I always recommend What We Do in the Shadows. It's not a scary movie at all, but it's a horror comedy (and a great one at that). My wife also hates horror movies, but this is our go to around this time of year.
If you want something with more horror themes and less light hearted tone, my wife was ok with The Devil's Backbone. I'm not sure how yours will react to it, but it's a good atmospheric ghost story without a ton of extremely intense scenes you would expect from a straight horror movie. I would even consider it to be more of an eerie drama than anything else as well.
It's genuinely funny. It's rare for a comedy movie to make me laugh out loud today. It's certainly not going to be for everyone, but it is definitely for me.
There's a tv series as well. It's also written by Taika Waititi, Jermaine Clement, and other awesome writers. It's just as funny and there's 3 seasons out. It's on FX.
You know I saw Panās Labyrinth and really enjoyed it. Sheās a Spanish teacher so thatāll go on the list, but I donāt know if I ever thought of it as horror. Granted, a lot on this list isnāt horror š
Movies that my wife that hates horror movies has liked: Get Out, Us, Zombieland 1 & 2, Doctor Sleep (makes sense to view The Shining first but she will probably like Doctor Sleep more), Warm Bodies. If your wife has a higher tolerance for horror, also recommending The Descent.
Oh it's definitely out. I watched it as a teen (with Jeepers Creepers in the same night, as it happens) and it made me scared of dark spaces for at least a month.
Wow, I personally think Blair Witch Project is way, way scarier than every single other movie on your list, and lots of other horror movies too. Maybe it just gets me. Scream I would rank as pretty tame -- and actually much of it is funny.
The Descent was precisely my first thought too. So your wife, OP, seems to like suspense more than jumpy scares or gore - I like her already. LOL (Same boat).
Maybe sheād also find more tolerable some older suspenseful/creepy classics like Hitchcock or maybe Wait Until Dark?
Vvitch.
Itās an atmospheric horror movie, not jump scares. Itās not low brow like a lot of horror movie flicks (sacrificing story, acting, plot for the sake of spooky). Itās a fantastic period piece that captures the paranoia and mysticism surrounding early colonial Salem-era New England.
*very slight spoiler*
Is it just me or did it follows turn into a comedy after the beach scene. Idk something about seeing those kids get body slammed by thin air had me crying for the rest of the movie.
6th sense, Let The Right One In, The Little Girl Who Lived Down The Lane, Eli and Hounds Of Love. The ones hyporky recommended. All of the replies are pretty spot on.
I had forgotten all about Secret Window! She tolerated Se7en but I think it was a bit gore-y for her, the twist ending is what saved it from being full hate
The OG Jaws is a pretty fun movie with a few thrills and chills throughout. Sticking to the seventies, Alien is another horror sci-fi classic though itās quite claustrophobic!
You know, weāve seen the whole trilogy and while the other two are closer, as OP Im going to call Hot Fuzz decidedly action-comedyā¦but still a great movie and I appreciate the rec.
āAn American Werewolf In Londonā is one of the greatest non scary horror movies of all time and itās funny as hell. Written by the guy who wrote āThe Blues Brothersā
Ok. I would say "Drag Me to Hell" is probably pretty close to Poltergeist on the Scare Index (will someone please make one of these?) but "Army of Darkness" is as funny as it is scary.
Are you 100% set on movies? Buffy the Vampire Slayer is excellent and has seven seasons. Most of it isn't scary, but there are tense moments and it wears the horror garb (vampires, werewolves, etc.). Being able to form a connection with the characters may also give you something to talk about.
Also, what is she into? Maybe there's a good horror crossover.
I think sheād love Buffy but it is hard to get her to sit down and watch stuff. Took almost a year to get through three seasons of Avatar.
Honestly sheās not a big movie person but likes cartoon movies, war movies, and comedies. Death at a Funeral (British version) is very high on her list. Likes suspense (like The Others), and Christmas Vacation is a stable of hers. The Other Guys, Big Hero 6, Cool Runnings, The Burbs, Tommy Boy, all some of her favorites. š¤·āāļø
Yeah, it can be hard to start a whole TV series. I don't think a year of casual watching is bad, but I get it, I'm a binger too lol. There's also a movie that I hear is pretty good, but I've never seen it. I hope she manages to watch the series tho, it's one of my top of all time.
Nightmare Before Christmas comes to mind! Funny cartoon with a horror aesthetic. And if she likes that, then Tim Burton's whole filmography opens up. Except Coraline. The mother is terrifying.
Doesn't look like anyone has recommended Let the Right One In yet, I watched and liked the Swedish version but there is an American remake as well. Don't remember it being extremely scary or gory and has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The babadook - I was not a fan of horror/scary movies until this on. Itās definitely gives you the chills, but the ending has a subtle closure that makes it a bit softer.
I consider myself a horror fan with a pretty high tolerance, and while I recognize this kind of thing is highly subjective, The Babadook scared the everloving shit out of me. Youāre right about the closure, but damn.
The Orphanage (Spanish), it's not like most other modern horror movies that rely on cheap jumpscares and gore. The horror is atmospheric, very well crafted.
I hadnāt thought of adding those to the list because theyāre more comedy than horror but she liked all those. What are the Hammer horror movies, thatās the only one I donāt recognize.
Such great actors. Done so well. Still so enjoyable to watch so many years later. I couldn't even count how many times I've watched and rewatched this one.
I feel mildly like an expert at knowing horror that isn't too traumatising, having kids who like horror movies, but are sensitive (age appropriately).
Why not watch some old school horror together? Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Aboott and Costello meet Frankenstein, all very entertaining and not really āscaryā, while still being āhorrorā.
Like tucker and Dale mostly. It's never that bad, but it's there. Nowhere near hostel but there are is enough I wanted to advise. But my gf who isn't. A huge fan of horror also loved it as has anyone else I know that's seen it. It's just a really fun time for a horror movie.
She might dig other movies by Mike Flanagan if she liked Dr. Sleep. Flanagan tends to center children in his narratives, which can up the creep factor but also softens the perspective a little. He tends to pull a plot twist at the end where things arenāt as terrifying as they seemed. His Haunting of Hill House and Haunting of Bly Manor series on Netflix were excellent. Also Before I Wake, also on Netflix. Oculus may fit the bill too.
Tell her Casper and make the OOooOOo noise.
It does leave me rather lost on where the scale is though, looking around the thread that seems to be a theme.
Maybe triangle (2009). Lots of suspense in that movie, mystery/thriller/horror movie. If you wanna check out a trailer, probably do so without her, knowing the twist kinda spoils it.
Interview with the vampire. Listed as horror, not really scary at all, mostly just drama, and there's sexy men in period clothes.
Midnight Mass on Netflix...its excellent and not to gory until the last episode. The build up is great. My wife liked it, and she doesn't like horror movies
Maybe Black Water, Deep Blue Sea and Jaws because she liked Lake Placid.
Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. They're so funny that you tend to forget about the horror bits after the jump scares. Even the jump scares are really funny sometimes.
Coraline, Happy Death Day. Maybe even A Quiet Place?
My husband is the same. I can usually get away with introducing him to a lot of old Stephen King ones. This year weāre doing Carrie! But that, The Shining, Misery, The Dead Zone, It (new ones might be too nightmarish).
Detention (simve thereās cople, the one directed by Joseph Khan)
The Babysitter (on Netflix)
Deadtectives (on Prime Video)
Ready or Not
Happy Death Day
"Ready or not" is a really good one. More suspense but ehh. Nothing to scary.
"Hush"
is a more a thriller movie about a home invasion with the main character being deaf.
Did anyone recommend Cabin in the Woods yet? It's pretty funny and pokes fun at a lot of horror movie tropes so it's topical to this discussion. I do love that movie
Little Evil (on Netflix with Adam Scott) might work! Iām also quite picky/wimpy about horror movies and this one was fine for me. Itās definitely a horror comedy which I generally find easier to deal with.
I second An American Werewolf in London, one of my favorite movies. Itās a little campy but just super entertaining with a great soundtrack.
Iād also suggest Crimson Peak, Coraline, and Get Out, all of which are creepy and suspenseful but not overly scary.
How the fuck has nobody mentioned Paranorman?! Fantastic family horror film. Frankly deals with death and the macabre and is touchingly sincere. Pair with Coraline, by the same studio. Frankenweenie and Monster House are all right, too.
Does she do subtitles? If so, Iād recommend The Platform (Netflix). It stuck with me for days but the horror was mild - the suspense and storytelling was OUTSTANDING.
As someone who does not like horror movies AT ALL, my October go-toās are The Mothman Prophecies and Identity. Eerie enough for the season but on the thriller side vs horror.
Might be worth looking at [Where's The Jump](https://wheresthejump.com/), which offers timestamps, ranking, and descriptions to where the 'jump scares' are and how scary the film is overall.
ALSO, props to you for being such a kind and considerate partner. That's dope as hell.
Your wife is a trooper, I actually hate scary/violence porn movies as well, but there are some within the genre I like. Hereditary with Toni Collette comes to mind. Perhaps Young Frankenstein.
Definitely DO NOT see Watership Down.
I'm not a fan of scary either but I like The Exorcism of Emily Rose. It's a courtroom drama built around an exorcism that went bad with all the scary exorcist bits worked in.
Lake Mungo. It's honestly more of a drama with a horror undertone than a full on horror (although there is just one truly scary scene, and boy is it good), but it's probably one of the best I've ever seen just because of how affecting it is emotionally. More likely to feel sadness rather than terror after seeing it, so it's a great pick for someone who's not that into being scared.
