Top 30 Movies You Shouldn't Watch Alone
#30: “Talk to Me” (2022)
Ever get the feeling you’re not alone even when you are? Well, “Talk to Me” will make that feeling stick in the worst ways. Here, friends gathered at a party use an embalmed hand to communicate with the dead. The catch is that breaking the allotted time will let the spirits loose. When the main character does just that, it’s time for her and her friends to suffer. The combination of “Talk to Me”’s layered characters and use of practical effects make it dangerously realistic. The longer the film goes, the more you’ll feel as if this could happen to you. It’s an efficiently made horror-thriller that will send shivers up your spine if you’re by yourself.
#29: “The Descent” (2005)
Top 20 Movies You Shouldn't Watch Alone
Going on a thrill seeking trip with friends is always fun. Except, of course, when you find yourself surrounded by humanoid creatures who want to eat you. “The Descent” follows a group of women trapped in a cave system as their numbers dwindle one by one. It’s a scary take on the idea of an adventure gone wrong. The monsters aren’t the only thing that’ll make you queasy. The confined environment and near-constant darkness gives off a sense of claustrophobia. To make it more uncomfortable, the characters’ internal drama escalates into a lack of trust and betrayal. “The Descent” is a frightening reminder that fear of the unknown is very real. You never know what lurks in the dark.
#28: “The Sixth Sense” (1999)
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While not technically a horror film, “The Sixth Sense” will have you feeling paranoid. When psychologist Malcolm Crowe meets a troubled child named Cole, he starts to realize there are things beyond the human realm. Cole’s ability to perceive ghosts isn’t glamorized. Instead, we learn just how terrifying it would be to see the dead walk among the living. Malcolm’s own ambiguous situation sparks interest, and it’s clear that something isn’t quite right. “The Sixth Sense” thrives on the uneasiness of its viewers, as nothing is what it seems. In the end, the classic M. Night Shyamalan twist will have you questioning everything around you.
#27: “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991)
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Just the name “Hannibal Lecter” is enough to scare people up. “The Silence of the Lambs” is where the character truly left hearts thumping - and that’s despite the fact that Lecter is hardly in the film. The story is about FBI trainee Clarice Starling’s pursuit of a depraved individual known as Buffalo Bill. The dark path the heroine takes to find the villain isn’t pleasant to watch. The movie shows just how fiendish a person can be, as the likes of Lecter and Bill represent the worst in humanity. Thanks to stellar direction and a chilling soundtrack, viewers will feel like they just might be the next target. The film lives up to its reputation by keeping tension at its peak.
#26: “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974)
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Sometimes, low-budget horrors work better than mainstream features. This is particularly true if a film is marketed as a true story. With its documentary-style direction, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” looks and feels eerily real. It follows a group of friends hunted by a family of flesh eating fiends. While slasher tropes have become commonplace, the film holds up well. The over-the-top violence on display is deeply unsettling, yet you just can’t tear yourself away from it. The fear factor remains high all the way through, managing to scare audiences half a century since its release. And if the sight of blood makes you queasy, then good luck watching this one.
#25: “Terrifier 2” (2022)
This slasher has people dropping like flies, but what sets it apart is how creatively Art the Clown manages to end lives each time. To say that “Terrifier 2” will make you nauseous is an understatement. It seems to be made entirely to have viewers grimace in disgust, which you’ll be doing more than once. The film even reportedly had numerous cases of walk-outs during screenings. Considering the highly graphic content in store, it’s easy to see why. To its credit, “Terrifier 2” has a capable story and quality thrills for genre enthusiasts. But it’s probably best not to have a meal before you watch it.
#24: “Misery” (1990)
It doesn’t matter if it’s ghosts or humans, Stephen King villains will always be scary. Based on the 1987 novel, this film features Kathy Bates’ star-making performance in a role that won her an Oscar. Bates portrays Annie Wilkes, a maniacal fan who holds her favorite author, Paul Sheldon, against his will. With her insanity knowing no bounds, Annie terrorizes Paul to prevent his escape. Often utilizing Paul’s point of view, viewers can experience the same helplessness and desperation he feels under Annie’s merciless watch. And Annie’s erratic behavior means that “Misery” has a surprise waiting in every scene. It’s a film that proves just how stifling it is to be somewhere you don’t want to be.
