7 Horror movies that are not as scary as their titles

When it comes to horror films, a chilling title can be as effective as a jump scare. Titles such as The Conjuring, Hereditary, or The Exorcist immediately warn viewers to get ready for a horror night. But what if a horror movie's title is scarier than the movie itself? Occasionally, a frightening-sounding film turns out to be unintentionally humorous, campy, or simply underwhelming, more likely to tickle than frighten audiences. Such movies might threaten nightmares but instead offer mild unease, cheesy lines, or even satire masquerading as horror.

Here, we're exploring seven horror films that aren't half as frightening as their foreboding titles might lead you to expect. Whether through clumsy execution, tongue-in-cheek narration, or outright tone misfires, these films thwart the expectations of their titles. That's not to say they're all terrible. Some have even developed cult followings based on their quirky appeal. But if you want sleepless nights and unadulterated terror, these titles might mislead you. These are seven horror movies where the title yells "terror," but the movie itself softly says, "just kidding."

Note: This article reflects the author's personal opinions.

Horror movies that are not as scary as their titles

1) Snakes on a Plane (2006)

With a title such as Snakes on a Plane, you'd want an aviophobia-spreading, edge-of-your-seat suspense. What you receive instead is Samuel L. Jackson screaming classic lines of dialogue while fending off rubbery computer-generated snakes in mid-air. Originally made popular for its surreal plot, the film has become a cult classic for its outlandish camp value and not actual fear. It's more action-suspense comedy than horror, ironically enjoyed by fans. The movie's legacy continues via memes and online nostalgia, illustrating that sometimes an absurd title will overshadow material. In 2024, it was mentioned in a viral TikTok trend for "movies that lied to your fears."

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2) House of Wax (2005)

While its ominous title may suggest otherwise, House of Wax is less of a psychological horror and more of a shiny slasher movie. The movie concerns a group of teenagers who happen upon a wax museum with ghoulish secrets. Although it does serve up some gruesome imagery, such as Paris Hilton's highly publicized on-screen death, the frights come across as contrived and telegraphed. Critics were split - some appreciated its aesthetic, while others found it empty at its core. Notably, the movie was reconsidered in 2023 in horror retrospectives, with some characterizing it as a "time capsule of 2000s horror fashion and tropes" but not as a frightening experience.

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3) Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Jennifer's Body has a title that sounds like total nightmare fuel, but the film is actually a feminist dark comedy dressed up as horror. The writing by Diablo Cody and the acting by Megan Fox made it a cult classic years later, following a soft release. The movie doesn't frighten, instead, it lampoons high school life, toxic relationships, and obsession by males. In 2022, it experienced a revival on streaming services and was a Gen Z hit, with audiences enjoying its subversive commentary over its frights. Now, it's hailed as visionary, not frightening, but certainly incisive, odd, and chic.

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4) The Happening (2008)

The Happening establishes a creepy mystery, people mysteriously dying in large numbers, but the movie soon disintegrates with stilted dialogue and strange performances. The title suggests something apocalyptic, but the real explanation (plants emitting toxins) falls flat. Mark Wahlberg's performance was meme-ified, not menacing. In a 2023 podcast interview, M. Night Shyamalan confessed he had planned the film as a B-movie tribute, catching fans off guard who had taken it seriously. With its inadvertently amusing moments, The Happening has gained a new life as a so-bad-it's-good viewing experience. Scary? Not at all. Intriguing in its misfire? Definitely.

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5) Rubber (2010)

A psychically endowed killer tire? Rubber delivers most bizarrely, but terror is not its goal. It's a meta-horror film that breaks the fourth wall and pokes fun at the genre itself. Rather than being frightening, it's thought-provoking, absurd, and deliberately nonsensical. Director Quentin Dupieux dares viewers to challenge why we require logic in horror. The film became a festival darling, particularly for those who love experimental films. It was included in the Criterion Channel's "Weird Wonders" collection in 2024, solidifying its reputation as art-house horror, not something to stay awake for.

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6) The Babysitter (2017)

With a title that suggests a creepy thriller, The Babysitter subverts expectations with neon-drenched anarchy, black humor, and a killer soundtrack. What begins as a standard "kid spying on his sexy babysitter" trope becomes a blood-soaked comedy in which the bad guy is strangely endearing. Samara Weaving's performance made her a horror icon, more loved than feared. The movie became a hit on Netflix and even had a sequel. It again went trending in 2023 due to Halloween TikTok edits honoring Weaving's classic one-liners. It's silly, quick-paced, and flirtatious, not scary, but irresistibly amusing.

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7) Troll 2 (1990)

Even though it has no trolls (only goblins), Troll 2 is arguably the most unintentionally funny horror movie ever created. With its atrocious acting, incoherent script, and weird direction, the movie became a cult classic overnight for all the wrong reasons. It was even called "the best worst movie" in a 2009 documentary of the same name. In 2023, a stage musical spoof opened in Los Angeles, vindicating the movie's reputation for comedy, not horror. The name might be frightening, but the viewing experience is more gut laughs than body chills, good, old-fashioned B-movie gold.