Movies
The Perfect Horror Movies for Beginners
From the kid-friendly horror titles to the all-out screamers, this list of horror for beginners has you covered no matter which section of the pool you or your viewing partner is ready for. Remember, you can’t toss a brand-new swimmer straight into the deep end. Well, I suppose you can, but they may hate swimming for it. Introduce horror responsibly.
Scary movies exist within many levels of horror. Because of this, it can be challenging to find a scary movie to start with when you need a good horror movie for beginners. Whether for yourself, your kid, your partner, your co-worker, your mother-in-law, or someone in between, knowing the fortitude of your audience is half the battle.
Should you start at the pool’s shallow end, where things are a bit tamer, or are you ready to dive into murkier depths of horror? No matter your or your viewing party/s horror tolerance, this list of scary movies for beginners will help you navigate the waters to find the perfect horror movie to start with.
DISCLAIMER: Swim at your own risk.
The Best Horror Movies for Beginners
Everyone’s tolerances and the things they find acceptable wildly vary. While I have taken great care to organize this list into what I believe are different levels of horror movie tolerance, I recommend doing your due diligence before watching any title (especially with anyone aged lower than the film’s rating). This website will tell you any film’s potential triggers, e.g., “Does the dog die?” Meanwhile, IMDB has a Parent’s Guide which lists each incidence of a film’s use of profanity, sexual content, violence, drug use, etc. Also, some movies show how far they are willing to go during the opening scene; if you start a film and the opening scene is gruesome, you can expect the movie to go that far, and perhaps farther, again.
Time to dive in (and yes, I will be beating this swim lesson metaphor to death for the duration of this piece).
The Kiddie Pool
Some of the best movies to serve as an introduction to horror can be found in films made explicitly for kids. Now don’t get me wrong; just because they’re kid-friendly horror movies doesn’t make them any less scary. The kiddie pool may seem harmless from the outside, but it might just give you nightmares once you know what’s in that water. That’s why these family-friendly scary movies are near and dear to many hardcore horror fan hearts. Starting up with a personal favorite of mine:
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)
This movie is the perfect gauge for someone’s horror tolerance. Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang reunite to face off against real monsters for the first time. The cartoon zombies give a taste of violence, while the pirate ghosts and voodoo dolls make a fantastic introduction to the paranormal.
Coraline (2009)
Delivering light body horror via the Other Mother who replaces children’s eyes with buttons… need I say more? It’s a movie whose dark themes will have you questioning how this was made for children but being surprised by the way it serves horror in an objectively palatable manner.
Nightbooks (2021)
The only live-action option in this section is also (in my opinion) the least scary. A witch imprisons a boy who loves to tell scary stories. It’s a little like The Black Phone for kids and makes a perfect creepy movie for family night.
Water Wingies
So they let you out of the kid’s pool, but not without a little floatation device. These family horror films aren’t necessarily suitable for *all* ages; however, they are fun for *most* ages.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
While this film has a similar premise to many children’s movies as a boy finds a magical realm, this title has just enough unsettling imagery to see that it’s too grown up for the kiddie pool.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Take this PG title with a grain of salt, as anyone who’s seen it may remember Beetlejuice perusing the red light district or saying, “Nice f**king model.” The 80s and 90s kids’ movies were most certainly built differently. Outside of that, there’s some fun Claymation horror, great comedic moments, iconic looks, and just enough scariness to unsettle a fresh audience.
Poltergeist (1982)
Speaking of PG horror movies, the 80s “family friendly” horror film where the parents smoked some devil’s lettuce in the kitchen, the man peeled his face off, and real human skeletons swarmed the woman is a perfect introductory scary movie. The face-peeling effects have certainly aged with time, as has some of the terror it once instilled in its day, placing it safely in the safety of water wingies.
Learning to Doggy Paddle
You’re learning to swim alone now; this independence comes with scarier movies. Good for you.
