35 best horror movies about a group of friends

There are many examples of groups of friends in horror movies that prove that the ensemble approach is an effective storytelling tool in the genre. Some of the most exciting horror movies are About a group of friends who have fun while hanging out, only to realize they are in terrifying danger. Whether they’re about teenage serial killers or supernatural forces at work, these movies add emotional stakes. The most endearing and engaging horror movies are those where friends are in it together and look out for each other, even if not all of them make it out alive.

Slasher movie characters often fit the “group of friends” horror trope, usually involving young friends fleeing from some masked killer. However, there are a lot of interesting ways to explore the idea of ​​friendship in horror movies with some stories that tell really touching stories of the closest companions in terrible scenarios, while others test the limits of friendship with people who turn on each other. Although there are a lot of ways to approach horror movies, making a group of friends at the center of the story has proven to add another layer to some of the standout horror gems.

35

Red State (2011)

Three friends are captured by a religious cult

While Kevin Smith is mostly known for the Jay and Silent Bob movies, the filmmaker branched out in a new direction with Red stateHis first horror project. Red state is a grounded take on the genre, mixing social commentary with a bleak tone and a bit of dark humor. The film follows three high school friends who seek to lose their virginity with a local sex worker only to find that they have been kidnapped by a radical and extreme religious group who seek to sacrifice them for their sins.

Those familiar with Smith’s other movies may be shocked by how dark and cynical much of this movie is. Even the young main characters are not very nice people. However, it is all the more effective when They find themselves in such a difficult situation, fighting for their lives, and the audience is suddenly afraid of them. Smith is comfortable breaking the storytelling norms in delivering some shocking outcomes for the characters that add to the movie’s impact.

34

Wrong Turn (2021)

The whole Wrong turn The franchise tends to deal with a group of friends who are targeted by sadistic and cruel mutant cannibals. However, while many of the direct-to-video sequels only feature characters like the one-dimensional slasher movie Fader, 2021 Wrong turn Explored the main characters in more interesting ways and still put them in thrilling danger. The reboot goes for a more grounded and serious tone that still works for the story.

Of course, there is a brutality to the community that makes for some gruesome moments.

It follows a group of friends who go on a hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail. However, when they go down the wrong path, they find themselves confronted with an isolated community of hill people. What’s interesting about this movie is that it doesn’t make the people outright villains. Instead, the conflict arises because of how the urban tourists make assumptions. Of course, there is a brutality to the community that makes for some gruesome moments. Unlike the others Wrong turn Movies, the kills matter beyond the gore with the friends feeling real loss.

33

talk to me (2022)

Young friends communicate with the dead

Communicating with the dead is a concept explored in many horror movies, however Talk to me is one of the most effective. The horror film follows a group of high school friends who experiment with the supernatural rather than drugs and alcohol when they use a relic that allows them to speak to souls from the other side and even allow them to temporarily possess their bodies. However, the experience soon becomes an obsession for one young girl who lost her mother.

The supernatural world-building is made more effective by the fact that it feels like these are real young people hanging out.

One of the most effective things about This low-budget horror movie is how effectively it creates the feeling of the young friends hanging out. The supernatural world-building is made more effective by the fact that it feels like these are real young people hanging out. The setup adds to the terror when things inevitably take a turn later in the story.

32

In a violent nature (2024)

A masked killer hunts down a group of campers

One of the most talked-about horror movies of 2024 is a loving throwback to the kind of horror movies like Friday the 13th. A group of friends go on a retreat in the woods where they accidentally awaken a relentless supernatural killer, a masked horror movie killer known simply as Johnny. They are then stalked by the forest and cruel dispatch.

Although it may sound like a typical horror movie, In a violent nature It sets itself apart with the intriguing approach of telling the story from the perspective of the killer rather than the victims. This is a fun new take on the genre and it Puts the friends characters in a unique position where they feel like the other presence in the movie instead of the main focus. The movie also stands out in the genre thanks to its particularly gory kills.