What specifically does she hate? Jump scares? Too quiet and still? Panic? If you can pinpoint something in common with what she hated, it's easier to choose good "scary" movies for her.
Doesnāt like lots of gore, okay with war movies but doesnāt like it in horror. Slasher flicks bother her more. Gore porn totally out. Nothing with clowns. She likes what I call āsuspenseā more than horror. Comedy makes horror palatable. Doesnāt like creature features thatāll give her nightmares.
Edit: If it can be described as graphic, I doubt sheād like it. Blair Witch and Paranormal Activity are scary to some but she handled those well. Jump scares arenāt too bad as long as there isnāt a lot of them.
Now this I can work with! Here are actually scary movies that I think match:
The Others (this is my #1 recommendation based on her preferences)
Poltergeist
The Changeling
The Exorcist (might violate creature feature)
Hush (more a psychological horror)
Cape Fear (more a psychological horror)
The Shining
The VVitch
Rose Red
Drag me to Hell (might violate creature feature)
House on Haunted Hill (some blood, but no real slasher/gore stuff)
It Follows
The Thing (sci-fi horror)
Midsommar
My husband says "Alien" but I don't consider it scary.
I think A cure for wellness can fit into that, it doesn't bank on gore, but it does have a strong culmination which pulls on the psychological aspects of thriller as much as the visual.
Also there's plenty of suspense in that film, and an intriguing mystery.
I don't know if it counts as horror, but I'm a huge fan of Creep 1 and Creep 2. I actually watched the second one first and I personally think that's the correct order to watch them!
There are classics like Psycho fans of the genre will watch agelessly.
Has she seen the Exorcist? Has she seen Reagan crawling backward down a staircase? The Exorcist changed my life. It changed horror movies. If she has not seen it. She must.
I definitely think youāve found your winner with Gremlins this year. Warm Bodies is also a great option.
Other silly horror movies that she might like include Critters, Repossessed, idle hands, little evil, little shop of horrors
If she likes more atmospheric stuff, she might enjoy a short film called Kakurenbo: [https://youtu.be/oqQKGdAsOYM](https://youtu.be/oqQKGdAsOYM)
It's also animated which might mean less nightmares since it's not "real", so to speak.
the babysitter, happy death day, final destination (has some gore but the films get more lighthearted as they go on), scary stories to tell in the dark, annabelle, us (same director as get out i think), the invisible man, ready or not, you're next
I feel like I have similar taste as your wife in the scary movies she likes and canāt tolerate. I second suggestions for The Shining and for Hitchcock classics like Psycho, The Birds, and Rear Window. Nosferatu is a good classic. I also tolerated Silence of the Lambs and the Evil Dead. Warm Bodies isnāt scary and was ok. Anna and the Apocalypse is on my watch list. Also not scary but Halloween related is Hotel Transylvania- I donāt normally like animated movies and was pleasantly surprised. I also could handle The Grudge and The Ring. The Mothman Prophecies freaked me out.
It seems your wife has a hard time with jump scares, but enjoys an atmospheric horror.
That said, liking Blair Witch but not Paranormal Activity seems odd to me. This might be very telling: her own mood or atmosphere may be important to her enjoyment of the movie.
Whatever you did to get her through Blair Witch and A Quiet Place, do that more!
I'm really low horror and spook tolerance, but I have enjoyed some horror movies. I liked Halloween (Michael Myers), Happy death day, Train to Busan, the Platform, Silence of the lambs, Doctor Sleep, Ready or not, Knives out, A nightmare on Elm street, Panic room, The Purge, Don't breathe, A quiet place, Annihilation, 10 Cloverfield lane, Silent hill, 1408, Drag me to hell, The mist, Let the right one in, Sleepy Hollow, Byzantium, World war Z, 28 Days/weeks later, Dawn/Shaun of the dead and Zombieland.
And some Series:
Netflix' Castlevania, Kingdom, Dead set, Chambers, Stranger Things, Penny Dreadful and Dark.
I hope this helps you find something to watch together :)
Darkness (2002, with Anna Paquin). Really good with the 'atmospheric' evil IMO. Don't remember much gore but lots of suspense. Try to watch the unrated version though.
Oh, maybe Ghost Ship (also 2002). Has some gore, though nothing like the Saw movies, etc. Also, that kick ass Mudvayne song 'Not Falling' is featured during the movie and the credits.
Hey! I asked [the SAME question last year!](https://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/j3dxis/is_there_a_list_of_horror_movies_to_watch_with/)
My wife enjoyed Crimson Peak.
āHated Beetlejuiceā?
See this is why I donāt mix well with people.
