14 Summer Horror Movies to Watch This Month

Some horror movies just scream summer. Some follow young travelers as they try to survive the vacation from hell. Others feature hungry sharks or alligators. The thing that they have in common is that warm weather and idyllic settings juxtaposed with something sinister can make it all the more horrifying. Or funny, depending on the film’s intentions.

Here, I’ll explore some of my favorite summertime horror films that make it into my rotation every year. And one or two that may not get watched on an annual basis but are still worth a mention.

1. Midsommar – Ari Aster’s slow burn masterpiece is one of my favorite films. He employs over exposed camera work to give a sunny yet off putting tone over the proceedings. Computer generated special effects puts the viewer inside of the scenes during which characters are high on whatever drug they have taken. And Florence Pugh puts in a standout performance in what happens to be the longest breakup movie in recent memory. If you visit A24’s online store, you can purchase the extended edition of this film which comes with a hardcover book containing prints of the original art featured in the film. A perfect addition for any collector of physical media. Available to stream on most VOD sites.
2. Lake Placid – If slow burns aren’t your speed, then this 1999 horror comedy about an alligator attacking unsuspecting victims in a remote Maine lake will give you good laugh. It stars Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Brendan Gleeson, Oliver Platt, Meredith Salenger, and a hilarious Betty White and was directed by Steve Miner whose other horror credits include Halloween H20 and Friday the 13th Parts 2 & 3. Its rated R more for the use of f-bombs than gore, but the characters play off each other so well you won’t even care that this film isn’t at all scary. Currently streaming on Shudder, AMC+, and Philo.
3. The Bay – This found footage entry takes place on the 4th of July in a small Maryland town. A reporter in town for the holiday events ends up being witness to townspeople being eaten from the inside out by mutated isopods. As much about the hubris of man and how we systematically destroy the environment around us without consequence as it is about the body horror on screen, this one will make you think twice about going in the water. Currently streaming for free on Tubi and Plex, and on other sites for VOD.
4. Joy Ride – A college age road trip movie about two brothers and their friend as they drive back to their hometown. A practical joke sends them down a dangerous path as a semitruck driver stalks them down highways. Starring Paul Walker, Leelee Sobieski, Steve Zahn, and the voice of Ted Levine as the truck driver, it’s a fun Friday night watch. Just skip the pink champagne. Currently only available VOD on Prime and other VOD sites.
5. The Shallows – This Blake Lively shark movie didn’t get the credit it deserved when it was released. She is great in it and the character’s fight for survival is punctuated by her need to distance herself from her loved ones which left her isolated at the beach to begin with. The film isn’t as timeless as Jaws by any means, but it’s worth a watch if you’re enjoying some summer creature features. Available to stream on Starz, Philo, and VOD.
6. The Ruins – If you read my 10 must-read horror novels blog back in October, then you know my love for The Ruins by Scott Smith is unending. He also wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation about four college friends who visit some ancient ruins whilst vacationing in Mexico. Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Laura Ramsey, and Shawn Ashmore give great performances as the deadly vine that traps them upon the old ruin slowly consumes them. And talks. The vine in this film is one of the best non-human villains I can think of. Available on Shudder, AMC+, and Paramount+.
7. Sleepaway Camp – I could include the original Friday the 13th on this list of summer movies, but I’ll go with a lesser-known slasher film from the 1980s instead. Sleepaway Camp is a product of its time as the slasher gained popularity in the early 80s but it has a great twist ending. That is what makes it memorable and a standout film from 1981. Currently streaming on Fubo, Peacock, Screambox, and Night Flight Plus.
8. Piranha and Piranha 3D – Pair the 1978 Joe Dante original starring Heather Menzies (Louisa in The Sound of Music) and Scream Queen Barbara Steele with the 2010 remake starring Elisabeth Shue, Jerry O’Connell, Ving Rhames, Christopher Lloyd, and Adam Scott. The original wants to take itself seriously as the piranha make their way downriver to a summer camp but doesn’t quite get there as it can be unintentionally funny. The remake knows exactly what it is and leans heavily into the humor, gore, and profane nudity you would expect from spring breakers invading a small lakeside town where the fish attack. The two films couldn’t be more different, and that is what makes pairing them so fun. The original is streaming free on Plex. The remake is available on most VOD sites.
9. The Beach House – Lianna Liberto, Jake Weber, and Noah le Gros bring to life an apocalyptic horror film where a mysterious infection starts killing people. What makes this film so interesting is that it’s told from the perspective of four people instead of a larger population. It’s part creature feature, part body horror infection. Lianna Liberto is especially great in this. Currently streaming for free on Tubi and is available on most VOD sites.
10. Alligator – Robin Riker and Robert Forster star in this 1980 classic that plays with the alligator in the sewers urban legend and finds a way to make it terrifying in the process. With sequences shot in the confines of dark sewers, this film is at times as claustrophobic as it is horrifying as the alligator attacks children in swimming pools and a wedding. Currently streaming of Fubo, Shudder, and Peacock.
11. Wrong Turn – If Eliza Dushku ever wants to unretire from acting, I hope she does more horror films because this one ranks among my favorites. Also starring Desmond Harrington, Emmanuelle Chirqui, and Jeremy Sisto, this film follows a group of friends who go into the woods to camp and find themselves stranded and chased through the mountainside by crazed killers. Don’t confuse this with the 2021 remake which does not live up to this at all, though it’s streaming on Hulu. The 2003 original is available on most VOD sites.
12. Wolf Creek – This Australian horror film directed by Greg McLean follows two British women who travel into the outback with an Australian on a vacation only to become the victims of a crazed outback serial killer. Much derided and misunderstood upon its release, more people are watching this one now which makes me happy since it’s been it was in my top ten horror films for quite some time. My love for it remains and always will. Currently streaming on Fubo, Plex, and Tubi.
13. The Canyon – Eion Bailey and Yvonne Strahovski play honeymooners who hire a modern-day cowboy (Will Patton) to take them down into the Grand Canyon on a multiday camping trip. The film seems like it’s going to go down the evil tour guide route but then becomes a man vs. nature fight for survival film set against the vistas of the American southwest. If you liked The Mist for its bleak ending, this one might be your speed. Currently streaming on Tubi, Hoopla, Philo, and the Roku Channell.