Looking for a not-so-scary movie to spend a chilly evening with. Then get a fluffy blanket, make yourself a warm bowl of soup (even better with a gooey grilled cheese!), a soothing cup of cocoa or tea and comfy up on a couch alone or with one of your favorite people (or animals!) and get ready for some chills without gory or torture.
We promise these movies will give you a tingle without keeping you up all night. If you’re looking for spooky, scary movies that aren’t too scary, you’re in for a treat. Here, we’re focusing on retro horror classics, the scary movies from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Nope, they didn’t have any CGI effects, but what they lacked in computer animation they made up for in ghoulish charm and creepy life-like effects.
Whether you’re looking for a Halloween horror-fest or just want to spend a day wrapped up in mystery and the supernatural, there’s always a good reason to indulge in some scary movies. How many of these movies have you seen? Most here are worth a re-watch, but if you’re new to old camp classics, you’re in for a real trick and treat.
1. The Fog
I did not expect to see Jamie Lee Curtis in this, one of her earliest roles following Halloween. This John Carpenter movie doesn’t stop moving and keeps a swift pace while tapping into that small town charm (with a secret) that makes good scary movies also kinda cozy. Surprisingly, it’s not one of those “charming New England towns” but coastal California.
And if you’re wondering, like I was after finishing the movie, if you can visit the picturesque places from the movie, you’re in luck, because here’s a whole tour of what these spots look like now to inspire your own spooky road trip.
2. Ghost Story
Fred Astaire in a horror movie? Yep, that’s enough to sell me on this pick. Fans of moody New England woodlands will enjoy some of the settings filmed in Albany and Saratoga Springs, New York, along with Woodstock, Vermont. Reviews are mixed but it’s worth checking out.
3. The Thing
From mixed reviews to cinematic classic, if you haven’t watched this epic horror, put it to the top of your must-watch list. Isolation, paranoia and a literally chilling Antarctic setting, you’ll never look at a Malamute the same way again.
4. Fright Night
This movie has a Friday night visit to West Coast Video written all of it. It’s fun, young, innocent, with just enough of an edge to keep you hooked through the whole vampire-fighting adventure.
5. An American Werewolf in London
It’s an early 80s classic and although werewolves might not seem all that scary compared to other monsters, this film captures the eeriness of the English countryside along with answering the chilling question: What would you do if you thought you were turning into a monster?
6. Phantasm
Phantasm feels like if you took one of your nightmares and attempted to vision board it out. There’s graveyards, creepy dudes, spinning balls of death, mausoleums and all the ghoulishness you’d expect in a good horror movie. It’s trippy and like no other scary — if you don’t count its four sequels.
7. Ghoulies
Any kid in the 80s probably remembers the freak out of seeing a claymation-style slime creature emerging from a toilet. It was right up there in shock value with The Garbage Pail Kids and other things your parents frowned upon. But that trailer is really misleading and instead you’ll experience a wild ride into campy 80s occult.
8. They Live
Totally did not expect this movie to be anything worth watching. After all, its main star is pro wrestler, Rowdy Roddy Piper. Another John Carpenter on the list, this one is more relevant than ever before as it tackles big subjects like alien invasions, mind-control and propaganda. Fast forward over the extended wraaastling scene if you must (which one can only assume was Piper’s idea) but you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised by this sleeper.
9. House
The housing market is tough out there, so how about a movie that will turn you off to any thoughts of home ownership? This one has a classic 80s horror vibe to it but what’s even more wild is how different the sequel is. Go into House II ready to laugh at some crazy scenes which include a mixed bag of dragons, zombies and a memorable zombie grandpa.
10. Creepshow
Inspired by old horror comics, this one is perfect when you’re not looking to dig into an epic but instead feel like some terrorizing tidbits. It’s written by Stephen King, so you know it won’t disappoint with creeping you out.
11. The Goonies
C’mon, how could this kid-friendly classic not make the list. Less horror than more fantastical adventure, it’s a feel-good flick that has stood the test of time. Enjoy watching the young Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, and Ke Huy Quan.
12. House on Haunted Hill
And if you want to watch the full movie, here’s a great colorized version. I know colorized edition get hate for not being true to the original vision, and it’s true, you don’t want to mess with most b&w classics. But this version has an Instagram filter feel to it and I actually enjoyed the sepia color palette. It’s the first version I watched thanks to the comedic treatment of the RiffTrax treatment which you can purchase on their website or watch on Prime.
13. Food of the Gods
Get ready for giant chickens and mice in this campy take on the H.G. Wells semi-class that puts us humans at the bottom of the food chain.
14. The Gate
My expectations were super low for this one, but WOW, some of these scenes have stuck with me for years (but in a good way, not like a laying awake terrified in my head way). Enjoy the full glory of 80s animatronic stop-motion monsters and adolescent heroes here.
15. The Burbs
Technically a black comedy, this one still have plenty of creepy vibes and will give you a great mystery adventure to go on with everyone’s favorite average Joe actor, Tom Hanks. Classic lines and if you don’t know the full cast, you’ll be in for some pleasant surprises. Great for anyone who finds the suburbs mildly terrifying.