Springtime is the season of rejuvenation, complemented by climbing temperatures, blooming flowers, and those long-awaited extra hours of daylight. What better way to enjoy the season than indulging in ahorrormovie that takes place during spring? Though sometimes overlooked for films that take place during autumn or the Halloween season, plenty ofgreat horror moviestake advantage of spring’s subtle nuances to create a truly haunting experience.
Whether you’re in the mood for a slasher, a psychological thriller, or an over-the-top campy flick, there’s something for everyone in the horror genre. Here are 20 of the best springtime horror movies to add to your watch list.
20Crocodile
If you’re looking for a spring horror movie you don’t have to take too seriously,Crocodileis an ideal choice. This campy horror-comedyfrom director Tobe Hoopertakes place during spring break when a group of college friends heads out to spend their week partying on a boat. Unfortunately, they disturb the nest of a man-eating crocodile, which then sets out for revenge on each of them.
It’s a silly take on the classic trope of a giant creature hunting its victims with precision, yet still provides a good amount of gore and suspense. The CGI is one of the weakest elements, but it’s still a fun watch for anyone who enjoys a good killer crocodile story.
19The Happening
M. Night Shyamalan’s 2008 filmThe Happeningis a twisted psychological thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel. The story follows a small group on the run as they attempt to escape an inexplicable natural disaster causing mysterious mass suicides to spread throughout the United States. The spring season highlights the power of nature and life’s fragility, a clear theme throughout much of the film.
Like many of Shyamalan’s productions, the twist ending leaves viewers with more questions than answers. Although the movie wasn’t well-received by critics, it still stands as a testament to how nature can be a formidable enemy in horror. There’s little more frightening than the unknown, and that’s exactly whatThe Happeningdemonstrates.
18Rites of Spring
Rites of Springis a great pick for those whoenjoy low-budget slashers. This 2011 movie adopts ideas from several classics in which a creature returns every spring for new sacrifices. The somewhat messy plot starts with two friends being kidnapped by a man called The Stranger yet spirals into something far more complex involving ancient rituals, revenge, and dark secrets. It struggles to connect all the dots, but the slow-build suspense makes it a good pick for viewers looking for a lesser-known watch.
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One of the biggest critiques from viewers is the creature’s appearance and clear inspiration from similar movies likeJeepers Creepers. Still, there’s a lot of potential for those who go in without heavy expectations. There’s an impressive amount of gore and a post-credits scene that make this a spring horror movie worth checking out.
17Cabin Fever
Spring break takes a vile turn for the worst in Eli Roth’sCabin Fever. It follows a group of college friends who rent a desolate cabin in the woods for an idyllic getaway. Unfortunately, the fun is cut short when a flesh-eating virus spreads through the area, turning the group against each other in a desperate search for survival.
Cabin Feveris known for its shock value with the over-the-top mutilation and gore, but it also has strong performances from a cast that includes Rider Strong and Jordan Ladd. The typical clichés help to make the extreme scenes more enjoyable and show just how brutal the virus can be when it reaches its peak. Spring break is a great time to watch a movie likeCabin Feverto get your horror fix.
16Jeepers Creepers
Jeepers Creepersis another classic that follows two siblings, Darry and Trish, that are on their way home for spring break. During their road trip through the remote countryside, they’re terrorized by an ancient creature that emerges every 23 years during spring to feed on humans. He’s determined to capture Darry, leading to an intense game of cat and mouse between the siblings and the Creeper.
Justin Long’s performanceshines in the lead role and is a great reminder of his early career, but Jonathan Breck goes above and beyond as the Creeper. The mesh of human and animal-like qualities makes him stand out from other antagonists in the genre. It combines elements of a thriller with the monster genre to build a unique story worth revisiting.
15The Ruins
The Ruinsis a 2008 movie about a group of friends who embark on a spring break adventure in Mexico and end up on a journey to explore ruins. What ensues is a quick descent into a nightmare that leaves the characters fighting for survival against a surprising force. It’s claustrophobic, intense, and accomplishes what many of the movies released during this time struggled with — creating truly scary content without relying solely on gore or jump scares.
Fans of movies likeCabin FeverandThe Descentwill appreciate the attempt to create original horror content. The dread throughout is palpable, and the atmosphere will make you think twice about exploring an ancient site.The Ruinsis the perfect blend of suspense and action, with Jena Malone and Shawn Ashmore in the talented cast.
14Midsommar
One of the newer horror movies on this list isMidsommar. While it technically takes place at the end of spring, it has stunning visuals and an essence that creates the perfect spring horror atmosphere. It follows a couple who ends up in Sweden as part of an invitation to attend the midsummer festivities, only to be thrown into an eerie, paganistic cult, sacrificial rituals, and a sinister darkness that cloaks the festivities.
Ari Aster directedthis A24 production, showcasing his distinctive psychological, slow-burn horror style. Florence Pugh is the standout as Dani, the emotional epicenter of the movie. As Dani spirals further and further down into her own personal hell, you may’t help but be entranced by the powerful performance. It’s not for everyone but remains a standout in modern cinema.
13Tourist Trap
This 1979 spring break classic follows a group of friends who break down near a deranged roadside attraction during their trip. What they don’t know is that the attraction is populated by mannequins and controlled by a telekinetic psychopath. It’s a psychological thriller with a touch of horror that pays homage to iconic ’70s slashers yet remains overlooked by contemporary viewers.
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The PG rating does not reflect the quality of the movie, as it has some genuinely unsettling sequences and a score that heightens the tension. It’s creepy, strange, unique, and still entertaining nearly 40 years later. The lack of jump scares and heavy gore makesTourist Trapa great addition to a rainy-day movie marathon.
12Shallow Grave
Shallow Graveis a 1987 slasher drama that follows a group of friends on a spring break road trip to Florida. Unfortunately, they witness a murder along the way and end upbeing stalked by the killer. He will do whatever it takes to make sure no one knows what happened and terrorizes the three friends on their journey, attacking them one by one. It’s a ruthless, disturbing movie that manages to stand out from other slashers of the era.
The pacing throughoutShallow Graveis fantastic and keeps spiraling as the tension rises. The film stars Tony March and Lisa Stahl, who deliver strong performances. It’s horror with a slasher twist that is worth checking out if you’re looking for something different this spring.
Another spring break classic is Eli Roth’sHostelfrom 2005. It follows two American friends who travel to Europe for a wild vacation, only to end up in a twisted experiment of bloodlust and murder. It starts slow and takes time to build tension before everything comes crashing down. It isn’t all violence, though, as Roth does a great job of adding social and political commentary to the mix.
The cast features Jay Hernandez and Derek Richardson in the lead roles, giving solid performances that make the movie more than just a gore fest. It does fall into the torture category of horror movies but has elements of dark humor and twists along the way to keep viewers engaged. Don’t let your spring break end without revisiting this misunderstood 2000s horror classic.
