Like all horror films, young adult horror has its highs and extreme lows. There are excellent examples and there are total disasters. PG-13 horror is often geared towards younger audiences, hence the rating, to ease them into the genre. The films are often tamer when it comes to the violence and blood, which might not work for every horror fan. However, these gateway horror movies can be important for young adults to get into the genre.
Young adult horror doesn’t automatically mean a lack of scares. There are solid PG-13 horror movies to watch, even if you are an adult who leans more toward R-rated horror. Looking for some other PG-13 horror films that you can watch, other than the examples mentioned? Keep reading to find out about ten of the best.
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Little Shop of Horrors
Director: Frank Oz
Writer: Howard Ashman, Roger Corman, and Charles B. Griffith
Synopsis: A worker at a floral shop decides to aid a talking carnivorous plant by feeding it human blood.
Horror musicals can be boatloads of fun and Little Shop of Horrors, a film adaptation of the off-Broadway musical of the same name, is worth it. Little Shop of Horrors tackles themes of capitalism as well as other social issues while being set in the ’60s. Yes, the silliness of a carnivorous plant that sings might not seem worth your time, but it genuinely is. The musical numbers are great, it’s got quite the cast, and Ellen Greene’s singing will give you chills. overall, it’s the perfect horror film to introduce to young musical lovers.
Where to watch: VOD
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
Director: James Signorelli
Writer: Sam Egan, John Paragon, and Cassandra Peterson
Synopsis: A horror movie host named Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) goes to a repressed small town to claim her inherited mansion.
It’s not a secret that Elvira is a horror and out queer icon. Therefore Elvira: Mistress of the Dark is required young adult viewing. As far as horror comedies go, this one will have you laughing at how ridiculous it gets. And there’s mild commentary on how small towns tend to reject people who are different. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark isn’t super scary, but that barely matters when it succeeds in what it’s trying to do. It’s funny, unafraid to go there with the dirty jokes, and has plenty of campy moments.
Where to watch: Prime Video, AMC+, The Roku Channel, PlutoTV, Plex, and VOD
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
Director: Fran Rubel Kuzui
Writer: Joss Whedon
Synopsis: A teen girl named Buffy (Kristy Swanson) embraces her destiny of being from a long line of vampire hunters.
As far as cultural impact goes, the show takes the cake, but the film is still a ’90s horror staple. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) is bubblegum horror and is quite nostalgic. It’s a fun film to throw on if you’re in the mood for dorky vampires, girl power moments, and ’90s overload with the young adult fashion and slang terms. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is not a film that takes itself too seriously and has no problems leaning into the comedy. If you’re looking for a recommendation or need to offer one, Buffy the Vampire Slayer works.
Where to watch: VOD
The Ring
Director: Gore Verbinski
Writer: Ehren Kruger, Kôji Suzuki, and Hiroshi Takahashi
Synopsis: A journalist watches a mysterious videotape that kills those who watch it and is forced to uncover why in order to save her own life.
In terms of American remakes of international horror films, The Ring is one of the more successful of the bunch. The film is a remake of Ringu (1998) and has scares, a blue tint, and is a decent throwback horror film. For people who need a film that isn’t super gory and has an intriguing mystery, The Ring will work in that case. The visuals will stick with you, and the curse could make anyone cower in fear. It’s a 2000s PG-13 horror film that’s absolutely worth checking out for the first time. Just don’t watch that tape!
Where to watch: VOD
The Final Girls
Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson
Writer: M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller
Synopsis: A grieving young woman and her friends get transported into a slasher film her late mother starred in.
There aren’t a lot of deliberately feel-good horror films out there, but The Final Girls fits that category. For a comedy horror, The Final Girls has a gooey heart at the center of it, and it has plenty of emotional beats. Not to mention, the cast has fantastic chemistry, landing a lot of the comedic moments that might not work without that. At the end of the day, The Final Girls is an ode to ’80s slashers in all the best ways. Plus, it’s a bonus that a queer couple wrote the film!
Where to watch: VOD
The Visit
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Writer: M. Night Shyamalan
Synopsis: Two siblings go to visit their grandparents and begin to notice something isn’t quite right with them.
