Horror has always been one of cinema’s most versatile genres and has been blended with everything from science fiction to Western to deliver terrifying stories. Many horror movies will use a whodunit-style of mystery to keep audiences engaged, forcing them to try and guess which of the film’s characters is the person behind the mask. This is a particular hallmark of slashers, which offer viewers a cast of characters who may be the killer, inviting them to try and work it out before the big reveal.

Horror and mystery go together incredibly well, especially considering the genre’s natural overlap with the themes of the thriller genre. Some of the best films and franchises of all time remain popular due to their ability to craft a genuine puzzle for viewers to solve, with some being so great they’re worth it just to see the big unmasking. From modern urban legends to supernatural stories inspired by HP Lovecraft, the horror genre is at its best when it leaves a lot to the imagination.

Urban Legend (1998)

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

Phantoms (1998)

Candyman (1992)

Get Out (2017)

Longlegs (2024)

Scream (1996)

Sinister (2012)

In the Mouth of Madness (1995)

The Thing (1982)