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 a horror movie that takes place during spring? Though sometimes overlooked for films that take place during autumn or the Halloween season, plenty of great horror movies take 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.
20 Crocodile
If you're looking for a spring horror movie you don't have to take too seriously, Crocodile is an ideal choice. This campy horror-comedy from director Tobe Hooper takes 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.
19 The Happening
M. Night Shyamalan's 2008 film The Happening is 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 what The Happening demonstrates.
18 Rites of Spring
Rites of Spring is a great pick for those who enjoy 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.
One of the biggest critiques from viewers is the creature's appearance and clear inspiration from similar movies like Jeepers 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.
17 Cabin Fever
Spring break takes a vile turn for the worst in Eli Roth's Cabin 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 Fever is 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 like Cabin Fever to get your horror fix.
16 Jeepers Creepers
Jeepers Creepers is 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 performance shines 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.
15 The Ruins
The Ruins is 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 like Cabin Fever and The Descent will 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 Ruins is the perfect blend of suspense and action, with Jena Malone and Shawn Ashmore in the talented cast.
14 Midsommar
One of the newer horror movies on this list is Midsommar. 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 directed this 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 can't help but be entranced by the powerful performance. It's not for everyone but remains a standout in modern cinema.
13 Tourist 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.
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 makes Tourist Trap a great addition to a rainy-day movie marathon.
12 Shallow Grave
Shallow Grave is 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 up being 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 throughout Shallow Grave is 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.
11 Hostel
Another spring break classic is Eli Roth's Hostel from 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.
10 Nightmare Beach
The 1989 Nightmare Beach, also released as Welcome to Spring Break, is an over-the-top slasher that follows a mysterious biker who terrorizes the spring breakers in Miami, Florida. His motorcycle is rigged with a homemade electrocution chair, killing anyone who accepts a ride. More and more bodies start to pile up, leaving one victim's friends on a mission to uncover the biker's identity and stop him.
The campy atmosphere of Nightmare Beach is B-movie fun, bolstered by the bad acting and cheesy dialogue. It's by no means a quality film, but its ridiculousness is still enjoyable. It's the perfect movie to put on for some trashy '80s horror nostalgia.
9 Carrie
The 1976 classic Carrie is the perfect way to honor spring horror. It follows an outcast teenage girl whose suppressed powers surface after a cruel prank at prom night. This causes her to unleash her telekinetic abilities, punishing everyone who wronged her. The movie is based on Stephen King's novel of the same name and has Sissy Spacek in the titular role.
It perfectly embodies the 1970s horror aesthetic and creates a believable, sympathetic character in Carrie. It's not as gory or violent as some other slashers but still packs an emotional punch that presents as raw and authentic. Carrie is a must-watch for any horror fan, serving as the perfect reminder of why this genre strongly influences culture and storytelling.
8 Kwaidan
Kwaidan is one of the more unique entries as a 1964 horror anthology film with four separate stories that represent the seasons. The first installment begins in autumn, with each following story highlighting the next season and different tragic characters facing their own horror. The stories are based on traditional Japanese folklore, giving the film its surreal atmosphere and dream-like quality.
Kwaidan is a visual treat with striking cinematography that really takes center stage in each story. It has a run time of just over three hours, making it a commitment to watch. However, it's worth the time for those looking for something outside the box this spring.
7 Prom Night
The 1980 slasher Prom Night is another prom-themed horror movie worth reexamining this spring. Jamie Lee Curtis stars in the lead role as one of a group of senior friends being stalked by a creepy killer on the night of their prom. Even with the big-name cast of stars like Curtis, Leslie Nielsen, and Casey Stevens, this movie remains overlooked for its contributions to the slasher genre.
It does follow a predictable formula but does much better when you view it as more of a thriller-horror than looking for the scares you'd find in a traditional slasher. It has an engaging story and tries to bring some moral ambiguity, also found in the 2008 reboot starring Brittany Snow. The details of the reboot vary from the original, but both versions are highly watchable for those looking for a prom night movie.
