Scream for Extra Credit: Best High School Horror Movies + TV

You thought high school was horrific enough on its own? Try adding slashers, demons, and aliens into the mix. Suddenly a little homework doesn’t seem so bad. School is supposed to be a place for learning and friendship — not life-threatening danger and occult forces. But sometimes passing period gets a little paranormal.

In honor of the fourth and newest Fear Street installment, Prom Queen, flip through our yearbook of the best teen terror in horror movies and TV. As if you needed more inspiration for those recurring high school nightmares.

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Fear Street

If you’re a fan of retro-styled kills, then Fear Street is right up your alley. After all, the Netflix series is based on the works of R. L. Stine. Like any good scary story, we begin with a curse. Across from prosperous Sunnyvale, the town of Shadyside suffers not only from an eerie name but also killings that are as regular as the morning paper. Across three films, and three very different time periods, teens work together to defeat this multigenerational jinx.

In an homage to the decade’s menagerie of cult classic slashers, Part One: 1994 has a grungy soundtrack and captures the signature teenage angst of the ’90s. Then, Part Two: 1978 enrolls us at summer camp à la Friday the 13th. Finally, Part Three: 1666 takes it back to Puritanical Shadyside, where witchcraft comes into play before coming full circle to end the 1994 tale.

Even though the curse is quelled (for now), Part Four: 1988 promises another round of scholastic scares. What could be more terrifying than a popularity contest?

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Carrie

It’s the classic teen dream to be crowned royalty at prom. But for Carrie White, that title ends up being a lot of responsibility. Based on the namesake Stephen King novella, Carrie deals with cringeworthy bullying and an oppressive home life. She’s got it pretty rough. Even when a few classmates try to lend a helping hand, it’s too late. The cards have already been dealt. Everyone must pay for what they’ve done.

As a film of the late ’70s, Carrie has that saturated, crinkly visual quality that is so pleasing to horror fans. Plus, seeing Carrie dish out her telekinetic and pyrokinetic revenge is so satisfying. She’s out for blood and, honestly, get it queen. You earned this. Period.

Honorable Mention: Prom Night

Seeing as how one of the most iconic scenes of Carrie takes place at prom and Fear Street: Part Four is based on R. L. Stine’s The Prom Queen, we’d be remiss to not mention Prom Night. The original 1980 film stars legendary scream queen Jaime Lee Curtis, and there’s also a fun 2008 remake. Better save that last dance … or else.

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A Nightmare on Elm Street

High school can be such a nightmare — especially when you’ve got a clawed killer in an ugly sweater terrorizing your dreams. Nancy Thompson and her friends are forced to pull a different kind of all-nighter when Freddy Krueger steps into their lives. He’s a scarred, foul-mouthed creep who haunts teenagers’ dreams, turning their nightmares into reality.

Before Ghost Face, Wes Craven came up with Freddy. The iconic horror creator has contributed a lot to the genre, with this film being his first big mainstream hit. Thanks to A Nightmare on Elm Street, countless innocent streets across the continent now carry a sinister air. And you better believe we’re keeping one eye open in the bathtub.

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I Know What You Did Last Summer

Anybody up for a little joyride? While our teen protagonists hit their victim and then run off to college, the crux of their dark dilemma happens at the tail end of high school, so it still counts. I Know What You Did Last Summer not only provides thrills and chills, but it examines the unique tensions that happen among friends from high school. Fortunately, most of us probably didn’t have to deal with murder, too.

Now that I Know What You Did Last Summer will be returning to theaters with an all-new chapter, this turn-of-the-century crowd pleaser is cooler than an ice pick. Each of the hook-handed killer’s feats are unforgettable and even with repeat viewings, you can keep busy trying to look for hidden clues about the killer’s identity. Well, what are you waiting for? Go watch it.

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The Craft

Be honest, if you weren’t a goth kid in school, you were probably giving them a wide berth. Well, this one’s for the weirdos. The Craft sees four outcast, witchy teen girls come together to complete their coven and unlock powers they never thought imaginable. We’re talking revenge on racist bullies, supernatural beauty tips, and finally getting your crush’s attention — but all magic comes with a price.

