Let’s get real—not every horror fan is dying for bloodbaths. More likely than not, it’s the eerie quiet, the seeping blackness, or the screaming terror that crawls under your skin. That’s where PG-13 horror films excel. They can bring on spine-tingling chills, jump-out scares, and even some chuckles, without ever crossing the threshold into R-rated territory.

Whether you’re new to the genre or just want a scare that won’t last for weeks on end, these PG-13 options bring chills, thrills, and plenty of fun—no requirement for too much blood.

1. The Final Girls (2015)

If you enjoy your horror served with a wink and a side of 1980s nostalgia, then The Final Girls is the film for you. Teenager Max is grieving over her mother—a scream queen favorite—when she is sucked out of her world and into one of her mom’s iconic slasher movies. What ensues is a knowing mix of meta-comedy, sentimentally tear-inducing, and quietly frightful. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, emotionally wrenching, and unashamedly sentimental, all while sending up classic horror gestures in playfulness.

2. The Mummy (1999)

Brendan Fraser takes the helm in this action-horror mashup that’s every bit Indiana Jones as it is a creature feature. When an ancient curse is released during an archaeological excavation, a mummified, undead monster and his zombie minions unleash hell on the desert. Creepy crawlies, supernatural chills, and breakneck adventure create a classic crowd-pleaser with just enough spook.

3. The Monster Squad (1987)

Long before Stranger Things made monster-fighting kids hip once more, The Monster Squad did it first. A group of horror-movie fans find that Dracula, the Wolfman, and a few other old-school monsters are indeed real—and they’re heading to their town. Full of wit, one-liners, and creature effects straight out of the past, this cult classic mixes humor and horror into a family-friendly horror show.

4. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

This thought-provoking thriller proves that you don’t need jump scares and graphic violence to become deeply unsettled. After a car accident, a woman awakens in an underground bunker with two strangers who tell her the world above is no longer a livable environment. John Goodman’s work ignites the tension, making audiences wonder what’s real and whom to believe. It’s a slow-burning suspense story that’s as chilling as it is thrilling.

5. King Kong (2005)

Peter Jackson’s epic reimagining of the original ape is more of a sweep than a scream at first glance, but the journey to Skull Island soon turns into a nightmare. From deadly bugs to dinosaur stampedes, the real horror is not in Kong himself, but his nightmarish surroundings. Visually stunning and sometimes scary, King Kong is an epic with some serious horror overtones.

6. The Haunting (1999)

A brooding haunted house film with a cast of all-stars, The Haunting produces atmospheric frights at the expense of cheap thrills. When a group of strangers meet in a gothic mansion to be studied while sleeping, they find out quickly that the house has a sinister and vengeful history. Although some of the special effects haven’t aged well, the creepy design and psychological suspense still ensure a spooky good time.

7. Critters 3 (1991)

Long before he was an Oscar winner, Leonardo DiCaprio had a supporting role in this campy creature feature. Critters 3 is about a crop of tenants in a sequence of apartments and how they fight off hungry, furball-like aliens. It’s cheesy, haphazard fun—more of a sci-fi comedy than a straightforward horror movie—but great for those who like offbeat monsters and low-key frights.

8. AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)

You would think a gorefest when two of the cinema’s most deadly beasts face off, but Alien vs. Predator handles the action rather surprisingly tame for a film of that nature. The PG-13 rating doesn’t take away from the thrill, however—there’s still a good amount of tense, claustrophobic action, inventive creature fights, and fan-service-heavy action that makes it a fun film to watch for fans of monster movies.

9. Van Helsing (2004)

Hugh Jackman’s killing machine of a monster hunter fights a rogue’s gallery of horror staples in this gothic-action extravaganza. Van Helsing leans more to fantasy and spectacle than traditional horror, but it gets the mood, atmosphere, and creature work down pat. It’s a supernatural rollercoaster ride—campy, over-the-top, and thoroughly entertaining.

10. 47 Meters Down (2017)

Sharks are frightening. Trapped in a cage on the ocean floor with sharks cruising overhead? Even more terrifying. 47 Meters Down subsists on tension instead of gore, dropping the audience into the hypoxic shoes of two trapped sisters in a desperate underwater nightmare. It’s a heart-pounding survival thriller that demonstrates PG-13 horror can still keep your heart racing.

PG-13 horror isn’t just for teens or the squeamish—it’s proof that great horror doesn’t always need buckets of blood to be effective. These films use atmosphere, suspense, and storytelling to deliver genuine frights, making them perfect for fans who prefer tension over terror. So next time you’re in the mood for a scare that won’t scar you, give one of these a try. You’ll be amazed at what type of horror you can deliver without going the entire R-rated.

