The horror genre keeps churning out great movies, such as the intoxicating Hugh Grant thriller Heretic. Part of its success is how it’s able to produce movies that not only terrify audiences with gross-out scenes or a well-timed jump-scare, but also be a ton of fun. A great example of this is the Terrifier series, with Terrifier 3’s funniest moments arriving among the requisite brutality and gore. Thanks mainly to Art the Clown’s silent, but deadly, humor.
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However, it’s not just more recent horror films that have managed to be creepy as all hell, while bringing some solid fun along the way. Classic franchises have gained popularity thanks to quick-witted villains like Freddy Krueger, who is also incredibly creepy. The great thing about the horror genre is its ability to bring audiences together, to share an experience that’ll be intense, and uncomfortable at times, but also a lot of fun.
10 Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
Directed By Michael Dougherty
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10/10 Trick ‘r Treat RHorrorComedy
Trick ‘r Treat, directed by Michael Dougherty, is a horror anthology film featuring four interwoven stories set on Halloween night. The narratives explore a high school principal’s hidden life as a serial killer, a college student’s romantic encounter, a teenagers’ prank, and a reclusive old man’s unexpected visitor.
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*Availability in US Director Michael Dougherty Release Date November 27, 2015 Writers Michael Dougherty Cast Brian Cox , Quinn Lord , Anna Paquin , Dylan Baker , Leslie Bibb , Tahmoh Penikett , Rochelle Aytes , Britt McKillip , Moneca Delain , Lauren Lee Smith , Brett Kelly , Jean-Luc Bilodeau , Alberto Ghisi , James Willson , Christine Willes , Isabelle Deluce , Samm Todd , Connor Christopher Levins , Laura Mennell , Ty Hill , Matthew Kevin Anderson , Barbara Kottmeier , Derek McIver , Catherine Barroll , Caroline Redekopp , Patrick Gilmore , Troy Everett Runtime 1hr 22 Main Genre Horror Expand
There aren’t many horror movies that can go from almost being shelved by the studio, to becoming a beloved feature in the Halloween season. However, Michael Dougherty’s anthology series film did exactly just that, with five interconnected stories providing some brutally macabre plotlines alongside some genuine laughs. Trick ‘r Treat is a horror movie that was worth the wait, even if the studio wasn’t entirely sure how to market it.
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The scene in the first story, when Principal Wilkins attempts to bury Charlie’s poisoned body in the backyard, is a great example of the movie’s dark humor. It’s accentuated by this particular story segment’s focus on the family sticking together during a bloody murder. The movie also introduces a great villain in Sam, and while every Halloween story in Trick ‘r Treat may not all work, it’s a treat nonetheless.
9 M3GAN (2022)
Directed By Gerard Johnstone
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6.3/10 M3GAN PG-13Horror Sci-FiThriller
M3GAN tells the story of a lifelike robotic doll who arrives in a little girl’s life to help her cope with the death of her parents. As the young Cady befriends the robot, its designer, Cady’s aunt Gemma, realizes her self-aware invention is too dangerous to be kept alive. Blumhouse’s 2022 horror phenomenon mixes Chucky’s creepy inclination for violence with the Terminator’s unstoppable nature to craft a terrifying look at the dangers of Artificial Intelligence.
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*Availability in US Director Gerald Johnstone Release Date January 6, 2023 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Akela Cooper , James Wan Cast Amie Donald , Kimberley Crossman , Allison Williams , Ronny Chieng , Violet McGraw , Brian Jordan Alvarez Runtime 82 Minutes Expand
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Younger fans of the horror genre need gateway films like M3GAN to help introduce them to one of the most fun and rewarding film genres. It was initially released as a more mainstream-friendly PG-13, followed by an uncut version shortly after its initial theatrical run. Thankfully, both versions offer a delightful mix of fun and creepy scares for slightly younger viewers.
There’s nothing more creepy than a doll that’s been given life by its human overlords, who then proceeds to slay those who created them. It’s a sub-genre that has thrived for years and M3GAN delivers a superbly creepy antagonist, who dances, spits out one-liners, and kills the neighbor’s dog with gleeful abandon. The uncut version has the better kills, but M3GAN’s exciting spin-off SOULM8TE looks likely to build on the original’s thrills.
