Best Horror Movies about Group of friends

“But friends are good…” That is an unforgettable line from the Turkish cult classic Tabutta Rövaşata (Somersault in a Coffin). I love that movie, and while it has absolutely nothing to do with this list, I figured I’d open with it since our topic is ‘friends.’ Specifically: Horror movies featuring friend groups. Naturally, when you think of this trope, Slasher movies are the first thing that comes to mind—and they do produce some of the best examples. However, since we already have a rock-solid list dedicated to Slashers on the site, I’m going to try to steer clear of that genre here. For those curious, I’ll drop the link to our Best Slasher Movies list right here.There are barely any movies not involving a group of friends. What’s your angle here?’ I can practically hear you saying that. Or maybe you’re expecting a list of 250 movies. However, I specifically tried to select films where the ‘friend group’ dynamic is emphasized as a central theme, rather than just a background detail. So, that narrowed the list down significantly. Without further ado, let’s get into it.

Host (2020)

A group of friends hire a medium to conduct a seance over Zoom, and… Things Escalate. Don’t be quick to ask, “How gripping can a story about a friend group on a Zoom call really be?” because this film truly pulls it off. It manages to keep both the curiosity and tension alive right up until the very last moment. Despite requiring such static acting (literally sitting in front of a screen), it succeeds in being incredibly high-tempo. It perfectly captures the spirit of those ‘certain times’ when we were stuck at home and accustomed to doing absolutely everything online.

The Descent (2006)

Hailed by British critics as the best horror film of 2005, this one always secures a spot on my personal favorites list. Although I still find the logic of taking a friend suffering from PTSD into a dark, claustrophobic cave to “cheer her up” a bit questionable, the film itself is excellent. Our main character, Sarah, is grieving the loss of her daughter when she joins her friends for a caving adventure. However, once inside, they encounter unexpected dangers and are forced into a brutal fight for survival.

 

Dreamcatcher (2003)

Adapted from the Stephen King novel in 2003, this film feels like a compilation of every theme King loves to explore. The story, shaped around a childhood friendship and their adult lives, is packed with flashbacks, telepathy, mind games, UFOs, and bizarre occurrences. However, I have to be honest: considering its flaws and excessive runtime, this isn’t exactly the shining star of the list.

 

The Ritual (2017)

Adapted from Adam Nevill’s novel of the same name, the film begins with four old college friends embarking on a trekking trip into the mountains of Norway to honor the memory of a lost friend. However, after an accident leads to an injury in the woods, they choose an alternative route to take a shortcut back. But on this new path, they find themselves stalked by a mysterious and dark force. The film stands out with its visually striking scenes and impressive horror atmosphere. I see no harm in stating that this is one of the finer examples of the Folk Horror sub-genre.

 

Coherence (2012)

The story kicks off with a passing comet causing strange anomalies on Earth. Amidst these effects, a group of friends gathered for a dinner party begin to experience mysterious and frightening occurrences. Triggered by a seemingly simple event, a sudden power outage and the sight of lights on in a neighbor’s house, the film dives into complex themes like parallel universes, timelines, and alternate realities, completely messing with your head. However, the real claim to fame of this low-budget gem isn’t just its mind-bending nature; it’s the fact that it manages to keep the tension consistently high.

 

Midsommar (2019)

I’m going to assume there’s no one left who hasn’t heard of this famous A24 flick, so I’ll toss the obligation of explaining the basics aside. Our lead, Dani, has lost her family in a tragedy. She occupies the position of “girlfriend to the only non-single guy” in a friend group that screams “bros” you know, that specific vibe we see all over Twitter these days. When this group decides to attend a traditional Midsommar festival in Sweden, Dani somehow manages to tag along. Now, don’t let this description make you think I’m looking down on the movie. Let me be clear: this might be the strongest film on the list. Unlike typical horror movies, it takes place in bright sunshine yet drags the viewer into deep tension and a disturbing atmosphere. It’s visually powerful, with detailed pagan rituals. It also handles themes of relationships and grief masterfully, with Dani’s personal journey and transformation taking center stage.

 

The Ruins (2008)

It covers the terrifying events experienced by a group of young tourists exploring an ancient Mayan temple in Mexico. The story starts with four friends on vacation who get talked into visiting an off-the-map temple by a local guide. But once they arrive, they face unexpected and frightening horrors. The ruins are covered in strange vegetation, and something sinister is hiding inside those plants. The film manages the difficult feat of delivering claustrophobic tension even in the open air. The characters face a grueling physical and psychological struggle. Plus, beyond the supernatural elements, it effectively conveys its message regarding natural disasters or rather, the terrifying power of nature.

