Let's be real. Half the fun of horror movies is the tropes. Whether it's a door squeaking when it shouldn't, creepy children, or ghostly whispers carried on the wind, these reliable cliches do wonders in creating suspense. The same can be said about the sillier horror movie tropes. You know, the ones that have you rolling your eyes while a smile also plays on your lips. Sure, you've come to expect them, but you also need them.
The tropes gathered on this list are the ones that have you yelling at the screen. "Turn around!" "Don't do that!" "For God's sake, just run!" While not every horror movie protagonist acts the way we want them to, their frequent stupidity and lack of awareness are also what make horror such a blast. Here are seven ridiculous horror movie tropes you know, love, and never get tired of. Watch the films that use them best (or, at least, the most memorably) on HBO Max, Netflix, and more.
Splitting Up For No Good Reason
Sometimes I wonder if Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? (1969) popularized this trope because those meddling kids were always splitting up. In some cases, it made sense. Other times, it felt reckless. (If Fred and Daphne were just doing it to "hook up," couldn't they do that off Mystery Inc.'s time?) The same can be said about most horror movies, especially of the slasher variety. How often have you yelled at the screen when the twenty-somethings break apart? Wouldn't your chances against a masked maniac be better in a group?
Yet, that's really the fun of a slasher: watching the killer creatively pick off victims one by one. The Blackening (2023) has a really fun, really meta take on this trope that plays a pretty significant role in the movie. Sure to delight anyone who appreciates a good self-aware genre film. However, look to cult '80s favorites like The House on Sorority Row (1982) or Night of the Demons (1988) to see more organic, albeit just as silly, versions of this trope.
Strange, Unknown Fluids? Let's Lick, Touch, Or Both
Anyone who watches The X-Files (1993) knows Agent Mulder frequently touches and tastes all types of unknown substances in his pursuit of the truth. However, that bizarre oral fixation doesn't start and stop at him. Why are horror movie protagonists always soaking their fingers in blood to see if it's real? Perhaps it emphasizes their disbelief in the situations they've found themselves in, but couldn't they just look really closely? The same can be said about unknown, gooey substances.
Movies like Prometheus (2012) and Slugs (1988) use goo and slime to memorable effect. The latter, especially, involves many investigations of slime-covered corpses that also result in the investigators getting covered in the stuff. From gnarly practical effects to the trademark '80s sense of camp and over-the-top gore, Slugs is a worthy cult classic for your next movie night with friends.
Unrealistically Skeptical Law Enforcement
Horror movies have a complicated relationship with law enforcement. Police are either treated as the ultimate saviors (the goal our protagonists are trying to contact) or they're wildly incompetent, arriving at the scene only to get murdered a second later. Add a little wildly unprofessional skepticism in there, and you've got the makings of the ultimate trope. Picture it: People covered in blood desperately trying to explain that a slasher is hunting them, only for the police to say something like, "You kids are wasting my time."
Whenever I think of this trope, my mind jumps to Halloween (1978) as Dr. Loomis spends the entirety of the movie ranting, raving, and trying to convince the sheriff that Michael Myers, an escaped asylum patient, is a threat to Haddonfield. That said, Gremlins (1984) also has a wonderfully bizarre example of this. After initially ignoring Billy's warnings about the gremlins, the sheriff and deputy still don't quite believe it, even after witnessing the chaos in town. The best part is that rather than helping, they just drive back to the station. Gremlins' social commentary and dark humor are on full display here, so if comedy horror is your thing, you'll love what this iconic holiday horror movie is putting out.
The Killer Coming Back For One Last Scare
Wes Craven's Scream (1996) famously shines a spotlight on this trope when Randy warns, "Careful. This is the moment when the supposedly dead killer comes back to life for one last scare." If you've seen any horror movie ever, that scene will elicit a laugh. Really, Scream's meta-commentary about the genre's many tropes works for almost every entry on this list. Horror comedy connoisseurs will love it, but the blending of mystery and humor makes it a solid choice for horror newcomers, too.
1978's Halloween earns another mention for its iconic disappearing Michael act, but really, so many movies fall into this category. From classics like Friday the 13th (1980) to modern favorites like Terrifier (2018), and those middle movies like Orphan (2009) in between, boot up almost any horror flick, and you'll get some rift on the "dead killer returning" for one last jumpscare before the credits roll.
Don't Go Camping… Ever
While camping is a pastime enjoyed by many, that's never the case in horror movies. And, hey, I get it. Camping is all about getting closer to nature, and Mother Nature plays by her own rules. Whether it's a log cabin or a simple tent, there's something innately unsettling about the isolation of the woods, especially at night.
If you prefer man versus nature stories, Backcountry (2015) will make you second-guess hiking for the foreseeable future. The same goes for The Ritual (2017), a Netflix staple that interweaves a nice dose of occult horror if that's more your style. For slasher fans, Sleepaway Camp (1983) and the aforementioned Friday the 13th will also give you a tasty serving of camping horror, just with a summer camp vibe.
Wandering Off To The Bathroom Means Certain Death
While some of you reading this might be thinking, "But, wait! Isn't this the same thing as splitting up?" I'm here to tell you that you're wrong. The "call to nature" trope usually occurs before the horror even starts. One of our protagonists excuses themselves to use the bathroom, sometimes walking for what feels like miles, only to meet a grim end at the hands of a killer. What keeps this trope fun is that the character remains oblivious to his fate while the audience immediately suspects he is a goner. Then, it becomes a game of "when" rather than "if."
Again, so many movies qualify for a shoutout here, but In a Violent Nature (2024) deserves special mention for delivering a pretty gnarly kill that will delight special effects nerds. It's got an old-school horror feel to it that makes up for the movie's slower movements. While the film itself might be a bit divisive, this particular kill acts as a worthy example of why Scream's Randy warned against ever saying, "I'll be right back," if you're in a horror movie.
Never Trust The Locals, Especially If They Live Rurally
When it comes to stranger danger, horror movies really double down. If you're a horror movie character traveling to a new location, especially a remote, desolate one, assume everyone around you is a murderous monster. Personally, this is one of my favorite tropes because it's scary and, honestly, an introvert's worst nightmare. Imagine traveling to a new place, needing help, only to discover everyone around you is in on the terror.
Perhaps no movie (and franchise) does this better than The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), a genre-defining classic that's sure to delight fans of grindhouse-style films. That said, if you want something a little off the beaten path (pun intended), consider checking out Wolf Creek (2005), Wrong Turn (2003), or House of Wax (2005), a movie I will always defend through my clouded millennial nostalgia.