The world lost a genuine icon. If you’re a British drama buff, wizarding world enthusiast, or enjoy razor-sharp one-liners, then you’re probably aware of the name already: Dame Maggie Smith. The iconic actress—familiar to millions as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey—is dead at the age of 89, taking with her the legacy that stands as long as Hogwarts’ walls and as bright as her brightest performance.

Born Margaret Natalie Smith in East London in 1934, Maggie Smith’s path to the heights of stardom began on the boards, where her natural talent soon caught the eye of the theater establishment. By the early 1950s, she was already making a splash at the Oxford Playhouse School. It was no time before Laurence Olivier invited her to join the inaugural company of Britain’s National Theatre—an early indication of the towering career that awaited her.

She was nominated for her first Academy Award for Olivier’s Othello as Desdemona, but it was The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) that brought her into public consciousness. For her performance as the idiosyncratic schoolteacher, she won a Best Actress Oscar, and reviewers praised her talent for moving easily between humor, warmth, and steely toughness.

A second Academy Award came a decade later for California Suite, where she starred as a self-aware, emotionally nuanced actress opposite Michael Caine.

Smith’s career is a who’s who of British cinema, theatre, and television. From Merchant-Ivory dramas to Agatha Christie whodunits, she added elegance, wit, and emotional nuance to each part. But it was the 2000s that ushered in a new generation. As no-nonsense Hogwarts Professor Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter, she became the moral compass of the franchise, dominating scenes with one raised eyebrow. She once teased that playing the role was about securing her pension, but she also enjoyed the happiness it gave to her grandchildren.

And then Downton Abbey, where she truly solidified her worldwide recognition. As the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, Smith served up scene-stealing one-liners with knife-sharp accuracy. Her rapid-fire retorts and sharp stares made her the show’s breakout star—and a meme icon in the process. She took home three Emmys for the part and afterward mused, with typical modesty, that she’d lived a pretty low-key life before Downton made her a global phenomenon.

Worldwide tributes have been poured out. King Charles described her as a “national treasure,” while Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said that her work was a treasure to be treasured for generations to come. Co-stars from Harry Potter shared loving memories: Daniel Radcliffe mentioned her sharp brain and how she could both charm and frighten, while Emma Watson said that she was honest, humorous, and gloriously herself. Rupert Grint recalled dancing with her, referring to himself as very fortunate to have been able to work with her.

Miriam Margolyes called her “the best of the best,” a mix of mischief, depth, and unafraid talent. Downton Abbey co-stars agreed: Hugh Bonneville admired her cleverness and sense; Michelle Dockery declared her a true rebel, not like anyone else. Creator Julian Fellowes stated she was a pleasure to write for—”subtle, many-layered, intelligent, funny, and heart-breaking.

Sir Paul McCartney described her as “irreverent and fun-loving,” and Kristin Scott-Thomas recalled her wicked sense of humour and no-nonsense approach. Decades and genres apart, colleagues all concurred on one point: that she was unequalled in range and charisma.

Smith’s sons, actors Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, reported that she died peacefully, with friends and relatives around her. They thanked the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their kindness and requested time to grieve a much-loved mother and grandmother in private.

From the Elizabethan stage to the wizarding halls of Hogwarts, from the opulence of Downton Abbey to the eccentric delight of The Lady in the Van, Dame Maggie Smith’s oeuvre is sheer magic. She was fearless, technically exquisite, and completely irreplaceable. Even though the curtain is down, her spirit—and that unmistakable glint in her eye—will stay with us for centuries to come.

Crunchy leaves, late nights, and that certain bite in the air—there is no better season to get into indie horror. If you’re a die-hard genre buff or simply want to include something spooky on your watchlist, indie horror movies provide some of the most unique, risk-taking scare-tastic films out there. From mind games to gore-splattered slashers, below are 13 of the best indie horror movies available to stream now.

1. The Witch (2015)

Robert Eggers’s unsettling debut immerses audiences amid 1630s New England, where religious terror and loneliness give way to paranoia. Led by Anya Taylor-Joy’s standout performance, The Witch is a creeping investigation into terror, providing disturbing images and a haunting conclusion. Now available to stream on Max as part of its A24 collection.

2. Saint Maud (2019)

In this extremely disturbing psychological horror, Morfydd Clark stars as a righteous hospice nurse whose religious fixation descends into madness. With a slow-building sense of foreboding and a conclusion that lingers with you, Saint Maud is an absolute must-see. Streaming on Prime Video and Max.

