New year, more upcoming horror movies! As a fan of all things scary movies, I’m always marking my calendar for what films are going to terrify me next. But, I have to say, since giving the 2026 movie schedule a looksie, I find myself not as pumped for this year in the genre as I have in previous Januarys. Let’s talk about it.

There’s Too Many Horror Sequels In 2026 For My Taste

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there aren’t any horror movies I’m excited for in the coming year. There are a few on my radar that I’m interested in seeing opening weekend, but when I look at the lineup so far, I have a big problem with it. There are just too many horror sequels for my taste – and many of them are for franchises I’m not necessarily jumping out of my seat to go back to.

This year, we’re getting sequels for 28 Years Later, Scream, Silent Hill, Ready or Not, Resident Evil, Terrifier, Scary Movie, Evil Dead, Insidious and The Strangers. My goodness, that is a lot of 2026 sequels!

By contrast, going into last year, we knew we were getting Sinners, Weapons, Bring Her Back, Companion, Together and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, and sequels were a more balanced ratio with Final Destination, The Black Phone, Conjuring, 28 Years Later, I Know What You Did Last Summer and Five Nights At Freddy's followups to balance the calendar out.

After such a strong 2025 for horror movies, I’m sad to see a list of releases that lack some inspiration as a whole. The major original scary movies coming this year, as of right now are really don’t have much buzz around them coming into these next twelve months.

Here's The Scary Movies I Have The Highest Hopes For Right Now

Regarding sequels on the way, I am very excited for Ready or Not 2 in particular. It’s been seven years since the first movie, and the trailer looks like a load of fun. There’s a lot of legacy characters on board for Scream 7 and the fact that the Resident Evil movie is being helmed by Weapons filmmaker Zach Cregger makes me perk up more than I usually would for a reboot of the video game adaptation.

It’s also worth noting that Sam Raimi’s first horror movie in over 15 years is coming this month with Send Help. I’m also over-the-moon hyped for The Bride! with Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale, and Robert Eggers’ take on werewolves in Werwulf after his last movie, Nosferatu. The most intrigued I am for an original horror movie this year is probably Hokum, which stars Adam Scott in a haunted house movie from Neon.

Hey, hopefully I’m looking back at this article a few months from now with a few great horror movies that I’ve seen that will turn my frown upside down, but for now, I wanted to get honest about how I’m feeling about this year’s array of horror releases, and it's a bit of a shrug as is.

I’ve got good news for fans of upcoming horror movies, and more importantly, The Further. The next Insidious chapter has finished filming. The sixth movie in the Blumhouse franchise is officially in the can, which moves the sequel from set to the post-production grind. It’s a real milestone, and the horror master and producer James Wan had some very kind words for the film's director.

The handoff came with a public pat on the back from the architect of this universe. Director Jacob S. Chase announced the wrap on his official Instagram with a clapperboard photo and a thank-you to the cast and crew, signing off with a simple promise: “See you in August.” In the comments, James Wan—franchise co-creator and producer—dropped in with encouragement:

That “family” language fits how the Insidious franchise has operated, with Wan, Leigh Whannell, and Patrick Wilson each taking a turn in the director's chair while maintaining a consistent tone. It’s also a small but public sign-off on Chase’s installment. With cameras down, the work now moves to the mix stage.

Now, how are fans reacting to the news?

Fans' Reactions To Insidious 6 Wrapping

Chase’s wrap post turned the comments into a mini focus group—equal parts hype, jokes, and wish lists. Here are some of the standouts:

• @iamzeewest: “How did I not see any ads for this whatsoever thus far?”
• @heyrobslive: “@creepypuppet can't wait for this one man! Big fan of what you guys do”
• @steventoro101: “Elise better be in it creeping me tf out! Honestly my favorite movie franchise.”
• @jscribblescom: “Wait, what? Is there another Insideous movie coming? If so, hopefully it al ties back to the lamberts and we get another movie with them?”
• @czsworld: “Gonna start calling this InSixDious”
• @_ashden: “Hope it’s better than Red Door”
• @officialhannahsarah: “Oh! OH!!! Congrats! Cannot wait 😱”

With the wrap confirmed and Wan’s public welcome, Insidious 6 still looks on pace for the 2026 movie schedule window Chase teased. There are no plot details yet—and that’s fine; this series often finds its best scares in post.

It's worth noting that some comments had questions about the post-process. However, for the most part, the fan reactions to the update were very positive and extremely celebratory. Now, the wait really begins as we start to anticipate the first footage.

For now, though, we’ve got a finished shoot, a director-producer camaraderie on display, and a comment section that’s doing what horror movie fandom does best, celebrating the genre and pumping up its creators.

Fans can revisit the first two chapters of the Insidious series with their HBO Max subscription. If they want to check out the latest entry, The Red Door, they'll need a Hulu subscription.

Need a few ideas for what new movies to see this weekend and beyond? Our 2026 release schedule below has. you covered!

All hail the great Steven Spielberg, who returns to the sci-fi genre for Disclosure Day, which critics think will be a big talking point for audiences. (It also ties into another one of his genre classics, so keep an eye out.) Beyond that, the upcoming weekend has several smaller debuts to look forward to, and the upcoming horror movie Find Your Friends is hitting streaming for those who want to stay in. (But I'm guessing a ton of people will be going to see Kane Parson's acclaimed Backrooms after its record-breaking debut weekend.)

Check out what you can find in theaters and streaming this weekend, as well as everything on the way for the rest of 2026.

June 2026 Movie Releases

Disclosure Day definitely isn't the last big-budget blockbuster hitting theaters in June, with the upcoming DC movie Supergirl set to slosh along later in the month, as well as cinema's most beloved gang of discarded playthings returning in Jackass: Best and Last. No wait, I meant Toy Story 5!

July 2026 Movie Releases

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey end up being one of the biggest box office wins of the year, but it'll be in fast competition with the likes of Disney’s live-action adaptation of Moana, Tom Holland’s latest MCU romp Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the latest Minions movie.

August 2026 Movie Releases

Ewan McGregor and Anne Hathaway star in David Robert Mitchell’s mysterious thriller The End of the Street, and the previously shelved Looney Tunes movie, Coyote vs. Acme will finally see the light of day (this better not be a painting on the side of a rock) when August 2026 comes around. And the newest Insidious movie is also creeping just around the corner, as is Ridley Scott's post-apocalyptic survivor thriller The Dog Stars.

September 2026 Movie Releases

Ahead of the spookiest season of the year, look forward to a new horror from "Too Many Cooks" creator Casper Kelly (Buddy), and before Reacher Season 4, watch Alan Ritchson's newest action movie Runner.

October 2026 Movie Releases

October 2026 will likely be a big one for horror fans, but at the moment, it's shaping up to be a solid array of movies for fans of all kinds, from Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Tom Cruise's Digger to the DCU's first horror attempt in Clayface to the latest stop-motion epic from Laika, Wildwood.

November 2026 Movie Releases

This November, YA fans can give thanks for the return of Panem with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, with Johnny Depp also returning to the big screen with horror director Ti West for a new take on Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol. Perhaps the biggest (literal) return comes from a certain fire-breathing monster, though...

December 2026 Movie Releases

The most wintery wonderland-y part of 2026 will indeed feature a visit from Santa Claus, or at least the version played by David Harbour. One of the most star-studded movies of any given year will also arrive on Christmas Day itself, with Anthony and Joe Russo's return to the MCU for Avengers: Doomsday. although some fans have taken to calling it Dunesday, given the shared release date with Denis Villeneuve's third sci-fi epic.

Be sure to bookmark our upcoming 2026 movie schedule, as release dates for these films are subject to change.

The genre of horror has existed since the beginning of film. While it's certainly grown more intense or psychological as time has gone on, it's always been there, scaring audiences in their seats one way or another. A pivotal time for the genre was in the 2000s when so many horror films came out that made an impact. Here are some that I'm sure we all remember very well.

Final Destination (2000)

I'm 99% sure that the Final Destination movies perpetually scarred most Millennials. Now, I look at everything as if it could kill them because it could, as this movie has shown multiple times. Final Destination gave a new idea that death will always come when it's meant to come, and you can't avoid it, no matter how much you try.

Cloverfield (2008)

The marketing for Cloverfield was out of this world. Even when I was a little kid at the age of ten, I remember seeing billboards and trailers for this and not knowing what the heck was going on. Only after I watched it years later did I truly understand. It's still a great found-footage horror film and one that defines the genre.

The Strangers (2008)

So many people forget The Strangers because other films have been released with the same basic concept, but this was the original. Inspired by real-life events, the movie is about a couple enjoying a vacation when three masked intruders break into their home and ruin everything. It's eerie and creepy, and it became a colossal hit.

Zombieland (2009)

When you think of some of the best horror comedies out there, I can think of no better than Zombieland. It was released during a massive intake of zombie content within the media but only cemented that we love those brainless monsters and that, sometimes, horror can seriously make us laugh.

Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

Directed by Zack Snyder and written by James Gunn, two big shots in Hollywood nowadays, Dawn of the Dead was when these two were starting in the industry and trying to make it big. The film, based on the original Dawn of the Dead by the same name, brought the creepiness of zombies back to the big screen and added plenty of gore to it.

Lake Mungo (2008)

If you're looking for a good psychological horror film from the 2000s, Lake Mungo certainly made its impact. Hailing from Australia, the film follows the story of a young woman who drowns and the family who must deal with her death while experiencing supernatural events. It just gets more twisted as time goes on. Australian horror films have certainly made an impact over the last few years, but this is one of the best.

American Psycho (2000)

I can't have a list of the most impactful 2000s horror films without including American Psycho. Based on the novel of the same name, this film follows the life of a Wall Street investment worker by day and a serial killer by night. It was a game-changing film for female directors, with Mary Harron at the helm. To this day, people believe this to be one of Christian Bale's best performances.

Saw (2004)

Do you want to talk about changing the game? Saw is definitely one of those horror films that made an impact. While the Saw franchise has existed for two decades now, the first film redefined what it was like to witness blood, death, and horror on the big screen. And from there, the movies only got bloodier.

The Ring (2002)

If you're a fan of horror movies from Japan, then The Ring is really the movie to thank for that. While this movie itself is a remake of another Japanese film, Ring, it ended up bringing a lot of attention to Japanese horror films across the sea and allowing people to really expand their mindset when it came to what horror is. Also, an entire franchise followed after its success.

Drag Me To Hell (2009)

While Drag Me To Hell is the kind of film that isn't necessarily groundbreaking, it certainly made an impact when it first came out. The idea of something happening so suddenly just because you're trying to prove yourself at work and then being sentenced to hell because of it – now that is just terrifying. Of course, when Sam Raimi directs it, one can only wonder what will come from his twisted mind.

The Descent (2005)

The Descent is another film that really tests the limits of what you can do with a horror film. With plenty of gruesome moments, the film follows six women who are trying to make it out of an underground cave system to escape cannibals. It's really the ending that makes it such a great film and something that I won't spoil if you've never seen it.

Slither (2006)

Slither is really the reason we were given James Gunn as a director in the first place and why we've gotten so many amazing films from him since. It was his directorial debut and followed the story of a town getting infected by a parasite. This is a body horror movie to the max, but it's an excellent one at that.

Wolf Creek (2005)

Wolf Creek is an Australian movie about three backpackers who are held captive and hunted down by a serial killer in the outback. If you've never seen this movie, you're probably wondering how it made an impact, but let me tell you—this film is violent. It's perhaps one of the most violent Australian movies out there, and for that, I have to give it the warped flowers it deserves.

The Devil's Backbone (2001)

Oh, you knew I'd find a way to put Guillermo del Toro on here. He's a master of horror and fantasy; it would be a sin for me not to place him on this list. The Devil's Backbone is a fantastic horror film that follows a boy who a dead child haunts as he stays at an orphanage during the Spanish Civil War. It was a great gateway into the world of Mexican horror films – many of which are excellent.

The Mist (2007)

Frank Darabont is a king of horror, and The Mist is one of his subjects, which brings one of Stephen King's most beloved novels to life. What really makes The Mist have such a profound impact is the ending. If you haven't seen it, I won't spoil it, but it packs a hard, Karate Kid-style punch that will knock you on your back for 5-7 business days. It's painful in so many ways – and brilliant in a horror movie aspect.

The Cell (2000)

If you're looking for other movies that really made a dent in what you can show on screen and can't, then The Cell is an excellent choice. Starring Jennifer Lopez, the movie really tests the boundaries of horror and its strange stylistic choices while also emerging into the world of sci-fi. Its plot centers on a social worker entering into the mind of a serial killer.

Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

There are so many great horror comedies out there, and Shaun of the Dead is really the blueprint for many of them. I feel like many of the horror parody movies we have now would not exist if not for Shaun of the Dead. It's hysterical in many ways, with some kills I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams, and unlike many other horror movies, it is a film that I will willingly rewatch.

Hostel (2005)

When I first watched Hostel I regretted everything, I knew I'd never watch it again because this film is just…gory. It's very gory, but what else could you expect from Eli Roth? The movie takes leaps and bounds for its gruesome tale and certainly made an impact with two sequels and a TV show that is reportedly in the works. But if you're looking for impactful films, this is the one to glance at.

Insidious (2009)

I genuinely don't think a movie franchise from the 2000s has made more of an impact than the Insidious movies. These films opened up a whole new interest in the paranormal landscape of horror, and now, years later, we are still getting Insidious films. There's nothing quite like that red demon jumpscare.

The Loved Ones (2009)

Hailing from Australia, The Loved Ones is a mix between horror and campy at specific points, but it paved the way for many other films with similar styles to come out. The movie follows the story of a high schooler who now has to attend a twisted party when he doesn't accept a dance date and the twisted adventures he goes on. It's harsh in its delivery of gore, and I loved watching it.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

While found-footage films existed before Paranormal Activity, this movie sky-rocketed into fame and led to several other Paranormal Activity films. It really renewed the entire genre of found footage and gave us many good—and bad—films from that subdivision. We haven't gotten a new film in some time, but it's only a matter of when.

Martyrs (2008)

Coming from France this time around, Martyrs is one of those movies that really paved the way for horror films to take a step back from just pure gore and scares and really dig deep into the mind of the subject we are viewing. The film focuses on the story of a young woman who was tortured as a child and seeks revenge against those who did it alongside her friend. While it does take twists, it's the message beyond that which genuinely made an impact and gave us very great emotionally-driven horror movies.

Ginger Snaps (2000)

I sometimes forget that Ginger Snaps came out in the 2000s just because of its '90s aesthetic, but it did, back in 2000, and it really was a great werewolf movie. It felt like, for years, we weren't getting the kind of werewolf films we deserved from what I've seen of the 1990s, and this was the kind of refresh that we needed for the genre.

Orphan (2009)

Oh, you knew I'd put Orphan on here. Orphan is the kind of film that makes you rethink everything. Children were already creepy in horror movies, but the one in this? Esther? Ooooh, keep her away from me with a ten-foot pole. Orphan redefined how to use children as a scare tactic within horror movies, and I can't complain one bit.

Trick 'R Treat (2007)

While it bombed at the box office, this is the type of film that has gained a cult following over the years and has only gotten better with age. Trick 'r Treat is an anthology movie that follows several different people on Halloween, and all run into Sam, a trick-or-treater who enforces the rules of Halloween. Without this film, there wouldn't be as many anthology horror movies as we have now. We may not have even gotten the Terrifier series.

Jennifer's Body (2009)

The Jennifer's Body cast is freaking iconic, and I will not stand for any other slander against them. This movie is what I would define as girl-boss horror – because who doesn't want to watch a girl kill literally the words kinds of men? All right, jokes aside, Jennifer's Body is the kind of film that made it possible for other movies to really dig deep into the comedy aspect of horror while also creating a film that is undeniably sexy in its delivery as well as its kills.

Let The Right One In (2008)

When you think of the best vampire movies out there, Let The Right One In is probably one of the first that pops up. The film, telling the story of a friendship between a boy and a vampire girl, is one of the first that really allowed for emotionally driven vampire stories to become as big as they did, and it's something I can appreciate.

The House Of The Devil (2009)

Before the X franchise, Ti West directed The House of the Devil, a horror film that follows a college student who takes a babysitting job but forces her life out of her control in the house. This movie is the definition of a slasher but also dares to combine that with paranormal aspects that make it such a fun watch. If you haven't seen it, check it out.

The Others (2001)

While Nicole Kidman is known for plenty of other roles nowadays, her starring part in The Others is one of my favorites. When a mother and her children arrive at a new manor, they start to experience supernatural events, but the scares are delivered in such a way that they make me jump even now, years later.

28 Days Later (2002)

If you think of some of the best zombie films of the last few decades, one that always comes up is 28 Days Later. Focusing on someone who wakes up from a coma and now suddenly has to deal with a virus that has broken his society, the movie uses interesting filming techniques and horrifying zombies that truly up the scare game.

REC (2007)

Found footage horror really hit its stride back in 2007, and REC was a great example of that mixed with zombies. It follows the story of a reporter who goes with her camera crew to an apartment that is festering with a zombie infection. It's creepy and scary and gets your heart pumping in the best way.

Inside (2007)

Coming from France, Inside was a big step in the right direction for women-leading horror films. It details the story of a pregnant widow whose life is threatened on Christmas Eve by an intruder. It's scary in all the right ways and makes you double-check every time you lock your door.

There are so many other horror films that made an impact, but these are just some that will get you interested. Now it's time for a horror movie marathon. It's time to get my blanket and snuggle up with popcorn.

Insidious is one of the greatest horror movie franchises because of its many fascinating elements, fully developed characters, and genuinely scary monsters and worlds. The series’ heroes and villains often find themselves in the ominous Further. It’s an Insidious constant.

The best of these movies place The Further at the forefront and allow us to immerse ourselves in this dark world’s rich history and possibilities. It holds some of the scariest demons and most tortured souls. If you end up in The Further, you’re about to have a traumatic experience that might last for an eternity.

The Insidious films have shown some of the depth of this vast and empty darkness, but so much remains a mystery surrounding it, which hopefully gets uncovered in future films. However, let’s discuss what we already know and understand about Insidious’ The Further.

What Is The Further

Insidious’ most resourceful character, Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) often described The Further as a place beyond our world. It doesn’t play with the same rules of time as Earth. It’s also somewhere between the light and the dark place, but a vast world that often mirrors our own.

Souls are trapped here for one reason or another, but it’s not supposed to be the end place. It’s sort of a purgatory or limbo stop for souls that haven’t crossed over to Insidious' version of Heaven or Hell. The Further is just one of many realms that can be accidentally stumbled upon by traveling too far away from one’s body.

How To Travel To The Further

A soul can find The Further in several ways. The most known one is through sleep or a trance state. In Insidious, Dalton (Ty Simpkins) would go there while he slept. He can only achieve this type of traveling because of his astral projection abilities. He inherited this gift and curse from his father, Josh (Patrick Wilson), who inherited it from his father.

The Insidious films show that people with astral projection abilities can travel there, but it’s not limited to them. In Insidious: Chapter 3, Quinn Brenner (Stefanie Scott) ends up in The Further because she tries to communicate with her deceased mother.

This allows a demon to lure her into the realm. It’s never confirmed that Quinn also possesses astral projection abilities, so we must assume that opening the door to spirits can lead to The Further if an entity with malicious intent latches on to someone and pulls them in.

In Insidious: Chapter 2, Elise reveals that she is in The Further by choice. She has been to the “better place” but returned to the Further because she heard Josh calling her. Elise also reveals that every soul goes through The Further before entering Heaven or Hell.

It’s like a waiting area for souls. Some just never leave it. Despite knowing that many souls eventually do leave, the franchise hasn’t revealed what keeps them from leaving. For Elise, she chose to return, therefore it could be a choice for some, but it’s not a choice for all. This is known because many souls are fighting to leave.

They want an empty vessel to possess to escape and live again. In CZsWorld’s video on The Bride in Black, it’s theorized that some souls may remain in The Further due to unresolved issues.

The Further’s Aesthetic

The Further is very dark and doesn’t show signs of light easily. It’s a place where only a lamplight can illuminate it. It looks different to different souls and entities. For some, it’s a place that resembles their last moments on Earth, or their personal hell. Sometimes, it becomes a mirrored image of places on Earth. We see this in how it sometimes becomes an upside-down replica of people’s homes. The Further looks like a basement at times by design and because of filming choices.

Creatures That Live In The Further

Many tortured souls inhabit The Further. These individuals are unable to escape their haunted past or the last moments of their lives, or are simply stuck there for some reason or another. The entities of this place make the Insidious films some of the most memorable ghost movies. The Bride in Black, also known as Parker Crane, is one of the series’ best-known ghouls.

Crane plays a major role in the first two films and is one of Elise’s biggest foes throughout the franchise. The Bride in Black has a tragic backstory that leads to her becoming this infamous serial killer and one of the souls trapped in The Further. However, The Bride eventually leaves and goes to Heaven or Hell.

The main goal of many of those trapped is to possess the living. They’re drawn to life because they crave it. It’s why so many spirits end up in the Lambert residence. With Dalton now walking around The Further, they want to try to take control of his body or anyone with an empty vessel near him. The longer someone leaves their body through astral projection, the more vulnerable they become to possession. However, the process of possessing someone is difficult and prolonged.

Elise (Lindsay Seim) and Josh’s mother, Lorraine (Jocelin Donahue), eventually stop The Bride from taking over Josh as a child because the process takes long enough for them to prevent his possession.

Demons also live in The Further. The Lipstick-Face Demon is one of Insidious’ main demons, and it almost succeeds at possessing Dalton’s body. The first image of this creature is one of the most memorable moments of the first film and is now a scene that still haunts us decades later. Unlike the many other franchise monsters, this demon isn’t trying to possess Dalton to get another chance at life. It’s a creature that just enjoys harming and torturing people.

It wants to take this twisted agenda outside The Further by living within and amongst humans. Some of these demonic creatures can also influence people. We see this in Insidious: The Last Key. The KeyFace Demon influences Elise’s father, Gerald Rainier (Josh Stewart), to kill. Decades later, it repeated this method with Ted Garza (Kirk Acevedo). The monster feeds on hate and that’s what empowers it.

Most of the spirits we see in The Further are evildoers with insidious intent, but those aren't all who reside there, as evidenced by Elise’s presence. Additionally, we know that everyone who goes to Heaven or Hell must pass through The Further first.

Insidious’ Timeline With The Further

The Insidious films present a very complex and complicated timeline of the main characters’ involvement with The Further. However, it starts around the 1950s, with Elise entering as a child as seen in The Last Key. She then has other encounters with throughout her childhood and adulthood, but her next big trip there is shown in Chapter 2. In the 1980s, she meets Lorraine and saves Josh from The Bride in Black. The third and fourth movies happen before the events of Insidious.

The events of Insidious happen in 2010. Insidious: Chapter 2 also takes place in the same year. Some of the events of Chapter 3 and The Last Key happen a few years before the first film, so in the mid-2000s. The Red Door is set nine years after the events of Insidious and Chapter 2, so probably around 2019 and 2020. So, we see stories of The Further from the 1950s to the 2020s.

The rich history of The Further is one reason why the Insidious movies are such great haunted house films, despite it not technically falling into that category.

The best uses of music in movies and TV shows have typically changed the way we perceive the songs in question forever, especially if the normally jovial tune is heard during or relates to a particularly intense or disturbing scene. Because of the way the following titles used some of the happiest radio hits of all time, we can never hear them again without our hearts skipping a beat.

Zodiac ("Hurdy Gurdy Man" - Donovan)

The opening scene of Zodiac depicts a horrifying crime by the eponymous killer, accompanied by an otherwise relaxing folk ballad from 1968 called "Hurdy Gurdy Man." Coincidentally, Ione Skye, the daughter of the song's writer and performer, Donovan, makes an uncredited appearance in David Fincher's great true crime movie from 2007 as Zodiac Killer witness Kathleen Johns.

Black Mirror ("Anyone Who Knows What Love Is Will Understand" - Irma Thomas)

In one of the best episodes of Black Mirror (Season 1's "Fifteen Million Merits), Abi (Jessica Brown Findlay) auditions for Hot Shot by singing "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is Will Understand." Following this memorable scene from the sci-fi anthology series, the 1964 Irma Thomas hit would be featured in some capacity in every season since, offering plenty more reasons to feel unsettled by the feel-good romance tune.

The Silence Of The Lambs (“Goodbye Horses” - Q Lazzarus)

According to the original writer of "Goodbye Horses," William Garvey, the 1988 one-hit-wonder performed by Q Lazzarus is about “the ability to lift one’s perception above [their] physical limitations." In that case, its inclusion in the terrifying Best Picture Oscar winner, The Silence of the Lambs, as serial killer Jame “Buffalo Bill” Gumb (Ted Levine) embraces his femininity through dance is a perfect match.

Halloween ("(Don't Fear) The Reaper" - Blue Öyster Cult)

To be fair, the lyrics to Blue Öyster Cult’s signature 1976 hit “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” are not the happiest, referencing a romance destined to end similar to that of Romeo and Juliet. However, the world might have been less receptive to its creepier themes if not for its inclusion in one of the best horror movies of all time, 1978's Halloween, as Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Annie Brackett (Nancy Kyes) are unwittingly being tiled Haddonfield’s own “reaper,” Michael Myers.