As far as found footage goes, The Visit is a treat and throws expectations out of the window. The ominous energy builds and builds all the way to the climax, and it’s best to go in without spoilers. Olivia DeJonge and Ed Oxenbould have believable sibling chemistry, the presence of Nana (Deanna Dunagan) and Pop Pop (Peter McRobbie) is unsettling, and there are more than a few bonkers moments. There are enough scares to relish for just about anybody. If you’re a fan of found footage and a creepy atmosphere, then The Visit will scratch that itch.
Where to watch: VOD
10 Cloverfield Lane
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
Writer: Josh Campbell, Matt Stuecken, and Damien Chazelle
Synopsis: When a young woman is brought back to a strange bunker after a car accident, she grows suspicious of the man’s claims that she can’t leave.
The concept of being trapped somewhere is scary, and 10 Cloverfield Lane nails that perfectly. The film exists in the same world as Cloverfield, making it a spiritual sequel. However, the threat isn’t solely alien in this film; it’s more about what people are capable of. The cast is small, which works in the film’s favor because of the isolation. All in all, 10 Cloverfield Lane is an effective horror film with a lot of dread and suspenseful moments.
Where to watch: Prime Video, FuboTV, MGM+, and VOD
Ouija: Origin of Evil
Director: Mike Flanagan
Writer: Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard, and Juliet Snowden
Synopsis: During the late ’60s a young girl tries to speak to her father through a Ouija board, but what comes through isn’t her father.
In the case of Ouija: Origin of Evil, sometimes a prequel or sequel is better than the original. Mike Flanagan is arguably one of the best horror filmmakers of this modern age. And Ouija: Origin of Evil is a stellar example of why that is. The film doesn’t offer a syrupy, sweet, happy ending either. It makes the story for the family all the more tragic. If you’re looking for an eerie gateway horror film to recommend, Ouija: Origin of Evil is a great place to start.
Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, and VOD
Happy Death Day
Director: Christopher Landon
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Synopsis: A college student finds herself repeating the same day in which she’s murdered over and over.
If Scream and Groundhog Day had a baby, Happy Death Day would be that baby. In terms of comedy slashers, this film is exactly that and has some impressive kills for a PG-13 young adult horror film. On top of it all, Tree (Jessica Rothe) is a final girl who endures a lot of death and trauma as a result. Aside from the seriousness, some of the humorous moments really hit. Happy Death Day‘s premise makes it all the more unique and it’s worth throwing on or recommending as a gateway slasher.
Where to watch: VOD
A Quiet Place
Director: John Krasinski
Writer: Bryan Woods, Scott Beck, John Krasinski
Synopsis: A family does their best to survive in a world that has become overrun by alien creatures with enhanced hearing.
Sometimes silence is necessary, and in the world of A Quiet Place, it’s the only way to survive. Surviving in a world where one singular noise could kill you is frightening. While A Quiet Place doesn’t dig into any lore and isn’t a perfect film, it’s compelling enough to engage its audience. The aliens are fast and freaky looking, not to mention the sequences where people have to hide or fight them are effective. Overall, it’s a film that younger viewers can easily watch and still get decent scares.
Where to watch: Paramount+, FuboTV, FXNow, and VOD
M3GAN
Director: Gerard Johnstone
Writer: Akela Cooper and James Wan
Synopsis: A woman’s attempt to give her orphaned niece an AI robot companion turns dangerous and deadly.
The dangers of AI come into full swing in M3GAN, but it makes for one hell of a good time. Killer dolls have been done before—like with the Child’s Play franchise. But there’s no supernatural force at work in M3GAN, and that’s what sets it apart. It’s a campy sci-fi slasher with memorable dance sequences, a dope soundtrack, and an ending that perfectly sets up a sequel (which is on the way). If you want something a bit different for a gateway horror film, M3GAN is perfect!
Where to watch: Starz and VOD
Gateway, young adult horror movies still has a place in the genre, and as long as there are quality PG-13 films, there’s no harm in them being made. These films are especially good recommendations for the younger people in your life. Other PG-13 films you can check out are The Birds (1963), Tremors (1990), and Death Becomes Her (1992).