3. Terrifier (2016)

Damien Leone’s Terrifier brought the world Art the Clown, a fresh horror icon of gore-fest terror. Gruesome, savage, and utterly repulsive, it’s a movie that pushes the boundaries of even the most jaded horror enthusiasts. Both Terrifier movies are on Freevee.

4. Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

This Halloween anthology weaves together linked tales of werewolves, ghosts, and revenge spirits into a chic package. With its fall backdrop and troublesome mascot Sam, Trick ‘r Treat is a holiday classic. Available to stream on Netflix (US) and Prime Video (UK and Australia).

5. Watcher (2022)

Maika Monroe plays a woman who’s just moved to Bucharest and thinks someone is watching her. Director Chloe Okuno ratchets up the tension with a Hitchcockian flair, ending in a gripping, satisfying conclusion. Streaming on Shudder and Hulu.

6. In a Violent Nature (2024)

This slasher subverts expectations by keeping the killer’s point of view during a meditative, blood-soaked trek through the forest. Director Chris Nash takes a creative, experimental approach to horror conventions, featuring one of the year’s most buzzed-about conclusions. Streaming on Shudder.

7. Oddity (2024)

From Caveat director Damian McCarthy, this is a truly unsettling story of a blind clairvoyant, a sinister mannequin, and fundamental sadness. It’s intelligent, frightening, and potentially one of the standout horror movies of the year. See it on Shudder.

8. I Saw the TV Glow (2024)

Jane Schoenbrun’s follow-up to We’re All Going to the World’s Fair is a genre-defying meditation on identity and isolation. Dreamy, melancholic, and quietly horrifying, it lingers long after the credits roll. Now streaming on Max.

9. Happy Death Day (2017)

A witty twist on the slasher genre, this time-loop horror-comedy sees a college student repeatedly dying at the hands of her killer. Jessica Rothe is game for laughs and pathos in a movie that’s as fun as it is inventive. Available to stream on Peacock.

10. Handling the Undead (2024)

More melancholic than frightening, this Norwegian remake of John Ajvide Lindqvist’s book emphasizes the emotional impact of the resurrected dead. It’s a slow and mournful examination of love and loss, out now on Hulu.

11. Apartment 7A (2024)

This slow-burning prequel to Rosemary’s Baby features Julia Garner as a dancer who discovers a malevolent presence in her new apartment complex. Directed by Relic helmer Natalie Erika James, the film goes full-on creeping dread. Streaming on Paramount+.

12. New Life (2024)

John Rosman’s directorial debut tracks a fugitive woman and the pursuing agent, both of whom carry secrets that unravel surprisingly. Tense, suspenseful, with an edge of sci-fi, New Life is a riveting watch. Streaming today on Prime Video.

13. V/H/S/85 (2024)

The latest addition to the found-footage series of anthologies offers a bumpy ride of horrors, but the standout is Justin Martinez’s “Live and Let Dive.” Skydivers find themselves face-to-face with something monstrous in mid-air in a clip that’s as clever as it is disturbing. Streaming on Shudder.

No matter if you’re in the mood for slow-burning cerebral exercises or full-on carnage, these indie horror classics show you don’t have to break the bank to give you frights that will stick with you. Max is your destination for arthouse terror and A24 releases, but Shudder is still where it’s at for uncompromising, boundary-pushing horror. Get out the blanket, turn out the lights, and hit play—there’s no better time of year for screams.

There are plenty of things in movies that can make your skin crawl—creepy clowns, haunted dolls, and, surprisingly often, babies that just don’t look quite right. If you’ve ever found yourself distracted by a baby on screen that seemed more fit for a horror film than a heartfelt drama, you’re not alone.

Years have passed, and some of the most unintentionally unforgettable (and memeable) moments in cinema have been brought to us by babies that fall flat into the uncanny valley.

Let’s begin with the undisputed queen of creepy movie babies: Renesmee Cullen from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. Intended to be a half-human, half-vampire miracle baby, Renesmee instead became the stuff of internet lore, for all the wrong reasons.

In a bid to craft a face that merged the looks of Kristen Stewart and up-and-coming actress Mackenzie Foy, the special effects team resorted to CGI, even referencing Stewart’s baby pictures. The outcome? A young girl whose strangely mature expressions and glassy-eyed stare rendered her less “otherworldly beauty” and more “haunting AI prototype.”

In 2012, the technology just wasn’t advanced enough to get such a lofty idea on screen believably. Each scene with Renesmee became all about the story taking a backseat to not flinching—or giggling—at her creepy presence.

It might have been worse, though. Before the crew landed on CGI, they tried out an animatronic puppet named “Chuckesmee” by cast and crew, named after the notorious Child’s Play killer, Chucky.