Watchmen ("The Times They Are A-Changin'" - Bob Dylan)

There is a dark thematic tone to most of Bob Dylan's earlier work, especially his 1962 breakthrough hit, "The Times They Are A-Changin'." The folk ballad's message of a society experiencing a revolution comes through effectively while playing over the opening titles of 2009's Watchmen, which traces the ups and downs of superheroes' contributions to history in the world Alan Moore's seminal graphic novel.

American Psycho (“Hip To Be Square” - Huey Lewis And The News)

Pop culture's most famous Huey Lewis and the News fan would have to be Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), who provides an impassioned analysis of 1986's "Hip to Be Square," and the Fore! album in general, as he prepares to murder his colleague, Paul Allen (Jared Leto) in his apartment. Lewis himself would pay tribute to the memorable moment from American Psycho in a Funny or Die bit in which he exuberantly analyzes the 2000 psychological thriller as he prepares to murder “Weird Al” Yankovic.

Insidious ("Tiptoe Through The Tulips" - Tiny Tim)

For years, the only creepy aspect of Tiny Tim's version of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" was that the high-pitched vocalist was actually a lanky, 6'1" man. These days, since its prominent use in the first Insidious movie from 2011, audiences cannot help but picture the demonic "Man with Fire on His Face" when the romantic ukulele ballad plays.

American Horror Story ("Tonight You Belong To Me" - Patience & Prudence)

The best-known version of writers Billy Rose and Lee David's "Tonight You Belong to Me" is by young sisterly duo Patience & Prudence, which became even more famous in 2011, thanks to American Horror Story. The playful 1956 tune about making the most of your time with a loved one appeared in four episodes of the horror anthology TV show's premiere season from 2011, taking place in a haunted house with an extensive history of murders.

Beetlejuice ("Banana Boat (Day-O)” - Harry Belafonte)

In 1988's Beetlejuice, the ghostly Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis) attempt to scare off the Deetzes (Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O’Hara) by possessing them and their party guests into dancing and lip-synching to Harry Belafonte’s “Banana Boat (Day-O).” While the scene did not necessarily make the 1956 Calypso hit creepy, it would be forever entwined with the classic horror-comedy movie – a fact that Belafonte told Pitchfork he enjoyed.

Reservoir Dogs ("Stuck In The Middle With You" - Stealers Wheel)

The first of many iconic musical moments in Quentin Tarantino's movies occurs in 1992's Reservoir Dogs, when Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) puts on K-Billy's Super Sounds of the '70s (which starts playing "Stuck In The Middle With You") and proceeds to torture Officer Marvin Nash (Kirk Baltz). We doubt there is a single person who can listen to Stealers Wheel's upbeat, 1973 rock single without imagining the criminal slicing the cop's ear off, even though that moment is thankfully kept off camera.

A Clockwork Orange (“Singin' In The Rain”)

If there is one cinematic use of 1929's "Singin' in the Rain" as, if not more, iconic as Gene Kelly's performance in the eponymous 1952 musical, it would be the rendition heard in A Clockwork Orange. As Alex DeLarge, Malcolm McDowell belts out the song about happiness that even weather cannot deter during one of the most unspeakably brutal moments from the 1971 Stanley Kubrick movie.

Stranger Things ("Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" - Kate Bush)

There have been many memorable musical moments from Stranger Things but none as impactful as its uses of "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)" in Season 4, which made Kate Bush's definitive track more popular than ever. The English art pop queen’s 1985 ballad first helps rescue Max (Sadie Sink) from Vecna's trance before a remixed reprise accompanies the disparate gang's multi-faceted defeat of the villain in the action-packed finale.

10 Cloverfield Lane ("I Think We're Alone Now" - Tommy James & The Shondells)

While it experienced a new life in the 1980s with Tiffany's cover, the original version of "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tommy James & The Shondells was reintroduced to modern audiences via 10 Cloverfield Lane. The cute pop tune about a couple enjoying their time on their own took on a whole new meaning when it appeared in the 2016 thriller, which takes place in an underground bunker inhabited by survivors of an unknown disaster.

Supernatural ("Carry On, Wayward Son" - Kansas)

"Carry On, Wayward Son" by Kansas would become the de facto theme for Supernatural after it was used in the season finale following the first one. In fact, the series finale of the hit series, following the adventures of paranormal hunters Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki), was named "Carry On," after the 1976 rock epic.

Get Out (“Run Rabbit Run” - Flanagan And Allen)

Originally released in the late 1930s and a hit during World War II, "Run Rabbit Run" became iconic to modern horror movie audiences as the first song featured in Jordan Peele's Oscar-winning 2017 thriller Get Out. The song is heard coming from the car that sneaks up on Andre Hayworth (LaKeith Stanfield), who tries to walk in the opposite direction before getting abducted.

Halloween II (“Mr. Sandman” - Chordettes)

The second installment of the Halloween franchise from 1981 opens in an unexpected manner. Instead of John Carpenter's unmistakable score, we hear the Chordettes' endearing doo-wop hit, "Mr. Sandman," which might have had a more endurable reputation as a retroactively creepy song if not for its use in the time travel movie classic, Back to the Future, four years later.

Kill Bill Vol. 1 ("Woo Hoo" - The 5.6.7.8's)

Before blood hits the screen at the House of Blue Leaves in 2003's Kill Bill Vol. 1, things are peaceful at the Japanese eatery. One major reason why is because the guests are treated to the head-knocking rock 'n roll song, "Woo Hoo," by The 5.6.7.8's, whom Quentin Tarantino discovered while shopping in Japan and wound up casting in the violent revenge movie.

Jeepers Creepers ("Jeepers Creepers" - Paul Whiteman and His Swing Wing)

The lyric "Jeepers creepers, where'd you get those eyes?" takes on a more frighteningly literal meaning in Jeepers Creepers. The eponymous love song by Paul Whiteman and His Swing Wing plays during the final moment of the 2001 horror flick as the grotesque, villainous "Creeper" (Jonathan Breck) shows off his new "peepers," which he stole from Darry (Justin Long).

Shaun Of The Dead ("Don't Stop Me Now" - Queen)

Like most Edgar Wright films, there are many moments from Shaun of the Dead in which music plays a large role but the best takes place at the Winchester. Nearly every move Shaun (Simon Pegg) and the gang make when battling the bar's undead owner is in near-perfect sync with Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now," which randomly starts playing from the jukebox as they are desperate to stay undetected from the horde outside.

The Shining ("Midnight, The Stars And You" - Ray Noble And His Orchestra)

The final moment of Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining slowly zooms into a photo taken at the Overlook in 1921 with a man resembling Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) shown front and center. The chilling shot is accompanied by 1934's "Midnight, the Stars and You" –performed by Ray Noble and his Orchestra with vocals by Al Bowlly – which is most notable today for its inclusion in the 1980 horror classic.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe ("Open Up Your Heart (and Let the Sunshine In)" - The McGuire Sisters)

In The Autopsy of Jane Doe, the titular corpse (actually a witch capable of nearly anything but moving a muscle) likes to taunt the father-son coroners examining her by playing the McGuire Sisters' version of "Open Up Your Heart (and Let the Sunshine In)" on the radio. The otherwise "shiny" tune makes a devasting reprise near the end when Austin (Emile Hirsch) believes he is being rescued by Sheriff Burke (Michael McElhatton) who repeatedly tells him to "open up" the stuck cellar doors until he hears him belt the song's chorus, indicating his nightmare is not yet over.

The Strangers ("My First Lover" - Gillian Welch)

Sometimes turning a happy song into nightmare fuel takes a little manipulation, such as how Gillian Welch's "My First Lover" appears in The Strangers. At one point in the 2008 home invasion thriller, a record scratch causes the romantic folk ballad to repeatedly loop on the lyric, "Quicksilver girl," which is enough to create relentless tension.

Us ("Les Fleurs" - Minnie Riperton)

Sung from the perspective of a flower, Minnie Riperton's 1969 hit "Les Fleurs" is a beautiful song about spiritual renewal. However, when it begins playing as the twist from the ending of Us is revealed and reaches its invigorating crescendo during the apocalyptic final shot, it creates a chilling juxtaposition for Jordan Peele's sophomore hit.

A Quiet Place Part II ("Beyond The Sea" - Bobby Darin)

In A Quiet Place Part II, Emmett (Cillian Murphy) tells Regan (Millicent Simmonds) that he has heard a radio station playing Bobby Darin's scintillating swing hit "Beyond the Sea" on repeat. She correctly deciphers this as a code sent from an island safe haven, which she and Emmett eventually find and, unwittingly, lead a sound-hunting alien to.

Candyman ("The Candy Man" - Sammy Davis Jr.)

Some might argue that 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory has its creepy moments, but Aubrey Woods' performance of "The Candy Man" is not one of them. However, by playing Sammy Davis Jr.'s rendition of the song and slowly fading it out with the sound of buzzing bees during the production logos serves as a perfect way to set the tone for the 2021 Candyman requel.

Annabelle: Creation ("You Are My Sunshine" - Charles McDonald)

The end of Annabelle: Creation from 2017 leaves off where the rising action of its 2014 predecessor begins, revealing how Malthus entered the creepy doll. Playing over the closing credits is Charle McDonald's rendition of "You Are My Sunshine," making it the ironic defacto theme of the Conjuring Universe movie.

The House Of The Devil ("One Thing Leads To Another" - The Fixx)

Ti West's 2009 breakthrough feature, The House of the Devil, is a slow-burn horror film that waits to reveal its visceral frights with masterful pacing. During that time, he finds ways to catch you off guard with moments of levity, such as when Samantha (Jocelin Donahue) tries to distract herself from her creepy "babysitting" gig by dancing around her clients' house to The Fixx's "One Thing Lead to Another" on her tape player.

Dawn Of The Dead ("The Man Comes Around" - Johnny Cash)

Upon deeper examination, Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around" is a song about Jesus Christ's return to Earth on Judgment Day. Its foreboding apocalyptic message is greatly emphasized by its inclusion over the opening credits of Zack Snyder's 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead.

The Handmaid's Tale ("Cloudbusting" - Kate Bush)

Despite boasting one of Kate Bush's most cheerful melodies, "Cloudbusting" is actually one of her darkest hits, inspired by the true story of a boy whose father was taken away from him when he was abruptly arrested. However, that tale is far lighter than the story of The Handmaid's Tale, which uses the song in a scene from Season 3 in which evidence of a character's brutal murder is removed.

You're Next ("Looking For Magic" - Dwight Twilley Band)

Director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett are known for using comedy in their horror movies, including their otherwise brutal 2013 home invasion thriller, You're Next. Much of the humor comes from the ironic use of the Dwight Tilley Band's "Looking for Magic" in two scenes, due to one victim of the masked assassins putting the 1977 pop tune on repeat accidentally before his death.

Final Destination ("Rocky Mountain High" - John Denver)

The uplifting music of John Denver has been used for ironically dark purposes in several movies and the most iconic example comes from the first installment of the Final Destination movies. Any time "Rocky Mountain High" is heard in the 2000 teen thriller is a signal that Death is near.

Nope ("Fingertips" - Stevie Wonder)

To be fair, Stevie Wonder's "Fingertips" never actually appears in Jordan Peele's third feature, 2022's Nope. However, a remixed version of it provides an ominous aura for the alien invasion movie's trailer.

Every year, Universal Halloween Horror Nights manages to craft some super scary and interactive haunted houses to make us feel like we’re in the middle of either the best horror movies of all time or the original concepts crafted uniquely for Universal Studios’ guests. This year, the festivities have promised the terrors of silence from A Quiet Place movies, Bride of Frankenstein and Dracula's daughter going head to head, and the marshmallowy nostalgia of Ghostbusters across the many haunted houses this year.

2024’s festivities was my fourth year in a row as CinemaBlend’s final girl for Halloween Horror Nights (though last year I ranked Universal Orlando’s houses rather than the Hollywood ones). After going to the event's opening night, courtesy of Universal, on Thursday and surviving all the houses, I can confidently say 2024 is a really solidly scary and yet another really fun year to enjoy the spooky season at Universal Studios Hollywood. Here’s my personal ranking of all the houses in terms of how worth it I think they are to check out – though honestly, all of them are a great time.

8. Monstruos 2: The Nightmares of Latin America

Monstruos 2 was the first house of the night I ventured to, and I have to say, I was rather disappointed with this one – especially after the same location had one of the most terrifying Latin-themed houses in my 2022 ranking of Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights with La Llorona: The Weeping Woman. This original house (which is not far from the park’s entrance/Minion Land) had some creepy characters for sure, as it features El Charro, the devil dog El Cadejo and the boogeyman El Cucuy, but I found the scares to be rather one-note... and sort of goofy. Of course, it’s possible my walkthrough was during some weird lull.

7. Insidious: The Further

This year, Insidious returns to Halloween Horror Nights, and while we ranked the version in Orlando as the scariest this year, the same can definitely not be said about the Hollywood version. Now don’t get me wrong, this house (which is just past the Wizarding World) is super unsettling and had my blood curdling as it took me and the other guests deep into The Further through the red door, encountering dolls, a child’s drawings and demonic creatures on the way, but most of the house itself is a lot of long dark hallways.

6. Dead Exposure: Death Valley 

Down on the Lower Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood, there are four haunted houses to check out. If I were to tell you to skip one of them, I’d suggest Dead Exposure: Death Valley (especially since I know lines can get intense as the season progresses). That being said, I enjoyed this one a lot more than I expected. This house takes place on a top-secret government facility where an experiment to create super soldiers has turned for the worst. This one is full of great imagery and a lot of cool use of neon lighting, but lacks the kind of real punch the remaining ones coming up do.

5. The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy 

When the first haunted house from The Weeknd came out in 2022, it surprised me when it became my favorite house of that year, particularly because I’m not an avid follower of his music. This sequel, Nightmare Trilogy (also on the Lower Lot), is another really impressive house from the wicked corners of The Weeknd’s mind, but like some sequels do, it just wasn’t as effective for me this time around. The story was more convoluted as well, from my POV. Even so, I really love how original the imagery feels, and how gory it is.

4. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire 

The only one of the 2024 movies to get its own haunted house this year is Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and it was definitely one of my favorites. From appearances from iconic Ghostbusters characters like the marshmallow men and Slimer, to numerous and quite terrifying appearances of Garraka, the Frozen Empire house does an awesome job of being really entertaining, making one feel like they are in the movie, and actually being quite scary too. The house (which is next to the Insidious house) even made me appreciate the movie itself more as well!

3. A Quiet Place

My most highly-anticipated house of this year was the first adaptation of A Quiet Place at Horror Nights. It’s one of my favorite horror franchises to come out of the past decade, and the house did not disappoint. As you go through the queue (located next to Monstruos 2), a woman on a screen encourages guests to remain quiet, and that’s just what my group did. It made me feel part of the eerie forest atmosphere as one early scare actor implemented sign language and another who screamed was instantly captured. I found myself abiding the urge to be quiet even though I was also internally gasping about all the amazing appearances of the aliens (or Death Angels) and references to the first two movies.

2. Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines 

I’m always a huge fan of Universal’s Monsters houses because of how much work they put into them year after year, including how they always pick a fun combination of characters to go head to head with. After our 2023 ranking of Hollywood’s Horror Nights had the Unmasked house at No. 4, Eternal Bloodlines stacked up even higher among houses this year. This house, which is the biggest one of the year and located on the Lower Lot, features Saskia Van Helsing teaming up with the Bride of Frankenstein against Dracula’s daughter, and the storytelling and the immersive nature of it was such a great time! I felt like I was in a movie I wanted to see, and the combination of worlds was really special to see in one house.

1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Legacy of Leatherface

If you want to get really scared at Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights this year, the most gory and satisfyingly story heavy house of them all is this year’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre edition! The house (on the Lower Lot) comes as the first movie celebrates 50 years this spooky season, and wow, does it deliver. Rather than simply adapting one of the movies, as Horror Nights did in 2021, this one offers a super stressful and spine chilling origin story for Leatherface. Seriously, enter this one only if you can handle the terror!

Big Bonus Scare: Blumhouse's Terror Tram 

Last, but not least, I wasn’t sure where to rank this one, since it is technically not a haunted house, but a unique HHN experience. As the theme park has done in past seasons, during this event, Universal Studios Hollywood transforms its Studio Tour into a massive open air experience that takes guests through actual sets while they get scared. This year, it was all Blumhouse themed, with appearances from movies from the studio like M3GAN, The Purge, Freaky, Happy Death Day and one of Blumhouse’s upcoming horror movies, Wolf Man.

The fear factor is definitely rampant in Terror Tram this year, as the tram has guests walking through the backlot to a ton of scare actors running around with chainsaws and getting in your face. M3GAN gets to lead the pack with her viral dance and a lot of chaos, and that definitely made me want to turn back out of fear.

You can buy Halloween Horror Nights tickets for evenings up until November 3 on the Universal Studios Hollywood website now. I hope my final girl escapades help you have a blast at the best haunted houses of your choosing.

If you were in the Orlando area recently and found everything just a little bit creepier, there's a reason for that. Halloween Horror Nights is back for 2024. The annual event is the crown jewel of the Universal Orlando Resort year. Many fans look forward to it, and this year there are 10 all-new houses for those fans to experience.

The theme this year was the duality of physical body gore, torture and psychological terror. The main icons are SINIST3R, the guardian of physical pain, body torture and gore, and SURR3AL, the overlord of psychological torment and terror. This was reflected in the scare zones and the houses. Some houses leaned more into body horror, while others messed with your perception and senses. To get through the park, you must choose either SINIST3R or SURR3AL’s realms, then you can make your way through their domains.

All HHN houses are worth experiencing, but every year some stand above all others. Which were the best houses at Halloween Horror Nights in 2024? CinemaBlend got an early look at all 10, and here are our rankings.

10. Triplets of Terror 

The Barmy Triplets are the stars of this house. Universal didn’t want one original slasher, they wanted three. While the story of the house isn't entirely clear from simply walking through it, "murderous triplets you don't want to meet" is simple enough to understand.

This house was super gory. The mix of the sounds of screaming and child-like laughter was very unnerving. This house is catching some flak on TikTok for a dead dog, which may upset some, but this certainly shows how disturbing it can be.

9. Slaughter Sinema 2

If you're a Halloween Horror Nights fan, you're probably also a horror movie fan. Going to the theater to watch a gruesome murder is one thing, but becoming the victim is something else entirely.

This is a sequel house from 2018. The attention to detail with the movie posters was really cool to see if you are a fan of vintage cinema. If you like b-movies, you will appreciate seeing the different film concepts come to horrifying life.

8. The Museum: Deadly Exhibits 

Museums are honestly naturally creepy places. So much of what they have are the remnants of civilizations long passed. Of course, when the stuff in the museum comes to life, it gets extra spooky.

This house has an incredible amount of detail in its design, which really makes you feel like you're in a museum. The makeup work on the scare actors, and the props, are also top-notch.

7. Goblins’ Feast 

This was a super simple, but gory concept. I loved that the front of the house looked like a pub and was welcoming to humans. Things shift dramatically after you get inside. There were sounds of munching and slurping to add to the visual of the Goblins having their Thanksgiving feast of humans. This house is a great mix of horror and fantasy, something we don't see often enough

6. A Quiet Place 

Everyone was wondering what Universal was going to do with an HHN house based on A Quiet Place since sound is a big part of how houses usually create fear. In this house, it starts out quiet, but that quickly changes. The common sound through the house was crying babies. It's very unsettling.

They did a great job understanding that it would be impossible to make people entirely quiet, but still honored the idea by making the scare actors who played mothers panic with the babies crying. And many guests do try to be silent, which, when it works, adds to the incredible vibe of a unique house.

5.  Major Sweets Candy Factory 

Many of Halloween Horror Nights' most popular houses are based on popular horror films, but over the years, the event itself has created its own stories, characters and lore. A couple of years ago, we got the Major Sweets scarezone, and it was a popular enough idea that this year it graduated to a full house.

The house is actually a prequel to the story from the previous scare zone. The storyline is simple, but very believable with the zombified children running around trying to kill you. There is a lot of gore.

4. Eternal Bloodlines 

With a new Dark Universe land coming to the brand-new Epic Universe park, we're going to get classic Universal Monsters in entirely new ways. We got what might be a slight preview of that this year at HHN with Eternal Bloodlines.

There's all female monsters battling with the last descendant of the Val Helsing family, Saskia Van Helsing (daughter of Abraham Van Helsing). The Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula’s daughter, and She-Wolf team up to end the lineage of the Van Helsing Family.

3. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

This year saw a new Ghostbusters movie in theaters, and while the film may not have set the box office on fire, it's the perfect setting for an HHN house. Sometimes you need a change of pace from all the scares, and Frozen Empire was that.

The animatronics in this house were awesome. This felt like you were inside the movie Frozen Empire, and true to form, it included some laughs along with the scares. There were familiar faces (new and old), and no spoilers, but right before you exit the house is one of our favorite sections of the house. It was a nice palette cleanser from the gore.

2. Monstruous: Monsters of Latin America 

Monstruous: Monsters of Latin America was one of the best houses at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023. It was an exclusively West Coast house last year, so it was great to get it moved east so that another audience could experience it, and it was worth it.

The monsters may not be well known by everybody, but that only makes them more terrifying. They brought Latin American legends Tlahuelpuchi, La Lechuza and El Silbón to Orlando. It is a very graphic house with babies being eaten.

1. Insidious: The Further

This house was incredible. The jump scare potential in this one is off the scale. The scares come fast and often, and this house is easily the most frightening of all of the houses in 2024. The setup is very disorienting, which puts you on edge to begin with.

HHN keeps building every year. Bringing original stories to life, as well as finding new ones from around the world and throughout movie history, makes the event a lot of fun for hardcore horror fans and casuals alike. There are tons of easter eggs, too... if you can focus long enough between screams.

Halloween Horror Nights runs at Universal Studios Florida through November 3, and the Universal Studios Hollywood version gets rolling this weekend, with some of its own exclusive houses, including one involving The Weeknd.

It's every young filmmakers dream to get a small loan from a family member, max out a credit card or two, and produce a masterpiece that resonates with audiences and makes a ton of money. It's not easy to do, to say the least, but somehow the makers of the movies on this list pulled it off. Well, maybe on as little money as some stretched credit, but on pretty tight budgets. Our of movies with a small budget that made a big impact. 

Clerks

According to Box Office Mojo, Clerks made a little over $3 million in theaters. While that might seem like much, consider how little it cost Kevin Smith to make. $27,000. That's it. The lore is that first-time writer/director/star Smith maxed out his credit cards and enlisted his friends as actors to make the movie. Of course, it looks like it doesn't have much of a budget, but it's so funny and well done it doesn't matter, the movie is a bonafide cult classic still.  

The Blair Witch Project

There is no better example of a small budget having a huge impact than 1999's The Blair Witch Project. The movie was made for just $60K, but when the word spread virally around the country in the early days of the internet, it started packing theaters. When all was said and done, it made just $1.5 million, more than 25 times its budget. Just incredible. 

American Graffiti

Four years before he redefined what science fiction could be with Star Wars, George Lucas made a movie much closer to reality, at least how he saw reality in his formative years. American Graffiti didn't have the smallest budget on this list, it was around $770,000, but it still had an outsized impact. The movie made $115 million in total. 

28 Days Later

Director Danny Boyle has had some big-budget movies in his career, but he's proven again and again that he doesn't need a monster budget to make a great film. 28 Days Later is one of his most beloved movies and it was made for just £8 million. It took in over ten times that in box office receipts and has spawned multiple sequels. 

Mad Max

When you think about how huge the Mad Max franchise has become, it's important to remember how small it started. The original Mad Max starring Mel Gibson was made for about $250K in 1979. It made almost $9, but it spawned a franchise that has raked in cash over the decades since. 

El Mariachi

The lore of El Mariachi runs deep. According to most reports, director Robert Rodriguez originally made the film for under $7,000. While this may be technically true, another couple hundred thousand eventually went into post-production when Columbia Pictures bought the film. Still, it was made on a shoestring budget either way. 

Get Out

Until Get Out was released in 2017, director Jordan Peele was mostly known for his comedic work. The horror movie he made wasn't comedy, but it was box office gold. It did have a budget of around $4.5 million, but when you consider it made over 50 times its budget at the box office, that number looks pretty darn small. 

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Every once in a while, a movie comes out of nowhere and becomes a massive hit. My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a classic example. The rom-com wasn't perfect, but it was made for just $5 million in total, and it ended up grossing well over $350 and spawned two successful sequels. 

The Conjuring

2012's The Conjuring had a more robust budget than some of the movies on this list, at $20 million, but since it made well over 10 times that budget in theaters, it's safe to call it a sound investment. It also led to a franchise that has released a slew of modestly budgeted films that have made big money. 

Napoleon Dynamite

One movie that no list like this would be complete without is Napoleon Dynamite. The 2004 surprise hit was made on a meager budget of just $400K, but audiences adored it and it raked in over $100 million at the box office and is still beloved decades later. 

