With Halloween just two days away, the streets are about to fill with ghouls, witches, and the rush of children hyped on candy. But for many, the real fright doesn’t come from trick-or-treaters; it’s found curled up on the couch, lights out, watching a horror movie that might just haunt their dreams. Movies, for so many of us, are safe havens—a place where rom-coms make us yearn for love, animated musicals invite us to explore magical worlds, and horror, well, lets us flirt with terror from a safe distance.
However, one group of people appreciates the thrill more than any other: teenagers. From splatters at sleepovers to yelling in the theater during Five Nights at Freddy’s (not my proudest moment), watching a horror movie is like a rite of passage for teens.
But if you’re new to the genre, don’t fear; not all horror is created equal. From slasher flicks to supernatural thrillers, we’ve put together a guide to help you pick a movie that suits your appetite for fright—complete with my personal favorites. So, turn down the lights and let’s dive in.
Genre 1: Slasher | Movie of Choice: Scream
The classics. When people think of horror movies, eight times out of ten they’re thinking about the slasher genre. Serial killer films are very similar: a brutal murderer stalks people (typically teenagers) with evil intentions.
The reason I picked Scream as my definitive slasher is that Ghostface weaponizes the thing closest to my heart: movie trivia. With its hilarious subversions of the genre and genuinely shocking climax, Scream is absolutely my choice.
Runner-ups include: Halloween, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, X.
Genre 2: Supernatural | Movie of Choice: Rosemary’s Baby
Image Credit: Portland Art Museum
Here’s where the real terror starts: the paranormal and the supernatural. This genre includes anything from ghosts to demons to possession, and holds some of the best potential for scares. The underworld allows for more grotesque and strange spooks, and the lack of reality means that filmmakers can do virtually anything they want.
Once again, the scare factor is really defined by the monster, such as evil ghosts (The Conjuring). But who could be scarier than Satan himself: the villain of Rosemary’s Baby. The fear is palpable and the final scene packs a monstrous punch. One of the scariest yet most palatable supernatural movies out there, Rosemary’s Baby delivers all the way.
Runner-ups include: Longlegs, The Conjuring, The Exorcist.
Genre 3: Psychological | Movie of Choice: Se7en
Image Credit: Collider
My personal favorite, psychological horror can melt your mind in hundreds of ways. These movies often play with the fears of the unknown. Nothing is ever what it seems here, and the shocks that arise are massive. The Shining touches on isolation, The Silence of the Lambs is all about the illusion of sanity, and Se7en’s main focus is punishment.
David Fincher’s masterpiece gets under your skin, terrifying viewers with gross scenes and emotionally destroyed protagonists, all colliding in a climax sure to shatter anybody’s psyche as it did mine. The scare here lies not in jumpscares or gore, but in not knowing what’ll happen next, and being punched with the reveal. Psychological horror is amazing if you don’t like blood or guts but still want that rush.
Runner-ups include: The Shining, The Silence of the Lambs, I Saw the TV Glow.
Genre 4: Comedic | Movie of Choice: Shaun of the Dead
One of the best ways to ease yourself into the horror genre is comedic horror. More broad than other genres, these movies can be slasher (Scary Movie), paranormal (House), or any other type. Jumpscares and gross visuals are prevalent here, but always played for laughs and never too scary, making for a nice segue into more serious films.
Shaun of the Dead is a perfect comedy/horror, with zombies that both terrify you and make you laugh (the record throwing scene is iconic), and a strong emotional core that makes some of the deaths even more brutal. An excellent introduction into terror, a way to steel yourself for things to come.
Runner-ups include: House, Bodies Bodies Bodies, Scary Movie.
Genre 5: Splatter | Movie of Choice: Evil Dead II
Slasher with a twist: it’s bloodier. That’s about it. Known for its brutality and uniqueness, splatter leaves nothing to the imagination. The terror here is that watchers can never know what to expect, as splatter directors get grossly creative. Art the Clown (Terrifier) is a goofy jester that dispatches his victims in nauseating ways. Jigsaw (Saw) uses sadistic puzzles that often involve losing limbs (or more).
Evil Dead II is special because its insanity comes not from its villain, but its hero. Ash Williams is criminally insane in the funniest way, tearing zombies apart with everything from his bare fists to a chainsaw surgically attached to his arm. Bloody but hilarious, Evil Dead II is a great intro to the disgust of splatter.
Runner-ups include: Terrifier, Saw, I Saw the Devil.
Horror is a very divisive genre, but if, in the end, it’s decided that it truly isn’t your thing, then wait a couple years. Maybe one day the thrill shared by teens across America will send a shiver down your spine. If not, you’re never too old for Disney.
hell yeah