The baby robot was so powerful that actors supposedly had trouble filming scenes with it. Producers described it as “one of the most frightening animatronic babies ever not to be seen on screen,” according to producer Wyck Godfrey. Although CGI Renesmee didn’t exactly pay off, she was still deemed the lesser of two evils.

Twilight is not the only movie guilty of baby mishaps. In Clint Eastwood’s war drama American Sniper, released in 2014, a key emotional scene was diminished by a jarringly blatant plastic toy. As Bradley Cooper held the dead prop, even moving its arm to simulate movement, viewers were yanked out of the otherwise solemn scene. The internet was swift to react, and the moment became a meme overnight, with people left speculating as to how that glaring fail had made it into a big studio production.

So why do these baby fails persist in our memory? It’s all about the uncanny valley—a phrase coined to explain the sense of discomfort we get when something is nearly human, but not quite. Our minds are particularly sensitized to the movements and faces of babies, so even the slightest inconsistencies in CGI or puppets are enough to produce an immediate feeling of discomfort. In the early 2010s, however, digital technology had not yet reached the level of capability required to produce realistic babies, and lifelike infants appeared on screen, notoriously hard to achieve.

Flash forward to the present day, and although visual effects have advanced leaps and bounds—consider de-aging effects applied to Samuel L. Jackson or Harrison Ford—babies are still a problematic area. Realism is all about subtlety, and even with today’s computers and software, viewers will immediately know when something is off.

With productions such as the planned Twilight TV reboot in the works, there is hope that Hollywood might have finally learned a thing or two. Often, the solution is, indeed, the most obvious: utilize an actual baby or reduce the visual effects so that the production doesn’t cross into the realm of nightmares.

Honorable mentions go to any movie that attempts to get around the baby issue with dead props or hasty CGI. But if there’s one lesson to be gleaned from Renesmee and her notoriety-plagued plastic cohorts, it’s this: when it comes to movie babies, people notice everything—and the uncanny valley is one lullaby away from being a horror show.

These are the greatest sci-fi films of 2024—the ones that set the tone for the year and drove the genre to new and thrilling places.

1. Y2K — Tech Panic with a 90s Twist

Imagine if the Y2K bug had caused a worldwide meltdown. Y2K, directed by Kyle Mooney, restages that alternate past with abandon. A pyro mix of horror, comedy, and nostalgia on New Year’s Eve 1999, it stars Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, and Julian Dennison. It’s crazy, weird, and straight-up incisive, characterized by its genre-bending pulse and retro cool.

2. Venom: The Last Dance — A Wild Farewell

Tom Hardy’s last ride as Venom and Eddie Brock dives headfirst into the sci-fi action of the franchise with a frenzied, creature-laden finale. With the introduction of alien enemies dispatched by the creator of the symbiote, The Last Dance goes all-in on cosmic action and rough-around-the-edges humor.

Hardy continues to be the fulcrum, grounding the dementedness with an equally manic and magnetic performance.

3. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire — Monster Mayhem Maxed Out

Godzilla x Kong pulls no punches. The titanic pair is back to battle Skar King, the new villain emerging from Hollow Earth. With splashy visuals, gigantic set pieces, and not much human drama, this Monsterverse installment owns its kaiju heritage. It’s a love letter to giant monster enthusiasts—and one of the year’s most enjoyable theater experiences.

4. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire — Retro Meets New

Frozen Empire brings the Spengler clan back to the classic firehouse as a new supernatural threat wraps New York in a chill grip. Merging retro ghostbusting hardware with new faces and witty throwbacks, the movie walks the line between nostalgia and newness quite successfully. It’s a people pleaser that pays respect to the past without getting stuck in it.

5. Code 8: Part II — Superpowers Succeeds at Social Commentary

Back in the gritty cyberpunk universe of Lincoln City, Code 8: Part II ups the ante with flashier visuals and a more compact emphasis on corruption and control. This time out, Connor and Garrett attempt to defend a teenager with unusual powers from an ever-more controlling robotic police force. It doesn’t quite reach every narrative high point, but it offers a smart, stylish sequel with something to say.

6. Badland Hunters — Post-Apocalyptic Punch from Korea

A spiritual sequel to Concrete Utopia, Badland Hunters transports us to a broken Seoul where a rough-around-the-edges survivor fights a deranged scientist to save a kidnapped girl. Violent, aggressive, and drenched in gritty atmosphere, the movie continues Korean cinema’s strong string of genre successes, delivering high-octane action with a human twist.