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8 The Lost Boys (1987)
Directed By Joel Schumacher
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7.8/10 The Lost Boys RHorrorComedy
The Lost Boys follows Michael Emerson (Jason Patric) and his younger brother Sam (Corey Haim) after they move to the small California beach town of Santa Carla only to discover that it is overrun with teenage vampires. When Michael falls victim to the titular gang and joins their ranks, Sam enlists the help of young vampire hunters the Frog brothers (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander) in order to save his brother from head vampire David (Kiefer Sutherland).
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*Availability in US Director Joel Schumacher Release Date July 31, 1987 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers James Jeremias , Jan Fischer , Jeffrey Boam Cast Corey Feldman , Kiefer Sutherland , Jason Patric , Jami Gertz , Corey Haim Runtime 97 minutes Expand
Horror movies from the 1980s were quintessentially both creepy, and fun in their design, knowing exactly who their audience was and how to target them effectively. One director who had a knack for creating crowd-pleasing genre films for the studios, while delivering cult classic movies with iconic imagery, was Joel Schumacher.
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One of his most wildly fun movies was the iconic, The Lost Boys, from 1987. The movie has everything audiences craved at the time of release, and its longevity proves that a simple formula is often the best way to create a scary, fun horror flick.
It’s a popcorn horror movie that thrills like a rollercoaster ride.
The cast is young and hip, plus there’s something ethereally scary about the vampires. This is especially true about the iconic David, played by Keifer Sutherland, who has a touching reason why The Lost Boys is a favorite. It’s a popcorn horror movie that thrills like a rollercoaster ride.
7 The Menu (2022)
Directed By Mark Mylod
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9/10 The Menu RComedyHorrorThriller
A darkly comedic horror-thriller, The Menu focuses on a group of diners invited to a high-end restaurant on a private island by one of the world’s greatest chefs. Shortly after arriving on the island, Margot Mills begins to realize something is strange beyond the perceived pompous nature of the menu. Her suspicions are confirmed when the night turns deadly as the restaurant staff begins to descend into a cult-like madness.
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*Availability in US Director Mark Mylod Release Date November 18, 2022 Studio(s) Searchlight Pictures Distributor(s) Searchlight Pictures Writers Seth Reiss , Will Tracy Cast Ralph Fiennes , Anya Taylor-Joy , Nicholas Hoult , Hong Chau , Janet McTeer , Reed Birney , Judith Light , John Leguizamo Runtime 106 minutes Expand
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One of the best recent horror movies with a taste for the macabre is the excellent The Menu, starring Ralph Fiennes as a sinister chef, with a menu that is darkly humorous and menacing. Considering much of the production’s writing talent comes from the bleakly funny series, Succession, it’s no surprise that Mylod’s kitchen set thriller is so well written.
The Menu is a dish best-served cold, and Fiennes leads a terrific cast. The movie’s plot, involving an ostentatious dinner on a private island, provides a fascinating look into the dynamics between wealth and those struggling to achieve it.
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It’s also incredibly ridiculous in parts. One scene involves a breadless bread-plate being served, while the ramblings of a pretentious food critic are indicative of the industry. However, it’s when there’s more than just the food that’s burned to a crisp, that the weirdly creepy film truly comes to life.
6 Poltergeist (1982)
Directed By Tobe Hooper
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Poltergeist PG-13SupernaturalHorror
A remake of the 1982 horror film of the same name, Poltergeist revolves around the Bowen family, whose home has been invaded by evil, supernatural forces.
Director Tobe Hooper Release Date June 4, 1982 Writers Steven Spielberg , Michael Grais , Mark Victor Cast Jane Adams , Rosemarie DeWitt , Jared Harris , Sam Rockwell , Nicholas Braun Main Genre Horror
This is such a creepy, scary, and funny ’80s movie with a touching family story that the controversy surrounding who actually directed Poltergeist, is fascinating. There were many rumors surrounding who actually took the reins on the film, but there’s no doubt that it still holds up as one of the best horrors of the era.
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Related 10 Horror Movies That Are Considered Masterpieces
From psychological thrillers to supernatural terror, these horror films transcend simple scares, elevating them into cinematic masterpieces.
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The movie is so inspirational, that many paranormal thrillers wouldn’t exist without it. Poltergeist was partially inspired by the true-life tale of The Hermann House, in which a family were apparently terrorized by poltergeists in their 1950s home.
