50 Best PG-13 Horror Movies (& Where To Stream Them) (2024)

The best PG-13 horror movies prove that excessive violence, gore, or sexual content aren't necessary to create a terrifying film. Not only do PG-13 horror movies deliver many of the same kinds of jump scares and terrifying monsters as R-rated offerings, but some remain the most iconic examples of the genre. Genuinely scary PG-13 movies aren't that rare, and despite their age rating guidance, they're far from tame. Many PG-13 horror movies are well-known classics too, with many of the most successful horror franchises having entries that aren't R-rated.

The best PG-13 horror movies prove that terrifying scenes are the product of skillful direction and great acting. The most frightening things to a person exist in their imagination, something horror movies without an R-rating use to their advantage. Many PG-13 horror movies stimulate that imaginative part of the viewer's brain to great effect, creating something much scarier than any R-rated horror could. Whether they’re taking a comedic approach to the genre or telling a deadly serious story, these PG-13 horror movies never sacrifice quality to hit their rating.

51 The Haunting (1999)

A Haunted House Remake With A Strong Cast

pg-13

Release Date

July 23, 1999

Director

Jan de bont

Cast

Liam Neeson , Owen Wilson , Catherine Zeta-Jones

Runtime

125minutes

The Haunting is one of the best PG-13 horror movies even if it isn't the most critically acclaimed, as it excels at building atmospheric tension and suspense as opposed to horrific violence. The Haunting follows Dr. John Markway (Liam Neeson), who investigates supernatural phenomena and tries to uncover the mystery of a haunted mansion with a group of intrigued individuals, forming an ensemble that includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson, and Lili Taylor.

The horror is far more psychological than physical, as it utilizes a claustrophobic and dark setting, and the characters becoming increasingly manic is anxiety-inducing. Some of the special effects in The Haunting might seem a little dated compared to newer movies, but it still holds up, and the slow-burn dread is just as effective in the 2020s as it was in 1999 — especially for viewers taking their first forays into horror.

50 Critters 3 (1991)

One Of Leonardo DiCaprio's Earliest Acting Roles

Critters 3 isn't exactly a standout movie in the wider cinematic landscape, as it failed to resonate with either critics or audiences on release. However, the threequel has had a firm hold in pop culture thanks to it being Leonardo DiCaprio's first major movie role, and among horror movie enthusiasts it's remembered incredibly fondly.

The 1991 horror is about a clang of furry alien creatures that terrorizes any human they come into contact with — a simple premise that lends itself to Critters 3's charm. Though the movie went direct to video and it certainly cheesy at times, Critters 3 has retroactively become hugely entertaining to watch now that DiCaprio is one of the most beloved actors of this generation, and even his role in Critters 3 hinted at his potential greatness. These movies have a reputation as ripoffs of the more successful Gremlins, but they deserve praise for making a successful horror franchise in its own right.

49 AVP: Alien Vs. Predator (2004)

A Movie Based On The Comics That Brought The Horror Icons Together

PG-13

Release Date

August 13, 2004

Director

Paul W.S. Anderson

Cast

Sanaa Lathan , Raoul Bova , Ewen Bremner , Lance Henriksen , Colin Salmon

Runtime

101 minutes

In 2004, Alien vs. Predator was ridiculed for being PG-13, as the movie pits two of the most iconic horror villains ever against each other. The two aliens are known for their grotesque kills and the rating neuters that. While it's still far from the epic face-off horror flick it could've been, Alien vs. Predator is satisfying enough as a mashup movie.

The 2004 movie is full of scares, and the iconic antagonists' presence alone is enough to instill fear in audiences. There is a sense of missed opportunities with some of the kills, but watching the alien villains spare still makes for a fun time for fans of these two sci-fi horror franchises. Ironically, the sequel, Alien vs. Predator: Requiem is rated R, and received worse reviews than its predecessor.

48 Van Helsing (2004)

A Failed Attempt To Revive The Universal Monsters

PG-13

Release Date

May 3, 2004

Director

Stephen Sommers

Cast

Hugh Jackman , Kate Beckinsale , Richard Roxburgh , David Wenham , Shuler Hensley

Runtime

132 Minutes

Van Helsing may not be the most out-and-out scary PG-13 horror movie, but its blend of action with macabre themes and aesthetics allows it to stand out. Other than the Brendan Fraser-led The Mummy series, Universal has struggled to successfully bring its monster IPs to the big screen in the 21st century. The 2017 Mummy reboot ended the Universal Monster Universe before it began, and 2004's Van Helsing didn't perform any better.

Whether it's going for the nostalgia factor or Hugh Jackman's performance as the vampire hunter, the movie is extremely entertaining two decades later. The 2004 Van Helsing turns the vampire hunter into a cool action hero as opposed to the dark and feared vampire slayer he's known as, which divided audiences, but its campy fun is undeniable as audiences get to see him take on the likes of Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and The Wolfman.