Child’s Play (1988)
Child’s Play was my oldest child’s first horror movie because it has the perfect blend of suspense and violence to be expected of any scary movie but does not go over the top with it. Added to the fact that, at 35 years old, Chucky is such a known icon, the familiarity helps taper the fear. To the upcoming generation, I suppose Chucky is about as threatening as the older gentleman from Up feeding pigeons on a park bench. After all, the film will be fifty years old when most of our children graduate high school. Pardon me; I’m feeling faint.
Skinamarink (2022)
Much of the horror of this film comes from the tension building and its ability to tap into old childhood feelings of fear – not so much the horrific imagery. As such, this is a great place to begin for anyone who still needs to prepare for the gruesome likes of The Outwaters but is interested in liminal horror.
Fall (2022)
While this film isn’t a scary movie in the sense that there’s a monster or paranormal event, this film is the perfect family night horror movie, assuming our doggy paddlers can handle extreme heights and perhaps a corpse or two. When two girls are stranded at the top of a 2,000-foot radio tower, the ensuing tale and ending are hauntingly unforgettable.
Strong Swimmer
This section equates those who passed the lifeguard test at the public pool to be allowed to swim in the deep end.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
If it weren’t for the headless horseman decapitating the pregnant woman’s fetus, Sleepy Hollow would’ve been at a more shallow end of the pool, but here we are. It’s an excellent introduction to gore, as aside from regular decapitation, it’s pretty minimal. Plus, everyone gets to enjoy Christopher Walken’s memorable performance as the Hessian. Between the shot of his mouth with the pointed, bloody teeth, and the witch in the woods, some moments will stick with you long after watching.
The Others (2001)
The complete lack of gore, minor violence, and ensuing horror make this film excellent for anyone beginning to watch scary movies for the first time. To this day, it’s a unique horror tale that belongs on everyone’s watch list. The intense reveal at the end makes it a title that is likely unsuitable for all viewers.
Happy Death Day (2017)
Sometimes the best way to accustom oneself to horror is to laugh at it shamelessly. This PG-13 Blumhouse horror comedy is the perfect avenue for just that as the main character relives the same day repeatedly (in Groundhog Day fashion), all for her to be murdered by the same unknown, masked assailant each time. The film follows her journey as she tries to unravel the mystery of who is behind the mask. It’s a great introductory slasher, as since time rewinds each day, the deaths never really mean anything. (Or don’t they?)
Adult Swim
Finally, these are the honest-to-goodness scary movies that make the perfect horror movies for beginners ready to be terrified. This category is for people who can’t handle the gore but want to be scared. Sink or swim.
Sinister (2012)
The folks behind Sinister tried desperately to achieve a PG-13 rating, so there are few moments where violence is shown head-on. Despite this, the film’s subject matter nevertheless landed an R rating. If your viewing party can handle the dark journey of a true-crime writer investigating families ruthlessly annihilated by a demonic entity, this is the film for you.
Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
Mike Flanagan is one of my favorite directors, and this film is a testimony to his expertise in the horror genre. There is little violence, but the imagery is so disturbing that it makes for a wonderfully terrifying time. A family who runs a fraudulent séance operation sees absolute horror as one of them becomes demonically possessed.
The Conjuring (2013)
This movie marks the rare occasion where a scary movie receives an R rating despite having few scenes of violence, nudity, or profanity. It’s rated R simply for being terrifying. Based on the real-life investigation of an allegedly haunted Connecticut home by Ed and Lorraine Warren, this film is a jump off the diving board straight into the deep end of horror.
From the kid-friendly horror titles to the all-out screamers, this list of horror for beginners has you covered no matter which section of the pool you or your viewing partner is ready for. Remember, you can’t toss a brand-new swimmer straight into the deep end. Well, I suppose you can, but they may hate swimming for it. Introduce horror responsibly. Let us know in the comments or on social media if there are any beginner horror movies you wish had been included!
