There are plenty of horror films that are released yearly. Some rehash the same old concept, which can range from paranormal activity movies to found footage films. Sometimes, these horror films do exceptionally well,creating for a perfect horror film that viewers will rewatch to this day. Some others, however, are not-so-perfect, disappointing horror fans more often than not. However, what makes a great horror film? Jumpscares, atmospheric horror, and terrifying designs—all of these contribute to a great horror film.
One misconception though, when it comes to horror films, is that they must be Rated-R and graphic to be a true horror film. Sure, there are plenty of rated-R horror films—Evil Dead,Carrie,Halloween—that are the perfect viewing. However, there are a lot of PG-13 films that are truly great horror fare. This is the definitive ranking ofthe best PG-13 horror movies ever made.
10’Cloverfield' (2008)
Directed by Matt Reeves
A group of friends celebrate Robert Hawkins (Michael Stahl-David), known as Rob, as he gets a new job and is seemingly going away. The friends throw a party for him, and he has a confrontation with Beth, a woman who he never called back. An earthquake then occurs, and the residents of New York are in for a surprise as a monster overcomes the city. The footage is the friends' last attempts at survival while death and destruction are afoot.
Cloverfieldis a thrilling movie, following in linewith the “found footage” horrorsthatParanormal ActivityandBlair Witch Projectare known for. However, unlike the two, which focus on the paranormal—something that is potentially not there—Cloverfieldfocuses on something thatishappening, and that is a monster is currently attacking New York City and this found footage is the last remnants of a group of friends who never saw it coming.Cloverfieldisthe perfect encapsulation of a horror movie done well without the need for gore, and it is something everyone can enjoy for the fear it instills in its viewers.
Cloverfield
A group of friends venture deep into the streets of New York on a rescue mission during a rampaging monster attack.
Watch on Paramount+
9'1408' (2007)
Directed by Mikael Håfström
Supernatural author Mike Enslin (John Cusack) does not believe in the things he writes about. However, one day while promoting his latest release, he receives a postcard from The Dolphin Hotel, with a message that tells him not to enter room 1408. He takes it as a challenge and decides to stay the night there, though along the way he is strongly discouraged due to the fact that it is dangerous and even deadly. Mike insists on staying, and as he spends the night in 1408, crazy things begin to happen.
The film1408does a superb job of making the viewer feel tense and frightened,a result of the claustrophobic feeling the film providesthrough its single setting: a haunted room. It is actuallythe perfect film that would make someone feel like they’re going crazyalong with Mike, and those who enjoyStephen King’sstories (The Shining,It,In the Tall Grass) will undoubtedly enjoythis underrated psychological horror film.
Watch on Apple TV+
8’Insidious' (2010)
Directed by James Wan
Josh (Patrick Wilson) and Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne) and their kids, Dalton (Rose Byrne), Foster (Andrew Astor), and Kali, have moved into a new home. However, upon exploration, Dalton encounters a supernatural creature and falls out of the attic. The next day, he winds up in an unexplained coma, and the coma lasts for months. Three months later, the family takes him home, but paranormal events begin to transpire, and they continue to happen even when the Lamberts move to a different house. Then they call on the help of paranormal investigators and psychic Elise Rainier who explain that Dalton is astral projecting, and they only have so much time to save him.
Insidioushas beenso successful it produced three other sequels. Without the need for gore or adult material,it explores the horrors of astral projection, a phenomenon that has grown popular over the past two decades. It reminds viewers that even outside of the real plane, there are horrors and dangers that exists and not many people know of.Insidiousleaves the viewers thinking about the potential horrors that they cannot see and serves as nightmare fuel.
A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.
Watch on Prime Video
7’The Exorcism of Emily Rose' (2005)
Directed by Scott Derrickson
Father Richard Moore (Tom Wilkinson) is prosecuted for the death of a young college girl named Emily Rose (Jennifer Carpenter). Emily dropped out of college due to delusions, muscle spasms, and other things affecting her studies. Upon returning home, her condition does not improve, and Moore attempts an exorcism on her, though it fails and ultimately takes her life in the process. This film explores the case.
The Exorcism of Emily Roseis an interesting horror filmwith a unique premise that was actually based on a true story. Most horror films take place before and during said exorcism, but this film examines an already-completed exorcism via a court case. Though unique,it’s a scary film that examines the real-life consequences of an exorcism that ultimately fails.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
A lawyer takes on a negligent homicide case involving a priest who performed an exorcism on a young girl.
6’The Others' (2001)
Directed by Alejandro Amenábar
Mother Grace Stewart (Nicole Kidman) lives in a remote country during World War II to protect her children from the sun, which causes harm to them because of a photosensitivity disease. While she awaits word on her missing husband, she and her children begin to experience paranormal events.
The Othersis an excellent horror film,providing good atmospheric horror that will haunt viewersdays after watching it.Nicole Kidman does exceptionally well in her performance as Grace, the same year she received her first Oscar nod (forMoulin Rouge!) Not to mention,The Othershas a surprising twist that viewers won’t suspect.