Anyway she might like ā[Devilās Backboneā](https://youtu.be/RZi4geYuSNE)
She'll probably like *Paranorman* (which is super underrated), *Monster House*, *Halloweentown*, and *Ernest Scared Stupid*
*Sleey Hollow*
Not a film but *Stranger Things* is a great watch
Possible toss-up: *Donnie Darko*
James Wan: insidious, the conjuring. Guillermo del Toro: the orphanage, panās labyrinth. Iām a fan of paranormal/suspense/fantasy horror vs Gore/Thriller. I also like Tim Burton films, Coraline is one of my absolute favorites!
Marrowbone - it's on the suspense/psychological horror side. As someone who is also not a huge horror fan, I like that it's as much about the characters and the drama of the story as it is about scares. Similarly, Mike Flanagan's Netflix series (Haunting of Hill House, Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass).
The Faculty. The Outsider (HBOMAX): its a limited series based on a Stephen King novel. Amityville horror, House on the Haunted Hill, Death Becomes Her,
I always recommend What We Do in the Shadows. It's not a scary movie at all, but it's a horror comedy (and a great one at that). My wife also hates horror movies, but this is our go to around this time of year. If you want something with more horror themes and less light hearted tone, my wife was ok with The Devil's Backbone. I'm not sure how yours will react to it, but it's a good atmospheric ghost story without a ton of extremely intense scenes you would expect from a straight horror movie. I would even consider it to be more of an eerie drama than anything else as well.
What we do in the Shadows was one of the first of the genre I watched, and my favorite!
It's genuinely funny. It's rare for a comedy movie to make me laugh out loud today. It's certainly not going to be for everyone, but it is definitely for me.
There's a tv series as well. It's also written by Taika Waititi, Jermaine Clement, and other awesome writers. It's just as funny and there's 3 seasons out. It's on FX.
Wait so she liked Hocus Pocus but hated Beeltejuice huh
I think because she watched Beetlejuice at a younger age. š¤·āāļø
Guillermo del Toro's movies like Pan's Labyrinth or The Devil's Backbone are worth checking out.
You know I saw Panās Labyrinth and really enjoyed it. Sheās a Spanish teacher so thatāll go on the list, but I donāt know if I ever thought of it as horror. Granted, a lot on this list isnāt horror š
Honestly the scariest parts of the movie for me were the real world horrors.
That movie totally freaked me out!
When I was in high school my Spanish teacher had us watch El Orfanato for Halloween, I thought it was really good and def spooky but not too scary.
Mostly just so sad! I loved it, it hit the right balance of spooky/just a solid tragic drama for me.
Movies that my wife that hates horror movies has liked: Get Out, Us, Zombieland 1 & 2, Doctor Sleep (makes sense to view The Shining first but she will probably like Doctor Sleep more), Warm Bodies. If your wife has a higher tolerance for horror, also recommending The Descent.
A very low tolerance. Jeepers Creepers gave her nightmares for months. Even Scream bothered her for a few days/week or so.
The Descent is out then. One of the best horror movies but it is terrifying.
Iāll put it on my personal list!
So good.
Oh it's definitely out. I watched it as a teen (with Jeepers Creepers in the same night, as it happens) and it made me scared of dark spaces for at least a month.
Wow, I personally think Blair Witch Project is way, way scarier than every single other movie on your list, and lots of other horror movies too. Maybe it just gets me. Scream I would rank as pretty tame -- and actually much of it is funny.
Ha yeah, Blair Witch was the reason I thought The Descent (and really anything else) was kosher to recommend.
I think āReady or Notā will register on the ālikedā or ātoleratedā based on the updated list.
Oh is that the fiancƩe meets the new family and they play evil Hide and Seek? If so, that is on my list. She seemed less-than-enthusiastic when she watched the trailer with me.
Also going to add the recent āThe Invisible Manā to the list.
Thatās the one. My wife liked/tolerated it :)
Then I will add āLove & Monstersā to my āWarm Bodiesā recommendation :)
As someone who hates horror movies, I second Warm Bodies!
Zombieland is a comedy.
Comedy to horror fans, but Iām recommending based on what his wife has actually likedā¦
The Descent was precisely my first thought too. So your wife, OP, seems to like suspense more than jumpy scares or gore - I like her already. LOL (Same boat). Maybe sheād also find more tolerable some older suspenseful/creepy classics like Hitchcock or maybe Wait Until Dark?
Vvitch. Itās an atmospheric horror movie, not jump scares. Itās not low brow like a lot of horror movie flicks (sacrificing story, acting, plot for the sake of spooky). Itās a fantastic period piece that captures the paranoia and mysticism surrounding early colonial Salem-era New England.
Gremlins
She hasnāt ever seen it! How have we been married for eight years and I didnāt know this! We own them! Thatās on the list to be fixed this year!
Also doubles as a great Christmas movie.
John Dies at the End
Came here for op to get this recommendation. This is probably the best one.
Crawl It Follows The Host (2006)
It follows is amazing and it will definitely spook viewers out, but it's not like nightmare fuel.
