Horror Movies to Watch on Father’s Day!
It’s Father’s Day! Time to snuggle up on the couch and reminisce on what makes your dad so special by watching some of these cinematic dads! Some sacrifice it all to keep their families together while others…not so much. Either way, it’s cause for celebration.
*Please note* Films listed in alphabetical order. Streaming availability is posted according to publish date. Please check your local listings and the linked Just Watch page for streaming updates!
Thir13en Ghosts (2001): An eccentric millionaire with a fascination for spectral life and the macabre dies leaving all his money to his desperate and recently widowed nephew Arthur and his family. Little do they know, this incredible gift isn’t a gift at all…it becomes a curse when the imprisoned ghosts get set free.
Tony Shalhoub stars as Arthur Kriticos, a father determined to do anything it takes to protect his family from all those ghostly terrors and Matthew Lillard.
Streaming: YouTube and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
28 Weeks Later (2007): 28 weeks after a mass infection of the rage virus has affected most of Great Britain, the US Army helps to stabilize a small population of survivors in the hopes of repopulation.
Robert Carlyle plays Don, a dotting father of two whose choices during the zombie apocalypse come back to haunt in him every effort to protect his family.
Streaming: For rental only.
Watch the trailer here.
The Amityville Horror (1979): George and Kathy Lutz move into their dream home with their children to find this dream turn into a living nightmare. This is a horror classic, and although we love Ryan Reynolds, we think it far exceeds the 2005 reboot.
James Brolin plays George Lutz, a father doing his best to keep the family together as otherworldly forces try to rip them apart. Spoiler: James Brolin’s son grows up to be Thanos. Happy father’s day *snap*
Streaming: HBO MAX, HBO subscription, HBO (through Amazon prime), DirecTV, and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
Cargo (2017): This is the incredible tale of a man trying to protect his child during a viral epidemic that has swept through the Australian countryside. If you enjoyed The Girl with all the Gifts you’ll love this heartfelt and terrifying gem. Cargo is based on the 2009 award-winning horror short film of the same name, that you can watch here!
Martin Freeman plays Andy, a father that will give everything he has to save the life of his little girl. He’s outstanding in this film!
Streaming: Exclusively on Netflix.
Watch the trailer here.
Eraserhead (1977): A young couple suffers through new parenthood in the midst of a dark and perplexing environment.
Jack Nance plays Henry Spencer, an apprehensive father who’s doing his best despite all obstacles that are thrown his way. This is David Lynch‘s first feature film. It’s very abstract. So get ready!
Streaming: HBO MAX, The Criterion Channel, and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
Frailty (2001): Matthew McConaughey plays Adam Meiks, a mystery man who arrives at an FBI office. He informs them of murders that took place at the hands of his father who claims that God had chosen him to kill “demons”.
Bill Paxton plays Daddy Meiks. He’s got a funny idea about “Father Knows Best”.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Roku, Hoopla, Tubi, PLEX, and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
Insidious (2010): Strange and unexplainable things begin to happen to the Lambert’s son, Ty. They soon discover that there’s something evil in the midsts haunting their son and trying to take him into The Further.
Patrick Wilson plays Josh Lambert, a dedicated husband, and father who will go to the ends of the earth and beyond to protect his boy.
Streaming: Exclusively on Netflix and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
Little Evil (2017): Newlyweds Gary and Samantha find difficulty as Samantha’s six-year-old son adjusts to life with his new step-father.
Adam Scott stars as Gary, a step-father who’s willing to do what it takes to win the love of his step-son Lucus. Even if it kills him… This horror-comedy is lovingly inspired by The Omen. So, if you haven’t seen that yet watch that first so you get the fun references.
Streaming: Exclusively on Netflix.
Watch the trailer here.
The Mist (2007): A strange mist reigns on a small town unleashing creatures beyond their wildest nightmares. A small group band together to survive but it quickly turns into a fight for their lives against the beats and themselves.
Thomas Jane plays David Drayton, a dedicated father that takes the situation into his own hands to protect his son and others in his community at all costs. This film is so good! Be warned: The ending will haunt you for days.
Streaming: Available for rental only.
Watch the trailer here.
The Omen (1976): In this Richard Donner horror classic, the Thorn’s soon realize that their son isn’t the angel that had hoped for. Mysterious accidents and death shroud the Thorn family and this evil must be stopped!
