When you think of horror movies, you might think of R-rated flicks complete with blood, guts, and things deemed too extreme for teenagers (or maybe just a few too many swears for the Motion Picture Association’s comfort levels). Whatever the reason, a lot of horror films are rated R.
But there are plenty of scary movies in the PG-13 range, perfect for teens eager to push the boundaries of their fear or adults seeking chills without the heavy gore. In fact, some of Blumhouse Productions’ biggest hits, like M3GAN, Insidious, and Happy Death Day, masterfully deliver scares while keeping things accessible for a broader audience.
Here are some of the best PG-13 horror movies that deserve a spot on your watchlist.
Alien vs. Predator (2004)
In Alien vs. Predator, a group of scientists and mercenaries discovers an ancient pyramid hidden beneath the ice of Antarctica. But their intrusion sets off a fierce and deadly clash between the iconic Alien and Predator species.
While AVP may have a mixed reputation among sci-fi fans, it remains an entertaining monster movie and the perfect gateway for teens to experience the Alien and Predator franchises. After all, it’s the only installment in either film series that’s rated PG-13. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch Alien vs. Predator
The Birds (1963)
Known for its intense avian violence and pioneering special effects, The Birds holds a top spot in Alfred Hitchcock’s filmography. But why is it on this list?
Although The Birds predates the PG-13 rating by 21 years, the film received it retroactively when Universal Pictures resubmitted The Birds to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in 1984. That’s also how Psycho from 1960 got its R rating.
Anyways, The Birds is a horror classic that reminds you not to underestimate nature. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch The Birds
Did you know? Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Gremlins sparked the creation of the PG-13 rating due to complaints about their violent content. The MPAA introduced the new rating as a middle ground between PG and R with the August 1984 release of Red Dawn.
The Boogeyman (2023)
Inspired by the short story from Stephen King, The Boogeyman follows two sisters coping with their mother’s death. The two are terrorized by The Boogeyman, a supernatural entity that hides in closets and kills young children. —Olivia Bono, Staff Writer
Where to watch The Boogeyman
Dark Water (2002)
From Ringu director Hideo Nakata, Dark Water centers on Yoshimi Matsubara (Hitomi Kuroki), a single mother navigating a messy divorce. She relocates with her young daughter to a cheap, rundown apartment. But, of course, that’s a setting ripe for a horror movie. Water starts dripping from the ceiling, while eerie occurrences seemingly connect to an abandoned unit upstairs. As the building superintendent proves useless and the unsettling leaks intensify, Yoshimi uncovers dark secrets about the building’s past. These revelations push her deeper into a psychological and supernatural nightmare that threatens both her grip on reality and her bond with her daughter. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch Dark Water
Drag Me To Hell (2009)
When loan officer Christine Brown (Alison Lohman) denies an elderly client an extension on her mortgage, she gets more than she bargained for—a deadly curse. Now, tormented by supernatural forces, Christine must race against time to break the curse before she becomes hell’s latest occupant.
Buckle up for a wild ride filled with director Sam Raimi’s trademark blend of over-the-top scares and dark slapstick humor. Drag Me To Hell is a fast-paced horror flick you can’t miss. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch Drag Me To Hell
Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)
Chances are, if you’re old enough for PG-13 movies but too young for R-rated movies, you already know a thing or two about Five Nights at Freddy’s. The jump-scare-heavy video game series of the same name has been wildly popular with tweens and teens since the first installment came out in 2014.
After several games, books, and an appearance in every toy aisle in America, the franchise is ripe for a film adaptation, and Blumhouse Productions is taking the first bite.
FNAF’s full lore could fill several hours of YouTube video essays, but in a broad sense, FNAF is about a security guard (Josh Hutcherson) trying to survive the night shift at a run-down pizzeria filled with spooky animatronics. The cast also boasts Matthew Lillard of Scream and Scooby-Doo fame, and you know he’s got this one on lock. —Olivia Bono, Staff Writer
Where to watch Five Nights at Freddy’s
Happy Death Day (2017)
Happy Death Day centers on Tree (Jessica Rothe), a self-absorbed sorority girl who spends her birthday being rude to just about everyone she meets. However, her day takes a dark turn when she’s murdered by a masked figure—only to wake up and relive the same day again. Now, Tree must face her death over and over, uncovering clues and changing her behavior to solve the mystery before the loop finally breaks.
It’s a clever slasher film that effectively uses the time-loop concept without making things feel too repetitive. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch Happy Death Day
Haunted Mansion (2023)
Okay, this one is more of a light horror comedy than something truly scary, but it’s probably a good way to take a break between terrors. Based on the Disney Parks ride of the same name, Haunted Mansion follows a woman (Rosario Dawson) and her son as they move into a new home. Unfortunately for them, their house is already inhabited by many unhappy souls. (And there’s always room for one more!)
Along the way, they encounter characters played by Jamie Lee Curtis, Danny DeVito, Owen Wilson, Hasan Minaj, and more. Not Eddie Murphy, though; you’ll have to watch the Haunted Mansion movie from 20 years ago to see him. —Olivia Bono, Staff Writer
Where to watch Haunted Mansion
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Insidious (2011)
Insidious follows a picture-perfect family who moves into a new home. It should be an exciting time for everyone. But things go bad quickly as one of the sons falls into a coma-like state and becomes a vessel for malevolent spirits.
