10 Horror Movies to Guide You through College

Horror movies do much more than get your blood pumping, send chills up and down your spine and give you fresh nightmares. Some love to watch them while others are forced against their will by horror movie lovers (like myself). Whether you love them or hate them, horror movies actually reveal essential life lessons. They reveal scenarios you should avoid in life unless you want to deal with possibly horrific consequences. Sure, you probably won’t be dealing with the supernatural next semester, but you will want to avoid the scenarios that these 10 horror movies expose. So, if you’re tough enough, get ready to get scared and stay safe out there, kids.

1. Happy Death Day (2017)

This twist on the classic “Groundhog Day” will be sure to freak you out. When Tree Gelbman keeps reliving the day she gets murdered by a person wearing her college’s baby mascot mask (SO creepy); she realizes she’s got to figure out who’s doing it in order to make it stop. When she does, it makes you rethink who you should trust. The person trying to hurt you the most could be closer to you than you think. I’m not giving it away, all I’m saying is maybe you should sleep with one eye open in that dorm room of yours.

2. Kristy (2014)

Thinking of staying at school during break? Well, think again. When the girl in this suspenseful horror movie decides to stay alone on campus during Thanksgiving break, she’s in for way more than a peaceful vacation away from home. Forced to hide from and fight off a group of outcasts belonging to a violent cult, she definitely makes us rethink our desire to be independent away from home. Maybe it’s best (and safest) to go home and be forced into some family fun time when we are encouraged to…I’m just saying.

3. The Roommate (2011)

Moving into college is pretty nerve wracking as it is—from leaving the comfort of home to living in a communal space to meeting new people. If that wasn’t scary enough, this movie will make you pull your comforter a bit tighter in your nightly blanket burrito state. As college freshman Sara befriends her roommate Rebecca, she slowly learns that the girl is dangerously obsessed with her. So be careful of wishing to be best friends with your roommate (even though we ALL dreamed of this moving in, whether you like it or not). Make sure you really know the person before you get too close.

4. Truth or Dare (2018)

Going on spring break with your besties seems like a carefree time where you do some bonding and have fun… right? When the group of friends in this movie decides to take part in a seemingly harmless game of truth or dare while on vacation, it turns deadly. Moral of the story is, don’t partake in something just because everyone else is doing it, even if it’s during “bonding” time. For all you know, it could have horrible consequences. Peer pressure is real folks and—according to this movie—can end in certain death.

5. Unfriended (2014)

After having a video of herself leaked on the internet, a girl commits suicide from intense online bullying and threats. Her group of friends is then haunted in their online chat room by a supernatural force controlling their dead friends account. Things definitely get deadly. There’s much to unpack here but first and foremost, the internet is a dangerous place to get too caught up in. So, be careful what you chose to post online about yourself and others; remember that a screen can’t protect you from the consequences of mistreating people. Now it’s been supernaturally proven that your screen definitely can’t protect you from evil either.

6. Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Five friends go on school break to a remote forest cabin (now that’s a red flag) hoping for some reckless good ‘ole college fun. What they get instead is the vacation from hell, full of horrors lurking in the woods. Going on break soon or planning one for the future? Make sure you triple check those reviews on Airbnb and Tripadvisor to make sure you and your friends aren’t in for some unexpected horrors. You probably won’t be, but always check to make sure. Remember: safety first, safety second and fun times third.

7. Carrie (2013)

This remake of the 1976 original is bound to get under your skin. After being pushed too far by her cruel classmates and mother, Carrie unleashes terror on her entire town. Although it’s based in high school, it definitely applies to college life. Treat everybody with kindness, you never know what they might be going through… or what horrible powers they could use against you. You’ve been warned.

8. The Gift (2015)

After moving in to a new home, a couple is thrown into mysterious confusion when given gifts by a peer from the husband’s past. It all leads to the reveal of a horrifying secret. This suspenseful film, filled with scary twists and turns, reminds us that our behavior in the past can come back to bite us in the present. The most natural supernatural fact remains that your actions from a week ago, a year ago, maybe even 20 min ago will proceed to haunt you for the rest of your days. Remember to treat people well, because karma is a very real, and very cruel, thing.

9. 28 Week Later (2007)

28 weeks after a zombie rage virus breaks out in England, the army starts to help get things under control again, but things start turning chaotic fast. Although people don’t actually turn into zombies (one can only hope), they do get sick easily especially in college— a full functioning petri dish. Make sure you keep your dorm room clean and wash your hands because cold and flu season at school can turn horrible really quick. Hopefully not as bad as a zombie outbreak.

10. Rings (2017)

After watching a haunted video, a girl has only 7 days to live. Each person who watches it faces the same horrible fate. Viral videos, online challenges and pranks can be more harmful than you think. Maybe think twice before taking part in them. Again, don’t feed into the internet peer pressure or do something just because everyone seems to be doing it. It could have deadly results.