Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about amityville horror films.
What are the Amityville horror films?
A long-running series of supernatural horror movies set in a house in Amityville, Long Island, New York, where occupants encounter malevolent spirits and demonic entities. The franchise kicked off with the 1979 theatrical feature and has since produced numerous sequels, remakes, and direct-to-video entries.
What real events do the films draw from?
The stories are loosely inspired by the 1974 DeFeo murders at 112 Ocean Avenue, in which Ron DeFeo killed his wife and five children, and by the subsequent 1975–76 stay of the Lutz family, who alleged paranormal disturbances. A 1976 book by Jay and Kay Ann Price popularized those claims, and the films expand on them with heavy creative license.
Who are the central characters fans keep encountering?
George and Kathy Lutz and their young children are the recurring protagonists in most entries, serving as the family trapped inside the cursed house. The primary antagonist is typically an unnamed demonic presence, sometimes visualized as a shadowy black figure or, in the 1979 original, a possessed child.
Where should a newcomer start if they want to watch the franchise?
The 1979 original is the most widely recommended first watch because it established the tone, characters, and core mythology. If you prefer a faster-paced, more graphic experience, the 1999 remake starring Ryan Phillippe and Jennifer Beals is the next most popular entry point.
How many Amityville films are there in total?
Depending on how you count TV movies and direct-to-video releases, the franchise spans roughly a dozen or more features from 1979 through the mid-2000s. The most frequently cited are the 1979 original, the 1990 sequel, and the 1999 remake.
What is the single most iconic scene across the franchise?
The possessed-child sequence in the 1979 original, in which a young boy speaks in a guttural demonic voice, is the set piece most often singled out by fans and critics. The 1999 remake's climactic demon-emergence scene is a close second in terms of cultural recognition.
Is the Amityville haunting actually a true story?
The 1974 murders at 112 Ocean Avenue are documented historical fact, but the supernatural experiences described by the Lutzes have never been corroborated by independent investigation. The films take substantial fictional liberties beyond even the claims in the original book.
What sets the 1979 film apart from the 1999 remake?
The 1979 version builds dread slowly through period-accurate 1970s production design and restrained horror, while the 1999 remake favors jump scares, louder sound design, and a more physically active demon. The remake also restructures certain plot beats and gives the entity a more visible, aggressive role.
Why does 112 Ocean Avenue keep coming up in discussions?
It is the actual Long Island address where the DeFeo murders occurred and where the Lutzes reportedly lived, making it the physical anchor for the entire franchise. The house has since become a shorthand for haunted-house horror and remains a destination for paranormal tourists and enthusiasts.
Do the sequels tell the same story as the first film?
Most follow-ups place a new family or a new supernatural threat in the same house, treating it as a permanently cursed location rather than retelling the Lutz narrative. The 1990 entry, Amityville II, is the notable exception, as it directly continues the Lutz family's arc.