Humans as a species like to be scared and thrilled. In our society we typically don't have to be on our toes all the time as our cavemen ancestors did. Over time our lifestyles have changed but our brain composition has not. It craves to have some stimulation that typically only horror films can provide. Many people are only in the mood to see a scary film during the spooky season of Halloween, but if your body craves more, there are plenty of films and TV shows to scratch that itch.
'Psycho' (1960)
A Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run, and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the control of his mother.
"Psycho" also influenced the TV show "Bates Motel," which shows the young man before his murderous future, along with how his relationship with his mother rattled his psyche. Norman Bates is based on real-life killer Ed Gein.
'The Babadook' (2014)
A widowed mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her. "The Babadook" plays on the fear of children in horror Movies and brings to life the bedtime story that ultimately helps the family find closure following the father's death. The film deals with nefarious subjects like possession.
'Mama' (2013)
A young couple take in their two nieces only to suspect that a supernatural spirit named Mama has latched itself onto their family.
If you are interested in following the story as well as being scared, this movie provides that. Despite the jump scares and the terror, the storyline stays in the front of your mind and you begin trying to predict when Mama will show up.
'Supernatural' (2005)
Two brothers follow their father's footsteps as hunters, fighting evil supernatural beings of many kinds, including monsters, demons, and gods that roam the earth.
Even though there are some episodes that are funnier than others, the writers have managed to pack horror stories including Bloody Mary into compact, hour-long shows that will still make you writhe in your seat.
'American Horror Story' (2011)
This is an anthology series centering on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an insane asylum, a witch coven, a freak show, a hotel, a possessed farmhouse, and a cult.
Some of the seasons do focus on more supernatural elements and still include gruesome stories using history as a reference, while other seasons include real-life situations like cults and serial killers, making the fear even more real.
'Dexter' (2006)
By day, mild-mannered Dexter is a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami police. But at night, he is a serial killer who only targets other murderers. In this series you really get into the inner thoughts of this serial killer, and you see how easily some killers are able to rationalize their actions. Perhaps the real fear is how easily you can identify with the killer.
None of the items on this list include documentaries or docu-series which provide a more in-depth look into murders and situations of terror. The stories on this list are fictional, and they are not as scary as a documentary based on actual events.
