‘Thrills and Chills’ Trail

Texas' greatest resource for film and television productions has long been the breadth and diversity of our natural resources and that means that over the past century a lot of different kinds of stories have been told here. That includes an abundance of horror and thriller movies, ranging from edge-of-your-seat stress tests, to controversial, genre-defining nightmares, to some of the most confounding and bizarre stories you'll ever see.

Here, we’ve pulled together a collection of spooks, scares, frights, and excites that span the whole of the state, from the West Texas outpost of El Paso all the way to far side of the Pine Curtain in Texarkana. Some changed the way we view horror and thrillers altogether; others are cult classics, indelible pieces of Texas film history. Still, others fall somewhere in between, defying easy categorization. One thing is for sure though, and that’s that each and every one of these films would fit nicely into any discerning fan’s Halloween marathon.

So take a chance and dive into our Thrills and Chills Film Trail – we promise you won’t get too spooked!

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Movies Featured

Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Phantom of the Paradise (1974), Race with the Devil (1975), The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976), Piranha (1978), Blood Simple (1984), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986), Arlington Road (1999), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), The Hitcher (2007), Grindhouse: Death Proof (2007), Teeth (2007), No Country For Old Men (2007), Friday the 13th (2009),

Locations Featured

Austin, Manor, Leander, Kingsland, Bastrop, Bandera, Houston, Dallas, Texarkana, San Marcos, Spicewood, El Paso

El Paso Scenic Overlook | 'Manos: The Hands of Fate' (1966)

El Paso, Texas (El Paso County)

While on their first vacation as a family, Michael and Margaret decide to take in some breathtaking scenery before stumbling upon a twisted, devious (and nonsensical) plan!

Bagdad Cemetery | 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' (1974)

Leander, Texas (Williamson County)

After reports of graverobbing hit the radiowaves, our group of roadtrippers, including Sally (Marilyn Burns) and Franklin Hardesty (Paul A. Partain), make a pitstop to ensure their grandfather's grave was not disturbed only to receive an ominous warning from a local townsperson instead.

The Gas Station | 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' (1974)

Bastrop, Texas (Bastrop County)

The one and only gas station owned by Drayton Sawyer (Jim Siedow) where our van of characters stop for directions before reaching their ill-fated destination. They may be out of gas but they have plenty of BBQ on the grill!

Hooper's | 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' (1974)

Kingsland, Texas (Llano County)

The Bates house from Psycho. The Myers house from Halloween. The Sawyer house from Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Few other residences have such a pull on the collective psyche. What may just appear to be peeling wood and an aging roof on the outside, holds something so sinister and macabre that anyone who ventures inside will wish they had thought better.

Old Red Museum of Dallas County History and Culture | 'Phantom of the Paradise' (1974)

Dallas, Texas (Dallas County)

He sold his soul for rock and roll! Director Brain De Palma featured the Old Red Museum of Dallas County in his cult rock-horror-musical-comedy (try saying that three times fast) Phantom of the Paradise as 'The Swanage' - aka the home and headquarters of reclusive music producer Swan (Paul Williams), the villain of the picture, who's club is haunted by the titular Phantom (William Finley).

Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar | 'Race with the Devil' (1975)

Bandera, Texas (Bandera County)

Roger (Peter Fonda), Frank (Warren Oates), Alice (Loretta Swit) and Kelly (Lara Parker) are all invited to dinner at a rowdy, local nightclub where they can't help but notice all eyes are sinisterly focused on them.

Downtown Texarkana | 'The Town That Dreaded Sundown' (1976)

Texarkana, Texas (Bowie County)

The town of Texarkana serves as the backdrop for the heinous "Phantom" serial killer of the mid-1940s off of which "The Town That Dreaded Sundown" is based. The picturesque town has thankfully had many years of peace and quiet since then with a charming downtown that still resembles the small-town era seen in the movie!

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment  | 'Piranha' (1978)

San Marcos, Texas (Hays County)

As owner of the newly opened summer water resort, Buck Gardner (Dick Miller) schmoozes his way through the throngs of people gathering for sand, surf and sun only instead to find carnage, chaos and killer fish!

Heart of Texas Motel | 'Blood Simple' (1984)

Austin, Texas (Travis County)

This unassuming motel in Southwest Austin is the spot where endangered lovers Abby (Frances McDormand) and Ray (John Getz) are officially caught in the act by M. Emmett Walsh's strangely terrifying private detective, Visser.