#23: “Halloween” (1978)
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“Halloween” helped take the slasher genre into the big leagues, making viewers experience the horrifying prospect of having a killer on their tail. The many gore-filled sequences amplify the film’s high level of suspense, amping things up as we watch Laurie Strode do her best to survive. It also helps that an imposing figure such as Michael Myers is the face behind the terror. “Halloween” may have spawned a franchise, but the first entry remains entirely original. It doesn’t matter in which year you’re watching – Myers’ path of destruction has frightened generations without fail.
#22: “Saw” (2004)
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It spawned several sequels, but the first “Saw” is still the most daunting. That’s because the Jigsaw Killer’s identity remains shrouded in mystery. Without the behind-the-scenes lens that future installments offer, the original feels as sinister as ever. Set primarily in a dilapidated bathroom, we follow two victims thrust together. Jigsaw’s crimes are told in a series of spine-chilling flashbacks, establishing his blood-filled legacy. These traps depict the horror a person feels in their last moments and it’s not a pretty sight. The arbitrary reasons behind the victims’ capture means that no one is safe. By the end, the film will have you thinking that Jigsaw might be watching you, too.
#21: “Alien” (1979)
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Among the most influential films of all time, “Alien” blends sci-fi with horror. Set in the future, a parasitic creature wreaks havoc on a space crew. The film takes its time building up to its chaotic climax, setting viewers up with subtle scares along the way. Still, there are a whole lot of bodies the antagonist leaves in its wake, with each demise played out in brutal fashion. The titular character also has one of the most nightmare-inducing appearances in film history. Unlike most scary films, “Alien” empowers viewers with its strong protagonist. But fans have to brave through nearly two hours of Xenomorph slayings before Ripley fights back.
#20: “The Shining” (1980)
Top 10 Movies You Shouldn't Watch Alone
There may be no horror greater than one that originates in your own family. Jack Torrance arrives at the Overlook Hotel with his wife and son to begin his job as the hotel’s caretaker. But soon, strange happenings begin to take place within the halls of the inn – and within Jack’s mind, too. Originally welcoming the solitude as a way to break his writer’s block, Jack is slowly driven mad by the hotel’s curse and attempts to take the lives of his own family. This classic Stanley Kubrick adaptation of Stephen King’s landmark is filled with moments that have become a part of pop culture.
#19: “Green Room” (2015)
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Talk about a bad gig. This A24 survival horror flick starts out as an easy going movie about a punk band trying to land a show, but quickly goes south when they are booked to play at a skinhead bar. When the band witnesses a murder in the green room, they suddenly must fight for their lives against psychopathic bar staff that are intent on concealing any evidence. After several escape attempts, the band is quickly dwindling in members and ammunition while facing an increasingly grim fate. With terrifying and brutal fight scenes and villains that would make anyone shiver, no one should be alone in the Green Room.
#18: “Raw” (2016)
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Some horror films require group viewings to mediate the jump scares and terrifying scenery. Others, like the French film “Raw,”gross you out so much that the experience of watching it MUST be shared. When the young vegetarian Justine begins her first semester at veterinary school, she is forced to eat rabbit kidneys, which jump-starts an insatiable craving for human flesh. The urge appears to run in the family, with Justine and her sister Alexia soon feasting on strangers, fellow students and eventually each other. The film’s stark contrast between sexual curiosity, arousal and straight up cannibalism make for quite the uncomfortable blend. Any takers?
#17: “It Follows” (2015)
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This film may have you rethinking your last one night stand. When her date doesn’t go as planned, protagonist Jay is told she has inherited a curse via sexual intercourse and will be followed by an entity that only she can see until she is able to pass on the curse. Not scary enough for you yet? Well, the entity can also shapeshift into Jay’s friends and make surprise attacks whenever it pleases. “It Follows” brought in audiences with its unique premise, and blew them away with tooth-rattling scares, grotesque, deformed villains and a stunning score. Watch this one alone, and your next date will never be the same.
