The best PG-13 horror movies prove that excessive violence, gore, or sexual content aren't necessary to create a terrifying film. Not only do PG-13 horror movies deliver many of the same kinds of jump scares and terrifying monsters as R-rated offerings, but some remain the most iconic examples of the genre. Genuinely scary PG-13 movies aren't that rare, and despite their age rating guidance, they're far from tame. Many PG-13 horror movies are well-known classics too, with many of the most successful horror franchises having entries that aren't R-rated.

The best PG-13 horror movies prove that terrifying scenes are the product of skillful direction and great acting. The most frightening things to a person exist in their imagination, something horror movies without an R-rating use to their advantage. Many PG-13 horror movies stimulate that imaginative part of the viewer's brain to great effect, creating something much scarier than any R-rated horror could. Whether they’re taking a comedic approach to the genre or telling a deadly serious story, these PG-13 horror movies never sacrifice quality to hit their rating.

55 The Final Girls (2015)

A Time-Travel Horror-Comedy Ode To 80s Horror Movies

Many horror comedies offer a more lighthearted look at the genre, which can sometimes lead to a movie that is better suited for younger audiences, such as The Final Girls. The film follows a young girl named Max, who is grieving over the death of her mother, who happened to be a famous “Scream Queen” of the 1980s horror era. However, Max soon finds herself pulled into one of her mother's movies where she is able to reunite with her while also having to flee the serial killer.

Like Scream and Cabin in the Woods, The Final Girls has a lot of fun using the tropes of the genre in a self-referential way. It is more comedic than either of these movies, largely because the gore is also toned down. However, even though it is tamer, it does a good job paying homage to 1980s horror movies while also poking fun at them.

54 The Mummy (1999)

Brendan Fraser Leads The Horror-Adventure Remake

The Mummy is one of the most iconic horror movie monsters of all time, going back to the heyday of the Universal Monsters films. While there have been mixed results in trying to update these monsters in more modern movies, 1999’s The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser is often regarded as the best. Fraser stars as an adventurer who is recruited by a scholar to help her uncover the secrets of an ancient tomb in Egypt. However, upon discovering it, they accidentally unleash an ancient mummy.

While The Mummy movie series never did top this original, it still holds up as a terrific example of how to do a blockbuster horror movie that can appeal to a wide audience. It is not gory, but the horror elements of the story are never lost. From people being consumed by man-eating bugs to the Mummy robbing people of their organs, to thrilling battles, The Mummy is a popcorn movie with some crowd-pleasing terror.

53 The Monster Squad (1987)

Shane Black's Horror-Comedy Features Classic Movie Monsters

Shane Black is a filmmaker known for his action movies like Lethal Weapon and his crime-comedies like The Nice Guys, but one of his first scripts to be produced in Hollywood was for the cult classic horror comedy The Monster Squad. The movie follows a group of young horror-obsessed friends who find themselves confronted with some real horror when Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, and The Wolfman come to their hometown.

The movie is like an early version of Stranger Things with a group of likable young heroes doing battle with some genuinely scary creatures. However, the horror is also underplayed thanks to the humor of the script. While it is considerably more toned down than many of Black’s other projects, it still contains his wry sense of humor, which has helped The Monster Squad become a nostalgic favorite.

52 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

The Second Thriller In The Cloverfield Universe

While Cloverfield was able to tell a monster movie with a PG-13 rating, 10 Cloverfield Lane proves it can tell a completely different horror story without having to move to the R-rating. The second entry in the Cloverfield universe stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as a young woman who, following a car accident, wakes up in a bunker where a man (John Goodman) tells her the Earth is under attack and the surface world is no longer safe.

The movie builds great tension in not knowing if the real threat is outside of the bunker or within the bunker. Winstead makes for a terrific grounded hero, while Goodman is chilling as the mysterious man. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the story, but it is a movie that gets its horror from the atmosphere rather than violence.

51 King Kong (2005)

Peter Jackson's Epic Remake Of The Hollywood Classic

There have been many King Kong movies over the years, and most of them at least touch on the horror elements of the story. However, it was Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake of King Kong that proved to be the most horrific, with many of the scariest aspects of the movie not coming from the titular giant ape, but rather from the other creatures of Skull Island.