6 The Cabin in the Woods
Yet another spring break flick to add to your watch list is The Cabin in the Woods. First released in 2012, this movie blends comedy, horror, science fiction, and meta-commentary in a distinctive way. It starts as an average slasher when a group of friends travels to a remote cabin in the woods, but it quickly becomes a wild ride into the supernatural, ancient cults, and ritual sacrifices.
If you've never seen The Cabin in the Woods, go into it knowing as little as possible. You’ll find that the way it navigates classic tropes, playing on the audience's expectations and subverting them, is one of its greatest strengths. It's an intense ride but finds a way to remain lighthearted through satire. This movie's bizarre plot and originality make it one to rewatch every spring.
5 The Evil Dead
If there's a horror movie that screams spring, it's The Evil Dead starring Bruce Campbell. Debuting in 1981, this movie follows five college students who travel to a remote Tennessee cabin and unwittingly unleash an ancient demonic force. It's a story that's been done repeatedly over the years, but The Evil Dead stands out for its ability to create a lasting piece of cinema on a modest budget.
The movie's tone has inspired numerous films and its own sequels and remakes since its release, as it bridges the gap between horror and comedy without feeling disjointed. Sam Raimi does an excellent job of transforming a basic idea into a cult classic and showcases the special effects that help this movie remain popular today.
4 A Field in England
Ben Wheatley's 2013 movie A Field in England is set in the 17th century during the English Civil War. It's a psychological horror drama that uses bleak landscapes and wartime despair to create an atmosphere of dread. This only grows as the movie's characters dive into a magic mushroom trip where nature and reality become increasingly absurd, working against one another to create an aesthetic of disorientation and unease.
What makes this movie so interesting is the use of black-and-white cinematography that captures the acrimony of the time period and immerses viewers in the chaotic world Wheatley created. It's a strange watch, but A Field in England is one you should consider if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary this spring.
3 The Wicker Man
The Wicker Man is another classic that takes place on an island off the coast of Scotland. It stars Edward Woodward as a police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl. The movie's use of cult horror and folklore to build suspense is unparalleled, focusing on the May Day festival and religious practices foreign to the protagonist, only building on that feeling of dread and unease.
Christoper Lee's performance as the local leader is especially notable, displaying an eerie presence that lingers throughout. The soundtrack is haunting, but when complemented by the movie's visual elements and electrifying story, it amplifies the experience even further. It's a rare example of horror that's more psychological than physical, leaving viewers to think about what they've seen long after the film's end.
2 April Fool's Day
One of the most well-known springtime horror movies is April Fool's Day, released in 1986. The story follows a group of friends invited to an island mansion for a weekend during spring break. What starts as a weekend of fun pranks quickly turns into something far more sinister when people start to go missing and turn up dead. It's different from many of the slasher films of the time, as it plays with the idea of a whodunit mystery and keeps viewers guessing.
It's a one-of-a-kind classic that's perfect for a lazy spring day, as it's filled with a surprising yet satisfying plot line. It's the perfect example of an '80s slasher film, and its charm, bizarre story, and originality make it one to enjoy every spring.
1 Spring
The 2014 body horror film Spring tells the story of an American traveler visiting Italy following his mother's death. Once there, he meets and becomes entranced by a woman named Louise. As their relationship progresses, he learns that Louise is hiding a dark secret that will change his life forever. The movie has romance, science fiction, and mythology themes which may not appeal to horror fans looking for a more traditional experience. Still, its unique blend of genres creates an atmosphere that's both twisted and beautiful at the same time.
Spring's varied pacing and unparalleled cinematography make it an immersive watch that moves from eerie to engrossing within seconds. Its blend of real and absolutely surreal is what makes it stand out. This is not a standard horror film with jump scares and simple plot lines. Instead, it delicately crafts a complex story filled with symbolism and imagination. Step away from the typical slashers this spring and add Spring to your next movie night.