Seeing Terrifier 2 in the theater was a scary experience for many, and the grins in Smile have been haunting as well. Whether someone tries to see every horror movie or wants to avoid the genre altogether, some films have lasting affects and feel legitimately unsettling.
Reddit fans have shared the movies that really scared them, from stories about demonic posession to a home invasion slasher that feels like it could happen anytime. For some, The Ring is the most terrifying film that they have seen. It's eerie to picture Samara Morgan coming out of a TV with her long black hair.
Jaws (1975)
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It's easy to imagine Jaws when thinking about a movie with a beach setting as it is such a classic. Redditor Thelawtman1986 posted that it genuinely scared them and wrote that they "Honestly still get a bit nervous in dark water."
Forever one of the best movies about sharks, there's no denying how creepy it is to see characters wondering if they will be attacked by a shark. The tense feeling continues through the whole film. After watching Jaws, it's hard not to worry about sharks when swimming in a lake or ocean.
Hereditary (2018)
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Hereditary has been celebrated thanks to writer/director Ari Aster's dark portrait of a family unraveled by a demonic possession. It's also thought of as absolutely chilling. Redditor Miepasie wrote that "the freaky people in the background, the rawness and a whole range of other elements of that movie makes it like... a nightmare that you're just experiencing."
Each Graham family member is haunted, and after Charlie's unanticipated death, the rest of the story is intense and fast-paced. Even while appreciating the artisrtry and talent behind the film, it's understandable to find the images really striking.
The Exorcist (1973)
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There are some classic horror movies that stick with audiences for years, thanks to some vibrant and dark imagery that is impossible to move on from. Redditor babyform noted "The stairway scene in The Exorcist" and wrote, "I couldn’t go near stairs for a hot minute after that."
For some, seeing Regan MacNeil writhing around on a bed after a demonic possession is memorable. For others, it's the scene of her getting sick that sticks with them the most. Either way, The Exorcist is very unsettling.
Barbarian (2022)
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Barbarian has been fascinating horror fans since its release in September 2022, thanks to a premise that turns into something different from what is assumed from the trailer. Redditor veechsingleton wrote, "I felt very tense and uneasy most of the time while watching."
The shocking moments in Barbarian are dreadful as Tess Marshall stays at a rental home and discovers something in the basement. It's easy to assume that there's a darkness lurking in a staircase or basement after watching.
Tusk (2014)
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Body horror fans appreciate Tusk for telling a distinct story about a podcast host who meets Howard, a man who lives alone and who is obsessed with a walrus that he once came across. Written and directed by Kevin Smith, the movie has some particularly gruesome and detailed scenes. One Redditor said, "I've been trying to erase that movie from my mind ever since I saw it. I didn't realize how much body horror creeps me out until then."
Even though familiar with the horror subgenre might find what happens to Wallace too intense. The movie doesn't shy away from vivid and graphic imagery.
Paranormal Activity (2009)
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Since Paranormal Activity is a found footage story, it's not hard to imagine living in a haunted house or apartment while watching. Redditor Gooberflagm2 said that this movie "gave me the creeps. The idea of putting cameras in the house and seeing things move when they shouldn't creeps me out.."
The movie doesn't have flashy, costumed slasher villains or an evil spirit who has been summoned for a specific reason. Instead, it suggests that many people live in homes that are haunted by ghosts and they have no idea.
The Grudge (2004)
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Replying about movies that genuinely terrified them, Redditor Sneakiee_Cat mentioned The Grudge. The fan wrote, "I always shampooed my hair so fast and would do quick double takes looking behind me to make sure there wasn’t a creepy af ghost hand behind my head."
Based on the Ju-On horror franchise, the 2004 American remake of The Grudge sees Karen living in Toyko and learning about a curse that has existed for a long time. Even those who don't even move when there is a jump scare can appreciate how scary it is to see a figure standing behind a character. This happens a lot in this movie.
The Strangers (2008)
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If most slashers rest on the premise that a killer needs a reason to go after the main characters, then The Strangers turns that on its head. A couple is staying at a house in the country when masked intruders show up and say they are killing them "because you were home." Redditor GrandmasNickname said that the movie "hit a little too close for somebody living alone."
It feels easier to be genuinely afraid when watching The Strangers than other horror movies from the same subgenre because the killers are so casual and blase about what they're doing. It's definitely one of the more disturbing concepts.
The Butterfly Effect (2004)
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Redditor Appropriate_Might901 said "The Butterfly Effect" genuinely scared them. Many likely remember watching this movie and feeling creeped out. While The Butterfly Effect has confusing moments, it's still terrifying as the main character finds himself in worse and worse situations.
Since the main premise involves Evan Treborn seeing horrible tragedies, it's understandable to find the story disturbing. Evan time travels when he reads the diary that he kept when he was younger. When he changes the past, that shifts something else. Evan has seen so much pain that many scenes are brutal to watch.
The Ring (2002)
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Samara Morgan makes The Ring the frightening experience that it is. Redditor concaveUsurper felt real fear when watching and wrote, "Didn't help I was far too young and had an old CRT TV in my room that looked exactly like the one in the movie."
Even knowing that Samara is a fictional character from a movie, it's still easy to assume that she really could leave the TV and come into the living room of whoever is tuning in. Samara's scratched up face and long hair have an eerie affect.