[Editorial] Teen Screams: 10 of the Best Teenage Horror Films

The term ‘Teen Screams’ is so relevant right now and that’s purely because Scream 5 has hit the cinemas and the horror fandom world has gone absolutely mental, and for the right reasons. Whilst I might not be a fan of the Scream franchise, it made such a huge cultural impact, and went further than just reaching the hearts of die hard horror fans. There was something about Wes Craven’s 1996 slasher horror film that really made a difference when it came to genre films, and that history still shows today because people just cannot get enough of the fact that the franchise is getting a modern day resurgence, and bringing back some of the iconic cast members from the original film. 

Anyone who is a horror fan will agree that the 90s aren’t necessarily considered as the strongest years for the horror genre, but of course, there are always exceptions to this rule and that’s exactly what Scream was. The world already knew who Wes Craven was but he had his niches and with films like The Last House on the Left (1972), The Hills Have Eyes (1977) and The People Under the Stairs (1991) under his belt there is no wonder that it was mainly horror fans that got on-board with his most notable (at the time) franchise A Nightmare on Elm Street (1994). But Scream offered something to a wider audience - it made references to the horror genre, and in many ways didn’t take itself too seriously in comparison to other films of the same nature. This meant that more than the horror audience could enjoy the genre, and therefore it was one of the more widely accepted and popular horror films of its time. 

Hence why the world is going crazy right now for the new Scream movie, which is brought to us by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett both of who were behind the incredible Ready or Not from 2019 and garnered itself within the ‘good for her’ horror genre. So, we already know were in good hands with those two, plus we see the likes of Courtney Cox, David Arguette and never Campbell returning so that’s just got everyone stupidly excited. But, enough about the new movie because we’ll be covering it at Ghouls Magazine and I don’t want to spoil anything. This film got me thinking about teen screams and what other horror films were similar in their portrayal of teens getting slashed to death and might also be appropriate for teens who are just getting into horror - because let’s be honest, going to see Scream on the big screen as a teen will be such an awesome experience for many younger generations this year. 

I asked the horror community what films they recommend as ‘Teen Screams’ - whether that’s ones they love featuring teenagers or ones they would suggest to younger generations who are looking for something to watch as a ‘starter’ - or a combination of both. 

The Hole (2001)
Dir. Nick Hamm

This one was a personal favourite of mine when I was younger, and it seems to also be a favourite amongst the horror community as so many people suggested this one too. Before we get into it, it’s worth mentioning that Laurence Fox is a piece of trash so if you do show the teens this one - just make sure they know he’s a complete douchebag. 

Take a bunch of teens, throw them in a hole with no way out and wait to see what happens… You already know it’s never going to end well. I remember watching this one with my Dad and also alone and being very disturbed at the scenes that played out on screen, with the psychological elements of the film really playing on me. It’s not particularly a great film but it’s certainly a fun one with lots of dark moments. 

House of Wax (2005)
Dir. Jaume Collett-Serra

I would have loved to be recommending the original House of Wax (1953) but in all honesty, that film just isn’t quite a teen screams one, and probably not really as fun. Whereas the remake is just a barrel of laughs and was a great way to include some of pop culture’s favourite celebrities and make sure we all got to watch them die in horrible circumstances. 

This was a film I watched in my teens at a sleepover and what a hoot we had - seeing Paris Hilton get obliterated in the way she does really made us all scream and laugh with excitement. Watching a group of not very smart friends come up against a maniac in a town full of wax models is both creepy as hell (there are some frightening scenes) and very fun. 

The Loved Ones (2010)
Dir. Sean Byrne

Perhaps this film might not be quite as suitable as some of the others to show a teenager due to some of the content it explicits, but considering what teens can access nowadays it’s probably the least of any parents' problems. 

What really happens when you turn down a girl as a prom date? She gets her Dad involved and they horrifically torture you. Yep. Brent turns down Lola for prom and she does exactly that - mutilating and humiliating him with her Dad to show Brent that you don’t just turn Lola Stone down. It’s very nasty and pretty graphic, but also features some dark Australian humour which will abode well with most teens. 

The Evil Dead (1981)
Dir. Sam Raimi

This might not seem like the most logical first choice to go on this list but it’s teenagers fucking around in the woods, and not the type of fucking that they were hoping they would be doing. Arguably they might be a little bit older than teens, but they're close enough in age that I feel this film appropriately sits on this list. 

