As a Horror Fan, These Are 10 Movies That Never Get Old for Me
Horror fans all have their favorites in the genre, and they also have their go-to list of recommendations for those looking for a good pick for their next horror movie night. Even on a rewatch, a good horror movie can have just as much of an impact as it did the first time around. That heart-pounding, tightening in your chest, edge-of-your-seat feeling as you wait for what’s to come. Even after countless viewings, there’s always something new that you can catch, whether it be a new clue that plays into the big reveal at the end, or a catchy one-liner you didn’t notice the first time.
It’s always exciting when new horror films come out, but there’s also something special about having a list of go-to horror films that never get old, no matter how many times you view them. Whether they’re all classics, or consist primarily of newer releases. As a horror fan myself, I strike a balance of classics and new releases. I vary between sub-genres, from slashers, to psychological, and horror-comedies. There’s lots of variety in my go-tos, and they never get old, so let’s go through them, shall we?
10
‘Us’ (2019)
Jordan Peele was already a big name before he started making horror movies, but he exploded once he moved into the genre. Most people have strong opinions on what their favorite Peele horror film is out of his current three: Get Out, Us, and Nope. But for me, the most rewatchable is Us. It’s also the one that unsettled me the most, purely because of the character of Red (Lupita Nyong’o), and her fellow Tethered.
Us is a home invasion film on the surface, but it quickly reveals itself to be so much more than that when it’s shown that the people invading the Wilson vacation home are clone copies of them. What results is a twisted and complex story that I still find new details in every rewatch, and for that, it is brilliant and one I never tire of watching.
9
‘Ready or Not’ (2019)
Ready or Not leans into the horror comedy subgenre, but the actual situation Grace (Samara Weaving) finds herself in is terrifying. On her wedding night, Grace’s new in-laws tell her it is tradition to play a game. The game she pulls is “Hide and Seek,” which Grace thinks is going to be just like the game she played as a child. Her in-laws, however, have other, more murderous plans. Grace is easily one of the best final girls for how resilient she is and how many smart choices she makes throughout the run of the film, and she’s also extremely likable, even in the most miserable of situations.
Ready or Not is always enjoyable on a rewatch, and still manages to be surprising every time. The setting is great, the atmosphere is perfect, and it’s got some surprisingly gnarly gore that you don’t expect going in. It’s a fun watch when you’re looking for something light and not too intense, and it’s easily one of the best modern-day horror films, and a great example of horror-comedy done right.
8
‘Bride of Chucky’ (1998)
This is where I may lose some of you, so I should preface this one by saying, Bride of Chucky is by no means a spectacular movie. But it’s a fun movie, and it’s by far my favorite of the Child’s Play films. It’s really a toss-up between this one and Child’s Play 2, but when it comes to the one I’m reaching for on a rewatch, I go Bride of Chucky every time. The primary reason for that is because this is the movie that introduces Jennifer Tilly as Tiffany Valentine. And looking back on the movies that came before, it’s baffling that there was ever a time Tiffany wasn’t in them; she fits in so seamlessly and takes them to the next level.
Bride of Chucky is ridiculous in the best way. It’s when the Child’s Play franchise leaned into the humor full on, and let Chucky (Brad Dourif) wreak havoc in whatever way he pleased. The secondary storyline of Jesse (Nick Stabille) and Jade (Katherine Heigl) isn’t quite as strong, but it’s worth it for the Chucky and Tiffany antics. All in all, Bride of Chucky is a guilty pleasure that I don’t even really feel guilty about, and it has spectacular rewatchability.
7
‘The Conjuring’ (2013)
No list of horror movies would be complete without at least one paranormal movie, and The Conjuring perfectly fits the bill. There are multiple films within The Conjuring universe, four within the Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) saga alone, but the most rewatchable has to be the one that started it all. The Conjuring follows the Perron family when they move into a new house and start experiencing disturbing and unexplainable events that prove to be demonic.
The Conjuring is scary on every watch, it has great jump scares, and it’s got an eerie atmosphere. Plus, it does a great job at introducing you to its characters, making you care about each of them individually and making you root for them. It’s incredibly well done, and makes for a great rewatch, especially if you’re looking for a fast fix of scares.
6
‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984)
A demon who targets you in your dreams and kills you while you’re sleeping? Could anything be more frightening? A Nightmare on Elm Street is a classic for a reason. Following a group of teenagers as they attempt to stay alive while being targeted by the ruthless Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), it’s so full of tension because you know, at some point, they have to sleep. It’s physically impossible not to, so it’s only a matter of time until Krueger strikes again. And when he does, it’s with a wisecrack and a brutal slash of his knife fingers.
