Here is a list of horror movies perfect for beginners, whether you are happy to jump in and be scared, or want a gentle introduction to the genre.
Scream (1996)
This is the top of many lists of horror movies for beginners for a reason. It’s not too scary, has great characters and a fun plot, and it take you through all the tropes of a slasher movie with its meta mick-taking.
Paranormal Activity (2007)
If you want something a little spookier, this movie is a great introduction to the found-footage subgenre. It’s a slow-burn, with the jump scares gradually building up in intensity, giving you plenty of time to settle in first.
The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
Another movie that doesn’t take itself seriously, this one takes place, you guessed it, in a cabin in the woods – but not everything is as it seems… It begins in typical fashion for this subgenre, but quite quickly you see its a fun mockery/homage to this type of story.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
An absolute classic, and for good reason! This can be a pretty scary movie when it wants to be, but it’s also a bit goofy too with its iconic villain. If you’d rather see something more recent, the 2010 remake of the same name isn’t a bad film at all, so go for that one instead as an alternative.
Child’s Play (1988)
Another slasher classic with a fun but ruthless killer. This time it’s a doll, but a lot less terrifying than the Annabelle-type I wouldn’t recommend to beginners! This is one of the most quoteable slasher franchises out there and a great introduction to the genre.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
There will be two funny zombie horror movies on this list of horror movies perfect for beginner, and the first is this! One of my favourite movies of all time just because of its obvious and unashamed love of the genre it takes the mick out of. Why not pop this on, have a beer and wait for everything to blow over?!
Zombieland (2009)
This is the second funny zombie movie and it’s perfect for beginners – much like Shaun of the Dead, it is often loved by people who don’t even watch horror movies. It’s just a good laugh, with the odd scare here and there for good measure.
Alien (1978)
Back to the classics one last time for this list, Alien is arguably one of the best and most influential horror movies of all time. It’s terrifying, so if you don’t want to be hardcore scared by aliens attacking vulnerable humans, don’t watch this! But if you’re feeling brave and don’t mind gore gross enough to make you top eating, this might be the perfect film for you!
They/Them (2022)
Finally, I thought I would add a recent movie to this list. It calls itself a slasher movie, and while it’s not really much of a slasher, it would work as a decent introduction to the genre for beginners. It’s not really that scary, and the cast of characters is great!
Conclusion
So, that’s all 8 horror movies perfect for beginners. I hope you found something that suits your tastes and gets you into watching this fantastic genre!