Pi

Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky burst onto the scene with a tiny movie he made with a budget of just $34K, but Pi ended up bringing in over $3 million in theaters. It's a wild movie and looks very much like the small-budget movie it is, but it's exciting and fast-paced. In it, you can see the blueprint for Aronofsky's later movies like Requiem for a Dream.

Swingers

Swingers was soooo money. Literally. Not only did the 1996 film launch the careers of Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, and Ron Livingston, as well as director Doug Liman, it made $4.5 million in theaters and oodles more on home media. All that on a budget of just $200K.

Paranormal Activity

The horror genre has always made the most of its budgets. Some of the most successful films, in terms of ROI, have been horror flicks. Paranormal Activity is a great example of this. The 2007 release was made for just $17,000 but took in nearly $200 million upon its release! It also led to multiple sequels.

Godzilla Minus One

It seems all the best Godzilla movies are made on tight budgets. Godzilla Minus One is no exception. While its budget was in the $10+ million range, it's still astonishing what director Takashi Yamazaki was able to get out of that. It looks like its budget could be ten times that number, which is about how much money the movie made. 

Rocky

In 1976, Sylvester Stallone introduced the character of Rocky Balboa to the world. The original movie, Rocky, had a budget of around $2 million and it crushed at the box office to the tune of $117 million. Of course, it spawned one of the most successful franchises of all time with a total box office gross in the neighborhood of $2 billion. 

Nomadland

The 2021 Oscar winner for Best Picture was the indie film Nomadland. The stirring movie was made for just $5 million but on the strength of its reviews and its award haul, the movie brought in nearly $40 million. Not a bad ROI for a movie about people living in vans. 

Hoodwinked!

2005's animated indie flick Hoodwinked! was made for right around $8 million according to director Cory Edwards. It took in over $150 million at the box office. It was the first time an animated indie had ever done those kinds of numbers and none have done it since, either.

The Usual Suspects

1995's The Usual Suspects had a bit of a slow burn at the box office. It started modestly, making just $645K when it first opened. As word of mouth spread about the mystery thriller, more and more people started seeing it. In total, it made $23 million on a $6 million budget, but it also was very successful on home media and is considered a stone-cold classic with an incredible plot twist at the end. 

Sling Blade

Written, directed, and starring Billy Bob Thornton, Sling Blade was made for just around $1 million. Thornton was nominated for two Oscars, one for Best Actor and one for Screenplay, winning for the latter. The movie's box office haul of about $36 million looks modest compared to big blockbusters, but with that kind of ROI, you can't say it wasn't a massive success. 

Black Swan

Director Darren Aronofsky is a master of getting more for less. One great example is 2010's Black Swan. On the surface, a movie about the ballet might seem like a risky bet, but that bet paid off big time when the movie brought in over $300 million against a $13 million budget. It also garnered five Oscar nominations with Natalie Portman winning for Best Actress. 

Memento

In 2023, director Christopher Nolan released the phenomenally successful Oppenheimer. It made nearly a billion dollars on a $100 million budget. A couple of decades early, Nolan showed just what he could do with a tight budget as well. His first film, 2000's Momento, was made for under $10 million and made about $50 million in theaters. 

Garden State

Director and writer Zach Braff's very personal 2004 movie Garden State was an indie darling when it was released. Made for a budget under $3 million, it brought in $35.8 in theater receipts. While some people make fun of it, it was a seriously buzzy film when it was released and still has huge fans today. 

Halloween

John Carpenter's Halloween is one of the most influential horror movies of all time. While the franchise has made hundreds of millions over the years, it all started with that one film in 1978. Made on a shoestring budget of just over $300K, it grossed $47 upon its release and the rest is horror history. 

Searching

2018's Searching by first-time filmmaker Aneesh Chaganty was a surprise hit. Made for just $880,000, the thriller raked in over $75 million at the box office. Chaganty has made two more movies on modest budgets, 2020's Run which had mixed results financially, and 2023's Missing, which, while not as successful in terms of ROI as Searching, still made an impressive $48 million on a $7 million budget. 

The Whale

Nobody saw The Whale coming in 2022, but once again director Darren Aronofsky hit a home run with a modest budget. The movie took home a slew of awards including a Best Actor Oscar for Brendan Fraiser, leading to the "Brenaissance" for the veteran actor. Made for just $3 million, it made $57 million in theaters.

Insidious

When it comes to small-budget horror, Blumhouse Productions really knows what it is doing. One of the best examples is Insidious. The 2010 movie was made for about $1.5 million, and it took home a massive $100 million at the box office. It also launched a franchise that racked up more than $700 million in total. Just insane numbers. 

Pulp Fiction

You might be surprised to see such an iconic film as Pulp Fiction on this list, but remember, it was Quentin Tarantino's second film. Miramax financed the film with about an $8 million budget, far less than some of his future movies. Of course, it's gone on to be a cultural touchstone and one of the most beloved movies of all time. When it was released, it brought in over $200 million at the box office. 

Once

It's common to see horror movies and comedies have huge ROIs on small budgets, but it's very uncommon to see off-beat musicals do it. 2007's Once is a massive exception. The movie, directed by John Carney, with original music by its stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, was made for $150K. Not only did it make $23 million in theaters, it led to a successful Broadway musical that won eight Tony Awards. 

Trainspotting

1996's Trainspotting wasn't director Danny Boyle's first movie, but it was the one that made him a star. The brutal movie about addicts in Scotland became a huge hit, making £48 million against a £7 million budget. It also helped launch the careers of Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, and Kelly Macdonald. Not bad for an indie. 

Open Water

For anyone with hydrophobia, Open Water is an impossible movie to watch. Even viewers who don't suffer that affliction might after seeing it. The horror thriller, released in 2003, was a surprise hit at the box office, making $55 million. All that for a movie with a budget well under one million bucks. Talk about swimming with sharks, wow. 

Lost in Translation

Sofia Coppola's 2003 hit Lost in Translation was the movie that officially brought her out from behind her father's shadow. Bill Murray and Scarlet Johansson brought their immense talent to the small-budget flick ($4 million) and helped Coppola make a masterpiece that made over $100 million in theaters. 

Saw

The Saw horror franchise is an unstoppable monster. With a collective box office haul of over $500 million, it's crazy to think it all started with the original movie with a budget of right around $1 million. All this from a series that many people simply won't watch at all because of the goriness. Amazing. 

Alright, let’s have a chat. Say that you’re on a date, hanging out with friends, or maybe you’re just on your own, and the desire to watch a horror movie arises. You’re scared at first because you’ve never watched a horror movie; you don’t know how you’ll react to them. Are they all as terrifying as Midsommar and Hereditary seem to be?

Rest assured, readers, we have the solution to that. Today, I’ll review several great picks for horror movies for beginners, whether you want something with a little less horror or maybe a little more. Let’s get into it. 

Poltergeist (1982)

Poltergeist is a classic horror movie from the 1980s that Steven Spielberg co-wrote. The film follows a family who has to find a way to save their daughter when vengeful spirits kidnap her in their own home. Out of most horror movies, this one is very light on the jumpscares and mainly builds fright through suspense – mixed in with some pretty okay-ish CGI. 

Halloween (1978)

You can’t get more of a classic horror movie villain than Michael Myers. Halloween was released back in 1978 and told the story of a young woman acting as a babysitter the night of Halloween and how she has to survive the wrath of Michael Myers, an escaped killer from a mental facility. Halloween isn’t gorey but has excellent music, suspense, and an unforgettable villain. Out of all the Halloween movies, this one is still the best. 

The Fog (1980)

The Fog is a horror movie directed by John Carpenter that makes you question what you see in the fog. It focuses on a group of strangers who all have to survive this strange fog that takes over their town, which seems to contain evil forces. The movie isn’t scary, but it is a nice entrance into a more suspenseful horror. 

The Sixth Sense (1999)

M. Night Shyamalan’s best movies often involve some horror, and The Sixth Sense follows that. The film mainly focuses on a child psychologist with a patient who can see dead people, but of course, the classic Shyamalan twist makes this movie all the better. It’s not scary, per se – just exciting. 

Psycho (1960)

I mean, yes. I have to put Psycho on here. Directed by Hollywood legend Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho is based on the novel of the same name and follows the story of an investigator looking into the strange life of Norman Bates at the Bates Motel and how one interaction with a young woman and her disappearance changes everything. It’s black and white with no gore, but it's a great horror movie to start on. Trust me. 

Friday The 13th (1980)

The Friday the 13th movies were essentially some of the films that began the subgenre of slasher within horror, but the first movie isn’t even that bad. It focuses on a group of teenage counselors trying to survive a serial killer at their summer camp after a tragedy occurred years prior. While there are some messier scenes, it’s not that bad and has some great music. 

Beetlejuice (1988)

With Beetlejuice Beetlejuice releasing, it’s the perfect time to watch the first film. Beetlejuice stars Michael Keaton as the titular character, a “bio-exorcist” contacted by two ghosts to get humans to leave their home – but he has tricks up his sleeves. Look, Beetlejuice, truthfully, is probably the best entrance into horror. This movie is way more funny than scary, but it has enough creepy moments to dip your toes in horror. 

The Black Phone (2022)

Starring Ethan Hawke, The Black Phone is an excellent horror film that follows the story of a teenager who is abducted by a child murderer and can use a rotary dial phone to speak to past victims to find a way out. This film has a few gorier moments, but they’re pretty tame. And truthfully, the plot alone is so creative you’ll be sucked in. 

Happy Death Day (2017)

There are plenty of fantastic horror comedies, and Happy Death Day is one of them. The film follows a young woman who, when she is killed, is forced to relive the day over and over again to find the murderer. Yes, this is a horror version of Groundhog Day, and it’s the best. 

Gremlins (1984)

Gremlins is a comedy horror film that everyone has seen at least once. The film follows the story of a man who receives a strange creature called a mogwai. At first, it seems fine, but once they get fed past midnight, they turn into monsters that wreak havoc. The movie isn’t scary, but it has some good makeup and will make you chuckle at the monsters. 

Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

Shaun of the Dead is a classic comedy zombie movie directed by Edgar Wright and starring Simon Pegg. The film follows a salesman who must survive the zombie apocalypse with his friends when the entirety of London falls. The zombies can sometimes be creepy, but trust me when I say you’ll be laughing a heck of a lot more than screaming. 

Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

Night of the Living Dead essentially created the zombie genre as a whole. This classic horror film from the 1960s, directed by George A. Romero, follows a group of survivors in Pennsylvania who must try to survive when they are all attacked by corpses that have come back to life. The movie features the slowest zombies ever, but they’re still pretty creepy – and powerfully told. 

Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele’s movies are always hits; Get Out was his first big one. The movie follows a young Black man who travels to his Caucasian girlfriend’s house for the first time to meet her family, only to discover that they hold much darker secrets than ever before. There’s barely any gore in here—all the horror is in the storytelling and how evil humans can be. 

The Ring (2002)

Have you ever heard the phrase “Seven days?” Because it comes from here. Directed by Gore Verbinski and based on the Japanese horror film and novel of the same name, this movie follows the story of a journalist who discovers that when she watches a cursed tape, she will die in seven days—and now she must find a way to survive. Yes, the girl can be a little creepy, but truthfully, the movie isn’t that bad.

Insidious (2010)

When it comes to horror movies about demons, Insidious is pretty much the best you can get because it’s not “poop your pants” scary, but it’s effective in the way it scares. Directed by James Wan, the film follows a married couple who must find a way to save their son when he enters into a coma, and his body becomes host to several vengeful spirits and demons. There are a few jumpscares, but it’s nothing an average person can’t handle. 

Scream (1996)

This film isn’t scary, and I stand by it. Scream is the first in the Scream franchise, and it follows Sidney Prescott as she tries to avoid getting killed by Ghostface, a serial killer in her town. This movie is just a trope city, and there are undoubtedly bloody moments, but not enough to truly scare you. If anything, it’s a love letter to horror movies from decades before. 

Zombieland (2009)

Zombieland was one of the first zombie movies I ever watched, and I think it’s a great horror comedy for first-time viewers. It mainly follows four survivors as they try to survive the zombie apocalypse, but it’s the comedy that keeps you coming back for more. It’s so funny, and some of the ways the zombies are killed are hilarious. It’s one of Emma Stone’s best films. 

An American Werewolf In London (1981)

Starring David Naughton, An American Werewolf in London tells the story of two American backpackers who are attacked by a werewolf. One of them gets bitten, turning him into a werewolf when the moon rises. The scariest thing about this film is the realistic werewolf transformation, but other than that, it’s a great horror movie to start on. 

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

While the found-footage horror genre has only gotten bigger, I often credit The Blair Witch Project as the first to really set it off. The film focuses on a group of film students who are trying to make a documentary about a local legend, only to vanish. Their footage is found a year later—hence the name, “found footage.” The movie has a few scary movies but builds its scares on suspense. 

Jaws (1975)

Will you be scared of sharks a little after this? Sure, but Jaws is iconic for a reason. The film, directed by Steven Spielberg, follows a marine biologist and a shark hunter working together to take down a man-eating great white shark. Yes, the score is as iconic as you think it is.

Alien (1979)

To me, the original sci-fi horror movie was always Alien. The movie, directed by Ridley Scott, follows the space crew as they have to survive aliens that make their way into their vessel. Truthfully, I don’t see the aliens as too creepy—the only thing that’s truly scary is the alien popping out of someone’s chest, but it’s not that bad. 

The Shining (1980)

One of the best Stephen King adaptations is The Shining. Based on the novel of the same name, The Shining follows a family in which a writer takes on the position of off-season caretaker in a hotel, only for him to lose his mind while he’s there. The movie itself is built on suspense and doesn’t really have that many gory or scary moments—it’s just a greatly shot film.

Old (2021)

Old is an M. Night Shyamalan movie that follows a group of vacationers who realize that they are aging inexplicably quicker on a beach, to the point where they grow closer and closer to death with each passing hour. I enjoy this film a decent amount and think it’s excellent for first-time horror viewers, mainly because there’s barely any gore, and it’s an exciting concept. 

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark (2019)

For all my PG-13 peeps, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a great first-time horror movie. Based on novels of the same name, the film follows how horror stories written in an ancient book come to life, and it’s up to three teenagers to figure out how. The movie is creepy, eerie, and so much more – but it doesn’t quite cross the line of unwatchable. I love it. 

Carrie (1976)

Carrie is hands-down one of the best horror films to start watching. The film, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, follows a young woman who is bullied at school. She later finds out that she has telekinetic powers—ones she uses to exact revenge when she’s pushed too far. The film isn’t gory but expertly acted and brilliantly told. 

The Cabin In The Woods (2013)

This sci-fi comedy is everything. The Cabin in the Woods follows a group of close friends who go away to a remote cabin for a weekend. There, they all fall victim to different kinds of killers—only to find out that these killers aren’t who they thought they were. The twist is excellent; you have to watch it. It’s not scary at all. 

A Quiet Place (2018)

A Quiet Place is a great horror movie to start on. The film follows a family who are trying to live in a world where man-eating but blind monsters have taken out much of humanity. They have incredible hearing, and you're dead if you make a sound. The monsters can be a little creepy, but there’s so much more that makes this movie so good. 

Goosebumps (2015)

Goosebumps is an excellent PG-13 pick on here. Based on the R.L. Stine books of the same name, the film follows a group of kids and a fictionalized Stine as they struggle to capture all the monsters in the Goosebumps books when they come to live and terrorize their town. It stars Jack Black and is silly, goofy, and just a little scary – perfect for first-timers. 

The Birds (1963)

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, The Birds follows the sudden invasion and attack of birds that look to kill in California and how it came to be. Yes, I know the premise sounds goofy, but it’s a well-shot film and a classic for a reason. 

Child’s Play (1988)

Child’s Play may sound like it’s for children, but it’s not. The film follows a widowed mother who gifts a doll to her son, unaware that a serial killer’s spirit possesses it and is looking to kill again. Look, this movie is goofy as heck. It is. It’s about a doll killing people – you’re not going to have nightmares after. Just make sure the kids don’t see it. 

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Everyone needs a horror musical sometimes. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, starring Tim Curry, is based on the musical of the same name and follows an engaged couple who take refuge in a castle when their car breaks down, only to see that it’s occupied by several interesting and enigmatic people. That’s all I’ll say. Now, let’s do the Time Warp!

Mama (2013)

Starring Jessica Chastain, Mama tells the story of two girls who are brought home by their uncle after their parents die and are haunted by a strange entity. The spirit follows them to their new house. The film certainly focuses more on the love a mother can bring than anything else, but it’s perfect for first-time horror fans. 

With all these options, now I feel like watching some of the best horror movies ever – I think it’s time for a horror movie marathon. 

For those who know me and for those who don't, I'm a huge lover of horror movies. From the best horror movies out there to comedy horror films to anything in between, I will gladly sit down to watch them. But let's be honest – there are plenty of horror films in the past that all of us have seen and thought, "Wow, I am never going to forget this scene because it will haunt me for life." That's what this is all about. Let's get into it. 

The Ending (The Mist)

Yeah, I don't need to explain why The Mist's ending was traumatizing. If you've seen it, you know. If you haven't, consider yourselves lucky. Let's say many people die, and it's not a fun experience.

Michael Hiding In The Closet (Halloween)

There's nothing quite like a classic horror movie villain, and Michael Myers is about as classic as you can get. The film itself is all about Myers on a killing quest, which leads him to Laurie Strode. He chases her throughout her house, and just when we think he's dead, he rises from the floor in one motion, clearly not. This scene remains chilling to this day. 

Andre Realizing Where He Is (Get Out)

Jordan Peele's movies surprisingly have many scenes that really stick with you. One I have to mention is in Get Out when Andre realizes where he is and tries to warn Chris to leave Rose's family's house. He screams and yells at him when the flash goes off on a camera, and his yelling at Chris will always live in my head. 

Regan's Seizure (The Exorcist)

If we're being honest, there are plenty of moments in The Exorcist that I could put on this list. But the one I have to name is when Regan has a seizure due to the demon in her body flailing her up and down. Whether it's the chilling nature of the shot or the fact that the actress suffered severe injuries because of it, it sat with me for a long time. 

Pennywise Gets Georgie (IT)

The IT films are some of the best Stephen King adaptations, but that opening death in IT let me know exactly what I was getting myself into. We all knew Georgie had to die in IT, but in the first film, we are shown how graphic it will be when Pennywise lures him into the sewer and ends him quite violently. 

The First Time We See The Demon (Insidious)

There are plenty of moments in the Insidious films that we could discuss, but I have to point out the red demon—you and I both know which one I'm talking about—that randomly appears behind Josh's head. It's such an effective jumpscare, but my god, does it haunt you. 

The Entirety Of The Human Centipede (2009)

Yeah, I won't even get into this. Just don't watch the movie—or movies—if you don't want to be scarred for life. Ew. 

Justine Biting Her Own Arm (Raw)

Many people forget about Raw in many ways, and I'm not sure why. It was a great film that explored an excellent horror topic and was told brilliantly; somehow, we never got a sequel. Plenty of scenes stand out, but the one I'll never forget is when Justine, instead of biting the flesh of her lover, bites her arm. Yeah, it's pretty gross – but it's a great shot. 

Mike Facing The Wall (The Blair Witch Project)

While The Blair Witch Project might be getting rebooted, there's nothing quite as haunting as the original, where film students are capturing footage in the woods, and they get lost – while their footage is found. In the last shot, Mike is facing the wall, doing nothing, as evil forces surround them. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking of it. 

The First Ceremony (Midsommar)

Ari Aster's films always have moments that make you want to squirm, but the one I have to point out from Midsommar is the first ceremony they do during the festival. The two eldest of the group jump off a cliff, and their lives end rather quickly, but the slow-motion and graphic way they pass sits with you. 

The Scream Of The Innocent (Nope)

Of Peele's three directed features, Nope is arguably the least scary. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have haunting moments, including this one. When Jean Jacket finds its way over Jupiter's Claim, it kills everyone there, sucking them up into its mouth. It's horrifying when you hear the screams of everyone there. 

The Logs (Final Destination 2)

Yeah, the log scene in Final Destination 2 scarred an entire generation from riding behind any truck that has anything that could potentially fall out of it – especially logs. We all know what happens. I'm not going to relive that while writing this, no siree. 

David's First Wolf Transformation (An American Werewolf In London)

There are plenty of great werewolf movies, but An American Werewolf in London is hands down one of the best. The movie isn't scary, but you want to know what it is? When David becomes a werewolf for the first time – that shakes you to your core. His werewolf transformation is genuinely out of this world. 

Seok-woo Realizes He's Bit (Train To Busan)

Train to Busan is one of the best zombie movies out there, and the scene that haunts me the most is definitely Seok-woo realizing he was bitten. It happens so quickly, but through it all, he finds a way to keep his daughter safe despite dying. It's sad as heck and will make you sob. 

Every Torture Scene (Hostel)

I watched Hostel and regretted it immensely, but you know what? You have to live through the pain with me. The film is all about tourists taking shelter in a hostel only to be kidnapped and tortured, and every torture scene in this film made me squirm and still haunts me to this day. 

Freddy Gets Glen (A Nightmare On Elm Street)

Out of Freddy Kreuger's most gruesome kills, this one stands out amongst the rest. Glen, played by Johnny Depp, accidentally falls asleep, but Freddy gets him good – and turns him into a geyser. It's disgusting and still sits with me to this day. 

Chest Popper (Alien)

I mean, obviously. If we're talking about some of the best sci-fi horror movies, Alien is undoubtedly up there. While there aren't that many terrifying moments, the Alien coming out of a person's chest will certainly sit with you for years. 

Casey's Death (Scream)

I see the Scream movie as almost a love letter to former horror movies, but there's no denying some haunting moments. Casey's death in the first Scream film is probably the most prominent because the young woman was innocent and strung up a tree with her insides hanging out. Not the best way to go. 

Katie Lunges Towards The Camera (Paranormal Activity)

There are plenty of great found-footage horror movies out there that I could point to as haunting, but the last scene of Paranormal Activity possibly made everyone in the world jump out of their seats. It concludes with Katie, fully possessed, lunging at the camera before everything cuts to black, and yes, it still makes me jump to this day. 

Redrum (The Shining)

The Shining is great for so many reasons, but one of the best moments is when Danny writes "Redrum" on a door while saying it in a raspy voice, over and over and over again, obviously with "Redrum" spelling "Murder" backward. It's a great foreshadowing of the horrors to come, but also a fantastic haunting moment. 

Red Looking At Jason (Us)

Us is a great Jordan Peele horror movie about doppelgangers, and the ending scene of Us is one of the best for many reasons. Red somehow survives until the end, revealing that she was always a doppelganger who fights to keep her place in the world, trapping the real her below. Jason realizes that at the very end, the last look she gives her son is chilling to the bone. 

The Aftermath Of Charlie's Death (Hereditary)

Hereditary is one of those Ari Aster movies that makes you squirm in your seat, and while I won't get into details of what exactly happens to Charlie, I will say that the aftermath of what we see is enough to make you barf. Flies, dead skin, and much more on the side of the road – and let's not forget the scream of her mother. 

The Lawnmower Scene (Sinister)

The lawnmower scene in Sinister is less than a minute long in a film full of haunting moments, but man, it isn't fun. It shows someone with a camera holding a lawnmower that ends a girl lying on the ground without getting into too much detail. I could have gone my whole life without seeing that. 

The Truth About Norman Bates' Mother (Psycho)

You can't get more well-known horror than Psycho. Obviously, by the end of the film, we all find out the truth about Bates' mother and how he killed her, but it's that chilling smile, the iconic one, that still haunts our nightmares every time. You can't get creepier than that. 

Gage's Death (Pet Sematary)

In many ways, Pet Sematary is the scariest film on this list because it sometimes feels like something a normal person would do out of desperation to bring their loved ones back. The following events in the film happen because of Gage's death, but nothing beats the screams of his family when they realize it. 

Pearl's Final Bow (Pearl)

Both X and Pearl are great films within the same universe, but that last shot of Pearl—otherwise known as the Pearl ending—is haunting. In it, she welcomes her husband home after literally killing so many people and just smiles at the camera for a good couple of minutes. Oof, it just sits with you. 

The Blood Eagle (Midsommar)

Midsommar has so many moments that could be on this list, but The Blood Eagle has to be one to point out. Without going into too much detail so I don't scar whoever is reading this, a tourist at the festival, who had been brought in, is taken out due to an ancient torture ritual called the Blood Eagle. I won't talk about what it is – look it up if you dare, and then get haunted all over again. 

The Spider-Head (The Thing)

The Thing is terrifying in many ways because literally anyone could be the imposter alien. But out of all the haunting moments, the spider-head stands out. Yeah, I'm getting nauseous just writing about it. Ew. 

The Final Transformation (The Fly)

Jeff Goldblum's best movies include The Fly for a good reason: his acting is awesome. However, that last transformation—where his character, fully ingrained with the fly's DNA, fully transforms—yeah, that part is gross and still haunts me to this day. The flesh and the effects—ugh, I'm about to vomit. Be right back. 