 

Død snø (2009)

Apparently, the freezing cold wasn’t enough for this group of locals, so they decide to take a winter vacation up in the Norwegian mountains. But their trip turns into a nightmare with the sudden appearance of a battalion of zombified Nazi soldiers. The friends are forced to run and fight for survival against this undead army. Dead Snow is a fine example of the horror-comedy genre. It features stunning scenery and some very sharp humor. However, I must warn you: this is a blood-soaked movie that definitely doesn’t shy away from showing the gore.

 

Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)

The only slasher on the list. I already explained why back in the intro. A group of somewhat vapid friends gathers at a house to party and decides to play ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies.’ The game is basically a variation of ‘Mafia’ or ‘Werewolf.’ Then, something happens to one of them, and… Things Escalate. I tried to describe it without giving away a single spoiler. Because this is one of those movies that tastes much better when you go in knowing as little as possible.

 

Üç Harfliler: Beddua (2018)

Now, let’s get to the only Turkish film on the list. I want to start by emphasizing that this is a rare gem that shouldn’t be unfairly dismissed just because of the massive pile of generic ‘Djinn’ movies flooding the market. The story focuses on the supernatural ordeal experienced by high school friends Melek, Burcu, Eda, and Ayla. Despite the passing years, these four young women remain tight-knit, supporting each other through every hardship. However, their lives are turned upside down one night after a chance encounter with a shaman named Havel. Havel turns their existence into a living nightmare with a curse (‘beddua’) of unknown origin. Now, they must band together to confront what’s happening to them and break the spell. With a genuinely surprising ending, I say give this movie a fair chance.

 

It Follows (2014)

IF ANYONE IN YOUR CIRCLE TALKS TRASH ABOUT THIS MOVIE, REEVALUATE YOUR FRIENDSHIP! I know, that was a very bold opening. Making such sharp statements usually isn’t my style at all, but this time, I just had to let it out. Please forgive me. The story begins with 19-year-old Jay discovering she has become the carrier of a walking curse transmitted through a sexual encounter. The curse manifests as a shapeshifting entity that relentlessly follows its victim. While Jay searches for a way to break the curse, she struggles to keep her friends and family out of danger. As for why I love it so much: The film possesses the spirit of John Carpenter. Its score and atmosphere channel the aesthetic of 70s and 80s cinema perfectly. But it doesn’t just mimic that aesthetic; it successfully updates it for the modern era. Additionally, the film establishes a universe almost entirely populated by teenagers and young adults. The fact that this group of kids bands together to fight the curse is exactly why it earns its spot on this list. I’ll end my praise with a huge round of applause for director David Robert Mitchell.

 

It (2017)

This is arguably the most famous entry on the list, and the one that deserves its spot the most. Stephen King’s novel It was previously adapted into a miniseries back in 1990. That two-part series saw Tim Curry take on the role of Pennywise, etching the character into the minds of horror fans everywhere. Then, in 2017, It received a fresh adaptation. Planned as a two-part film series, this new version allowed us to watch the novel’s different timelines unfold in much greater detail. The first chapter hit theaters in 2017, followed by the second in 2019. Directed by Andy Muschietti, this modern iteration featured Bill Skarsgård bringing Pennywise to life. Following Tim Curry is no easy feat, but Bill successfully rose to the challenge. We get to see plenty of the “Losers Club”, witnessing both their grueling childhood struggle and their lives years later as adults

 

Kill Theory (2009)

We watch a group of friends spending a weekend on an island, only to find themselves trapped in the middle of a twisted game where they are forced to kill each other. As you might expect, the film is rich in psychological depth and character transformations, but it truly succeeds as a solid movie thanks to its pacing and plot twists. Fueled by survival instincts and heavy internal conflict, the horror aspect of this film is certainly not to be underestimated.

 

Night of the Demons (1988)

Meet a group of friends who are horror junkies and paranormal enthusiasts. They live in 1988, a time when starting a podcast or launching a website to explore these interests from a safe distance simply wasn’t an option. Maybe that’s why they felt the need to take their passion a step further and experience it firsthand. Honestly, if we -the Korku101 team—were teenagers back in ’88 with those limited resources, we probably would have gone down the exact same path. To test out local legends about witches, demons, and supernatural powers, this group throws a party in an old mansion, and… Things Escalate. The film perfectly captures the spirit of the era and the youth culture of the time, all while building a suspenseful atmosphere. Oh, and be warned: it definitely doesn’t shy away from the gore.

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Below, you’ll find a list of films that didn’t make the cut due to their sheer popularity, yet I didn’t want to pass by without acknowledging them.

• • House of Wax

• I Know What You Did Last Summer

• Wrong Turn

• Cabin Fever

• Sorority Row

• As Above, So Below