31 Terrifying Slasher Movies To Watch This Season (2024)

“The call is coming inside the house.” “Don’t leave the group.” “Watch out, he’s behind you!” If you aren’t screaming something at the screen, are you really watching a slasher? The slasher film is a horror subgenre that sometimes gets a bad rap. Slashers are bloody, violent, often a little predictable and generally feature a lot of violence towards women. However, the best slasher movies combine camp, gore, tension and even sometimes social commentary. There is a lot to love in the genre from plot twists to suspense, and fans have made many of these films into cult classics. The greatest slasher films are Halloween classics that feel like they need to be revisited in October. So whether you pick up the phone in the first scene or are the final one to go, you can’t go wrong with these iconic slashers.

Top Slasher Movies

The slasher genre fully began in the 1970s; however, it has roots in psychological horror films and Italian giallo films, which came earlier. Slashers were mainstays of 1970s and 1980s horror and have seen several resurgences in popularity, especially in the mid-1990s. Each era of slasher film differs, but the genre is connected by tropes and themes. Slashers are more usually cult hits than box office smashes; however, the highest-grossing slasher does make this list.

For the purposes of this list, slashers are defined as films where a human or formerly human assailant (or assailants) targets a group of people and kills some of them by non-supernatural means using a man-made weapon or weapons (often a knife or blade) It isn’t a perfect definition. There are a couple of must-watch horror films that should count in the genre but arguably don’t fall under these parameters, including Next of Kin (the 1982 version), Chopping Mall, Ready or Not and Candyman. This list ranks on two factors. The first is the overall quality of the film. The second is genre-specific. Many slashers are not beloved by the general public; however, fans of the genre still champion them. In a genre where fans love camp, gore and independent and low-budget filmmaking, not all of these films will be for everyone, but they will be for true lovers of the genre.

31. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

I Know What You Did Last Summer is, in many ways, a film that is so bad its good. Many have called the film predictable and lackluster, but if you love slashers, this film is a must-watch. Along with Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer helped repopularize the genre, and there is something wonderfully ‘90s about it. The film is nostalgic fun as long as you don’t take it too seriously.

The movie follows a group of friends who start to receive letters connected to a crime in their collective past. It was directed by Jim Gillespie and stars ​​Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr. and Ryan Phillippe. While it received mixed-to-poor reviews, it was a box office mega-hit. It is currently available to stream for free on Tubi or with a subscription on Peacock.

3o. The Fear Street Trilogy (2021)

While it feels unfair to list a whole trilogy, Fear Street’s three parts were released weekly on Netflix (surprisingly from June 28-July 16, 2021). However, it is not really a miniseries either. Based on a book series of the same name by R.L. Stein, there are three Fear Street movies: Fear Street Part One: 1994, Part Two: 1978 and Part Three: 1666.

The films follow a group of friends who must take on a supernatural entity that has been causing slayings in their town for generations. The Fear Street movies aren’t perfect, but they capture a light-hearted, soapy nostalgia (especially for R.L. Stein fans). They don’t hit the highs of some other films on this list, but they deliver on what they set out to do. Directed by Leigh Janiak, the films star Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr., Julia Rehwald, Fred Hechinger, Ashley Zukerman, Darrell Britt-Gibson and Maya Hawke. All three films are available on Netflix.

29. Psycho Beach Party (2000)

Psycho Beach Party blends two genres: 1970s slashers and 1960s beach party movies. The film follows a girl who is determined to learn to surf like the boys, when a rash of murders break out at the beach. The film drips in camp and really feels like a ‘60s film, not only in tropes but in editing and cinematography.

Directed by Robert Lee King and written by Charles Busch, the film stars Lauren Ambrose, Thomas Gibson, Amy Adams and Busch is drag. It is extremely silly, but that's kind of the point. It is currently available to stream for free on Tubi.

28. The Prowler (1981)

Joseph Zito’s The Prowler is a cult classic in a genre with a lot of cult classics. The film follows a group of college students stalked by a killer at a graduation party. It stars Vicky Dawson, Christopher Goutman, Cindy Weintraub and Farley Granger.

The effects by Tom Savini are really what makes this film special. Unfortunately, many of the effects were cut out of many of the international versions of this film. It looks great and has an iconic villain, but don’t watch this film for the plot. It is pretty disjointed. It is currently available for free on Tubi.

27. Urban Legend (1998)

Urban Legend is another one of those films that are so bad they are good. This film is not for anyone who doesn’t love a campy slasher, but there is something really wonderful about it. While many wrote it off as just a rip-off of Scream (which it also is), it is also a strange and strangely fun film on its own.

The movie follows a group of college students as murders based on urban legends start to happen on their campus. Directed by Jamie Blanks, it stars Alicia Witt, Jared Leto, Rebecca Gayheart, Joshua Jackson, Loretta Devine, ​​John Neville, Tara Reid and Robert Englund. It is absolutely ‘90s-themed shlock that must be enjoyed in a purely camp way. It is currently streaming on Max.

26. The Burning (1981)

There are many slashers that happen at a sleep-away camp including Friday the 13th and 1983’s Sleepaway Camp (which is another important film in the genre with a cult following). While The Burning may be the third most noted, it is worth a watch for its visuals and effects. Directed by Tony Maylam, The Burning marks the film debut of Jason Alexander, Fisher Stevens and Holly Hunter.

The film follows the familiar premise of a murderer who takes his vengeance on teens at a remote camp; however, The Burning is also loosely based on the Staten Island-based urban legend of Cropsey. While the film was regarded as a cheap rip-off of Friday the 13th, it has taken on a cult classic status in its own right. It should be said that the film now has a complicated legacy as it was the first film produced by Harvey Weinstein. His predatory behavior stretches back to The Burning where he allegedly asked for a nude massage from former production assistant Paula Wachowiak. It is currently available on Amazon Prime and MGM+.

25. Prom Night (1980)

Prom Night often gets compared to Carrie and Halloween. It makes sense. Prom Night stars Jaime Lee Curtis. It mostly takes place during a prom. However, the comparison feels a little unfair. Both Carrie and Halloween are masterpieces and while Prom Night doesn’t hit those highs, it is a stylish, fun and enjoyable slasher.

Prom Night follows a killer out for revenge who targets a group of teenagers at their prom. Directed by Paul Lynch, it stars Curtis and Leslie Nielsen. The film is a bit of a cult hit and will easily delight fans of the genre. It is currently available to stream for free on Tubi, Peacock, Pluto TV and The Roku Channel.

24. Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)

While the original Friday the 13th is arguably the best film in the “Jason” franchise, it doesn’t really have much Jason in it. Jason has been almost everywhere: hell, a ship outside of Manhattan, space. However, he’s really best at camp. The Final Chapter follows Jason as he returns to Crystal Lake and targets a group of teens, including Trish and her 12-year-old brother, Tommy Jarvis. Directed by Joseph Zito, the film stars Kimberly Beck, Corey Feldman, E. Erich Anderson, Crispin Glover and an uncredited Ted White as Jason.

This film only holds 21% on Rotten Tomatoes; however, it is loved by fans of the franchise and horror movie aficionados. It was even ranked over the original and as the number one Friday the 13th film by Entertainment Weekly. It is a film really engineered for fans of the slasher genre and no one else. It is available to stream on Paramount+.

23. A Bay of Blood (1971)

A Bay of Blood is a giallo film (a genre of Italian film that combines exploitation films and psychological thrillers). Giallo films are central to the establishment and history of the slasher genre; some have even called A Bay of Blood “the original slasher film” (however, it is predated by proto-slasher films like Peeping Tom and Psycho).

A Bay of Blood follows a wealthy heiress as her beachfront community is terrorized by a killer. The film was directed by Mario Bava and stars Claudine Auger, Luigi Pistilli and Claudio Volonté. Bava was already a big name in horror before A Bay of Blood, and upon its release, many critics compared it unfavorably to his more restrained previous works. However, retrospectively, it works well in the genre that it also helped create. It is currently streaming for free on Tubi, Amazon Prime and Plex.

22. My Bloody Valentine (1981)

While My Bloody Valentine is considered a classic of the genre, it isn’t for the faint of heart. This film is very violent, even by 1980s slasher standards. It follows a Valentine’s Day dance and a group of friends that incur the wrath of a deranged miner.

Directed by George Mihalka, the film stars Paul Kelman, Lori Hallier, Neil Affleck, Don Francks and Patricia Hamilton. My Bloody Valentine was censored by the Motion Picture Association of America due to immense gore and violence. While no fully restored version exists, there is a 2009 DVD/Blu-ray release that has three minutes of additional footage. The film was also remade in 2009; however, the original is better. It is available to stream for free on Pluto TV or on Paramount+ with a subscription.

21. Scream (2022)

Most of the Scream Frachise is great (except for the third one). This spot maybe should go to Scream 2; however, the two most recent Scream films (Scream and Scream VI) are great and should be celebrated. 2022’s Scream has a tight script, and Scream VI is pure fun, making both great follow-ups to the original film. Scream stays true to its meta-predecessors in an updated way for the state of 2020s horror genre.

The fifth film in the franchise follows a new Ghostface killer who targets teens in the same town as the original murders 25 years before. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, 2022’s Scream is the first film in the franchise not directed by Wes Craven and produced by Harvey Weinstein. The film stars Melissa Barrera, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Courteney Cox, David Arquette and Neve Campbell. It is available to stream on Paramount+.

20. Totally Killer (2023)

There have been several great and inventive horror/comedies that have come out in the past few years (Happy Death Day, its sequel Happy Death Day 2U and Ready or Not especially come to mind) and Totally Killer is among the most fun. The film follows a teen who travels back in time to 1987 when her mother was stalked by a masked killer.

Directed by Nahnatchka Khan, Totally Killer uses slasher tropes for comedy, but there is a certain reverence for the genre and nostalgia for the 1980s, which works well. The film stars Kiernan Shipka, Olivia Holt, Charlie Gillespie, Lochlyn Munro, Randall Park and Julie Bowen. It is available to stream on Amazon Prime.

19. Blood and Black Lace (1964)

Another giallo film by Mario Bava, Blood and Black Lace, follows a man with a metal claw as he stalks and kills models in Rome’s haute couture scene. The film stars Eva Bartok and Cameron Mitchell.

The camera work in this film really embodies the style that would go on to shape the genre. It also features beautiful and bizarre visuals. However, the film is also very 1960s and not everything ages well. Many will recognize elements of the film, especially one death scene in a bathtub, as it has been referenced in many other films. Blood and Black Lace is available to stream for free on Plex.

18. Freaky (2020)

Freaky combines Freaky Friday with Friday the 13th in a way that is pure fun. The film follows a teenager who swaps bodies with a homicidal maniac. While the movie has a funny script and some fun gore, its real strength is the performance of its leads, Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton, and their commitment to the body-swap premise.

The film was directed by Christopher Landon and fits well with his largely horror/comedy filmography, which includes the Happy Death Day films, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse and We Have a Ghost. Freaky never takes itself too seriously and often gets almost slapstick; however, that is part of what makes it great. It is available to stream on Peacock.

17. X (2022)

X is part of a Ti West-directed trilogy, which also includes 2022’s Pearl and 2024’s Maxxxine. While X’s prequel, Pearl, is the better horror film, X is far more of a slasher. It really is a love letter and a fresh take on 1970s slashers and exploitation films. X takes place in the late ‘70s and follows a group who goes to a rural Texas farm to shoot an amateur porno, only to be attacked by the owners.

The film stars Mia Goth, Jenna Ortega, Martin Henderson, Brittany Snow and Scott Mescudi (a.k.a. Kid Cudi). It is a stylish, slick and gorey film that has a great soundtrack and really impressive prosthetics. X is available for rent on YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

16. The Blackening (2023)

“We all can’t die first.” Probably the funniest film on this list, The Blackening is a horror comedy that satirizes race in horror films while still being a good slasher. At moments, it is obvious that the film was based on a comedy sketch (in this case, of the same name by the comedy troupe 3Peat); however, it's often a positive. It is a little bit Scary Movie, a little bit Scream, but it all works.

Directed by Tim Story, the film follows a group of friends who go to a cabin for Juneteenth only to be forced into a deadly game with a masked killer. The Blackening stars Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins (who also co-wrote the film with Tracy Oliver), Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah and Yvonne Orji. it is currently available on Starz.

15. Opera (1987)

Arguably the last great film by Italian horror master Dario Argento, Opera follows a soprano made to watch a string of murders that happen during the Parma Opera House’s production of Verdi's Macbeth. It sounds a little more high-brow than it is at moments. It also features needles in someone’s eyes and some pretty iconic murder scenes.

The film stars Cristina Marsillach, Ian Charleson, Urbano Barberini and William McNamara. Opera came out the same year as StageFright, a film by Argento’s protégé Michele Soavi. Both films feature Barbara Cupisti, a cameo from Soavi and follow murders at a theater. These films feel related even if a little distantly so and are a great choice for anyone looking for a truly strange and Italian double feature. Opera is currently available to stream for free on Tubi.

14. StageFright (1987)

StageFright is arguably the strangest film of the already strange genre of Italian slasher films. StageFright was made past the heyday of the giallo film; however, it is obvious how earlier Italian horror films influenced it. The film follows an intense director who locks in the cast and crew of a new musical about a killer to rehearse, but doesn’t realize that he has trapped a real serial killer inside with them.

The film stars Barbara Cupisti, David Brandon and Mary Sellers. StageFright was directed by Dario Argento’s protégé, Michele Soavi, who also appears in the film. It is a true feast for the eyes that really leans into the surreal at moments. The fictional killer in the play, The Night Owl’s costume is especially iconic. It is available to stream for free on Tubi.

