5 horror movies perfect for the start of spring

This weekend marks the official start of spring. At long last, winter is behind us (let's hope, at least). As the days grow longer and warmer, now is the perfect time to consider horror movies fitting for the season of rebirth. Here's a list of genre movies suitable for springtime and where to stream them.

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Picnic at Hanging Rock is an Australian film from 1975. Over the years, it's become a staple of the folk horror subgenre and established several motifs we now recognize in other films. Based on the book by Joan Lindsay, the movie follows a teacher and a group of female students on an excursion to Hanging Rock on Valentine's Day in 1900. Suddenly, the group disappears, and it's unclear why.

This is a movie heavy on mood and tone, and it's a film that's more concerned with asking questions than giving answers. Meanwhile, Hanging Rock itself feels like a character, an eerie land eager to swallow the young women whole. Though the movie takes place on Valentine's Day, the white dresses of the female students and the frequent shots of the bright sun make this an appropriate springtime movie.

Picnic at Hanging Rock is currently streaming on HBO Max, Hulu, and Prime Video.

Midsommar

Yes, Ari Aster's second film takes place during summer, but the folk horror visuals are also fitting for springtime. The feature follows Dani (Florence Pugh), a grieving woman who travels with her boyfriend, Christian (Jack Reynor), and his graduate school friends to a remote Swedish commune for a midsummer festival. However, the sun-drenched retreat quickly descends into a nightmare as the friend group becomes part of the cult's ritualistic sacrifices.

This is a perfect pairing with Picnic at Hanging Rock, and Midsommar's setting, flower crowns, and blinding daylight have earned it a spot on this spooktacular springtime list.

Midsommar is currently streaming for free on Tubi.

Pet Semetary

Springtime is all about rebirth and rejuvenation. In that regard, Pet Semetary is another movie fitting for the season. The movie's tagline is, "Sometimes dead is better." Based on Stephen King's 1983 novel, the film, directed by Mary Lambert, is largely the story of Louis Creed (Dale Midkiff), a middle-class father who befriends an elderly neighbor named Jud Crandall (Fred Gwynne). It's through Jud that Louis learns of the "Pet Semetary," an ancient burial ground that harbors supernatural powers.

First, Louis buries the family's cat, Church. The feline returns, but nastier and quite smelly. Then, Louis's son, Gage (Miko Hughes), gets hit and killed by an 18-wheeler. After that profound tragedy, Louis ignores Jud's warnings and buries Gage. This has deadly consequences, as Louis learns that sometimes dead is indeed better.

Pet Semetary is currently streaming on Paramount+ and MGM+.

Spring

Writers/directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead are known for their twisty, mind-bending movies. Their 2014 film Spring is no different. The movie follows Evan (Lou Taylor Pucci), a young man who travels to Italy. Once there, he pursues Louise (Nadia Hilker), who is actually a creature undergoing a painful transformation process.

Spring combines romantic drama with Lovecraftian horror. It also explores themes of loss and grief and loving someone unconditionally, no matter their flawed, or in this case, monstrous qualities. The movie initially premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has since garnered a cult following.

Spring is currently streaming for free on Tubi.

Pearl

Writer/director Ti West's Pearl may be an unconventional choice to include on the list. However, this film is deeply inspired by The Wizard of Oz, including its technicolor, Depression-era look and feel. To this writer, the color palate of both The Wizard of Oz and Pearl scream springtime, and like its inspiration, Pearl is loaded with shots of farms, fields, and flowers. Heck, there's even a scene where Pearl (Mia Goth) basically humps a scarecrow.

This is the second movie in West's X trilogy. This middle chapter follows would-be starlet Pearl who has dreams of becoming a Hollywood actress. The only problem is that she may never get off of the farm or out of her small town to make such a dream happen. However, she'll do whatever it takes to find fame, even if that involves murder. This film has one of my favorite monologues out of any horror movie, and a heck of a performance by Goth.

Pearl is available to rent on most major streaming platforms.

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