Run Time: 98 minutes
Release: 1977
Is it a phantom, a demon, or the Devil himself?
The Car tells the story of Captain Wade Parent (James Brolin), who will go to any lengths to stop whoever or whatever is behind the wheel of the mysterious automobile that is terrorizing his town.
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Delivers everything you could want from a movie about a homicidal vehicle. Asking the question: "What if you replaced the shark in Jaws with a demonic car?." This movie features fantastic car stunts, beautiful desert landscapes and an explosive finale.
For similar scares, check out:
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​Tremors (Dir. Ron Underwood, 1990)
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Jaws (Dir. Steven Spielberg, 1975)
Run Time: 93 minutes
Release: 1982
It's name is Quetzalcoatl... just call it Q, that's all you'll have time to say before it tears you apart!
Fraudster Jimmy Quinn (Micheal Moriarty) becomes an unlikely hero when only he can stop a flying creature's reign of terror in New York City.
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Q belongs to a subgenre of film I like to refer to as "sweaty New York horror." Much of the film's enjoyment comes from Moriarty's madcap performance as Jimmy Quinn. Q is a delightfully ridiculous, low-budget monster movie that earns its cult status.
For similar scares, check out:
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C.H.U.D​ (Dir. Douglas Cheek, 1984)
Run Time: 104 minutes
Release: 1992
There's something nasty in Lionel's cellar - His family!
When Lionel Cosgrove's overbearing mother is bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey, zombie mayhem breaks out in their quiet New Zealand town.
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Until recently, Braindead held the record for the most fake blood used in a motion picture, and yes, that is the same Peter Jackson who directed the Lord of the Rings trilogy. With Non-stop laughs, gross-outs, and creative practical effects, Braiddead is a must-watch for fans of the zombie genre.
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For similar scares, check out:
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The Evil Dead (Dir. Sam Raimi, 1981)
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Evil Dead II (Dir. Sam Raimi, 1987)
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Re-Animator (Dir. Stuart Gordon, 1985)
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Bad Taste (Dir. Peter Jackson, 1987)
Run Time: 86 minutes
Release: 2003
An eye for an eye. Your life for a tooth.
As a boy, Kyle Walsh (Chaney Kley) witnesses the death of his mother at the hands of a mysterious spirit that lives in the darkness. Twelve years later, he returns to his hometown to stop the spirit once and for all.
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Darkness Falls delivers a fun take on the supernatural curse subgenre. Targeting our primal fear of the dark and utilizing wonderful sound design for its creature, the film manages to deliver some tense moments despite being aggressively of its time (like most early 2000s horror). Despite how it may have aged, I still find it to be a fun and memorable trip.
For similar scares, check out:
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Dead Silence (Dir. James Wan, 2007)
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Lights Out (Dir. David F. Sandberg, 2016)
Run Time: 116 minutes
Release: 2019
We are our own worst enemy.
When Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong'o) and her family's vacation becomes a nightmare when oddly familiar strangers arrive.
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Us is a clever horror film with twists and engaging performances that will keep you guessing throughout the runtime. Impeccably blends thrills and social commentary stylishly directed by Peele.
For similar scares, check out:
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Get Out (Dir. Jordan Peele, 2017)
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Hereditary (Dir.
Run Time: 115 minutes
Release: 1978
Sleep . . . Sleep . . . and be born again into a world without fear and hate!
San Francisco health inspector Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland), discovers that humans are being replaced by alien duplicates.
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One of the best horror remakes of all time, Invasion masterfully combines sci-fi concepts and chilling horror. Featuring one of Donald Sutherland's best performances, the cast is further rounded out with appearances from Jeff Goldblum and Leonard Nimoy. A must for fan's of sci-fi horror and 70s cinema.
For similar scares, check out:
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They Live (Dir. John Carpenter, 1988)
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The Faculty (Dir. Robert Rodriguez, 1998)
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The Puppet Masters (Dir. Stuart Orme, 1994)
Run Time: 96 minutes
Release: 1986
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
When an eccentric scientist (Jeff Goldblum), pushes science too far he slowly transforms into a fly-like creature.
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Possibly the most accessible Cronenberg film, The Fly delivers on the body horror and has a beautiful and touching emotional core thanks to the performances of Goldblum and co-star Geena Davis who ooze (ha-ha) chemistry.