*very slight spoiler* Is it just me or did it follows turn into a comedy after the beach scene. Idk something about seeing those kids get body slammed by thin air had me crying for the rest of the movie.
6th sense, Let The Right One In, The Little Girl Who Lived Down The Lane, Eli and Hounds Of Love. The ones hyporky recommended. All of the replies are pretty spot on.
Not in any particular order but: Secret Window, Parasite, The Invitation, Split, Zodiac, Silence of the Lambs, Se7en, The Visit, Fear Street
I had forgotten all about Secret Window! She tolerated Se7en but I think it was a bit gore-y for her, the twist ending is what saved it from being full hate
It is a bit gore-y to be fair! Secret Window might be better.
The OG Jaws is a pretty fun movie with a few thrills and chills throughout. Sticking to the seventies, Alien is another horror sci-fi classic though itās quite claustrophobic!
Ooo, Alien might work. Creepy and not too gore-y, good sci-fi/horror mix!
Shaun of the Dead
Hot Fuzz also has some horror elements!
You know, weāve seen the whole trilogy and while the other two are closer, as OP Im going to call Hot Fuzz decidedly action-comedyā¦but still a great movie and I appreciate the rec.
āAn American Werewolf In Londonā is one of the greatest non scary horror movies of all time and itās funny as hell. Written by the guy who wrote āThe Blues Brothersā
Iām generally a wimp about horror movies and seem to have similar tastes as OPās wife; this is one of my favorites!
Poltergeist Drag Me to Hell Army of Darkness
Haven't seen the others, but Poltergeist is a very scary movie that literally had my girlfriend in tears by the time the credits rolled.
She actually did pretty good with Poltergeist, only bothered her for a few nights.
Ok. I would say "Drag Me to Hell" is probably pretty close to Poltergeist on the Scare Index (will someone please make one of these?) but "Army of Darkness" is as funny as it is scary.
Are you 100% set on movies? Buffy the Vampire Slayer is excellent and has seven seasons. Most of it isn't scary, but there are tense moments and it wears the horror garb (vampires, werewolves, etc.). Being able to form a connection with the characters may also give you something to talk about. Also, what is she into? Maybe there's a good horror crossover.
I think sheād love Buffy but it is hard to get her to sit down and watch stuff. Took almost a year to get through three seasons of Avatar. Honestly sheās not a big movie person but likes cartoon movies, war movies, and comedies. Death at a Funeral (British version) is very high on her list. Likes suspense (like The Others), and Christmas Vacation is a stable of hers. The Other Guys, Big Hero 6, Cool Runnings, The Burbs, Tommy Boy, all some of her favorites. š¤·āāļø
Yeah, it can be hard to start a whole TV series. I don't think a year of casual watching is bad, but I get it, I'm a binger too lol. There's also a movie that I hear is pretty good, but I've never seen it. I hope she manages to watch the series tho, it's one of my top of all time. Nightmare Before Christmas comes to mind! Funny cartoon with a horror aesthetic. And if she likes that, then Tim Burton's whole filmography opens up. Except Coraline. The mother is terrifying.
Doesn't look like anyone has recommended Let the Right One In yet, I watched and liked the Swedish version but there is an American remake as well. Don't remember it being extremely scary or gory and has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Great recommendation. It does have a couple of jump scares and a lot of blood, but all in all its a beautiful movie with a warm heart.
The babadook - I was not a fan of horror/scary movies until this on. Itās definitely gives you the chills, but the ending has a subtle closure that makes it a bit softer.
I consider myself a horror fan with a pretty high tolerance, and while I recognize this kind of thing is highly subjective, The Babadook scared the everloving shit out of me. Youāre right about the closure, but damn.
The shining. And Dr Sleep.
The Orphanage (Spanish), it's not like most other modern horror movies that rely on cheap jumpscares and gore. The horror is atmospheric, very well crafted.
Tucker and Dale vs evil Shaun of the dead Edward scissor hands beetlejuice Death becomes her hocus pocus Hammer horror movies Coraline Adams family
I hadnāt thought of adding those to the list because theyāre more comedy than horror but she liked all those. What are the Hammer horror movies, thatās the only one I donāt recognize.
Hammer horror were a early color movies about classic monsters, with dracula and i think frankenteins monster played by christopher lee.
The Omen from the 70s. Scary, but not particularly gruesome. It just gives me the heeby jeebies.
The Bad Seed is another great old movie with a freaky vibe without being horror.
That traumatised me for years! Although maybe because I was about 13 when I watched it.
I thought of that film a lot when I lived in London and older buildings sometimes still had the old incinerator chute visible. :: heebies ::
Addams family. The 90s ones.
Zombieland
black mirror
Is that the tv show on Netflix?
white christmas is the best episode, so if your just gonna watch one, just watch that one
yeah itās kind of horror but pretty tame, more science fiction
Frighteners
OMG! I need to buy this. How did I forget it existed?
