I have some favorite horror movies that I can watch again and again. Others, a few times. Then there are ones that — although I like them — I only feel the need to see once. For the most part, these movies are pretty good; I just am never in the mood for a second, or third, or fourth watch, and don’t think I ever will be. This is a list of top horror movies I don’t need to see again.
The Shining (1980)
The Shining is one of my favorite movies of all time, as well as one I’ve seen multiple times. I’ve gone down the rabbit hole many times before via YouTube (thanks Rob Ager!) and continue to see the film in new light with each watch. The same cannot be said about seeing the actual movie, though. I pretty much know every beat by heart, and while it is enjoyable, there are diminishing returns — especially with the movie’s slowness and overall length.
The Babadook (2014)
A rhyming children’s book. A mom who can’t get her shit together. A kid you want to punch in the face (which honestly isn’t really his fault). And a monster who is a literal stand-in for grief. The Babadook is not only an LGBTQ+ icon, but a phenomenon that took the film world by storm upon its 2014 release. Everyone had to see it, me included. I loved the movie and even forked out money for an original, handmade, signed Mister Babadook book (#67 of 2000). But today, I’m a little tired of its drab, gray sadness. The incessant need for others to analyze the movie (“The Babadook is a metaphor!“) has driven its watchability down for me. Once was enough, any more would make me bored and annoyed. It’s too bad, because Mr. Babadook himself is a well-crafted monster.
Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010)
Tucker & Dale is such a fun movie to watch. It’s the first episode of Let’s Talk Terror with Friends. And while I recommend everyone watch it, I don’t think I’ll be returning anytime soon. At this point, I have memorized many of the lines and know the twists and turns. Unfortunately, that has made me zone out when it’s on. Perhaps if I wait long enough, I’ll have forgotten parts and will be able to tune in fully again. There is hope!
FeardotCom (2002)
Feardotcom came at the start of the blue-era, tech horror craze. Sadly its plot point of watching something and dying a certain number of days later was overshadowed by The Ring. When this came out, I was a preteen and really didn’t know what was a “good” or “bad” movie choice. While there are very few — if any — “bad” horror movies, Feardotcom is really just adding a snuff element to Kairo. Maybe at the time it was worth a watch, but if you haven’t already seen it, you’re not missing much.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
I’m certainly not going to shit on one of the greatest werewolf movies of all time and the first ever Best Makeup Oscar win, but there is nothing special about An American Werewolf in London besides the makeup effects. Don’t get me wrong, the werewolf transformation scene is number 1 for a reason. The ever-decaying Jack’s ghost is superb. The dream demons are scary. But the rest is a tourist in Europe that thinks because he is an American, nothing bad will happen to him, even with warnings from locals.
Don’t Breathe (2016)
Don’t Breathe reminds me a lot of Misery; there is so much suspense watching characters try to escape from a deranged murderer. I love that. What I don’t love is the uh… turkey baster scene. I am not about rape-revenge films, and this was close enough to turn me away from any rewatches. No thank you!
Midsommar (2019)
I saw Midsommar in theaters. I loved it, thought it was fantastic piece of otherworldly folk horror. Looking back, I do still feel that way. However, I think a lot of elevated horror is meant to be viewed only once. Could I watch it again? Of course, but I’d feel like I know every twist and turn, every line, and every moment where a character will scream out in anguish or disgust. I want to preserve how I felt when I first watched it, so Iike The Shining, I’ll keep to watching YouTube deep dive videos.
Skinamarink (2022)
I loved Skinamarink. It terrified me, bringing me back to the nervous, scared child I was in a big house in the dark. I think it deserved all the hype it got the winter of 2022-23. Like it or not, Skinamarink showed up and showed out for all the low budget films out there and pretty much made up a new genre at the same time. But nothing can make me want to watch this again. Nevermind the obscene amount of dread I felt watching — it was just long. That, and I feel like each watch would give me diminishing returns since I already know what to expect.
What movies can you only watch once? Let us know in the comments!
