Spring, with its blooming flowers and warmer weather, might seem like the perfect time for renewal and joy. However, in the world of horror cinema, this season can be just as eerie and unsettling as any other. Here's a curated list of 10 horror films that embrace the darker side of spring, offering a mix of psychological thrills, supernatural scares, and eerie atmospheres that will make you think twice about stepping out into the fresh spring air. Whether it's the rebirth of something sinister or the awakening of ancient evils, these films capture the essence of spring in a way that's sure to send shivers down your spine.

The Wicker Man (1973)
Description: This British folk horror film takes place during the springtime festival of May Day, where a police sergeant investigates the disappearance of a young girl on a remote Scottish island, only to uncover a pagan cult with dark rituals.
Fact: The film was initially a box office flop but has since become a cult classic. The ending was so shocking that it was reportedly cut from some prints.


The Witch (2015)
Description: Set in 1630s New England, this film follows a Puritan family who encounters evil forces in the woods surrounding their farm during the spring planting season, leading to paranoia and witchcraft accusations.
Fact: The film uses authentic 17th-century English dialects, and the director, Robert Eggers, meticulously recreated the period's atmosphere.


The Ritual (2017)
Description: A group of friends hiking in Sweden's remote forests during spring stumble upon an ancient pagan cult, leading to horrifying consequences. The film explores themes of guilt, friendship, and the unknown.
Fact: The film was inspired by a real-life hiking trip the author of the original novel took, where he felt an eerie presence in the forest.


The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Description: Although not explicitly set in spring, the film's eerie atmosphere and the discovery of a mysterious body during a stormy night evoke the unsettling feeling of spring's unpredictable weather.
Fact: The film was shot in a real morgue, adding to its chilling authenticity.


The Awakening (2011)
Description: A skeptical paranormal investigator is called to a boys' boarding school in the spring of 1921 to debunk a ghost story, only to find herself confronting real supernatural phenomena.
Fact: The film was inspired by the works of M.R. James, a master of ghost stories.


The Others (2001)
Description: Set in the Channel Islands just after World War II, this film captures the eerie atmosphere of spring with its fog and mist, as a woman living in a secluded mansion begins to suspect her house is haunted.
Fact: The film was shot in Spain, despite being set in the British Isles.


The Skeleton Key (2005)
Description: In the sweltering spring heat of Louisiana, a hospice nurse discovers that the house she's working in harbors dark secrets involving voodoo and hoodoo practices.
Fact: The film was shot on location in New Orleans, adding to its authentic Southern Gothic atmosphere.


The Babadook (2014)
Description: While not explicitly set in spring, the film's themes of grief and the emergence of a dark entity from a children's book resonate with the idea of something sinister awakening with the season.
Fact: The film was made with a very low budget, yet it received widespread critical acclaim for its psychological depth.


The Invitation (2015)
Description: A dinner party in spring turns into a psychological horror as the host's past and intentions come into question, creating an atmosphere of paranoia and dread.
Fact: The film was shot in one location, enhancing the claustrophobic feel of the narrative.


The Woods (2006)
Description: A troubled teen is sent to a secluded all-girls boarding school in the spring, where she uncovers dark secrets and supernatural forces lurking in the surrounding woods.
Fact: The film was directed by Lucky McKee, known for his work in horror, and features a young Patricia Clarkson in a chilling role.
