It’s safe to say a lot of people do not likehorror. It’s understandable: when most people watch a movie, they want to be entertained in less nerve-wracking ways. They want to laugh, cry, or be wowed by howvisually stunning moviescan be. Horror, on the other hand, is a bit of an acquired taste. To voluntarily sit down and be scared senseless takes courage. Indeed, you have to be willing to subject yourself to nights of looking under the bed and double-checking the locks.
Update August 11, 2025: With the Halloween season here, this article has been updated by Soniya Hinduja with even more horror films that are worth checking out if one wants to get into the season.
However, suppose one wanted to give scary movies a try. Here are eight films for anyone wanting to get into horror. They’re some of the best and most welcoming that theblood-chilling film typehas to offer. Know that these films are not ordered based on quality but intensity, starting from most tame to most terrifying. Think of this as a choose-your-own-adventure scenario.
13Gremlins (1984)
As an early Christmas gift, Billy’s dad gifts him a Mogwai, a strange otherworldly creature he found at a Chinese pawn shop. The creature’s name is Gizmo, and he’s left with only three rules to follow for its care. But as one would expect, all the rules are broken, and duplicates spurt from Gizmo’s back and continue to multiply before eventually evolving into horrible goblin-like creatures, leaving Billy to dispose of them before they can destroy his whole town.Gremlinsis theperfect monster movie.
The titular creatures are horrifying to look at and deliver some scary scenes, but they are more mischievous than they are murderous. This film can be seen as a scary movie for kids as it blends both scares and humor seamlessly, making for a fun and startling ride at times. It’s a fun balance that the whole family can enjoy. It’s also a huge recommendation even for anyone not looking to try horror films, as it’s too much fun to pass up.
12Paranormal Activity (2009)
Everyone can relate to the feeling of being scared of their house late at night.Paranormal Activitytaps into that primal fear of what happens while one sleeps and uses its low budget to create a scary experience that makes the audience think it can really happen. This is not a haunted house but a standard suburban house that many people know all too well. The found footage angle and the slow creeping sense of dread will either work for some or put others off, but it is a great way to dip your toe into the waters.
11A Quiet Place (2018)
Crafted with expert precision by director and actor John Krasinski,A Quiet Placeintroduces us to a post-apocalyptic world raided by mysterious but deadly creatures who are blind but are noise-sensitive so they hunt by sound. Caught in the middle of this ingenious terror is the Abbott family who must live in near-silence in order to survive.
The hushed atmosphere is what makes the film so heart-pounding and fun. But beyond that, Krasinski infuses the narrative with sudden shockwaves caused by tiny noises, a nerve-wracking suspense as to what exactly will happen next, as well as a very smart world-building approach that has genuine emotion at its core. Overall,A Quiet Placeis a film that makes the horror genre more accessible to viewers.
10The Amityville Horror (1979)
The Amityville Horroris based on the real-lifemurders by Ronald DeFeo Jr., who killed his entire family when he allegedly heard their voices in his head plotting to kill him. The story starts a month after the horrific crime and follows the Lutz family after having moved into the house and expands on the tragedy as we watch George Lutz fall under the same influence as Ronald. Over time, he becomes more hostile and withdrawn from his wife and kids as he falls deeper under the influence of the house.
Despite being critically panned, this film is beloved by fans for its eerie tone and tension-building. Its characters are likable, making it easy to wish for their well-being. Its subtlety in handling the supernatural elements does not go overboard either, making for a gradual and almost organically rising feeling of dread, leading to a climax that leaves the viewer guessing whether the entire family will make it out alive.
9Jaws (1975)
Here we have the film that made beachgoers afraid to go in the water. A horror film must be truly spectacular to gain the Roger Ebert seal of approval, and this Spielberg classic from the 70s did just that.Jawsdoes what no other daylight horror has been able to do since by instilling a sense of dread in a place brimming with people. Not only that, but it shines with well-rounded characters that struggle to end a murderous spree by the ocean’s deadliest predator. What helps to make the shark so menacing is the fact that it goes most of the picture without being seen. No one knows how big it is or where it will strike.