The movie stars Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, and Jack Black as a filmmaking crew who venture to the mysterious island to capture the rumored oddities. However, they are soon set upon by the deadly creatures while also being pursued by Kong, the ruler of the island. It is an epic retelling of the tale with some amazing visual effects work. The scene in which the crew finds themselves in the den of a variety of crawling critters is incredibly intense and harrowing, reconnecting Jackson to his horror roots.

50 The Haunting (1999)

A Haunted House Remake With A Strong Cast

The Haunting is one of the best PG-13 horror movies even if it isn't the most critically acclaimed, as it excels at building atmospheric tension and suspense as opposed to horrific violence. The Haunting follows Dr. John Markway (Liam Neeson), who investigates supernatural phenomena and tries to uncover the mystery of a haunted mansion with a group of intrigued individuals, forming an ensemble that includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson, and Lili Taylor.

The horror is far more psychological than physical, as it utilizes a claustrophobic and dark setting, and the characters becoming increasingly manic is anxiety-inducing. Some of the special effects in The Haunting might seem a little dated compared to newer movies, but it still holds up, and the slow-burn dread is just as effective in the 2020s as it was in 1999 — especially for viewers taking their first forays into horror.

49 Critters 3 (1991)

One Of Leonardo DiCaprio's Earliest Acting Roles

Critters 3 isn't exactly a standout movie in the wider cinematic landscape, as it failed to resonate with either critics or audiences on release. However, the threequel has had a firm hold in pop culture thanks to it being Leonardo DiCaprio's first major movie role, and among horror movie enthusiasts it's ed incredibly fondly.

The 1991 horror is about a clang of furry alien creatures that terrorizes any human they come into with — a simple premise that lends itself to Critters 3's charm. Though the movie went direct to video and it certainly cheesy at times, Critters 3 has retroactively become hugely entertaining to watch now that DiCaprio is one of the most beloved actors of this generation, and even his role in Critters 3 hinted at his potential greatness. These movies have a reputation as ripoffs of the more successful Gremlins, but they deserve praise for making a successful horror franchise in its own right.

48 AVP: Alien Vs. Predator (2004)

A Movie Based On The Comics That Brought The Horror Icons Together

In 2004, Alien vs. Predator was ridiculed for being PG-13, as the movie pits two of the most iconic horror villains ever against each other. The two aliens are known for their grotesque kills and the rating neuters that. While it's still far from the epic face-off horror flick it could've been, Alien vs. Predator is satisfying enough as a mashup movie.

The 2004 movie is full of scares, and the iconic antagonists' presence alone is enough to instill fear in audiences. There is a sense of missed opportunities with some of the kills, but watching the alien villains spare still makes for a fun time for fans of these two sci-fi horror franchises. Ironically, the sequel, Alien vs. Predator: Requiem is rated R, and received worse reviews than its predecessor.

47 Van Helsing (2004)

A Failed Attempt To Revive The Universal Monsters

Van Helsing may not be the most out-and-out scary PG-13 horror movie, but its blend of action with macabre themes and aesthetics allows it to stand out. Other than the Brendan Fraser-led The Mummy series, Universal has struggled to successfully bring its monster IPs to the big screen in the 21st century. The 2017 Mummy reboot ended the Universal Monster Universe before it began, and 2004's Van Helsing didn't perform any better.

Whether it's going for the nostalgia factor or Hugh Jackman's performance as the vampire hunter, the movie is extremely entertaining two decades later. The 2004 Van Helsing turns the vampire hunter into a cool action hero as opposed to the dark and feared vampire slayer he's known as, which divided audiences, but its campy fun is undeniable as audiences get to see him take on the likes of Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and The Wolfman.

46 47 Meters Down (2017)

An Underwater Shark-Infested Horror Movie

Survival movies set in and around shark-infested waters are nothing new, but there has never been a truly terrifying one that's PG-13. However, 47 Meters Down is exactly that, as the movie follows two sisters who are invited to cage dive, which leads to one of the most surprisingly intense 80 minutes, especially as it had a shockingly low budget for a movie that requires so many digital effects.

Though it requires suspension of disbelief in some areas, 47 Meters Down remains a solid entry into the shark movie genre. While the kills are tamer than other movies of this kind, it still captures that feeling of dread of the deadly creatures lurking silently until the surface of the water. It makes for an easy watch and a solid time.