsequent horror films. While some religious themes might feel dated, the film's character development, effective use of flashbacks, and dream sequences still create tension, supported by strong direction and cast.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "The Amityville Horror" on FuboTV, MGM+ (via Amazon Channel, Roku Premium Channel), Philo, or for free with ads on The Roku Channel and YouTube Free. It is also available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, and can be streamed for free on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Fawesome. [justwatch.com](https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-amityville-horror)
The film is based on the book by Jay Anson, which detailed the experiences of the Lutz family after they moved into a house where Ronald DeFeo Jr. had murdered his family in 1974. While the DeFeo murders are a true crime, many of the paranormal events described by the Lutzes and depicted in the film have been disputed, with the family's lawyer even admitting they were made up. [syfy.com](https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/the-true-story-of-the-amityville-horror)
The film concludes with the paranormal activity in the house reaching its peak during a storm. Blood oozes from the walls, the imaginary friend Jody appears as a red-eyed pig, and George Lutz becomes possessed, attempting to kill his children with an axe. Kathy intervenes, and after George falls into a pit of black sludge in the basement, the family flees the house, abandoning their belongings. [wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amityville_Horror_(1979_film))
While the film has been described as dull and disappointing with an unsatisfying ending and many underdeveloped subplots, some find it to be an effective and scary haunted house thriller, especially in its early parts. Its lack of commitment to a single narrative explanation can also make it feel uncanny. [rottentomatoes.com](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_amityville_horror)