Mount Bonnell | 'Blood Simple' (1984)

Austin, Texas (Travis County)

Austin's own Mount Bonnell sets the stage for a dangerous conversation in Blood Simple, wherein Julien (Dan Hedaya) officially asks private detective turned hitman Visser (M. Emmett Walsh) to kill his wife and her lover. We can assure you, if you visit Mount Bonnell today, the chances of your running across high-pitched, chain-smoking hitmen are greatly reduced.

Sixth Street | 'Blood Simple' (1984)

Austin, Texas (Travis County)

The apartment that Abby (Frances McDormand) moves into for the bloody climax of Blood Simple unfortunately no longer exists, but when it did it was positioned right in the heart of Austin's famous Sixth Street. If you're looking to see where the scene was shot today, head down to Sixth Street, position yourself about midway between Trinity and San Jacinto, face north and look up!

Colorado River Bridge | 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2' (1986)

Bastrop, Texas (Bastrop County)

After 12 years of silence, the buzz returns to Texas on this very bridge! This location serves as the opening scene of the film where two irresponsible, gun-owning yuppies meet their grisly demise after they play chicken with a truck that just happens to contain the Sawyer family.

Mean-Eyed Cat | 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2' (1986)

Austin, Texas (Travis County)

Lieutenant 'Lefty' Enright (Dennis Hopper) stops by this chainsaw repair shop to purchase a few saws for his vengeful crusade against the cannibalistic Sawyer clan.

The University of Houston | 'Arlington Road' (1999)

Houston, Texas (Fort Bend County)

Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges) begins to suspect that his neighbors Oliver (Tim Robbins) and Cheryl Lang (Joan Cusack) aren't who they appear to be. In the University of Houston scenes, which doubled as George Washington University, Michael discusses his suspicions with his incredulous girlfriend Brooke (Hope Davis).

Houston Baptist University | 'Arlington Road' (1999)

Houston, Texas (Harris County)

While coaching Michael's (Jeff Bridges) son at the batting cages, Oliver (Tim Robbins) mentions some ominous, vaguely threatening personal advice, thereby setting off Michael's initial suspicions that there may be a hidden dark side to his picture-perfect neighbor.

Cele Store | 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' (2003)

Manor, Texas (Travis County)

Once again, our van full of characters happens upon a dusty gas station on a lonesome road on their way through Texas going to a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. The station may have gas this time 'round, but the characters don't find any Texas hospitality from the folks working the store.

The University of Texas at Austin | 'The Hitcher' (2007)

Austin, Texas (Travis County)

Jim Halsey (Zachary Knighton) picks up his girlfriend, Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush) from her UT sorority before embarking on a roadtrip where they meet the absolute worst hitchhiker in the world, John Ryder (Sean Bean).

Güero's Taco Bar | 'Grindhouse: Death Proof' (2007)

Austin, Texas (Travis County)

Arlene (Vanessa Ferlito) is having a birthday weekend so her friends, Jungle Julia (Sydney Poitier), Shanna (Jordan Ladd) and Marcy (Marcy Harriell) decide to kick things off by celebrating with some TexMex and margaritas at Güero's Taco Bar. Directly outside though, on South Congress Ave, a sinister black car stalks their every move...

Texas Chili Parlor | 'Grindhouse: Death Proof' (2007)

Austin, Texas (Travis County)

Where else would Arlene (Vanessa Ferlito), Jungle Julia (Sydney Poitier), Shanna (Jordan Ladd) and Pam (Rose McGowan) choose to have a raucous night out on the town in Austin? Unfortunately for them, Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) also frequents this establishment and has deadly intentions when he offers a ride home.

Krause Springs | 'Teeth' (2007)

Spicewood, Texas (Burnet County)

Krause Springs sets the scene for a shocking revelation, as teen abstinence spokesperson Dawn (Jess Weixler) learns a little more about her unique body when a trip to the local swimming hole with new friend Tobey (Hale Appleman) goes too far.

Marfa | 'No Country For Old Men' (2007)

Marfa, Texas (Presidio County)

When gazing upon the majestic scenery, clear skies and lonesome roads that surround Marfa, it's no wonder to see why Joel and Ethan Coen chose this backdrop for their opus' opening montage narrated by Texas-native, Tommy Lee Jones.

Lake Bastrop | 'Friday the 13th' (2009)

Bastrop, Texas (Bastrop County)

The iconic Crystal Lake, home of one Jason Voorhees, may not have been born in Texas, but like many, it got here as quickly as it could! The lush underbrush and towering pines of Crystal Lake surrounding the shore are serene but hold deadly secrets. Counselors beware!