The anticipated sequel Glass Onions: A Knives Out Mystery will be rated PG-13, and while horror fans often expect a film rated R to be absolutely terrifying, a PG-13 rating can instill a creepy atmosphere and scary moments as well. Well-crafted characters and wise jump scares can all make a movie horrifying, regardless of the rating.
Horror fans have taken to Reddit to share the films that have PG-13 ratings but are definitely chilling and get under the audiences' skin. These films have been released in the past few decades and stand out for being particularly eerie.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
Stream on Prime Video
The Exorcism of Emily Rose" as a scary PG-13 rated movie. Lawyer Erin Bruner begins working on Father Richard Moore's case, as he was thought to have murdered a young girl named Emily Rose. The priest wanted to get rid of Emily's demons and the result was terrible.
One of the best movies about exorcism, it's fascinating seeing Erin figure out this case, as this is definitely veering into unique legal territory. Like other films in the subgenre, it features some truly unsettling scenes. It's hard not to feel badly for Emily, who is so young and finds herself in a tragic situation.
Darkness Falls (2003)
Rent on AppleTV
Waiting for the tooth fairy is exciting, but in Darkness Falls, this famous figure becomes dangerous and terrifying. Redditor Unlucky-Potato-9034 said, "I was a 10 year old when I first watched it and it scared me for a whole month."
The film begins with a smart explanation for the evil Tooth Fairy: Matilda Dixon cursed the town that she lived in for their poor treatment of her. The main characters are teenagers who figure out the curse, and the result is a fun story that is a dark twist on a familiar character.
Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
Stream on Netflix
Mike Flanagan directed the well-crafted horror film Ouija: Origin of Evil, focusing on Alice Xander, who is a widow raising her family in the 1960s and running a business where she gives people psychic readings. It's a tale of demonic possession and also a smart family story, as it's clear that Alice really loves her children and wants the best for them.
Redditor BingoBarkington loves this movie and wrote that it has a "solid story, great acting, very likable characters, and of course great directing." It's definitely scarier than the PG-13 rating might suggest, and seeing young Doris hurt others during her possession is disturbing.
1408 (2007)
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For 1408" is a perfectly eerie PG-13 horror film. Adapted from Stephen King's short story, the movie has themes that are familiar to fans of King's work, from a writer involved in the supernatural to a haunted hotel.
Mike Enslin begins staying at a famous New York City hotel called The Dolphin and while he doesn't think that there are ghosts here, he is unfortunately proven wrong. While it might seem dull to watch a character in a hotel room for a whole movie, 1408 is surprising, unexpected, and fun.
The Others (2001)
Unavailable to stream
The Others" as a horrifying PG-13 rated movie and Redditor therewillbeniccage added, "Absolutely. I had no idea I was up for a seriously unsettling evening." While the twist is its most unforgettable part, The Others does have an excellent setting as a family lives in a big house in 1945 and thinks that ghosts are living among them.
A smart movie about the afterlife, The Others is full of jump scares that actually make perfect sense and a general feeling that there is a lot that the main character Grace doesn't know about the place she calls home. Although watching the movie for the first time is the most fun thanks to the surprise ending, it can still be enjoyed several times because of the atmosphere.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Stream on Tubi
Famous for its twist that changes everything in the story that came before it, The Sixth Sense" was a scary PG-13 movie, adding, "I was 11 when it came out." Redditor HopeThisHelps90 replied, "Very few movies remain this visceral to me years after seeing them, but this one is one of them."
From watching Cole Sears observe ghosts everywhere that he goes to the tough to watch scene when Kyra Collins's mom poisons her, The Sixth Sense has no shortage of unsettling moments.
The Visit (2015)
Rent on AppleTV
The Visit," which Redditor collins0911 mentioned as a PG-13 movie that stands out.
The twist of The Visit is its most memorable part, but the rest of the ride is enjoyable, too, as Tyler and Becca stay with their grandparents and find that things are not what they seem. Strong performances from the actors playing the two scared yet strong siblings contribute to the spine-tingling atmosphere.
Mama (2013)
Rent on AppleTV
Mama" is only rated PG but is definitely scary. Siblings Lily and Victoria are found in the forest where they have been for several years since a family tragedy.
Imagining what the young characters have seen and experienced is tragic, and as they talk about a woman named "Mama" who they say comes by often, audiences can't help but feel a chill going down their spine.
The Woman In Black (2012)
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For Daniel Radcliffe's best movies. Anytime a main character begins staying at or investigating an old house in the country, the location immediately makes audiences sit up and take notice.
The 1900s setting contributes to the overall bleak tone, as Arthur Kipps wants to find out more about a ghost so the residents of the otherwise peaceful area can rest easy and get back to their lives. The movie creates an excellent villain as The Woman In Black/Jennet Humfrye is truly eerie.
Drag Me To Hell (2009)
Rent on AppleTV
Sylvia Ganush is a creepy villain, making Drag Me To Hell feel like it should have a higher rating, as watching her curse loan officer Christine Brown is a truly heart-pounding experience. Redditor MrBrianWeldon posted that "Drag Me To Hell" is one of the scariest PG-13 movies.
While there's a sense of inevitable doom here, as it's hard to imagine Christine beating this curse and not actually going to hell, the movie is still entertaining. Sam Raimi's writing and direction are impressive.
