10 Horror Films Where You Can Feel the Summer Heat Through The Screen

You KNOW a list of Summer horror flicks isn't complete without this gem. Tobe Hooper's 1974 classic features cannibalism, gore, scantily dressed teens, and an abundance of dirt, sweat, and grime. This film doesn't just make you feel the heat, it assaults you with the suffocating temperatures these characters endure as they fight for their lives against Leatherface and his insane family.

As much time is spent on watching the five main characters stumble, suffer, and scream their way through the Texas countryside as is focused on the overbearing conditions. Which, by the way, were just as scorching in real life as they were on screen. Accounts from the cast and crew on just how miserable an experience it was to make this movie are plentiful, with temps well over 100 degrees during much of the process. 

One look at the title of this Ari Aster folk horror film should be enough to add it to your summer horror watch list. It indeed takes place in Midsummer, during a nine-day Swedish festival centered around the Summer Solstice. College friends Christian, Dani, Mark, and Josh travel to a rural commune in Sweden to partake in the festivities, as Josh gathers material for his thesis, it becomes evident early on that something isn't quite right amongst the commune dwellers.

Once they discover the nefarious “rituals” that take place, their experience goes from concerning to dangerous to deadly. The visuals in this film are what truly give it a summer vibe. The vibrant pops of colors from the plethora of flowers against the rolling green hills of the countryside and the stark white outfits worn by the commune members combine to form a captivating summer aesthetic.

While most horror fans know that Stephen King's novel and the 1990 miniseries came first, there's something about the 2017 adaptation that really drives home the high temperature vibe. After all, the majority of the movie takes place during the most eventful Summer Vacation that fellow Losers' Club members will ever experience.

The story takes great care in showcasing all the points that encompass the feeling of breezy freedom every kid gets to experience during those precious months off from school. The Losers' Club just wants to have an enjoyable break of bike riding, exploring, and hanging out, but Pennywise has other ideas. 

There are few places in the world more inhospitable than the Australian Outback, which is known for its desolation, extreme conditions, and lack of rainfall. 2005's Wolf Creek capitalizes on this setting by pitting three backpackers against a sadistic, torturous local.

Psychopathic Mick (John Jarratt) manages to convince travelers Liz, Krisy, and Ben to come back to his camp under the guise of fixing their broken-down car. It's all a ruse, though, and Mick soon begins a twisted game of torment and assault against the helpless trio. Much like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the harsh landscape adds to the feeling of sweltering filthiness for the viewer. 

Switching to a much more idyllic locale is this classic slasher set in a small North Carolina beachside community. Spanning across two summers, this late-'90s fan favorite about a hook-wielding killer stalking a group of teens combines an all-star cast with a setting rife with a seaside summer vacation-like atmosphere.

The juxtaposition of the brutality of the kills (not to mention the car accident that sets events in motion) against a backdrop that typically highlights travelers seeking a tranquil escape helps make this an ideal watch on a hot afternoon. 

Speaking of dream destinations, if you ever have the desire to see how wrong a trip of a lifetime can go, The Ruins may inspire you never to leave the safety of your living room staycation. When a group of American tourists vacationing in Mexico get the opportunity to visit a remote Mayan ruin, they quickly come face to face with the aggressive inhabitants who make it abundantly clear they're not welcome.

If that wasn't enough, there are also mysterious, deadly vines growing amidst the ruins with the capability of violently attacking and injuring anyone who comes into contact with them. In an environment like the Mexican jungle, you can virtually feel the torrid climate and stifling humidity through the screen.

“You yell shark, and we've got a panic on our hands on the 4th of July”. The quintessential Summertime cinematic experience lies right here with Steven Spielberg's acclaimed tale of a man-eating great white terrorizing island tourists over Independence Day weekend.

With the first act taking place primarily on the beaches of Amity Island, where unsuspecting swimmers frolic in the water, there's no way you won't feel transported to a place of sun-baked relaxation. Of course, that doesn't last long once it's clear no one is safe to go in the water, but the fact remains that few stories exemplify this time of year better.

For more, read our Jaws 50th anniversary celebration.

Circling back to sizzling desert settings, we take you on a trip to the isolated Nevada wilds to be terrorized by barbaric cannibals in The Hills Have Eyes. Wes Craven's original 1977 film and the 2007 remake have become synonymous with depictions of savages, serving as a cautionary tale against taking the scenic route while on a road trip.

When the Carter family ignores warnings to stay on the road during their expedition across the desert, they find themselves attacked and tormented by a group of barbaric, planetary-named cannibals (Jupiter, Pluto, etc) . While that may be frightening enough on its own, the weather and surroundings further complicate the situation. This is a film that makes you feel completely uncomfortable while watching it, and a big part of that is due to the amount of time the characters seem to spend just roasting under the unforgiving desert sun. 

Just one look at the movie poster for Blood Beach will clue you in as to why it made its way onto this list. It's peak hot weather greatness, with a bikini-clad woman breaking through the sands of a Los Angeles beach under a threateningly red sun.

The premise is simple – an unseen creature lurks beneath the beaches of Santa Monica, attacking and consuming oblivious attendees looking for a little R&R. L.A. is well-known for many reasons, and one of them is undoubtedly the favorable climate. It's perpetually sublime nearly year-round, with rain being a rarity. It only makes sense, then, to place a horror film centered around a sand-dwelling beast in one of the country's most prime temperate cities. 

Yes, this summer slasher favorite shows up on several other categorical lists, but not to include it on this one, in particular, would feel like a crime. It's literally set at a summer camp, after all. Camp Crystal Lake is chock-full of counselors and campers running around in their best '80s-era short shorts, participating in every single outdoor activity you can imagine while also swimming in the infamous Crystal Lake.

As far as movies that encompass an entire climate-related summertime feel, Friday the 13th will always come out on top and remains one of the kings of seasonal terror to this day. 

Where do you land on the “When did Jason Voorhees become ‘undead'” debate?