15 Movies like Scream

Scream remains an iconic movie in the horror slasher genre. The immense praise that the film garnered led the makers to turn it into a franchise and there have been four more Scream movies after that. The franchise has been very well received by viewers and has succeeded in earning a name for itself.

After watching the Scream series, it is only conspicuous that one will crave more. The craze for mystery horrors that Scream generates is simply unmatched. Thus in this article, we will provide you with a list of 15 movies like Scream that will satiate your horror cravings.

  1. The Child’s Play Franchise

A successful name in the list of horror franchises is Child’s Play. The series is about a hi-tech doll serial- killer doll called Chucky. Created by Don Mancini, the franchise comprises 9 films.

The first installment in the series was released in 1988 and was widely acclaimed by critics and the general audience alike. Child’s Play can’t be missed at any cost by any horror admirer especially after one has witnessed Scream.

  1. A Nightmare on Elm Street

One of the most famous slasher films of all time, A Nightmare on Elm Street is a treat for whoever enjoys slasher films. Released in 1984, the movie portrays a young girl who realizes that she has to stay awake at any cost to avoid a clawed killer who is butchering her friends one by one in their dreams. The film is rated a commendable 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.

In resemblance to Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street was also transformed into a series that consists of a total of 8 films including a crossover with Friday the 13th.

  1. It Follows

A supernatural psychological thriller, It Follows depicts teenager Jay ( played by Maika Monroe) sleeping with her new boyfriend, Hugh (Jake Weary), for the first time, she learns that she is the latest recipient of a fatal curse that is passed from victim to victim via sexual intercourse.

The film was immensely lauded upon its release in 2014 by critics. Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic rates the film 95% and 83% respectively. The direction and screenplay of It Follows were by David Robert Mitchell.

  1. The Urban Legend Series

Another very popular horror slasher series, Urban Legend comprises three films: Urban Legend, released in 1998, Urban Legends: Final Cut, released in 2000, and Urban Legends: Bloody Mary, released in 2005.

The series was created by Silvio Horta and is admired among slasher fans. The first two films were released theatrically while the third one was released in the direct-to-video format.

  1. The Cabin in the Woods

A horror comedy in its own right, The Cabin in the Woods is a savory mixture of humor and fright. The plot follows five friends who unknowingly summon a family of murderous zombies and inadvertently become involved in a ritual of human sacrifice held to please cruel subterranean deities.

Directed by Drew Goddard, the film is rated 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7 out of 10 on IMDb.

  1. Halloween

Directed by John Carpenter, Halloween is a classic horror thriller. It showcases Michael Myers, a psychopathic killer who goes on a killing spree in his quiet hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois after escaping from the police.

Released in 1978, the film received a warm reception and encouraged the makers to turn it into a full-fledged franchise consisting of as many as 10 films.

  1. Hush

Hush follows the story of a deaf writer’s attempt to survive in silence when a masked killer appears following her retreat into the woods to live a solitary life. Directed by Michael Flanagan, it stars Kate Siegel (who also co-wrote the film alongside Flanagan) as the protagonist.

The slasher film was released in 2016 and is rated 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.6 on IMDb.

  1. Friday the 13th

Released in 1980, Friday the 13th is about a group of counselors who are brutally killed one by one at a summer camp held at Camp Crystal Lake when the entrepreneur Steve Christie reopens the site, which was shut for years. It was directed by Sean S. Cunningham. 

Like Scream, Friday the 13th too got turned into a franchise following the success of the first film. The franchise flaunts a total of 11 films including a crossover with A Nightmare on Elm Street.

  1. Cherry Falls

Cherry Falls is an intriguing slasher film that explores the danger of a serial killer who targets virgins (both males and females) in a hamlet under the supervision of  Sheriff Marken. Released in 2000, it is directed by Geoffrey Wright who was awarded Best Director at Sitges Film Festival.

The movie stars Brittany Murphy, Jay Mohr, and Michael Biehn in the lead roles.

  1. My Bloody Valentine

My Bloody Valentine is set in the backdrop of a horrific Valentine’s Day that results in the death of miners and the lone survivor, Harry Warden who returns to seek revenge twenty later when the celebration is resumed.

Directed by George Mihalka, the thriller was released in 1981. It stars Paul Kelman, Lori Hallier, and Neil Affleck in the lead roles. IMDb gives the film a decent 6.2 out of 10.

  1. Black Christmas

The 1974 horror classic, Black Christmas tells the tale of a group of sorority sisters who receive threatening phone calls and are murdered one after the other during the Christmas season. The film, directed by Bob Clark, has developed a cult following among slasher enjoyers. It was also one of the first slasher films to be made.

Rotten Tomatoes recommends the film with 71% and IMDb gives it 7.1 out of 10.

  1. Scary Movie

A highly popular horror comedy, Scream is about a group of young girls who are stalked and threatened to be murdered one by one. The film seamlessly incorporates elements of sarcasm in a scary storyline.

Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, the film earned $278 million at the box office. The good reception of the movie resulted in four more films being released as sequels.

  1. I Know What You Did Last Summer

I Know What You Did Last Summer exhibits four friends who accidentally run over a man and dump his body to conceal their secret, unaware that the following year brings a series of uncanny events in their lives. Released in 1997, the movie is directed by Jim Gillespie. It was adapted from the novel of the same name by Lois Duncan. A sequel to the film I Still Know What You Did Last Summer was released in 1998.

  1. Candyman

Candyman was released in 1992 and revolves around Helen who is intrigued by local legends, and starts investigating the myths and superstitions surrounding the one-armed Candyman but faces her worst nightmare when a series of murders start taking place.

Directed by Bernard Rose, the film is based on the short story “The Forbidden” by Clive Barker. Rotten Tomatoes recommends Candyman with 79%.

  1. Jennifer’s Body

Jennifer’s Body was released in 2009 and revolves around the titular character who becomes possessed and turns into a succubus after she is sacrificed to Satan. The film is a satirical horror with a perfect blend of scare and laughter.

It is directed by Karyn Kusama and features Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried in prominent roles. IMDb rates the film decently with 5.4 out of 10.