For similar scares, check out:
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Splice (Dir. Vincenzo Natali, 2009)
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The Substance (Dir. Coralie Fargeat, 2024)
Run Time: 92 minutes
Release: 1999
The touching story of a boy and his right hand.
When Anton's (Devon Sawa) hand becomes possessed, death and comedic mayhem follow.
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Idle Hands is one of those films critics widely (and undeservedly) disliked when it was released. Perhaps it took time for us to learn to appreciate its mix of stoner comedy and slapstick gore. Also, Sawa absolutely rocks in this one.
For similar scares, check out:
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Re-Animator (Dir. Stuart Gordon, 1985)
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Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (Dir. Eli Craig, 2010)
Run Time: 99 minutes
Release: 2004
It's just one of those days when you're feeling a little...dead.
Slacker Shaun (Simon Pegg) and his friends and loved ones must survive the zombie apocalypse.
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If you were to choose only one "zom-com", make it Shaun of the Dead. Quotable, gory and with a sprinkle of romance this is a classic from the early days of the modern zombie craze.
For similar scares, check out:
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Fido (Dir. Andrew Currie, 2007)
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Cooties (Dir. Jonathan Milott / Cary Murnion, 2015)
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Dance of the Dead (Dir. Gregg Bishop, 2008
Run Time: 106 minutes
Release: 2022
Dying to show you a good time.
In 1979 a group of adult filmmakers find themselves fighting for their lives against their reclusive hosts on a secluded Texan farm.
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X balances classic horror tropes with a commentary on age and exploitation. While the connection between horror and pornography has certainly been explored before, strong performances from the cast make X an enjoyable modern slasher.
For similar scares, check out:
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The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (Dir. Tobe Hooper, 1974)
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Motel Hell (Dir. Kevin Connor, 1980)
Run Time: 74 minutes
Release: 1971
A man...a car...and 10 tons of rolling death right behind them.
David Mann (Dennis Weaver) becomes the target of a deranged truck driver in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
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This was Spielberg's first film and his talent for creating tension and visual storytelling is already evident. Thrilling, tense and relatable, Duel will keep you on the edge of your seat.
For similar scares, check out:
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The Hitcher (Dir. Robert Harmon, 1986)
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Roadgames (Dir. Richard Franklin, 1981)
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Joy Ride (Dir. John Dahl, 2001)
Run Time: 91 minutes
Release: 1982
Its mother conceived it... You won't believe it...
Duane Bradley and his deformed (ex)conjoined twin Belial, seek vengeance on the doctors who separated them.
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If you enjoy camp storytelling and low-budget scrappy filmmaking, then Basket Case is for you. Dark humour and fun practical effects make for a memorable viewing experience.
For similar scares, check out:
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Malignant (Dir. James Wan, 2021)
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Brain Damage (Dir. Frank Henenlotter, 1988)
Run Time: 111 minutes
Release: 1996
Someone is playing a deadly game, someone who has seen way too many scary movies.
Years after her mother's murder, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is terrorized by a masked killer who is targeting her and her friends.
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A return to form for director Wes Craven, Scream has become an iconic entry into the slasher genre. Poking fun horror movie tropes with its clever dialogue, it doesn't forget to also deliver on the scares.
For similar scares, check out:
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Halloween (Dir. John Carpenter, 1978)
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I Know What You Did Last Summer (Dir. Jim Gillespie)
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A Nightmare on Elm Street (Dir. Wes Craven, 1984)
Run Time: 108 minutes
Release: 2001
They don't call it the curse for nothing.
The lives of teen sisters, Ginger and Brigitte take a terrifying turn when Ginger is bitten by a werewolf. Now, it's up to Brigitte to save her sister from her monstrous urges.
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Ginger Snaps is a cult classic grungy horror film that offers a unique and darkly humorous take on the werewolf genre. What makes it so memorable is how it explores not only the supernatural but the real struggles of growing up and dealing with the changes that come with that.
For similar scares, check out:
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Jennifer's Body (Dir. Karyn Kusame, 2009)
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Cursed (Dir. Wes Craven, 2005)
Run Time: 87 minutes
Release: 2022
He's dying for followers.
When disgraces internet personality, Shawn, attempts to revitalize his career by live-streaming at night in a haunted house he soon finds out that he may be in over his head.
