8 Must-See Horror Movies to Enjoy Before ‘Terrifier 3’ Releases
A well-known horror slasher series, the films center around the sadistic, silent killer Art the Clown. The franchise launched in 2016, with the latest installment, Terrifier 3, scheduled to be released next month, just in time for Christmas horror enthusiasts.
This upcoming film continues five years after the events of Terrifier 2. Once again, the story focuses on Sienna Shaw and her younger brother Jonathan, who narrowly escaped during a climactic showdown in the earlier film, which also explored supernatural themes.
The plot sees Art return during the Christmas season and delves into the psychological repercussions of surviving his previous attacks, exploring the ongoing battle between good and evil. Moreover, early critical reviews have praised the third installment as the best in the franchise, claiming it significantly heightens the stakes and horror elements.
Terrifier 3 is set for theatrical release on October 11, 2024.
8 Horror Films that Deliver Gore and Terror Similar to Terrifier 3
1) Halloween Kills (2021) – available on Peacock, Fubo
The 12th entry in the Halloween franchise, Halloween Kills, centers around the infamous serial killer Michael Myers, feared for his brutal methods. The story picks up immediately after the 2018 film, following Jamie Lee Curtis’s Laurie Strode and her family, though Laurie is mostly confined to a hospital.
After believing they trapped the killer in a burning basement, they are shocked to learn he has escaped, continuing his rampage of violence.
Like Terrifier 3, Halloween Kills incorporates a notorious killer into its narrative, filled with graphic violence and gore.
2) Hatchet (2006) – available on Hoopla, Prime Video
Terrifier 3 aligns closely with the Hatchet films, both featuring ferocious killers, intense violence, trauma, and inherent tension, making them captivating for horror slasher fans.
Directed by Adam Green, Hatchet follows a group of tourists on a haunted swamp tour in New Orleans. Their venture unwittingly leads them to the legend of Victor Crowley, a grotesquely disfigured man accidentally killed by his father with a hatchet.
Things quickly deteriorate as Crowley, resurrected, embarks on a violent rampage, hunting down the group one by one.
3) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) – available on AMC+, Prime Video, Apple TV
Directed by Wes Craven, famous for the Scream series, A Nightmare on Elm Street features Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger, a disfigured serial killer.
The narrative follows a group of teenagers, with Nancy Thompson, portrayed by Heather Langenkamp, at the forefront. They soon realize they are being haunted by the same figure, leading to a chilling conclusion that if Freddy kills them in their dreams, they perish in real life.
This film explores themes of psychological terror and trauma, resonating with the potential themes in Terrifier 3.
4) Laid to Rest (2009) – available on Apple TV, Prime Video
For those gearing up for Terrifier 3, Laid to Rest is a compelling choice. Like Art the Clown, the antagonist ChromeSkull emerges as an unstoppable murderer. The film, released in 2009, emphasizes practical effects, adding a disturbing yet engaging element.
The story begins with a woman known only as “The Girl” or “Princess,” who wakes up inside a casket, devoid of her identity and trapped by the deranged killer, ChromeSkull.
He records his murders with a shoulder-mounted camera while donning a chrome skull mask. After being rescued by a man named Tucker, they find themselves hunted down, resulting in numerous gruesome deaths.
5) It (2017) – available on Apple TV, Prime Video
It shares with Terrifier 3 aspects of graphic violence, supernatural elements, and a focus on fears and trauma, creating a tense atmosphere.
Based on Stephen King’s novel, the film stars Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, an ancient shape-shifting entity that emerges every 27 years, feeding on fear. The story revolves around a group known as the Loser’s Club in the fictional town of Derry, Maine.
The chilling scares and ominous environment heighten the horror elements, captivating the audience throughout.
6) Haunt (2019) – available on Prime Video, Apple TV
Haunt blends traditional slasher elements with modern twists, focusing on a storyline of fear and survival with a brisk pace. The primary narrative unfolds on Halloween night, adding an extra layer of spookiness.
The film depicts a group of friends who decide to visit an extreme haunted house attraction designed to exploit their darkest fears. What appears to be a typical haunted experience quickly turns into a fight for survival when they discover that the performers have murderous intentions.
The presence of traps, masked killers, and the struggle for survival creates a constant tension, aligning it closely with Terrifier 3.
7) The Hills Run Red (2009) – available on Prime Video, Apple TV
The Hills Run Red is a modern slasher film that distinguishes itself from others on this list, including Terrifier 3, with a meta-narrative that often challenges the nature of horror.
The plot follows a film student named Tyler, who is obsessed with an elusive film titled ‘The Hills Run Red’, believed to be the scariest movie ever made. As he uncovers clues hinting at a possible copy hidden in the remote home of the missing director, he embarks on a treacherous quest.
8) Friday the 13th (1980) – available on Prime Video, Apple TV
Friday the 13th encapsulates revenge, survival, isolation, and pure evil horror. The film depicts a group of teenage counselors preparing for summer camp despite its grim history of two murders, including that of a young boy named Jason Voorhees who drowned in the neighboring lake.
As the story unfolds, the group is stalked and brutally murdered one by one by an unknown assailant. The remaining members desperately attempt to survive in this isolated setting, culminating in a climactic twist that provides a thrilling payoff.
Similar to Terrifier 3, this film has spawned a franchise, being the original entry with numerous sequels following, leading to a total of 12 films in this enduring horror saga.
As Terrifier 3 prepares to unleash its thrill and gore upon audiences, these films will keep horror fans entertained. Given their shared themes and settings, viewers can gear up for a spooky Halloween.
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