Whether you believe that the events in Poltergeist are true or not, the effect it has had on pop culture has been hugely influential. The franchise is surrounded by controversy and believed to be cursed by some, after star Heather O’Rourke tragically passed away, along with some of her co-stars. The movie is a superb example of how to mix family dynamics within a chilling tale of the supernatural.
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5 Drag Me To Hell (2009)
Directed By Sam Raimi
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Drag Me To Hell PG-13HorrorThriller
Drag Me To Hell is a supernatural horror movie directed by Sam Raimi where loan officer Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) is cursed by the elderly Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) after refusing to extend the lady’s mortgage. Christine must find a way to escape Lamia, the demon who tries to literally drag her to the depths of Hell.
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*Availability in US Director Sam Raimi Release Date March 15, 2009 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures , Lionsgate Writers Sam Raimi , Ivan Raimi Cast Alison Lohman , Justin Long , Lorna Raver , Dileep Rao , David Paymer , Adriana Barraza Runtime 99 minutes Expand
Up until 2009, director Sam Raimi had already proven he could deliver scares and the fun factor, with the hugely popular Evil Dead series. It was no surprise, then, that he managed to do the exact same thing in the hugely fun, if less gory than his other work, Drag Me To Hell. The movie has taken on cult status among horror fans, so it’s no surprise that Drag Me to Hell 2 has been confirmed and is in the development stages.
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Drag Me to Hell effortlessly fuses comedy with the slapstick scares that have become Raimi’s trademark. The best scene in the movie is when a black goat is possessed by a demon during a seance, and begins spouting out obscenities and abuse with great force. Up until that point, the movie largely plays out like a hugely creepy horror movie, replete with a message about not upsetting the local witch. However, it’s the talking goat that elevates the movie to classic status, despite how absurd the scene is.
4 The Substance (2024)
Directed By Coralie Fargeat
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10/10 7.6/10 The Substance RHorrorDrama
Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading celebrity, turns to a mysterious drug that promises to restore her youth by creating a younger, more beautiful version of herself. But splitting time between her original and new body leads to horrifying consequences as her alternate self, Sue, begins to unravel her life in a disturbing body-horror descent.
Director Coralie Fargeat Release Date September 20, 2024 Studio(s) Working Title Films , A Good Story Writers Coralie Fargeat Cast Demi Moore , Margaret Qualley , Dennis Quaid , Gore Abrams , Hugo Diego Garcia , Olivier Raynal , Tiffany Hofstetter , Tom Morton , Jiselle Burkhalter , Axel Baille , Oscar Lesage , Matthew Géczy , Philip Schurer Runtime 140 Minutes Main Genre Horror Expand
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It’s not often that an instant horror classic comes along, but with its themes of aging and the pursuit of eternal youth, The Substance which made Demi Moore’s character an Oscar winner, is one of the creepiest, and most wildly fun horror movies of modern times. The movie focuses on a fading celebrity who takes a black-market drug that temporarily creates a younger version of herself. However, her desperate plan goes gruesomely awry.
The premise is hugely original, but nothing can prepare you for the level of disgusting body horror that permeates throughout the movie. The scenes in which Moore’s character gives birth to her new, better self, are some of the creepiest images put on screen this year. Plus, if you’re a gore-hound who loves body horror, there are moments of extreme carnage that make The Substance one of the most fun, and harrowing, horror movies of the year.
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3 A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
Directed By Wes Craven
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9.4/10 A Nightmare on Elm Street RHorror
A Nightmare on Elm Street, released in 1984, explores the terror faced by a group of teenagers haunted in their dreams by Fred Krueger, a vengeful spirit. As they confront a series of mysterious deaths, Nancy Thompson uncovers the truth about Krueger’s dark past and seeks to stop him.
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*Availability in US Director Wes Craven Release Date November 9, 1984 Studio(s) New Line Cinema Writers Wes Craven Cast Heather Langenkamp , John Saxon , Ronee Blakley , Amanda Wyss , Jsu Garcia , Johnny Depp , Robert Englund , Charles Fleischer , Joseph Whipp , Lin Shaye , Joe Unger , Mimi Craven , Jack Shea , Ed Call , Sandy Lipton , David Andrews , Jeff Levine , Donna Woodrum , Shashawnee Hall , Carol Pritikin , Brian Reise , Ash Adams , Don Hannah , Leslie Hoffman , Paul Grenier Runtime 91 minutes Main Genre Horror Expand
Horror icons don’t come much bigger than Freddy Krueger, and the man responsible for bringing the iconic teen slasher to life, the late great Wes Craven. The ’80s brought horror fans numerous villains that have become synonymous with the genre, but it’s the burned Krueger that rises above, killing teens in their dreams while spurting out insults.
