Horror For Beginners
So, you want to get into horror movies but don’t know where to start? Whether you haven’t tried the genre because you were too scared before or simply never got around to watching anything, we have the perfect list for you.
The below list of horror (or horror adjacent movies) will have you on the edge of your seat, but won’t necessarily make you scream every five minutes. Here’s 12 horror films for beginners.
1. Cabin In The Woods
Ah, Cabin in the Woods. This was the film that made Drew Goddard a household name. While he had an extensive career in television (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alias, and Lost), it was Cabin In The Woods that got his film career up and running. This film also includes a pre-Marvel Chris Hemsworth, so what’s not to like?
But what’s the story, you ask? Well, all you need to know is that a bunch of teens hang out at a cabin the woods. As you can imagine, things go terribly from there.
2. Donnie Darko
If you want another classic movie to watch, check out Donnie Darko. That film put Jake Gyllenhaal on the map and helped him rise to Hollywood’s A list status. Just be careful with this scifi thriller. It’ll have you avoiding bunnies for weeks.
3. Pan’s Labyrinth
Or maybe you want something a bit more fantastical. While Pan’s Labyrinth isn’t exactly a horror movie, it’s a dark fantasy that skirts the line into horrorland. Many horror fans still praise the movie for its dark tale about a young girl challenging mythical monsters in an attempt to save her mother. And, it’ll surely entertain you MV readers as well.
4. Tucker and Dale vs Evil
Or perhaps, you want more of cult classic to watch. Then, look no further than Tucker and Dale Vs Evil. Again, this film lives somewhere within the subgenre of comedic horror. Part romance and part comedy, this is an epic tale that also has a lot of gore to it.
It’s not for the faint of heart. But often, the gore is a direct tie-in for the humor.
5. Scream
But again, the classics are always great. And that’s why we HAD to include Scream to the list. This film, of course, follows a typical serial killer plotline. But it’s also highly satirical. Because of that, it’s pretty approachable for new fans to horror.
But it’s a classic for a reason, and Scream perfectly handles its scarier plot points too.
6. The Changeling
Another classic to consider is The Changeling. This haunted mansion story has great atmosphere that will keep you short of breath. But thankfully, there is very little-to-no gore or jump scares. Yup, this movie from 1980 is all about atmosphere. And a chilling one at that.
7. The Witch
Speaking of atmosphere, The Witch is another one that will mess you up in the head without showing you an array of dead bodies. Though, caution, this movie does include the mysterious disappearance of an infant. If you can’t take the kind of horror that will haunt you for days after viewing, maybe move to another movie.
8. A Quiet Place
Like, The Quiet Place. The Quiet Place is great for many reasons. It was John Krasinski’s directorial debut, it starred is wife Emily Blunt (who rocked it), and it was another atmospheric mind melter. Though for some movie goers, the film became too mainstream to be appreciated as a horror classic.
Take that criticism, and the movie, with a grain of salt.
9. Alien
Or, lets talk about more of the classics. Alien is a must watch for horror fans and for cinephiles. Staring a fantastic performance from Sigourney Weaver, the film rocks a great scifi thriller vibe that’s creepy but still adrenaline pumping. Be warned though, there are plenty of gory bits.
That includes the iconic “chest scene.”
10. Shaun of the Dead
If you’re down for a mixture of comedy and horror, try Shaun of the Dead! This horror film is very diffusing because people think of it as a comedy. Plus, the fact that it’s about zombies makes it easier for some to swallow. (Excuse the pun).
The real joke, however, is in the fact that Shaun of the Dead a very gory film. You have been warned.
11. Night of the Living Dead
But if you want to watch a zombie movie that takes itself more seriously, you should try Night of the Living Dead. This film is a classic within the genre and is one of the first zombie films to really make it big. If you want to see zombie story history, try this one out.
12. The Classics
Lastly, we have to give a shout out to some of the other classics. While they may be too intense for some, classic horror/scary films like Nightmare on Elm Street, The Poltergeist, Friday The 13th, Halloween are great watches.
Perhaps you should try one of the other films on this list and then attempt a movie in this classics category. Then, keep on watching and enjoying the plethora of options that the horror genre has to offer.
