The days are getting longer, and it’s the perfect weather for Slasher Summer. So grab your favorite snacks and turn off the lights, as you sit back and watch some of the best slasher horror films of all time. These movies may be set in summer camps, beach towns, and the mountains, but their scares will make you feel like it’s already spooky season.
No matter what scares you the most, whether it’s a modern take on a classic slasher, a supernatural threat uniting a group of kids, or a creature feature, here is a list of great slasher movies to give you a great start to your summer.
“Friday the 13th”
We can’t talk about summer horror without mentioning the movie that started it all. There wouldn’t be nearly as many creatively masked killers out there if it hadn’t been for Jason. It has inspired many other directors to make more horror films like this one. This film is a classic for a reason–and it still lives on in the minds of horror lovers everywhere.
“Fear Street: 1978”
The entire “Fear Street” trilogy is perfect for a summer horror marathon. But “Fear Street: 1978” has the beloved ’70s slasher genre and gives a modern sense of humor. The movie stars Sadie Sink from “Stranger Things” and is the second installment of the “Fear Street” series, taking place at Camp Nightwing, where a summer of fun turns into a fight for survival.
“It: Chapter 1”
When it debuted in 2017, “It” became the third highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. All of it is due to the young cast–who comprise the “Losers Club”–and Bill Skargard’s unsettling approach to the villain Pennywise the clown. The group’s amazing chemistry and terrifying scares make “It” a must-watch for summer movie nights.
“I Know What You Did Last Summer”
This movie was released near the end of the teen slasher wave in the ‘90s. There have been mixed reviews, with many saying it’s cheesy and not scary at all, with terrible acting. But others have said that it was better than most slasher films at the time. Give it a watch and decide for yourself.
“Jaws”
“Jaws” wasn’t just a hit thriller that put creature features on the map. It was also the blueprint for future summer blockbusters. You probably already know the plot of the movie, but just in case you don’t: A great white shark stalks the beach town of Amity Island, and a team of residents hunts the bloodthirsty creature. The suspense keeps building throughout the movie, and the Great White barely even shows itself.
Of course, there are many more Slasher Summer horror films you could watch to make this a perfect summer for horror movie lovers. What’s your favorite scary movie?
