Daylight Horror

This week's episode of the Jumpscare! podcast is about Tremors. Released in 1990 the film about giant killer worms is one that still holds up 31 years after its release, Tremors is one of a small group of horror movies that take place during the day.

Most horror movies make good use of the darkness to frighten us. The main reason for this is that what we don't see is almost always scarier than what we do. Almost always. Here are seven horror movies that allow the monster to go bump in the light.

Jaws (1975)

Just as scary today as when it was released. The film hides the shark until the last act, but still manages to keep the audience on edge. The entire shark confrontation takes places in broad daylight. The shark doesn't need the dark to scare us out of the water.

The Birds (1963)

Not content to ruin roadside motels Alfred Hitchcock ruined small coastal towns and Birds with 1963's The Birds. We recently watched this at the Drive-In and it really works even better in an outdoor theater setting.

The Ruins (2008)

A group of tourists is caught on top of an ancient pyramid with a carnivorous plant. They can't leave the pyramid because the tribe who guards it will kill them if they try. They have to battle hunger, thrist, the elements, the guardian tribe and the carnivorous to survive. Not the best spring break.

The Hitcher (1986)

Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell) has a simple job, drive a car from San Diego to Chicago. He decides to be a good guy and pick up hitchhiker John Ryder (Rutger Hauer). This does not go well for him. This one starts out at night, but spends the rest of film with Ryder trying to kill Halsey during the day.

Dawn of the Dead (1978)/Day of the Dead (1985)

George Romero's follow ups to Night of the Living Dead proved you didn't need the night part for zombies to scare you. These set the tone for zombie movies and series for decades. Yes, I'm looking at you The Walking Dead.

The Hills Have Eyes (1977)/The Hills have Eyes (2006)

A simple shortcut through the desert, what's the worst that could happen? Both the original and the remake show us just how scary the unrelenting daylight can be.

Cujo (1983)

This took a breed of dog that no one considered scary and made it into a demon on earth. This book and movie also ruined the name Cujo forever.