47 47 Meters Down (2017)

An Underwater Shark-Infested Horror Movie

PG-13

Release Date

May 25, 2017

Director

Johannes Roberts

Cast

Mandy Moore , Claire Holt , Matthew Modine , Chris Johnson , Yani Gellman

Runtime

89 Minutes

Survival movies set in and around shark-infested waters are nothing new, but there has never been a truly terrifying one that's PG-13. However, 47 Meters Down is exactly that, as the movie follows two sisters who are invited to cage dive, which leads to one of the most surprisingly intense 80 minutes, especially as it had a shockingly low budget for a movie that requires so many digital effects.

Though it requires suspension of disbelief in some areas, 47 Meters Down remains a solid entry into the shark movie genre. While the kills are tamer than other movies of this kind, it still captures that feeling of dread of the deadly creatures lurking silently until the surface of the water. It makes for an easy watch and a solid time.

46 The Mothman Prophecies (2002)

Richard Gere In A Terrifying Urban Legend-Influenced PG-13 Horror Movie

While there are plenty of horror movies based on true stories, some of the genre's most effective stories come from real-life legends that could not possibly be true but remain talked about in certain circles. A film that is ultimately just as enigmatic as its subject, The Mothman Prophecies revolves around sightings of a mysterious figure known only as the "Mothman" as a reporter (Richard Gere) is drawn into the inexplicable events that surround his chilling appearances.

It is a movie that relies on creepy atmosphere rather than gory kills to be effective. Elevated by its central performance from Gere and strong support from veteran dramatic actors Laura Linney and Will Patton, the film is a haunting meditation on the uncertainty that surrounds death, with its brazen lack of answers making the experience feel all the richer.

45 Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)

The Horror Movie That Influenced The TV Show

While the 1997 supernatural series Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an iconic 90s show, the teen drama is based on a much lesser-known movie. Joss Whedon initially wrote the story as a teen comedy before going on to adapt the idea for a series to much greater effect. The series isn't a continuation of the movie but a remake, as the PG-13 horror movie also sees Buffy learning that she was chosen to become a vampire slayer while in high school.

However, the Buffy movie's tone is very different from the series, as it's lighthearted and just as much of a comedy as it is a horror. Though the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series is the superior of the two, the movie doesn't get enough credit for being the foundation of such a television phenomenon as well as featuring a hilarious performance from Paul Reubens.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer is available to stream on AppleTV.

44 Eight Legged Freaks (2002)

A B-Grade Giant Monster Movie With David Arquette

PG-13

Release Date

July 17, 2002

Director

Ellory Elkayem

Cast

David Arquette , kari wuhrer , Doug E. Doug , Scarlett Johansson , Rick Overton

Runtime

99 Minutes

Eight Legged Freaks might not look great by today's standards, as CGI was still in its infancy in the early 2000s, but the 2002 movie is a time capsule of the CGI experimentation of the early 2000s. However, the scrappy look of Eight Legged Freaks is one of its biggest appeals and what makes it one of the best PG-13 horror movies. As the title suggests, this arachnophobia-laden horror movie is about hundreds of tiny spiders that become supersized after a chemical spill, and it's exactly the kind of fun viewing one would expect.

The movie is partially an homage to the kind of monster sci-fi movies of 1950s Hollywood, like Them! However, the movie also wisely embraces the comedic elements of the story, never taking itself too seriously while also balancing the humor with some genuine thrills and fun kills.

43 Dracula Untold (2014)

The Origin Story Of The Vampire Dracula

PG-13

Release Date

October 1, 2014

Director

Gary Shore

Cast

Luke Evans , Sarah Gadon , Dominic Cooper , Art Parkinson , Charles Dance , Diarmaid Murtagh

Runtime

92

Dracula Untold is a movie that splits viewers and critics, as it was hated by critics (with a "rotten" 25% on Rotten Tomatoes) but is popular with general audiences. The movie might not have much depth, and it doesn't do much in the way of exploring one of literature's most three-dimensional antagonists, but it's simply a fun time.

The 2014 release is almost as if Dracula was adapted from a comic book rather than a Gothic horror novel. It's full of over-the-top action and ludicrous dialogue that would never have been spoken by Bram Stoker's version of the character, but that's the fun of it. The more heroic take on Dracula was partially what allowed the movie to deliver a PG-13 movie without harming the character's legacy too much. The movie was meant to launch the Dark Universe plan originally but its poor reception led to other plans.