7. The Kitchen — Dystopia with Depth

Co-directed by Daniel Kaluuya, The Kitchen gives a bleak look at near-future London with only one council estate left in a city beset by inequality. With electrifying performances by Kane Robinson and newcomer Jedaiah Bannerman, it’s a realistic, character-based dystopia that investigates issues of community, resistance, and survival. A softly bracing film that lingers.

8. It’s What’s Inside — Indie Sci-Fi with a Body-Swap Twist

Shot during a pre-wedding party, this lo-fi classic makes a body-swapping machine into a means of emotional bedlam and psychological intrigue. Mixing sci-fi with people-driven plot, It’s What’s Inside is intelligent, startling, and close-up—evidence that the best idea and excellent execution can trump even the most massive budget.

Edgar Wright isn’t only the brain behind such contemporary cult classics as Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz—he’s also a committed horror enthusiast. Whether he’s creating his genre mashups or evangelizing about horror in interviews, podcasts, and carefully curated watchlists, Wright’s been an outspoken defender of the films that fostered his passion for cinema for years.

If you’re looking to go beyond mainstream scares and explore horror from a fresh perspective, Wright’s recommendations offer a goldmine of atmospheric, inventive, and often underappreciated films. Here are five standout titles he believes every horror fan should seek out.

1. Daughters of Darkness (1971)

This Belgian vampire film is one of Wright’s personal favorites—and one he believes hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention. Daughters of Darkness transcends the early ’70s lesbian vampire genre trend with a cool, otherworldly tone and beautiful visual aesthetic. It’s about a young couple whose honeymoon is disrupted when they meet a mysterious countess and her equally mysterious secretary in an opulent, nearly deserted hotel. As a series of murders unfolds offstage, the tension builds and the film’s sensual, dreamlike world takes over.

Wright has even suggested combining it with Only Lovers Left Alive for a double bill full of sensuality and eternal charm.

2. Berberian Sound Studio (2012)

A valentine to Italian Giallo and a study of psychological disintegration, Berberian Sound Studio is a contemporary British horror gem. Written and directed by Peter Strickland, the film traces the story of a repressed sound engineer (played by Toby Jones) brought on board to work on an Italian horror picture. As he becomes more and more immersed in the shrieks, splashes, and ominous strains of the production, the distinction between reality and fiction starts to erode.

Wright has praised the film for its technical brilliance—especially its use of sound to evoke dread—and its slow descent into madness. If you’re a fan of Dario Argento or classic European horror, this one is essential viewing.

3. The Fourth Man (1983)

The Netherlands’ Paul Verhoeven may be most famous overseas for Robocop and Total Recall, but before Hollywood’s knock on his door, he directed The Fourth Man—a chic, disturbing psychodrama that makes the distinction between eroticism and terror difficult to discern.

The film revolves around a damaged writer who falls in love with a widow whose former lovers have all died mysteriously. Wright has described it as one of Verhoeven’s most interesting early films, and it’s not difficult to see why: the film is filled with religious symbolism, hallucinatory dreams, and an insidious air of foreboding. For those brave enough to approach horror with a more intellectual and symbolic lens, The Fourth Man is an exhilarating experience.

4. Blood and Black Lace (1964)

One of the earliest manifestations of the Giallo subgenre, Mario Bava’s Blood and Black Lace is as stunning to look at as it is influential. In a high-fashion house of nightclubs and nighttime violence, models are being killed off one by one, and the film brings together refined art direction and sleazy violence to create a style and tone that would help cement the future slasher.

Wright has long appreciated the film’s flashy color work and its accuracy in building tension. It’s a must-see for anyone curious about the origins of stylized horror—and for fans of directors like Dario Argento and Brian De Palma who were inspired by Bava’s work.

5. The Asphyx (1972)

A genuine hidden gem in Wright’s horror canon, The Asphyx is a science fiction-supernatural suspense piece set during Victorian England. The story is about an obsessive scientist who thinks he can capture the being known as the Asphyx to have himself become immortal. Although certain of its special effects and concepts have an antiquated feel, the philosophical subject matter and gothic ambiance give it a specific appeal.

He has complimented it on its ambition and mood, commenting that it offers something new in that it uses the science of death as a vehicle for horror.

Whether it’s psychological thrillers, gothic sci-fi, or Italian murder mysteries soaked in color, Edgar Wright’s horror picks reveal just how diverse—and rewarding—the genre can be. Each film on this list offers something distinct: striking visuals, layered storytelling, or an eerie mood that lingers long after the credits roll. If you’re ready to step off the beaten path and dive into horror that challenges and surprises, these titles are a great place to start.