The greatest small town horror movies offer something special for people who like to be scared. In these settings, there are fewer places for characters to hide from whatever evil is lurking. Because the best locations are often remote, help isn't necessarily nearby, either. That makes the stories inherently frightening to watch. The peril for the characters seems all that more real. The scariest movies about small towns include classics such as The Amityville Horror and Halloween, but there are many others. So if you are into terrifying movies that take place in an isolated or seemingly picturesque setting, this list is for you.
Vote up your favorite small town horror films and help them get to the top of the list. If you don't see your favorite scary movie, add it and then check back later to see how other users are ranking your pick.
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14417Halloween
Jamie Lee Curtis, Kyle RichardsReleased: 1978
Directed by: John Carpenter
Halloween is a 1978 American independent slasher horror film directed and scored by John... more2
8219Jaws
Steven Spielberg, Richard DreyfussReleased: 1975
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Jaws is a 1975 American thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter... more3
9731Jeepers Creepers
Justin Long, Eileen BrennanReleased: 2001
Directed by: Victor Salva
Jeepers Creepers is a 2001 American horror film written and directed by Victor Salva. The film... more4
892930 Days of Night
Josh Hartnett, Melissa GeorgeReleased: 2007
Directed by: David Slade
For centuries, vampires have stayed in the dark, forced to hide each morning or else be... more5
7221John Carpenter's The Fog
Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet LeighReleased: 1980
Directed by: John Carpenter
The Fog is a 1980 American horror film directed by John Carpenter, who also co-wrote the... more6
7221Gremlins
Steven Spielberg, Corey FeldmanReleased: 1984
Directed by: Joe Dante
Gremlins is a 1984 American horror comedy film directed by Joe Dante, released by Warner Bros.... more7
9340Pet Sematary
Jason Clarke, Amy SeimetzReleased: 2019
Directed by: Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer
Pet Sematary is a 2019 American supernatural horror film directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis... more8
9139The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Jessica Biel, R. Lee ErmeyReleased: 2003
Directed by: Marcus Nispel
This film is a 2003 American horror film, and a remake of the 1974 horror film of the same... more9
8435Jeepers Creepers 2
Justin Long, Nicki AycoxReleased: 2003
Directed by: Victor Salva
Jeepers Creepers 2 is a 2003 American horror film written and directed by Victor Salva,... more10
8334It
Jaeden Lieberher, Bill SkarsgårdReleased: 2017
Directed by: Andy Muschietti
It (also known as It: Chapter One) is a 2017 American supernatural horror film directed by... more11
6116Carrie
John Travolta, Sissy SpacekReleased: 1976
Directed by: Brian De Palma
Carrie is a 1976 American supernatural horror film based on Stephen King's first major 1974... more12
7532Sinister
Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'OnofrioReleased: 2012
Directed by: Scott Derrickson
Sinister is a 2012 supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and written by... more13
6626The Mist
Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay HardenReleased: 2007
Directed by: Frank Darabont
The Mist is a 2007 American science fiction horror film directed by Frank Darabont, and based... more14
6628The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Gunnar Hansen, Marilyn BurnsReleased: 1974
Directed by: Tobe Hooper
This movie is a 1974 American slasher film, directed and produced by Tobe Hooper, who cowrote... more15
5524Lake Placid
Betty White, Mariska HargitayReleased: 1999
Directed by: Steve Miner
Lake Placid is a 1999 American monster horror comedy film. The film was written by David E.... more16
4619The Faculty
Salma Hayek, UsherReleased: 1998
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
The Faculty is a 1998 science fiction horror film written by Kevin Williamson and directed by... more17
6943A Nightmare on Elm Street
Johnny Depp, Robert EnglundReleased: 1984
Directed by: Wes Craven
A Nightmare on Elm Street is a 1984 American supernatural slasher horror film written and... more18
4923Children of the Corn
Linda Hamilton, Peter HortonReleased: 1984
Directed by: Fritz Kiersch
Children of the Corn is a 1984 supernatural horror film based upon the 1977 short story of the... more19
4323Pumpkinhead
Mayim Bialik, Lance HenriksenReleased: 1989
Directed by: Stan Winston
Pumpkinhead is a 1988 American supernatural horror film. It was the directorial debut of... more20
3617Christine
Kelly Preston, Alexandra PaulReleased: 1983
Directed by: John Carpenter
Christine is a 1983 American horror thriller film directed by John Carpenter and starring... more21
5033Halloween III: Season of the Witch
Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom AtkinsReleased: 1982
Directed by: Tommy Lee Wallace
Halloween III: Season of the Witch is a 1982 American science fiction horror film. The film is... more22
4124Crawl
Kaya Scodelario, Barry PepperReleased: 2019
Directed by: Alexandre Aja
Crawl is a 2019 American horror film directed by Alexandre Aja. A young woman (Kaya... more23
3517The Blob
Steve McQueen, Aneta CorsautReleased: 1958
Directed by: Irvin Yeaworth
The Blob is an independently made 1958 American horror/science fiction film directed by Irvin... more24
3820It Follows
Maika Monroe, Keir GilchristReleased: 2014
Directed by: David Robert Mitchell
It Follows is a 2014 supernatural psychological horror film written and directed by David... more25
4327Slither
Elizabeth Banks, Jenna FischerReleased: 2006
Directed by: James Gunn
Slither is a 2006 American science fiction-comedy horror film written and directed by James... more
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