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Because Halloween in July deserves screams, laughs, and maybe some bug spray!
Who says the thrills and chills of Halloween have to wait until October? If you’re throwing a Summerween movie night, here’s the perfect horror-inspired movie lineup. Whether you’re aiming for blood-curdling screams or cackles by citronella candlelight, we’ve conjured a list of the ultimate horror-comedy and summer-set scary flicks to stream (and a couple to get hyped for at the theater). So fire up the projector, pop that popcorn, and let the spooky screening begin!
- I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) – Streaming on Prime Video / Hulu
Why It’s Perfect: Nothing screams summer slasher like a hook-wielding maniac with a grudge. This ‘90s classic is the ultimate coastal horror flick, complete with seaside vibes, teen angst, and iconic one-liners (“What are you waiting for?!”). It’s the perfect throwback to kick off your Summerween night and build anticipation for the brand-new reboot dropping July 18th, which brings the fisherman’s curse to a whole new generation.
- The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024) – Streaming Available
Why It’s Perfect: Isolation. Intruders. Unrelenting tension.
Set during a cross-country summer road trip gone terrifyingly wrong, this franchise reboot is the first in a planned trilogy. It’s the perfect pre-game for the upcoming Strangers: Chapter 2, releasing later this year. Keep the lights low and the marshmallows close—things are about to get uncomfortably quiet.
- It (2017) – Max / Hulu / Prime Video
Why It’s Perfect: Childhood fears, creepy clowns, and an unforgettable summer of terror.
Set during the summer of 1989, It captures both the magic and the menace of adolescence—complete with bike rides, blood oaths, and a shapeshifting horror icon. This one’s a guaranteed scream-fest under the stars.
- The Final Girls (2015) – Amazon Prime / Hulu
Why It’s Perfect: It’s meta, it’s hilarious, it’s heartwarming, and yes—there’s a killer in the woods. When a girl gets sucked into a ’80s slasher film her late mother starred in, things get funny, freaky, and surprisingly emotional. It’s like Friday the 13th met Mean Girls, and they decided to hug it out—with a machete.
- The Uninvited (2009) – Paramount+ / Pluto TV / Prime Video
Why It’s Perfect: A moody, psychological thriller with coastal vibes and eerie family tension. The Uninvited is a slow-burn that pays off—perfect for viewers who like their horror smart and shadowy.
- Fear Street Trilogy (2021) – Netflix
Why It’s Perfect: One trilogy. Three timelines. Endless screams.
R.L. Stine fans, rejoice! Whether you’re watching one or bingeing all three, this trilogy offers a perfect mix of teen drama, gnarly kills, and creepy curses—all with a killer retro soundtrack. Set in Shadyside during various eras, the summer camp chapter (1978) is an especially fitting pick for Summerween night.
- The Meg (2018) or The Meg 2: The Trench (2023) – Max / Prime Video
Why It’s Perfect: It’s Jaws, but make it science fiction—and throw in Jason Statham.
If you’re looking for thrills with a side of ridiculous fun, these are your go-to shark flicks. A little action, a lot of chomping, and enough ocean terror to make you cancel that beach trip tomorrow.
- Jeepers Creepers (2001) – Amazon Prime / Tubi
Why It’s Perfect: Road trips have never felt more cursed.Two siblings encounter something ancient and hungry on a deserted stretch of highway, and the results are equal parts unsettling and unforgettable. Jeepers Creepers delivers summer horror with a mythic twist—and that chilling soundtrack will haunt your dreams.
- The Lost Boys (1987) – Max / Amazon Rental
Why It’s Perfect: Sun. Surf. Vampires.
A summertime staple with the perfect blend of camp and cool, The Lost Boys is a must for those who like their horror a little rock ‘n’ roll. Bonus points if you serve garlic bread at your screening.
- Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) – Paramount+ / Hulu
Why It’s Perfect: Gen Z horror at its most savage and self-aware.
A hurricane party at a mansion turns deadly in this darkly funny, neon-lit thriller. It’s stylish, smart, and satirical—and perfect for a younger crowd who lives for plot twists and petty drama.
So go ahead—queue up the horror, invite your ghouls, and turn your backyard into a haunted drive-in under the stars.
And if one night of summer scares isn’t enough? Come get spooky wit
h us IRL at Summerween, July 26th at Effex Nightclub.
Get your tickets to Summerween 2025 here: https://bit.ly/Summerween25
Follow @abqlive for upcoming Summerween giveaways!
Happy Haunting!
