Horror Movies You Probably Haven't Seen But Definitely Should

Sofia Sklar ‘27

The autumn season means many things: the beautiful changing of leaves, pumpkin spice coffee and of course, Halloween! Is there a better way to celebrate Halloween than by sitting down and watching a scary movie? Horror is the perfect genre to watch if you’re feeling happy, if you’re feeling anxious and even if you’re feeling sad and alone. Well…you won’t feel alone for much longer (check under your bed)! 

If you are lucky enough to take Global Horror Cinema with film professor Michael Cramer, you have likely been exposed to some of the best horror movies in the history of cinema. If not, the genre might seem daunting. There’s just so much, and some people are so weird about it. Horror is a genre that can be simultaneously the best and worst thing on the planet. Dipping your toes into the genre can be a little difficult, and not just because there might be sharks in the water. However, as a certified horror fan—I have 232 horror movies logged on Letterboxd—here are some of the best horror movies for both beginners and more experienced cinemagoers. Whether you’re easily scared, not well-versed in the world of horror cinema or a pro, these are movies that will leave you wanting more! 

Additionally, if you are a person who is reluctant to watch certain movies due to potentially triggering content, there is a website called doesthedogdie.com, in which you can screen movies for triggers! It is an incredibly helpful website, and you should check it out, if this is something that you feel you might need. 

[REC] (2007) Directed by Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza

“[REC]” is a Spanish found-footage style movie about the darkness that lurks inside of an unassuming apartment building, and the people who are affected by it. It is hard to discuss this movie without spoiling it, so this description will be short and sweet. However, it should be noted that this is perhaps one of the best found footage films of all time. It feels incredibly real and all of the characters truly help make this a memorable film. While there is not a lot of gore or jumpscares, this movie has an atmosphere that is truly terrifying, and will keep you on the edge of your seat, whether you’re an experienced horror fan or not! 

WATCH THIS IF: You enjoy zombies and cramped spaces. 

Circle (2015) Directed by Aaron Hann, Mario Miscione 

Despite the fact that this entire movie essentially takes place in one very large room, “Circle” is a true masterclass in building suspense. This movie will make you think about everything, and will keep you guessing at every turn. It takes an already interesting premise and humanizes it, giving you a cast of characters, some of whom you truly want to root for. Also, there are aliens, but not in the way that you might expect. For people who hate jumpscares but still want to feel a sinking feeling of dread, this is the perfect movie! 

WATCH THIS IF: You wish “Love Island” was more like “The Hunger Games.” 

Pontypool (2008) Directed by Bruce McDonald

The second zombie movie on this list—zombies are awesome—“Pontypool” takes a premise that is incredibly unique: a radio station dealing with a zombie apocalypse. Nothing about this movie is conventional, which is part of what makes this such a brilliant watch. This film takes the zombie genre, laughs at it, and then makes it about a thousand times cooler. “Pontypool” is a creative—and oddly funny at times—take on the horror tradition of zombies, turning it into an entirely novel concept.  

WATCH THIS IF: You liked “War of the Worlds,” but wish there were more zombies involved.

The Descent (2005) Directed by Neil Marshall

“The Descent” is a movie that fails the reverse Bechdel test, with a cast full of incredible actresses. It is as freaky as it is emotional, and it is one of the rare moments that truly gives women a time to shine in the horror genre. This film is relentless in its scares, leaving you breathless throughout. However, you should watch the version that was not released in the United States—which had a minute of the ending cut—for reasons that cannot be disclosed without spoiling the film. 

WATCH THIS IF: You’ve ever wondered what is going on in caves… 

Annihilation (2018) Directed by Alex Garland

Last but certainly not least, “Annihilation” is another film with a cast of absolutely badass women, led by Natalie Portman. This movie is weird in the best possible way. Imagine if the world turned entirely upside down, and nothing was certain. It is a combination of science fiction, biology, and of course, horror. There is no amount of words that could describe the experience of seeing this film for the first time, besides “watch it now.” 

WATCH THIS IF: You liked the cinematic masterpiece that is “The Thing” (1982). 

This is just a small fraction of all of the incredible movies that are out there, but if you are trying to watch a horror film this October, you should totally check one—or all—of these out. They’re weird, genre-bending and true standouts within the horror cinematic canon.