Kayako Goes Under The Sheets (The Grudge)

I have to point out this scene from The Grudge. Kayako pops out from underneath a bed and kills someone, dragging them under the covers. It's terrifying, and to this day, I'm still freaked out by it. 

Gabriel Comes Out Of Madison's Skull (Malignant)

Malignant is one of the best movies to watch on Max, and it still freaks me out. The twist comes at the very end when it's revealed Madison had a former twin who ingrained himself in her skull, and then he suddenly emerges from her skull at the very end. It's disgusting and will haunt you for the rest of your life. 

Riley's Possession (Talk To Me)

Talk to Me was one of the scariest films in years and deserved all the praise it got, and of course, I have to point out Riley's possession. It's so violent and quick and sad that you can hardly remember to feel scared once you're traumatized out of your mind. Let's not even get into how he injures himself so badly. 

These are all some incredibly haunting scenes, but maybe I'll go watch some of the best romantic comedies now to feel happier about something. Goodness gracious, I need a palette cleanser. 

There was a time when seeing iconic horror movie villains such as Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees slashing up young, defenseless civilians was the genre’s main draw. However, these days, audiences have come to better appreciate the Scream Queens and Scream Kings who know how to hold their own against the likes of masked killers, vicious extraterrestrials, mischievous demons, and more. With that in mind, let’s take a minute to shine the spotlight on the clever and courageous heroes from the best horror movies of all time and point out what makes them worth rooting for.

Ash Williams (The Evil Dead Movies) 

The Ash we meet in 1981's The Evil Dead is completely in over his head, struggling desperately to defend himself against his possessed friends in whatever way he can find. However, by the end of 1987's Evil Dead II, when he replaces his severed hand with a working chainsaw, Bruce Campbell's most iconic role becomes one of the horror genre's grooviest heroes… even if he is prone to a few flubs and mishaps here and there.

Laurie Strode (Halloween) 

Out of all of the babysitters working in Haddonfield on All Hallow’s Eve, Laurie Strode is the only one who manages to survive the escaped Michael Myers' killing streak in 1978's Halloween. The young woman’s courage and avoidance of distracting vices in John Carpenter's quintessential slasher made the character the ultimate “final girl” and Jamie Lee Curtis the quintessential Scream Queen.

Ben (Night Of The Living Dead) 

Duane Jones made history as the first Black actor to play the lead hero in a horror movie with his role in 1968's Night of the Living Dead. Ben is the one character in George A. Romero's groundbreaking thriller who manages to keep a level head when struggling to survive against hungry reanimated corpses.

Nancy Thompson (A Nightmare On Elm Street) 

Played by Heather Langenkamp, Nancy Thompson certainly takes a little while to figure out how to defeat the subconscious-haunting Freddy Kreuger (Robert Englund) in writer and director Wes Craven’s supernatural slasher classic. Near the end of A Nightmare on Elm Street, when she realizes that bringing him into reality is the key, she turns the tables on him with a series of elaborate traps that predate Home Alone.

Ellen Ripley (Alien) 

Sigourney Weaver’s career-defining role of Ellen Ripley became the sole survivor of  1979’s Alien and, as a result, one of the most inspirational female heroes in horror movie history. Her previous experience contending with the Xenomorph provided her with the resilience and wherewithal to ensure there would be more survivors in 1986’s Aliens, making her one of the greatest female action heroes of all time.

Sidney Prescott (Scream) 

When you have been targeted by masked killers as many times as Sidney Prescott, you tend to pick up on a few helpful tips and tricks for survival. Even before the original Ghostface first struck in 1996's Scream, the tragic murder of her mother a year prior prompted Neve Campbell's character to be prepared for such things.

R.J. MacReady (The Thing) 

Easily one of Kurt Russell's best roles is R.J. MacReady in John Carpenter's The Thing. The pilot brings a well-conceived, no-nonsense approach to weeding out who among his fellow researchers is a shape-shifting alien in disguise while stranded at their outpost in the Arctic.

Elise Rainier (Insidious)

When your house (or, maybe, your child) is haunted, the first person you should call is someone with a direct line to the afterlife, such as Lin Shaye's Elise Rainier from the Insidious movies. The medium comes to the Lambert Family's aid after young, unwitting astral traveler Dalton (Ty Simpkins) flies too far into "The Further" — a spiritual realm she named herself.

Chris Washington (Get Out)

Jordan Peele made a point to have a protagonist capable of making intelligent decisions for his Oscar-winning directorial debut, Get Out. He achieved that goal beautifully with Daniel Kaluuya's Chris Washington, with his adept suspicions of unusual circumstances and ingenious plan to escape the Armitage Family’s clutches.

Grace (Ready Or Not) 

Samara Weaving's newlywed in Radio Silence's breakthrough hit, Ready or Not, proves to be an ideal Hide-and-Seek player when her in-laws forced her to play it to the death as part of a matrimonial ritual. While she does get spotted a few times, it is in those moments when Grace also proves to be quite the fighter.

Dutch (Predator) 

Even the biggest fans of the Predator movies seem to forget that, when it comes to defeating the cunning, titular extraterrestrial, being the toughest, strongest, and best marksman is nowhere near as important as being the smartest. Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character from the 1987 original) realizes this after becoming the last of his crew and taking him on with old-school hunting tactics.

Sienna Shaw (Terrifier 2) 

Played by Lauren LaVera, the hero of Damien Leone's sequel to his shockingly brutal, old-school slasher throwback, Terrifier, is not just a final girl by circumstance. As foretold in artwork crafted by her late father, it is Sienna Shaw's destiny to cross paths with and defeat the sadistic Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton).

Clarice Starling (The Silence Of The Lambs) 

Jodie Foster won her second Academy Award for her performance in Jonathan Demme's adaptation of Thomas Harris' novel, The Silence of the Lambs. Her role as Clarice Starling — an FBI trainee seeking help from a manipulative, cannibalistic psychiatrist (played by Anthony Hopkins) — is one of the most intelligent and inspirational heroes in cinematic history, regardless of whether or not you want to call the Best Picture Oscar winner "horror."

Casey Cooke (Split, Glass) 

In M. Night Shyamalan’s Split, it eventually becomes known that Casey Cooke's calm demeanor and resourcefulness when she and her friends are kidnapped by a DID patient (James McAvoy) are the result of years of abuse from her uncle. Her trauma also allows Anya Taylor-Joy's character to have a unique connection with her captors' core identity, Kevin Wendell Crumb, that helps bring him back to earth in the 2019 sequel, Glass.

Randy Meeks (Scream)

The only original Scream cast member as resourceful as Sidney (if not more) is Randy Meeks, whose obsession with horror movie tropes allows him to, successfully, figure out at least one of Ghostface's true identities. Even though Jamie Kennedy's movie buff does not survive 1997’s Scream 2, his prime suspect in that sequel also turns out to be halfway correct.

Chief Martin Brody (Jaws)

Roy Scheider's Brody is the one member of Jaws' heroic trio with the least amount of experience with sharks. Yet, he makes up for it with the courage and skill needed to rid the waters of that man-eating beast.

Erin Harson (You're Next) 

When masked assassins turn an already bitter family reunion into a bloody nightmare in You're Next, the first one to take charge (and take out these adversaries) is Sharni Vinson's Erin, who is dating one of the family members. It is later revealed that she was trained for situations like this when she was a child, having grown up on her father's survivalist compound.

Peter Washington (Dawn of the Dead)

In the midst of the apocalypse, there is no one better to have in your crew than a member of SWAT, like Peter Washington. Ken Foree's role in George A. Romero’s 1978 zombie movie classic, Dawn of the Dead, is not only a master at slaying zombies, but a devoted survivalist and clever strategist.

Mindy Meeks-Martin (Scream, Scream VI) 

Like uncle, like niece. You would not be able to tell that Mindy Meeks-Martin (Jasmin Savoy Brown) never got to meet the slain Randy based on how remarkably similar she is to him, particularly in her wide range of horror movie knowledge that proves to be very beneficial for the Scream franchise's new generation of targets.

Dr. Sam Loomis (Halloween) 

In Halloween, Laurie Strode manages to defend herself against Michael Myers, but is unable to expect when, where, and how he might strike — unlike the killer's psychiatrist. Donald Pleasence's Dr. Loomis is not necessarily one step ahead of his former patient, but is not too many steps behind him either, and there might have been fewer casualties in Haddonfield if more people actually accepted his advisement.

Marty (The Cabin In The Woods) 

Fran Kranz's character in the 2012 horror-comedy movie favorite The Cabin in the Woods, Marty, is chosen to represent the "Fool" archetype by The Organization, but they largely misjudged him. He is the first among his vacationing friends to pick up on the strange circumstances surrounding them and call them out on poor decisions often made in less self-aware horror movies.

Maddie Young (Hush) 

In Mike Flanagan's Hush, when a masked killer (John Gallagher Jr.) discovers his target, Maddie Young (Kate Siegel), is deaf, he takes advantage of that fact to intimidate, manipulate, and trap her in her secluded home. What he does not expect is that, as an author, she possesses a sharp analytical mind that keeps her one step ahead of her adversary.

Naru (Prey) 

In Dan Trachtenberg's 2022 Predator prequel, Prey, Amber Midthunder's aspiring Comanche warrior, Naru, proves her worth as a hunter by besting the greatest hunter in the universe. Much like Arnold Schwarzenegger's Dutch from the original classic, she manages to take out the hulking extra-terrestrial with her wits.

The Janitor (Willy's Wonderland) 

Similarities between 2020's Willy’s Wonderland and the popular Five Nights at Freddy’s series are allegedly coincidental, but there are some audiences who believe that said recent underrated horror movie is a better cinematic counterpart than Blumhouse’s official feature adaptation. The reason is that Nicolas Cage's silent, unnamed drifter manages to absolutely lay waste to a rundown family entertainment center's evil-possessed animatronics with his bare hands, all while cleaning the place up to an immaculate degree and scoring big in pinball.

Tess Marshall (Barbarian) 

In 2022’s Barbarian, Tess Marshall (Georgina Campbell) wastes no time scoping out the strange man she finds staying in her vacation rental home (played by Bill Skarsgård) — asking for his ID, avoiding a drink he prepares for her, etc. — which is only the first sign of her wisdom. The most definitive sign is when she finds a creepy hidden room in the basement and, instead of taking a look inside, her first instinct is one big, "Nope."

Scarlett Marlowe (As Above, So Below) 

Scarlett Marlowe (Perdita Weeks) proves her worth as a Final Girl hall-of-famer in one pivotal scene from the 2014 found footage favorite, As Above, So Below. She single-handedly runs all the way back through the, literally, devilish caverns she and her comrades have traveled through to find a mystical artifact that will save a man's life.

The Abbott Family (A Quiet Place) 

A post-apocalyptic world overrun with aliens that hunt by sound is the ingenious concept behind 2018’s A Quiet Place from director John Krasinski, who also stars alongside his real-life wife, Emily Blunt, as a family struggling to stay undetected. For the most, the Abbotts manage this pretty well with tricks like creating paths of sand for quieter walks, building a soundproof bunker for their newborn, and speaking exclusively in American Sign Language.

Lionel Cosgrove (Dead Alive) 

While initially known for his clumsiness, Lionel (Timothy Balme) proves to be a real hero in Peter Jackson's comedic classic, Dead Alive, by making mincemeat about out of a zombie horde with a makeshift lawnmower. What an ingenious idea!

Sang-hwa (Train To Busan)

It is no wonder Don Lee went on to star in Marvel's Eternals cast after playing Sang-hwa in Train to Busan. Fewer characters might have survived the onboard outbreak in the South Korean zombie movie favorite if not for his remarkable skills as a strategist and a bare-knuckle brawler.

Cecelia Kass (The Invisible Man) 

Writer and director Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man is an ingenious modernization of H.G. Wells’ novel for multiple reasons — including its narrative from the perspective of the victim, and a very bright and cautious one at that. Elisabeth Moss' Cecelia Kass is one of the few horror movie characters who leaves absolutely no stone unturned in a fierce battle of wits against her adversary — in this case, her manipulative former husband, Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), whom she suspects has figured out a way to stalk her without being seen.

Blade (Blade) 

What makes Blade — originally played by Wesley Snipes in his own trilogy — the ultimate vampire hunter? He technically is one himself. The Marvel Comics hero is known as a Daywalker, having been born with vampire blood and similar abilities that allow him to think just like his prey.

Tommy Jarvis (Friday The 13th Movies) 

Few of Jason Voorhees' targets have been about to successfully outsmart the hockey-masked killer like Tommy Jarvis. In his debut appearance in 1984's Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, the young man (played then by Corey Feldman) shaves his head to appear like a young Jason, disorienting the killer and giving him a clear shot to defeat him.

Tired of watching horror movies and getting frustrated over the characters’ ill-advised decisions? You shouldn’t have that problem with these characters.

Whether or not you believe in ghosts, few would deny that the mere idea of being in a haunted house is unsettling. For that reason, there are many great horror movies based on the premise of sharing a home or any isolated area with a deceased individual’s spectral remains, yet some are more frightening than others. If you are looking for a truly terrifying supernatural movie night, these scary ghost movies should do the trick.

The Shining (1980)

While trying to finish a novel, a recovering alcoholic author (Jack Nicholson), his wife (Shelley Duvall) and young son (Danny Lloyd) become caretakers of a desolate Colorado hotel where a sinister presence threatens to tear them apart.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: While the author himself was not a fan of Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of his 1977 novel, The Shining is considered to be among the best Stephen King movies — if not the best — for its unrelentingly eerie atmosphere and aimlessly unique depiction of hauntings.

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The Changeling (1980)

A recently widowed music professor (Academy Award winner George C. Scott) becomes wrapped up in a disturbing mystery about his new home — a long-vacant mansion in Seattle — with guidance from the ghost haunting it.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: One of Martin Scorsese’s favorite horror movies is The Changeling, which is acclaimed as one of the best horror movies that address grief in a profound way in addition to its top-notch scares.

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Poltergeist (1982)

A real estate agent (Craig T. Nelson) and his wife (JoBeth Williams) tries to rescue their youngest daughter (Heather O’Rourke) from the evil spirits that have invaded their home and abducted her into their realm.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: Hailing from producer Steven Spielberg and director Tobe Hooper, Poltergeist is an essential haunted house movie — not just for its indelibly frightening elements, but also for its emotionally grounded depiction of parents longing to find their missing child.

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The Sixth Sense (1999)

A child psychologist (Bruce Willis) with his own dark past tries to help a young boy (Haley Joel Osment) come to terms with his disturbing gift.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: Arguably M. Night Shyamalan’s best movie, the clever and frightening classic The Sixth Sense has a unique set of rules about the afterlife which, once you see the killer twist ending, you’ll never think of the same way again.

Rent or buy The Sixth Sense on Amazon.

Stir Of Echoes (1999)

After agreeing to be hypnotized by his sister-in-law at a party just for a laugh, it quickly proves to be no laughing matter for the man (Kevin Bacon) as he begins to see visions of a girl who is dead. 

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: Because it was released not long after The Sixth Sense and bore similar themes of ESP and paranormal activity, writer and director David Koepp’s intense adaptation of Richard Matheson’s novel Stir of Echoes did not get the attention it deserved, and rarely has since then.

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Session 9 (2001)

Relations between the somewhat normally close-knit crew of an asbestos removal company grow sour as they race to complete a job at an abandoned mental hospital with a dark past that slowly comes to light.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: From director Brad Anderson — who also co-writes with star Stephen Gevedon — and also starring CSI: Miami star David Caruso, Session 9 is yet another unfairly overlooked horror movie with some really good scares and a chilling final act.

Rent or buy Session 9 on Amazon.

1408 (2007)

A grieving father who specializes in disproving supernatural phenomena (John Cusack) puts the legend of an hotel room with a supposedly deadly curse to the test, only to find a reason to believe.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: From director Mikael Håfström, 1408 is another haunted hotel story from author Stephen King that mostly plays out like a spooky one-man show, while also starring Cusack’s future Cell co-star, Samuel L. Jackson.

Rent or buy 1408 on Amazon.

The Orphanage (2007)

During a visit to the foster home where she grew up, a woman (Belén Rueda) and her husband (Fernando Cayo) accidentally lose their young son (Roger Príncep) and turn to unusual measures in hopes of finding him.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: From producer Guillermo del Toro and writer and director J.A. Bayona, the Spanish-language thriller The Orphanage is already spine-tingling as a missing child story, but its ghostly elements make for an unforgettable frightening experience.

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Lake Mungo (2008)

A family from Australia recalls in interviews the strange events that would begin to plague their home shortly after their teenage daughter drowned to death.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: From writer and director Joel Anderson, and one of the most unlikely After Dark Horror Fest entries, Lake Mungo is an overlooked supernatural drama that's so mysteriously compelling, delicately constructed, and convincingly acted, no one could fault you for assuming this faux documentary was real.

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Grave Encounters (2011)

The typically skeptical crew of a docuseries that explores notorious sightings of alleged hauntings find the irrefutable evidence they never thought they would after locking themselves in an empty insane asylum.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: Part satire of paranormal investigation reality series like Ghost Adventures, and another part relentless nightmare fuel, Grave Encounters is another relatively underrated found footage thriller featuring some of the most unforgivably frightening supernatural entities you could imagine.

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Insidious (2011)

A teacher (Patrick Wilson), his wife (Rose Byrne) and their children begin to suffer from very strange and disturbing circumstances after their eldest son (Ty Simpkins) mysteriously falls into a coma.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: Writer Leigh Whannell and director James Wan of Saw fame already turned the haunted house genre on its head with the unique concept of Insidious, but rarely had a film of this kind been so visually arresting and indelibly frightening at this time either.

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The Pact (2012)

After her sister goes missing not long after the death of their mother, a woman (Caity Lotz) begins to suspect that the secret behind her disappearance is tied to the unexplainable events she begins to experience in her childhood home.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: If you have never seen or heard of writer and director Nicholas McCarthy’s The Pact, I highly recommend it to people who enjoy engrossing mystery stories that do not hold back on high-stakes frights.

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The Woman In Black (2012)

A widowed legal practitioner (Daniel Radcliffe) is shocked to learn that an abandoned manor in a small London village is haunted by a vengeful spirit who struck fear in the locals.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: Based on the novel by Susan Hill, The Woman in Black is one of Daniel Radcliffe’s best movies outside of the Harry Potter franchise in the way it harkens back to a forgotten era of gothic tales of the unexplainable, but with haunting imagery for audiences of any generation to get spooked by

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The Conjuring (2013)

A family calls upon the help of famed paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) to help rid their new Rhode Island home of the evil presence inhabiting it.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: While the more memorable antagonists in any of the Conjuring Universe movies are of the demonic sort, director James Wan’s original that started it all has its fair share of great and grandly creepy ghostly moments.

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Ouija: Origin Of Evil (2016)

A mother of two (Annalise Basso and Lulu Wilson) who makes a living as a fake medium (Elizabeth Reaser) adds a new element to her performance that turns out to be much more real than she could have envisioned.

Why it is a seriously scary ghost movie: Some of the earliest proof of writer and director Mike Flanagan’s expertise in horror storytelling was the surprisingly taut and viscerally unsettling Ouija: Origin of Evil — a prequel to an almost universally reviled generic teen thriller from 2014.

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If these ghost movies do not manage to scare you, we hope they at least warm your spirit as a horror fan.

When you think of the best horror movies, there are plenty of characters and genres that might come to mind first. For me, one of the scariest kinds of horror movies has to do with demonic possession.

Whether it be because of my Catholic upbringing or my genuine love of horror movies, nothing quite gets to me like a movie about someone getting possessed by either a demon or a super freaking evil spirit, because I do believe in a world that is not our own and these films make it even scarier.

Here are my picks for the best demonic possession movies that you could check out, from classics like The Exorcist to newer favorites.

The Wailing (2016)

First up on this list is The Wailing, a South Korean horror film that is directed by Na Hong-jin. The film tells the story of a policeman who investigates a remote village where there has been a strange string of murders and illnesses that cause the infected to kill their own families.

This film is honestly one of the best demonic possession films I have seen in many years. There are so many reasons to love it, from its eerie suspenseful tone to the acting, to even the story, which is truthfully one of the most original here. South Korea knows how to do horror really well, and this is one of their best flicks. You have to check it out.

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The Exorcist (1973)

I’m pretty sure that when you think of demons and demonic possession, this is the film that comes to mind.

The Exorcist, which was released in 1973, is one of the most classic horror movies of all time. You can’t consider yourself a horror movie lover if you’ve never seen it. The film follows the story of two Catholic priests who are exorcists as they try to save a young girl from a demon who is possessing her body.

I mean, there’s seriously so much to love about this film, from the iconic score to the acting to the practical effects — God, the effects. The first time I watched this film, I’m pretty sure I almost threw up from how realistic everything looked. It was the first ever horror movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and the screenplay won Best Adapted Screenplay.

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Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Oh, you knew I’d put this on here. In this cult classic film, Jennifer’s Body stars Megan Fox as the titular Jennifer, and how one night, she’s used as a human sacrifice for a satanic band but ends up becoming possessed and turning into a succubus who kills boys at her school. Now, it’s up to her best friend to stop her.

I could go on and on about how Jennifer’s Body is underrated and deserves so much more hype, and thankfully over the last decade or so it’s gained many more fans. It’s a go-to for me during spooky season. It’s hilarious, scary, and features a great performance from not only Megan Fox but the entire Jennifer’s Body cast, so I’d certainly recommend it if you want more of a horror/dark comedy.

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Sinister (2012)

Starring Ethan Hawke, Sinister is considered one of the scariest films of the 2010s for a reason. The film follows a true-crime writer who moves into a new house and discovers a series of snuff films that show the murders of a family that once lived there, but soon, the entities behind those films come to haunt him.

Sinister was actually one of the first horror films I watched way back when I was just getting into them, and let me tell you that this movie scared the absolute bejeezus out of me, and I mean that with every part of my being. Not only is Ethan Hawke a fantastic lead, the ending had me thinking about it for weeks.

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Hereditary (2018)

Many know Ari Aster now for Midsommar or even his 2023 movie Beau is Afraid, but the director’s debut was actually with Hereditary.

The 2018 film follows the story of a family dealing with the loss of their grandmother, but their lives are anything but peaceful as something from their relatives' past comes back to haunt them.

Let me tell you a story – I watched Hereditary on my own at midnight in college because I couldn’t get to sleep. For some ungodly reason, I thought watching a horror movie would help me sleep.

This movie did not help me sleep. In fact, it terrified me so much that I laid awake in bed for hours, wondering what the heck I just did to myself, and then could not go to bed until the next day when I was with someone I loved again. Watch this during the day, with friends. That’s all I’ll say.

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Paranormal Activity (2007)

Arguably, Paranormal Activity is the OG demonic possession movie for people of my generation, and a great found footage film. It's the first in a series of films that follows a young couple who move into a new home but are haunted by a supernatural presence there, and it only begins to get darker and darker as time goes on, from possession to so much more.

To be honest, I didn't understand the point of the Paranormal Activity movies for a while, but after watching the latest films in the franchise, I have a whole new appreciation for the original and how simple it is. It really made the found footage genre of horror explode – and for good reason. The tension is great and the ending is even better.

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The Evil Dead (1981)

Directed by Sam Raimi, The Evil Dead is quite possibly one of the goriest demonic possession films there is. It follows five college students who are in a cabin in the woods and discover an audio tape; after they play it, it releases demons into their world, possessing almost all of them except for Ash Williams.

This film is iconic for many reasons. Ironically, I had seen the 2023 film in the franchise without seeing any other, and I had a fun time, but the first one is just something else. It’s campy in the right way, but also terrifying in many others. It’s gory, fun, and Bruce Campbell is an amazing leading man. I would re-watch this, and I don’t say that about many horror movies. You have to love it.

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Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Oh please, you knew I’d put this on here after mentioning it in the section above this. Evil Dead Rise is the latest iteration in the Evil Dead franchise and came out in 2023, and this time, it follows the story of how a mother is possessed by Deadites and now her sister must try and keep the kids alive when this new demonic version of her family begins to attack and kill everyone.

Look, this film…is gross. I mean that in the best way. If you like the first Evil Dead movie (the one above here), you’ll probably end up liking this one, but think of the first Evil Dead film and multiply it by about 100. This movie is disgusting in the way it delivers its gore and it’s perfect for a demonic possession film because it’s exactly how I would imagine something like this to go. If you’re looking for absolute nightmare fuel, this is it.

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The Conjuring (2013)

The Conjuring is the first movie in The Conjuring franchise that follows the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators, and their time at the home of the Perron family who are experiencing supernatural instances and want to find a way to stop it.

When the movie came out in 2013, many fans deemed it one of the scariest horror films in years. I can completely confirm that I feel the same way. The story is great, and it’s even scarier knowing that it’s based on a true story. If anything, it made me want to research Ed and Lorraine Warren more because their life fascinates me.

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The Exorcism Of Emily Rose (2005)

The Exorcism of Emily Rose, starring Jennifer Carpenter as the title character, tells the story of a priest who was accused of negligent homicide when he was tasked with the exorcism of Emily Rose, a young woman who was supposedly possessed by a demon.

