What’s a good night-in without popcorn and tonnes of scary movies at your disposal? If you’re the type of person who’s obsessed with jump scares, gruesome murders and terrifying true stories, then it’s time to visit these fantastically frightening horror movies. And even if you’re not well, sit tight. You'll be right.
We’ve got you covered from new releases, movie franchises and cult classics.
Here’s every horror film you should have watched by now.
In The Tall Grass
When siblings Becky and Cal hear the cries of a young boy lost within a field of tall grass, they venture in to rescue him, only to become ensnared themselves by a sinister force that quickly disorients and separates them. Cut off from the world and unable to escape the field’s tightening grip, they soon discover that the only thing worse than getting lost is being found. In The Tall Grass is based on the novella by Stephen King and Joe Hill so needless to say, if you're a horror fan, watch it in all its scary glory here.
Mama
On the day that their parents die, sisters Lilly and Victoria vanish in the woods, prompting a frantic search by their Uncle Lucas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and his girlfriend, Annabel (Jessica Chastain). Five years later, the girls are found alive in a decaying cabin, and Lucas and Annabel welcome them into their home. But as Annabel tries to reintroduce the children to a normal life, she finds that someone, or something, still wants to tuck them in at night. You can welcome all the goosebumps for this one right here.
Split
If it's a psychological horror you're after, sit down, get comfy and get ready to watch James McAvoy bring your worst fears to life. Kevin (James McAvoy) has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley) but one remains submerged in his subconscious who is set to materialise and dominate all the others. Compelled to abduct three teenage girls led by the willful, observant Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy, The Witch), Kevin reaches a war for survival among all of those contained within him.
The Others
An oldie but a goodie, if you like your scary movies to have a good storyline this one is most definitely for you. At first glance this The Others looks to be just another "haunted house" movie but the ending has quite the twist.
IT (2017)
Every 27 years an ancient, shape-shifting evil thing emerges from the sewer to prey on the children of a town called Derry. Over one horrifying summer, seven young outcasts must band together and face their worst nightmare, the bloodthirsty clown known as Pennywise.
Hereditary
This supernatural horror film has our Aussie actor Toni Collette starring as mother of a family that is seemingly possessed by a spirit but the film has an even more disturbing message behind it (which we would spill but you know, spoilers).
The Visit
It can’t be a real scary movie list without at least one M. Night Shyamalan mention. And let’s be honest, you could make it one epic movie marathon night and just watch all of his stuff because he’s low-key obsessed with all the horror (shout out to his other scary-but-good-but-scary films The Village, Signs and The Sixth Sense). The Visit tales siblings who go off and stay with their grandparents but discover quickly that something is really, and we mean really, wrong.
Lights Out
Ok people, could you think of anything worse than seeing some creepy, lanky silhouette every time you turned out your lights? Such is the premise for Lights Out It’s also produced by James Wan (director of The Conjuring) so we’ll just leave it at that.
The Conjuring Universe
Speaking of, the fact that The Conjuring is based on a true story makes this the one of the scariest. This one is apart of a mega-production of other movies connected by the same plot so if you’re not too scared, you’ll have to hit up Annabelle, The Conjuring 2, Annabelle: Creation and The Nun after. In that order.
A Quiet Place
A family with young children try to survive in this forcibly quiet world but whether or not they can really survive is another question. We love this one because how can you not appreciate Emily Blunt and John Krasinski on-screen together.
Get Out
Get Out’s seamless and clever use of the horror genre to explore social critique make this film a must-see. After reaching the meet-the-parents milestone Chris is invited by his girlfriend, Rose, upstate for a weekend getaway. Chris first read the overly accommodating behaviour as nervousness at dealing with their interracial relationship but he soon realises the disturbing truth (which gets revealed when you actually watch the movie, obvs).
Not into horror? Here's a bunch of other movies you should have seen by now.
Image Credit: Lights Out