Scary Movies For Beginners

From John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Masur
Rated R

The Thing is a 1982 science-fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter. Set in a remote Antarctic research station, it follows a group of researchers as they are terrorized by a shape-shifting alien life form that can imitate any living organism. After a Norweigian research team discovers an alien spaceship buried in the ice, they unwittingly unleash the creature that lies dormant inside. The creature begins to imitate, replicate and kill the research team one by one. As paranoia and fear increase, the remaining scientists must find a way to stop the creature before it reaches civilization.

From William Friedkin, starring Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb
Rated R

The Exorcist is a 1973 supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and starring Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, and Linda Blair. It is based on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty, which in turn was based on the 1949 exorcism of Roland Doe. The story follows a young girl, Regan MacNeil, who is possessed by a demonic entity. Her mother Chris MacNeil seeks medical help from doctors, but is unsuccessful. She then turns to a local priest, Father Damien Karras, for help. With the help of the elderly exorcist Father Lankester Merrin, Karras and MacNeil work together to expel the demon from Regan's body. The film is considered a classic in the horror genre, with its intense and disturbing scenes, as well as its psychological exploration of faith and horror. It was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won two. It has spawned several sequels and remakes.

From Tomas Alfredson, starring Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl
Rated R

Let the Right One In is a Swedish romantic horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson. The film centers around a bullied 12-year-old boy, Oskar, who befriends a mysterious girl, Eli, who moves into his apartment complex. Oskar discovers that Eli is a vampire and the two form an unlikely connection as they both struggle to find their place in a world that is not so kind to them. As their friendship grows, Oskar helps Eli to fend off her pursuers, while she helps him to stand up for himself and find a place to belong. Despite their dark circumstances, the two ultimately find solace in each other as they both strive to overcome the harshness of the world around them.

From Edgar Wright, starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis
Rated R

Shaun of the Dead is a 2004 British horror comedy film directed by Edgar Wright. The movie follows Shaun (Simon Pegg), a slacker who is dissatisfied with his life and whose relationship with his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield) is in jeopardy. When a zombie apocalypse envelops London, Shaun is forced to reevaluate his priorities and must enlist the help of his best friend Ed (Nick Frost) to save Liz and his mother (Penelope Wilton). Along the way, Shaun must battle waves of zombies and discover what it truly means to be alive. The movie is an homage to classic zombie films, blending comedy with horror and featuring an unlikely hero.

From Danny Boyle, starring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Alex Palmer
Rated R

"28 Days Later..." is a post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle and released in 2002. The film follows Jim, a young man who wakes up alone in an abandoned hospital, only to discover that the world has been infected by a violent rage-inducing virus that turns humans into mindless zombies. After escaping the hospital, Jim must survive the dangerous streets of London, where he meets other survivors and embarks on a mission to find a safe haven. Along the way, he finds himself in a struggle against the infected, the military, and his own personal demons. The film is an intense, action-packed thrill ride, with a few shocking twists and a desperate battle for survival that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

From Directors: Robert Rodriguez, Eli Roth, Quentin Tarantino, Edgar Wright, Rob Zombie, starring Kurt Russell, Rose McGowan, Danny Trejo, Zoë Bell
Rated R

Grindhouse is a homage to the B-movies of the 1970s, comprising of two feature-length segments by four of the most acclaimed independent filmmakers of recent times: Robert Rodriguez (Planet Terror), Eli Roth (Hostel) Quentin Tarantino (Death Proof) and Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead). In Rodriguez's segment Planet Terror, a military experiment gone wrong unleashes a horde of zombie-like assailants, and a small group of survivors must fight their way through the night to safety. In Roth's segment, Hostel, three American tourists find themselves caught up in the violent and gruesome secret world of the Slovakian underworld. In Tarantino's segment, Death Proof, a stuntman with a dangerous agenda stalks a group of young women in his vintage muscle car. And in Wright's segment, Shaun of the Dead, slacker Shaun must find a way to survive a zombie apocalypse and save his family. Overall, Grindhouse is an action-packed and gory tribute to the exploitation films of the 1970s.

From Directors: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza, starring Manuela Velasco, Ferran Terraza, Jorge-Yamam Serrano, Pablo Rosso
Rated R

From J.A. Bayona, starring Belén Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger Príncep, Mabel Rivera
Rated R

From Zack Snyder, starring Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer, Jake Weber
Rated R

From Ari Aster, starring Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff
Rated R

From Frank Darabont, starring Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden, Andre Braugher
Rated R

From Matt Reeves, starring Mike Vogel, Jessica Lucas, Lizzy Caplan, T.J. Miller
Rated PG-13

From Drew Goddard, starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz
Rated R

From James Wan, starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye
Rated PG-13

From James Watkins, starring Kelly Reilly, Michael Fassbender, Tara Ellis, Jack O'Connell
Rated R

From Rob Zombie, starring Sid Haig, Sheri Moon Zombie, Bill Moseley, William Forsythe
Rated R

From Directors: Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez, starring Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua Leonard, Bob Griffin
Rated R

From Christophe Gans, starring Radha Mitchell, Laurie Holden, Sean Bean, Deborah Kara Unger
Rated R

From Fede Alvarez, starring Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Jessica Lucas, Lou Taylor Pucci
Rated R

From Brad Anderson, starring David Caruso, Stephen Gevedon, Paul Guilfoyle, Josh Lucas
Rated R

From Marcus Nispel, starring Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker, Andrew Bryniarski, Erica Leerhsen
Rated R

From Takashi Shimizu, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jason Behr, Clea DuVall, William Mapother
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, David Bruckner, Tyler Gillett, Justin Martinez, Glenn McQuaid, Radio Silence, Joe Swanberg, Chad Villella, Ti West, Adam Wingard, starring Calvin Reeder, Lane Hughes, Adam Wingard, Hannah Fierman
Rated R