31

Alien: Romulus (2024)

A group of friends encounter a xenomorph on an abandoned space station

Alien: Romulus was a welcome return for the Alien franchise, paying homage to many of the best moments of this iconic series. However, the movie also takes a new approach in terms of the main characters. Rather than focusing on a group of marines, space transporters or prisoners like the other films, it focuses on a group of young friends who are targeted by the terrifying xenomorph..

The age and close relationship of the characters add a lot to the movie. While the Alien Franchise has typically had strong characters, the audience can really feel fear for the young friends who are trying to get out of this situation alive. They care about each other, which makes the audience care too, although it’s clear that not all of them will make it out alive.

30

X (2022)

Friends making an adult film even run from a murderous elderly couple

Ti West’s horror movie trilogy began with the 70s-set exploitation homage X. The movie is set as a typical story of friends on an easy trip who find themselves in a dangerous situation. However, there is a bit of a twist to this tale because the group of friends in this case are looking for an adult movie.

Unfortunately, they choose the wrong farm to film on as the elderly couple who own it target the young characters in brutal ways. In the era of slasher movies of the 70s, a group of mature filmmakers would have been easy to butcher.

however, X Uses the stereotypical presentation of such characters to create An ensemble of more complex characters than audiences might expect. They care for each other, take pride in their work, and are really decent people. While the prequel Pearl Focused on a single title character, X Have a lot of fun with its solid collection of colorful characters. It is also ideal to watch beforehand MaxxineThe third entry in the series.

29

Jennifer’s Body (2009)

A fearful high schooler deals with her best friend to become a demon

Jennifer’s body presents an interesting question about what someone should do if their best friend becomes a man-eating demon. The horror comedy written by Oscar-winner Diablo Cody stars Megan Fox as a young high school student who is possessed and begins preying on the boys at her school to keep her sustained.

Amanda Seyfried plays her best friend who is dealing with Megan’s change in personality and suspects that she may be a danger. It’s a funny movie that plays on high school popularity and the awkwardness of teenage years, while also being a fun gory monster movie.

however, The female friendship in the horror movie is one of the best aspects of Jennifer’s body As it is not something usually explored in the genre. The changing dynamic between the friends feels grounded and relatable even if the supernatural aspects aren’t.

28

Urban Legend (2000)

Friends at college are targeted by a hooded serial killer

Urban legend is one of the most forgotten slasher movies to come out in the wake of the success of scream. It provides a clever premise as it follows a group of young friends at a university when the people around them start to die. It soon becomes clear that the unknown killer is targeting the students based on popular urban legends.

The whodunit aspect of the movie is not as effective as in scream Or even I know what you did last summer. There are too many red herrings thrown at the audience, however It becomes clear that one of the central friends is the real killer, which ends up being a tough reveal.

It is also an interesting aspect that the final girl in the center of the movie is targeted with those around her who are killed just for being friends with her, adding to how crucial the group of​​​​​​​​​​​​​​friends is to the overall story.

27

The Ritual (2017)

Grown-up friends meet evil during a walk

One of the great hiking horror movies, The ritual Follows a group of friends who set out on a trek in the forest, united to remember their friend who died. They soon encounter strange things in the dense forests of Sweden and eventually find that the forest seems to expand with no way to get out. The nightmare really comes when they are stalked by a supernatural entity that commands a cult in the forest.

The ritual is a vastly underrated horror movie with some beautiful imagery and one of the most unique horror movie monster designs in recent memory. It is also an interesting examination of this central friendship, as one of the friends grapples with the guilt he feels over the death of their deceased friend. It is A rare look at adult friendship in the genre And is surprisingly moving in this regard.

26

Attack the Block (2011)

A gang of youth take on invading aliens

Attack the block is one of the rare group of friends horror movies that focuses on a young cast. The movie follows a group of troublemaking youths, led by John Boyega in his breakout role before his Star Wars Room. While they spend their time committing petty crimes and intimidating people, they find their chance to be heroes when aliens start invading their city.

They’re easy to root for, and it’s really heartbreaking when they don’t all make it out alive.

Writer-director Joe Cornish is a longtime collaborator of Edgar Wright, and it’s clear to see their similar styles with Attack the block Use the same comedic energy while never undercutting the thrills of the story. The young heroes make for an endearing group of friends Which are much more complicated than they initially seem. They prove themselves brave heroes and formidable enemies for the aliens to face. They’re easy to root for, and it’s really heartbreaking when they don’t all make it out alive.

