Best Horror Movies

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Some teens just love to be scared. Check out these hand-picked movies for some jump-out-of-your-seat moments that steer (mostly) clear of gore. Some of these top-rated titles are more mature than others, so be prepared to discuss the way violence is portrayed. Make sure you read the reviews to help you choose the ones with just the right scream factor for your family -- some of these movies are very, very scary. And if you're looking for something a little tamer for younger kids, try our Scary (but Not TOO Scary!) Halloween Movies list.

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The Bride of Frankenstein Poster Image

MOVIE

The Bride of Frankenstein

age 9+

A riveting, funny, and suspenseful horror classic.

1935 NR (75 minutes)

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Dracula Poster Image

MOVIE

Dracula

age 10+

Classic vampire movie is more creepy than violent.

1931 NR (75 minutes)

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Frankenstein Poster Image

MOVIE

Frankenstein

age 10+

Classic monster movie still electrifies.

1931 NR (71 minutes)

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Jaws Poster Image

MOVIE

Jaws

age 12+

1970s shark horror tale still has scare factor.

1975 PG (125 minutes)

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Disco Inferno Movie poster: Closeup of a face with glowing eyes

MOVIE

Disco Inferno

age 13+

Creepy disco-filled thriller has jump scares and drug use.

2023 NR (18 minutes)

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I Saw the TV Glow Movie Poster: In a dark room, a figure with his back to viewers watches a TV screen filled with pink static

MOVIE

I Saw the TV Glow

age 13+

Haunting experimental horror explores queer identity.

2024 PG-13 (100 minutes)

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A shadowy figure climbs up the stairs on the poster for Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror

MOVIE

Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror

age 13+

Few scares but strong visuals in silent horror classic.

1929 NR (94 minutes)

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Poltergeist Poster Image

MOVIE

Poltergeist

age 13+

One of the all-time great haunted house movies.

1982 PG (114 minutes)

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The Birds Poster Image

MOVIE

The Birds

age 13+

Classic Hitchcock horror film still gives the chills.

1963 PG-13 (119 minutes)

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Trollhunter Poster Image

MOVIE

Trollhunter

age 13+

Some violence, language in fun Norwegian monster movie.

2011 PG-13 (90 minutes)

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A Quiet Place Poster Image

MOVIE

A Quiet Place

age 14+

Gripping monster movie has lots of tension, some blood.

2018 PG-13 (90 minutes)

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A Quiet Place Part II Poster Image

MOVIE

A Quiet Place Part II

age 14+

Skillful monster horror sequel has blood, peril.

2021 PG-13 (97 minutes)

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A Quiet Place: Day One Movie Poster: A Black woman stands with her hands over her mouth in shock; next to her is a White man

MOVIE

A Quiet Place: Day One

age 14+

Clever, touching monster prequel has violence, jump-scares.

2024 PG-13 (100 minutes)

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Daddy's Head Movie Poster: Outline of a man against dark bakground

MOVIE

Daddy's Head

age 14+

Creepy thriller with drinking, language, and jump scares.

2024 NR (92 minutes)

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Drag Me to Hell Poster Image

MOVIE

Drag Me to Hell

age 14+

More scares than gore, but still too much for young kids.

2009 PG-13 (99 minutes)

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Enys Men movie poster: A group of women wearing black and white on a rocky hill with a woman wearing red lying on the rocks

MOVIE

Enys Men

age 14+

Tense British horror has self-harm, trauma, brief sex scene.

2023 NR (96 minutes)

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Exit 8 Poster: A dark subway corridor is lit by a single sign, the silhouette of a small boy visible

MOVIE

Exit 8

age 14+

Excellent, twisty, scary, moving subway-puzzle thriller.

2026 PG-13 (95 minutes)

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Good Boy Movie Poster": A dog stands ready in the upper right corner as many shadowy hands seem to reach for him

MOVIE

Good Boy

age 14+

Innovative, moving dog-centered horror movie; peril, blood.

2025 PG-13 (73 minutes)

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Lights Out Poster Image

MOVIE

Lights Out

age 14+

Exceptionally simple, smart, scary monster movie.

2016 PG-13 (81 minutes)

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Madres Poster Image

MOVIE

Madres

age 14+

Violence, racial slurs in message-based horror movie.

2021 NR (83 minutes)

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