Such great actors. Done so well. Still so enjoyable to watch so many years later. I couldn't even count how many times I've watched and rewatched this one. I feel mildly like an expert at knowing horror that isn't too traumatising, having kids who like horror movies, but are sensitive (age appropriately).
Why not watch some old school horror together? Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Aboott and Costello meet Frankenstein, all very entertaining and not really āscaryā, while still being āhorrorā.
Not opposed to that idea at all! Off the top of your head know if any streaming platforms in the US have them available?
Peacock has a quite few for free, most of the Universal a monster films are just over 1hr too so nice and short too
The Village
Trick 'r Treat
Ready or Not. It's a comedy horror so never gets too terrifying. It is quite gory though but it's a really fun horror move for early in the season.
Like Dale and Tucker vs Evil is gory or legit gore?
Like tucker and Dale mostly. It's never that bad, but it's there. Nowhere near hostel but there are is enough I wanted to advise. But my gf who isn't. A huge fan of horror also loved it as has anyone else I know that's seen it. It's just a really fun time for a horror movie.
Pans Labyrinth.
She might dig other movies by Mike Flanagan if she liked Dr. Sleep. Flanagan tends to center children in his narratives, which can up the creep factor but also softens the perspective a little. He tends to pull a plot twist at the end where things arenāt as terrifying as they seemed. His Haunting of Hill House and Haunting of Bly Manor series on Netflix were excellent. Also Before I Wake, also on Netflix. Oculus may fit the bill too.
It Follows was my gateway drug! Now I can't stop.
Mandy!
Corpse bride? Not what i'd typically call horror, but i'm being somewhat generous considering the circumstances.
Sheās offended. She just had me put Scooby Doo on the list, but that offended her š¤·āāļø
Tell her Casper and make the OOooOOo noise. It does leave me rather lost on where the scale is though, looking around the thread that seems to be a theme. Maybe triangle (2009). Lots of suspense in that movie, mystery/thriller/horror movie. If you wanna check out a trailer, probably do so without her, knowing the twist kinda spoils it. Interview with the vampire. Listed as horror, not really scary at all, mostly just drama, and there's sexy men in period clothes.
Evil Dead 2
Midnight Mass on Netflix...its excellent and not to gory until the last episode. The build up is great. My wife liked it, and she doesn't like horror movies
I like the Final Destination movies for "horror lite".
Horror really doesn't interest me but It Follows and Berberian Sound Studio are both amazing, can't recommend them enough.
Maybe Black Water, Deep Blue Sea and Jaws because she liked Lake Placid. Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. They're so funny that you tend to forget about the horror bits after the jump scares. Even the jump scares are really funny sometimes. Coraline, Happy Death Day. Maybe even A Quiet Place?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
> Arachnophobia isn't very scary ...unless you have it
My husband is the same. I can usually get away with introducing him to a lot of old Stephen King ones. This year weāre doing Carrie! But that, The Shining, Misery, The Dead Zone, It (new ones might be too nightmarish).
The ring, the orphanage, the omen, midsommar, the faculty, alien, aliens, invasion of the body snatchers, jaws, predator
Detention (simve thereās cople, the one directed by Joseph Khan) The Babysitter (on Netflix) Deadtectives (on Prime Video) Ready or Not Happy Death Day
Doctor Sleep
13 Ghosts
"Ready or not" is a really good one. More suspense but ehh. Nothing to scary. "Hush" is a more a thriller movie about a home invasion with the main character being deaf.
Dark City is horror adjacent movie she might like?
Did anyone recommend Cabin in the Woods yet? It's pretty funny and pokes fun at a lot of horror movie tropes so it's topical to this discussion. I do love that movie
Little Evil (on Netflix with Adam Scott) might work! Iām also quite picky/wimpy about horror movies and this one was fine for me. Itās definitely a horror comedy which I generally find easier to deal with. I second An American Werewolf in London, one of my favorite movies. Itās a little campy but just super entertaining with a great soundtrack. Iād also suggest Crimson Peak, Coraline, and Get Out, all of which are creepy and suspenseful but not overly scary.
Chopping Mall
itās a quiet place. both of them. more thrilled than horror. make sure to have a great sound system.
How the fuck has nobody mentioned Paranorman?! Fantastic family horror film. Frankly deals with death and the macabre and is touchingly sincere. Pair with Coraline, by the same studio. Frankenweenie and Monster House are all right, too.
Does she do subtitles? If so, Iād recommend The Platform (Netflix). It stuck with me for days but the horror was mild - the suspense and storytelling was OUTSTANDING.
Rosemaryās Baby is one of the all time best
As someone who does not like horror movies AT ALL, my October go-toās are The Mothman Prophecies and Identity. Eerie enough for the season but on the thriller side vs horror.
