These PG-13 Horror Movies Prove You Don’t Need an R-Rating To Get a Scare
The idea of watching PG-13 horror movies, for some people, is like pulling teeth. PG-13 horror films might be limited in scares or gore, and while they can be the perfect gateway to horror for younger folks, for adults it seems less than fun to sit through a scary movie that’s bloodless or toned-down.
Does that mean all PG-13 horror isn’t worth watching as an adult? Of course not! There are some amazingly fun horror films that veer away from R-rated content. Keep scrolling for some of the best PG-13 horror movies of all time.
The Haunting (1999)
The Haunting is one of those movies that you watch and then think about all the time. A group heads to Hill House (yes that one) for a sleep study led by Dr. David Marrow (Liam Neeson). The reality is that he is actually trying to study fear and attempting to scare Nell (Lili Taylor), Theo (Catherine Zeta-Jones), and Luke (Owen Wilson) to see their reactions. This is probably one of the first horrors movies I ever saw and claimed as my own, way back in 1999, but it still stands up as one of the best. – Rachel Leishman
Gremlins (1984)
What’s not to love about creatures that cause chaos and mayhem? Probably a lot if you are trying to avoid an untimely demise. Gremlins is a classic horror comedy that is the perfect gateway horror film. It’s enjoyable for teens and adults alike in my eyes. The film follows a kid that receives a creature called a mogwai as an X-mas gift. However, everything goes wrong when the creature spawns other creatures that cause chaos. You can watch this ’80s classic any time of the year and enjoy it. And who doesn’t love Gizmo (voiced by Howie Mandel)? He’s an absolute cutie and doesn’t deserve hate. –Vanessa Maki
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
Not including Elvira: Mistress of the Dark would render this list pointless. This is one of those horror movies that isn’t talked about enough. Especially when Elvira a.k.a. Cassandra Peterson is an icon in the horror community (and is also queer!). Elvira owns her sexuality and is well aware she’s a knockout. That type of confidence is always fun to watch. Plus, the movie is great. Who doesn’t love when someone disrupts a town full of extreme evangelicals? –VM
Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
What’s better than a Frankenstein story? One where the girl at the center of it really speaks to the ’80s nostalgia everyone feels (even those of us who weren’t alive then). Directed by Zelda Williams, Lisa Frankenstein is the latest film from screenwriter Diablo Cody, and tells the story of Lisa (Kathryn Newton), a teen who moves to a new town after the death of her mother. Falling in love with the statue of a dead guy is never easy, but when Lisa wills him back to life, the two have to navigate the death and destruction around them. –RL
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Immortality always has a price. In this ‘90s gem that features a lot of body horror and comedic moments, that’s more than evident. The body horror will satisfy horror fans, and if you’re squeamish, it’s more comedic than anything. Death Becomes Her is really just about two women, Madeline (Meryl Streep) and Helen (Goldie Hawn), who take a drug that grants people eternal life. But obviously, things don’t work out exactly how either of them wanted. Also, Bruce Willis plays a loser of a man who never deserved either. Such a classic. –VM
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
Not by any means am I going to say Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) is better than the show (which I love so much). The status that this holds doesn’t even compare. Not to mention Kristy Swanson is … yikes. But this movie is one of the best PG-13 horror movies from the early ‘90s. That could potentially not count for much, but in my eyes it does. Finding a PG-13 horror movie with vampires that’s actually decent isn’t an easy feat. Plus this one is a movie folks remember when you mention it. –VM
Cloverfield (2008)
Monster movies are a bit of an acquired taste if you ask me. Some people prefer human villains, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, Cloverfield isn’t just a monster movie, it’s also found footage. It gives the audience a sense of realism and is nerve-wracking. The film is straightforward in its premise because it follows a group of people trying to survive and escape New York during a monster attack. The attack comes out of nowhere and just like the characters, we’re thrust into chaos. If you’re looking for a good PG-13 monster movie, look no further. –VM
A Quiet Place (2018)
John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place is the most thrilling movie with virtually no dialogue. Starring Emily Blunt, the movie is set in a world where aliens come to earth and are drawn to their prey based on sound. Blunt and Krasinski’s characters—along with their kids—must navigate this horrifying new existence without making a peep. A story about loss, survival, and family, A Quiet Place is a refreshing new horror franchise that will make you consider how you might survive a similar situation. –RL
