Horror Movie Recommendations (will be updated w more)

I got a ton of requests to do a list of horror movies that I recommend if you liked Thir13en Ghosts, so I made one - however, I also included horror movies that I recommend even if you didn't care for the hit-or-miss ghost flick. If you watch any of these, let me know what you think.

Most importantly, have fun, kids!

House on Haunted Hill

House on Haunted Hill (1999)

While this movie can be cheesy, it's super fun! Like Thir13en Ghosts, it was produced by Dark Castle and is the remake of a William Castle film of the same name from 1959.

Ghost Ship (2002)

This is another Dark Castle film that I love, and it delivers one of my top favorite horror movie scenes of all time. If you've seen the beginning of this movie, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

The Haunting (1999)

This is a remake of the 1963 film of the same name, and again, it fits the theme we've got going here: it's fun as hell!

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

This movie was incredibly refreshing in my opinion as a horror movie fanatic. The humorous undertones were pitch perfect, and the atmosphere as a whole was admirably self aware.

House of Wax (2005)

Another Dark Castle remake of the 1953 original of the same name, and is commonly sold as a double feature alongside Thir13en Ghosts. This movie was genuinely creepy, and you get to see Paris Hilton impaled in the head by a metal spear. How can you say no?

Last Shift (2014)

I took a gamble on this one, assuming it would be garbage because of the cover, but it legitimately surprised me. It's rare that I jump during a horror movie, but this one actually managed to do that to me. A haunted police department? Bring it!

The Ring (2002)

This has got to be, hands down, my favorite remake of all time. While the original Asian version titled Ringu (1998) was definitely good, this remake blew that shit out of the water - pun not intended. If you get too scared, just remember that Samara is played by the voice actress for Lilo from Lilo and Stitch. ;)

Stay Alive (2006)

OKAY Y'ALL. When I think of FUN horror movies, this is one of the very first that come to my mind. Yeah, sure, Frankie Muniz is in it, BUT SO IS JIMMI SIMPSON. Not to mention, it's based on the story of Elizabeth Báthory, one of the most vicious female serial killers of all time.

Dark Water (2005)

Here we have another remake of an Asian film from 2002 and has one of my favorite actors ever, John C. Reilly. There are some really unsettling similarities between this movie and the death of Elisa Lam, who was mysteriously found dead in the water tower of the Cecil Hotel in 2013....8 years after this movie was released. I don't want to spoil anything, so go watch this movie and then go read about Elisa Lam here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Elisa_Lam

PS. the Cecil Hotel was also used for the filming of American Horror Story: Hotel, and was the home of notorious serial killer Richard Ramirez AKA the Night Stalker in 1985.

The Ward (2011)

Here's another film that I gambled on. I wholeheartedly expected this movie to suck entirely, but it was actually pretty enjoyable. Granted, I have a taste for movies set in mental asylums, so it already had that going for it. Not everyone is going to like this one, and I understand why, but I still had a good time with it so, nonetheless, it made it onto the list. Good job, The Ward.

The Amityville Horror (1979)

Okay, I love this whole story y'all. It's so gripping to me. While I thought the 2005 remake was definitely fun and worth watching, I had to go with the original in this case. It's the one that reigns supreme in my black little horror heart. The book is damn good, too, so if you're a reader like me - read this one!!

Cabin Fever 2 (2009)

This is one of the most fucking disgusting movies I have ever seen in my entire life, and I've seen some nasty ass shit. I fell so hard in love with this movie the first time I saw it, and I've seen it countless times since. God, I'm getting triggered just thinking about it. The animated opening was pretty badass, too. The first one is cool, but my god... in the name of horror, GO WATCH THIS ONE!

The Descent (2005)

This blood-soaked movie was brutal as hell. I saw it in theaters, and even though I was in a huge room with tall ass ceilings, I still felt so claustrophobic. If a movie can affect me that way, then it has my blessing...bottom line.

Ginger Snaps (2000)

Ah, Ginger Snaps. I wanted to be Ginger so. damn. badly when I saw this at age 12, lol. This is a different take on werewolves, and one I genuinely love. Plus, it doubles as a perfect segue into the "period talk" if you're a horror fan AND the parent of a prepubescent girl. There are 2 sequels that follow this one, Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed and Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning - all 3 are worth it, though the 1st and 3rd are my personal favorites. Especially so if it's Ginger that you love.

