Best horror films without jumpscares to watch this Halloween

If you love a good scare but don’t want to spill your snacks every couple of minutes, you are in the right place. These scary movies skip the jump scares and instead go straight for the slow-burn chills.

From unsettling atmospheres and eeriness to stories that burrow under your skin, we have rounded up the ten best horror movies to watch solo or with your favourite ghouls.

You don’t need jump scares to get your heart racing – grab the popcorn, dims the lights and prepare to be spooked.Horror films with all the thrills but no scares

You don't need a jump scare to make a good horror film! There's loads of terrifyingly good horror films that makes your heart race, your palms sweat but keep you hooked in all the same way. When a horror film is done right, it lingers with you and makes you think, even after the credits have finished rolling.

Here's five aspects every good horror film does right:

Hate jump scares but still love a good fright? We’ve got you covered. Some of the best horror films don’t need sudden shocks to make your skin crawl, they sneak up on you with unsettling stories, haunting performances and an atmosphere you can almost feel.

From slow-burn thrillers to eerie supernatural tales, here are the horror films without jumpscares that that prove fear can whisper just as effectively as it screams:

Get Out

Available to stream on Netflix

Jordan Peel takes the everyday awkwardness of meeting your partner’s parents and cranks it up to become nightmare fuel. Get Out isn’t just a horror film, it’s the type of horror film that gets under your skin and stays there, long after you’ve stopped checking over your shoulder. A psychological rollercoaster, this one is a must watch if you're looking for a horror film you're going to be remembering for a very long time.

Parasite

Available to stream on Netflix

Parasite is full of the twists and turns that keep you gripped from the very first scene. Packed with amazing characters, locations that stay with you, and scenes that will leave you reeling, Bong Joon-ho serves up a mix of dark comedy, drama and suspense. It's a story about how far people will go to climb the social ladder, and it's the sort of horror film that will have you hitting rewind the second the credits roll around.

Edward Scissorhands

Available to stream on Disney+, BBC iPlayer

A classic horror film, Edward Scissorhands is a popular choice for many of us. While this isn’t like your typical horror movies, this sweet yet strange choice is great for film fans of all ages. Johnny Depp’s gothic outsider tries his best to fit into the pastel suburbia around him, using his Scissorhands to trim hedges, hair and even our hearts along the way.

Midsommar

Available to stream on Prime Video, Apple TV

Set in a Swedish festival that is anything but festive, Florence Pugh and Ari Aster give us a daylight-drenched unsettling horror film to enjoy. Don’t be fooled by the sunshine and smiles – this slow-burn horror film will have you talking about it long after the movie has ended. Equal parts folk tale and full-blown nightmare fuel, Midsommar is a perfect choice to watch alone or with your fellow horror lovers.

The Blair Witch Project

Available to stream on BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Apple TV

Shot like a found-footage documentary, The Blair Witch Project is a horror classic that is interestingly jump scare free! That doesn't mean it won't have you scared of the woods when the sun goes down! Following the story of three student filmmakers who vanish while doing some investigating, this is a story that will have you feeling chills. While you might not see the Blair Witch, your imagination fills in the gaps, proving that sometimes the scariest thing of all is what you don’t see.

A Quiet Place II

Available to stream on Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video, Apple TV

Ok, we admit, this one does have a few mini scares in there. But don't worry, it's worth covering your eyes for this one! John Krasinski and Emily Blunt provide us with the gripping sequel in the Quiet Place franchise. Packed full of tense moments, A Quiet Place II will have you on the edge of your seat, proving that even complete silence can be creepy. Hold your breath while the Abbott family navigate a world that is deadly, and even less forgiving.

The Lighthouse

Available to stream on Prime Video, Apple TV, Sky Store

Set against crashing waves and eerie distant foghorns, this black and white masterpiece is both unsettling but gripping in the best way possible. Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson tell us the story of two lighthouse keepers who slowly descend into madness and lose their grip on reality. Mind-bending and moody, The Lighthouse is one you should keep the lights on for, while still keeping it jump scares free!

Saw

Available to stream on ITVX, Prime Video, Apple TV and more

Do you want to play a game? One of the most famous horror films out there, this infamous franchise kicks off with a chilling message from Jigsaw. Two strangers find themselves trapped in a tricky situation, and you will be on edge watching them make impossible choices to survive. Saw will leave you questioning what you would do in that situation, and how far would you go to survive.

Nosferatu

Available to stream on NOWTV, Apple TV, Prime Video

Perfect for a dark night-in, Robert Eggers reawakens the vampire myth of Nosferatu with style. Watch as Ellen and Thomas Hutter invite mysterious Count Orlok into their lives, unaware of what gothic nightmare faces them. A remake of the century-old cult classic and with a powerhouse cast including Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp, this is definitely one to add to your next horror movie night.

American Psycho

Available to stream on Prime Video, Apple TV

Another classic horror, dive into the world of 1980s New York high-flyers through the story of Patrick Bateman. While he might look like he has it all together, Christian Bale’s character is hiding a secret that is as much impressive as it is sinister. While American Psycho isn’t your typical thriller, it is packed with bold and brutal moments which will leave you questioning what is real, and whether you should change your morning routine.

Whether you are in the mood for a haunting classic or a modern mind-bender, you can stream all your horror favourites from the comfort of your sofa with Virgin TV.

The best bit? We'll give you Netflix Standard with ads at no extra cost with all of our tv bundles, so you can stream your sock off just for being with Virgin Media.

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