Horror movies can be intimidating if you are new to the genre. Many people think it is just a man with a knife chasing people, and while that is fun on occasion, there’s much more to explore. With that in mind, I want to take a mount to delve into some of the different subgenera under the horror umbrella. Whether that be ghosts lurking through corridors or mind-bending plots that leave you staring at your screen, I believe there is a horror niche for everyone. In this article, I will break down different sub-genres and help you find your sweet spot.
Slashers
Let’s take it back to the basics for this first category. Slashers are the face of the horror genre. The classic trope of a killer with a knife running after teens in the woods. This genre is notorious for intense chase scenes, brutal violence that hardly lacks in gore, and the fan-favorite final girl trope.
What is it about slashers that has persevered for multiple decades? Is it the shock value, gore, or the good old-fashioned suspense of a killer chasing you? Slashers have a deep history with horror, dating back to the 1960s, but truly taking off in the 1970s. Films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre captivated viewers with an immersive viewing experience and kept them returning for more as the years went on. Listed below are some of the other noteworthy slashers you can watch throughout different decades.
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
- Halloween (1978)
- Black Christmas (1974)
- Friday the 13th (1980)
- Scream (1996)
Supernatural
This subgenre will intensify those nights when you hear a startling noise you’re afraid to investigate. Maybe it’s just the house settling or the wind whistling through the sky, or maybe it is something much more sinister. This horror subgenre explores haunted houses and voices from the spirit realm in all their chilling glory.
This genre of horror taps into a fear of the unknown. Forcing people to admit that their deepest, darkest fears may be lurking in the shadows and there is nothing they can do to stop it. This genre often plays with life after death and the paranormal. Ghosts lurking in abandoned halls, demons crawling through the shadows, and evil curses that have been causing chaos for centuries. The supernatural has been deeply rooted in our world since the dawn of man. That may be why so many find this genre appealing. Below are a few standout efforts to explore.
- The Conjuring (2013)
- Insidious (2010)
- The Ring (2002)
- The Amityville Horror (1979)
- The Others (2001)
- Poltergeist (1982)
Found Footage
Found footage has become increasingly popular following the unprecedented success of The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity. This style of film shows what appears to be documentary footage or candid video. The film usually appears unedited and raw, leaving the viewer questioning if what they are watching is real. Found footage is a great way to fully immerse the viewer and leave them feeling like they are witnessing the events in real time.
The realism creates a sense of dread and personalism that no other genre can match. See below for a handful of recommendations.
- The Blair Witch Project (1999)
- The Houses October Built (2014)
- Hell House LLC (2015)
- Paranormal Activity (2007)
- Creep (2014)
- Megan is Missing (2011)
Psychological Horror
While some may argue that horror needs jump-scares and gore to terrorize its audience, others would say there is nothing scarier than preying on your mind. Delving deep into your psyche, and emphasizing the terror that truly lies within. The fear and horror in this style are often less about what is seen and more about what is implied. Creating an unsettling atmosphere that leaves the viewer with an overall feeling of tension and unease.
This genre delves into a very different type of horror. This is a horror that we may not see but feels more real than ever. While other horror sub-genres rely on visuals and real-life frights to keep the viewer terrified, this genre manipulates its audience and delves deep into their mind bringing fear to the forefront. Psychological horror has been around for decades, but there was a resurgence in the 1990s. Since then it has maintained popularity and remains a favorite sub-genre for many. Make sure to check out the titles outlined below for a frightening good time.
- Last Night in Soho (2021)
- The Invisible Man (2020)
- In the Tall Grass (2019)
- The Shining (1980)
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- Black Swan (2010)
Horror Comedy
Comedy is probably the last thing that comes to mind when considering horror movies. However, some filmmakers have mastered blending the two genres, seamlessly intertwining them. The stark contrast between fear and humor is what makes comedy-horror so unique. Creating a successful comedy-horror film is all about knowing when to create humor in what otherwise feels like a genuine nightmare. The combination of tension and laughter keeps audiences engaged and entertained.
Comedy horror became mainstream in the 1980s with films like Beetlejuice (1988). In the 1990s, however, it went a little more on the nose with parodies of the iconic horror tropes we know and love. Films like Scream (1996) and Scary Movie (2000) are two examples of how horror comedy can deliver terror and laughter at the same time. The balance between these two vastly different emotions works so well, catching the viewer off guard. Check out the picks below for sidesplitting scares.
- Ready or Not (2019)
- Totally Killer (2023)
- The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
- Happy Death Day (2017)
- Abigail (2024)
- Jennifer’s Body (2009)
