While horror fans are checking out Halloween Ends in theaters, there's something especially terrifying and fun about watching a scary movie alone at home. Those who love the genre appreciate a story with an eerie setting, with characters in wild situations where they might not make it out alive.
Reddit fans are sharing the films that someone should pick when they're by themselves and ready to feel creeped out, from a few classics to more recent stories about eerie motels, creatures in a North Carolina cave, and an adaptation of a popular video game.
Updated on October 14th, 2022 by Aya Tsintziras: There are some new horror releases that feel necessary to see in the theater to get the full experience, from Smile to Hellraiser to Barbarian. But other times, horror fans enjoy picking a scary story to watch all by themselves. Whether rewatching an old favorite or finding something fresh, Redditors are always recommending movies that they think will make for a perfect viewing experience when no one else is around, the lights are off, and it's time to get lost in a terrifying story.
Vacancy (2007)
Stream on Hulu
The greatest horror movies to watch alone have a location that is immediately eerie and that's definitely the case in the 2007 film Vacancy. Amy and David Fox have to stay at a motel when their car stops working, and to make matters worse, they're experiencing tension in their marriage.
Redditor screamingshadows recommended this as a film to watch alone, writing "it was extremely suspenseful with some very tense scenes." The movie has compelling characters, especially Mason, who manages the motel.
Black Christmas (1974)
Stream on Peacock
LInternationale posted that "For being home alone, I recommend the original Black Christmas." There are two remakes and the 1974 film is considered one of the best Canadian horror movies.
The movie has a perfectly creepy location as the main characters are sorority sisters who are celebrating the winter holidays at their house when they get a scary phone call. They then realize that they are being terrorized by a killer. Since Black Christmas is an early slasher, it's fascinating to watch and see how those common storytelling elements began.
Event Horizon (1997)
Stream on Fubo and Showtime
Replying in a thread about terrifying films to watch when hanging out at home alone, this Redditor wrote, "Event Horizon is one of my all time favs."
Event Horizon takes place in the futuristic 2047 and tells the story of astronauts who try to locate a ship that is near Neptune. The movie is engrossing as audiences hope that the crew is successful. It's an atmospheric film that's perfect for horror fans to watch by themselves with no distractions.
The Descent (2005)
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The 2005 movie The Descent is about a group of friends who hike North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains. They're courageous adventure lovers, and they seem more than capable of handling any tough outdoor activity, which makes the situation that they find themselves in even more haunting.
For IlliniXC, "The Descent was a pretty good alone in the dark type movie for me the first time I saw it." It's tough not to feel afraid when watching the characters come across the crawlers, the creatures in the cave.
Sinister (2012)
Stream on Peacock
Chiefontour suggested "Sinister" as a great movie to watch alone, and AL3XCAL1BUR added, "Those films are creepy." The 2012 film features a family moving into the most intensely haunted home that they possibly could.
There are many scary scenes in Sinister as Ellison Oswalt begins living in a house where a family was once brutally murdered. A true crime writer, Ellison is fascinated and begins to do more research, realizing that his own family is in grave danger and that they might not make it out of this house alive.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Stream on Prime Video
Maywellflower recommended "The Sixth Sense" for a solo movie night, which is a great idea since many fans of the genre consider this to be an absolutely chilling story.
Watching young Cole Sear share his gift for seeing ghosts with Dr. Malcolm Crowe is just as endearing as it is unnerving. The characters really shine in this movie, as they talk in depth about topics like the supernatural and grief.
The Shining (1980)
Stream on HBO Max
The Shining still holds up today, as there's always something new to appreciate about it. The story of writer Jack Torrance staying at the Overlook Hotel with his family doesn't get tired, as there are so many elements that fans of the genre can pick out.
Berdahl88 wrote, "I like watching The Shining alone in the dark." This would definitely make the viewing experience even better. It's also fair to say that The Shining has one of the most beloved and recognizable horror settings, as just looking at the exterior of the hotel is enough to send a shiver down someone's spine.