The film is loosely based on the real-life trial of Anneliese Michel, and the film itself is not only terrifying, but offers a lot of legal drama, too. While I don’t think that the story the film presents is as interesting as some of the others on this list, I do think the scares and the acting make up for it.

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Late Night With The Devil (2023)

Considered an indie film in comparison to many of the big-budget picks on this list, Late Night with the Devil takes a look at how a late-night talk show invites an allegedly possessed girl to boost ratings on Halloween night, but of course, it takes a horrific turn.

This movie is one of those demonic possession films that I really think more people need to see, because it almost feels a little too realistic. As someone who has spent a good majority of her life enjoying late-night TV, the scenario of this happening feels all too real, and I could totally see a late-night host pulling a trick like this. But the fact that the story is delivered through not only traditional filmmaking but also elements of found footage make this a great pick.

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Insidious (2010)

Last but not least, we have to talk about Insidious. This now-classic, directed by James Wan, follows the story of a young couple whose son goes into a coma without any explanation, only for them to realize later that he has become a vessel for a demonic entity. Now, it’s up to them to find a way to get him back home once again.

This is one of those series that you learn to appreciate with time, and the first film was honestly so great. The latest film in the Insidious franchise, Insidious: The Red Door, released in 2023, which is the latest film in the franchise, but there’s nothing quite like returning to the one that began it all.

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What are your favorite demonic possession movies? There are so many out there to pick from – all I know is that I’m sleeping with my eyes open tonight and the ouija board put away.

Horror is a tried and true genre in the film world, known for being capable of making huge profits on a relatively small budget. That’s partly why there are so many long-running horror franchises, and why the best horror movies eventually return with new sequels. James Wan’s Insidious is in that category, as the fifth movie The Red Door recently arrived in theaters (see the Insidious movies ranked here). And franchise sar Lin Shaye recently spoke with CinemaBlend about when she realized the first movie was going to be a hit. And it’s a pretty fun story.

The original Insidious movie was released back in 2010, and became another huge win for horror auteur James Wan. But the wild success of the burgeoning franchise wasn’t always guaranteed, especially during the short original shoot. Lin Shaye recently spoke to CinemaBlend’s own Sean O’Connell ahead of the release of Insidious: The Red Door, and spoke about her experience on the first film. As she told us:

Insidious has grown into a bonafide franchise, it sounds like those involved with the first movie weren’t expecting it to blow up in this way. In fact, they were basically doing small time guerrilla filmmaking, with a short filming period and small budget. Luckily those efforts really paid off.

As we all know, the first Insidious movie went on to make over $100 million at the box office, and four sequels (and counting). So when exactly did the cast and crew know the movie was a success? Later in her interview with Sean O’Connell, Shaye pinpointed the exact moment. In her words:

And release it did. Both James Wan and Leigh Wannell have continued to be visionaries within the horror genre, while Lin Shaye has appeared in all five of the Insidious movies (despite her character’s death in the original). Sometimes there’s really just lightning in a bottle.

Of course, Shaye was a scream queen before the Insidious franchise ended up becoming so successful. She appeared in a number of iconic horror movies before and after James Wan’s flick including A Nightmare on Elm Street, Critters, The Grudge and Ouji: Origin of Evil. And smart money says this trend won’t be stopping anytime soon.

Insidious: The Red Door is in theaters now, and beating out major movies like Indiana Jones at the box office.. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

When you agree to star in a horror movie, there’s a very good chance you are going to get covered with some grotesque fluid. Usually, it’s blood. Just ask Sissy Spacek about that legendary prom scene in Carrie, one of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made. But it can also be other things. Like vomit. As is what happens to Ty Simpkins in the new horror thriller Insidious: The Red Door. The fifth installment in the Insidious series had a strong box office weekend, taking the top spot over another fifth installment, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. And if you saw it, you will remember this scene. 

Insidious: The Red Door follows Ty Simpkins’ original Insidious character Dalton Lambert away to college. He’s attending art school, and he can’t wait to get away from his father, Josh (Patrick Wilson, who also was a guest on our ReelBlend podcast). But another thing he can’t avoid is visitors from The Further – that astral plane Dalton and his dad have been able to access using their powers (which have raised all sorts of problems for the Lambert family. 

And that manifests itself in one horrific scene for Ty Simpkins in Insidious: The Red Door. Dalton is hiding under a bed in a fraternity house, having seen an ill zombie creature vomiting in the toilet. Only Dalton can see this creature. And when he turns to run from the room, the zombie is standing right in front of Dalton… and proceeds to projectile vomit all over him. Given the chance to speak with the Insidious: The Red Door cast, I had to ask Simkins about that scene, and the amount of “vomit” he had to endure. And he laughed as he told me that it was late in the day when they filmed it. They’d saved the vomit for the last segment of the day, and probably didn’t start filming until 2 am. As for the vomit, Simpkins says:

The final scene is horrifying. It’s quick, and aggressive, and even though the vomit is made from sweet ingredients, the fact that it comes from the mouth of an undead creature makes your skin crawl. Here Patrick Wilson talking about all that went into the making of this new movie in the latest ReelBlend episode:

We’ve been covering Insidious: The Red Door, from a breakdown of that ending, to where the new movie fits on the franchise timeline. We’ll work on getting it onto our list of Insidious movies, ranked. And keep it locked in here for our look at all of Upcoming Horror Movies coming out in 2023, and beyond.

As fans reflect on what is anticipated to be the final installment of the spine-chilling Insidious franchise, titled Insidious: The Red Door, they're also preparing to bid farewell to the beloved main cast. However, amidst these goodbyes, director/producer James Wan has an exciting surprise in store for fans. A spinoff film is currently in development, and it promises to offer a fresh and unique story within the fictional universe. 

Insidious: The Red Door cast member Lin Shaye, who notably portrayed Elise Rainier in the best and the worst of all five films of the franchise, shared her thoughts on saying goodbye to the Lambert family, and she offered some keen thoughts on that front. Thought it's bittersweet, the prospect of what lies ahead has left this horror movie fanatic absolutely thrilled.

What Was Said About The Main Franchise Ending?

The actress discussed the conclusion of the franchise during an interview with Screen Rant. She personally recognizes the significance of ending the Lambert family's story, expressing her concerns about overstaying their welcome. However, the There’s Something About Mary alum offered some thoughts about where things stand for the franchise itself moving forward, and fans should take heart.

The Grudge actress applauds the horror-producing mega team of Jason Blum and James Wan for knowing when enough is enough. She continued:

The Red Door marked a highly-anticipated comeback for the franchise following a five-year break. The announcement of Patrick Wilson making his directorial debut for the sequel paired with the return of the original principal cast added to the excitement. While the latest Insidious movie has had a mix critical response, it has been a box office hit, even dethroning Indiana Jones. That bodes well for Sony's plan to develop a spinoff. 

What Lies Ahead For The Franchise Beyond The Red Door?

The spinoff, as reported by The Wrap, is to be titled Thread: An Insidious Tale and is set to feature Mandy Moore and Kumail Nanjiani in leading roles. Jeremy Slater, known for his work on Moon Knight, is writing and helming it, and it'll mark his directorial debut. 

 James Wan and Jason Blum have discussed how their approach to the franchise differs from how DC Studios does things, and they seem to have put a lot of thought into how they want to worldbuild. While talking to Screen Rant, Wan confirmed that the spinoff is still in early development stages. Even more notably, he also expressed that he's looking at in a way that's reminiscent of how he built out the interconnected The Conjuring Universe:

Yes, there have been the highs and lows with the Conjuring movies. But if Thread achieves the financial success of the Annabelle films and The Nun, it has the potential to open doors for captivating spinoffs deeply intertwined within the Insidious universe. This is particularly exciting given the enticing description that accompanied the movie's announcement, as it was described as a fusion of "Back to the Future" and "Aliens,” which leaves some room for interpretation. Will Kumail Nanjiani and Mandy Moore embark on a time-traveling adventure to battle a horde of their own parents? Either way, count me in! I'll surely miss the Lamberts, of course, but the future seems very bright for this IP.

While you wait on further information regarding Thread: An Insidious Tale, you can venture back into the Further once again with Insidious: The Red Door, which is now playing in theaters. Be sure to read up on the other upcoming horror movies you can look forward to, and check out our schedule of 2023 new movie releases to start planning your next trip to the theater. 

The Insidious franchise has kept fans coming back for over a decade, with its twisty take on the haunted house genre. The fifth movie in the series, Insidious: The Red Door, picks a decade after the events of 2013’s Chapter 2, with Patrick Wilson reprising his role as John Lambert while also making his directorial debut. The newest addition to the franchise is in theaters now, but critics were able to screen the movie ahead of its release. While they had some positive things to say about Wilson’s turn at the helm, the critics also seemed to agree on the film’s shortcomings.

The Insidious: The Red Door cast also features the return of Ty Simpkins and Rose Byrne as Dalton and Renai Lambert, respectively. From what we know about the fifth movie, Dalton will be forced to return to the Further when demons from his past resurface when he heads off to college. Let’s see what the critics are saying, starting with Leigh Monson of AV Club, who grades the movie a C-, saying The Red Door retreads old iconography and fails to offer anything new to the story’s canon. The critic continues: 

Nick Schager of The Daily Beast calls the flick “a major disappointment,” made worse by its swampy visual aesthetic that looks like it was filmed “inside of a garbage disposal.” This critic also wants to see more from Patrick Wilson as a director, but in terms of The Red Door, he says skip this one: 

Meagan Navarro of Bloody Disgusting rates Insidious: The Red Door 2.5 skulls out of 5, noting that while this supposed final chapter doesn’t provide a sense of finality to the Further or its ghostly inhabitants, it does offer closure to the Lambert family’s story. The critic says:  

Aaron Neuwirth of We Live Entertainment gives the movie a 5 out of 10, agreeing that The Red Door provides some quality ideas, but fails to bring anything fresh to the series. It’s not all that scary, but it tries, the critic says, writing:  

Tom Jorgensen of IGN is more satisfied than the previous critics with the fifth and possibly final installment, rating it a “Good” 7 out of 10, even if it relies too heavily on jump scares. He says:  

While the critics may not think this was one of the best horror movies of all time, they do seem to appreciate Patrick Wilson’s directorial efforts. The Rotten Tomatoes numbers align with the above assessments, with Insidious: The Red Door garnering just a 42% Fresh rating. Meanwhile, the Audience Score was more forgiving, standing at 71% on the day of release. 

That’s sure to change as more people weigh in, so those of you who are interested in seeing where this movie ranks against the other Insidious flicks can check it out now, as it hit the big screen today. Be sure to see what other upcoming scary movies you have to look forward to, and check out our 2023 Movie Release Calendar to start planning your next trip to the theater. 

Patrick Wilson joins the show to discuss directing Insidious: The Red Door. He walks us through the process of pitching himself for the project, getting help from the likes of James Wan and Leigh Whannell, and the incredible story behind him singing vocals on the film’s end credits track. Stick around after the interview for Sean’s spoiler-free review.

Also this week, we bring a favorite game into the main show with “What Year Was It?” Special thank you to Donovan as always for organizing this awesome game that we’ve come to love. Play along at home and let us know if your score beat ours.

Timestamps (approx. only)

00:00:00 - Intro
00:04:14 - Patrick Wilson Talks Directing Insidious: The Red Door
00:32:52 - Insidious: The Red Door Review
00:38:11 - The What Year Was It Game! 
01:12:55 - Outro

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These days, it has become a common trend for some of the most iconic characters from some of the best horror movies to return for another big scare, but the latest chapter of the Insidious series — a popular franchise from Blumhouse with a unique twist on the haunted house movie genre — marks a particularly special occasion. 

Most of the original Insidious cast are reuniting for this creepy fifth installment for first time since Insidious: Chapter 2 came out a decade ago and with one working behind the camera, as well, this time. There are also a few newcomers to the franchise to note in the Insidious: The Red Door cast, so let’s talk about who they play and what else you may know them from in our breakdown of the new horror movie’s ensemble, below.

Patrick Wilson (Josh Lambert)

In addition to reprising Josh Lambert — a teacher who hypnotically repressed his ability to astral project in the second film — Emmy Award nominee Patrick Wilson also makes his directorial debut with Insidious: The Red Door, which is fitting since this franchise was his first step to becoming a Scream King. 

Playing Ed Warren in the Conjuring Universe, chasing cannibals in the horrifically violent 2015 Western, Bone Tomahawk, and flipping to “bad dad mode” for Netflix’s claustrophobic Stephen King/Joe Hill adaptation, In the Tall Grass, would later solidify his modern horror movie icon status. The upcoming 2023 movie, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, will mark the Moonfall cast member’s latest reunion with James Wan and his latest DC movie (following 2018’s Aquaman and Zack Snyder’s Watchmen). He's not done chasing ghosts, either, with The Conjuring: Last Rites now in the works. 

Ty Simpkins (Dalton Lambert)

Josh’s son, and fellow repressed astral projectionist, Dalton — now studying art in college — is played, once again, by Ty Simpkins, who first played the son of a Patrick Wilson character in one of the best Kate Winslet movies, 2007’s Little Children, but first got a taste of the horror genre with an appearance in Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds at three years old. 

Some of his better-known credits outside of the Insidious movies include his scene-stealing role in Iron Man 3 (which he reprised subtly in Avengers: Endgame), playing another child in danger in 2015’s Jurassic World, and his reunion with writer and director Shane Black for a small part in The Nice Guys. Simpkins more recently appeared in The Whale opposite Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser.

Rose Byrne (Renai Lambert)

Returning to play Dalton’s mother and Josh’s former wife, Renai, is Rose Byrne, who is also known for comic book flicks — namely a couple of X-Men movies as Moira MacTaggert — and a couple of other horror movies (the realistic zombie flick 28 Weeks Later, and apocalyptic thriller Knowing). The two-time-Emmy-nominated star of FX’s Damages has much more eclectic filmography than that, however. 

For instance, the Australian actor is part of the Star Wars universe (as Padmé’s handmaiden, Dormé), has proven her comedic talents in several movies (such as with the Bridesmaids cast and in Instant Family, to name a couple) and TV shows (the Apple TV+ original series, Physical, and her reunion with Neighbors’ Seth Rogen on Platonic), and continues to shine in dramatic work like the FX miniseries, Mrs. America, as feminist icon, Gloria Steinem. More recently, Byrne appeared in the holiday fantasy musical, Spirited, opposite Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds and is lending her voice to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem as Leatherhead.

Andrew Astor (Foster Lambert)

Dalton’s younger brother, Foster, is just about the best-known acting role to date for Andrew Astor, even after making his (credited) film debut as part of the original Hangover cast as Bradley Cooper’s character's son, Eli, and playing a young “Weird Al” in a 2010 short that inspired the Daniel Radcliffe-led, feature-length biopic, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. 

He also played a young Spencer Reid in two episodes of Criminal Minds, which is just one example of his impressive collection of TV guest spots, which includes episodes of ER, How I Met Your Mother, and Mad Men. Save the 2019 short, Infiltration, Insidious: The Red Door is actually Astor’s first acting gig since Insidious: Chapter 2, having turned his interests toward music, which appears to be an activity that Foster has also taken up in the sequel.

Sinclair Daniel (Chris)

Making her feature film debut in Insidious: The Red Door as Dalton’s new college friend, Chris, is Sinclair Daniel, whose first acting gig was a 28-minute short called Cannabitches in 2018, which she followed up with a six-minute short called Teresa before kicking off a streak of guest appearances on TV shows like Madam Secretary, The Good Fight, and Bull. 

In 2021, Daniel appeared opposite yet another Scream King — Evil Dead movies star, Bruce Campbell — in the Hallmark holiday movie, One December Night, and, according to Deadline, she is leading the cast of Hulu’s upcoming series adaptation of Zakiya Dalila Harris’s 2021 novel, The Other Black Girl.

Hiam Abass (Dalton's Art Professor)

Starring as an esteemed instructor who inspires Dalton to broaden his artistic talents is Hiam Abass, who last starred in a long-awaited installment of a great horror franchise in 2022 when she appeared in David Bruckner’s Hulu exclusive reimagining of Hellraiser, having also, previously, appeared in a long-awaited sequel to one of the best sci-fi movies with 2017’s Blade Runner 2049. 

The veteran actor — also known for movies like 2005’s Munich or The Nativity Story from the following year — might be better recognized by modern audiences from the acclaimed Hulu dramedy series, Ramy, as the title character’s mother, or from her role in HBO’s Succession cast as Marcia Roy.

Lin Shaye (Elise Rainier)

The only actor to appear in every Insidious movie is Lin Shaye, who deservingly joined the ranks of the all-time greatest horror movie Scream Queens after playing Elise Rainier. However, her horror experience dates back to the original A Nightmare on Elm Street cast, and when she went on to star in the first Critters movie, 2006’s Snakes on a Plane, Tales from Halloween, the Ouija movies, 2020’s version of The Grudge, and the popular horror video game, The Quarry. 

Some of her most notable credits outside of the horror genre include some classic Farrelly Brothers movies (namely Liar Liar, Kingpin, and There’s Something About Mary), 2021’s true crime biopic, Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman, and the Covid-era ensemble drama, We Are Gathered Here Today.

One of my favorite behind-the-scenes facts about 2011’s Insidious is how James Wan — who was not a father at the time — relied on Patrick Wilson’s own real-life experience as a parent as inspiration when directing the family-heavy scenes. So, to see Wilson at the helm of a sequel in which family is a more prevalent theme than ever could not be a more perfect pairing. 

Journeying into the Further again can be a scary thought, but seeing the talent in the Insidious: The Red Door cast should, hopefully, make it easier.

For those who don’t know, I’m a pretty big fan of horror movies. I’ve watched them for years and years, from some of the best horror movies of all time that are certified classics, to those that are fairly new, such as the best A24 horror films that have released over the last few years. But, one horror franchise that I think has had its ups and downs is Insidious. 

From the moment the first film came out back in 2010, the movie franchise became a huge hit, spawning multiple sequels. While I don’t particularly think that the Insidious movies are James Wan’s best – as I think that The Conjuring universe holds that crown – there are five movies that can be ranked, and today, we are going to look into them and see which Insidious movie reigns supreme.  

5. Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)

Yeah, I really don’t think Insidious: Chapter 2 is one of the best in this franchise. It honestly bothers me how bad it is in comparison to the first. 

Let’s get into why. I’ll give the film some praise first. I have to say, I do love how it picks up right where the first movie left off. We have the same characters, stories, and even the same actors, with both the main stars from the first film, Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, returning.

In many sequels, such as the Halloween franchise, a lot of the past movie's details are completely ignored or retconned. For example, with the 2018 Halloween sequel, that was considered a fresh sequel to the John Carpenter horror classic, with all the other movies in the franchise basically ignored. 

It’s not uncommon for horror movies to do that, so I’ll give credit where credit is due and say that I’m happy the second movie of this franchise stuck with what came before. However, that’s about where my praise ends. 

I don’t personally think the performances in this are better than the first, but I can get through a movie even if the acting performances are not that great as long as the scares are good. But Insidious: Chapter 2 really doesn’t bring that many scares at all – if any. It doesn’t feel nearly as unique as the first film, where it was filled with horror movie tropes but done so effectively. 

It also doesn’t help that the film decides to take a tiring route and turn Wilson's Josh against his family, sort of how The Shining did it. I’ve already seen that before, I didn’t need to see a patriarch hunt his family down again. Maybe some people enjoyed it, but for me, it felt like lazy writing for a sequel to a movie that was so obviously better. It’s rare that twist can really be done well nowadays.

4. Insidious: The Last Key (2018)

Alright, Insidious: The Last Key was actually better than I thought it would be. If we’re being honest, I watched this movie for the first time before writing this article. 2018 was the year of some really good horror movies, such as Ari Aster’s Hereditary, as well as Upgrade, and more, so the Insidious franchise was one of the last few on my list to watch. 

I have to say, I at least enjoyed The Last Key a little more than the first sequel, maybe because I like how it stepped away from the main family of the first movies and instead, focused on Elise. It’s a big reason why the prequel film, for me, ended up being better.

Elise was one of the few characters from the first film I really loved and remembered and I consider her an ultimate horror movie Scream Queen at this point. That’s what makes me like this sequel so much. We really started to learn more about her troubled past, from her relationship with her brother and how she got to where she is now, all of which was added to the sense of background horror eeriness. 

The movie in of itself feels a lot more emotional than many of the other Insidious movies, because we’re more focused on the dynamic between Elise and her family rather than the demons, but sometimes, that’s all you need in a horror movie – a good family dynamic, and some good scares. The Last Key offers that and more. 

3. Insidious: The Red Door (2023)

So here’s the thing, I actually did enjoy Insidious: The Red Door. Granted, I didn’t see it opening weekend, but I decided to check it out during a time where the crowds had thinned out just a bit and I could watch it in all its theater glory. 

Do I think it’s better than the first Insidious sequel and Insidious: The Last Key? Yeah, most certainly. I really loved going back to the main characters of the franchise, seeing Josh, Dalton and everyone else again. I liked that it jumped forward many years. I liked that we really got to see Josh and Dalton team up, and see how their memories are triggered years later.

But there’s just something off about this film. I understand what it’s trying to do in bringing the original characters back and continuing this legacy. It’s always a joy to see Patrick Wilson come back. However, I feel that this movie could have been excellent if the scares were just a bit better. 

It also doesn’t help that this movie feels more like a family drama sometimes than the horror genre it’s supposed to be. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I also think it leads to certain plot points that didn’t need to be there at all that are added just for the necessity of drama to occur. Patrick Wilson was a great addition to the director’s chair, but maybe that was what made it so different. 

The movie is fun, don’t get me wrong, but I do think that it’s not as good as the next two. 

2. Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)

I’m tired of hiding it – Insidious: Chapter 3 is better than Chapter 2 and I will stand by that decision, this is my hill I am willing to die on. 

Alright, maybe not die on it, but I feel very strongly about it. I’m a huge fan of prequels. I think if done right, prequels can really elevate a story and take it to the next level, adding more lore for fans to really enjoy the franchise, and Chapter 3 does that.

Not only do the scares feel that much more authentic this time around, and the Lambert family is out of the picture again, so we can focuse on Elise again, and her story of leaving retirement in order to help with a girl who is being haunted by demons. 

As we dive further into the “the Further,” I can’t help but admire Lin Shaye’s performance. She is what makes this film so good. The uncomfortable nature of the Insidious films are still there, just not as fresh. However, if not for Shaye’s incredible performance that really makes this movie so worth watching, it would be lower on my list. 

That’s why I think diving into her past was such an essential thing to do, and it really shook up the franchise and shined more light on her life. I can always stand by that, and say it deserves a lot of praise.

1. Insidious (2010)

I mean, is anyone surprised? Of course the first Insidious movie was going to be number one on this list. 

I actually watched Insidious for the first time in years not that long ago, since the only other time I had seen it, I was a teenager. And even now, I still think it’s one of the most genre-defining horror movies of the 21st century. Sure, some of the scares are corny, but it was creative at the time and really messed with your head with uncomfortable imagery and so much more.  

The first Insidious not only introduced some scary as heck demons (at least at the time), but created a whole different parallel universe that gave people so much to theorize on, something that we dove further into with later films. 

I really don’t think anything could beat Insidious at number one. From the performances of Patrick Wilson, to Lin Shaye and even Rose Byrne, to that chilling cliffhanger of an ending, Insidious stays at number one. 

I think after seeing all these incredible movies, it’s time for a spooky horror movie marathon featuring every single Insidious film. If you haven’t had the chance to go see Insidious: The Red Door in theaters, I’d suggest checking it out – and being spooked into loving this series. 

So I’m pretty sure at this point everyone knows I like horror movies. I fell in love with them at a young age thanks to my mother watching some of the best horror movies out there, and have only continued to enjoy them as I’ve gotten older. Films from Ari Aster, the Halloween movies, and so many more have been a staple of my life, but something I didn’t realize I cared about as much until now is the movie Insidious. 

The film was released back in 2010, when I was still in middle school, and was one of the first scary movies I ever saw, considering it was rated PG-13 and I had already seen horror movies with my mom, so she took me to see it. I only just re-watched it now as an adult, almost thirteen years later, and a lot of my opinions on it have changed, so much. With Insidious: The Red Door releasing later in 2023, now is the perfect time to re-visit this James Wan classic. 

This Movie Has So Many Classic Horror Tropes – But They’re Done Well

I remember that one of the first things I noticed as a kid when I saw Insidious was that there were a lot of horror tropes. It was something I picked up on early as a young cinephile and it’s something I look out for in any horror movie that I watch now, including older ones. Insidious was very much one of those movies that used them pretty often. 

Right from the beginning of the film, we have so many horror tropes, from books falling off a bookshelf to doors opening to seeing something in the dark that isn’t there – it’s pretty standard for a scary movie until about halfway through the film. 

As an adult, I can fully say that I really enjoy the heck out of this movie and the tropes, because I think they’re done in a fun and good way. A lot of the time with a these tropes, there isn’t that much of a reason as to why it’s happening other than to be spooky and show that the house is haunted, but here in Insidious, every one has meaning to the story. 

