Buzz
As a somewhat logical adult, I can handle ghost films. Once the credits roll, I can return to my normal life, confident that those ghosts, demons, and zombies aren’t real threats. However, psychological thrillers, home invasions, or vengeful ex-lovers? Those are the types of films that linger in my mind, haunting me long after the movie ends.
If you want to anchor your horror movie experience in reality, here’s a (non-exhaustive) list of terrifying films that could plausibly happen in real life.
Note: I avoided thrillers based on overused historical true crime stories, like the Ted Bundy portrayal in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019). For more along those lines, explore these documentaries that are scarier than fictional horror films.
The Watcher (2016)
Not to be confused with the 2000 film of the same name, The Watcher (2016) is inspired by the real-life ordeal of Derek and Maria Broaddus, a couple who moved into their dream home only to be terrorized by an anonymous stalker. While stalking and home invasions are frightening on their own, the addition of dead birds and bird masks takes the creep factor to another level.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Ma (2019)
Octavia Spencer stars as a solitary woman who forms an unlikely bond with a group of teenagers, transforming her basement into a private hangout for them—as long as they follow her strict rules. Honestly, if you’re going to drink, doing it in Octavia Spencer’s basement sounds like a safer bet.
Where to watch: fuboTV, DirecTV, and digital rental
Contagion (2011)
This 2011 thriller saw a resurgence in popularity last year, for reasons that are hard to ignore, and as we’ve mentioned before, it’s absolutely worth a rewatch. Witness the breakdown of society as a global pandemic takes hold. Chilling.
Where to watch: Digital rental
Hush (2016)
A deaf author resides in solitude deep in the forest. The catch? She’s not as alone as she thinks. Without giving too much away, the masked intruder’s identity adds a chilling layer of realism to this terrifying tale.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Strangers (2008)
From Scream to The Purge, few things are as unsettling as real people wearing eerie masks. The Strangers becomes even more frightening when you learn it draws inspiration from two real-life events: the infamous Manson family Tate murders and a series of break-ins director Bryan Bertino experienced as a child.
Where to watch: Digital rental
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
No list of psychological thrillers is complete without this iconic film (even a non-exhaustive one like this). Jodie Foster plays Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee who consults the imprisoned, brilliant, and cannibalistic Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to understand the mind of a serial killer targeting women.
Can we really blame Lecter’s parents? Naming someone Hannibal practically invites the inevitable.
Where to watch: Digital rental
The Visit (2015)
Honestly, if I were to pick an M. Night Shyamalan film to spotlight, I’d prefer the one about the beach that ages you. However, the most believable twist in Shyamalan’s repertoire occurs in The Visit. Two children visit their grandparents on an isolated farm, only to uncover that the elderly pair is engaged in horrifying activities, and the kids’ hope of returning home diminishes with each passing moment.
Where to watch: fuboTV, DirecTV, and digital rental
Compliance (2012)
A prank caller manipulates a fast-food manager into interrogating an innocent employee, and the situation escalates into increasingly severe territory. The horror intensifies when you realize this story is rooted in actual events.
Where to watch: DirecTV and digital rental
Open Water (2003)
Let’s be clear: Sharks are terrifying. And no, I’m not interested in your “statistics” about how uncommon shark attacks are. Thankfully, I’m not the only one who feels this way—shark-themed horror is everywhere, whether you’re a die-hard Jaws enthusiast or a devoted Sharknado fan.
Open Water draws partial inspiration from the real-life ordeal of Tom and Eileen Lonergan, who were accidentally abandoned in shark-filled waters during a 1998 scuba diving trip on the Great Barrier Reef.
Where to watch: fuboTV and digital rental
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Admittedly, including this film requires a broad interpretation of what constitutes a scary movie. I’d argue that even the most gruesome slasher flick feels like a fairy tale compared to this harrowing portrayal of loneliness and despair. (Am I okay? Definitely not.)
Where to watch: HBO Max
Vacancy (2007)
A couple staying at an isolated motel passes the time by watching low-budget slasher films, only to realize the horrifying footage was filmed in the exact room they’re occupying. If you ever felt safe in motels before, this movie will change that forever.
Where to watch: fuboTV, DirecTV, and digital rental
Black Water (2007)
A pregnant woman, her partner, and her sister embark on a boat tour through a mangrove swamp, only to be hunted by a deadly crocodile. This film serves as a chilling reminder that Australia’s existence is, in itself, a terrifying concept.
Where to watch: The Roku Channel, Tubi
All five Twilight Saga movies
A girl can always dream, right?
Where to watch: Netflix