This spellbinding film is a cult classic, giving us some iconic needle drops and the undeniable horror icon Nancy Downs. After The Craft, actors Skeet Ulrich and Neve Campbell went on to be the stars of Scream, further cementing this film’s pedigree. Parochial school alumni might have their own horror stories remembering the difficulty of math, chemistry, or English class, but The Craft proves that spelling is harder than it looks.

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The Faculty

Tired of the same old slashers and monsters? See us after class for a viewing of The Faculty. This moody high school tale mashes horror with sci-fi, by way of body-possessing aliens. Basically this is Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets The Breakfast Club, which is as wild as it sounds. Pull up a chair because class is in session.

When the trusted faculty isn’t so trustworthy, and your group of friends is surely filled with an extraterrestrial traitor, it’s hard to keep your wits about you. But don’t worry — these teens (sorta) pull it off. You’ll be guessing who’s an alien and who’s not the whole time, and you’ll be spotting a who’s who of past and future stars like Elijah Wood (Frodo!), Famke Janssen (Phoenix!), Robert Patrick (T-1000!), and many more.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Alright, folks, let’s make with the slayage! While there is also a Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie (that’s a little more comedy filler than killer), the iconic ’90s television series that followed delivers on all fronts, from monsters of the week to the horrors of high school. The first three seasons of the seven season show take place largely at Sunnydale High, which is located on top of a Hellmouth.

These early years of the show spotlight Buffy Summers and her friends trying to keep the forces of darkness at bay while studying for science tests and applying for college. Classic episodes spoof typical teenage rites of passage, including cursed cheerleading tryouts (“The Witch”), pubescent werewolf transformations (“Phases”), and even trying to find a date to prom while there’s hellhounds on the loose (“The Prom”). There’s plenty of vampires, demons, and Big Bads to keep the Slayer and her pals busy — and it all leads up to an explosive graduation day!

(Season 1 even features a guest spot by Clea DuVall in “Out of Mind, Out of Sight,” before she went on to do The Faculty.)

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The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Think you know Sabrina Spellman? Take a closer look into your bubbling cauldron. This version of the teenage witch did not come to point her finger and cast charms. Inspired by the Archie Comics character but with a macabre twist, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is devilishly delightful.

Like the comics and the ‘90s show, you’ve got a girl, two aunts, and lots of magic. But you won’t find any laugh tracks here. Now Sabrina has a hellish (literally) backstory and she must deal with pagan rituals, infernal politics, and cutthroat rivals. Netflix’s dark reimagining dives into the folklore of witchcraft, fleshing out fiendish favorites like Lilith and giving rise to a legion of demonic adversaries. It’s a damned good time.

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Halloween: H20

While it might not be a common pick for strongest entry in the Halloween franchise, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later has a lot going for it. Heartthrob cast? Check. Tying up loose ends in the franchise? Check. Isolated setting perfect for a slasher on the loose? Double check. Halloween H20 could have served as a neat ending to a beloved horror franchise. Depending on the timeline you follow, it still can!

But we know Michael Myers always comes home, and horror fans wouldn’t have it any other way. Still, Halloween H20 is perfectly atmospheric, giving off a dark academia feel and distinctly autumnal vibe. Also, shoutout to Clea DuVall, technically making her third appearance in this list. Some of us are just born for horror.

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Chucky

Over three decades after Child’s Play first waddled into theaters, the Chucky TV series brought back the infamous red-headed doll. This series is every bit as twisted and jaw-droppingly funny as its source material. And what could you expect from a franchise whose main antagonist is a killer collectible in overalls and a messy bob?

Of course, Chucky is joined by the whole feral family, including his love Tiffany Valentine. With franchise creator Don Mancini at the helm, the series is a direct continuation of the films. The kills are just as creative as ever and many you’ll never see coming — until it’s too late. Plus, the trio of misfit high schoolers Jake, Devon, and Lexy share an interesting arc together, with a well-done enemies to friends progression and even a dash of romance for Jake and Devon. Friends ’til the end, hidey-ho!

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Do we get an A+ for our high school horror picks? Extra credit if you share any movies or TV shows that are on your own creepy curriculum. Perhaps you’re a fan of the slashics, like Scream, or modern monster stories, like Lisa Frankenstein. There’s really no wrong answers on this test.

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