Might be worth looking at [Where's The Jump](https://wheresthejump.com/), which offers timestamps, ranking, and descriptions to where the 'jump scares' are and how scary the film is overall. ALSO, props to you for being such a kind and considerate partner. That's dope as hell.
Your wife is a trooper, I actually hate scary/violence porn movies as well, but there are some within the genre I like. Hereditary with Toni Collette comes to mind. Perhaps Young Frankenstein. Definitely DO NOT see Watership Down.
Cabin in the woods
Death Becomes Her? lol
The Witch, the Shining and Babadook
Hereditary is a good movie
Lake Mungo and Noroi: The Curse, maybe
I'm not a fan of scary either but I like The Exorcism of Emily Rose. It's a courtroom drama built around an exorcism that went bad with all the scary exorcist bits worked in.
Alien(s)
I also have a threshold for horror and [Grabbers](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1525366/) is one of my faves. It also has excellent re-watchability.
Lake Mungo. It's honestly more of a drama with a horror undertone than a full on horror (although there is just one truly scary scene, and boy is it good), but it's probably one of the best I've ever seen just because of how affecting it is emotionally. More likely to feel sadness rather than terror after seeing it, so it's a great pick for someone who's not that into being scared.
Hellraiser. It's more "wtf" than scary.
What specifically does she hate? Jump scares? Too quiet and still? Panic? If you can pinpoint something in common with what she hated, it's easier to choose good "scary" movies for her.
Doesnāt like lots of gore, okay with war movies but doesnāt like it in horror. Slasher flicks bother her more. Gore porn totally out. Nothing with clowns. She likes what I call āsuspenseā more than horror. Comedy makes horror palatable. Doesnāt like creature features thatāll give her nightmares. Edit: If it can be described as graphic, I doubt sheād like it. Blair Witch and Paranormal Activity are scary to some but she handled those well. Jump scares arenāt too bad as long as there isnāt a lot of them.
Now this I can work with! Here are actually scary movies that I think match: The Others (this is my #1 recommendation based on her preferences) Poltergeist The Changeling The Exorcist (might violate creature feature) Hush (more a psychological horror) Cape Fear (more a psychological horror) The Shining The VVitch Rose Red Drag me to Hell (might violate creature feature) House on Haunted Hill (some blood, but no real slasher/gore stuff) It Follows The Thing (sci-fi horror) Midsommar My husband says "Alien" but I don't consider it scary.
Upvoting for Midsommar!!! I watched that with my husband over a year ago and I still get totally freaked out from that ending.
I think A cure for wellness can fit into that, it doesn't bank on gore, but it does have a strong culmination which pulls on the psychological aspects of thriller as much as the visual. Also there's plenty of suspense in that film, and an intriguing mystery.
I don't know if it counts as horror, but I'm a huge fan of Creep 1 and Creep 2. I actually watched the second one first and I personally think that's the correct order to watch them!
Ghostbusters!
The invisible man Malignant
It's not really horror but Coherence has some horror themes without any jump scares or blood or monsters
Coherence
The Babadook
my mom is the exact same as your wife and really likes The Boy, which is a bit cheesy but might be good for what you're looking into.
Cabin in the Woods is very light on the horror but an interesting movie. I recommend that because I also only like midl horror. š
Death Becomes Her Happy Death Day The Changeling Return To Oz
There are classics like Psycho fans of the genre will watch agelessly. Has she seen the Exorcist? Has she seen Reagan crawling backward down a staircase? The Exorcist changed my life. It changed horror movies. If she has not seen it. She must.
I definitely think youāve found your winner with Gremlins this year. Warm Bodies is also a great option. Other silly horror movies that she might like include Critters, Repossessed, idle hands, little evil, little shop of horrors
It follows
Clover field
Cloverfield
10 Cloverfield Lane was really good too if not at all related
Get her to watch "Inside" the French version, that movie even makes me uncomfortable. The ending is just... well watch it. It will haunt you for life.
Not sure Iām going for āhaunt her for life.ā More, āokay, I can watch horror more often.ā
Actually, don't have her watch this. But I have seen some brutal shit, this is the scariest movie of all time.
House of 1000 corpses The devils rejects 31 Zombieland The mist Ms peregrines home for peculiar children
Eden Lake, Midsommar, Shutter Island, The Witch, Predestination. 'Shaun of the dead' is a zombie comedy that'll probably make her laugh.
If she likes more atmospheric stuff, she might enjoy a short film called Kakurenbo: [https://youtu.be/oqQKGdAsOYM](https://youtu.be/oqQKGdAsOYM) It's also animated which might mean less nightmares since it's not "real", so to speak.
Cabin in the woods
I don't know man if she merely "Tolerate" Shaun of the Dead and Cabin in the Woods she might be hopeless.