25

Green Room (2015)

A punk rock group is targeted by neo-Nazis

Part of what makes horror movies so effective is that the friends together make them richer characters that the audience wants to see survive the ordeal. This is all the more impressive when it becomes clear that not all of them will. Green room is an unusual little horror movie about a punk rock band who reluctantly take a gig playing in a neo-Nazi compound. However, after witnessing a murder, they find themselves trapped and targeted by their hosts.

The movie is also notable for Patrick Stewart’s best villain role as the head of the Nazi group.

Green room is one of the most unsettlingly realistic horror movies with the violence and evil in the movie being portrayed as reality. The friends are shown to be real characters who react in relatable ways without Hollywood storytelling. The short amount of time the audience spends with them before Chaos strikes is extremely effective in establishing their bond. The movie is also notable for Patrick Stewart’s best villain role as the head of the Nazi group.

24

Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)

Friends begin to suspect that one of them is a killer during a late-night party

One of the most underrated A24 horror movies to come out in recent years, Bodies bodies bodies Mixes elements of horror, comedy and a whodunit mystery. The movie follows a bunch of young and spoiled friends who have a wild party at the mansion owned by one of their parents. however, When their night of fun is disrupted by one of them dying, they realize there is a killer in the group..

The movie does a number of clever things with its approach to the group-of-friends horror trope. It has a lot of fun satirizing and examining the young culture of the modern world with some funny and insightful things to say. It’s also fun to see the group of friends turn on each other when it becomes a life-or-death scenario. The murder mystery aspect of trying to figure out which of the friends is the killer also has a great conclusion that recontextualizes the entire movie.

23

House of Wax (2005)

Friends discover the sadistic secrets of a wax museum

The 2005 film House of Wax is a remake of Mystery of the wax museumWhich was released in 1933, and best known for Paris Hilton with a starring role. There are several characters in this group of friends horror movie that go on a road tripNick and Carly, who are brother and sister, and their friends Dalton, Blake, Paige and Wade.

House of Wax was critically slammed when it was first released, but has since become something of a cult classic and something of a guilty pleasure.

While trying to go to a football game, they find themselves in an abandoned area and stumble upon the wax museum, Which is an incredibly creepy setting. It is easy to imagine how freaked everyone is and how they wish they had never found this place at all. House of Wax was critically slammed when it was first released, but has since become something of a cult classic and something of a guilty pleasure.

22

Host (2020)

Friends on a video call are selected one by one

Host is one of the many movies born out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for the most part, it is one of the most successful and great horror films about doomed friends. Haley and her friends keep in touch with Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic, but when Haley adds a device to the conversations, they’re each attacked by spirits.

It’s a creative story, and the characters are great friends shown by the easy, natural conversations they have with one another. For their easy-going conversation to increasingly become hostile and deadly feels real thanks to the rapport the characters establish. The fact that they also have to watch each other put in danger while they can not help also add an interesting dynamic. How well Host Will age is uncertain, because being so closely connected to the event of the time of its release may hold it back.

21

As Above, So Below (2014)

Friends discover sinister secrets in the catacombs of Paris

As above, so below is a found footage horror movie that Tells the story of Scarlett, who wants to find the Philosopher’s Stone because it was her father’s quest. The movie follows people visiting the catacombs of Paris and filming their experience for a documentary. Scarlett explores with a guide named Papillon, Papillo’s friend Zed, Papillo’s girlfriend Soxie, and Scarlett’s ex George.

Although it may borrow a lot of its narrative from The descent It does enough else to stand on its own.

It’s fascinating to see a group of friends in this setting that mixes horror and adventure. There is excitement about the group embarking on this exploration together only to be torn apart by the horrors they face. Although it may borrow a lot of its narrative from The descent It does enough else to stand on its own. what makes As above, so below Most unique is its Paris setting, which makes for one of the surprisingly nicest-looking horror movies, even if it’s mostly set in a cave.

