Summerween is upon us! Summer has a vast catalog of themes and tropes that are perfect perfect to create a slice of October in July. Amusement parks, swamps, camps, carnivals, ships, ghost towns — The list goes on and on and on.
Here is a list of 10 hot horror fixes to get you to October. It has movies for your nights in and books for your days out!
So Many Books To Read, How Do I Choose?
I’m the type to circumstantially read in the summer. Meaning, if I’m camping I want a book set in the same setting. I find it makes everything just that more atmospheric. These are books brought to you from the lakeside of Colorado, desert sands of Arizona and sitting underneath a rollercoaster at Six Flags.
Fantasticland by Mike Bokeoven
A natural disaster strands employees of a popular amusement park within its borders. Once rescued, heads on pikes and ptsd are only a few of the horrors uncovered through a series of filmed crimes following a grueling investigation. Lord of the flies but with cameras.
Be sure to check out our Charlie Yarchin’s full review of Fantasticland.
Trigger Warning: Gore, Rape, Sodomy, Profanity, Cannibalism, Murder
The Hacienda by Isabel Canãs
Following the overthrow of the Mexican government a woman finds herself in need of the safety only a secure marriage can provide. Discarding the rumors of his deceased first wife Isobe settles into her new life as the homemaker of a countryside hacienda. But she might not be as safe as she hopes. The rumors she dismissed just might come back to haunt her. And, sometimes there are things that a priest with a penchant for revenge can fix.
Trigger Warning: Abuse, Murder, Abortion
How to Survive Camping by Bonnie Quinn
Camping can be a laid back activity, if you follow a simple set of rules. Otherwise it can turn very… Supernatural. The story follows the gruesome misadventures of a woman whose ownership of a campground might just cost her and her campers everything.
Trigger Warning: Gore
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
After the disappearance of her sister a woman vows to do everything in her power to find out what happened. Even if it involves sinking to the depths of the ocean to look for killer mermaids. I only recently found out this is a follow up novel. Though I haven’t read the origin, I was able to pick up the story just fine.
Trigger Warning: Gore, Grief
Hide by Kierstern White
Would you participate in a professional hide and seek game for a cash prize. In an abandoned amusement park, of course. What if there was a serial killer loose?
Trigger Warning: Gore, Grief
Movies – When You Need to Run From the Sun
Now movies, because sometimes the real horror is on the thermostat or the bugs that get stuck on the screen door. Sometimes its best to stow away and wait out the sun.
I will, however, forgo the classics this time because we know them. Yes, Jaws, Scream and Friday the 13th are perfect for summer but also, may I offer a little variation to your rotation?
Pearl (2022)
A technicolor psychological thriller following a woman desperate for fame and reprieve from isolated farm life. Borrowing themes from wizard of Oz this movie is both beautiful and horrifying. This movie acts as a prequel to the two secondary interconnected stand alone movies X (2022) and Maxxine(2024). Directed and produced by Ti West and co written with the star of the film Mia Goth.
Make sure to check out our review of Pearl (2022).
Trigger Warning: Gore, Terrible Parenting, Sexual Themes, War
The Final Girl (2015)
A slasher parody where a young woman finds herself trapped in an 80s slasher film starring her deceased mother. Navigating tropes, grief and absurdity she must find a way to survive and escape the film. Directed by Tyler Shields, written by Adam Prince and based on the story by Stephen Scarlata. (Which I need to find and add to my TBR immediately.)
Trigger Warning: Grief, Gore, Sexual Themes
may I offer a little variation to your rotation?
Cabin in the Woods (2012)
I’ll admit, this one boarders classic territory, but it was too perfect not to add. A group of college students set out for a secluded lake side cabin for spring break only to realize there might be more fear than fun to be had. In a wildly dystopian twist of man made monsters and surveillance, they can only hope even a final girl is left. Directed by Drew Goddard, produced by Joss Wheadon and cowritten by the two as well.
Make sure to check out our review of Cabin in the Woods (2012).
Trigger Warning: Joss Wheadon. Sexual Themes, Gore, Manipulation
Sinners (2025)
Do I even need to introduce this one? It’s blisteringly hot, atmospheric and unbelievably well made. Following criminal twins Smoke and Stack as they have arrived home to Mississippi to set down the roots they ran from, the boys devise a plan to open a juke joint. Armed with music and a need for reprieve their kin, welcome them with open arms. Others however… might conspire to take what isn’t theirs. Directed, produced and written by Ryan Coogler.
Checkout our full review of Sinners (2025).
Trigger Warning: Gore, Racism
Malevolent (2018)
Based off the book Hush by Eva Konstantopoulos, adapted by Icelandic director Olaf de Fleur and Ben Ketai. This film follows a pair of con artist siblings in the scottish countryside circa 1980s who fabricate paranormal investigations. They find themselves in a situation that has them wishing for ghosts.
Trigger Warning: Grief, Gore
Summer can be the most fun season of the year, but for some it means nothing but heatstroke and a bit too much social obligation to be exciting. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, I hope you’re able to find a bit of value in the media recommended here. Remember, hydrate or die-drate and happy Summerween!