7 scary cabin horror movies that'll send shivers down the spine of any horror fan

Imagine traveling to a remote house or cabin with a group of your closest friends for a relaxing weekend getaway only to soon find yourself in a fight for survival after encountering a supernatural entity or deranged killer shortly after you arrive. That's pretty much what a cabin horror movie is, and we'd argue that these types of movies are some of the best films part of the horror genre.

Cabin horror movies create a tense and immersive atmosphere and can evoke a range of feelings in their audience, with fear and dread being the main ones. If you're looking for something to watch that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, then you must check out these seven scary cabin horror films below.

Friday the 13th (1980)

Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on digital platforms

If you're going to make a list of some of the scariest cabin horror movies, you absolutely must include the '80s horror classic Friday the 13th. It might not be as scary now in modern times, but it was pretty scary for its time, and it still remains an influential film in the horror genre.

The story takes place at the fictional, isolated, and eerie Camp Crystal Lake, where a bunch of camp counselors prepare for its reopening after having been shut down for many years due to its troubled past. But things take a tragic turn when the counselors find themselves being picked off one by one by an unseen killer.

The Evil Dead (1983)

Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on digital platforms

You just had to know that The Evil Dead would make the list. It's easily another horror classic that's genuinely scary and unsettling. It follows a group of five college students who decide to vacation at an isolated cabin in the woods, only to soon find themselves facing a supernatural threat with no escape.

College students Ash, Linda, Cheryl, Scott, and Shelley travel to a secluded cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway. While exploring the cabin, they come across a mysterious, old book called "Book of the Dead" and a set of old audio tapes. They decide to play the tapes, not knowing that by doing so, they're awakening the demonic forces that inhabit the forest surrounding the cabin. The college students then begin to suffer from demonic possession, leaving one member to fight for his life against the evil forces.

Evil Dead (2013)

Where to watch: Max, available to rent or buy on digital platforms

Another cabin horror film that stands out for its ability to terrify audiences with its intense atmosphere and horrifying elements is the supernatural horror flick Evil Dead. It's a solid remake of The Evil Dead and is even more graphic and terrifying.

Known for its extreme graphic violence and disturbing imagery, Evil Dead follows a group of five friends who arrive at a remote cabin in the woods to help one of their own who struggles with drug addiction. As they explore the cabin, they discover an ancient book called "Book of the Dead" and begin to read passages from it, unknowingly unleashing demonic forces in the surrounding forest.

The demonic entities start possessing the friend group, forcing the survivors to try various methods to combat the evil forces before they're taken over as well.

The Strangers (2008)

Where to watch: Max, available to rent or buy on digital platforms

Taking place at a remote vacation home, what makes The Strangers particularly frightening is its realistic portrayal of a home invasion. Knowing that a home invasion can actually happen to you in real life makes the fear feel immediate and personal.

We follow a young couple, Kristen and James, who are staying at a secluded family vacation home after attending a wedding. However, their night takes a dark turn when three masked intruders break into their home and start terrorizing them.

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Where to watch: Peacock, available to rent or buy on digital platforms

As the title mentions, The Cabin in the Woods takes place in a cabin in the woods. It's a meta-horror film following five friends who decide to head out to an isolated cabin in the woods for a little vacation. But what was supposed to be a weekend getaway turns into a nightmare when they find themselves falling victim to mysterious and violent forces orchestrated by technicians in a secretive government facility.

The cast is made up of some familiar faces, such as Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, and Bradley Whitford. Overall, The Cabin in the Woods can be quite gory, and it doesn't shy away from graphic violence and unsettling imagery. If you're a person who becomes squeamish when watching such content, this movie might not be for you. But if you're looking for a chilling and suspenseful watching experience, go ahead and check this film out.

Hush (2016)

Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on digital platforms

Hush is another home invasion movie that can be quite frightening for some viewers. It centers around a deaf-mute horror author living in a secluded cabin in the woods who must fight for her life when a masked killer begins stalking her. The author must do everything she can to survive and outwit the killer before she becomes their next victim.

Scream queen Kate Siegel stars in the leading role of Maddie Young, the deaf novelist. Joining her in the cast are John Gallagher Jr., Michael Trucco, Samantha Sloyan, and Emma Graves.

The Last House on the Left (2009)

Where to watch: Tubi, available to rent or buy on digital platforms

Known for its intense and disturbing content, The Last House on the Left is a solid remake of Wes Craven's 1972 film of the same name. This film doesn't take place at a remote cabin. It's set at an isolated lake house instead.

We follow a family, Emma and John Collingwood, their teenage daughter Mari, and her friend Paige, who decide to vacation at their secluded lake house. But their vacation gets disrupted when Mari and Paige are abducted and brutally assaulted by a violent gang and then left for dead.

Mari survives the attack and makes her way back to her family's lake house, where her parents are unknowingly sheltering the people who kidnapped and attacked her. However, once Emma and John find out the gang's true identities and what they did to Mari, they immediately take action against them by seeking revenge.

What are some of your favorite cabin horror movies?

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