13. You’re Next (2011)

You’re Next is a more recent cult sensation. Directed by Adam Wingard, the film follows a family trying to reconnect when they are attacked by masked asslatins. It stars Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn, A. J. Bowen, Joe Swanberg, Barbara Crampton and Rob Moran.

While it received more generally mixed reviews, it is a surprisingly funny film for fans of pitch black comedies. It is also a brutal gore fest which will delight horror fans. You’re Next is part A Bay of Blood and part Home Alone, but it all strangely works. It is currently available to stream on Netflix.

12. Deep Red (1975)

Another giallo film, Deep Red, follows a musician and reporter on the hunt for a serial killer who murdered a psychic. The film stars David Hemmings and Daria Nicolodi. The original Italian version is worth seeking out, as the original English dub removes around 22 minutes. These minutes include the most graphic sections of the film, as well as most of the humor and romance, which give depth to Deep Red.

While director Dario Argento's films are not for everyone, Deep Red is largely considered one of his best works. It is a masterfully made and deeply affecting film. The intricate and sometimes frenetic camera work makes it a must-watch, even for those who aren’t huge slasher fans. Argento’s 1982 film Tenebrae is another classic in the genre for those looking for more iconic giallo films. It is available to stream on Pluto TV and Plex.

11. Child’s Play (1988)

It is hard to say which film in the so-called Chucky franchise is the best. Many horror fans (including this reviewer) have a soft spot for Bride of Chucky. The Curse of Chucky is also good and the TV show simply called Chucky is great. However, you can’t go wrong with the original Child’s Play. The film follows a serial killer who is accidentally trapped in the body of a talking doll.

Directed by filmmaker Tom Holland, the film stars Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon and Brad Dourif. While many slashers don’t interact with the supernatural, the Child’s Play franchise is a noted exception. The supernatural nature of the film is part of the appeal, and the film feels inventive even in a decade filled with slashers. There is a well... playfulness to Child’s Play that is infectious fun. It is available to stream on AMC+.

10. Peeping Tom (1960)

Along with Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, which was released the same year, Peeping Tom is the blueprint for many modern slasher films. The film follows a voyeuristic serial killer who records the last moments with his victims and his young, beautiful neighbor.

The film was controversial upon its release and even negatively affected director Michael Powell’s career. However, it has taken on a cult status and has been largely re-evaluated. It has been directly referenced in the book Infinite Jest, The Scream Franchise and Edgar Wright's Last Night in Soho. The film stars Carl Boehm, Moira Shearer, Anna Massey and Maxine Audley. It is available to stream on Tubi and The Roku Channel.

9. Black Christmas (1974)

While it doesn’t have as much overall mainstream appeal as some of the other heavy hitters on this list, Black Christmas is a classic for fans of slashers. Black Christmas is one of many horror films set at Christmas time (others include Silent Night, Deadly Night and Better Watch Out). It follows sorority sisters as they start to receive mysteriously threatening phone calls during winter break.

The film is loosely inspired by an urban legend about a babysitter and a man upstairs. While it initially received mixed reviews, it heavily inspired later slashers, especially 1978’s Halloween. Directed by Bob Clark, the film stars Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder and John Saxon. Black Christmas doesn’t wrap up neatly and really leaves the watcher wanting more. It is available for free on Peacock, The Roku Channel and Tubi.

8. Wait Until Dark (1967)

Wait Until Dark is another sort of “proto slasher" which comes before the heyday of the genre.” While some might not really count it as one, it hits most of the beats of a slasher. Even if it's technically more of a psychological horror/home invasion film, it's a great film that slasher fans should love.

Directed by Terence Young, the film follows a killer who breaks into a blind woman’s apartment to retrieve a doll filled with drugs. The film stars Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin. Hepburn was nominated for an Academy Award for the film and gives a characteristically great performance. Wait Until Dark is not as bloody as other films on this list, but it is an extremely tense film. It is available to stream for free on Tubi.

7. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)

There are several good “Freddy” movies. The first Nightmare on Elm Street is a classic, and Dream Warriors is surprisingly good. However, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare is easily the most creative and interesting. While it is the seventh film in the franchise, it is also a stand-alone film that functions as a meta-narrative outside of the continuity of the franchise.

The film follows the cast of the franchise (Craven, Heather Langenkamp and Robert Englund portray themselves) as the fictional Freddy Kruger enters the real world through Langenkamp’s son’s dreams. It's a strange film, but it's also extremely satisfying. Roger Ebert wrote in his review of the film, "I haven't been exactly a fan of the Nightmare series, but I found this movie, with its unsettling questions about the effect of horror on those who create it, strangely intriguing.” It is available to rent on YouTube, Google Play and Apple TV.

6. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

For better or for worse, you have to talk about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre when discussing modern horror. It's a purposely depraved film that has been critiqued for its immense violence against, specifically, women. At the same time, the film is dripping in technique, camera work and, of course, blood. It is an arresting film that helped shape the genre of not only slashers but the horror genre as a whole.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre follows a group of friends who, while investigating an old family farmhouse, are attacked by Leatherface, a chainsaw-wielding maniac. While some details in the film are loosely based on the serial killer Ed Gein’s crimes and the movie was marketed as being based on true events, the film is fictional. Directed by Tobe Hooper, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was made on a shoestring budget and stars Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow and Gunnar Hansen. It is available for free on Tubi, Peacock, Pluto TV, Amazon Prime, The Roku Channel and Plex.

5. Friday the 13th (1980)

“Then he's still there." The original Friday the 13th is a horror/slasher classic. The film follows a group of teenage camp counselors who hope to reopen an abandoned summer camp. Many moments in the film feel silly and campy (no pun intended), but that is part of its magic. Notably, while the film led to 11 sequels and spin-offs centering around the killer Jason, the first isn’t really about him.

Friday the 13th stars Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Harry Crosby, Laurie Bartram, Mark Nelson, Jeannine Taylor, Robbi Morgan and Kevin Bacon. While it was an independent film with no (at the time) big-name actors, its popularity led to its international release and box-office success. It is currently streaming on Paramount+.

4. Psycho (1960)

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho is an early entry into the slasher genre. It follows an embezzler on the run who is killed at a run-down motel operated by the shy Norman Bates. However, when her lover and sister look into her disappearance, they learn the truth about the hotel’s owner.

Psycho is a foundational horror film and is largely seen as a horror classic; however, it has been critiqued by the trans community and by mental illness advocates. Psycho was nominated for four Oscars and starred Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam and Janet Leigh. Psycho has seeped into the larger cultural consciousness, and even if you haven’t seen it, the film will likely feel familiar, given how much it is referenced from parodies and homages of its shower scene and final shot to use of lines like “We all go a little mad sometimes.” Psycho is currently streaming on Netflix.

3. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Nightmare on Elm Street is a bit of a departure from the genre and earlier slasher films. While slashers usually follow a human villain, Nightmare on Elm Street features a supernatural killer. The film follows a group of teens who are stalked through their dreams by Freddy Krueger, a vengeful ghost of a murderer.

Directed by Wes Craven, Nightmare on Elm Street stars Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Amanda Wyss, Johnny Depp and Robert Englund. While the film follows many of the tropes of the slasher genre, it feels wholly new and inventive. Given the nature of dreams, the visuals in this film are also strange and iconic. The film is now part of a nine-film franchise (another of which also appeared on this list), but the original is a true classic and a must-see for any horror fan. It is currently available to stream on Max.

2. Scream (1996)

“It's all a movie. It's all one great big movie. Only you can't pick your genre.” Directed by Wes Craven, Scream is both a love letter and a light satire of slasher movies. However, even if it is a bit meta, it is still a great slasher movie in its own right. Scream follows a group of teens who are terrorized by Ghostface, a ruthless killer in a Halloween mask.

The film was generally well-reviewed and surprisingly financially successful upon its release, but it has only become more beloved by horror fans. So many scenes in the film have become icons of the genre, from the first kill scene to the killer's monologue. Scream stars David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich and Drew Barrymore. It is currently streaming on Max.

1. Halloween (1978)

Halloween ushered in the Golden Age of Slasher films. Halloween transcends being a great slasher to being a great film. The Halloween Franchise now has 13 films, and many are great (2018’s Halloween and Halloween II are especially worth a watch); however, none surpass the original. Directed by John Carpenter, the film follows an escaped mental patient who goes on a killing spree on Halloween night.

The film stars Donald Pleasence, P.J. Soles, Nancy Loomis and Jamie Lee Curtis (in her first film). Halloween has a lot of strengths. It has excellent camera work, a tight script and masterfully built tension. While it received lackluster reviews upon its release, it performed well at the box office. It is the highest-grossing slasher based both in opening and lifetime gross. It has also been fully critically reassessed and largely called one of the best horror films ever made. In 2006, it was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Halloween is currently available to stream on Plex.

Bottom Line

The slasher genre isn’t for everyone. If you have a weak stomach or no patience for low-budget filmmaking, this list probably isn’t for you. However, slashers are a mainstay of the horror genre that has grown and flourished over the decades. So, “What’s your favorite scary movie?”