Just one example is the door. While, normally, in a regular scary house film, it would be just to show that the home is haunted. But in this film, that door opening leads directly to several plot points later in the movie, which is great. 

Some Of These Jump Scares Are Campy – But Others Are Really Well Done

I’m going to be honest and say I despise jump scares. It’s a big reason why I like classic horror movies more and many other classic horror movies villains, because most of them didn’t solely rely on jump scares. Those movies were just eerie and made you squirm in your seat, while many of today’s modern horror movies rely on cheap thrills such as jump scares. 

Insidious is no exception, and it does fall into the jump scare trap as most horror movies from the early 2010’s tended to (looking at you, Paranormal Activity franchise). I think the way Insidious does it is better than most, however. Do I think some jump scares are campy? Of course. The kid coming out of the small closet in Dalton's room was a terrible one that looked to scare but did nothing for me. 

But, the others are pretty well done. For example – that first red demon jump scare behind Patrick Wilson’s character is iconic for a reason. Years later, even after seeing the movie, it made me jump. There are moments where this movie does truly shine. 

Lin Shaye And Patrick Wilson Are Great Additions To The Horror Franchise

I’m going to say it here – Lin Shaye and Patrick Wilson are amazing in horror. 

Shaye has been in plenty of horror films as a certified scream queen. She just has that ability to grab your attention in a horror movie. When I was a kid, I didn’t care for her as much, but now as an older woman, I freaking love her as Elise. She’s just the perfect counterpart to the rest of the cast. 

Wilson, in both the Insidious franchise as well as The Conjuring movies, just screams, “Scream King.” He rocks it in this role. He’s not even overtly terrified for most of the film, just does a really good job accurately portraying fear and worry over time. It’s so well done. 

The Explanation Of What Happened To Dalton Is Actually Really Creative

Something I seriously hate about most horror films is the explanation as to why the scary stuff is happening. There are so many that just annoy me because it’s so uncreative. A person was murdered in that house, the home was built on top of a burial ground, there’s a pet cemetery nearby – the very basic explanations for ghosts. 

Insidious, however, decides to subvert those expectations and creates something I had never seen before, something I love so much now. The idea of astral projection is one that already terrifies me because it’s so out there and many people believe it's a real thing, but using it in this horror aspect, and showing how many evil spirits want access to a body without a soul – that is terrifying. It’s also scary that this power is hereditary, from father to son. 

I don’t know, that’s just such a creative way to explain this story, and I have to give credit where credit is due. 

I’m Sorry But The Red Demon Isn’t That Scary

This demon is so goofy.

Granted, I’m so desensitized to these things now. I grew up watching these horror movies and seeing them only get bloodier like many A24 horror movies (like the gory X). And not only that, but I watched very violent television shows too, like The Walking Dead for all eleven seasons, so there’s so much out there that has made me pretty much invincible when it comes to being scared by demons in horror movies. It takes a lot to scare me. 

As a kid, I thought the red demon was so scary, and yeah, now I can see why I would think it was terrifying. At the same time, I also see how funny it looks now, almost like a half-goat, half-demon sort of creature with a long tongue. I mean, I’m pretty sure I laughed when it climbed on the wall as it was chasing Dalton, because it looked so fake. Just not my favorite horror movie ending. 

However, The Ending, For A Horror Movie, Was Absolutely Perfect

That was such an amazing cliffhanger. 

Again, it had been so long since I had seen the original, so I totally forgot what happened at the end. It was like a first-time watch, and I forgot how incredible the ending to this film is. We think everything is alright until Elise takes a picture of Josh, and later on, we see that the demon lady that was haunting his nightmares has taken over his body. 

We only see it at the very end, though, when his wife finds the picture, and then she’s terrified of him, and suddenly the screen cuts to black and that title screen plays – damn, it made me want to watch the second film just to see what happened next, but I had other places to be! 

That’s the way to do an ending. Nothing that’s too terrifying – just enough to expand the lore of the universe while also giving that little bit of a cliffhanger for fans to unravel for years until the sequel comes. It was done so well. 

Insidious is honestly a lot better than I remember it being, and considering this was only the beginning of James Wan’s second horror franchise (behind Saw, of course, and before The Conjuring), it’s a pretty damn good entry. 

I can see why there have been more movies, but the first is most likely the best – even so, I personally can’t wait for the next one. I need to re-watch all of them. 

We live in a time where it feels like there are always new horror movies around every corner to simultaneously look forward to. From new installments for Scary Movie, Evil Dead, Insidious, Resident Evil and Terrifier to original flicks from Mike Flanagan and Robert Eggers, there are tons of reasons the 2026 movie schedule (and beyond) will be keeping us up at night.

I’ve rounded up a mostly comprehensive list of all the slashers, serial killer thrillers, psychological chillers, creature features, sci-fi freakshows, and whatever else today’s horror filmmakers are throwing at us. Will any of the releases listed below eventually make our list of the best horror movies ever? Let’s take a look at all the worthy contenders on the way.

Evil Dead Burn - July 24, 2026

Cast & Director: Hunter Doohan, Luciane Buchanan, Souheila Yacoub, Tandi Wright, Victory Ndukwe, Sébastien Vanicek (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Evil Dead Burn About? Based on what we know about Evil Dead Burn, the filmmaker has said he wants to “make a mean film” that “leaves you feeling exhausted” with this Evil Dead movie. And, we just got the first look at it on YouTube that takes your right into the film’s thrills. We know that it follows a woman who goes to spend time with her in-laws after the loss of her husband. When they are turned into Deadites, the getaway turns hellish.

Why We’re Excited: Right now we’re most intrigued by what the title means and how its French director will forward this long-running franchise.

Watch While Waiting: Vermines (2023), other Evil Dead movies

Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma - August 7, 2026

Cast & Director: Hannah Einbinder, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Fix, Arthur Conti, Eva Victor, Zach Cherry, Sarah Sherman Jasmin Savoy Brown, Quintessa Swindell, Kevin McDonald, Jack Haven, Jane Schoenbrun (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma About? This one follows a queer filmmaker (played by Hannah Einbinder), who is hired to remake a classic slasher franchise akin to Friday The 13th. When she becomes obsessed with casting the final girl of the original movie (Gillian Anderson), “a whole new kind of slasher emerges,” per Deadline.

Why We’re Excited: I Saw The TV Glow proved Jane Schoenbrun is one of the most original and inventive horror filmmakers working right now, so of course we’re interested in their latest.

Watch While Waiting: I Saw The TV Glow, We're All Going to the World's Fair

Fall 2 - August 7, 2026

Cast & Director: Harriet Slater, Arseme Thomas, Tom Brittney, Peter & Michael Spierig (Directors), Scott Mann and Jonathan Frank (Writers)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Fall 2 About? Shiloh’s sister from Fall, Jax, decides to celebrate her life by doing a plank walk at an inactive volcano, Mount Guanyin in Taipei, with her friend Luce. However, things go wrong for them, too, when they find themselves stranded over 3k feet in the air after a rockslide and a tsunami. How will they get out of this?

Why We’re Excited: The first Fall movie was a nail-biting thriller, and we can’t wait to watch this latest installment.

Watch While Waiting: Fall, Send Help, The Long Walk

The End Of Oak Street - August 14, 2026

Cast & Director: Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella, Christian Convery, P.J. Byrne, Chris Coy, David Robert Mitchell (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Flowervale Street About? So far, we only know that The End Of Oak Street (previously called Flowervale Street) will revolve around a family that starts to become suspicious of weird happenings on their street.

Why We’re Excited: It’s a rare horror movie produced by J.J. Abrams from his Bad Robot production company, and one of five Anne Hathaway movies coming out in 2026.

Watch While Waiting: Presence, Donnie Darko

Insidious: Out Of The Further- August 21, 2026

Cast & Director: Amelia Eve, Brandon Perea, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Lin Shaye, Sam Spruell, Laura Gordon, Jacob Chase (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Insidious 6 About? Rather than the sixth Insidious movie being a continuation, this will be a spinoff. Per Deadline, Insidious: Out Of The Further follows a young mother raising her daughter in the same house she grew up in when she learns she can travel into The Further.

Why We’re Excited: Following 2018’s lackluster sequel subtitled The Last Key, franchise star Patrick Wilson got behind the camera for 2023’s somewhat better The Red Door. Despite the franchise’s dwindling creative results, Insidious taking a new direction here could be interesting.

Watch While Waiting: The first two Insidious movies, Come Play

Resident Evil - September 18, 2026

Cast & Director: Austin Abrams, Zach Cregger (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Untitled Resident Evil Movie About? We don’t know much about the plot of the next Resident Evil movie, but per the writer/director (via Deadline) it will be “unlike any of the previous films” and a “wild ride.” He’s a big fan of the video games and has said the movie will follow one central protagonist as “they descend deeper into hell.”

Why We’re Excited: Zach Cregger earned the respect of horror fans with Barbarian, and has another original horror movie (higher on this list) in the works with Weapons which looks awesome. Seems like as good of a time as any for him to take on a franchise, and Resident Evil could use a good movie about it.

Watch While Waiting: Weapons, the Resident Evil movies

Victorian Psycho - September 25, 2026

Cast & Director: Maika Monroe, Thomasin McKenzie, Jason Isaacs, Amy De Bhrún, Jacobi Jupe

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Victorian Psycho About? Based on the novel of the same name by Virginia Feito, this one’s about a governess named Winifred Notty hired to live with the Pounds family. Since this is in a horror movie list, you can probably guess that it’s no Mary Poppins story.

Why We’re Excited: Maika Monroe has become a mainstay in the horror genre, and her opposite Jason Isaacs is going to be a creepy good time.

Watch While Waiting: The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, The Babysitter, Nanny

Terrifier 4 - October 1, 2026

Cast & Director: Damien Leone (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Terrifier 4 About? Apparently Terrifier 4 will finally give audiences the origin story of Art the Clown. Damien Leone told Collider that he’s “taking a bit of a risk” by uncovering Art’s backstory, but teased that he’ll do so in a “Lynchian way.”

Why We’re Excited: The Terrifier movies have consistently grabbed our attention, and we’re interested to see what’s up his sleeve next following its massive success.

Watch While Waiting: The other Terrifier movies

Other Mommy - October 9, 2026

Cast & Director: Jessica Chastain, Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman, Rob Savage (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Other Mommy About? Based on the novel by Bird Box author Josh Malerman, this upcoming horror flick, which was previously titled Incidents Around The House, is about an eight-year-old girl named Bela who becomes haunted by an entity she calls “Other Mommy.”

Why We’re Excited: Other Mommy is produced by the horror geniuses of our time, James Wan and Jason Blum, and the plotline sounds particularly terrifying.

Watch While Waiting: The Sixth Sense, Come Play

Clayface - October 23, 2026

Cast & Director: Tom Rhys Harries, Max Minghella, Naomi Ackie, James Watkins (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Clayface About? James Gunn’s DC universe recently had a very successful start with Superman, and in 2026 the upcoming Clayface movie hopes to continue the streak with a tale Gunn has described as a “pure fucking horror” film, and just in time for Halloween! Between that and the movie’s script being written by Mike Flanagan, who is very famous in the horror space, it’s going to be a lot of horror fans' most anticipated comic book movie. You can check out the first, very haunting footage.

Why We’re Excited: The pages of DC Comics have had some great storylines that can lend themselves to great horror movies, but we just haven’t seen DC or Marvel fully commit to it yet. That’s what makes Clayface most exciting!

Watch While Waiting: The Thing, Brightburn

Return Of The Living Dead - November 13, 2026

Cast & Director: Devon Sawa, Casimere “Cash” Jollette, Kynlee Heiman, Alexander Ward, Steve Wolsh (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Return Of The Living Dead About? Set in a small Pennsylvania town during Christmas time a year and a half after the events of the original movie. It’s described as a “brand-new adventure” that’s not a reboot or remake, per Bloody Disgusting.

Why We’re Excited: This is the first time we’ll see a movie from this franchise in twenty years. After the long break, we’re so interested about how the iconic horror franchise will be like in 2026.

Watch While Waiting: The five Return of the Living Dead movies

Werwulf - December 25, 2026

Cast & Director: Robert Eggers (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Werwulf About? After tackling vampires for Nosferatu, Robert Eggers is taking on werewolves next with a movie called Werwulf, which he co-wrote with his The Northman collaborator Sjón. It’s reportedly set in 13th century England that will feature dialogue true to the time period. At this time, we don’t know much else about the plot.

Why We’re Excited: We loved Nosferatu, and just about everything Robert Eggers has done so far, so who’s to say his streak of creepy good movies won’t continue here?

Watch While Waiting: Nosferatu, The Lighthouse, The Witch

The Third Parent - January 22, 2026

Cast & Director: Rob Lowe, Roselyn Sanchez, Crispin Glover, David Michaels (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s The Third Parent About Taking place during the Fourth of July holiday, when an unexpected and disturbing visitor named Tommy Taffy arrives at an all-American family’s celebration and insists on being part of the festivities.

Why We’re Excited: Rob Lowe fronting a horror movie is something we’ve just got to see. Oh, and Back To The Future fans – Crispin Glover is playing Tommy Taffy!

Watch While Waiting: Us, Jaws, The Purge

The Exorcist - March 12, 2027

Cast & Director: Scarlett Johansson, Diane Lane, Jacobi Jupe, Chiwetel Ejifor, Laurence Fishburne, Sasha Calle, John Leguizamo, Rahul Kohli, Hamish Linklater, Carl Lumbly, John Gallagher Jr, Carla Gugino, Samanta Sloyan, Kate Siegel, Mike Flanagan (Writer/Director), Jason Blum (Producer)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s The Exorcist About? Mike Flanagan, who has been a notable name in modern horror in recent years with a number of TV shows and movies, is putting together a huge retelling of The Exorcist with a ton of big names. We don’t have details about his version, but the original novel is about the demonic possession of a 12-year-old girl and the two priests who try to exorcise it out of her.

Why We’re Excited: This cast is actually insane, and Mike Flanagan has a great track record of adapting horror titles in pretty incredible ways.

Watch While Waiting: The Exorcist (1973), Doctor Sleep, The Haunting Of Hill House

The Revenge Of La Llorona - April 9, 2027

Cast & Director: Monica Raymund, Jay Hernandez, Raymond Cruz, Edy Ganem, Santiago Menghini (Director), James Wan (Producer), Gary Dauberman (Producer)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s The Revenge Of La Llorona About? Remember 2019’s The Curse of La Llorona? Well, James Wan is producing a sequel about the vengeful ghost from Hispanic American folklore for the Conjuring Universe.

Why We’re Excited: The first La Llorona may not have impressed critics, but that doesn’t mean the subject isn’t worth revisiting. There’s a lot of depth and chilling horrors to be explored behind the folklore story of a woman who drowned her own children after discovering her husband was unfaithful to her.

Watch While Waiting: The Curse of La Llorona

Paranormal Activity 8 - May 21, 2027

Cast & Director: Ian Tuason (Writer/Director), Jason Blum (Producer), James Wan (Producer)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Paranormal Activity 8 About? Details about this Paranormal Activity haven't been revealed yet, but the long-running franchise is usually a supernatural found-footage horror movie.

Why We’re Excited: After Ian Tuason’s breakout with undertone, which critics have called “effectively spooky” and “designed to give you a panic attack,” it feels like the right filmmaker is behind the new Paranormal Activity.

Watch While Waiting: undertone, the other Paranormal Activity movies

A Quiet Place Part III - July 30, 2027

Cast & Director: John Krasinski (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s A Quiet Place Part III About? It’s too early to know many details about A Quiet Place Part III, but it’s expected to complete the trilogy about the Abbott family as they navigate a terrifying apocalypse together. In March, it was revealed that Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe will officially return along with Sinners’ Jack O’Connell, Jason Clarke and Katy O’Brian joining the franchise, per Variety.

Why We’re Excited: Each of the Quiet Place movies have been really solid horror movies so far, that have us on the edge of our seat – especially for the use and lack of sound, and we look forward to what Krasinski is cooking up for the alleged finale.

Watch While Waiting: The other A Quiet Place movies

The Conjuring: First Communion - September 10, 2027

Cast & Director: Rodrigue Huart (Director), Ian Goldberg & Richard Naing (Writers)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s The Conjuring: First Communion About? This is a The Conjuring prequel about the early years of Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Why We’re Excited: While we’re going to miss Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s take on the paranormal investigators, it’ll be interesting to see a new era of their lives.

Watch While Waiting: the other Conjuring movies

Gremlins 3 - November 19, 2027

Cast & Director: Chris Columbus (Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Gremlins 3 About? The plot details for Gremlins 3 haven't yet been revealed. The original movie is about a young man who receives a pet (called a Mogwai) who he names Gizmo, who comes with three rules: keep him away from bright light, do not let it come into contact with water, and never let it eat after midnight. When one of the rules is broken, Gizmo starts multiplying into destructive little guys, and Billy must try to stop them from destroying his town.

Why We’re Excited: Another Gremlins movie has long been talked about, and we can’t wait to see it finally come to pass. Plus, Steven Spielberg as a producer is always a good sign.

Watch While Waiting: The other Gremlins movies

Gladys - September 8, 2028

Cast & Director: Amy Madigan, Zach Cregger (Writer/Director)

How to see it: In Theaters

What’s Gladys About? When Zach Cregger was initially making Weapons, he had a chapter for Gladys that he cut. Since the movie became a big hit, Cregger decided he’ll explore her character through her own spinoff movie. Warner Bros recently nailed down the release date for 2028, per Variety.

Why We’re Excited: Weapons was one of the best horror movies we’ve seen recently, and even led Amy Madigan to win an Oscar for the role. Since there wasn’t much about Glady’s origin story, and who she is, we’re so interested in what we’ll learn about her.

Watch While Waiting: Weapons, Barbarian

Upcoming Horror Movies Without A Release Date Set

Despite all the upcoming horrors that already have release dates, there are still plenty of impending projects that haven't yet locked one down. Here's a rundown of the high-profile frightfests that will hopefully get slotted onto the calendar soon.

• Alien: Romulus 2
• American Psycho Remake
• Blade
• Brides
• Flesh of the Gods
• Final Destination 7
• Happy Death Day 3
• In A Violent Nature 2
• Lice
• Ma 2
• The Mist
• Orphans
• Pendulum
• Thanksgiving 2
• They Follow
• Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 3
• The Young People

So many horror movies to be excited for in 2026 and beyond! We’ll keep you in the loop on news and updates on these coming titles as the months go by.

Blumhouse Productions quite literally knocks it out of the park. To me, when it comes to some of the best horror movies out there, Blumhouse consistently delivers. From some of the most recent horror films back to those from the early '00s, this company has been behind a lot of them.

I’m talking about Speak No Evil, The Black Phone, Get Out - so many great ones that have truly changed the genre from the ground up. If you’re like me and you’re looking for the best Blumhouse horror movies to watch right now, here are some of my picks.

Paranormal Activity (2009)

This iconic found footage horror film follows a young couple who are haunted by a supernatural presence in their home, all captured through found footage and security cameras.

Paranormal Activity is an iconic horror movie for its use of found footage, and I think it made found footage movies more popular than ever before. It created a horror series that has truly become so successful - even if some of the later entries aren’t as good as the first. Be sure to check out all the movies in order.

Stream Paranormal Activity on Max.
Rent/Buy Paranormal Activity on Amazon.

The Purge (2013)

In a newly reformed America, The Purge tells the story of the one night in the country where all crime is allowed, including murder. A family that is trying to survive the night ends up helping a stranger - and, in turn, brings a whole new hell to their lives.

I remember when I saw the first The Purge, I didn’t think it was that scary, but after re-watching it several times, what really makes this film so good is that it relies on the horror aspects of human nature, and what a person can do when they have no limits. Plus, Ethan Hawke’s performance is stellar - a horror movie master. It’s honestly one of Hawke’s best movies.

Rent/Buy The Purge on Amazon.

Split (2017)

M. Night Shyamalan is a master of his craft, and while he did have a bit of a career dip, he’s come back with some awesome films as of late, including Split. This horror film, starring James McAvoy in one of his best movies, follows a man who has several different personalities, and the girls that are captured by him and their struggle for survival.

Split is genuinely a great time, featuring awesome performances from both McAvoy and the fabulous Anya Taylor-Joy in one of her best films. Shyamalan really gave his all making this film and I’ll never get over his classic twists and turns.

Stream Split on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Split on Amazon.

Happy Death Day (2017)

Happy Death Day, a hilarious horror-comedy, follows a young woman who has to relive the same day she was killed over and over again. With each death, she tries to piece together clues about who kills her so that she can stop her endless cycle of death.

This movie is so funny, and it didn’t need to be, but I’m so happy it is. Not only are the scares good and the gore great as well, there’s just something about this movie that makes me snort every time. I love the line delivery from Jessica Rothe, too. Truly, such a great actress for the lead role.

Stream Happy Death Day on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Happy Death Day on Amazon.

Sinister (2012)

Sinister, starring Ethan Hawke, tells the story of a writer and his family who move into a home that is haunted by a supernatural presence, but he later discovers that it was the spot where murders took place decades ago.

Let me tell you, Sinister was one of the first horror films I watched, and oh, what a film to start out on. This movie will shake you to your core and make you look at every dark corner of your house because it is fantastically directed and I can’t get enough of it.

Stream Sinister on Max.
Rent/Buy Sinister on Amazon.

Five Nights At Freddy’s (2023)

Based on the video game of the same name, Five Nights at Freddy’s follows a security guard who discovers that the animatronics at a pizza parlor he is working at come to life at night, but there’s more to these possessed creatures than meets the eye.

As someone who grew up watching (and playing) the Five Nights at Freddy’s games, I will openly say that I think this film delivered and more. I think the movie was really made for the fans of the franchise, with plenty of easter eggs and moments that really only true FNAF lovers will understand. Also, it brought Josh Hutcherson back into the spotlight, so I can’t complain too much. There’s even a sequel in development, so you might as well watch the first.

Stream Five Nights at Freddy’s on Amazon Prime.
Rent/Buy Five Nights at Freddy’s on Amazon.

Insidious (2011)

Insidious began another great horror franchise. In this iconic horror film, a mother and father are trying to seek help when their son falls into a coma, and later learn it’s because of a strange demon in their home. Now, they must prevent evil spirits from trapping their son in a different world.

Insidious, at least the first one, is so well done. While the later sequels lost some of their horror aspects, there’s just something about the first that just does it for me. The scars, the story, the acting; everything is just *chef’s kiss.* You can even check out our ranking of all the Insidious movies.

Stream Insidious on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Insidious on Amazon.

Unseen (2023)

You might not have heard of this movie, but I assure you it’s a great one, at least to me. Unseen is a horror film from Yoko Okumura and follows the story of a gas station clerk who receives a call from someone who is trying to survive her ex. Now, the gas station clerk has to work to somehow aid the woman and keep her alive from afar.

I just think this premise is so neat. It’s such an interesting way to frame a story, and it makes me wonder how many other creative ways exist out there in order to tell a horror tale. Both Midori Francis and Jolene Purdy offer amazing performances, and give it their all.

Stream Unseen on Amazon Prime
Rent/Buy Unseen on Amazon.

Nanny (2022)

I’m putting this one back on the list because it still continues to impress me years later. Nanny is the psychological horror film that will mess you up in the best way, and follows an immigrant who takes the job of a nanny to an Upper East Side child, only for her life to turn upside down when strange things begin to occur.

Nanny is great, and that’s all I really want to say without spoiling too much. The story itself can be, at times, confusing, but personally, it just makes you want to rewatch the film to catch things you missed before, only furthering the detail of the plot. It’s such a great psychological horror movie.

Stream Nanny on Amazon Prime.

Cam (2018)

Ever wonder how a webcam could control your life? That’s what Cam aims to answer, as it follows a young woman who performs erotic acts on a webcam, but one day, she finds that her identity has been stolen because an exact clone of herself has replaced her on camera.

I put Cam on here because like Paranormal Activity, I feel like it really does something different with the horror genre by exploring something that not a lot of horror movies have done - how technology can be scary as hell. Something else I really love about it is the psychological aspect. It really messes with your mind.

Stream Cam on Netflix.

The Invisible Man (2020)

Starring Elisabeth Moss, The Invisible Man is based on the novel of the same name and follows the story of a young woman who believes she is being stalked by her manipulative and abusive ex-boyfriend, who has somehow turned himself invisible, while also taking out those close to her.

I remember watching The Invisible Man when it was released on streaming in my college apartment, and I enjoyed the heck out of it. Not only does Elisabeth Moss give a compelling performance, but the idea itself is unsettling enough where you’ll be thinking someone is somehow watching you, even though it’s impossible. It’s truly one of a kind.

Stream The Invisible Man on FreeVee (via Amazon).

Get Out (2017)

You knew this would be on here. In Get Out, a young Black man travels with his white girlfriend to her family’s home, and while at first everything seems to be normal, he slowly starts to discover that this place is not what he thought it was - and now, he needs to get out.

This is a movie where I don’t even want to say much, because it’ll spoil the twists if you haven’t seen it. Just know that Get Out won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (which Jordan Peele had a relatable reaction to), which was written by first-time director (at the time), Jordan Peele. It’s one of the decade’s best horror films, with a fantastic leading performance from Daniel Kaluuya.

