You Don't Want To Watch These 5 Horror Alone, According to Reddit
Top 5 sinister movies that the community deemed as too scary to watch on your own. Don't say we didn't warn you!
Horror movies have a very real power over us. We willingly subject ourselves to feelings of dread, tension and fear, all from the comfort of our homes for the sole purpose of entertainment. And thus, for many of us, horror has become a favorite pastime, a way to experience fear in a controlled environment.
However, not all horror movies are the same. Sure, some can release stress and help with your anxiety (yep, that's been actually scientifically proven) but others can leave you hanging on for dear life. Today we're looking at films that do the latter.
These are the films that Reddit users have collectively agreed should never be watched alone unless you particularly enjoy the feeling of dread and fear for weeks afterward.
Jeepers Creepers (2001): Your Flesh-Eating Nightmare
For many millennials, Jeepers Creepers was their first truly terrifying horror experience.
“Jeepers Creepers. I love horror movies but I was traumatized by that one when I was a child. To this day I still can't watch it,” Redditor Icy-fightclub931 wrote.
And oh goodness, is that true. We can still feel chills whenever we hear THAT song (if you know what we mean). It takes a simple premise: a brother and sister driving on a desolate country road and transforms it into a nightmare that's hard to shake.
The film embodies that classic early 2000s horror vibe that many genre fans nostalgically crave. It also skillfully plays with tension: what you don't see is far more terrifying than what you do.
Watch Jeepers Creepers now on Plex, Fandango at Home, Amazon Video or Apple TV+, but be prepared to be 100% terrified.
Ju-On (2002): Terrifying Folklore Story
Unsettling, creepy, and absolutely worth watching...with a friend.
Before we were introduced to The Grudge (2004) we were already losing sleep over Ju-On. This is one case where the original far outshines its Hollywood counterpart, delivering scares that feel distinctly rooted in Japanese folklore and all the more unsettling for it.
Kapha_Dosha on Reddit noted:
“Ju-On - the Japanese version of the Grudge, I couldn't watch alone again. So much scarier than the US version.”
And they're not the only ones who think that way. Redditor iheartsunrise04 confirmed:
“After I've seen it, I couldn't stand being around mirrors for a long time.”
Ju-On tells the story of a curse born when someone dies in the grip of extreme rage. The vengeful spirit haunts the location where the person died and pursues anyone who dares enter. It breaks traditional ghost story rules and follows you home, leaving you with the unsettling feeling that simply watching the movie might expose you to the curse.
If you're brave enough to watch it, Ju-On is waiting for you completely free of charge on Plex.
Hereditary (2018): Family Secrets Turned Nightmares
Ari Aster's Hereditary gets you without jump scares. A movie that is deeply, profoundly disturbing in many other ways.
“For me it was hereditary.. not an overly spooky movie, it was more the ominous and silent scenes that disturbed me.. since I've seen it for the first time, I haven't seen it again alone. Something about the silent and strange scenes that get me, and I'm a big horror fan,” Redditor stimmerr pointed out.
Hereditary takes us through a family's descent into darkness after their matriarch passes away. The Graham family's grief turns into something far more sinister as they discover disturbing secrets about their ancestry. Hereditary is probably the only movie we've ever seen and thought it was excellent, but still have zero interest in rewatching alone. It's just too much.
You can watch Hereditary on Netflix, Fandango at Home, Amazon Video or Apple TV+. But seriously, call a friend first. Maybe two friends. And keep the lights on.
The Fourth Kind (2009): The Documentary Style Horror
There's something particularly unsettling about horror films that blur the line between fiction and reality. The Fourth Kind takes this approach to terrifying extremes.
CatherineConstance on Reddit warned us with a story:
“I do not intend to watch The Fourth Kind again, but if I ever do it will NOT be alone...The story itself is only a tiny bit true and most of the movie is completely fabricated. We know that on that first watch. But that did not stop me from being so terrified that I had to sleep in my parents' room that night... I still can't put a finger on why it bothered me so much, but it does lol.”
Even knowing the “documentary” elements were fabricated doesn't seem to diminish the terror this film instills. Redditor CosmicVolcano agreed, writing:
“That movie terrified me. And I was like 30 when I watched it, alone, during the daytime. Freaked me out!”
The Fourth Kind delves into the unsolved mystery in Alaska, where an extraordinary number of unexplained disappearances have occurred over 40 years. The film presents itself as a docudrama using “actual footage”, creating a disconcerting viewing experience despite viewers knowing it's fiction.
Even skeptics might find themselves checking the night sky after this one. But if you're interested, The Fourth Kind is available on Fandango at Home, Amazon Video, and Apple TV+.
13 Cameras (2015): Modern Surveillance Nightmare
In our increasingly connected world, the idea that someone could be watching our most intimate moments has become a very real fear, one that this film exploits brilliantly.
“13 Cameras is one that I won't revisit, especially not alone, bc it had me acting like a crazy person in my apartment after. Checking any little potential hidden camera spot,” Redditor Ok_Flight_4077 shared.
The premise is very simple: a newlywed couple has no idea their creepy landlord has been spying on them through hidden cameras since they moved in. The premise is disturbing in its plausibility. No supernatural elements needed, just the violation of privacy that could happen to anyone.
The film builds tension masterfully and makes its viewers increasingly uncomfortable. Your home should be your sanctuary, but 13 Cameras suggests that privacy might just be an illusion.
You can watch 13 Cameras now for free on Hoopla, but be ready for it to haunt you even after a watch.
