13 Screamingly Good Tips for Hosting a Horror Movie Night (Without Actually Summoning a Demon)

So, you’ve decided to host a horror movie night. First of all—brave. Second of all—are your friends aware they may never sleep again? Whether you're a die-hard horror fan or just someone who likes watching your friends scream and spill popcorn, this guide will help you plan a horror movie night that’s spine-chillingly perfect.

Let’s get into 13 killer (but not literally) tips for throwing a horror movie night so good, it might just raise the dead. Cue thunderclap.

1. Pick a Theme: Slasher? Paranormal? “So Bad It’s Good”?

The horror genre is basically a buffet of blood and screaming. You’ve got slashers, psychological thrillers, creature features, found footage films, and those delightfully awful B-movies with titles like Killer Couch 3: Upholstered With Evil.

Theme ideas:

• “Final Girl Friday” – only movies where a lone badass survives

• “Campy Horror Night” – think Evil Dead, Tremors, or Sharknado

• “Possession and Pizza” – because nothing says comfort like carbs and the devil

Choosing a theme makes your lineup feel intentional and keeps you from accidentally pairing The Conjuring with Scary Movie 3… unless chaos is your brand.

2. Curate the Perfect Playlist (And Know Your Audience)

Don’t just toss on Hereditary without warning your guests unless you want people running for the door mid-Toni Collette scream. Match your movie picks to the comfort level of your audience.

Crowd of scaredy cats? Try:

• Goosebumps

• Hocus Pocus

• Gremlins (it’s technically horror, fight me)

Horror veterans? Crank up the tension with:

• The Exorcist

• The Ring

• The Babadook (just don’t say his name… again)

Bonus points if your lineup includes a “palate cleanser” comedy between films. Think of it like a horror sorbet.

3. Invite People Who Won’t Complain the Whole Time

You know that one friend who spends the whole movie going, “This isn’t even scary”? Yeah, uninvite them. (Kidding. Mostly.)

Surround yourself with people who are down to scream, laugh, and maybe clutch each other during the jump scares. The more dramatic the reactions, the better the vibes.

4. Decorate Like It’s Spirit Halloween’s Final Sale

Set the mood, my friend. We’re not just watching movies—we’re crafting an experience.

Easy DIY horror décor:

• Red LED lights or smart bulbs for ominous lighting

• Faux cobwebs (or just don't dust for a week—same effect)

• Candles (bonus: make them scented like “Campfire” or “Grave Dirt”)

• Skeletons and fake blood—go full drama, like your living room’s auditioning for The Haunting of Hill House

Just don’t use real candles if your guests jump easily. Flaming furniture doesn’t pair well with popcorn.

5. Create a Spine-Tingling Snack Spread

You could just grab chips and soda, but where’s the horror in that? Go the extra mile with creepy-cute (or gross-looking-but-delicious) horror-themed snacks.

Fright Bites menu:

• “Mummy Dogs” (aka pigs in a blanket with googly eyes)

• Gummy worms crawling out of chocolate pudding “graveyard cups”

• Popcorn dyed red with food coloring (Warning: may stain souls and fingers)

• A punch bowl labeled “Witches’ Brew” — bonus points for dry ice and floating eyeballs (fake ones. Please.)

And yes, someone has to bring candy corn. It’s tradition, even if it tastes like sugary crayons.

6. Dress Code: Come as You’re Not

Costumes = mandatory fun. You don’t have to go full Comic-Con, but encouraging guests to show up in their Halloween best can make the night even more hilarious.

Theme ideas:

• Dress as your favorite horror villain (Jason in jammies? Yes please.)

• Zombie chic

• Just... wear all black and say you're a cursed Victorian ghost. Easy win.

Prizes for best costume are encouraged. “Most blood splatter” is a valid category.

7. Blackout Curtains and a Haunted Ambience Playlist

Evening light creeping through the blinds? Instant mood killer. You want your room darker than a villain’s backstory.

Get blackout curtains or duct tape trash bags over the windows. No shame. Then, before your guests arrive, play a creepy ambient soundtrack—think whispering winds, distant screams, or unsettling children laughing in the distance. You know, normal Tuesday stuff.

8. Prepare the Scream Station (AKA Comfy Seating)

Nothing ruins a horror movie faster than a numb butt. Make sure there’s enough comfy seating for everyone to huddle in terror.

Pro tip: Create a “scream pile” of blankets and pillows on the floor for overflow guests. Add throw blankets with skulls or blood spatters for bonus drama.

9. Establish the Bathroom Buddy Rule

Look. After the third movie, someone’s going to be too scared to go pee alone. That’s just science. Enact the Bathroom Buddy System early in the evening. It’s about friendship. And not getting eaten by the ghost you may or may not have accidentally summoned.

10. Keep a Horror Movie Bingo Game Handy

Want to keep people engaged during slower moments? Print out horror movie bingo cards. Fill them with tropes like:

• “Character says ‘Hello?’ into the darkness”

• “Phone battery dies at the worst possible time”

• “Creepy doll just… exists”

• “Someone makes a bad decision. Again.”

Winner gets an extra slice of pizza or the ceremonial horror crown (aka a plastic tiara from Dollar Tree).

11. Include a Post-Movie “Decompression Session”

Once you’ve finished terrifying everyone, offer a cool-down moment.

Throw on a light comedy (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Office, or Scooby-Doo works surprisingly well). This helps people shake off the terror—and prevents them from side-eyeing every shadow on the walk to their car.

Also, no one is allowed to whisper “What was that noise?” while someone’s tying their shoes. That’s just rude.

12. Watch the Time—Don’t Become the Horror

Be a gracious ghost host. End things at a reasonable hour. If you go too late, people start checking their watches, falling asleep, or turning into zombies—but like, the cranky, yawning kind.

Stick to 2–3 movies max, and maybe cap the night with a short horror YouTube video or two for a creepy nightcap.

13. Do a Digital Jump Scare or “Cursed” Invite

Want to take it up a notch? Send your invites as creepy “found footage” videos. Or use a horror-themed font and sign off with, “See you in your nightmares.”

Even better: Use a group chat to send ominous messages like:

“Don’t forget your offering.”
“One of you will not make it out alive.”
“Bring snacks or the entity will be displeased.”

Fun. Harmless. Definitely not suspicious at all.

Final Thoughts: You’re the Final Girl (or Guy or Ghoul)

Hosting a horror movie night should be fun, a little scary, and a lot dramatic. With these 13 tips, you’ll have your guests laughing, shrieking, and begging to do it all again next weekend.

Now dim the lights, cue the music, and remember: no one trusts the creepy kid, always check behind the door, and for the love of all things unholy—don’t split up.

Happy haunting, you magnificent maniac