1.
It Chapter One (2017)
Warner Bros.
What it’s about: Following the death of his brother, Bill and his group of friends, the Losers, band together to defeat the evil Pennywise.
“While the actors did a great job, for me, it was more of a fantasy/thriller type of film rather than a horror film. Sure, there were some jump scares, but nothing too bad.”
—katharinalukas
2.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Columbia Pictures
What it’s about: A year after a hit-and-run, Julie and her friends are stalked by a hook-wielding-killer who, you guessed it, appears to know that they did the previous summer.
“It’s spooky, but not scary. Plus, baby Ryan Phillipe makes everything better ❤️.”
—fillionfan4002
3.
The Skeleton Key (2005)
Universal Pictures
What it’s about: A hospice nurse gets sucked into the mysteries of Terrbonne Parrish — involving the house, the former inhabitants, and the spells and rituals that take place there — after her skeleton key opens the doors to many secrets.
“No jump scares. Just a good mystery and plot twist.”
—nadiapa
4.
Carrie (1976)
United Artist
What it’s about: Carrie, an unpopular high schooler, develops telekenetic powers, which she uses to wreak havoc on her classmates after they pour a bucket of pig’s blood on her at their prom.
“It’s considered a classic and is an awesome film! Plus, not too scary or creepy.”
—beatlesluvr17
5.
The Little Stranger (2018)
Focus Features
What it’s about: In 1948, Dr. Faraday visits Hundreds Hall, the estate where his mother used to work, only to unearth the dark secrets that had no business resurfacing.
“It’s a slow burn and more of a spooky thriller than a horror.”
—jessr4282695d6
6.
Practical Magic (1998)
Warner Bros.
What it’s about: Two sisters, Sally and Gillian Owen, must use their powers to get rid of their family curse: any man who falls in love with an Owens is doomed to die an untimely death.
“I can get through this and horror is not my cup of tea! Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are witch sisters so it’s never going to be that scary.”
—louises427ab4845
7.
Little Evil (2017)
Netflix
What it’s about: After marrying Lucas’ mother, Gary tries to bond with his step-son. But, mysterious events occur that lead Gary to believe that Lucas is a demon.
“It’s a Netflix original and it’s more funny than it is scary.”
—istaciahorse
8.
Coraline (2009)
Universal Pictures
What it’s about: Coraline finds a door in her home that leads to what she thinks is an idealistic parallel universe, but really, it’s a lot more sinister than she ever anticipated.
“It’s not advertised as a scary movie or even a Halloween movie, but it’s a little creepy — while still being a kid’s movie. I watched it with my mom last Halloween and she kept saying over and over again, ‘I let you watch this? This would terrify a child!’ But it’s only PG, so it’s not actually scary, just a bit spooky.”
—ktk8895
9.
ParaNorman (2012)
Focus Features
What it’s about: Norman, a young boy who can communicate with ghosts, is tasked with ending the curse a 300-year-old witch put on his town, Blithe Hollow. The only problem is that he’s grounded.
“ParaNorman is awesome. It’s got cute characters, quotable lines, and claymation zombies!”
—jbird2706
10.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Buena Vista Pictures
What it’s about: After accidentally resurrecting the Sanderson sisters, Max, Dani, and Allison have to stop the three witches from their evil plan of sucking the youth out of an innocent person.
“It still freaks me out to this day. The way the sisters move gives me the heebie-jeebies.”
—m457a37b78
11.
The Monster Squad (1987)
TriStar Pictures
What it’s about: The monster squad — a group of kids who love fictional monsters — must fight the very same monsters that they love so much (Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Wolfman, The Mummy, and The Gillman) and keep them from destroying the Earth.
“It’s an ’80s movie about a group of kids obsessed with horror films who have to fight the classic universal monsters. It was my favorite movie as a kid because I was the little weirdo who loved horror too. Cult classic.”
—adamjunrein
12.
Final Destination (2000-2011)
New Line Cinema
What it’s about: A group of people who, somehow, escape a near-death experiences must find ways to stay alive when death comes back to get them.
“I love the Final Destination series. They are so funny and predictable…it always makes me laugh a lot, even though I hate horror films.”
—kkohl1704
13.
Monster House (2006)
Sony
What it’s about: Three kids learn the truth about the haunted house in their neighborhood: it actually is haunted. Also? It EATS people.
“Monster House from 2006 legit scared me as a kid and has some pretty dark stuff for being PG. Definitely a good pick for a not-so-scary horror movie.”
—theyeofthestorm
14.
Zombieland (2009)
Sony
What it’s about: Four people — Tallahassee, Columbus, and sisters Wichita and Little Rock — band together to find sanctuary from the zombies that have taken over.
“It has all the gross gore of a scary movie, but with the national treasure that is Woody Harrelson.”
—lilrichmond010
15.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Buena Vista Pictures
What it’s about: Cole Sear starts seeing Malcolm Crowe, childhood psychologist, because he can “see dead people.” What unfolds afterwards is a twist that NO ONE saw coming.
“It’s just one of those movies where it doesn’t make me jump out of my seat with fright. I see it as more of a psychological film, especially since it relates to dealing with trauma and death.”
—ebaartman
16.
Cabin In The Woods (2012)
Lionsgate
What it’s about: A group of college students think they’re going on a retreat in the woods, but in actuality, it’s much deadlier than that.
“It’s a comedy-horror, but the scary scenes aren’t that scary. However, the comedic scenes are that funny.”
—ellenr47d8b7f57
17.
Get Out (2017)
Universal Pictures
What it’s about: Chris (who’s black) discovers that things are not AT ALL close to what they seem when he travels to the home of his girlfriend Rose (who’s white) to meet her family.
“Get Out is more of a suspense film which is why I really enjoyed watching it as a person that isn’t so quick to watch something under the ‘horror category.’ Most horror movies have way too much blood and gore, but Get Out had little to none from what I can remember. It’s also just an amazing movie all around, so watch it if you haven’t.”
—kevind4ac2ce8fe
18.
Happy Death Day (2017)
Universal Pictures
What it’s about: Tree, a college student who’s murdered on her birthday, has to relive the day of her death over and over again until she discovers who her killer is.
“There is a bit of suspense and scare due to the creepy baby-masked killer chasing after people, but theres also a lot of funny and sweet moments, too.”
—thefashionista1012
19.
Donnie Darko
Newmarket Films
What it’s about: A troubled youth named Donnie—accompanied by his imaginary friend, Frank, a six-foot-tall demonic rabbit—tries to find the meaning behind his doomsday-inspired visions.
“When I first watched Donnie Darko, I thought I would never get over Frank. But now, years later, it’s my favorite film of all time. I actually gained a lot of comfort from it, and turn to it in stressful times.”
—bethancrowther
20.
Green Room (2015)
A24
What it’s about: A punk band is hunted by a gang of neo-Nazis after they witness a murder.
“Although it’s definitely violent, Green Room feels more like a thriller than a horror movie. It moves extremely fast and you’ll be totally hooked from start to finish.”
—Daniella Emanuel
21.
Finally, The Craft
Columbia Pictutes
What it’s about: Four outcast teens take up witchcraft, but face the deadly repercussions when they begin to use their powers to do bad and selfish things.
“It’s just the right amount of spooky and has spells, seances, and peak 90s fashion. What more could you want?”
—Shelby Heinrich
Sumbissons have been edited for length and clarity.
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