The 13 Best Opening Scenes in Horror Movie History
The opening scenes of horror movies create a memorable, unshakable feeling when done well and set the stage for everything that follows.
While not an intentional decision on Spielberg’s part, it effectively elevated the suspense and sense of impending doom. No one knows where it is, but when that iconic score plays, the viewer knows death is closing in. LikeHalloween,Jawsis a masterclass in horror, but on a whole other level that is often imitated but never duplicated.
8Psycho (1960)
Newbies will likely find their way to the slasher subgenre as their horror adventure continues. There are plenty of great serial killer flicks out there, but the original slasher is a can’t miss. Directed by the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock, this film is a tense affair from beginning to end. The director sold this film to theaters without giving anything away. No one knew what to expect, and the sense of dread felt throughout keeps viewers looking around every corner for an attack or scare of some kind.
Despite being over 60 years old,Psychoholds up to this day. The mostly bloodless and non-gory deaths make it a perfect starting point for the squeamish as the film rides on tension for most of the journey, a trait most horror films lack these days.
7The Conjuring (2013)
The movie that gave birth toan entire universe of inter-connected movies,The Conjuringexcels at giving that old-school haunted house terror that is perfect for beginners. It follows the Perron family, who have recently moved to a remote farmhouse with their children. Soon, strange occurrences begin plaguing their house, and they seek help from seasoned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. When the Warrens sense the presence of an evil entity of demonic proportions in the house, they start the process of eliminating it.
The film truly ratchets up the dread through incredible pacing, camerawork, sound, and acting. The reasonThe Conjuringis a great entry point into horror is that it also gives audiences a massive franchise with various corners to explore.
6Halloween (1978)
WhilePsychomay be the original slasher,Halloween(1978) is the greatest, setting the stage for all others that came after it. Witness the debut of one of horror’s most iconic villains, who took center stage in a way that was never duplicated. After escaping from Smith Grove Sanitarium, Michael Myers makes his way back to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he sets to work haunting unsuspecting babysitters on Halloween night.
Halloweenis grounded in reality in that the events that transpire feel as if they could happen to us. John Carpenter’s masterful use of ambiance, lighting, and a handful of well-placed jump scares blend to make for a chilling journey from beginning to end. The tension never lets up as we watch Michael stalk his victims through his own eyes in thismild yet timeless masterpiece.
5The Exorcist (1973)
You can’t talk about horror without bringing upThe Exorcist. This movie revolves around the possession of an actress' daughter after she finds herself inhabited by a malevolent and violent entity. At the time of its release, it was seen as absolutely visceral. Moviegoers were said to have been so terrified in theaters that many were rumored to have suffered adverse effects such as fainting and vomiting. Some were even said to have suffered heart attacks and miscarriages.
While the film is largely outdated by today’s standards, its use of practical effects and eerie atmosphere have served as inspiration for generations of filmmakers in the decades following. It’s pretty tame but sufficient to continue making viewers feel uneasy as the demon named Pazuzu grows in power at the expense of an innocent child. WithThe Exorcist: Believer about to hit theaters, it can make for a fun double-feature viewing.
4Get Out (2017)
Do you think horror can be smart and laced with biting satire? While the latter has been explored time and again in films likeJennifer’s BodyandAmerican Psycho, this modern horror masterpiece joins the gang by not being too intense for new fans of the genre. When Chris agrees to visit his white girlfriend’s family estate one weekend, he’s not really prepared for his seemingly normal parents and servants to turn spooky and give way to something far more insidious and chilling than what meets the eye.
Best Horror Movies of the 70s, Ranked
Considered by many as the greatest decade for horror, these are the 13 best movies of 1970s, ranked.
Get Outhas become the pride of first-time director Jordan Peele, and there are many reasons for it. Few being its precision in building tension, its exploration of racial stereotypes and microaggressions associated with it, and truly magnetic performance by leading man Daniel Kaluuya.
