Comforting Terror: Fright Films That Help You Relax

Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" is one of the most popular horror comfort watches. It is so beautifully filmed and soothing that it comes as no surprise. Even though it has an evil hotel and possibly one of the worst dads in history, so much of the film has a repetition that calms the nervous system right before you give up a massive shock.

Ti West's Satanic romp "House of the Devil" has some disturbing moments that sneak up on you, making the film so comfy. It makes you feel safe and shows the character enjoying herself and her win, and then BAM! This is a personal comfort horror favorite and a film I could watch any time and feel better afterward.

Another top favorite of horror fans who do comfort watches is "The Conjuring." The film has a retro 1970s feel that does feel a bit like a warm bath. Okay, it's a scary warm bath, but people love to watch it over and over again, which speaks well of the film's quality.

You will see a lot of classic horror on this list because the classics in the genre soothe fans. Ridley Scott's "Alien" has the vast and somehow tranquil darkness in its favor. The chilly yet regimented life that the crew of the Nostromo lead is just so regular until the alien shows up to upend all their plans and grievances.

The series of classic monster movies from Universal Studios, made from the 1930s to 1950, are very popular as comfort watches. It is a series of roughly 35 films that include such horror classics as "Dracula," "The Wolf Man," "Frankenstein," "The Invisible Man," "The Mummy" and "The Phantom of the Opera." It includes most of horror's greatest archetypical monsters and villains. These films are classics for a reason and have such a remarkable calming effect on horror-loving souls.

Okay, please stick with me. One response threw me a curveball, and that was someone who said that for a while, Ruggero Dedodato's found footage Italian cannibal shocker was their comfort watch. What? I have noticed that sometimes the spooky movies you turn to for tranquility can change, and for some people, extremely violent and gory films work for them. Can I explain why? No, it's as mysterious as human nature, but the person noted that their friends were a bit concerned about them, and I can't blame them either. Maybe this person was working something out?

There are many of John Carpenter's films that you could pick as your personal comfort watch. I would probably go for "Assault on Precinct 13" or "The Thing," and some people would agree, but "Halloween" is the film that has the hometown setting and such normality that I think it is probably one of Carpenter's films that work best as a comfort watch.

"The Void" is another surprise, but many people named it their favorite comfort film to watch. Directors Steven Kostanski and Jeremy Gillespie layer on the atmosphere and flayings in this Canadian Lovecraftian horror with some horrifying cultists in hoods. For some people, it makes them feel content. No judgments.

Jonathan Demme's "The Silence of the Lambs" is an Academy Award-winning film that is one of the best psychological horror films. It's nonsupernatural but every bit as terrifying as a film with scary monsters. In fact, in this case, the monsters are the people. But there is something that is just so cozy about the film that invites multiple rewatches. Perhaps it is the investigative routine of the FBI investigation or the calm demeanor of Hannibal Lecter when he talks to Clarice. Something about details can feel very reassuring to many people.

Robert Rodriguez"s "From Dusk Till Dawn" is another category of comfort watches. It's not someone seeking nerve calming atmosphere, trying to work out a problem, or seeking contentment in portraying a more idyllic time. It is someone who wants to watch something wild and fun. This movie is funny, not respectful, silly, and offensive, with tons of practical effects, gore, and blood everywhere. It's the kind of movie you watch with a big bowl of popcorn, and that's a way to seek comfort too.