Several fall 2022 horror films have surprised audiences with premises that go in a different direction than the trailer suggests. Both Barbarian and Halloween Ends have shocking character reveals and storylines which have gotten people talking. It can be tempting to watch every new trailer and read about every new film that's coming out, but it can also be a fun experience to just pick something and dive in.
From a beloved, buzzy '90s found footage film to a few Netflix horror films, Redditors are recommending scary movies that people should approach without too many details or information.
Spring (2015)
Stream on Hulu and Shudder
Evan and Louise meet in Spring and that's about all that fans should know about. Redditor NemoSHill posted that Spring "will always be my answer to this question, no trailer, no reading about it. Just press play and enjoy it, it's so beautiful."
Sometimes the most exciting horror movies to watch without knowledge of the premise have a beautiful atmosphere and an original tone, and that's exactly why Spring should be watched without knowing much at all.
The Perfection (2019)
Stream on Netflix
The Perfection is one of the best Netflix horror movies and has one of the most compelling names. Redditor VJA-Bands wrote of this movie, "I went in totally blind not knowing what to expect, and I have to say it averted (not subverted) my expectations… it takes so many sharp turns and I love it."
From the name, it's possible to think that the movie deals with trying to be flawless and the darkness that can result. There's a huge twist in The Perfection along with some memorable characters who are dealing with some terrible things.
Better Watch Out (2016)
Stream on Peacock and Shudder
Redditor bbk8z said "Better Watch Out" is a perfect horror film to go into without additional details. Horror fans who haven't seen it yet have perhaps heard about it from friends who praise it for being a Christmas movie that goes in a new direction and doesn't feel like anything else in the genre.
The title suggests that this is a play on the famous holiday song that goes "You better watch out/You better not cry..." and continues, "Santa Claus is coming to town." The movie has an incredible twist that really can't be spoiled as it won't be fun to watch the story otherwise. All potential fans should know is that it's a scary and smart Christmas movie.
Coherence (2014)
Stream on Prime Video and Shudder
With a title like Coherence, it's tough to know what to expect, which is what makes this a really fun movie to check out. Redditor chickenlover46 recommends this and wrote, "I just went into this blind and it was one of the best movie experiences I’ve had."
All fans need to know is that Coherence is one of the best psychological horror movies from the 2010s and that when people check it out, they are stunned, pleased, and ready to talk about it with others who have had the same great experience. It has flown under the radar and not gotten as much hype as other films, which makes it even more impressive.
Suspiria (2018)
Stream on Prime Video
The 2018 remake Suspiria draws people in with its whimsical, eerie title, and Redditor ConvivialSociety suggests watching it without reading anything else. The fan wrote that it's "incredible" and added, "Plus Thom Yorke did the soundtrack and it is hauntingly beautiful."
While Suspiria does have an excellent story that doesn't ever get boring or lag, the fan's comment that it's "beautiful" is helpful information since the tone and vibe of the movie are just as important. It has a dreamlike quality that will stick with everyone who watches it.
The Cabin In The Woods (2012)
Rent on AppleTV
The Cabin in the Woods is often said to be one of the best horror movies of all time because it's packed with so many fun surprises. The film is a shining example of what horror filmmakers are capable of as it offers so many nods and references to classic slasher villains, monsters and other creatures, tropes and characters. It's also a good movie to see without knowing too much. Redditor LordTekno said, "I had seen the trailers but really hasn't followed anything about it going into it, I just knew the general 'kids going into the woods, spooky stuff happens.'"
If horror fans are going to go into a film without information, there needs to be something to drawn them in, and in most cases, the title will be what does it. The Cabin in the Woods might have one of the smartest titles ever as this famous, beloved setting does appear in the movie, but at the same time, the film moves beyond this trope in a fascinating way.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Stream on Hulu
The Sixth Sense depends on its major plot twist as this changes the story in a clever and thoughtful way. This is a tricky movie to watch without being aware of what happens since it has been considered a classic for so many years. Redditor DeseretRain shared that it's not as much fun if the twist has been spoiled: the fan wrote, "I didn't see this until after I'd already had the twist spoiled for me, and I found it very boring."
While there are several entertaining horror elements in the film, from the ghost of a young girl whose mother poisoned her to the charming young character Cole Sear, the reveal about Dr. Malcolm Crowe is still one of the most compelling and unforgettable in the horror genre.
The Babysitter (2017)
Stream on Netflix
With a title like The Babysitter, it's clear that something dramatic is going to happen to Bee, the teenager looking after Cole one evening when his parents go out. One Redditor noted that this is a great movie to see without hearing much about the story, as his wife assumed it was a comedy and was surprised. The fan mentioned that his partner was "thinking for twenty minutes or so that it was some kind of coming of age Rom-Com."
Even if fans know that The Babysitter is a horror movie but not much else, that still leaves room for lots of surprises, as Bee's backstory comes into play and audiences learn what's actually happening.
The Empty Man (2020)
Rent on AppleTV
There are some 2020 guilty pleasure horror movies, along with many releases that are still being talked about by fans of the genre. One Redditor suggested that horror fans watch The Empty Man without looking up the story beforehand. The fan wrote, "Please don't be put off by the name that makes it seem like a generic 2010's horror movie. This movie is a wild ride."
The title suggests a villain who might be invisible or hard to see, perhaps unless the main characters are in total darkness. The movie's name is definitely intriguing enough to make anyone want to sit down and watch the movie even without being aware of the major storyline.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Stream on Tubi
Redditor roaddoc326 replied in a thread about not reading what a horror movie is about before watching it and wrote, "I always felt the less you know about The Blair Witch Project the more it adds to its feel." While most movie fans know what this is about by now, even if they haven't sat down and watched it from start to finish, it's true that the experience of seeing a group of college students go into the woods to see the legend of a witch firsthand is best seen without much prior information.
The Blair Witch Project is famous as many moviegoers thought that it was real thanks to the way that it was marketed as "based on true events." While time has taken away some of the shock value, the story is still worth watching and the film is a good found footage example.