My New Year’s resolution is to spend more time watching my favorite app. Luckily, Shudder is not taking it easy on us this holiday season, so I may meet my quota this January. The streamer is bringing in the new year with quite a few bangers. We have classics from icons, a new title from the first family of indie horror, and a couple of lesser-known films that have finally found a home. So, I am obviously living for this month’s programming and think most of you will too. I have picked the five films that I believe deserve our collective attention the most. Get into each of them and start your 2026 off on the right foot.
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
Carrie (1976)
A sheltered teen finally unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated for the last time. Carrie is the reason I thought proms might be cool when I was a kid. This Brian De Palma adaptation is one of my favorite Stephen King adaptations. It is also an important title in the good-for-her subgenre. I cannot help rooting for Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) when I watch her snap at this prom and then head home to accidentally deal with her mom. The only tragedy of this evening is that Carrie had to die, too. I said what I said, and I will be hitting play again while it is on Shudder. This recommendation goes out to the other recovering sheltered girls who would be the problem if they had powers. I see you because I am you.
You can watch Carrie on January 1st.
Marshmallow (2025)
A shy 12-year-old gets sent to summer camp and finds himself in a living nightmare. While Marshmallow did not land for me, I know plenty of people who love it. Which makes this the perfect addition to the Shudder catalogue. I am actually excited to see more folks fall in love with this movie when it hits the streamer. If nothing else, it will help a few folks cross off another 2025 title if they are still playing catch-up with last year’s movies. It also gets cool points from me for not taking the easy route with the mystery it built. I hope you all dig it more than I did, and tell your friends about it. Perhaps you could even encourage them to sign up for the app.
You can watch Marshmallow on January 1st.
Chain Reactions (2024)
Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre cemented his horror legacy over fifty years ago. So, it is long overdue for a documentary where horror royalty can discuss its impact on them and their careers. I have been waiting for a couple of years to hear Karyn Kusama and Takashi Miike talk about Hooper’s work and how he inspired them. So, I am super geeked that Shudder is finally giving me the chance to see this film. The streamer is also helping the nerds out by adding The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 2 (1986) this month. If you are also an overachieving couch potato, I will see you at the finish line next week.
You can watch Chain Reactions on January 9th.
In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
An insurance investigator discovers the impact a horror writer’s books have on people. I love chaos, and John Carpenter chaos happens to be one of my favorite kinds of chaos. While we talk about The Thing and Halloween all the time, this maestro has given us plenty of horror to celebrate. In the Mouth of Madness is very much one of those titles vying for a top spot among the best of his filmography. To sweeten the batshit pot, this movie features Sam Neill. You know that he only shows up in our genre if the movie is going to be legendary. You cannot tell me this is not a Shudder priority this month.
You can watch In the Mouth of Madness on January 10th.
Mother of Flies (2025)
A terminally ill young woman and her dad head to the woods to seek out a recluse who claims she can cure her cancer. The Adams Family has been holding court on Shudder for years, so it feels right that Mother of Flies is a Shudder Original. More importantly, this fest favorite has one of the best performances of 2025. Which makes it a great time for people to finally get to see it and get in line to give Toby Poser her flowers. Whatever you think your favorite Poser role is, it is about to change when you see her as Solveig. I am being serious when I say that this movie might be the first family of indie horror at their best.
You can watch Mother of Flies on January 23rd.
New year, but same Shudder. I would not want to go into 2026 any other way, personally. I hope these horrific recommendations bring you the good kind of anxiety. Or at least distract you from the state of the world for a bit.
I’m happy Netflix knew I would be back on my bull shit. Now that we’re in January, and the end-of-year lists are done, I’m trying to cram as many 2025 titles into my eyeballs as I possibly can. I know it sounds backwards, but it’s sadly a yearly tradition now. No matter how many titles you cram into a year, there are always a ton more you missed. Because I am broken, I need to know if I missed anything that should have been on my lists ASAP. Then I can drag myself for not getting my eyeballs on things sooner. Or worse, seeing titles that came out after my deadline and would have definitely been on there. I need to feel resentment for their schedules not letting me be great.