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If you've ever wanted to see an obnoxious internet personality be put through hell, this is the movie for you. Its satirical take on the culture of social media is good for laughs while the found-footage style will immerse you in the tension.
For similar scares, check out:
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The Cleansing Hour (Dir. Damien LeVeck, 2019)
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Dashcam (Dir. Rob Savage, 2021)
Run Time: 92 minutes
Release: 1979
They're Waiting... For You!
When Nola undergoes the controversial therapy "psychoplasmics" monstrous children are created. These children embody her repressed feelings and unleash violent chaos.
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The Brood explores themes of trauma and the darker aspects of physiological therapy while also delivering Cronenberg's signature body horror. A thought-provoking horror film that will linger long after viewing.
For similar scares, check out:
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Hereditary (Dir. Ari Aster, 2018)
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Possession (Dir. Andrzej Żuławski. 1981)
Run Time: 82 minutes
Release: 1987
Never send a man to do a kid's job.
A group of classic monster obsessed kids are the only hope for their town when Count Dracula and his monstrous cronies arrive.
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The Monster Squad is perfect for fans of kid adventure films like The Goonies, or for a more modern example, Stranger Things. Full of fun dialogue and witty nods to classic horror lore, this beloved classic is a great watch for kids and adults alike.
For similar scares, check out:
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The Gate (Dir. Tibor Takács. 1987)
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Monster House (Dir. Gil Kenan, 2006)
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Super 8 (Dir. J.J. Abrams, 2011)
Run Time: 95 minutes
Release: 1995
Lived any good books lately?
When insurance claim expert John Trent (Sam Neill) begins to search for missing horror author Sutter Cane, he soon discovers something very wrong is happening when he ends up in a supposedly fictional New England town.
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Top-notch direction from Carpenter and top-notch monsters and gore effects. At times reminiscent of that other Carpenter masterpiece, The Thing, here he once again delivers on the suspense, action and scares.
For similar scares, check out:
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The Thing (Dir. John Carpenter, 1982)
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Color Out of Space (Dir. Richard Stanley, 2020)
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Jacob's Ladder (Dir. Adrian Lyne)
Run Time: 95 minutes
Release: 2006
What's Gotten Into You?
A small town falls victim to an alien plague, turning its residents into all kinds of mutant monsters.
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That's right, before Gunn became the comic book movie darling he is today, he was making disgusting horror movies like Slither. Full of Gunn's signature humourous quips, this is a loving homage to low budget horror movies of the past. Full of over the top violence and gore it still manages to keep it fun and clever at the same time.
For similar scares, check out:
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Night of the Creeps (Dir. Fred Dekker, 1986)
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The Cabin in the Woods (Dir. Drew Goddard, 2011)
Run Time: 83 minutes
Release: 2016
New York's Scariest Haunted House Tour.
A documentary is investigating an unexplained occurrence at an abandoned hotel in Abaddon, New York that lead to the death of 15 people.
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A fun mix of found-footage and mockumentary, Hell House will be a hit with fans of the genre. It makes good use of its low-budget yet effective scares and rich Halloween atmosphere. And, there rest of series is solid as well.
For similar scares, check out:
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Grave Encounters (Dir. The Vicious Brothers, 2011)
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Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (Dir. Jung Bum-shik, 2018)
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As Above, So Below (Dir. John Erick Dowdle, 2014)
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The Tunnel (Dir. Carlo Ledesma, 2011)
Run Time: 90 minutes
Release: 1972
Millions of slimy bodies squirming everywhere! Millions of gaping mouths devouring... devouring... devouring...
A group on an isolated island estate are menaced by killer amphibians, insects and reptiles.
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Sometimes you just need to watch a bunch of cute swamp critters kill a few rich assholes. A cheesy good time, Frogs has a certain retro charm that makes it an amusing entry into the killer-animal genre. Also check it out if you want to see a young pre-mustache Sam Elliot.
For similar scares, check out:
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Night of Lepus (Dir. William F. Claxton, 1972)
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Day of the Animals (Dir. William Girdler, 1977)
Run Time: 99 minutes
Release: 1989
It is a matter of good breeding. Really.
Bill Whitney begins to suspect that his wealthy parents are hiding a dark secret.
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One of the weirdest movies you will ever see. Seriously, go into this one blind if possible.