20

Cabin Fever (2002)

A deadly virus breaks out during a cabin vacation

Horror movies in the woods are a well-known trope of the genre and can create an effective point of isolation for a group of friends to experience real terror. Cabin fever Is exactly that, as it follows a group of friends stuck in a cabin when all hell breaks loose. While groups of friends in cabins is essentially a subgenre of horror, because there are so many of them, Cabin fever Does something much different with the formula.

Instead of a zombie attack or demon possession, the movie is about a deadly virus that has disgusting effects. Bert, Paul, Karen, Marcy and Jeff just want to have some spring break fun by going away to a cabin, but they get more time in nature than they bargained for when they encounter a flesh-eating virus. Roth plays in the merciless way that he turns the plans of good times with friends into a nightmare of terrible horror, which is sometimes difficult to watch.

19

Head Count (2018)

Friends on vacation accidentally summon an evil entity

Joshua Tree is a great location for a horror movie, as it is in the middle of nowhere, and the sweltering heat certainly won’t help the situation, not to mention that the place is heavily associated with psychedelics, which will make any potential victims. Hallucinating. The worst things.

It was effectively used in the Anderson horror movie head count The movie follows Evan, who is spending time in the picturesque area when he meets a group of friends who are all about having fun. He hangs out with them and ends up staying with them in their rental house.

head count Has it all: a close group of characters, a beautiful location and a supernatural entity, as the teenagers challenge a paranormal presence that mimics their appearances, a la The thing. It’s a great way to play on the distrust that can take a group of friends into a terrifying setting, as their close bonds are suddenly shattered. The addition of Evan as an outsider to the group also adds an interesting element.

18

Malevolent (2018)

A group of rogue ghost hunters encounter real horror

Malevolent Offering an interesting twist on the usual group of friends horror movie plot, Like Jackson and Angela are siblings who pretend to look at supernatural events in houses. They work with a crew, and the characters have become friendly with each other as they lie about what they can do and just try to make money. Of course, they soon find their next job offers something they weren’t anticipating.

Florence Pugh has become a certified scream queen and one of the best horror actors working today

Malevolent is one of the best supernatural horrors that many people may not have seen, and Angela and Jackson are compelling, solid characters and interesting con artists. Despite the duplicity of the characters, the friendships and bonds ensure that the audience still cares about them as things gradually become intense. Between Malevolent And MidsummerFlorence Pugh has become a certified scream queen and one of the best horror actors working today.

17

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

A group of friends with a dark secret are targeted by a killer

After the phenomenal success of screamSo many studios rushed slasher movies into production, and none of them made a bigger splash than that I know what you did last summer. While it has been criticized for being too derivative of scream Without the clever satire, I know what you did last summer is such an underrated late ’90s slasher movie with a great young cast that has incredible chemistry.

The 1997 movie isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, and it simply delivers a fun mystery movie with a group of friends.

The 1997 movie isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, and it simply delivers a fun mystery movie with a group of friends. It is interesting to see the carefree friends torn apart by a dark secret and be confronted with the consequences in deadly fashion. The movie is also clearly inspired by classics like Prom night And packaged in a cool 90s movie. I know what you did last summer is finally a big genre piece that the entire cast and crew are enthusiastic about, and it shows on screen.

16

The Babysitter (2017)

A babysitter and her friends plan to kill a young boy as a cult sacrifice

The babysitter Cleverly flips the idea of ​​horror movies around a group of friends on its head. While most examples see the friend groups being tormented by spirits, becoming possessed, or fighting for survival, The friends in The babysitter are the bad guys. The 2017 movie follows Cole (Judah Lewis), a 12-year-old boy who finds out that his babysitter is part of a satanic cult.

Between the bucket of blood and the subtle humor, The babysitter Features a standout performance by Samara Weaving.

The babysitter Becomes more outrageous when it is revealed that the cult plans to kill Cole. The movie is a perfect blend of comedy and horror, and it’s full of energy, and for a horror movie, it’s surprisingly rewatchable. Between the bucket of blood and the subtle humor, The babysitter Features a standout performance by Samara Weaving. a sequel The Babysitter: Killer QueenWhich stars Jenna Ortega, was released in 2020 and is almost as good as the original film.