Gregory Peck plays Robert Thorn, an affluent American Ambassador who has to make the hard choices when it comes to rearing his evil little child…The Omen is a horror must-watch classic! “It’s all for you, Damien!”
Streaming: Available for rental only.
Watch the trailer here.
Pet Semetary (1989): When the unspeakable happens to a loving family, Louis Creed takes matters into his own hands to bring his son back to life.
Dale Midkiff plays Louis Creed, a father desperate to bring back the son that was taken from him too soon. He’ll soon realize it was an unwise choice…and sometimes you should let matters lie…six feet under.
Streaming: AMC+ (through Amazon Prime Subscription) and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
Poltergeist (1982): The Freeling family moves into a home in a new residential community to find strange occurrences happening. At first, it’s all fun but quickly turns dark for the family when the target becomes their youngest daughter Carol Anne.
Craig T. Nelson plays Steve Freeling, a strong and assertive father who will protect his family at any cost. Poltergeist is a classic from the incredible team of Steven Spielberg and Tobe Hooper. Even if you’ve managed to go your whole life without seeing this movie you’ve guaranteed heard the line, “You moved the headstones but you didn’t move the bodies!!”
Streaming: HBO MAX and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
Pumpkinhead (1988): A father distraught with grief over the loss of his son takes vengeance on the group of reckless teens responsible for his death in the form of summoning a demon, obviously.
Lance Henriksen plays Ed Harley, a devoted father who gives his son everything he has until he is taken away from him and that leaves him filled with rage.
Bonus: Looking for a fun day? Pick out ANY 5 Lance Henriksen movies, and have the greatest/craziest marathon of your life!
Streaming: Hoopla, Tubi, DirecTV, PLUTO TV and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
A Quiet Place (2018): The Abbott family fight to survive in this post-apocalyptic world where they have to watch their every move and sound. You’d think this would be somewhat easy to accomplish. Not when you have three children…
John Krasinski plays Lee Abbott, he’s protective and nurturing at every turn and willing to do anything it takes to protect the ones he loves.
Streaming: Fubo, FX NOW, DirecTV, and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
The Shining (1980): The Torrence family has been going through tough financial times. Jack Torrence, a writer, lucked out by getting a job as a caretaker at The Overlook for the Winter. A large, beautiful mansion to take care of during those dark and desolate Winter days. What could go wrong? Plenty of time to work on your new book…
Jack Nicholson plays Jack Torrence, a devoted father and husband, who has gone through his bout of difficult times. He has a chance to make it up to his family but the hotel has other ideas…this is a Kubrick horror classic!
Streaming: HBO MAX and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
Sinister (2012): A writer struggling to finish his latest book moves his family to the desolate countryside while he finishes his research. He discovers a box of Super 8 home movies that could lead him to discover the killer of the very crimes he’s investigating.
Ethan Hawke plays Ellison Oswalt, a devoted father desperate to finish his latest book, which will help provide for his family. He unintentionally opens a doorway in which there is no closing. Sinister is VERY creepy!
Streaming: Fubo, Showtime, DirecTV, AMC+ and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
The Stepfather (1987): All Jerry Blake wants is the perfect family and he’ll kill whatever gets in his way until he gets just that!
Terry O’Quinn stars as Jerry Blake in this 80s cult classic! Jerry will do whatever is necessary to make sure he has a happy home even if it costs their lives.
Streaming: Roku, Hoopla, Tubi, Kanopy, Shudder, AMC+ and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
Train to Busan (2016): In the midst of a virus outbreak in South Korea a man fights to protect his daughter from the chaos.
Goo Yoo plays Seok-Woo. A man who’s consumed by his work and finds what is most important in life amongst the chaos, and that’s his daughter Soon-an. This film is incredible! If you haven’t seen it do it NOW! What are you waiting for? Happy Father’s Day!
Streaming: Hulu, Fubo TV, Hoopla, Tubi, Crackle, Shudder, AMC+, and available for rental.
Watch the trailer here.
More from Married to Horror
Did we miss any of your favorites? Comment below or email us at contact@marriedtohorror.com! You can also follow our Facebook group Married to Horror and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @marriedtohorror.
Looking for more? Take a look at our list for Mother’s Day! You can also find more general Married to Horror selections by checking out our recommendations and take a peek at our Master Watch List where you can find an array of horror films sorted by title, platform, rating, and more!
