I often write my lists based on experience. And these next movies are some of the creepiest scary movies I’ve ever watched. We’re not talking about your average jump-scare flicks—these are the creepiest scary movies that truly get under your skin.
This list contains everything from possessed clown dolls to the haunted Parisian catacombs that masterfully blends atmosphere, psychological terror, and gritty visuals to create a truly unsettling experience. So, if you’re starting your horror journey, are a horror aficionado, or are just in the mood to sleep with one eye open, these picks will deliver pure nightmare fuel.
1 The Exorcist
Most people have already watched The Excorcist. It’s a classic for a reason, but if you haven’t, here is a little synopsis.
When young Regan MacNeil begins exhibiting violent and unexplainable behavior, her desperate mother turns to two priests for help. What follows is one of the most iconic exorcisms in horror cinema.
Why it’s one of the creepiest scary movies
Often called the scariest movie ever made, The Exorcist taps into religious fear, innocence corrupted, and the unknowable force of evil. The practical effects, chilling score, and slow psychological burn make it feel disturbingly real—even decades later.
Some say the content created a curse on set, which ultimately killed many of the actors and crew members during the filming. Now, if that’s not a reason to watch, I don’t know what is.
2 The Conjuring
All of the Conjuring films are based on the real-life case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Conjuring (the first movie) follows the paranormal investigators as they help a family tormented by a dark presence in their farmhouse.
It’s also one of the few movies (or maybe the only one) that has received an “R” rating solely for being too scary.
Why it’s one of the creepiest scary movies
James Wan masterfully builds dread without relying on cheap thrills. The film blends supernatural horror with domestic vulnerability, using silence, shadows, and suspense to terrifying effect. The Perron family’s terror feels authentic—because it’s based on a true story.
As a side note, all the books based on these movies are 10 times more terrying than the movies. Read them if you want to be scared for weeks.
3 Sinister
True-crime writer Ellison Oswalt discovers a box of disturbing home videos in his attic, each depicting a different family murder. As he investigates, he uncovers a connection to a malevolent entity.
Why it’s one of the creepiest scary movies
Sinister weaponizes grainy Super 8 footage to deliver some of the most unnerving visuals in modern horror. The deity “Bughuul” lurks silently in the background, and the film’s sound design keeps you on edge. It’s that perfect blend of crime mystery and supernatural dread.
Sinister has realistic 60s/70s grit to it. It’s not set in the 60s or 70s, but some of the Super 8 footage is, and it gives it an extra sense of realism that just creeps you out.
4 The Autopsy of Jane Doe
A father-son team of coroners attempts to identify the cause of death for a mysterious, beautiful corpse with no visible injuries. As the autopsy progresses, increasingly bizarre and terrifying events unfold.
Why it’s one of the creepiest scary movies
Set almost entirely in a claustrophobic morgue, the film thrives on its quiet intensity. Jane Doe’s body is at once passive and threatening. The blend of medical realism and occult horror makes it deeply unsettling, with each layer of the autopsy revealing something more horrifying.
This film is impressive. It offers a distinctive storyline that others are now attempting to replicate. It keeps it grounded in as much reality as possible while also providing supernatural spooks.
5 The Taking of Deborah Logan
A documentary crew follows an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s for a film project. But her behavior soon transcends medical explanation, leading to terrifying and supernatural consequences.
Why it’s one of the creepiest scary movies
This film uses the found footage format to terrifying effect, blurring the line between illness and possession. And since illness and possession were once blurred in history, it makes it feel all too real. Watching Deborah’s descent is heartbreaking, disturbing, and, at times, shockingly grotesque. One particular scene (you’ll know it when you see it) is nightmare fuel.
6 Hell House LLC
I had low expectations for this film, but was utterly impressed by it upon completion.
It’s about a group of friends who set up a haunted house Halloween attraction in an abandoned hotel. But opening night turns deadly—and the footage they leave behind reveals what really happened.
Why it’s one of the creepiest scary movies
Another found footage gem. Hell House LLC expertly builds dread with grainy cameras, subtle background horrors, and eerie clown mannequins. The “realness” of the setup, combined with the cursed building’s history, makes it a relentlessly tense ride.
And each film that follows afterward is equally brilliant. And I just learned they’re making another one. I cannot wait!
The next film is coming soon. But here is the teaser trailer.
7 As Above So Below
Have you ever seen the Paris Catacombs in person? They’re spooky and a horror lover’s dream come true.
So, natrually, this is one of my favorites. It’s about a group of explorers (similar to Lara Croft in Tomb Raiber but more realistic) who venture into the catacombs of Paris in search of a mythical artifact. But what they find below is a descent into their own personal hells.
I DO NOT recommend you watch this trailer. No seriously. I put it here just in case. But just watch the movie instead.
Why it’s one of the creepiest scary movies
The claustrophobia is real. Filmed in the actual Paris catacombs, this film traps you in tight corridors and slowly strips away the safety of reason. The psychological horror ramps up with each descent, confronting the characters with guilt, trauma, and supernatural terror.
It’s a very well-produced film, and even though you could classify it as “found footage,” the production value elevates it, making it feel more like a good old horror flick.
A Few Final, Creepy Words
These films aren’t just scary—they’re creepy, and that’s an important distinction. Creepy crawls. Creepy lingers. Creepy doesn’t always shout—it whispers in the dark. And that’s exactly why these movies should be on your must-watch list tonight. I should also mention that they are not in any particular order. Watch them all if you dare.
So turn off the lights, grab a blanket (you’ll need it), and prepare to be deeply, deliciously disturbed.
Need a few more fun, scary movies to watch? How about the apocalypse trilogy?
Which creepy movie do you recommend? Leave your suggestions in the comments below.
