Well, here it is, April 20th. Otherwise known as 4/20. Even dog toy companies like BarkBox are out here talking about doing weed, so we might as well join in on the fun. On this particular calendar event, people like to treat themselves to a sticky herb that can, more often than not, make people a little bit paranoid and super sensitive to sights, sounds, and odors. Know what fits perfectly into that equation? That's right. Horror movies! But not just any horror movie. They have to be the right strain. We've rounded up a selection of sensory jolting frights that, when paired with reefer madness, will dial up your 420 holiday experience to 10. There will be screams. Oh yes. Terrifying visions playing out before your eyes. Absolutely. And smells, well, we'll leave that up to you.
Related: The Worst Reviewed Horror Movies on Rotten Tomatoes
The People Under the Stairs
This 1991 film is marketed as a horror comedy but please believe us when we say ... it's no joke. Written and directed by Wes Craven, The People Under the Stairs deals out a creepy, fast-moving plot with the sort of panic-inducing imagery that will have you questioning if you yourself have people living under your stairs. Better go check.
Save Yourselves!
Aliens shaped like fuzzy Urban Outfitters poufs that want nothing more than to kill you dead? You're freaking us out man. Staring Sunita Mani (GLOW) and John Paul Reynolds (Search Party), Save Yourselves! premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and has had people questioning their mid-range home decor ever since. Ever been so stoned that you're afraid of your furniture?
Gremlins
Okay, so this 1984 classic has everything you'd want in a 420 movie, and let me explain why. Gremlins stars a young Corey Feldman, who you can remind yourself later to search for on YouTube. His interview clips are a horror all to themselves. It also stars Phoebe Cates in the prime of her life, which is a boon to any movie, or any scenario at all, really. It centers on fuzzy creatures from an unknown land who want to cuddle with you and/or kill you. And it's an 80s movie, which means that if you're 30+ you can get all nostalgic and misty eyed about Swatches and stuff.
Wait, what were we talking about?
Right ... Corey Feldman.
Trog
Legendary film star Joan Crawford spent her entire existence kicking ass, and taking names. Literally. In-between sips of vodka from an empty Pepsi bottle, she clawed out an indelible name for herself in cinema as one of the most memorable actors of her time, or any time to follow. The final film of her career, Trog, was released in 1970 and features Crawford up against "a lone male troglodyte" which proves that she was in full berserker mode at that point in her life.
The Cabin in the Woods
By the time Sigourney Weaver appears on screen at the end of this, you should no longer be able to feel your face. It's hard not to let Joss Whedon's recent controversies take away from the wonder and the glory of films like The Cabin in the Woods but, you know what, we deserve weirdo slashers with extended murder scenes set to “Roll With the Changes” by REO Speedwagon. In fact, we NEED them!
Eraserhead
Since his 1977 opus debuted, David Lynch has refused to tell people what he used to make the deformed baby featured throughout the terrifying and unforgettable film. There have been many guesses over the years (fetal pig, etc) but right now it's looking a lot like five things of string cheese kind of mushed into one glob. Mmmmmm, string cheese.
Happy 420!