Luckily for me, the streamer has dropped quite a bit of new stuff recently. This includes movies and shows that I put off, or that legitimately premiered a couple of weeks ago. So, now I can spiral in the comfort of my own home as I binge all of these titles like a maniac. If you are also trying to walk into the new year stressed out, then maybe this streaming guide is for you, too.
City of Shadows (2025)
When a burned body is put on display on the facade of an iconic building, two inspectors must work together to solve the crime. I don’t know much about this Spanish thriller, but I know winter is the time for an unsettling mystery. The show is based on the first book of the Milo Malart tetralogy written by Aro Sáinz de la Maza. So, if it’s as good as I hope it is, there is a whole world with this inspector awaiting us in print. I’m ready to take all six of these episodes in one setting if the streaming Gods allow.
Frankenstein (2025)
Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Christoph Waltz are among the names in this newest adaptation of the beloved Gothic horror classic. Guillermo del Toro’s take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is clearly one of the top priorities this month. While I skipped it in festivals because of the runtime, I knew I would have a date with it on Netflix this winter. While it has been on the streamer for a minute, I wasn’t able to dedicate two and a half hours to it. I also had watched my friends’ mixed reviews come in, and couldn’t take another disappointment last year. So, I saved this treat for the holiday. Fingers crossed, it is better than people are saying it is.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)
A new group of friends is tormented by a new stalker in this sequel to Kevin Williamson’s other ’90s slasher. I’m indifferent to the I Know What You Did Last Summer movies. Some are less awful than others, and I think this one was fine, but I know the original source material. Which means I know just how far they stray from what the original author, Lois Duncan, was about. So, I look at these movies and the flimsy premise they repeat differently than a lot of my friends. I think it’s an interesting look at how IP gets handled in Hollywood, but I don’t usually get much out of these. Which is another reason I’m kinder to this Jennifer Kaytin Robinson film than some people. While I won’t be rewatching it this January, I think a lot of people who missed it in theaters are going to have fun with some of these kills now that it’s on Netflix.
Stranger Things: Season 5 (2025)
The long-awaited conclusion to Stranger Things is finally upon us! Will Vecna take out some of this ridiculously large cast on the way out? I hope so. Will we pretend to be surprised when Eddie Munson gets a few seconds of screentime? I refuse to play this game. However, are we all going to tune in to see how this epic ride ends? You betcha! I hate that they’re breaking this final season up into three chunks, but I will be sitting for all of them.
The first four episodes hit in November. The next three landed on Netflix on December 25, and the finale premiered on December 31. I don’t know what to expect, but I know I am so ready to close this chapter of my relationship with Netflix and the Duffer Brothers. If it is even half as good as season four, then I will be a very happy nerd.
Troll 2 (2025)
A new troll awakens, causing Nora, Andreas, and Captain Kris to find new allies to take it down. This Norwegian monster flick almost got by me, so I’m happy Netflix dropped the trailer for this one. I’m using this as an excuse to finally watch the first one. I’m thinking a double feature is in order, so I can spend a whole day with these trolls. This is not my usual type of party, but after Troll Hunter won me over, I figure anything can happen. So, I will not judge you if you’re not feeling this out of left field pick. Just know that I’m running at it with an open mind and hoping to see some carnage as a reward.
These are just the Netflix titles I’m prioritizing. This is in no way a complete overview of all of the new shows and movies they’ve added this winter. We also know that they usually have a ton of international bangers that they refuse to advertise. So, I end up stumbling over Korean titles every January and then trying to tell people we missed some really excellent stuff. So, pick up your remote and turn your phone off. It’s time to Netflix and Chill in the less sexy and more nerdy way.
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