The horror genre hasn’t delivered a villain who’s able to terrify and amuse audiences since Freddy Krueger’s arrival in 1984. The movie is beyond creepy thanks to its premise where Krueger infiltrates your dreams and kills you while you sleep.
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It brought audiences many iconic death scenes; most notably Johnny Depp’s character Glen, who dies in a horrific geyser of blood in his bed, plus Tina’s similarly gruesome demise while asleep. Just as notable, however, are Freddy’s multiple insults that, although they may have become too cheesy over time, are a wicked delight in the first film.
2 An American Werewolf In London (1981)
Directed By John Landis
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An American Werewolf In London RHorrorComedy
An American Werewolf in London centers on two American college students who are attacked by a werewolf while traveling in London, England. David Kessler survives the attack but is haunted by visions of his friend Jack, who explains how dangerous David has become after the violent attack. The John Landis-directed film stars David Naughton and Jenny Agutter.
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*Availability in US Director John Landis Release Date August 21, 1981 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers John Landis Cast David Naughton , Jenny Agutter , Griffin Dunne , John Woodvine , Lila Kaye , Joe Belcher Runtime 97 minutes Expand
The most well known, iconic, and impressive moment of John Landis’ hairy creature feature comes fairly early on in the movie. The transformation scene is still regarded as one of the best moments of visual and practical effects today, and rightly so.
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Landis’ horror movie is a classic example of iconic genre filmmaking, and he fused the more comedic aspect with the carnage expertly.
However, as impressive as the gnarly scene is, it’s the movies’ overall ability to not only shock, but amuse audiences consistently that makes it so much fun. Landis’ horror movie is a classic example of iconic genre filmmaking, and he fused the more comedic aspect with the carnage expertly.
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It acts as a commentary on Margaret Thatcher’s insular Great Britain of the 80s, with its sly digs at the country’s attitude towards tourism and the elite, while also scaring anybody from ever setting foot in the Yorkshire Moors (which were actually filmed in Wales) again. The scenes with David’s slowly decaying dead friend also bring some macabre fun to the movie.
1 Evil Dead II (1987)
Directed By Sam Raimi
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Evil Dead II RHorrorComedyFantasy
Evil Dead II is a horror-comedy film directed by Sam Raimi, continuing the story of Ash Williams. After arriving at a secluded cabin with his girlfriend, Ash faces malevolent forces unleashed by an archaeologist’s recording of chants from the Book of the Dead, leading to chaotic and supernatural events.
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*Availability in US Director Sam Raimi Release Date March 13, 1987 Studio(s) Renaissance Pictures Distributor(s) De Laurentiis Entertainment Group Writers Scott Spiegel Cast Bruce Campbell , Sarah Berry , Dan Hicks , Kassie DePaiva , Ted Raimi , Denise Bixler , Richard Domeier , John Peakes , Lou Hancock , Snowy Winters , Sol Abrams , Josh Becker , Scott Spiegel , Thomas Kidd , Mitch Cantor , William Preston Robertson , Jenny Griffith , Tony Elwood , Gary Jones , David Goodman , Greg Nicotero , Sam Raimi , Tom Sullivan , Robert Tapert , John W. Walter Runtime 84 minutes Expand
It’s wild to think that Evil Dead II secretly started the ‘requel’ trend in the ’80s, yet the movie not only manages to flesh out the fun first installment, it goes fully over-the-top with some outlandishly funny, and gory, set-pieces. The first movie was more morose, and featured some controversial scenes, which famously made it a video nasty in the UK.
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The decision to almost remake Evil Dead with a bigger budget meant that director Sam Raimi could let loose with his extreme camera movements, and was able to ramp up the comedic elements to full effect. The flying eyeball scene is one of the greatest gags in horror, while the movie also offers plenty of creepiness to haunt more susceptible viewers. The moment when Ted Raimi’s deadite sings the Mockingbird song from the basement is hauntingly chilling.
Evil Dead II
has a Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score of 88%.