The Others (2009)

This movie will never get old to me. I've always held the strong opinion that atmosphere is the most important aspect of a horror movie, and this one helps to prove my argument. Even though I know the twist, it still manages to give me chills every time. It also strongly reminds me of the next movie on this list - and that's a complimentary statement.

Haunted (1995)

This would make a perfect double feature with The Others. It's perfect for those craving a good ghost story; it seamlessly delivers with a full dose of elegance and a side of edge. Plus, you get to see Kate Beckinsale's butt.

We Are Still Here (2015)

This movie was a blast. Another ghost film, which I clearly love, but done in a more artistic way than what you're probably used to. There are tiny but effective details that you'll miss if you're not paying attention, but don't worry - keeping your attention won't be an issue with this one.

Housebound (2014)

Now, here's a ghost movie that had me creeped out AND cracking up simultaneously. This one is (for the most part) good for the whole family, and has, hands down, the most bizarre twist in a dark comedy I've seen thus far. Do yourself a favor and check it out - for your health! Laughter is the best medicine, they keep telling me.

Drag Me to Hell (2009)

This is probably some of the most fun I've ever had watching a horror film. Brought to you by Sam Raimi, you'll catch hints of Evil Dead 2-style dark humor paired with startling imagery and a terrifying feeling of never being able to escape. This also holds what I consider to be one of the best and most effective endings to a horror movie ever made. It would be a great film to pair with something like "Housebound".

Bride of Chucky (1998)

This is definitely my favorite Chucky movie. It has Jennifer Tilly, a couple Rob Zombie songs, and a fucking glorious waterbed death scene that'll leave you feeling tingly. Chucky got lucky, now it's your turn - pop some popcorn, light some candles, and enjoy la petit mort.

House of 1,000 Corpses (2003)

Speaking of Rob Zombie, this is my favorite film by him. I like his other work alright, some more than others, but this one takes the damn cake. It's far more supernatural than its sequel, Devil's Rejects, and far more of a freakshow. It's dripping in fried chicken grease, gasoline, blood, and spit. Don't that sound like FUN?? Keep your eyes peeled for Zombie's follow up entitled "3 From Hell".

Final Destination (2000)

Before you tear into me for adding this movie onto the list, hear me out. Yes, the Final Destination movies are super dumb and the effects are obvious and lame, but I've seen WAY WORSE, and everyone is, in one way or another, afraid of dying in a freak accident. The script is predictable, the acting is less than satisfactory, and the deaths are usually pretty exaggerated...but if all this can be true, yet I STILL come back for more??? Something has to be said for that! And that something is: yes, this particular series is dumb, but god dammit they make me feel nervous afterward! Maybe it's just my phobia of death speaking here, but I first saw these when I was like 10, and they still make me just as nervous at age 26. So to all my fellow death-phobic peeps out there: have yourself a self induced anxiety attack by watching these movies LOL.

It Follows (2014)

This film came out at the perfect time - and by that, I mean that I was desperate for a horror movie to surprise me...in a good way this time. I kept hearing about this one on the online horror communities I'm a part of, and every single person kept saying how flippin' good it was. I continued putting it off because I was admittedly being a lazy pessimist...but finally, I decided alright, alright. I put it on and HO-LEE SHIT. It became my number one favorite horror movie for MONTHS. I fucking bought the soundtrack on iTunes and listened to it on repeat for weeks. I was obsessed. The soundtrack is phenomenal, and the movie itself is unique as fuck. The filmmaker himself stated that the idea for the movie came from a reoccurring nightmare he'd have wherein a strange person would just start following him, with no where for him to escape to. This movie freaked me the fuck out and made me scared to even go take a piss by myself, so yeah, this shit was added to my list. Don't be like me and continue to sleep on this horror movie - I regretted it, and you will, too!!

Wither (2012)

If you like The Evil Dead, then you'll have a ton of fun with Wither. That's why I watched it in the first place. It's a Swedish film, if you don't mind subtitles (and if you do mind, ...c'mon lmao) and revolves primarily around a creature from Swedish lore called a "Vittra" - which means "wither" in English - that lives underground. I've always believed, for the most part, that a film's opening scene is one of the most important, because it usually gives the viewer(s) somewhat of an idea about what they're getting into. The opening to this one was a tad rough on the heartstrings, so I knew I was gonna get into some shit. Upon finishing the film, it was confirmed that I had, indeed, gotten into some shit, and I was happy for it. Give it a try why dont'cha, the Swedes did me proud on this one!

