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!
Halloween season is over, and many streamers have forgotten about us horror kids. While they take their 11-month hiatus from the genre, we can be grateful that we still have an app that cares. We are so lucky that Shudder remains that girl year-round. Whether you’re finishing their new original show Guts & Glory, catching up on The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans, or running at some of their deep cuts like I am, Shudder has your best interests at heart. As usual, she has quite a few titles fighting for our attention. Which is why I am here with five titles I think should be at the top of all of our watch lists this November. So, cancel your holiday plans and pick up your remote because we have got horrifying things to watch.
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder This Month
Habit (1995)
An alcoholic unwittingly enters into a relationship with a succubus in New York City. If you ever wondered what Larry Fessenden was getting up to in his youth, you need to see this ’90s gem. I lucked out and caught it at Brooklyn Horror Film Festival last year, and I lived my best life. While watching it on the small screen will not be the same, I plan to hit play anyway. Mostly because I love to see 1990s succubi leaving their mark on men…and also the horror genre. Shudder is also adding The Last Winter and Depraved, so we can spend a whole day with Uncle Larry’s work.
Sew Torn (2024)
A seamstress happens upon a failed drug deal and steals a briefcase. She soon finds herself caught in a deadly situation where all roads lead to death. I caught Sew Torn at SXSW last year and have been wondering what happened to it. So, I am very happy this odd little bird has found her way to Shudder. I cannot wait to make my friends who are looking for something cute and deadly watch. I knew nothing when I hit play on this, and I encourage you to know as little as possible, too. I fear I have already written too much in this blurb to be completely honest.
You can watch Sew Torn on November 1st.
The Retreat (2021)
A couple goes on a pre-wedding retreat and unwittingly becomes targets of a group of serial killers. We have seen too many movies about retreats, and I thought this one would be more of the same. This title does not completely reinvent the wheel, but it does set itself apart within this oversaturated subgenre. The Retreat is a surprisingly fun and tense little thriller that feels made for the winter watches. Come for the lesbian characters leading the film, and stay for the violence. I also encourage you to check it out while it is on Shudder, because it is usually on apps with ads.
You can watch The Retreat on November 1st.
The Creep Tapes (Season 2)
Peachfuzz returns with more tapes, chaos, kills, and WTF moments. Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice have reentered the TV arena and are making things weird again. If award shows were real, this duo would be leading the Emmys charge. I saw the first three episodes, and Josef/Peachfuzz is still the serial killer after our own hearts. Our Wolfie is still cutting up (literally and figuratively) in the most amazing ways. Guest stars in danger this season include David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil), Katie Aselton (The League), and Robert Longstreet (The Haunting of Hill House).
You can watch The Creep Tapes (Season 2) on November 14th.
Krampus (2015)
A kid accidentally summons demons during the holidays in this horror comedy. Krampus remains one of the top-tier Christmas horror titles for me. It is also my favorite Michael Dougherty film. Not only because it has the star power of Adam Scott and Toni Collette, either. This movie is wicked, and even the kids are in danger. I do not have many holiday horror movies I revisit every year, but Krampus is one of the very few. It still holds up, and I cannot wait to rewatch it with a festively boozy beverage.
You can watch Krampus on November 15th.
Those are a few reasons I am grateful for Shudder this holiday season. While the rest of you are fighting with your family and friends, I will be parked in front of my TV. You can have your turkey because I would rather gorge myself on episodes of The Creep Tapes anyway.
Let me know what Shudder shenanigans you have got your little eye on. I am nosy and want to make sure I am not missing anything on my favorite streamer.
The year is winding down, and I don’t know about you, but I am trying to pack in as many 2025 horror movies as I can. Is this because I love making end-of-the-year lists? Yes. Is it because I am an unhealed overachiever? Also, yes. So, I am assuming some of you are also cruising the streamers to see what you may have missed. While Netflix has had my favorite new slasher Heart Eyes for a bit, and I have mentioned that in previous streaming guides, they also have other new horror titles to show you.
I do not talk about them as much because I did not have a good time with them. However, that does not mean you won’t enjoy some of these titles. That’s why I am taking the high road and finding something to be grateful for about each of them. That way, you will know there is a silver lining if you do watch them. Allow me to help you figure out what to prioritize this month and what to skip. Check out this chaotic Netflix hitlist below!
The Best Movies to Stream on Netflix This Month
28 Years Later (2025)
A group of survivors on a small island has built a fortress to protect them from the rage virus. However, a young boy discovers what is really outside the walls of their community and sets off to find a cure for his sick mother. We all loved 28 Days Later, and some of us liked 28 Weeks Later. So, 28 Years Later was never going to live up to the hype with almost thirty years of anticipation. While I didn’t love it, I did enjoy seeing Danny Boyle helm another zombie installment. What he does in the subgenre is top-tier, and we are welcome (even if the script left me wanting more). That might have gotten buried in all the talk about the dicks seen in the movie, though.
Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025)
A group of girls competing for prom queen starts disappearing, leaving the underdog to figure out what is happening to her competition. I had a lot of thoughts about this lackluster installment in Netflix’s Fear Street adaptations. As someone who grew up reading Fear Street books and wanting to adapt them myself, I do not understand how this movie came out so badly. Which made it hard to find something nice to say about this title. However, the soundtrack slaps, and it is not the soundtrack’s fault that it was wasted on a low-energy bottom-tier slasher. So, if you hit play on this, you can at least look forward to hearing some retro bangers selected by music supervisor Nora Felder. If you are familiar with her work on Yellowjackets and Stranger Things, you know Felder does not miss.
Maa (2025)
To battle a demon’s curse, a mother transforms into the legendary goddess Kali. As usual, Netflix did not advertise an international horror movie that seemed to have some potential. If they had told us Maa was an Indian Hindi-language mythological horror movie, most people who yell for intersectionality and originality would have run at it. Instead, we had to find out about it months later while looking for something we hadn’t already seen on the app. This movie is too long, and I cannot say it is good by any stretch of the imagination. However, it also made me realize how little I know about the goddess of destruction. If you are a nerd like me, this might lead you down a cool rabbit hole. You can also say you gave a view to a horror movie starring Brown people. Who knows, maybe you could be one of the few who enjoy this chaotic film.
Until Dawn (2025)
A group of friends find themselves trapped in a time loop where they keep getting killed in gruesome ways. I love the video game and was so bummed this adaptation was so bad. However, the practical effects are very cool and should be celebrated more. I think the stuff that the SFX team pulled off might be the only reason to watch the movie personally. I’m happy the actors whose work I enjoy got paid, and that’s another positive thing I can say. However, if we want to see young people in deadly time loops, we have so many movies that do it better. Excuse me as I look right at Happy Death Day and all of the movies that have tried to copy her.
Ziam (2025)
A Muay Thai fighter battles through a zombie apocalypse to save the woman he loves. Netflix fumbled the advertising for this one too, because who doesn’t want to see a Thai zombie film? So, I was excited to watch it, but then sad I did not like it. However, I think this one is on me. It is an action-horror with a lot of heartfelt moments, and that’s not my bag. I wanted more violence and zombie action because I am a broken and heartless ghoul. So, Ziam might be the only movie on this list that does not deserve my bombastic side eye. I am waiting for other people to watch it and let me know if they have a better time with it, though.
While I was not the audience for these movies, I am assuming some of you will dig them. Worst-case scenario, you cross off a few more 2025 horror movies and have something to talk about at Friendsgiving. Happy Horrordays! I will see myself out now…
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