#16: “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
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You’d truly have to be sick and twisted to try and watch this film all by yourself. With sleep and dreaming at the core of this iconic slasher film’s scares, there’s almost no other film that can make you feel as vulnerable and fearing for your safety after watching it as “Nightmare on Elm Street”. Whether it’s in the bathtub, in class or from the comfort of your bedroom, the vengeful spirit known as Freddy Krueger is coming for you, blade fingers and all. While this film has spawned countless sequels, it’s the original Krueger that remains in the annals of slasher horror for its subconscious and lasting effect on viewers. Sleeping just hasn’t been the same since.
#15: “It” (2017)
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Based on the iconic 1986 Stephen King novel, this lively horror flick is without a doubt one of the best films of the modern era; but also one of the scariest. The horrifying attack on poor little Georgie in the opening scene truly sets the tone for two hours of relentless Clown jump scares and bone-chilling imagery and sound effects. As our rag tag group of friends seek justice for Bill’s little brother in the cursed town of Derry, Maine, it becomes clear they weren’t ready for the ancient cosmic shapeshifter that is Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Much like the Losers Club, you’ll want plenty of friends around to hold you close for the duration of “It.”
#14: “The Babadook” (2014)
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Have you ever heard the story of the Babadook? Well, neither had this troubled single mother, and upon reading the cursed book to her son she unleashed its hellish torment on both their lives. The son’s overactive imagination leads the mother to initially disbelieve the Babadook exists. However, she believes its incessant stalking causes the family to experience increasing psychological trauma. One cannot escape the Babadook once a person becomes aware of his existence. This film gets its notoriety from the lack of conventional jump scares, and the masterful employment of raw horror elements. Exactly the kind of movie you should watch in a big group. With the lights ON. And the basement door LOCKED.
#13: “The Strangers” (2008)
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There are few things more terrifying than masked intruders, because they usually arrive with some type of sharp object and they always mean business. In this horror flick, Scott Speedman and Liv Tyler star as two lovers on the road to a romantic getaway in Bryan Bertino’s film, but things get ugly after a failed proposal…oh, and when strangers appear with masks on their heads. Creepy sounds, cryptic messages and a trio of psychos ready to slice and dice the surprised couple are just a few of the elements that make this a terrifying watch. Just try watching it alone… you’ll spend more time watching the window.
#12: “V/H/S 2” (2013)
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Found footage films are never something you should be venturing into all alone, and this one is no different. An anthology film built from several VHS tapes found in the first movie, VHS 2 chronicles the search for a missing college student told through 5 different and equally morbid vignettes. While many films on this list hold back the scares and horror for a big ending, this film is balls-to-the-wall in its approach. If extreme violence, graphic gore and some of the most terrifying aliens ever put to screen don’t phase you, you just might be able to survive this one, but please, for your own sanity, don’t go it alone.
#11: “Drag Me to Hell” (2009)
This movie reminds us to always be mindful of the ones we do wrong. Christine’s picture-perfect life is disrupted by a desperate elderly lady who needs an extension on her home loan. When Christine denies her in hopes of impressing her boss, the old woman hexes her with a curse that will torment her mercilessly before damning her to an eternity in hell. Spending the next three days of her life dealing with evil spirits and trying to ward off the curse for good, she faces such terrifying demonic depictions in the mortal world we shudder to think what awaits her on the other side.
#10: “Funny Games” (1997) & (2007)
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It’s all fun and games until someone starts breaking eggs… and kills the family dog. In Michael Haneke’s original 1997 film, a wealthy Austrian family goes on vacation only to be interrupted by two enthusiastic guests. And that’s when the shit hits the fan. The intruders challenge the horrified family to a game of life and death, and it doesn’t go so well for Papa George, young Georgie and Mama Anna. As you might expect, Haneke’s 2007 shot-for-shot American remake was equally dark and made people rethink their morning breakfast.
#9: “Paranormal Activity” (2007)
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This found footage flick made audiences wet their pants and blame loved ones for spilling soda in the theater. When Katie and Micah move into a new San Diego pad, a collection of odd events inspire them to set up cameras. What happens? Well, Katie stares at her sleeping husband for two hours… and later gets hurled out of the room. To make matters worse, the ghosts get all kinky and start biting poor Katie. What happens next will SHOCK you…and it does involve blood. Grown men may have acted tough during screenings, but they gently clutched their pillows before going to bed later on.
