Some of the most celebrated horror movies seem like they could never happen, but their terror remains all the same. The anticipated Halloween Ends tells a specific scary story about unique villain Michael Myers and Jordan Peele's summer 2022 release Nope is a take on aliens. But some films seem like they could really happen, and that makes them riveting and noteworthy.
From movies about things lurking in the water on vacation to a home invasion that feels genuine, Redditors are talking about horror films that feel believable and unsettling to watch.
Open Water (2003)
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The 2003 film Open Water focuses on the main characters Susan Watkins and Daniel Kintner who go scuba diving and, unfortunately, encounter some sharks. This is one of the best shark attack movies and Redditor mkultra0008 said "I have a rational fear of deep dark water and that movie has a special place for terrifying me like few can."
When horror movie characters are hoping to survive in nature, things can go one of two ways: they can use their wits and skill set to get through their fear or they realize that they can't beat the elements. It's sad and scary seeing what decisions the characters have to make.
Jaws (1975)
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When it comes to shark films, Jaws is always at the top of the list. Redditor godspilla98 thinks that it's definitely scary and wrote, "most all of us like to swim in a pool. But when we enter the ocean our imagination is there tickling us with that thought in the back of our minds."
For several horror fans, Jaws is the golden standard for stories about being out in nature and realizing that sometimes, there's no escaping the terrifying inevitable. The setting of this movie will never stop being memorable.
The Descent (2006)
Films about friends going on a trip together and learning that making it home in one piece is going to be a long shot are definitely frightening. Redditor Belgand mentioned The Descent as a believable story, writing, "The sheer terror of being trapped in an uncharted cave, not knowing if there's any way out."
While there are creatures here that would never, of course, exist in real life, the characters use every ounce of physical strength that they can muster and that is exactly how anyone would react in this situation.
Hereditary (2018)
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Redditor ncopp said that an authentic horror film is "Hereditary's first half before the paranormal stuff kicks in." Charlie Graham's terrible death is one of the most unexpected horror movie deaths and one of the most upsetting. Without King Paimon, the movie is about a mother losing her child unexpectedly and how that changes the entire dynamic of the whole family.
Critics and fans appreciate the family story at the core of this movie, and taking away the demonic possession aspect leaves a heavy and dense portrait of people grieving and struggling to connect with each other. There are unfortunately many families who mourn losses and have trouble communicating and they keep secrets from each other.
The Vanishing (1988)
Stream on the Criterion Channel
Redditor SHUB_7ate9 said "The Vanishing" seems like it could occur, and the Dutch horror movie is about Saskia and Rex who travel to France. When they're at a gas station, Saskia disappears, which is devastating and horrifying for her partner. This is a mystery that he thinks about for many years, as he has no idea what really happened.
This is anyone's worst nightmare and there are always awful news stories about people going on vacation and something terrible happening to them, whether they go missing or get into an accident. There is a remake from 1993 but horror fans find the first movie to be the saddest.
The Strangers (2008)
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One Redditor said "The Strangers for sure" is an eerie film that could happen and Redditor HolyRavenclawGibney added, "I definitely have a fear of home invasion." Regular news stories about the same topic prove that this is sadly all too common.
When a couple are staying overnight at a country home, three strangers knock on the door and begin attacking them. Kristen and James try to beat them, only to realize that they're in way over their heads. The villains share that they were looking for people who were home so they could have some fun going after them, which is terrible to think about.
Deliverance (1972)
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The '70s film Deliverance has many disturbing moments, as the four main characters travel through Georgia by canoe and as they continue their trip, they get injured and have to fight. Redditor ScandalousMurphy said that there is "no greater example of a film that taps into primal fears. The film is dripping with dread, totally believable and realistic throughout."
Deliverance holds up today because it's a truly gritty and dark portrait of characters trying to seem tough while terrified and emotional about their ordeal. While in most cases, people going on a boat trip will be totally fine, it's hard not to think of this movie when getting out into the water and fresh air.
Midsommar (2019)
Stream on Showtime
For Redditor ZiggyMoonlight, an unforgettable film by Ari Aster feels practical and grounded in some ways. The fan wrote, "Midsommar has no supernatural element to it" and it's scary because cults "are real and people join them all the time."
While definitely intense, the movie takes place at a Swedish festival, which feels realistic since there are many real life stories of events that devolve into chaos or have a different purpose than entertainment or fun.
The Bay (2012)
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For Redditor puglina66, "The Bay" is Believable up until the last 5 minutes or so." While the film is a mockumentary, it's still pretty scary, and feels like it could really take place.
The residents of a small town become sick as water is contaminated, creating a terrible virus that affects everyone. It's easy to watch the film through the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic as the CDC is mentioned, and it does seem like this could happen.
Creep (2015)
Stream on Netflix
One Redditor shared in a thread, "I always thought Creep was a truly believable film. Can definitely happen without a doubt." Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice wrote the found footage film together, with Brice directing.
The movie tells the story of two men, Josef and Aaron, who meet because Josef hires Aaron, a videographer. Josef's story ends up being a lie and the truth about him and his motives is scarier than audiences expect. The idea of meeting up with a stranger after talking online or through a social media platform feels eerie after watching the film.