42 Troll 2 (1990)

A B-Grade Cult Classic

Just like Critters 3, Troll 2 isn't technically a great movie, but that's exactly why it's loved by audiences and why it has grown such a huge cult following. Similar to why The Room is so popular, Troll 2's shortcomings are why it is so beloved. Between the performances from a cast that includes a dentist and a non-actor who was in a mental institution at the time to the fact that there aren't even any trolls in the movie, the 1990 film has become a cult hit.

There is a lot of fun to be had with the movie, with some of its outrageous moments and questionable line deliveries becoming iconic in their own right. The movie even earned its own documentary called Best Worst Movie which celebrates the lasting love of Trolls 2.

41 The Grudge (2004)

A Japanese Horror Remake Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar

PG-13

Release Date

October 22, 2004

Director

Takashi Shimizu

Cast

Sarah Michelle Gellar , Jason Behr , Clea DuVall , William Mapother

Runtime

91 Minutes

One of the most popular trends in the cinematic landscape in the 2000s was Hollywood remakes of Japanese horror movies, and one of the most notable examples was 2004's The Grudge. The movie follows an American family who makes a new life together in Tokyo, only they move into a house that is susceptible to supernatural events. Soon, the family becomes terrorized by supernatural occurrences as a curse threatens to overtake them all.

When it comes to PG-13 horror movies, The Grudge pushes the MPAA rating to its absolute limit, as it's full of not only psychological horror but graphic horror too. However, the supernatural elements create a relentless sense of dread and foreboding throughout the movie, it is a prime example of how big scares can still be delivered with a PG-13 rating.

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40 Victor Frankenstein (2015)

Daniel Radcliffe & James McAvoy In A Re-Telling Of Frankenstein

PG-13

Release Date

November 25, 2015

Director

Paul McGuigan

Cast

Valene Kane , Daniel Radcliffe , Andrew Scott , Freddie Fox , Mark Gatiss , Daniel Mays , James McAvoy , Jessica Brown Findlay

Runtime

110minutes

Victor Frankenstein was 20th Century Fox's attempt at repeating the success that Warner Bros. had with the Guy Ritchie-directed Sherlock Holmes, bringing another iconic literary character to life in a flashy Hollywood blockbuster. The movie is told from the perspective of Victor Frankenstein's famous lab assistant, Igor, as it details his own origins as well as his friendship with Frankenstein as he begins his controversial career in science.

The movie is a more exciting, fast-paced, and playful take on the source material, and while it didn't resonate with critics, it landed with audiences. The fun and playful approach is helped by captivating performances from James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe, who respectively play Victor Frankenstein and Igor Strausman. The postmodern take on the material is what sets Victor Frankenstein apart from other iterations of the character.

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38 Warm Bodies (2013)

A Zombie Love Story

pg-13

Release Date

January 31, 2013

Director

Jonathan Levine

Cast

Nicholas Hoult , Teresa Palmer , Dave Franco

Runtime

97 Minutes

Romance and horror seem to be two genres that mix perfectly together, as proved by Warm Bodies. Warm Bodies delivers on the romance, infusing a Romeo and Juliet adaptation with zombie horror elements. The 2013 movie is about a plague that leads to half of the population turning into zombies, and R (Nicholas Hoult), one of the zombies, learns to become more and more human as he falls in love with Julie.

It is a lot of fun seeing a zombie movie told from the perspective of the zombies with Hoult bringing a lot of charm and humor to the challenging lead role. Warm Bodies proves Hoult is an incredibly adept character actor, and one perfectly suited for PG-13 horror movies. The fact that the movie also manages to include a sweet romance as well is a testament to its genre-mashing fun.

37 Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)

The Highly Entertaining PG-13 Horror Movie Sequel

PG-13

Release Date

September 13, 2013

Director

James Wan

Cast

Lin Shaye , Barbara Hershey , Rose Byrne , Ty Simpkins , Patrick Wilson

Runtime

106 minutes

Though sequels are rarely as good as their predecessors, Insidious: Chapter 2 is one of the few horror movies that achieve it. The movie sees the Lambert family once again fighting evil spirits that possess the parents' children. Insidious: Chapter 2 might not be as refreshing or as talked about as the original, but it doubles down on the scares, and it's hard to believe that something this terrifying is only a PG-13. However, just like its predecessor and its successor, Insidious: Chapter 3 (which is almost as good, too), the sequel pushes the PG-13 rating to its limits.

The Insidious movies are known for their jump-scares and haunting atmosphere which make them extremely intense watching experiences even if the rating isn't as high as some other horror movies. It is certainly not for the faint of heart.