#8: “Rec” (2007)
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It all started when little Jennifer hurled all over her mother. This real-time Barcelona-shot horror hit theaters in 2007 and featured a most unusual night shift for a TV reporter and her cameraman. As a sickness takes hold of the community, another shocking truth is revealed and, well, it’s not a good one. The brutal realism was so terrifying that grown men chose romantic comedies in place of this Spanish nightmare. Nobody wants to be snatched up and taken to hell. At least, it’s not on our bucket list.
#7: “The Conjuring” (2013)
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You know that you probably picked the wrong home to move into when your dog mysteriously dies during your first few days and spirits begin to express a desire to, um, END you. Such was the case in “The Conjuring,” where Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga star as real-life ghost investigators attempting to stop a doll from committing bloody murder. You know the drill: Exorcisms. Horrible screams. Slow insanity. But James Wan’s film offered much more than the usual genre shenanigans; it made people paranoid and afraid of being slaughtered by a smiley yet torn-up doll named Annabelle.
#6: “The Grudge” (2004)
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Based on the 2002 Japanese film “Ju-on,” this Sam Raimi-produced flick reminded everybody that a horrific death filled with rage or sorrow does not signify the end. With a non-linear plot, “The Grudge” chronicles numerous stories of turbulent deaths and the cycle of horror that ensues. Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as an American exchange student who comes face to face with the seemingly unfaithful departed. The concept of “The Grudge” is inherently shocking, but the visuals are simply on another level. Watch this movie alone and you will regret it…because you’ll accidentally claw up your own couch.
#5: “The Ring” (2002)
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Four words: Samara and the television. This remake of a 1998 Japanese film left an imprint on all who watched, as the very premise highlighted the horror that comes from watching a mysterious video of REDRUM. Naomi Watts stars as a protective mother who attempts to break the cycle of death by solving a murder case and thus saving everybody from lonely VHS deaths. “The Ring” was the first of several Japanese adaptations in modern times and responsible for inspiring lonely moviegoers to call their best friends and whispering “7 days” into the phone, thus ruining their Friday night plans. Who watches “The Ring” alone? Don’t do that, Mojoholics… just don’t.
#4: “The Witch” (2015)
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Sometimes it’s the things you don’t see that can terrify you the most. Set in 1630s New England, a young family is banished from a Puritan colony and now live on a farm near a secluded forest. Tragedy strikes when their young baby disappears, and the blame is placed on daughter Thomasin. With one suspicious death after another, the family’s trust in one another is destroyed, with mother Katherine certain her daughter is engaged in witchcraft. While the scares themselves are fewer in number here, the specific imagery and historical setting make for a uniquely unsettling watch, one that is NOT recommended for solo viewing. Seriously, who knew breastfeeding could be THIS messed up?
#3: “Hereditary” (2017)
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The horror genre has experienced an incredible resurgence in the last few years and this next film is maybe the best example of why. After the death of her mother, Annie Graham begins to unravel increasingly disturbing secrets about her family and their connections to a demon named Paimon. This supernatural force is unrelenting in its quest to find a host, which comes at an enormous cost to Annie. Unlike the majority of horror films, director Ari Aster doesn’t rely on jump scares or over-the-top gore and instead crafts a slow-building and deeply disturbing story that chills the audience more than these effects ever could. That being said, it’s best to gather some family members around for this thrill-ride.
#2: “The Blair Witch Project” (1999)
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As one of the most successful indie films of all-time, and a defining film of the found footage genre, “The Blair Witch Project” was a national mystery upon release. After immediately acknowledging the disappearance of three students, the filmmakers spun a dramatic tale of a Maryland witch and a brilliant Internet marketing campaign led audiences to believe the film was a genuine documentary. The frightening ending has since become iconic and made us believe that anything is possible when it comes to the supernatural.
#1: “The Exorcist” (1973)
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It’s the ultimate horror film that has it all. Accomplished director? Yes. Legendary actor? Yes. Absolutely terrifying imagery? Um, does a spinning, demon-possessed head qualify? With a historical backstory of religion and archaeology, it wasn’t difficult to embrace the story of an aging priest out to defeat an old, supernatural enemy. “The Exorcist” wasn’t just unbelievably scary; it was also nominated for 10 Academy Awards, thus proving the power of efficient filmmaking. It’s truly an event to watch “The Exorcist, “ especially with those who are easily scared.