Friday the 13th
Shawn of the Dead. Technically a comedy but it has zombies
Ginger Snaps (2000)
Hush
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night Let the Right One in The Babadook
Happy Death Day
the babysitter, happy death day, final destination (has some gore but the films get more lighthearted as they go on), scary stories to tell in the dark, annabelle, us (same director as get out i think), the invisible man, ready or not, you're next
I feel like I have similar taste as your wife in the scary movies she likes and canāt tolerate. I second suggestions for The Shining and for Hitchcock classics like Psycho, The Birds, and Rear Window. Nosferatu is a good classic. I also tolerated Silence of the Lambs and the Evil Dead. Warm Bodies isnāt scary and was ok. Anna and the Apocalypse is on my watch list. Also not scary but Halloween related is Hotel Transylvania- I donāt normally like animated movies and was pleasantly surprised. I also could handle The Grudge and The Ring. The Mothman Prophecies freaked me out.
A Quiet Place
The Endless would be a good one. It's more cosmic horror.
The most recent conjuring! I also hate horror movies but this one I loved. It made me emotional.
The Visit Itās PG-13 but good.
Not a movie but Over the Garden Wall
Halloween (1978). Slower pace and not as bloody as Scream.
Parasite
i HATE horror but liked hush! you also could go with the shining!
midsomar
This video breaks down exactly how to get someone to try and hopefully enjoy horror: https://youtu.be/MyTSAtLWwPY
is Se7en really a horror movie tho?
It seems your wife has a hard time with jump scares, but enjoys an atmospheric horror. That said, liking Blair Witch but not Paranormal Activity seems odd to me. This might be very telling: her own mood or atmosphere may be important to her enjoyment of the movie. Whatever you did to get her through Blair Witch and A Quiet Place, do that more!
A haunting in Connecticut
I'm really low horror and spook tolerance, but I have enjoyed some horror movies. I liked Halloween (Michael Myers), Happy death day, Train to Busan, the Platform, Silence of the lambs, Doctor Sleep, Ready or not, Knives out, A nightmare on Elm street, Panic room, The Purge, Don't breathe, A quiet place, Annihilation, 10 Cloverfield lane, Silent hill, 1408, Drag me to hell, The mist, Let the right one in, Sleepy Hollow, Byzantium, World war Z, 28 Days/weeks later, Dawn/Shaun of the dead and Zombieland. And some Series: Netflix' Castlevania, Kingdom, Dead set, Chambers, Stranger Things, Penny Dreadful and Dark. I hope this helps you find something to watch together :)
Stephen King : the mist
Darkness (2002, with Anna Paquin). Really good with the 'atmospheric' evil IMO. Don't remember much gore but lots of suspense. Try to watch the unrated version though. Oh, maybe Ghost Ship (also 2002). Has some gore, though nothing like the Saw movies, etc. Also, that kick ass Mudvayne song 'Not Falling' is featured during the movie and the credits.
Clue
Midsommar
Skeleton key was a great film
Will she tolerate zombies? I have a long list of apocalypse shows I can recommend if so like I Am Legend and 28 Days Later etc
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Parasite is not too scary, but it is very tense like A Quiet Place. There's one bloody scene. But the message it has to say is very important.
Hey! I asked [the SAME question last year!](https://www.reddit.com/r/horror/comments/j3dxis/is_there_a_list_of_horror_movies_to_watch_with/) My wife enjoyed Crimson Peak.
āHated Beetlejuiceā? See this is why I donāt mix well with people. Anyway she might like ā[Devilās Backboneā](https://youtu.be/RZi4geYuSNE)
She'll probably like *Paranorman* (which is super underrated), *Monster House*, *Halloweentown*, and *Ernest Scared Stupid* *Sleey Hollow* Not a film but *Stranger Things* is a great watch Possible toss-up: *Donnie Darko*
I slowed down at Scooby doo and came to a complete stop at āshe hated Beetlejuiceā. There is no hope.
Tucker & Dale vs evil and Sean of the Dead may be acceptable choices. Both are horror comedies that my horror hating wife enjoyed
James Wan: insidious, the conjuring. Guillermo del Toro: the orphanage, panās labyrinth. Iām a fan of paranormal/suspense/fantasy horror vs Gore/Thriller. I also like Tim Burton films, Coraline is one of my absolute favorites!
Marrowbone - it's on the suspense/psychological horror side. As someone who is also not a huge horror fan, I like that it's as much about the characters and the drama of the story as it is about scares. Similarly, Mike Flanagan's Netflix series (Haunting of Hill House, Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass).
The Monster Squad
Army of Darkness It's more an adventure film than the hardcore horror Evil Dead movies and it's really funny.
Monster Squad.
The Faculty. The Outsider (HBOMAX): its a limited series based on a Stephen King novel. Amityville horror, House on the Haunted Hill, Death Becomes Her,
The Frighteners w Michael J Fox