36 The Village (2004)

M. Night Shyamalan's Polarizing Horror Movie

PG-13

Release Date

July 30, 2004

Director

M. Night Shyamalan

Cast

Bryce Dallas Howard , Joaquin Phoenix , Adrien Brody , William Hurt , Sigourney Weaver , Brendan Gleeson

Runtime

108 minutes

Director M. Night Shymalan has made a career out of switching between bloody R-rated horror movies and more accessible yet still intense PG13-rated movies. The Village is about a group of villagers in an Amish-like community that lives inside a woodland area where dangerous creatures supposedly exist. The Village might have been the movie where writer/director M. Night Shyamalan's twist-heavy formula was wearing thin, but there's no denying how scary it can be when the blind Ivy Walker is making her way through the woods.

Even when it's obvious the creatures aren't real, it doesn't stop being scary, knowing the unhinged and unpredictable Noah, who previously stabbed a villager, is in the creature suit, as he's capable of anything. The ending of the movie is still controversial, but the story is elevated by a strong cast that includes Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sigourney Weaver, and Adrien Brody.

35 Underwater (2020)

A Claustrophobic Underwater PG-13 Horror Movie

PG-13

Release Date

January 10, 2020

Director

William Eubank

Cast

Mamoudou Athie , Kristen Stewart , Jessica Henwick , T.J. Miller , John Gallagher Jr. , Vincent Cassel

Runtime

95 minutes

Monster movies generally have gory kills to highlight the brutality of the monsters, but movies like Underwater showcase the threat of such creatures even if they are not on screen as much as viewers might expect. Underwater is about a group of survivors six miles below the ocean after water crashes through the walls of a drilling station. However, it soon becomes clear that there is something lurking out in the water that makes their escape to the surface more dangerous.

Underwater borrows from Alien and every isolated sci-fi horror movie that followed, but it rides the thin line between PG-13 and R. The horror movie gets away with a surprising amount of gore and ungodly creature designs, which keep it entertaining while being suitable for a younger audience not ready for Alien. Underwater acts as a great gateway into the isolated horror genre, and its incredible cast helps increase the movie's intensity.

34 Happy Death Day (2017)

A Time Loop Horror With Some Comedic Elements

PG-13

Release Date

October 12, 2017

Director

Christopher Landon

Cast

Jessica Rothe , Donna DuPlantier , Rachel Matthews , Phi Vu , Ruby Modine , Jason Bayle , Israel Broussard , Charles Aitken

Runtime

96 minutes

Happy Death Day has the familiar narrative of a person who repeats the same day over and over again. However, unlike Groundhog Day, it isn't an upbeat dreamlike comedy but a terrifying nightmare. Carter wakes up every day after being murdered by a masked killer, and she repeatedly gets murdered and continuously relives that moment until she figures out who is behind the mask.

Happy Death Day is a creative and refreshing spin on an old formula, and it expertly works within the requirement of a PG-13 rating. The time loop approach is used to cleverly dive into the mystery of the slasher movie and never feels overly gimmicky. There is a great mix of humor and heart that, combined with the PG-13 rating, makes it a surprisingly accessible horror movie for those who struggle with the genre.

33 World War Z (2013)

A Zombie Movie Based On Max Brooks's Best-Selling Novel

PG-13

Release Date

June 21, 2013

Director

Marc Foster

Cast

Brad Pitt , Daniella Kertesz , Mireille Enos , James Badge Dale

Runtime

1h 56m

Zombie stories often tend to be among the goriest horror movies in the genre, given that they are about transformed dead people who eat human flesh. However, there are some rare examples of a PG-13 approach working even for this subgenre. World War Z is one of the most expensive horror movies ever made, as it had a production budget of $269 million (via Deadline).

Based on Max Brooks's novel, World War Z follows a U.N. investigator (Brad Pitt), as he and his family are stuck in urban gridlock when a lethal virus turns people into zombies. It's as much an action flick as it is a horror, but what's most terrifying is how fast zombies can move as opposed to the traditionally slow-moving zombies. The movie is so entertaining that there's a huge demand for World War Z 2.

32 The Visit (2015)

M. Night Shyamalan's Return To Form

PG-13

Release Date

September 11, 2015

Director

M. Night Shyamalan

Cast

Olivia De Jonge , Peter McRobbie , Kathryn Hahn , Benjamin Kanes , Deanna Dunagan , Ed Oxenbould

Runtime

94 Minutes

Following a string of flops that include Lady in the Water, The Happening, and Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Visit marked M. Night Shyamalan's return to form although in a movie that felt very different to what the filmmaker had down previously. Totally stripped back with a low $5 million budget, The Visit was a simple horror movie with the most satisfying twist in a Shyamalan movie since The Sixth Sense.

The plot of The Visit follows two children who visit their grandparents for a weekend — only to find the grandparents they knew are acting out of the ordinary. Like the best Shyamalan movies, The Visit gets under viewers' skin while still being rated PG-13. The movie is presented in a found-footage format with the young heroes filming the entire adventure. While Shyamalan's horror movies can be brooding and sometimes overly serious, this mixes in some dark humor as well.