Stream Get Out on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Get Out on Amazon.

Us (2019)

Another Jordan Peele feature on this list, and one of Peele’s best movies, Us follows a family that gets away for a weekend to their family’s summer cabin, but while they’re there, doppelgangers that look exactly like them start to wreak havoc on their lives.

Again, Jordan Peele is becoming a master of twists, and the last thing I want to do is spoil this for you. Just know that the Us cast is phenomenal and the story will have you gripping your seats from start to end. Go watch it now.

Stream Us on Hulu.
Rent/Buy Us on Amazon.

Halloween (2018)

Hear me out. Halloween, which is a sequel to the iconic 1978 horror film of the same name, follows Laurie Strode, now an older woman preparing herself and her family for the return of Michael Myers. He ends up breaking free due to a bus crashing during his transfer - and he is coming right home to her.

I love this franchise. It was one of the first films I ever watched, and I have seen all the Halloween sequels and ranked them, and this one is, hands down, the best sequel. Jamie Lee Curtis is freaking amazing in the lead role, and Michael is somehow even scarier.

Stream Halloween on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Halloween on Amazon.

Freaky (2020)

Freaky is basically Freaky Friday, but with murder. When a serial killer and a teenage girl end up switching bodies, it’s up to the teenager - now stuck in the body of a murderer - to get her body back and stop the actual killer from taking more lives - while in her body.

Freaky is so funny. The first time I heard the concept I couldn't believe it was an actual thing, but upon watching, I really enjoyed it. Vince Vaughn honestly gives a great performance, and Kathryn Newton is fantastic, as well. I loved both of them.

Stream Freaky on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Freaky on Amazon.

The Black Phone (2022)

I freaking loved The Black Phone when I saw it in theaters in 2022. When a series of kids are nabbed by someone called “The Grabber,” his latest victim must find a way out, with the help of a mysterious black phone in his cage.

Another Ethan Hawke performance that is stellar, but what makes this movie so good, to be honest, is that it’s more suspenseful than scary. I genuinely loved every second of this, from beginning to end, and The Black Phone ending is just perfect.

Stream The Black Phone on Starz.
Rent/Buy The Black Phone on Amazon.

M3GAN (2023)

We have to bring up M3GAN. If you were into horror at the beginning of 2023, you knew about this dang dancing doll. The horror movie tells the story of an A.I. Doll that is used to be a companion to a girl who recently lost her parents, but soon, the doll becomes obsessed with its child – and will take out anyone that dares step in her way.

M3GAN was the campy story that everyone loved and needed. While I wasn’t the hugest fan of it before and didn’t quite get the movie, I’ve given it some time to marinate inside my brain and I have to admit, it’s one of the best horror movies of this year, if not for the hilariously bloody moments it inspired. There’s even a M3GAN 2.0 sequel in development, so you might as well check it out now.

Stream M3GAN on Starz.
Rent/Buy M3GAN on Amazon.

Speak No Evil (2024)

I have to talk about Speak No Evil. Starring James McAvoy and based on the 2022 Danish film of the same name, this 2024 horror movie is one of the best of the year. It follows the story of an American family who stay at the farmhouse of a British family, but as time goes on, they start to realize that their hosts are not as kind as they seem and begin to fear for their lives.

I just have to say that James McAvoy doesn’t miss when it comes to horror. He gave his all in Split, and he certainly gives his all in Speak No Evil, and by the time you finish watching it, you’ll be enjoying it (and his acting) just as much as I did.

Rent/Buy Speak No Evil on Amazon.

Which one of these are you going to watch next? I think it’s time for a horror movie marathon.

Despite not working on any projects together in the past several years, director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell are known as an iconic duo for collaborating on some of the best horror movies in recent memory. One such title that would solidify their place in cinematic history is Insidious, which is celebrating its 11th anniversary in 2022.

This indelibly frightening and unique take on the haunted house movie subgenre stars Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne as a husband and wife whose family suddenly becomes plagued by otherworldly disturbances after their oldest son (Ty Simpkins) mysteriously falls into what seems to be a coma. This is such a relentlessly creepy and well-crafted thriller that I believe would still manage to scare just about anyone even after learning the secrets behind how it was made. Let’s put that to the test by taking a look at the following behind-the-scenes facts that may contain a few spoilers.

His Reputation From Saw Inspired James Wan To Make A Scary Movie Without Gore 

For some moviegoers in 2011, it may have been hard to believe that a PG-13 supernatural thriller like Insidious was made by the same writer/director duo behind Saw. Well, for James Wan, that was kind of the point. When speaking with Making Of, the Australian filmmaker explained in the following quote how his graphic, feature-length breakthrough is partially responsible for the creation of Insidious:

Most fans would agree that Wan certainly achieved this goal with Insidious, as well as with the first of the Conjuring movies, in 2013. He also mentions in this interview how the explosion of the “torture porn” trend after Saw’s 2004 release is ironic since, save the grisly ending, there is not that much gore to be seen in that particular installment of the Saw franchise. It is similar to the reputation that 1974’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre accrued, despite being almost entirely bloodless, which is a comparison to be proud of in my book.

The Concept Of Astral Projection Sparked The Idea For Insidious

The urge to make a horror movie that was refreshing and original (and not just to their own filmography) was also shared by James Wan’s partner-in-crime, Leigh Whannell - who would go on to have his own successful directing career with films like the third of the Insidious movies, and Blumhouse’s ingenious The Invisible Man remake in 2020. The fellow Australian writer and filmmaker was asked by Den of Geek if the idea for Insidious came out of wanting to make something like Poltergeist, but for the modern age. 

Whannell acknowledges that comparisons to the 1982 horror classic from producer Steven Spielberg and director Tobe Hooper - in which a couple call upon the help of a medium to rescue their child from malevolent spirits - are valid. However, the true inception of the project was an interest in astral projection - a concept that had gone relatively unexplored in the genre. He and Wan wanted to tell a story about someone who failed to return from an out-of-body experience - in this case, Ty Simpkins’ character, Dalton.

The Initial Filming Production Cost Less Than A Million Dollars

Something that Insidious is often commended for is being one of the most profitable films of 2011, making more than $99.5 million dollars worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. To make those returns sound even more impressive: the movie’s overall budget equates to a very small fraction of that number - about $1.5 million, to be exact. 

However, the principal photography alone for Insidious only cost about $700,000. James Wan revealed, in a 2011 interview with he and Leigh Whannell for Collider, that this was about the same amount that Saw cost to shoot initially before funding from Lionsgate brought it to $1 million. This just goes to show that even the smallest investments can result in large rewards, especially in the horror genre.

Rose Byrne Was Creeped Out By The House Insidious Was Filmed In

One aspect of Insidious’ modest budget is the minimal use of sets. The movie takes place almost entirely in two houses - one of which made a profound impression on star Rose Byrne. In an interview with The Cinema Source (via GaaaysInSpaaace), the Australian actress had this to say about her onscreen home:

Rose Byrne, who had previously starred in other creepy thrillers like 28 Weeks Later and Knowing from 2008, gives a stellar performance as frightened wife and mother Renai Lambert. If the “strange vibe” of the house in Insidious helped inform her performance at all, I would go so far as to call that a happy accident.

James Wan Looked To Real-Life Father Patrick Wilson For Inspiration When Directing Family-Oriented Scenes

Another actor whose own experiences helped inform his performance in Insidious is Patrick Wilson, who plays Renai’s husband and Dalton’s father, Josh Lambert, and will actually make his directorial debut with Insidious 5. Not only is he a husband and father of two in real life, but he had previously played Ty Simpkins’ father in the Oscar-nominated 2006 drama, Little Children. This expertise was not only valuable to him on the set of the film, but also to James Wan.

In a featurette included on the Insidious Blu-ray titled “On the Set with Insidious,” the director admits that, having had no wife or children at the time, he relied a lot on Wilson’s own familial expertise when it came to directing the horror film, of which family is a very important theme, and even took his advice about how to communicate with the younger actors. Leigh Whanell also adds in the same doc that the actor was very helpful when filming scenes with the infant who played his daughter, especially to help comfort her during more intense scenes.

Insidious Composer Joseph Bishara Also Plays The Main Villain

One of the least recognizable names in the Insidious cast is Joseph Bishara, but that is only because his face is covered in red and black makeup the whole time. Bishara actually made his acting debut as the Lipstick-Face Demon (who bears a resemblance to Darth Maul) before appearing as other frightening, otherworldly creatures in Annabelle and The Conjuring 2, to name a few. 

Of course, he also had a very important job on all of these scary movies and more from behind the camera. Bishara composed the spine-tingling score for Insidious as well, which Patrick Wilson (while appearing on People Magazine’s web series Couch Surfing) likened to what it would be like if Star Wars composer John Williams had played Darth Vader.

James Wan Had Ty Simpkins Sit In On Joseph Bishara’s Makeup Sessions To Make Him Comfortable With Filming Scarier Scenes

For only being his first acting gig, Joseph Bishara certainly made one unsettling and unforgettable villain in Insidious. Just ask Ty Simpkins, who - understandably - had trouble being near the actor on set. 

James Wan was determined to help the young actor overcome his fear. As he explained on another Blu-ray featurette called “Entities,” the director would take him into the makeup trailer so he could watch the artists artists apply makeup to Bishara in person. This way, he would know that underneath his demonic captor was just another human being.

One Insidious Ghost Was Inspired By A True Story

Another creature profiled on the Insidious Blu-ray’s “Entities” doc was one referred to as the Long Haired Fiend - a brutish spirit with jet-black hair and a leather duster and one of the first entities in the film to frighten Rose Byrne’s character (and the audience). Surprisingly, this character (played by The Righteous Gemstones and Saw III star J. LaRose) has some, allegedly, factual significance as James Wan explains here:

Technically, this means that we could include Insidious on our list of great horror movies based on true stories.

Some Of The Further Sequence Was Filmed In The Basement Of An Abandoned Building

In reality, the most grounded element of Insidious is the concept of astral projection, which many have claimed to experience in their own lives. However, the design of the Further - a place between the living and the dead from where Josh must rescue Dalton - is more likely just a product of James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s imagination.

Translating the creepy, atmospheric realm to the screen was a relatively simply process as it turns out, especially in moments when you see Patrick Wilson surrounded by complete darkness. The actor told renowned horror magazine Fangoria that, when filming that particular portion of the sequence, he was really in the basement of an abandoned building that was darkened as much as possible by putting “black felt and garbage bags up over the windows.” 

I do not know about you, but out of all of James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s collaboration - and, perhaps, even of the individual artists’ separate projects - Insidious tops the list. More than a decade later it is still one of the memorable and invigorating movie theater experiences of my life, and it never fails to thrill me upon repeat viewings. I will willfully go back into the Further again and again.

Can you believe that the beloved horror franchise Insidious turns 11 this year? It seems like only yesterday that the trailer for Insidious appeared during the opening previews. The franchise’s director, James Wan, could not be more proud of his memorable project. Here is how Wan celebrated the 11th anniversary of Insidious. 

James Wan posted on Instagram a photo of the lipstick-face demon from the horror franchise. In his caption, he said that he wanted to stay away from disturbing traps from his previous film Saw and do something with astral projection and dimension traveling. Wan and his screenwriter and actor, Leigh Whannell, decided to make their own version of a ghost story for little money in order to have creative control over the project. 

Did you know that the original title for the project was going to be The Further? James Wan continues to go on in his post that he felt like the word “insidious” sounded more cool for a movie about ghostly possession from an entity of another dimension. Luckily, Whannell agreed and wrote a screenplay that was both scary and emotional. This haunted house genre would come back in another one of Wan’s horror franchises, The Conjuring. 

This horror director continues his post by saying how fortunate he was for having the Insidious cast and crew he did for such a low-budget film. This iconic horror film was shot in 24 days and edited on his home computer using Final Cut Pro. Wan felt like he was back in his student filmmaking days as wires were all around the house during filming.

It was initially rumored that a fifth movie could happen with the Insidious series. You’ll be happy to know, Insidious fans, that James Wan concluded his post by announcing the fifth movie will happen with Patrick Wilson not only starring in the movie but directing as well! This new director ought to make fans of the franchise very happy as Wilson has played the character of Josh Lambert in the first two movies. This should give him a good idea about what the world of Insidious should look like for the fifth chapter as well as staying true to the vision James Wan had given.

Be sure to check out our new movie releases so you stay up to date for when the fifth chapter of Insidious hits theaters. Like James Wan says, “long live the Further.”   

Everything that I ever needed to know about house hunting, I learned from some of the best haunted house movies of all time. More specifically, films like the Conjuring movies, for instance, taught me to never move into (let alone step foot inside) the site of any previous deaths or satanic rituals, the former location of a cemetery, or anything else that will significantly lower the market value. 

Of course, the characters in most great horror movies of this kind are not so faithful to those rules. See if you turn out to be more receptive to the valuable lessons from the best haunted house movies by watching them on streaming, digital, or physical media with our following guide. 

The Changeling (1980)

Academy Award winner George C. Scott plays a music professor who, after losing his wife and daughter in an accident, moves into a secluded estate where he begins receiving pleading messages from the spirit inhabiting it.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: With its mysterious narrative, intensely creepy moments, and powerful themes of grief, The Changeling is an underrated classic of the subgenre.

Stream The Changeling on Peacock.
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Rent or buy The Changeling on Amazon.
Buy The Changeling on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Skinamarink (2022)

A young boy (played by Lucas Paul) and his sister (played by Dali Rose Tetreault) wake up in the middle of the night to find that their parents and all means to an exit in their house have mysteriously vanished.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: First-time writer and director Kyle Edward Ball’s atmospheric, non-traditional approach to the haunted house genre — also available with a Shudder subscription — might not be for everybody, but watching Skinamarink alone in the dark will leave those who appreciate experimental horror feeling uneasy whenever they pass a dark corner in their own home.

Stream Skinamarink on Hulu.
Rent or buy Skinamarink on Amazon.
Buy Skinamarink on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Hausu (1977)

A teenage girl and her friends leave to spend the summer at her aunt’s idyllic estate, only to find that the house is hiding an evil presence.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: Also titled House in the States, Hausu is not quite the scariest Japanese horror film, but is easily one of the most visually stunning and amusingly eccentric thrillers you will ever see, regardless of its country of origin.

Stream Hausu on Max.
Rent or buy Hausu on Amazon.
Buy Hausu on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Houses October Built (2014)

A group of friends chronicle their search for the scariest haunts in the country, which becomes plagued by a series of unusual encounters.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: There are no actual buildings inhabited by lingering spirits to be found in The Houses October Built, but the way this found footage horror favorite explores America’s fascination with haunted attractions is often more disturbing than some ghost stories.

Rent or buy The Houses October Built on Amazon.
Buy The Houses October Built on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Haunted Mansion (2023)

LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, and others play a group of people struggling to figure out how to escape the manipulative influence of a creepy estate.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: With great performances from the Haunted Mansion cast and deliciously spooky visuals, director Justin Simien’s cinematic adaptation of the classic Disney World attraction is a good entry point for young newcomers to the genre.

Stream Haunted Mansion on Disney+.
Rent or buy Haunted Mansion on Amazon.
Buy Haunted Mansion on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Conjuring (2013)

A family of five calls on the help of married paranormal researchers Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Academy Award nominee Vera Farmiga) to help them rid their new Rhode Island home of the incessant and seemingly evil presence tormenting them in the early 1970s.  

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: While the validity of the Warrens’ paranormal investigations remains up for debate, their case files inspired director James Wan’s The Conjuring, which saw something of a revival for the old school haunted house genre and the birth of one of Hollywood’s most enduring horror movie franchises today.

Stream The Conjuring on Netflix.
Rent or buy The Conjuring on Amazon.
Buy The Conjuring on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Amityville Horror (1979)

George Lutz (James Brolin), his new wife, Kathy (Margot Kidder), and their three children move into a large Long Island estate despite its deadly history, believing it is the home of their dreams, only to find themselves living a nightmare.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: One of the Warrens’ most famous cases involved the true events that inspired Jay Anson’s book The Amityville Horror, which director Stuart Rosenberg adapted into one the most essential and influential examples of the modern haunted house film and one of the best horror movies based on a true story, allegedly.

Stream The Amityville Horror on Max.
Rent or buy The Amityville Horror on Amazon.
Buy The Amityville Horror on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Poltergeist (1982)

Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams play a married couple with three children who suddenly find themselves living a nightmare as malevolent spirits invade their longtime home and kidnap their youngest daughter, Carol Anne (the late Heather O’Rourke).

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: Producer and co-writer Steven Spielberg and director Tobe Hooper looked to their own personal fears as inspiration for 1982’s Poltergeist - a masterpiece in supernatural terror grounded by its authentic performances and also infamous for its unnerving behind-the-scenes legacy.

Rent or buy Poltergeist on Amazon.
Buy Poltergeist on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Haunting (1963)

A psychologist invites an insecure loner, a provocative clairvoyant, and a young skeptic to stay with him inside a large, luxurious New England estate in the hope of proving whether or not it truly does house spirits.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: None of these films might have existed without the influence of director Robert Wise’s chilling, gothic, psychological thriller The Haunting – the earliest of adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s iconic novel that would later serve as a loose inspiration for Mike Flanagan’s acclaimed Netflix miniseries, The Haunting of Hill House.

Stream The Haunting on Tubi.
Rent or buy The Haunting on Amazon.
Buy The Haunting on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Paranormal Activity (2009)

A man (played by Micah Sloat) sets up cameras where he and his girlfriend (played by Katie Featherston) live in the hope of disproving her suspicions that their home does have spirits, only to find evidence of the opposite.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: The trend of found footage thrillers might not have become as popular if not for the success of the Paranormal Activity movies – the first of which cleverly taps into common paranoid thoughts before curdling into more extreme horrors, all with the use of atmospheric tension and a shoestring budget.

Stream Paranormal Activity on Max.
Rent or buy Paranormal Activity on Amazon.
Buy Paranormal Activity on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Hell House LLC (2015)

The young owners of a business specializing in scares are unwittingly in for the scare of their lives when they begin to suspect that the abandoned hotel they chose for their latest haunted house attraction is an actual haunted house.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: A sorely underrated found footage movie is writer and director Stephen Cognetti’s Hell House LLC – an inventive blend of amateur-style footage with professional documentary-style cinematography that results in a frightening exercise in slow-building, thoroughly engrossing dread.

Stream Hell House LLC on Amazon Prime.
Stream Hell House LLC on Tubi.
Buy Hell House LLC on DVD on Amazon.

The Orphanage (2007)

A woman (played by Belén Rueda) returns with her husband (played by Fernando Cayo) to the former home for orphaned children where she used to live to raise their adopted son (played by Roger Príncep), but his claims of making a new friend and other unexplainable occurrences lead her to suspect that they are not alone.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: From A Monster Calls director J.A. Bayona and producer Guillermo del Toro, The Orphanage is a gothic, Spanish-language supernatural tale that will stick with you long after the credits roll, especially if the creepy kids trope still manages to get under your skin.

Rent or buy The Orphanage on Amazon.
Buy The Orphanage on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Sinister (2012)

Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke plays a washed-up true crime writer desperate to put out another bestseller who moves his family into the site of a horrifying murder.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: The creepy kid trope is also used to great effect in Sinister – perhaps co-writer and director Scott Derrickson’s most terrifying film yet that also saw the beginning of Hawke’s reign as a modern horror movie icon.

Stream Sinister on Max.
Rent or buy Sinister on Amazon.
Buy Sinister on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Shining (1980)

Hoping to find the solitude, a writer and recovering alcoholic (played by Academy Award winner Jack Nicholson) moves his family into a luxurious Colorado hotel to act as caretakers for the winter, but the seclusion proves to have a violent effect on the author as his uniquely gifted son experiences foreboding visions.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: What makes writer and director Stanley Kubrick’s iconic adaptation of Stephen King’s 1977 novel, The Shining, a classic is Nicholson’s unbelievably grim performance and the dizzying, surreal, and paralyzing imagery that continues to puzzle fans to this day.

Rent or buy The Shining on Amazon.
Buy The Shining on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Insidious (2011)

Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne play a couple whose family begins to fall prey to a series of startling and strange intrusions after their oldest son (played by Ty Simpkins) suddenly falls into a mysterious coma.

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: The aforementioned The Conjuring may be the more popular James Wan flick and Saw may be his most iconic collaboration with writer Leigh Whannell, but Insidious boasts indelible, otherworldly visuals and a clever twist on the subgenre, being that the house itself is not what is haunted.

Rent or buy Insidious on Amazon.
Buy Insidious on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Monster House (2006)

Three children (voiced by Mitchell Musso, Sam Lerner, and Spencer Locke) try to save their neighborhood from the creepy house across the street after it somehow comes to life following the supposed death of its cantankerous owner (voiced by Steve Buscemi).

Why it is one of the best haunted house movies: A not-so-scary horror film perfect for younger audiences to check out is the animated, Academy Award-nominated hit Monster House, from executive producers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, which offers another clever twist on the haunted house genre, being that it is not the house that is haunted, but that the house itself is haunting.

Stream Monster House on Netflix.
Rent or buy Monster House on Amazon.
Buy Monster House on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Monster House actually raises an interesting question of what is scarier: a house inhabited by spirits that are a danger to anyone who enters it or a house possessed by a spirit that is a danger to anyone merely standing nearby? Hopefully, watching these classics will be the only way you will need to find out the answer for yourself.

Every moviegoer (or, at least, ones who enjoy horror movies, I should say) has a great, lasting memory about seeing a creepy classic at the theater, and 2011’s Insidious is one such fun and frightening experience I will never forget. I would even call the story of a school teacher (Patrick Wilson) and his wife (Rose Byrne), taunted by relentless, malevolent spirits after their son (Ty Simpkins) mysteriously falls into a coma one of the best horror movies to ever come from director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell (the duo also behind the original Saw). 

Some of the Insidious cast would go on to become genre mainstays (if they were not already) and are confirmed to appear in the upcoming fifth installment of the franchise. We will name who as we dive “further” into their career highlights, starting with a bonafide “Scream King.”

Patrick Wilson (Josh Lambert)

Leading the Insidious cast would take Emmy-nominee Patrick Wilson (already acclaimed for the Oscar-nominated Little Children, for instance) to new heights, especially after reteaming with James Wan in 2013 for the first of several Conjuring movies as Ed Warren. That would lead to plenty more horror thrillers that range from grounded (such as the brutal 2015 western Bone Tomahawk) to crazy (like Netflix’s In the Tall Grass in 2019). 

Wilson will branch out into cosmic horror in 2022 with Roland Emmerich’s Moonfall, reunite with Wan again for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (his third DC movie after the 2018 original and 2009’s Watchmen), and will make his directorial debut with Insidious 5, in which he will also reprise Josh Lambert.

Rose Byrne (Renai Lambert)

Another superhero movies star from the Insidious cast is Patrick Wilson’s onscreen wife Rose Byrne - not that Moira Mactaggert in the X-Men movies is the Aussie’s defining role. In fact, the two-time Emmy nominee (for FX’s Damages), who also had thrillers like 28 Weeks Later and a Star Wars installment under her belt previously, is capable of doing everything from comedy (2011’s Bridesmaids, both Neighbors movies with Seth Rogen, and plenty others), drama (FX miniseries Mrs. America as Gloria Steinem), and a mix of both (2018’s Instant Family and Physical on Apple TV+). 

She will continue expand on her talents by producing and acting in the musical-comedy Seriously Red and leading the tense fact-based drama They Are Us, but there is currently no word on if Byrne will appear in Insidious 5.

Lin Shaye (Elise Rainier) 

Confirmed for Insidious 5, unsurprisingly (despite her onscreen death at the end of the first movie), is Lin Shaye for her fifth time playing medium Elise Rainier - the role that propelled her to much deserved Scream Queen status at 68, after already appearing in classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Critters, and Snakes on a Plane (if you want to count that one). You might also recognize the star as Cameron Diaz’s mother in There’s Something About Mary or, more recently, from Penny Dreadful: City of Angels in 2020. 

Surprisingly, most of Shaye’s next projects (outside of Insidious 5 and Jackson Hole, which releases in December 2021) are not horror movies, including writer and director Sean Patrick Flanery’s crime drama Frank and Penelope and We are Gathered Here Today - a story inspired by Covid-19.

Barbara Hershey (Lorraine Lambert)

An Insidious cast member who previously dealt with an insidious spirit in 1982’s allegedly fact-based thriller, The Entity, before playing Josh Lambert’s mother, Lorraine, is Barbara Hershey, who is better known for lighter dramas like The Natural with Robert Redford or Hannah and Her Sisters. 

However, the Oscar nominee is not without her dark roles outside of the Insidious franchise, such as in Black Swan, in the Once Upon a Time cast, on the Omen sequel series Damien, and, more recently, the Amazon original haunted house flick Manor. The actress will next appear in the crime thriller Nine Bullets, which is currently in post-production.

