For a lot of people, horror movies are surprisingly comforting. Similar to science fiction or comedies like The Hangover, they let us escape into worlds and situations we’d never encounter in real life. But horror adds an extra layer of excitement – we get the thrill of surviving something terrifying, all while safely watching the story unfold. While some horror movies are intensely disturbing and best seen only once – films like The Descent, The Witch, Hereditary, and The Wicker Man come to mind – others are genuinely fun and rewatchable. The films listed below fall into that category: they’re scary or unsettling, but also highly entertaining, and most viewers would happily watch them again and again.
While films like The Silence of the Lambs are considered classics and highly rewatchable for many, their realistic and disturbing content can make them difficult to watch frequently. The same is true for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre – it’s a favorite among horror fans and well-regarded overall, but its intense and unsettling nature means you’ll probably need a significant break between viewings, even if you love it.
10) The Fog
The movie The Fog is fast-paced and engaging. In fact, its biggest flaw might be that it feels a little too short – an extra fifteen minutes would have been welcome. But overall, it’s a really enjoyable film.
Antonio Bay feels like a real, lived-in town, similar to the setting in The Birds (though that town actually exists, unlike Antonio). It’s a place you quickly become invested in, and its people feel like friends. When those friends are running for their lives from ghostly lepers, set to a thrilling score, you genuinely root for them and feel like you’re right there with them.
Stream The Fog on The Criterion Channel.
9) Scream
Wes Craven’s Scream revitalized the slasher film genre in the 1990s, when classics like Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers were losing their impact. Although Craven had experimented with self-awareness in Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, Scream perfected this approach, creating a blueprint that many subsequent films tried to follow.
What makes Scream so consistently enjoyable is its memorable characters. Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich are fantastic as the killers, bringing both humor and menace to their roles. Neve Campbell shines as Sidney Prescott, the quintessential final girl, and Courteney Cox and David Arquette share a wonderful on-screen connection – it’s easy to see why they fell in love! However, the real standout is Kevin Williamson’s script, which remains witty and sharp even today.
Stream Scream on Hulu.
8) The Shining
Even though Stephen King wasn’t a fan, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining remains the most iconic movie adaptation of his work and is still genuinely frightening decades after its release in the 1980s. It’s a film you can watch again and again, either for its complex story or simply because it’s so unsettling.
One of the biggest draws is simply Jack Nicholson’s wild and captivating performance – it’s the kind of role you want to experience again and again, much like his Joker. Plus, the film has a surprising twist ending that makes you want to rewatch it immediately, looking for clues you might have missed the first time around.
Stream The Shining on HBO Max.
7) Friday the 13th
Like Halloween for slasher films, Friday the 13th is a landmark movie that launched a long-running series, even though the first film tells a complete story on its own. This makes the original Friday the 13th surprisingly enjoyable to watch again and again, even more so than the later, more humorous installment, Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives.
The first movie stands on its own – it’s exactly what it promises: a terrifying 24-hour ordeal. It truly puts you in the counselors’ shoes as they try to reopen Camp Crystal Lake, and a truly immersive experience is something you can watch again and again.
Stream Friday the 13th on AMC+.
6) Gremlins
Joe Dante’s Gremlins is a truly original film that rightfully became a huge box office success. It’s funny, but it’s especially great as a first horror movie for kids. Moments like the chaotic kitchen fight and the scene where the Gremlins watch Snow White perfectly blend slapstick comedy with classic monster movie thrills.
Gremlins is a movie that manages to both thrill kids and keep adults entertained. It’s a lot of fun for younger viewers without being overly inappropriate. It’s a film you could first enjoy around age ten and then watch every year during the holidays for the rest of your life.
Stream Gremlins on HBO Max.
5) A Nightmare on Elm Street
While the recent remake didn’t quite hit the mark, the original A Nightmare on Elm Street was truly outstanding – easily the best horror film of 1984, especially considering how many good ones came out that year.
There are many reasons why A Nightmare on Elm Street holds up so well on repeat viewings. Robert Englund’s portrayal of Freddy Krueger is legendary, and arguably at its most terrifying in this first film. The main character, Nancy Thompson, is also someone you root for, and the movie features creatively disturbing and genuinely frightening kill sequences.
Stream A Nightmare on Elm Street on HBO Max.
4) The Thing
As a huge fan of John Carpenter’s The Thing, I always felt like it deserved a follow-up – and a good one, unlike that 2011 prequel! It’s just one of those movies that’s so cleverly made, you immediately want to watch it again as soon as it ends, trying to spot all the clues and figure out who the Thing has already imitated. It really demands multiple viewings to fully appreciate everything that’s going on.
This film is widely considered one of the best of the 1980s, particularly for those who love monster movies. It creates a uniquely immersive atmosphere, features characters you genuinely care about, and boasts impressive, timeless special effects.
Stream The Thing on Peacock.
3) Evil Dead II
The first Evil Dead is fun to watch again and again, and many people feel the same about the over-the-top Army of Darkness. However, Evil Dead II is what most fans consider the most immediately rewatchable. It’s packed with so much chaotic action in a short amount of time that it’s easy to miss visual gags, making it perfect for repeat viewings.
Evil Dead II is a wildly over-the-top horror comedy that feels like a cartoon come to life. It’s rated R, but if you’re open to Sam Raimi’s brand of humor – which is surprisingly easy to enjoy – you’ll likely find yourself watching it every year.
Stream Evil Dead II on HBO Max.
2) Halloween
Whether it’s The Thing or Halloween, John Carpenter truly delivered with one of these films. Halloween is particularly effective – it’s a suspenseful and understated horror movie that even those who typically dislike slasher films can appreciate.
Similar to the town in The Fog, Haddonfield, Illinois feels like a real community filled with people you’d actually like. While the movie can be a bit shocking, it’s not as disturbing as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre – you won’t need days to recover after watching it.
Stream Halloween on Shudder.
1) Jaws
Many films have attempted to capture the same intense fear created by Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, but none have come close to matching its impact.
Many people believe Jaws is the best movie ever made, and it’s easy to see why. The acting, visuals, rhythm, and frightening moments are all perfectly executed. What’s also great is that the film effectively works as two movies in one: a terrifying horror story followed by an exciting action adventure. Both parts are incredibly enjoyable and create a unique viewing experience where you’re always eager to revisit either half, even while still watching the other.
Stream Jaws on Netflix.
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2025-10-31 03:14