It (1990)
Stream on HBO Max
While 2017's It is a fairly solid movie based on a Stephen King novel, fourthwallcrisis recommended the two-part '90s miniseries for a movie night at home. The fan wrote, "The way Tim Curry breaks the fourth wall and seems to be threatening us, the viewer, is still one of my favourite bits of cinema."
Tim Curry's Pennywise has a memorable and eerie grin that is hard not to shiver at, making this a good pick to watch when no one else is around. It's the kind of story that would feel even scarier when home alone thanks to this classic villain.
Silent Hill (2006)
Stream on Starz and DirecTV
Silent Hill influenced other video games, and when replying in a thread about scary films for a night at home, Lestat_24 suggested "Silent Hill," which is based on the 1999 game.
When Christopher and Rose De Silva see that their child Sharon is sleepwalking, they think that it might be a good idea to go to Silent Hill, a creepy town that Sharon has also been dreaming about. Right away, Sharon disappears, kicking off an intriguing story.
It Follows (2015)
Stream on Netflix
eatingclass said It Follows "would be my rec" for a chilling movie to watch when there's nobody else home.
As Jay Height learns what is happening to her and that she has to sleep with someone to pass the curse along, it's impossible not to become heavily invested in whether she will be successful. The movie is clever and exciting, with a plot that never stops moving.
Hereditary (2018)
Stream on Fubo and DirecTV
Hereditary has some disturbing imagery and a brilliantly dark storyline, and it's been a top pick for many horror fans over the past couple of years. One Redditor suggested the film as one to watch alone and wrote, "No jump scares but conveyed in a very eerie manner. It’s more creepy than anything else and watched it while my parents went to Greece. Needed to lock my bedroom door."
Hereditary is such a strong story that watching it in the theater would have still been impressive, but there's something about the frightening images of Annie Graham's possession and her son Peter wearing a crown that begs to be watched while home alone.
Hush (2016)
Stream on Netflix
Disblasement wrote that "Hush" would be a perfect movie to watch alone and wrote, "Hands down. Even better if nearby roads are quiet." Maddie Young is living out in the country by herself, happy to spend her time writing, but when a killer in a mask shows up, she has to survive against him.
The idyllic location makes this a chilling film to watch when no one else is home. Maddie is one of the strongest characters seen in a scary movie and while her fear is palpable, she makes good decisions, and it's a wild ride watching her run through her house and figure out a way to hide.
The Strangers (2008)
Stream on Fubo and DirecTV
The villains in The Strangers wear some of the most famous horror movie masks and that makes their intrusion on the couple even more unforgettable. While one looks like they are wearing a sack that has been thrown together, suggesting not much time was spent, the others have blush marks that are awful to look at. RhinMcKniff said it was a scary movie "when I watched it alone at night when I was 17."
Since the movie is about masked killers who show up one evening and decide to kill the couple staying at a house in the country, it just asks to be watched when home alone. It wouldn't be the same experience with a lot of friends around.
Last Shift (2015)
Stream on Roku and Tubi
Last Shift is about Jessica Loren, a new police officer who is told to work at a station that is going to close. She's all alone there and doesn't know much about the job. Dissecthorror said, "I don't often watch horror movies by myself. But Last Shift was the most recent. And I found that to be pretty creepy."
Jessica has a frightening experience as she sees strange things and a figure with a face covered in blood. When Jessica finds out what's happening at this place, it's alarming. The movie has flown under the radar and is dark enough to feel especially chilling when watched without anyone else around.
Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)
Rent on AppleTV
Mccuish1525 suggested "Ju-On" as a horror movie to put on when home alone, and Ju-On: The Grudge, the third in the franchise, is definitely a well-crafted and intriguing story.
Fans who are familiar with the franchise and the American remake know that when someone dies with a strong emotion, it leads to a curse, and that's what happens when Kayako Saeki is killed by her husband Takeo. The other characters, including a social worker named Rita Nishina, investigate and find out more about what this curse is and if it can be stopped. The movie is considered one of the scariest thanks to the appearance of the ghosts.