For similar scares, check out:
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Bad Taste (Dir. Peter Jackson, 1987)
Run Time: 94 minutes
Release: 1990
Be afraid... be TWICE as afraid!
A young boy and the ghost of his grandfather must protect their family from a town of goblins.
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The cream of the crop when it comes to "so bad they're good" horror movies. Put this one on with a group of like-minded pals and I guarantee you a good time.
For similar scares, check out:
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Manos: The Hands of Fate (Dir. Harold P. Warren, 1966)
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Elves (Dir. Jeffrey Mandel, 1989)
Run Time: 83 minutes
Release: 2007
Old school American horror.
Tourists on a New Orleans haunted swap tour find themselves hunted by a vengeful, deformed man.
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Its obvious that everyone behind Hatchet has a true love for the slasher genre. Jammed full of gory kills, satire, and cameos, this is a recommend for anyone who is a fan of the 80s slasher craze.
For similar scares, check out:
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The Hills Have Eyes (Dir, Alexandre Aja, 2006)
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Wrong Turn (Dir. Rob Schmidt, 2003)
Run Time: 101 minutes
Release: 2024
Dig up someone special.
A teenage girl and a reanimated corpse embark on a journey to find love.
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A cult-classic in the making, Lisa Frankenstein is perfectly packaged nostalgia, especially for those of us who were that weird girl in high school. Perfect for fans of Tim Burton.
For similar scares, check out:
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Edward Scissorhands (Dir. Tim Burton, 1990)
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My Boyfriend's Back (Dir. Bob Balaban, 1993)
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Warm Bodies (Dir. Jonathan Levine, 2013)
Run Time: 87 minutes
Release: 1985
Enough is never enough.
When a delicious, mysterious slime begins to ooze from the earth it is marketed as the newest snack sensation and soon it begins to infest the entire world.
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The Stuff is tasty schlock for fans of the sci-fi horror films of the past. While reminiscent of movies like The Blob or Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Cohen still manages to keep it fresh and sharp with biting satire.
For similar scares, check out:
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The Blob (Dir. Chuck Russell, 1988)
Run Time: 99 minutes
Release: 2021
A young couple try to find each other amid a city taken over by a plague that turns people into bloodthirsty killers.
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The Sadness is rightfully infamous for its level of gore and just how far it is willing to go with its violence. A non-stop, practical effect filled roller-coaster of splatter for fans of all things bloody.
For similar scares, check out:
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The Crazies (Dir. Breck Eisner, 2010)
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Train to Busan (Dir. Yeon Sang-ho)
Run Time: 81 minutes
Release: 1989
There's a new name for terror...
A young boy suspects that his parents might be cannibals.
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Parents is Goosebumps meets Twin Peaks. Disturbing and bleak with a side of satirical comedy, this is a surreal nightmare that deserves more recognition.
For similar scares, check out:
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Mom and Dad (Dir. Brian Taylor, 2018)
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Serial Mom (Dir. John Waters, 1994)
Run Time: 92 minutes
Release: 2006
Jason, Freddy, Myers. We All Need Someone To Look Up To.
A documentary crew follows a man who claims he will be the next great slasher villain.
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Part Mockumentary, part parody, and part actual slasher, Behind the Mask is a treat for fans of the genre.
For similar scares, check out:
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Man Bites Dog (Dir. Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel, Benoît Poelvoorde, 1992)
Run Time: 113 minutes
Release: 2019
A priest must protect his brothers family from an evil entity that has infiltrated their lives.
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While the demonic possession genre has certainly been done to death, Metamorphosis still manages to breath some life into it. Its creative decisions concerning how the entity terrorizes the family makes this a worthy watch for fans of paranormal horror.
For similar scares, check out:
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The Exorcist III (Dir. William Peter Blatty, 1990)
Run Time: 76 minutes
Release: 1981
Just when you thought it was safe to look at the calendar again.
A family inherit a spooky house that just so happens to harbor a book that has all the worlds monsters imprisoned within it.
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Ok, so this movie is incredibly stupid (think of films like Airplane or Naked Gun), and while not every joke landed I still found myself laughing out loud more than a few times. Maybe my brain is broken, or maybe this movie deserves to be revisited by modern audiences. You decide.
For similar scares, check out:
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Young Frankenstein (Dir. Mel Brooks, 1974)
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Dracula: Dead and Loving It (Dir. Mel Brooks, 1995)