Baskin (2015)

This one's based on a short Turkish film of the same title - which, in Turkish, means "a violent, downward blow" AKA being sent straight to hell. It's the director's debut film and the stars are the same actors as the ones in the original short, which is always enticingly familiar. I'll just say this - if I believed that hell actually existed, and I wound up there, this would surely be one of the very worst versions to experience.

The Changeling (1980)

There is an atmosphere - and scene - in this film that still to this day creeps me out when I'm all alone. Which I am right now. So I need to stop. Next movie!

IT (2017)

This remake of the classic Stephen King original from 1990 blew the fuck up when it was released. Like...this shit broke multiple records every week, no lie. I was crazy apprehensive about this remake, as I am with any movie I loved throughout my early youth when I hear of a remake, but then after it's initial release, I started hearing about how Bill Skarsgard was intentionally kept away from the kid actors that make up "the Losers Club" just to ensure that genuinely terrified reactions would be expelled from them on camera. Then, I heard that everyone on the internet wanted to fuck Pennywise. I said whoa, whoa, whoa, y'all need to meditate...then a few weeks later, I ended up seeing it at Alamo Drafthouse and I subsequently became obsessed. I remember being in the theater during my first time seeing it and thinking to myself during several scenes "this is it. this is the feeling i crave that horror movies just don't give to me anymore. Here it is, no doubt about it." So with that being said, if you haven't already seen this movie just like literally every single other person has, then get to watchin'! Just know that I'm sitting somewhere, anywhere, envious as hell that you get to see it with fresh eyes.

The Shining (1980)

ATMOSPHERE. ATMOSPHERE. ATMOSPHERE. This movie is the holy grail of horror atmosphere. You cannot sit through this movie without feeling anxious. Everything about this movie is a masterpiece and everyone knows it. Kubrick's techniques may have been a bit controversial, but you can't deny that the outcome was effective as hell. One of my top favorites - and likely, already one of yours, too.

The Evil Dead (1981)

This is my favorite horror movie of all time, starring the King of B-Movies, Bruce Campbell himself. Every single aspect of this film was hand-made by Bruce and Sam Raimi, using their creative minds to complete something that they would be proud of with basically no money. The behind-the-scenes footage of Sam and Bruce creating camera rigs and props, etc. is some super inspiring shit for anyone who dreams of becoming a filmmaker. The deadites are horrifying, proving my point that hand-made effects are far more powerful than anything CGI can produce. The sequels, Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn and Army of Darkness are also highly recommended, as well as the remake/homage of the same name released in 2013. That was one crazy fun film, and I love it, but nothing can or ever will come close to my love for the 1981 original.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Here's another one that produced a fun 2003 remake starring Jessica Biel, but again, the original is the one that has a hold on my heart. The sequel is just as good, if not better, and even has Bill Moseley, famous for playing Otis Firefly in the House of 1,000 Corpses and Devil's Rejects movies (and soon-to-be sequel "3 From Hell"). It's clear to anyone familiar with Rob Zombie that this is where he derived a large chunk of his visionary inspiration, and for good reason. It feels dirty, gritty, and a lot of it takes place in and around a spot here in my home state simply called the Gas Station (www.texasgasstation.com), so c'mon down to Bastrop, TX where you can get some amazing BBQ and even rent a cabin at the Gas Station itself, y'all!

Raw (2016)

So, this is one of those movies where people were puking in the theaters and walking out. I always get pumped for these. It's a French film, and will certainly be particularly brutal for those who are vegetarian or vegan. It is incredibly rare for a horror movie to visually disturb me; the only thing I can't bear to watch is when someone is scratching at concrete and their nails pop off. This film visually blew me away, and caused my jaw to literally drop multiple times. If you consider yourself a true hardcore horror fan, then you've GOT to see this one. The French are doing something right here, and we oughtta take notes.

Suspiria (1977)

This ties with the Evil Dead as my favorite horror movie ever made. Done by Italian horror master, Dario Argento, this is another one that fully delivers an atmospheric punch. I'm a sucker for anything witchy to begin with, and this is like if you took Roald Dahl's "The Witches" and actually turned it into a horrific tale of terror and anxiety. The soundtrack is magnificent as well, done by the incredible Goblin, and is probably my absolute favorite soundtrack of all time. It definitely holds the cheesy Italian-style writing, but the visual and mental effect it has on its viewers is utterly profound. I consider this not only my favorite horror movie, but also the most beautiful.

