3 awesome summer horror movies to watch on Memorial Day

It might not be officially summer yet, but now that it's Memorial Day Weekend, it's certainly starting to feel like it. As people across the country get together to barbeque, relax poolside, and of course, honor those who have served in the U.S. military, others are choosing to stay inside to beat the heat. If the latter is more your speed, you're probably looking for movies to watch while you lounge on your couch today. If you're trying to get into the summer mood, look no further than these three horror flicks!

Three of my personal favorite summer horror movies, these will surely keep you entertained all Memorial Day. Get into something comfortable, pop some popcorn, and enjoy these great films!

I Know What You Did Last Summer

The franchise might not be perfect, but the first I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) is a fantastic watch. Following a group of college-aged kids whose past comes back to haunt them, we watch as an unknown killer with a hook for a hand terrorizes their hometown. There are so many iconic moments from this film that have no doubt inspired many others to come, plus the cast is so great. Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Ryan Phillippe make for a quintessential '90s watch, and it's a complete summer vibe.

I Know What You Did Last Summer was directed by Jim Gillespie, with a script written by Kevin Williamson based on the book of the same name by Lois Duncan. If you're a book lover, I'd also recommend the source material! It's a fun, quick read.

Stream I Know What You Did Last Summer:

• Stream on Paramount Plus
• Stream on Amazon Prime Video with the Paramount Plus add-on
• Stream on Pluto TV

And if you love I Know What You Did Last Summer, be sure to check out the sequels, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer and I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer. Amazon Prime Video also adapted the book in 2021 for a TV show of the same name, which, although canceled after one season, is still a fun watch. Recently, we got news that a new I Know What You Did Last Summer movie is coming in 2025, with the original cast in talks to return! Stay tuned for updates on that.

It (And It Chapter Two)

Based on one of Stephen King's best books, director Andy Muschietti took on a two-part adaptation beginning with It in 2017. If you're unfamiliar with the story, It follows a group of friends living in the fictional town of Derry, Maine which is haunted by mysterious disappearances and deaths. Every 27 years, a supernatural being disguised as Pennywise the Dancing Clown emerges to take more lives, and it's up to the friend group to put a stop to it. I absolutely adore this story — the book has a special place in my heart — and these movies do it justice!

While I prefer It to It Chapter Two (2019), you have to watch both to complete the epic story! The cast of both films is really strong, especially Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise. The first movie takes place in the summer of 1989, making for a great watch to get you in the mood for warmer months.

Both It movies were directed by Muschietti, with the first written by Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga, and Gary Dauberman and the second written by Dauberman. Of course, this isn't the only adaptation of King's beloved book. The 1990 miniseries starring Tim Curry is a favorite for many who grew up during the '90s.

Rent It and (It Chapter Two):

• Rent It on Amazon Prime Video
• Rent It Chapter Two on Amazon Prime Video

X

The most recent title on this list is X, the 2022 slasher directed by Ti West. Distributed by A24, I was extremely excited to watch this movie when I first saw the trailer and it did not disappoint. Not only is the story fun, sexy, and super entertaining, but the cinematography is great and so is the cast. X stars Mia Goth as an aspiring adult film actress named Maxine who stays at a farm in Texas with her friends and crew members to shoot a porno.

West completely shook the horror world with X, which he also wrote, and fans were so excited to hear that he actually filmed a prequel, Pearl, right after completing X. Pearl stars Goth as a younger version of the old woman we meet in X, giving us a glimpse into her troublesome young adulthood. Goth co-wrote the script for Pearl with West. Next up, a sequel to X, called MaXXXine, hits theaters this summer on July 5, 2024.

If you haven't seen X yet, now is the perfect opportunity! Get caught up with the addicting slasher series before MaXXXine comes out in July.

Stream X (and Pearl):

• Stream X on Netflix
• Stream X on Paramount Plus
• Stream X on Amazon Prime Video with the Paramount Plus add-on
• Stream X on Hulu with the Paramount Plus add-on
• Stream Pearl on Paramount Plus
• Stream Pearl on Amazon Prime Video
• Stream Pearl on Hulu with the Paramount Plus add-on

Which horror movies are you watching this long holiday weekend?