Ty Simpkins (Dalton Lambert) 

Playing the young, unwitting astral projectionist Dalton Lambert marked the second time Ty Simpkins played Patrick Wilson’s son after Little Children. However, after starting out on soap operas such as One Life to Live when he was just an infant, it was Insidious that made him one of Hollywood’s most promising child stars, later appearing in Iron Man 3 in a role he would subtly reprise in Avengers: Endgame, as one of two brothers struggling to survive in Jurassic World, and in his recent return to horror with Where’s Rose in 2021. 

In addition to playing Dalton again in Insidious 5, the now 20-year-old will next appear in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale, is filming the comedy The Re-Education of Molly Singer, and plays the title role in the dramedy, Growing Up Gorman, which also stars another frequent James Wan collaborator: Madison Wolfe of The Conjuring 2 and Malignant fame.

Andrew Astor (Foster Lambert) 

Before playing Dalton’s younger brother, Foster, in Insidious, Andrew Astor made his credited feature-film debuts part of the Hangover cast as Bradley Cooper’s son, following an impressive early career of guest spots on TV shows like Mad Men, Criminal Minds (as a young Spencer Reid in two episodes), ER, and How I Met Your Mother. 

The only other theatrically released movie the young actor has appeared in is Insidious: Chapter 2, reprising his role as Foster Lambert, but I would not count on seeing Foster Lambert in Insidious 5 as Astor’s main job these days is producing music. 

Angus Sampson (Tucker)

Australian actor Angus Sampson made his American movie debut in another cult horror flick (2003’s Darkness Falls) before playing Hot Pocket-munching paranormal investigator, Tucker, whom he has played in every Insidious movie, while also popping up in the likes of Mad Max: Fury Road as The Organic Mechanic or the Helen Mirren-led haunted house thriller Winchester in between. 

You may have seen him in a recurring role in the Fargo Season 2 cast, as a series regular on Hulu’s Shut Eye, in an episode of CBS’ The Stand remake, or in 2021’s Mortal Kombat remake as the voice of Goro most recently. Whether or not he will appear in Insidious 5 is up in the air for now, but you can see him next in co-writer and director Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins, and CBS’s upcoming series adaptation of The Lincoln Lawyer.

Leigh Whannell (Specs)

Tucker’s partner in ghost hunting, Specs, was played by fellow Aussie Leigh Whannell, who also wrote Insidious and its three sequels (making his directorial debut with Insidious: Chapter 3), after he and director James Wan broke into the mainstream with Saw, which he also acted in. Despite starting off in the business as an actor (such as on Australian soap opera Neighbours and The Matrix Reloaded as Axel), and also appearing in recent films like Aquaman as a favor to his buddy Wan, Whannell is better known from behind the camera, having later written and directed Blumhouse’s brilliant remake of The Invisible Man in 2020. 

He has two more remakes currently in the works (Wolfman with Ryan Gosling and an update of John Carpenter’s 1981 cult classic Escape from New York) and is working on a TV series adaptation of his 2018 sci-fi gem, Upgrade.

Joseph Bishara (Lipstick-Face Demon) 

Leigh Whannell was not the only one pulling double duty on camera and behind the scenes for Insidious as the film’s composer, Joseph Bishara, also made his acting debut as the Lipstick-Face Demon - the terrifying main antagonist with a strong resemblance to Star Wars’ Darth Maul. The musician has since become, essentially, the John Williams to James Wan’s Steven Spielberg, as well as the Doug Jones to his Guillermo del Toro, collaborating with Wan on many film scores (such as most of The Conjuring movies, Malignant, and the trench sequence from Aquaman), and playing heavily-made-up evil entities for him (such as The Conjuring’s Bathsheba or as the demon possessing the titular doll in Annabelle). 

He most recently did both for 2020 horror flick Dreamkatcher, composed the score for an upcoming thriller called The Free Fall, and I hope he returns in either capacity for Insidious 5.

Philip Friedman (Old Woman) 

Another creepy, spiritual threat in Insidious who is especially possessive of Josh Lambert is the Old Woman, who was revealed to be the ghost of a cross-dressing serial killer (a la Ed Gein) in Insidious: Chapter 2. The ominously silent character was played originally by Phillip Friedman, whose earlier and most notable roles include “Customer” on a 2000 episode of 7th Heaven, “Older Doctor” on the short-lived ABC drama Eli Stone, and Sonny Klankman on Nickelodeon’s True Jackson V.P. with Keke Palmer. 

Friedman most recently appeared in another horror movie called The Lady of the Dead (not as the title character, to be clear) and, as much as I would love to see him return for Insidious 5, his character’s later recasting and conclusive arc in Chapter 2 makes that reprisal unlikely.

Speaking of which, I would actually consider Insidious to be a bit of an unlikely success, being a horror film based on a completely original (and quite inventive) idea and making almost 100 times its budget worldwide. It is also usually unlikely for me to anticipate the fifth installment of any series, but with Patrick Wilson taking over one of the most popular horror movie franchises, I have never been more amused by the idea of returning to the Further.

Streaming services have evolved pretty exponentially over the course of the past few years. With new, original films becoming premium offerings to subscribers, every month brings a new chance to gain some market share in the world of the movies. But that hasn’t totally overwritten the desire for platforms such as Netflix to still score some pre-existing titles for its streaming library. April 2021’s lineup shows the value of maintaining a fresh batch of incoming films from legacy libraries, and Netflix has done a rather fine job with its latest additions.

If you’re looking forward to April’s new field of titles, but want to see the full picture, you can see April’s full incoming lineup below. And if you’re compelled to revisit the best and the brightest add-ons from March’s crop of titles, that’ll be provided further down as well. But for now, let’s highlight some of the most excellent movies headed to Netflix in April 2021.

Insidious

The world is still waiting on actor Patrick Wilson to make his directorial debut with the latest installment of the Insidious franchise. Which makes now the perfect time to revisit the first film in the saga, which introduced Wilson’s Josh Lambert and his family that makes up the bulk of the Insidous universe’s foundation. No matter how many times we watch it, there’s still some moments that scare the hell out of us, and we’re hoping Insidious 5 gives us more of the same when it arrives.

Legally Blonde

Speaking of legacyquels, Legally Blonde has that long awaited third entry coming, with Reese Witherspoon set to become Elle Woods yet again. It’s hard to believe that this year marks 20 years since Elle first went to Harvard, and proved that it totally wasn’t hard to become a legal mind of our time. We won’t see Elle again until 2022’s debut of Legally Blonde 3, so we’re just going to have to make do with bending and snapping back to the case that started it all.

Leprechaun

Before she took a break from Ross on Friends and butted heads with Reese Witherspoon on The Morning Show, Jennifer Aniston did battle with the Leprechaun from the famed horror franchise of Leprechaun films. That first film left quite the impression, spawning sequels, reboots, and memes aplenty, and even Spiral director Darren Lynn Bousman wants to bring back the Leprechaun saga, as it rightfully should be allowed to do. Though it is hard not to enjoy the low-budget charm of that first film, deadly puns and all.

The Pianist

Before he struck it big as a member of the Wes Anderson Repertory Company, actor Adrien Brody made a name for himself with a huge Oscar win through the film The Pianist. Based on the true story of composer and Holocaust survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman, Brody’s central performance was so charged that it netted him awards and accolades upon the film’s release. It’s no secret why, as the intensity of The Pianist’s story is something that still resonates with audiences to this very day.

The Time Traveler's Wife

Here’s a hell of a time loop for you readers to dig into: former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat was inspired by the book The Time Traveler’s Wife, and created the character River Song as a result. And now, years after his departure from running the TARDIS and its universe, Moffat will be adapting another version of Audrey Niffenegger’s best-selling book as an HBO series. While he’s worked with the material before, we still wish him the best of luck, as watching Eric Bana and time travel expert Rachel McAdams deal with a romance out of order is a hard act to beat.

Yes Man

It’s really funny that the Jim Carrey comedy Yes Man would be headed to Netflix not too long after the platform has debuted its own spin on the same story. Much like the Jennifer Garner comedy Yes Day, Carrey finds himself in a spot where he’s encouraged to say “yes” to everything that comes along. What results is a movie that would make a good natured double feature with Netflix’s own family comedy, and a case for the two worlds to collide, just to see Jim Carrey and Jennifer Garner goof it up a bit on screen.

The Master

Here we are, staring down another year where Amy Adams has been passed over for an Academy Award nomination. Though finding the talented actor nominated doesn’t mean she’ll win, as she’s yet to score a trophy at the big show, despite putting in amazing work in films like Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master. You’ll find a lot of people talking about sterling performances from Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix when they talk this film up, but pay close attention to Ms. Adams’ ruthlessly brilliant turn the next time you indulge in this masterpiece.

Available 4/15/21

Crimson Peak

If studios listened to Guillermo del Toro a little more, they might find themselves enjoying the results a bit better. Take the case of Crimson Peak as an example: del Toro wanted to make the film for $25 million, but the studio allowed the film to be made on a $50 million budget. While that extra money was definitely put to good use in this lush and haunting gothic romance, it raised the bar for what would have allowed the film to be considered a financial success. Though, to be fair, the end result is too beautiful to argue with, and already has its loyal legion of fans.

Available 4/16/21

Synchronic

Even in a year as chaotic as 2020, there were still some under the radar hits that had people talking, much like the film Synchronic. Directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead continued to earn a reputation as outside the box thinkers, as this time travel drug drama starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan turned a lot of heads with its trippy tale. And now, Netflix subscribers will get to dive into the mystery head first thanks to Synchronic making its way into the April lineup.

Available 4/16/21

Miss Sloane

If you were looking for a good time to have a Jessica Chastain film festival, then you might want to start clearing your schedule out for some time later in April. Not only is Crimson Peak being added to Netflix’s library, but The Zookeeper’s Wife and Miss Sloane are also being loaded into the library next month. Though if you’re strapped for time, we’d recommend keeping both Guillermo del Toro’s twisted romance and this Michael Clayton-esque thriller on the bill, at the bare minimum.

Available 4/19/21

These titles and more will be the stuff that Netflix subscribers’ dreams are made of, but be warned: titles are subject to change and availability, so contents may shift in the time between now and their planned debut. And don’t forget, unless specifically noted, all titles above come online at the first of the month. Stay safe, stream responsibly and we’ll see you back here around this time next month for June’s movie highlights on the Netflix platform!

It's a good time to be a horror fan. The past few years have been a renaissance for the genre, with plenty of new projects being met with critical and box office success. Many of these modern classics have come from Blumhouse, including Get Out, Happy Death Day, and the Insidious movies. The latter franchise get be getting a fifth movie, and the recently announced director will make fans very happy.

The Insidious franchise began back in 2010, and hasn't been far from theaters since. The original movies starred Patrick Wilson and Rose Bryne as Josh and Renai Lambert. Wilson will be back for Insidious 5, this time making his directorial debut behind the camera. Blumhouse announced this on social media, check i tout below.

I mean, how cool is that? Patrick Wilson is a horror legend in his own right thanks to his collaborations with James Wan in the Insidious and Conjuring franchises as well as Netflix's In The Tall Grass. And now his place in horror history will be further cemented as he helms Insidious 5 for Blumhouse. And he's probably going to scare us in the process.

The above announcement comes to us from Blumhouse's official Twitter account. Patrick Wilson seems like an awesome choice to helm Insidious 5, since he played the role Josh Lambert in the first two Insidious movies. And while he's had a break from the horror property, Wilson obviously understands James Wan's original vision better than nearly anyone.

Following the events of Insidious 2, James Wan stopped directing and the franchise shifted its focus on Lin Shaye's character Elise Rainier. There's no telling what Insidious 5 will be about just yet, but Patrick Wilson's involvement as a director is sure to build anticipation until more details about the developing project become public.

This news about Insidious 5 is just the latest exciting news to come from Blumhouse. The horror studio is currently in the midst of its Blumfest event, where plenty of exciting updates about future projects are coming. Insidious hasn't been in theaters since 2018's Insidious: The Last Key, so fans will likely be excited to dive back into The Further.

The original Insidious movie helped to cement James Wan as a true horror visionary. After kickstarting the Saw and Dead Silent franchises, the first Insidious movie came in theaters to absolutely terrify audiences. The story was eventually expanded in four sequels, and it'll be interesting to see how the lore continues to grow with the next movie

As for the future of Blumhouse, there are a variety of very exciting projects coming down the line. The Craft: Legacy was just released straight to homes, while Halloween Kills was delayed a full year. And with Insidious 5 coming down the line, the studio isn't slowing down. Be sure to check out our 2020 release list to plan your next movie experience.

It's currently a great time to be a horror fan, as the genre has been experiencing a renaissance over the past few years. October is historically a busy month as well, with scary new projects arriving in time for Halloween. One of the horror movies hitting theaters this month is Timothy Woodward Jr.'s The Call, starring genre legends Tobin Bell and Lin Shaye. The latter actress gets to tap into her scarier side for the new release, and she recently explained why filming was such a cathartic experience.

Lin Shaye has a ton of history with the horror genre, including the original A Nightmare on Elm Street and the Insidious franchise. She's not typically the villain of these stories, but The Call allows the actress to go into a darker place. I had the privilege of speaking with Shaye about her role in the new movie, where she explained why being scary can be so fun. She said,

Touche, Ms. Shaye. Lin Shaye has had a long career in film, and she knows exactly what it takes to bring characters to life on the big screen. And that sometimes includes exposing the most intimate or darker sides of yourself in front of the cast and crew. While her Insidious character Elise Rainier is a bright light in a dark property, The Call's Edith Cranston required a different side of Shaye.

Acting is a uniquely difficult profession, as it requires performers to exert themselves emotionally and transform into someone else. Horror movies are inherently heightened, with actors entering a dark place in order to properly tell that story. Lin Shaye found this actually quite fun, and allowed her to safely explore sides of herself that are otherwise dormant.

Lin Shaye is a scream queen in her own right, as she's worked on a ton of iconic properties throughout her years on the big screen. She's the protagonist of the Insidious franchise, starring as the lead character in the last few installments. She's also had a role in the original Nightmare on Elm Street as well as Ouijia, the recent Grudge sequel, and Critters. She previously worked with The Call director Timothy Woodward Jr. in the 2018 horror flick The Final Wish.

The Call pairs Lin Shaye with another horror icon: Saw legend Tobin Bell. While he's seemingly done playing John Kramer in that bloody franchise, Bell was able to work with Shaye on their most recent addition to the genre. As such, both actors will once again be in theaters to scare October moviegoers for Halloween.

The Call is currently in theaters and drive-ins. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next movie experience.

What did we ever do to be lucky enough to have James Wan in our lives? The Australian director exploded on the scene with the original Saw and has pretty much been this generation’s Wes Craven when it comes to bringing thrilling, original horror movies to the big screen. But James Wan movies can really be anything, as he’s also dipped his toe into long-running franchises, as well as a big-budget superhero movie. What can’t the man do?

I don’t know, but of his nine major movies, a majority of them are horror flicks, so that really seems to be his strong suit and passion. And with his next movie, Malignant, which was supposed to come out this month --but you know, Covid-19-- being yet another horror movie, it looks like the director of the billion dollar grossing, Aquaman, still has his heart in the blight place. (What do you want? I’m a Dad. I like puns!). So, what are his very best movies? You’re about to find out.

9. Death Sentence (2007)

Starring Kevin Bacon, this vigilante film definitely shows strong hints of Wan’s horror side since it’s super violent, but that doesn’t mean it’s as good as his horror films. It’s about a man named Nick Hume (Kevin Bacon) who witnesses an assault on his son (with a machete!). But when the court system doesn’t punish the man who harmed Nick’s son, this sends Nick on a quest for revenge to take the law into his own hands. But Nick gets himself in way over his head with his vigilantism, and the rest of his family is at risk.

Death Sentence definitely has its moments, but it gets kind of ridiculous in the lengths Kevin Bacon’s character goes to. It’s really bloody, and that’s fine with me, but I’ve seen much better revenge films in my day, and it’s kind of lacking Wan’s charm as a director. An okay film, sure, but just okay.

8. Dead Silence (2007)

Are you scared of dolls? No? Then you will get utterly nothing out of Dead Silence, which is a kind of limpid movie in the killer doll sub-genre. The story concerns an old legend about a ventriloquist named Mary Shaw (played by Judith Anna Roberts) who met a fatal end and then came back as a doll that wants tongues. So you better not scream!

Honestly, the only reason I’m putting Dead Silence over Death Sentence, which came out the same year, is because it’s not often that you see killer ventriloquist dummies in the killer doll sub-genre. I didn’t get any frights out of this movie, but I appreciate that James Wan showed restraint when he could have pushed the violence much further and made it even more ridiculous, so that’s appreciated.

7. Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)

Going much further into the astral projection angle than its predecessor (much to its detriment, in my opinion), Insidious: Chapter 2 again concerns Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, and Ty Simpkins as the Lambert family, as they learn even more about the backstory of the various ghosts (this time, we get one called “The Bride in Black”, which is kind of creepy) that continue to haunt them.

I know Insidious: Chapter 2 has its fans, but I just find it to be a much lesser movie that the original. This is not to discredit Wan, who still had enough tense scares to make it a worthwhile sequel. But when the original movie is so good, then the sequel has to be either better or at least somewhat on par. Unfortunately, it’s neither. But A-plus for effort.

6. Aquaman (2018)

There are some people who have called Aquaman, Black Panther underwater, and they’re not entirely off. Both Atlantis and Wakanda share the same sense of overall wonder with their hidden worlds. But I actually think the world of Atlantis is a lot more vibrant than Wakanda, if not exactly as interesting. Starring Jason Momoa, Willem Dafoe, Amber Heard, and Wan’s MVP, Patrick Wilson, Aquaman is about the title character trying to stop a war between the seven underwater kingdoms and the people on land. It’s a fun movie, and one that even beat Batman vs. Superman at the box office!

Who would have thought that Aquaman of all characters would be the D.C. character to bring in the most bucks? James Wan took a silly premise and made it into an underwater, sci-fi adventure with an octopus that plays the drums and an underwater world like no other. The film is silly and enjoyable enough, and a far cry from the dour Zack Snyder movies in the DCEU. And if they had started with this playful tone, then maybe the DCEU might even be in a better place right now. Just saying.

5. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Another sequel, The Conjuring 2 fares better than Insidious: Chapter 2 for a number of reasons. 1) It really just sticks to the same, successful formula that the first movie did, but in a new location (North London this time). 2) being rated R, James Wan, who is great with atmospheric horror, manages to still not go overboard, but also still push the R-rating far enough to be both suspenseful and scary. And three, I just think we don’t get enough period piece horror, and this is one of the better ones.

We again follow the Warrens (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) on another case. This installment dials up the creepiness, but it’s lacking the freshness of the original, which is why it's at this place on the list.

4. Furious 7 (2015)

The highest grossing film in the franchise, Fast and Furious 7 is James Wan’s other billion dollar picture. Starring pretty much everybody (and Paul Walker’s last Fast and Furious movie), Furious 7 ramps up the action and strips away even more of the racing that made the franchise what it is today. This one features Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), out for revenge against the Toretto family. It’s a flashy, bombastic movie, and one of the very best in the series.

After the rather humdrum fourth Fast & Furious movie, Five and Six upped the ante, and Furious 7 shot it right into the stratosphere. There are a lot of moving pieces in Furious 7, but Wan handles all of them well and this movie fits right into the series as if Wan had always been there. More action movies, please.

3. The Conjuring (2013)

Despite being older than The Conjuring 2, the first movie just feels fresher and darker than the sequel. This is the first time we’re introduced to Ed and Lorraine Warren, and they already look tired from all the people calling them in to investigate every little bump in the night. But when they finally come upon a family at a farmhouse that’s really being terrorized by spirits, they have a real case on their hands. The Conjuring is definitely one of the scariest movies of the past 20 years, no question.

I don’t know what it is about James Wan, but he really knows how to take his time and build suspense with a scene. There will be long stretches of almost utter silence, and then something terrifying will happen, but it won’t feel cheap. The first Conjuring is just loaded with these moments, making it one of his most memorable movies to date. I’ll never hear two claps the same way ever again.

2. Saw (2004)

In the film that would go on to spawn one of modern horror’s premier franchises, James Wan’s first major film, Saw, is pretty much as bare bones as it gets. Starring Cary Elwes, Tobin Bell, and Danny Glover, Saw, is about two people (three people?) trapped in a room who are taunted and told by a serial killer that they will need to dismember themselves if they want to escape. Horror and paranoia ensues.

Saw blew everybody away when it first came out and helped spawn the whole “torture porn” genre. But the first film is incredibly subdued and tense compared to what would come later in the franchise. But that subdued approach is what makes the first one so memorable, and it works in its favor. Looking forward to the next time that it’s time to play a game.

1. Insidious (2010)

Insidious is James Wan’s scariest film, bar none. The story of a family trying to rescue their child from the astral plane (though, it’s called the Further in this series), Insidious is a PG-13 movie that seriously never lets up. Honestly, it is the perfect horror film, and the fact that there are so many sequels is a little disheartening, since it kind of demystifies everything that made the original so good.

It’s the old mixed with the modern though that makes the tone of this film so creepy. As mentioned before, James Wan is an expert at perfect pacing, and he has the ability to get underneath your skin before you even realize what he's doing. And Insidious is his best effort in that regard, because by the time the really scary stuff starts happening, you’re already much more spooked than you even realized. And that’s why it’s so effective and James Wan’s best film to date.

James Wan is still one of the 2000s most interesting and terrifying directors. Whether he’s making popcorn flicks or movies to make you hide underneath your covers, it’s hard to find a more fascinating director than James Wan.

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I know there are a lot of people out there who will tell you that a horror movie can’t be good unless it has a hard R-rating attached to it. But what if I were to tell you that you don’t need blood and guts to make a terrifying horror movie? In fact, a lot of the movies of this list, like A Quiet Place, have given me far more disturbing dreams than your Texas Chainsaw Massacres or your Nightmare on Elm Streets.

And that’s because all the movies on this list are PG-13 and practically bloodless. What makes them scary then? Well, a number of things really, be it tone, atmosphere, storylines, you name it. But while I know a popular horror convention these days is jump scares, I’ve tried to steer away from movies that only rely on that tired trope. Don’t get me wrong. There will be some jump scares in these movies. But I think the ones in the following films that I've listed here have earned them. In other words, they don’t feel cheap like in some other movies. So, without further ado, let’s get creeped out together, people.

A Quiet Place (2018)

John Krasinski directs and stars in this post-apocalyptic horror movie about blind alien creatures with tremendous hearing. His real-life wife, Emily Blunt, also stars in the film as his fictional wife as they try to protect their children in this terrifying world. It’s a mostly quiet film, but it doesn’t last, of course.

A Quiet Place is tense as hell, and from the very beginning, you know it’s not a film that’s messing around since anybody could die. And I mean anybody. But the violence is not played out or gruesome. And you grow close to the Abbott family, so the thought of seeing any of them die is very distressing throughout. There’s a sequel on the way… sometime... and the film ends with a cool revelation. Just be prepared to cry.

Mama (2013)

It director, Andy Muschietti, made his directorial debut with this super creepy supernatural horror movie. Starring Jessica Chastain, Mama is about a maternal spirit that follows two children to a new home and sticks around to protect them. But by protect them, I mean haunt the ever living crap out of people with her ghostly form.

Mama has some disturbing themes, like familial murder, but it never really shows too much. It instead relies on ghostly scares, like this one scene with a long-haired ghost running across the room in a weird, unnatural gait. There are definitely some jump scares to be had, but they work and stick with you long after you’ve been shocked.

Gretel & Hansel (2020)

The most recent film on this list, Gretel & Hansel is a movie that relies almost purely on tone and visuals to bring about its frights. It’s the classic story of a brother and sister who go to a witch’s house, but this version has a little twist and gives a lot more focus on Gretel (played by Sophia Lillis) who deserves to have her name go first in the title. And Alice Krige is utterly terrifying as the witch. Too bad the movie is just a tad slow at parts.

The film does go into some dark territory (I mean, even the Grimm’s Fairy Tale is about killing kids), but again, it’s a lot more about tone than anything else. It has a creepy vibe that sneaks up on you, but it’s a lot slower paced than most of the other movies on this list, so keep that in mind.

The Others (2001)

The Others is like OG PG-13 horror. It’s a supernatural period piece starring Nicole Kidman about a woman and her two children who are living in a haunted house. Or is it? If you haven’t seen it already, I’ll leave it at that, but you’re in for a treat if you aren’t aware of its many twists and turns.

The Others is a ghost story through and through and one that takes its time to spook you. I’m usually not a fan of haunted house movies, but The Others is special since it’s as psychological as it is horror. And I’ll never forget that line, “I am your daughter.” It still gives me the willies.

The Woman in Black (2012)

British outfit, Horror Films, brought us this period piece ghost story (Noticing a trend?), which is actually a remake of a 1989 picture of the same name. This version stars Daniel Radcliffe as a young father who goes to a village and encounters a ghost that goes after children.

Like The Others, The Woman in Black relies more on scaring you with its supernatural elements rather than gore or blood. This is interesting, since Hammer developed a name for itself back in the ‘60s with bloody movies like Horror of Dracula and Frankenstein and the Monster From Hell. Not so with this relatively tame (and spooky) horror flick, though. This one is gore-free!