Drag Me to Hell (2009)
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying campy horror. Drag Me to Hell is about a woman who gets a curse put on her by a petty old woman. It’s a very cheesy horror movie and shouldn’t be taken too seriously because well, it’s a horror comedy. Sam Raimi is known for infusing silly vibes into his films and this isn’t an exception. The ending may not be satisfying but the journey to get there is fun enough. You will not forget the cussing goat, the ludicrous scares, the sheer nuttiness of the premise or that ending. It’s a silly film to potentially watch with your younger loved ones if they love horror. –VM
The Final Girls (2015)
Slashers that are set during summer and at a camp are a staple in horror. And somehow The Final Girls is written so perfectly that you don’t notice it’s a PG-13 horror movie. The Final Girls‘ premise is emotional as it follows a young girl who loses her mom and somehow is teleported into the slasher her mom starred in her younger days. The cast has recognizable folks in it and there are queer screenwriters behind this film also, so that’s a bonus. I recommend The Final Girls for folks looking for emotional beats, scares, and a charismatic cast. –VM
The Boogeyman (2023)
Very few movies have terrified me in the way that The Boogeyman did. The 2023 film is based on the short story by Stephen King and transforms the “fake” creature invented to scare children into something horrible and real. Living in the shadows, the Boogeyman can mimic whoever it desires and if that isn’t frightening enough, just wait until Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair) comes face to face with it. –RL
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
Horror films with a small number of characters in an isolated setting are quite effective sometimes. 10 Cloverfield Lane exists in the same universe as Cloverfield. 10 Cloverfield Lane follows a woman who ends her engagement and gets into a car crash. She is saved by a man who insists living above ground is unsafe. The atmosphere is incredibly uncomfortable, the characters are at the mercy of an unstable man, and there’s an ambiguous threat outside. It doesn’t have the same feeling as Cloverfield and there’s nothing wrong with that. The danger inside and outside the bunker is well established. You won’t even notice the lack of gore or blood (if you’re into horror movies having both). –VM
Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
If you hated Ouija (2014) and are wary about its prequel, Ouija: Origin of Evil, please don’t be. Directed by Mike Flanagan, Ouija: Origin of Evil follows a family that suffers after they play around with an Ouija board. Believe it or not, it’s actually pretty scary and doesn’t entirely feel like PG-13 horror. Supernatural horror isn’t always about extreme violence. Sometimes knowing characters are about to be fucked up by spirits or demons is enough. Ouija: Origin of Evil brings just enough scares to the table and doesn’t hold back when ripping your heart out at the end. –VM
Imaginary (2024)
Maybe don’t forget about your imaginary friends. Imaginary tells the story of Chauncey Bear, a stuffed animal that is eager to destroy lives. Jessica (DeWanda Wise) returns to her childhood home and is confronted with memories from her past, including her imaginary friend, who has attached himself to her stepdaughter. I love that bear so much, and this is a pretty good gateway horror film for new fans that is also just fun to watch. –RL
Happy Death Day (2017)
Gateway horror films are crucial for young fans of the genre, especially if they are restricted in terms of the content they consume. Happy Death Day blends concepts from other films and focuses on Tree (Jessica Rothe) who keeps dying and coming back to life. Jessica Rothe is hilarious, delivers emotional moments, and there are underlying themes about grief folded into the story. If you’re introducing a young loved one in your life to horror and they want something modern, Happy Death Day is suitable. It’s a good time and you’ll remember plenty of the scenes. –VM
Sweetheart (2019)
Creature features that involve Black women at the forefront aren’t common at all. Therefore it’s pertinent to mention Sweetheart as it’s a creature feature you can show to younger viewers. Sweetheart is about a woman who ends up on an island where a creature seeks to kill her, so the plot isn’t too complicated. It’s a film that builds tension and makes you nervous because there’s no such thing as running forever. If you’re looking for a creature feature with underlying themes and a Black lead, you’ve found your film. –VM
M3GAN (2023)
There’s no doubt M3GAN will be considered a camp classic in the coming years. M3GAN kicked off horror in 2023 and didn’t disappoint. The movie is indeed about a killer doll that will stop at nothing to protect her best friend. It’s campy fun, and if you are looking for a killer doll with no chill (similar to Chucky, minus the aggressive cussing and crude jokes), you’re in for a treat. –VM
(featured image: 20th Century Studios and New World Pictures)
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