Directed by James Wan, the filmmaker behind Saw and The Conjuring, Insidious is an inventive supernatural horror film filled with scares that stay with you long after the credits roll. While its success led to several sequels/prequels, they somewhat dilute what made the original so terrifying. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch Insidious
The Invitation (2022)
The Invitation is a PG-13 horror film that begins with an idyllic trip to the English countryside. Evie (Nathalie Emmanuel) discovers she has a long-lost cousin (Hugh Skinner) and an impossibly wealthy extended family. She gets invited to an upcoming wedding in the family—and who could turn down the invitation?
The trip quickly turns dark in a way that echoes the R-rated film Ready or Not before it—but with a vampiric twist. —Olivia Bono, Staff Writer
Where to watch The Invitation
Lights Out (2016)
Darkness limits our vision and awareness, often stirring a primal fear of the unknown. David F. Sandberg’s Lights Out expertly taps into that fear with a story about a vengeful entity that only emerges when the lights go out.
If you haven’t seen Sandberg’s original short film, it’s the best way to sample the style and approach of Lights Out. Once you check that two-minute video off your list, dive into the feature-length adaptation on one of the streaming services below—if you dare. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch Lights Out
M3GAN (2022)
Besides inspiring an instant classic SNL sketch, M3GAN is a wildly fun film that blends horror, sci-fi, and dark humor. It tells the story of a doll-like robot designed to protect and entertain an eight-year-old girl, but things don’t go as planned.
If you took one look at the animatronic prototype baby from Twilight and thought, “Wow, that’s super creepy,” this movie agrees with you. —Olivia Bono, Staff Writer
Where to watch M3GAN
The Monster Squad (1987)
If you mixed The Goonies with the Universal Classic Monsters, you’d end up with something like The Monster Squad. This ‘80s cult classic follows a group of monster-obsessed pre-teens who must unite to save their town from an evil alliance of iconic movie creatures. We’re talking Count Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, Gill-man, and some vampire brides all in one movie.
Packed with adventure, humor, and nostalgic charm, it’s a perfect tribute to childhood camaraderie and classic horror. What more could you ask for from a film named The Monster Squad? —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch The Monster Squad
The Others (2001)
Set in a fog-shrouded mansion, The Others follows Grace (Nicole Kidman) and her two light-sensitive children. Strange occurrences lead Grace to suspect her home is haunted. But as the movie progresses, chilling secrets about the house and its inhabitants come to light.
What makes The Others a fan favorite is its gothic atmosphere, slow-burn storytelling, and mild yet effective psychological scares that build tension without relying on gore or profanity. Every creak and shadow keeps you on edge, while Kidman’s powerful performance adds emotional weight. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch The Others
The Ring (2002)
“Have you heard about this videotape that kills you when you watch it?” That’s the question that introduces us to the deadly urban legend at the heart of The Ring.
In the film, Naomi Watts stars as journalist Rachel Keller, who investigates the mysterious deaths of several teenagers. Eventually, she tracks down the cursed videotape and watches its contents. That’s when the myth quickly becomes all too real, spiraling Rachel into a menacing race against time.
The Ring is one of the best PG-13 horror movies ever made. It tells a thoroughly intriguing story filled with nightmarish moments, a rarity in today’s cinema. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch The Ring
The Sixth Sense (1999)
One of the quintessential PG-13 horror films is M. Night Shyamalan’s The Sixth Sense. Set in Philadelphia, the movie follows child psychologist Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) as he works with a troubled nine-year-old boy who claims he can see and communicate with the dead.
What makes The Sixth Sense such an effective psychological thriller is its introspective tone and emotional depth. But don’t get us wrong—the film has some truly freaky scenes that give us goosebumps no matter how often we watch it. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch The Sixth Sense
What Lies Beneath (2000)
First off, avoid the trailer to What Lies Beneath. It spoils many things. What you need to know is that the film stars the always-dependable Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford. They play empty nesters whose seemingly idyllic lives get interrupted by unexplained events at their lakeside home.
What Lies Beneath has always been a personal favorite. Its initial ambiguity has an alluring Hitchcockian vibe offset by jump scares and the supernatural. Whether you like those types of elements is up to you, but one thing is for sure: Pfeiffer delivers a standout performance. —Taylor Kujawa, Sports Editor
Where to watch What Lies Beneath
More top-rated PG-13 horror movies
There are plenty of scary PG-13 movies worth checking out. Since we couldn’t cover all of our favorites above, here’s a list of more horror movies perfect for tweens, teens, and adults.
- 1408 (2007)
- A Quiet Place (2018)
- Arachnophobia (1990)
- The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
- The Grudge (2004)
- The Mummy (1999)
- Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
- Red Eye (2005)
- Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
- Secret Window (2004)
- Signs (2002)
- Split (2016)
- Under the Shadow (2016)
- The Woman in Black (2012)
