Horror Movies and the Books You Should Read with Them This Spooky Season

Even if you never saw the blockbuster horror film Smile, you really don’t need to in order to understand what’s going on in Smile 2. This movie follows pop star Skye Riley as she’s harassed and tormented by a strange force that makes people smile in a really, really unsettling way. This one’s part supernatural and part slasher, so if you’re into that, you should also check out I Was A Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones. You’d probably also love The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix. Smile 2 is out in theaters now!

It’s What’s Inside is available to stream on Netflix right now, and I was truly unprepared for what a wild ride this was. This is a sci-fi horror thriller that sees a bachelor party get out of hand when a group of friends play a twisted game that has them switching bodies with one other. I’m still thinking about this one. If you’re looking for more twisty sci-fi horror/thrillers, pick up The Need by Helen Phillips or Lakewood by Megan Giddings.

Of course, you’ve heard of Salem’s Lot. It’s Stephen King’s take on a vampire story, and the novel is a classic. In 2024, we’ve gotten a new film adaptation, now streaming on Max. Are you looking for more books like Salem’s Lot? Read Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, another story about vampires taking over a town. For even more vampire-like creatures with similar Salem’s Lot vibes (no spoilers), you have to check out Nestlings by Nat Cassidy!

Your Monster is a horror romance hitting theaters on October 25. The story follows actress Laura Franco as she finds her voice after falling for the monster hiding in her closet. If you love a little bit of romance with your horror (and you love furry monsters), Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen should be at the top of your TBR after you watch this movie. And if you love the idea of romance and horror as a genre mash-up, you should also read House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson.