13 horror films for beginners you can stream right now

Some very, very light spoilers lie ahead. But, trust me. They’re for your own good.

Congratulations! You’ve finally decided to take the horror genre plunge. 

Every year your friends/family/coworkers/creepy neighbors invite you to a spooky Halloween movie night—and every year you are forced to politely decline. You say you have to feed the cat, water the plants, get a jump start on next year’s taxes, etc. Little do they know, you’re just terrified of scary films.

But, this Halloween you won’t be left out in the cold. You are determined to train up on some low-key frights and take on whatever monstrosity your friends have queued up. You are a brave little toaster.

This goal is admirable and we’re more than happy to help you achieve it! In ascending levels of terror, here are 13 scary films we know you can handle. (Plus, we’ve got details on where you can stream them and what mental preparations you should take before hitting play. You’re welcome.)

Happy haunting, newbie!

13. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Image: the walter reade organization

This is a classic case of a horror movie that was pretty scary when it came out, but is barely scary now. For beginners, that’s great news! From goofy line deliveries to inexplicably nude zombies, Night of the Living Dead is the bunny slope of horror flicks.

Be prepared for the little girl in the basement. That is one image I’d give a limb to be free of.

Night of the Living Dead is available to stream on Prime Video.

12. Most Alfred Hitchcock films

Image: paramount / universal pictures

Alfred Hitchcock aka the “Master of Suspense” is a thriller legend. Throughout his multi-decade career, Hitchcock was credited on over fifty films. The subject matter for each varied, but most remained generally spooky. Classics like Psycho, Rear Window, Vertigo, and The Birds will give you a good taste of the Hitchcock style and help you practice holding your breath. 

Be prepared for a lot of sexualized violence. It was, unfortunately, one of his films’ major aesthetics. 

Rear Window (1954) is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.
Vertigo (1958) is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.
Psycho (1960) is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.
The Birds (1963) is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

11. A Quiet Place (2018)

Image: Jonny Cournoyer for paramount pictures 

Despite having a pretty startling poster, John Krasinski’s directorial debut, A Quiet Place, isn’t all that scary. There are a few jump scares and the silence throughout will trouble you—but it is definitely more of a stressful scifi romp than a straight up horror experience. 

Be prepared for Emily Blunt to have a really hard time. And you thought pregnancy in this universe was hard.

A Quiet Place is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

10. Misery (1990)

When it comes to Stephen King adaptions, YMMV doesn’t even begin to cover it. Some imaginings are totally palatable—like Hulu’s Castle Rock. Others are pure nightmare fuel—like the new Pet Sematary. Misery falls into a rare Stephen King sweet spot. Kathy Bates is sure to terrify you (she won an Oscar for her role as Annie Wilkes), but the film’s events won’t stick with you for too long afterwards. I mean… unless you’re a famous author alone in the wilderness.

Be prepared for the new kinship you will feel with your ankles. Sledge hammers get a whole new lease on life.

Misery is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

9. Donnie Darko (2001)

Image: pandora cinema / newmarket films

If you went to high school at any point in the early aughts, you have almost definitely heard of this broody masterpiece. Jake Gyllenhaal’s role as Donnie Darko cemented his star-on-the-rise status and he’s still super proud of the work he did. More scifi than thriller, Donnie Darko could keep you up for a night or two, but you’ll move on pretty quickly.

Be prepared for bunnies and Duran Duran to feel weird after. You’ll see things… differently.

Donnie Darko is available to stream on Netflix. 

8. Scream (1996)

Scream is both a classic horror film and a classic comedy. The slasher flick introduced Ghostface to the world and made its lasting mark by satirizing genre tropes. Come on, everyone knows “the rules.” (Although, they have changed a bit.) You’ll scream and laugh in equal bursts.

Be prepared for the opening sequence. Scream grabs your attention with its scariest part right at the beginning, but quickly shifts into a lower gear.

Scream is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

7. Poltergeist (1982)

Image: MGM/UA ENTERTAINMENT

This not at all kid friendly ghost story was bizarrely rated PG upon first release. The spooky story follows the abduction of a young girl aka the pioneer of the the famous line, “They’re here.” The special effects in Poltergeist don’t really hold up, but the overall scripting and ambiance will definitely keep you on your toes.

Be prepared for a disgusting scene involving a pool. Sure, swimming pools are already pretty gross. But this is more than that.

Poltergeist is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

6. The Sixth Sense (1999) 

Image: buena vista pictures

M. Night Shyamalan’s career has been kind of all over the place. But, one of his earlier projects—The Sixth Sense—is unequivocally fantastic. Starring Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Olivia Williams, and Toni Collette, this story of a little boy who “sees dead people” was nominated for six Academy Awards… so you’re basically obligated to muscle through it.

Be prepared for a lot of feels. You’re going to be sad and scared, but it’s okay. It’ll pass.

The Sixth Sense is available to stream on Netflix.

5. Alien (1979)

This Ridley Scott film is a gateway to so much excellent cinema, but it is also (unfortunately for you) pretty terrifying. There’s Sigourney Weaver and the rest of the Nostromo crew fighting to survive, a lot of really graphic body horror, a general sense of extraterrestrial dread… but also a cat! The cat will make you feel better. Look! He’s so fluffy!

Be prepared for the “chest scene” to really gross you out. You probably know what this is about, but if you don’t… just make sure you aren’t eating.

Alien is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video. 

4. The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Image: diyan pera for lionsgate

The Cabin in the Woods is one movie you definitely shouldn’t have spoiled for you, so I won’t say much about the premise. Here’s all you need to know: there are some teenagers who go to a cabin in the woods. As you might have guessed, things don’t go great.

This movie is pretty scary, but also pre-Thor Chris Hemsworth is there to protect you. What’s there to worry about? 

Be prepared for the ending to end all endings. The fear is so, so worth it.

The Cabin in the Woods is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

3. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Image: Michele K. Short for paramount pictures

Unquestionably the best chapter of J. J. Abrams’ Cloverfield trilogy, 10 Cloverfield Lane is part abduction terror, part apocalyptic nightmare. This movie doesn’t have too many jump scares. However, you will have a general sense of panic and confusion throughout your first viewing. 

Now, the second time you watch it? That’s a different story. 

Be prepared for John Goodman to act nothing like Norm. Yeah, The Big Lebowski feels a little unpleasant after this.

10 Cloverfield Lane is available to rent or purchase on Prime Video. 

2. Get Out (2017)

Image: universal pictures

Get Out spotlights the disturbing discoveries made by Chris Washington, a young black man, when he goes to visit his white girlfriend’s family. This particular film is unsettling in very specific ways, but the general consensus indicates even scaredy cats can enjoy this masterpiece. 

Seriously, Jordan Peele’s horror/satire film is so good it even inspired an entire UCLA undergraduate course on black horror.  So, come on. You got this.

Be prepared for hypnosis to actually be… scary? Maybe for the first time ever.

Get Out is available to purchase on Prime Video.

1. The Witch (2015)

I was hesitant to put Robert Eggers’ slow burn nightmare, The Witch, onto this list. (As a horror junkie, even I was deeply bothered by it.) However, after much consideration, I have decided to have faith in you, my fledgling fright fanatic. 

The Witch is very upsetting, but not in a traditional way. There is not a single jump scare in sight and the period setting helps you feel removed from the events of the film. Mostly setting and ambiance, this movie is going to leave a lasting impression, but you’ll still turn the lights out at night. Probably.

Be prepared for the mysterious disappearance of an infant. If tragic events involving babies aren’t your thing, then this isn’t your movie. 

The Witch is available to stream on Netflix.