Fright-Filled Films For Your Next Movie Night

Halloween is on the horizon which means it’s the perfect time to watch a scary movie! There are multitudes of sub-genres in horror to get into. If you don’t know where to start or want a recommendation, here are some suggestions. 

Slasher: There are plenty of classic slashers perfect for a movie night, but, “Halloween” (1978), is a choice that won’t disappoint. It’s an hour and a half filled with terror that stands the test of time (though the effects may occasionally be cheesy). “Halloween” also features one of the most iconic horror characters, Laurie Strode. You can’t go wrong with this classic.

Paranormal: The market for paranormal movies is ever increasing. There are countless bone-chilling titles, but one of the best you’ll encounter is “The Conjuring” (2013). This movie follows the story of real life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. It is masterfully directed and executed, and has a great cast. This is the perfect horror movie to start with if you want to get into the genre.

Psychological: Psychological horror is a subgenre full of more subgenres. There are hundreds of movies in this genre that will stay with you for much longer than the duration of the film. One of the most classic psychological horror movies is “The Shining” (1980). This film is a movie adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name. It follows the story of Jack Torrance and his family as they spend the winter in a secluded mountain hotel. This film is a slow descent into madness that you won’t forget. 

Found Footage: When done correctly, found footage can be one of the most terrifying subgenres of horror. Many would recommend “The Blair Witch Project” (1999), but one under-appreciated found footage film that is as good (dare I say better) is “Creep” (2014). “Creep” isn’t as scary as it is uncomfortable. It is a slow burn with a cast of two characters, but if you can make it through, it is a truly disturbing watch. 

A Good Place to Start: I earlier mentioned that “The Conjuring” is the perfect movie to introduce you to the horror genre. While I feel this is true, some people might want a bit of a tamer option. For this, “The Village” (2004) is your best bet. Rated PG-13, “The Village” is mildly scary and still entertaining. This movie relies on suspense more than it does horror, providing you with that edge-of-your-seat feeling while keeping the fear factor at a low. 

Good luck picking a film, and happy watching!