The Evil Dead was my entry point into horror, and I feel strongly that any teenager will have fun with it if they’re just starting out on their horror film journey. It is a little bit dated now, and that could be a struggle but it’s got some great scares and some good laughs, and if the teen watching likes it, then they can continue the franchise and have a super fun time with it. 

The Craft (1996)
Dir. Andrew Fleming

An absolute staple film when it comes to teen screams, and one that has proven itself time and time again to be one of the most popular witch films out there. So many teenagers will go through a witchy phase and most of us never get out of it, and The Craft just personifies everything us creepy teens want to be. 

The film follows four high-school girls who have a supernatural gift, which they are harnessing the power of but as all teen films go - someone gets jealous, boys get involved, girls get involved and things turn a little bit nasty. It's an iconic film from the 90s and will make most teens want to embrace the fashion of the time and dip into some of the awesome music.

Final Destination franchise
Dir. Various

Looking for some fun? Well then, the Final Destination franchise is for you! These films were sleepover classics because you finally got to watch some proper gore that made everyone scream, and your parents didn’t feel too concerned that you were watching subject matter that might haunt your brain forever. 

They’re not the greatest films and they weren’t designed to be - these are films that know exactly what they’re doing and they do it well. Watching kids on a roller coaster get decapitated? Yes please! Even to this day they’re easy to watch films that are pretty gory and visceral, but don’t leave you feeling like you’ve seen something horribly depraved. 

It Follows (2014)
Dir. David Robert Mitchell

Now this might be a film that does actually scare the shit out of anyone watching it but it might also be the most perfect film to show any sexual active teens to discourage them. I watched this film in my 20s so perhaps I was a little older, but it is a modern day horror masterpiece and genuinely terrifying, so no matter your age this film is always a recommendation. 

Being sexually active can result in STDs but in It Follows it can result in something far more sinister - a demonic presence that will not stop following you until you are dead. Now if that’s not better than a condom I don’t know what is. It’s not a fun film by any means, but is a great example of how to take a topical subject amongst teens and make it horror. 

Carrie (1976)
Dir. Brian De Palma

We just love films that show teens getting revenge don’t we? Carrie would make a great accompaniment film to The Loved Ones because it centers around prom, and around one teenage girl who has been wronged by someone. 

Originally a Stephen King book, which also comes highly recommended, the film looks at one girl who is a bit of an outcast and has been bullied by not only everyone at school but also by her own mother. She discovers she has supernatural powers and after being humiliated time and time again, decides its time to put them to good use and show them she’s not to be fucked with. 

Fear Street Trilogy (2021)
Dir. Leigh Janiak

Taking inspiration from some of the list featured here and many films from the past is Netflix’s Fear Street Trilogy which is a three part series centralised on a group of teens who find themselves going up against an evil witch that is determined to possess the teens of the town, and brutalise anyone that she deems worthy of death. 

Each segment focuses on a different year - 1994, 1978, 1666 - but follows the same characters as they go through. It really brings together different horror tropes and subgenres to give the audience something fun, frightening and at times very, very bloody. This would make a perfect starter into the horror genre for any teens really keen to get their teeth into something that showcases the different elements of horror. 

The Lost Boys (1987)
Dir. Joel Schumacher

Everyone wants to be a vampire when they’re younger right? Actually, scrap that. We all want to be vampires forever and ever, and it feels like one of the reasons for that was having watched The Lost Boys and realised that being a blood-sucking creature of the night IS as cool as it looks. 

The first time I watched this film, my instant thoughts were clarification that vampires are the sexiest, coolest and damn right badass horror monsters that exist and being a teen vampire would be awesome. Which is pretty much the vibes of the film as two young boys are suddenly thrown into the dangerous world when they move to a small town - but obviously it does come with some downsides including death. 

Other recommendations:

• Urban Legend

• Cry Wolf 

• The Faculty

• Idle Hands

• Disturbing Behaviour

• I Know What You Did Last Summer

• Escape Room

• Tragedy Girls 

• Happy Death Day

• The Final Girls

• Assassination Nation

• Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

• Nightmare on Elm Street

• Night of the Creeps

• Night of the Demons

• Ginger Snaps

• The Babysitter

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