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Was the Iconic ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ House Used Years Prior in ‘Halloween’?

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Photo Credit: Sean Clark

Just when you think you already know everything there is to know about the original Halloween, little tidbits have a way of coming to the surface that completely surprise even the most knowledgeable Halloween fanatics–even 40 years later.

Convention king and Horrors Hallowed Grounds host Sean Clark made a post to his personal Facebook page last autumn and it’s been on my mind ever since. He was fortunate enough to snap a few pics of his visit inside the original Nightmare on Elm Street house when it was for sale back in 2006–before the property was sold, gutted, and completely modernized. 

Now, it’s important to note that the iconic green-roofed house as seen in the original Nightmare was mainly only used for exterior shots. Aside from a few shots of Nancy’s bedroom, the interiors were filmed at an entirely different location. 

As Sean toured around the inside of the Elm Street house, he began to get a sense that the interior of the home seemed rather… familiar. But it didn’t click until he was looking back at the photos he had taken, and noticed the large wooden rocking horse sitting in the living room. He had seen that horse and this living room in a movie–but it wasn’t Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street.

It was Carpenter’s Halloween

Need a refresher? In the extended television cut of Halloween, there is a scene of Laurie fresh out of the shower, getting ready for babysitting. She rushes down the stairs to answer the phone, and in that shot you can catch a glimpse of the horse.

Take a look at Sean’s photos taken inside the Elm Street house:

Photo Credit: Sean Clark

Photo Credit: Sean Clark

See the horse by the front door? Now, look at the screen grabs from Halloween:

That’s the same horse and layout! Even the window drapes and door frame are identical.

Not convinced? Take a look at this comparison featuring P.J. Soles’ Lynda.

Sean’s photo inside Elm Street house:

Photo Credit: Sean Clark

Halloween screen grab:

Again, the window drapes and railing are exactly the same in both photos.

Oh, and that’s not all. Carpenter utilized the location to his full advantage and even used an upstairs bedroom to stand-in as Annie’s room. But not just any bedroom–Nancy’s bedroom! Ya know, the one with the window she looked out of in Elm Street. Those same windows can be seen in Annie’s bedroom scene.

Take a look at the side by side below:

Photo Credit: Sean Clark

Sean also recalls that the owner of the Elm Street house had a piece of paper signed by Jamie Lee Curtis–providing further evidence that the Halloween crew must have filmed there.

[Related] Robert Englund Reveals That He Worked On the Set of ‘Halloween’ 1978

While it can’t be 100% confirmed, the evidence is pretty substantial, and the filming locations for both flicks aren’t far from each other, so it’s totally possible. What do you think? Is that the same house? Let me know in the comments below.

Thanks to Sean Clark for the images and the story.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on October 28, 2019.

Lover of horror movies, ghosts, and all Halloween candy. Entertainment writer also seen in Esquire, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, and more.

Movies

’28 Years Later’ Releasing Summer 2025!

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28 Years Later/ 28 Days Later Best Horror Films

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are reteaming for the long-awaited 28 Years Later horror sequel trilogy, and the first film in that new trilogy now has a release date.

28 Years Later arrives in theaters on June 20, 2025 from Sony.

Jack O’Connell (Amy Winehouse: Back To Black) has joined the previously announced Jodie Comer (Alone in the Dark, “Killing Eve”), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven the Hunter), and Ralph Fiennes (The Menu) in the upcoming 28 Years Later.

Alex Garland will write the first film and Boyle will return to direct. Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels) will direct the second installment in the trilogy from Sony Pictures.

Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) is on board as executive producer.

The original movie in 2002 starred Cillian Murphy and was written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle. In the smash hit horror film, “Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.”

A sequel, 28 Weeks Later, arrived in 2007. Juan Carlos Fresnadillo took over as director. In the sequel, which starred Jeremy Renner, “Six months after the rage virus was inflicted on the population of Great Britain, the US Army helps to secure a small area of London for the survivors to repopulate and start again. But not everything goes according to plan.”

Talks of a third installment in the franchise have been coming and going for the last several years now – at one point, it was going to be titled 28 Months Later – but it looks like this one is finally getting off the ground here in 2024. Stay tuned for more updates soon!

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