The Others
In 1945, immediately following the end of Second World War, a woman who lives with her two photosensitive children on her darkened old family estate in the Channel Islands becomes convinced that the home is haunted.
5’The Ring' (2002)
Directed by Gore Verbinski
Katie (Amber Tamblyn) and Becca (Rachael Bella), two young teenage girls, speak about the myth of a videotape that kills the viewer seven days after they watch it. That same night, Katie ends up passing away, and Rachel (Naomi Watts), her aunt and a journalist, decides to investigate the cursed tapes at the funeral. Her husband Noah (Martin Henderson) helps her to uncover the truth behind the mysterious tape.
The Ringis a remake ofRingdirected byHideo Nakata. There is plenty to be terrified of when it comes toThe Ring,which can be due to the coloring of the film, the sound design, and the creepy atmosphere. Without the need for graphic deaths or gore,The Ringsuccessfullycreates a horror film appropriate for nearly all ages. Not only is it age-appropriate for most, but it is also capable of terrifying every viewer.
A journalist must investigate a mysterious videotape that seems to cause the death of anyone one week to the day after they view it.
Watch on Fubo
4’A Quiet Place' (2018)
Directed by John Krasinski
In a dystopian timeline, sightless aliens have invaded the world, and to survive, a family of four—soon to be five—must take heavy precautions to avoid being heard and hunted. However, while preparing for Evelyn’s (Emily Blunt) delivery, the family is separated and must regroup as they traverse the same grounds as the aliens hunting them.
A Quiet Placeis a surprisingly good filmfor one that puts an emphasis on silence. Though there is limited speaking and most of it is quiet,a lot of the film relies purely on the performances of the cast, and the performances of the cast are what makes the film so great. Terrifying in its own right,A Quiet Placeis a film for everyone and a unique experience that must be had.
A Quiet Place
A family struggles for survival in a world where most humans have been killed by blind but noise-sensitive creatures. They are forced to communicate in sign language to keep the creatures at bay.
3’Drag Me to Hell' (2009)
Directed by Sam Raimi
Bank loan officer Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) fights for a promotion at her job. To try and secure the promotion, Christine practices making tough choices by denying Sylvia Ganush (Lorna Raver) an additional extension on her mortgage. In the process, Sylvia is humiliated publicly by Christine—though not intentionally—and she curses Christine. This leads to paranormal events and a haunting out of her control, and Christine is searching for ways to break the curse before she is dragged to hell.
Drag Me to Hellis not your typical horror film. It has some jumpscares, butthe horrifying part about this film is the fact that the main character is to be tormented before being pulled to hell.Christine is so vulnerable and weak to these supernatural forces; it is something out of her control, andthe anticipation of what is to come will spook viewersand keep them on the edge of their seats throughout the film, andit being PG-13 does not make it any less scary.
Drag Me To Hell
A loan officer who evicts an old woman from her home finds herself the recipient of a supernatural curse. Desperate, she turns to a seer to try and save her soul, while evil forces work to push her to a breaking point.
2’The Birds' (1963)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
In San Francisco, Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) meets lawyer Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) in a pet store, and after he leaves without purchasing birds for his sister’s birthday party, she purchases two lovebirds and follows him home. She attempts to discreetly leave the lovebirds on his family farm, but he catches her as she is leaving. A gull bird proceeds to attack her, and after treating her wounds, he invites her to his sister, Cathy’s, birthday party. However, the next day, birds begin attacking children, and other occurrences of bird attacks begin happening, though no one knows why. Through incredible difficulty, the people in town must survive these attacks.
The Birdsis an interesting horror story (based onDaphne du Maurier’s novella). Though it may sound corny,the concept of the film is terrifying, and the switch in atmosphere from lighthearted romantic comedy to horror is executed successfully.Alfred Hitchcock is a master at evoking anxiety in his viewers, andThe Birdsjust does that. The PG-13 rating here is a re-rating (the rating didn’t exist until two decades after the film’s release), but it is the iconic horror film’s current classification.
1’The Sixth Sense' (1999)
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) is a child psychologist who is seeing Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), a young boy who can see ghosts. Months earlier, he was shot by a former patient who he failed prior, and Malcolm wants to help Cole so he can rectify his mistakes. Only Malcolm is aware of this condition, and at first, he doesn’t believe Cole, but after some further examination, Malcolm realizes that Cole is a lot more similar to his previous patient than he thought.
The Sixth Senseis a phenomenal film that was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor. It is simply one of the best horror films from the 90s, and thoughM. Night Shyamalanis often criticized for being a “hit-or-miss” director when it comes to films,The Sixth Sensewill likely forever be his best film. The film blends emotional performances with horror, creating for a horror film that viewers will not forget.
The Sixth Sense
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, The Sixth Sense is a psychological thriller about a young boy who can see and communicate with ghosts. Bruce Willis as Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist who tries to help Cole, played by Haley Joel Osment, while grappling with his own personal demons. The movie features a twist ending that has become iconic in pop culture.
