It’s summer, and many of us are still stuck at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Most movie theaters are still closed, and even libraries are not fully open. What’s a horror junkie to do? Here are some ideas about how to creep yourself out in the safety of your own home:

Movies and T.V.

Amazon Prime has over 80 horror flicks on tap right now, ranging from cheesy teen horror to blockbuster classics and indie gems. On a quick scroll through, we spotted Rosemary’s Baby (1968), Night of the Living Dead (1968) Nosferatu: Phantom Der Nacht (1979), Midsommar (2019) and many more. 

Need an excuse to get out of the house? You can pick up some of the newest horror films on Redbox. They are currently renting I.T.: Chapter Two, Doctor Sleep, Gretel and Hansel, and even the newest Grudge movie. 

If all that isn’t enough for you, Netflix has you covered with even more horror movies and a great line up of creepy T.V. shows as well. Are you looking for dark, gory horror television? Check out the S. Korean horror drama Kingdom, a show that combines the S. Korean version of Game of Thrones politics with zombies. Castlevania, Marianne, and The Haunting of Hill House will also suit those who want the darkest possible entertainment. 

If you want a few laughs with your gore, iZombie and The Santa Clarita Diet are both lighter takes on zombie horror. And of course, you can always rewatch Stranger Things. 

Books

If you want to do some summer reading but have limited access to libraries and bookstores, never fear, ebooks, and audiobooks are here to save the day. Some library systems will loan ebooks, and Amazon’s Kindle service and Audible have a massive selection of ebooks and audiobooks. Here are some new titles to look for:

Devolution by Max Brooks

Bigfoot isn’t scary, right? Wrong! The author of World War Z has created a found journal style story that will terrify you. A massacre in the town of Greenloop went almost unnoticed in the wake of the eruption of Mount Rainier. Years later, the journals of resident Kate Holland tell the harrowing story of the beasts that attacked them. Brooks creates a surprisingly believable tale that blurs the lines between fact and fiction.

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix. 

Described as The Steel Magnolias meets Dracula, this sometimes gory, sometimes funny story shows us what happens when a group of southern wives and mothers are forced to confront a vampire. 

If It Bleeds by Stephan King

This collection of never before published short stories by the Master of Horror will keep you up at night.

The Boatman’s Daughter by Andy Davidson

Miranda ferries contraband for a mad preacher and his dwindling band of followers to make ends meet and protect an old witch and a secret child from harm. When the preacher makes an unthinkable demand, Miranda has to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to keep her loved one’s safe. This is an enthralling southern gothic that will make its way into your dreams. 

Board Games

Board Games are a great way to socialize with the people you live with during lockdown, and there are plenty of horror-themed options to choose from.

Betrayal at House on the Hill is a classic haunted house game that will keep you entertained all evening. Players move through a haunted mansion, adding tiles to expand the house. You and your friends must work together to survive and try to escape the haunted mansion, but then one player betrays the rest, and the game turns into a one vs. many. There are over 50 different variations on the gameplay, so each time is a new experience.

If you are looking for a unique board game, try out Nyctophobia. The premise of Nyctophobia is that a crazed ax murderer is hunting you and your friends through a dark woods. Here’s the twist: you play the game blinded by blackout glasses, using only your sense of touch. The friend you’ve designated as the hunter guides your finger to your piece when it’s your turn, and you have to feel your way through the 3D maze. If you end up next to the hunter’s piece, you are wounded- get wounded twice, and you’re dead. This is the board game version of a thriller and a truly unforgettable game night experience. 

There are spooky family-friendly games that will let you get your little ghouls and goblins in on the fun. Monster Chase is an active, cooperative game for kids ages 4 and up. Everyone takes turns trying to find the toy that scares the monster most. If the toy is found, the monster is banished to the closet. For older elementary schools aged children, The Secret Door is a fun family game where everyone works together to solve a mystery by flipping cards over in pairs. 

Video Games

If you’re looking for a digital way to hang out, there are some great multiplayer horror video games. Why be scared alone? 

White Noise 2 casts four players as investigators and one as the vicious creature they are investigating. When a player dies, they come back as a ghost so they can keep assisting their teammates. In Deceit, players can be survivors or an infected creature hunting them. The infected players hide in the shadows stalking the survivors, and the survivors don’t know who to trust until it’s too late. Left 4 Dead 2 is a fast-paced zombie game that offers a co-player option and a competitive online experience. 

For younger gamers consider the Scooby-Doo games for a fun, spooky experience (ages 7+), or games like Among the Sleep and Five Nights at Freddies 4 for jump scares geared towards kids ages 12 and up.