Sommerleigh Pollonais, Horror Head Writer
You know that feeling you get when you’re so tired your brain refuses to entertain the thought of trying something new? Sure, you do. It’s that very feeling that makes us decide to rewatch our favourite television show for the eighteenth time, just so we don’t have to focus or use any actual brain power. It’s comfort food for the mind and horror fans know that even in fantasy worlds chockfull of screams, there are movies we love so much, we can take them in a thousand times and still enjoy every minute.
So, if you’re like me, dead tired and unwilling to add yet another new movie to your memory palace, sit back, switch off your brain and get comfy as we take a look at my FIVE FAVOURITE “COMFORT” HORROR MOVIES.
Quick Note: John Carpenter’s The Thing automatically makes it on to any list of my favourites as I’ve mentioned time and time again. So just to be fair to the other movies on this list I’m just going to say it’s the best horror movie of all time and leave it right there.
#5 Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood & A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
I’m putting these two together because they’re my go to 80’s slasher double feature and because it’s my list and I do what I want! Most people dismiss Part VII: The New Blood, mostly due to the telekinesis stuff, but as a kid I wanted to be Tina Sheppard (I was a weird kid). She didn’t have to go hand-to-hand with Jason Voorhees and risk instant death because she was the Jean Grey of the series. Thrown in some fun kills and the introduction of Kane Hodder, who would go on to be the definitive version of the undead behemoth, and you have a winner for the most fun to rewatch of the F13th movies in my book.
And as for A Nightmare on Elm Street? It’s the scariest Freddy would be until New Nightmare (another personal favourite) and introduced audiences to one of the coolest concepts in horror movie history. Sleep is overrated anyways.
#4 Trick ‘r Treat
Who doesn’t love a good horror anthology! Trick ‘r Treat might just be the best of them all as it flawlessly blends five stories, each of which could easily stand on its own. Travelling through each tale of terror is Sam, the cutest demon ever seen. This little pumpkin-headed trick ‘r treater has two simple rules for Halloween — eat lots of candy and violently deal with those who don’t show the holiday the respect it deserves.
If Trick ‘r Treat was comfort food it would be a big bowl of popcorn with your favourite candy thrown into the mix — salty and sweet. Just remember to put some aside for Sam as things didn’t end well for the last guy who didn’t.
#3 THIR13EN Ghosts
While I hate it when movies put numbers in the middle of their titles (Se7en gets a pass because it’s freakin’ Se7en) I love a good ghost story, especially one that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The best ones keep things simple while delivering a ton of crazy memorable moments and I would go as far as to argue Thir13en Ghosts is the Poltergeist of its era.
A loving family, a strange house, a kooky psychic and a ton of angry spirts. Okay, not a ton, but thirteen ghosts are more than enough to make this an easy choice for a weekend watch without any brain power required.
#2 Scream
It’s a horror movie about horror movies, what’s not to love! Scream single-handedly revived the slasher genre when it came out, but it also delivered something the genre didn’t have a lot of prior, namely well-written characters who weren’t just there to get stoned, naked and/or killed. There was also a solid whodunit and a twist ending no one saw coming. It’s also chockfull of quotable dialogue and a final girl who understood the importance of finishing what you started.
Scream also stands as one of the few horror movies that have produced solid sequels that somehow still manage to keep fans entertained. Not an easy feat in the world of horror by any stretch. And for fans the original is a solid choice anytime you’re in the mood for that sweet hit of nostalgia.
Honourable Mentions
The Fog, The Conjuring 1 & 2, Event Horizon, Deliver us from Evil, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Shaun of the Dead , any of the Final Destination movies and many more!
#1 Sleepy Hollow
It might not be scary, but what it lacks in frights Sleepy Hollow more than makes up for with thrills and style. Honestly, if every live action Disney adaptation looked like this I might’ve actually enjoyed Beauty and the Beast. Directed by Tim Burton and starring his muse Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane, the quirky investigator whose CSI skills are years ahead of his time, this movie effortlessly blends gothic horror with supernatural lore and a ton of nods to classic Hammer Horror movies. It’s also super relaxing to watch on a lazy day when you’re in the mood for a little bit of horror and a lot of fun.
In Conclusion
So, there you have it, five of my favourites. When it comes to “comfort food” horror I could’ve easily made this list a top 100 and I’m sure I’m not the only one. So shout out in the comments (if you’d like) and from one horror fan to another, let me know what are your go-to horror movies when you’re in the mood for a little unwinding with a side of thrills.
And you can comfort yourself with other great horror movie lists below:
Sommerleigh of the House Pollonais. First of Her Name. Sushi Lover, Queen of Horror Movies, Comic Books and Binge-Watching Netflix. Mother of two beautiful black cats named Vader and Kylo. I think eating Popcorn at the movies should be mandatory, PS4 makes the best games ever, and I’ll be talking about movies until the zombie apocalypse comes. Double Tap Baby! Read More