Some horror movies offer a unique environment that bring more comfort than upset. They may still be scary, but they carry atmosphere, or nostalgic aspects that make you want to revisit them again and again. These are the movies I put on when I want to feel safely unsettled. Some are instantly comforting and some I found myself turning to so often they are now go-to’s for certain moods. Here are my top horror comfort watches.

1. Open 24 Hours (2018) — There is something strangely soothing about a horror film drenched in constant rain, even if it about a serial killer. Set almost entirely at an isolated gas station during a particularly heavy night of rain; the film follows Mary on her first overnight shift after getting out of prison for setting her serial killer ex-boyfriend on fire. And things only get worse. The cast gives strong performances, especially Brendan Fletcher as the unassuming regular, and the stormy backdrop makes it a movie I often throw on when I want something cozy yet dark.
2. House on Haunted Hill (1959) — This one was shown to me very early, so it feels like part of my blood at this point. But even if you’re coming to it fresh, I think you’ll get the same vibe right away. It’s storming outside, everyone is dressed in their finest party clothes, and they’re all terrified of a ghost. The film is pure atmosphere, with one or two genuinely shocking moments, but it’s paired with just the right amount of camp to keep things fun. Vincent Price ties it all together with his soothing yet unmistakably eerie voice that adds a gothic weight. The balance of mood, camp, and Price’s presence makes this one of my ultimate comfort films.
3. The Haunting (1999) — Liam Neeson, Lili Taylor, and Catherine Zeta-Jones wandering through one of the most lavish haunted houses ever built. It is moody, gothic, and takes place mostly at night which is so cozy that I forgive at least half of the now very outdated CGI. It is a ghost story that is more about the grand, sweeping atmosphere than true terror, which makes it the perfect comfort watch when I want something spooky but not punishing.
4. The Innkeepers (2011) — There is something nostalgic about a story set in an old, empty hotel. Ti West builds the film slowly, with two likable leads (yes, that is Sara Paxton, the queen Aquamarine) and an atmosphere that mixes small-town boredom with creeping unease. The scares are subtle, more suspenseful than shocking, which makes it an easy film to revisit. It feels like a ghost story told around a campfire, the kind that send a shiver down your spine without giving you nightmares.
5. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)— The film is set entirely inside a morgue as a storm rages outside and a routine autopsy turns into a dark mystery. The quiet claustrophobia, dim lighting, and eerie score create an atmosphere that blends mystery and horror. It is unsettling, yes, but also strangely soothing in its scope and often meditative detective work. At the center of it all is Brian Cox, whose steady, grounded presence makes every revelation hit harder. Every detail feels intentional, like a puzzle being solved in the dark.

Just because I find these films comforting doesn’t take away the inherent horror in their bones; here, it’s just wrapped up in a cozy little package. These films will still undoubtedly give you the chills, but I hope you might find one to be the equivalent of a warm blanket on a rainy night.