There’s a statement we have all heard before, or even said it ourselves: “I can’t watch horror films.” But if we dive in and take a good look, we find that it’s not so much the storylines or scariness of the plot that bothers some, but more the jump-scare and gore factor. Not everyone can handle intense scenes that spark fear with an adrenaline response. In this article, we have put together a safe list of horror flicks for those who don’t like horror films.
Goosebumps (2015)
Taking us on a trip back to our childhoods is Goosebumps. The series of books was transformed into a film with a surprisingly twisty narrative. Jack Black stars as R.L. Stine, the author of the Goosebumps series. Although this is definitely a horror film, it borders on the comedic side and is even safe for the kids to enjoy.
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
The plot of this film has so many horror story elements that it’s almost a parody. A group of teenagers head to the woods for a weekend of fun and end up awakening a dead family of zombie villains. The film blends supernatural and magic elements with traditional horror. In general, it is easily tolerable for most who don’t like horror films but could still be a stretch for some.
Get Out (2017)
This brilliant horror movie is more about a family’s difficult past than it is about horror. The horror elements of the film enhance the storyline and do not overpower it. Well written and fantastically portrayed, this is the perfect horror film for those who dislike the genre. Get Out is relatively free from gore and jump-scare scenes are kept to a minimum. And the best part? It won’t leave you checking the closet before bedtime.
The Shining (1980)
This classic film by Stanley Kubrick still tops the list as one of the best horror films ever made, but it’s actually one that most people could watch. Jack Nicholson’s on-screen performance of an insane man trying to slay his family is hair raising to say the least, but the film focuses more on the human psyche than gore and shocker scenes. It is a brilliant but different portrayal of the Stephen King novel and is most loved for its sheer weirdness.
Unfriended (2014)
Unfriended can almost be compared as a 21st-century take on The Blair Witch Project. The story follows a group of high school students who are visited by an unexpected visitor, the spirit of a bully who took her own life. Instead of house hauntings or inexplicable events unfolding in the woods, this spirit haunts students’ computers!
Gremlins (1984)
Although the Gremlins films might have scared us back in the ‘80s, watching these classics today, you would have to ask, is this a horror or comedy? The little green monsters who wreaked havoc on a small town gave us all the creeps, but they gave us a few laughs too. These go-to Halloween favorites had quite the following through the ‘80s and ‘90s, so it’s no wonder that they made it to our list.
As you can see, the genre of horror films can be stretched to include more weird, humorous, and thought-provoking films as well. It doesn’t all have to be about as much gore and bone-chilling fear as possible.
