In real life, games are always fun, and whether someone likes Scrabble, Wordle, or Cards Against Humanity, they’re a great way to pass the time alone or in a group. In the horror genre, games are much more important, and winning can mean surviving instead of being killed by some horrible villain or magical element.
From hide and seek played on a wedding night to a movie that focuses on truth or age-old game action, Redditors share their recommendations for scary movies that focus on deadly and terrifying games.
You’re Next (2011)
Stream on Starz
An editor in chief suggested”you are next“and although it’s not a movie about a traditional game, it does feature villains who toy with and manipulate the other characters. Erin and her boyfriend Crispin Davison are going to a family event and there are some intruders there who wear animal masks.
you are next has a huge twist and Erin isn’t what audiences originally believe, proving that some of the most interesting horror movies are about characters who have unexpected backstories and motivations.
Truth or Dare (2018)
Rent on AppleTV
When you reply in a horror movie thread that focuses on characters playing horrible games, Writer jir9493 said “Truth or Dare was okay.” While not one of Blumhouse’s best horror films, Truth or Dare does a decent job of showing how threatening this type of game can get.
When Olivia Barron travels to Mexico with her friends, they are embroiled in a vicious version of truth or dare. If the characters don’t listen to the rules, they won’t make it out alive. The only way to survive is to force others to play.
Stay Alive (2006)
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There are some great horror movies about video games and Redditor Etherealmoeba advised Stay alive. The fan wrote, “It’s definitely a B-movie, but I remember it scaring the crap out of me when I was younger.”
When multiple characters play the game Stay alive and are then murdered, it becomes clear that this will likely happen to everyone involved. Main characters Abigail and Hutch become friends and team up to solve the horrific mystery.
Saw (2004)
Rent on AppleTV
Seen has a twisted ending, and fans love dissecting this 2004 film because there are compelling signs of what was to come. Redditor glados817 posted that Seen and its sequel are “phenomenal ‘survival game movies’ as well as horror thrillers”.
Jigsaw is such a horrible villain because he plays games with the people he’s captured, asking them how badly they want to live. The franchise is so popular because it’s a truly haunting premise.
Fun Games (2007)
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Redditor Sevvie82 said “funny games” is a good choice for a scary movie about people playing a game. The movie is a dark story about two men invading a lakeside house and torturing the family staying there, expecting a nice vacation and relaxing.
The 2007 remake of the 1997 film tells the same story, as Peter and Paul tell George and Ann Farber that they should bet on their deaths before tomorrow. The film is known for its art style, as the characters speak directly to the audience.
Corpse (2017)
Stream on Fubo and Tubi
There are several games that lend themselves perfectly to horror movies, hide-and-seek being one of the main contenders, as it involves characters sneaking up on each other and finding dark corners to hang out in. Redditor UFOhMy advised Corpsewriting that it’s “interesting if a bit campy. A group of friends are playing a game of hide and seek.”
A group of nine friends have just graduated and they go to a country house to have fun, and they end up playing this game. The movie has a scary setting as the characters are in the middle of nowhere and they have to guess who is the killer among them.
Cube (1998)
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cube is a cult classic horror movie and replying in a gaming oriented horror movie thread, Redditor fr4gge said “cube is your choice.” It has earned a reputation in the horror genre for being absolutely unnerving.
In the Canadian film, five main characters find themselves in small rooms with no clear exit. They begin to think about why they are there and what it might mean. The premise is absolutely terrifying and the characters are affected by the desperate situation.
Escape Room (2019)
Stream on Starz
IRL, an escape room is a fun way to pass the time, and it’s a cool challenge to team up with other people and see if you can guess the correct answer and solve clues.
The movie 2019 escape room sees a group of characters invited to play a game that ends up being more than they bargained for. Redditor Dragon7247 recommended it and said, “It’s one of my all-time favorites.” There’s someone manipulating all the characters and the movie is fast and scary.
Would You Rather (2012)
Stream on AMC+
One of the best horror movies of the 2010s, would you rather tells the story of Iris, who goes to a dinner party that ends up being a dangerous game. Iris wants to find a donor for Raleigh, her brother with cancer. Redditor cthulutx says that would you rather is “Not bad at all.”
The acting in the movie is gruesome, as the characters have to choose between two outcomes that both involve inflicting pain on someone else. Iris serves as the final female character as tough and stubborn as many, knowing she’s in this horrible game so she can help her brother. The ending is definitely one that will stun the audience.
Ready or Not (2019)
Rent on AppleTV
Redditor alana2395 said “Ready or Not? could be fun” if horror fans are looking for games movies. While hide and seek is always a hit at children’s birthday parties, playing this particular game is torture for Grace Le Domas. Grace just got married and learns that she in-laws wants to sacrifice her in a ritual she never could have imagined.
The question of whether Grace can play this game is central to the film, and Grace throws everything she has into the quest. It’s definitely not what you expect to do on your wedding night.
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