Plot Synopsis

Written, directed and edited by Jay Cheel, CURSED FILMS is a half-hour documentary series that 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. CURSED FILMS reveals the events that haunted these productions through interviews with experts, witnesses and the cast, directors and producers who lived through the real-life events. Were these films really cursed, as many believe, or just the victims of bad luck and bizarre circumstances? Interviewees include: 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. In the first of five installments, CURSED FILMS focuses on THE EXORCIST, exploring how the release of the movie was surrounded by controversy, with reports of fainting theater-goers. Plus, mysterious on-set accidents raised questions as to whether or not the film itself was evil. CURSED FILMS made its linear television debut on Friday, April 30, 2021 from 11pm-12:20am ET/PT, as AMC debuted back-to-back 40-minute episodes.
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Season 2 of this series, called CURSED FILMS II, premiered on Thursday, April 7, 2022, as Shudder released the first episode of the new season. The new season explores the myths and legends behind some of Hollywood's notoriously cursed horror film productions, including The Wizard of Oz (1939), Rosemary's Baby (1968), Stalker (1979), Serpent and the Rainbow (1988) and Cannibal Holocaust (1980). Episodes include:

"The Wizard of Oz" (Premieres Thursday, April 7, 2022): The Wizard of Oz is one of the most beloved films in the history of cinema, but its legacy is continually trailed by a mysterious darkness that seems at odds with the fanciful images presented on screen. Authors Aljean Harmetz and Stephen Cox discuss Margaret Hamilton's fiery mishap and address the rumors of drunken Munchkins tearing up the Culver hotel. Special effects designer and famed mythbuster Adam Savage explains how the Tin Man's makeup nearly killed the actor originally cast in the role. Certified Oz expert Gregg Turkington breaks down the notorious legend of the hanging munchkin, while Lorna Luft sets the record straight on the treatment of her mother, Judy Garland, by the studio behind the production of Oz.

"Rosemary's Baby" (Premieres Thursday, April 14, 2022): Rosemary's Baby hit theaters in 1968 in the midst of a political and cultural revolution in America. Its young director, Roman Polanski, created one of the most iconic horror films in history, seemingly drawing upon his own dark past in a film that's strangely connected to a number of tragic stories, starting with an unexpected death of a composer and leading to one of America's most notorious true crime cases: The Manson Family murders. Dianne "Snake" Lake recounts her time with the family and its connections to Rosemary's Baby, while photographer Julian Wasser shares his experience photographing Polanski as he explored the crime scene of the murder of his wife, Sharon Tate, and their unborn child.