Part of the fun of rewatching A Nightmare on Elm Street is paying attention to the scares, since everything was done practically. From the famous scene of Krueger leaning over Nancy’s (Heather Langenkamp) bed through the wall, to the tongue coming out of the phone, and even Glen’s (Johnny Depp) bloody death. It’s so impressive, especially for 1984, and it makes a rewatch fun to notice and admire.
5
‘Hereditary’ (2018)
Look, Hereditary may not be the happiest movie on this list – actually, it can be a pretty hard watch – but it is one I find myself rewatching often because it’s just so brilliant. Directed by Ari Aster, Hereditary follows a grieving family that is tormented by sinister secrets after the matriarch of the family passes away. On paper, it sounds simple, but it’s so layered and complex, and with every rewatch, I pick up a new piece of the puzzle I didn’t catch on a previous rewatch.
Hereditary also features some of the most breathtaking performances I have ever seen. Namely from Toni Collette, who has one of the greatest and memorable monologues on film, but also from Alex Wolff, and Milly Shapiro, who play her children. Hereditary is one of those films that sticks with you long after the credits roll, so you may as well give it a rewatch because it’s not one you’ll be shaking afterward.
4
‘X’ (2022)
Ti West’s X is the first in a trilogy, with the other installments being Pearl and MaXXXine. And while each installment is great in its own right, X is a standout and by far the most rewatchable to me. It’s a straight-up slasher, unlike the other two, which gives it far more rewatchability. But more than that, it’s just incredibly well done. Set in rural Texas in 1979, the film follows a cast and crew who rent an elderly couple’s guest house to make a pornographic film. But things take a murderous turn, as to be expected.
X is a favorite rewatch because, aside from being a fresh take on the slasher genre, it is also beautifully shot. Heck, even some of the death scenes are beautifully shot. The cinematography takes my breath away every time. The soundtrack is incredible and suits the film so well. The villains are unexpected, and oddly sympathetic, but ruthless at the same time. And not that it was ever up for debate, but Mia Goth is a star as she pulls double duty in two roles.
3
‘Carrie’ (1976)
There are a lot of Stephen King adaptations that could have made this list, and a few that almost did. But one that is always on my rewatch list and never wavers is Carrie. The film follows a bullied teenage girl named Carrie (Sissy Spacek) who discovers she has the power of telekinesis, and eventually uses it to get revenge on those who have wronged her.
Carrie is a slow-burn, and it takes a while to prove that it is a full-fledged horror film, but once it does, it’s brutal and doesn’t let up. But it’s also devastating, and haunting, and strangely beautiful all at once. It’s also shot beautifully, with vaseline-slicked lenses that make every scene look dreamy and whimsical even when carnage is unfolding on screen. It’s one of a kind, and a classic for a reason.
2
‘Halloween’ (1978)
John Carpenter‘s Halloween is often credited for kicking off the slasher era of horror, so it should be no surprise that it’s on the rewatch list. There are a lot of Halloween films, and as someone who loves the franchise, I have quite a few favorites, but there’s something about the original Halloween from 1978 that hits the spot. The film follows Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) on Halloween night, when she and her friends are stalked by an escaped killer named Michael Myers (Nick Castle). The beauty of Halloween is in the simplicity. There’s nothing overly flashy about it, yet it’s extremely effective. Michael Myers’ slow stalk towards his victims, and how it seems nearly impossible to outrun him, is daunting.
Laurie Strode is also one of the best final girls out there, bar none. And can we talk about the score, which was composed by Carpenter himself? It perfectly encapsulates the dread of the situation, and the fear Michael Myers instills. Halloween is an especially great choice for a more atmospheric rewatch. As the name quite literally suggests, it’s perfect to get you in the autumn mood. And who doesn’t love cozying up with a scary classic?
1
‘Scream’ (1996)
You knew it would be on here. It’s pretty much impossible to have a horror rewatch list without including the most rewatchable horror of all time, Scream. The movie follows Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and her friends, who become the target of a masked serial killer known as Ghostface. Scream is unique for how meta it gets, since it makes fun of horror movies while being a horror movie itself. It tells you the rules of horror movies, while showing characters who actively break said rules. It’s also genuinely funny, a lot of which is due to Matthew Lillard, who has some of the greatest lines that I constantly quote.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the opening kill sequence, in which Drew Barrymore‘s character, Casey Becker, is chased around her home and ultimately killed by Ghostface. That opening scene alone has taken on its own legacy, so, therefore, the film deserves its place on my rewatch list. And yes, many of the other films in the franchise are rewatchable too, but nothing beats the original.