The Innkeepers (2011)

This is one of my favorite ghost films ever. The two main characters and their dynamic is believable and relatable; you really grow to care about them. The pace of this movie is perfect, the cinematography is perfect, the effects are perfect, and the ghosts are horrifying to look at. A few scenes in this one scared the shit out of me...and again, that just simply doesn't happen very often. Good job, Ti West. Good fucking job.

The House of the Devil (2009)

Here we have another Ti West movie that blew my socks off. This movie's atmosphere and feel will take you straight back to the late 70's/early 80's. There are virtually no traces or signs that this is a recently made film, and if you're a lover of VHS like me, you'll be delighted to know that this even had a VHS clamshell release that you can either buy from:

Gorgon Video (https://gorgon-video.com/products/house-of-the-devil-vhs)

or

Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/House-Devil-VHS-DVD-Bundle/dp/B003360JKY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1263636848&sr=8-3)

and here's a pretty great review on the VHS that I found:https://mondotees.com/blogs/news/16991303-a-hopeless-video-nerds-review-of-the-house-of-the-devil-vhs

Deadgirl (2008)

This one stars Shiloh Fernandez and Noah Segan, and tells a brutally perverse story about what two teenage boys wind up doing with the body of a girl they find in the basement of an abandoned building. Is she dead? Yes. Is she alive? Also yes. So what is she and wtf do they do to her? Watch this disgustingly exciting movie to find out! Personally, I've seen it multiple times because it's that good to me. I expect the same will happen with you, too. Also, I highly recommend hosting a triple feature alongside the next two films on the list.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

Okay, who doesn't love Emile Hirsch, amirite? This was another film that I heard a lot of praise about before I finally succumbed and watched it, and now here I am - recommending it to you. Perfect movie to pair with Deadgirl and the next one on the list.

After.Life (2009)

This movie gave me straight up anxiety. I'm already terrified of dying, but this exacerbated that fear x 10. Justin Long is great, and the twist was excitedly unexpected. If you can't think of any other reason to give it a shot, goth queen Christina Ricci is naked throughout the film, so there's that, lol. Pair this one with Deadgirl and Autopsy of Jane Doe for a killer Triple Feature!

The Girl Next Door (2007)

I'm not usually into torture type movies, but this one is too good to not add to the list - and happens to be based on a true story. The reality that this actually happened, and still happens, is horrific. It'll cause you to think twice about trusting people...including children. This is a fucking brutal retelling, and understandably so. If a movie were made about something as equally traumatizing and terrifying happening to me, I would want every last gut-wrenching detail to be included so that everyone would know that people can and will unleash pure evil unto those that are vulnerable and completely undeserving. Your worst nightmare became this girl's reality, and her story deserves to be heard by anyone that will donate a small chunk of their time to listen.

The Visit (2015)

This film kept me on the edge of my seat, literally and figuratively. Mid-way through it, my blood turned cold and my jaw hit the floor. I have never been so scared of old people before, but it just goes to show that you can trust M. Night Shyamalan to make ANYTHING terrifying.

The People Under the Stairs (1991)

I enjoyed this one a lot more than I expected to, honestly. It's equally scary and fun both, and I'm still really happy that I gave it a shot. I definitely recommend this one to anyone that enjoys a good horror movie and is tired of all the redundant cookie-cutter formulas that grace most newer releases.

Maniac (2012)

This is a remake of the 1980 original of the same name. Although I usually prefer originals, this is one where the remake took the reigning crown for me. Elijah Wood does an incredible job portraying a complete psychopath that comes off as a lethal combination of Norman Bates + Jeffrey Dahmer.

Super Dark Times (2017)

This film and the next and final film on this list would be an excellent pairing for a double feature. The kids are believable, not annoying. The same way that the Goonies kids acted like actual kids, these guys pull that off just as well. The tension is palpable and you won't even want to get up to grab a soda or go to the restroom, etc because it grabs hold of you and it just doesn't let go until the credits begin to roll. This is one where as soon as I saw the trailer, I was like LET'S WATCH THIS RIGHT THE FUCK NOW!! I was not disappointed, friends. Not one bit.

Mean Creek (2004)

This one's got baby Josh Peck, but his Nickelodeon-style humor is nowhere to be found in this tense drama about a group of kids who take their bullying a bit too far. Pair it with Super Dark Times for a perfectly executed double feature!