Spring Break Horror Films

 It's that time of year... SPRING BREAK!! 

My school days have been over for a while but Spring break has always and still is a big part of my life. In grade school, the week off was spent chillin at home and vacationing with family. In College, vacationing and partying HARD.. or both! Pre child... Vacationing and partying, but not as hard.  Now, Family vacationing, lounging... and still fitting a little bit of partying in there when possible lol.

One common dominator throughout all these years, has been FILM and it'll never stop! Around this time of year, I load up a playlist of spring break-esq movies that are either party hard devastation, or vacations gone wrong. Just figured I'd share em with y'all! 

*Disclaimer. Most of these films are not cinematic masterpieces and live in that realm of, 'So bad it's good.'*

1. Piranha  3D (2010)

This is THE Spring break horror movie of spring break horror movies. Every list should start with this. I'm not sure if  Spring Break is actually mentioned somewhere but after the first scene, you're thrown right into party mode by a montage of people partying on boats/water on Lack Victoria and it never ends. Add a soundtrack of songs all created during the fist pump/club era of the early 2010's, hilariously cringe worthy dialogue/quips, & piranhas to the mix; it serves up a bloody good time with some of the most over the top deaths ever.

2. Piranha 3DD (2012)

Instead of a beach, the same qualities as Piranha 3D (dialed up to unbelievable levels) are applied to a water park. I think it's a bit too self aware to capture the same magic from the prequel, but it's a good watch nonetheless. I'm really surprised Danielle Panabaker agreed to star in this movie lol.

3. House of Wax (2005)

A group of kids travel to Louisiana for a football game and one night of camping out turns the weekend on it's head. This is one that's self aware but doesn't it take it too far. Yes it has moments that are very corny (Paris Hilton's infamous dance scene to one the worst songs ever) but there really are some genuinely surprising "wtf," moments that are either creepily strange or violent. 

4. Jeepers Creepers (2001)

One of my favorite Horror films of all time (no love to the director because he's a terrible human being so f*** him). This one is 100% horror with no unintentional bad aspects that make it funny. A sister and brother returning home for college spring break and due to unrealistic curiosity, they stumble on to the worst secret imaginable. No parties or booze involved but You'll have a terrifying good time watching this classic.

5. Friday the 13th (2009)

In the horror community, this is one of the films that has fans divided. I'm on the side of loving it so if you hate it, skip this. I think this is one of the best remakes to a horror classic. It keeps the cheesy carefree attitude but kicks the danger and brutality up immensely. This version of the film is about some college kids visiting a family lake house of one of the guys in the group & it so happens to share land with Crystal Lake. Booze, boobs, and blood make this a perfect watch for spring break.

 

6. House of the Dead (2003)

This movie is awful. No way around how bad it is but for me, it's that special kind of bad that makes it fun to watch & even more so when you're drinking. Every single thing is over the top and over done to extreme levels & if you can stomach it... Boy is it a great time. The premise is, there's a rave going on in the middle of the forest and when a group of people arrive late, they realize everyone is dead-ish. That's all you need to know. Grab a hard drink and watch!

7. Crocodile (2000)

Another one that's hilariously bad its good. Some people go to the lake for fun and a giant croc shows up to ruin their plans. There's not really much else to say about this but it's worth the watch for the late 90s nostalgia alone. 

8. Fear Island (2009)

A twisted "Who done it," murder mystery. A group of college kids go to an island for a weekend of partying when they start to get picked off one by one. The deeper you get into the story, the more sadistic it becomes. This one is more serious but it still has elements of humor to make it a great watch that'll have you on the edge of your seat. 

9. Shark Night (2011)

You see the GIF, you know the vibe. A group of kids go to a private island in Louisiana to party the week away, when they encounter shark infested waters. This film released in 2011 so it has the soundtrack that we loved back then. Another self-aware film that has some good laughs for and provides a good time with or without drinks but I recommend drinking while watching. 

10. Cabin in the Woods (2011)

If you're here, that means you're a horror junkie. If you're a horror junkie, you already know this is a horror classic (it's still f*** Joss Whedon tho). For those who haven't seen it, some college kids visit a Cabin in the Woods (queue the symbols) and cliché horror tropes begin happening... but there's a lot more to why. A MUST watch if this is you're first time hearing about it.

11. Cabin Fever (2002)

This film is extremely bloody and disturbing but....  It is FUNNY AF. I mean, look at this GIF. I remember watching this movie for the first time in this scene had me like, "WHAT???" This movies is a about some kids visiting a cabin who  get exposed to a flesh eating disease... Yeah, not good. If you're squeamish, I wouldn't watch this because there are quite a few scenes to get under your skin, pun intended. 

12. It Came from the Desert (2017)

It's spring break  and an annual party is thrown in a desert for the locals but it gets interrupted by giant killer ants. What you read is what you get lol. Another, "So bad, it's good," film to enjoy while tipsy.

13. Sick (2023)

The year is 2020 & two college friends decide to vacate to a cabin to quarantine over their spring break. What better way to enjoy solitude and ducking covid than removing themselves from the city for relaxing nature, fresh air, & intruders with murderous bone to pick? Yes, this movie just dropped earlier this year but It's more than worthy to be on this list. Not only does it take place ON spring break, it's a damn solid slasher film that brings the kills and thrills. 

14. The Breed (2006)

A group of college kids (Again, all too old to be these type of students) visit a cabin on the lake for some boozed fun and enjoyment of nature. They're fun quickly comes to an end when a pack a rabid dogs sets their sights on the group, so now they must try to escape alive. If that synopsis didn't sell you, idk what will. This movie is a fun time that oozes the time period with the music and outfits. 

There you go! 14 Spring break horror films to enjoy. There are more out there like Evil Dead and the Evil Dead remake but both of those are pretty intense films. I wanted to stick with some pretty easy watches and all of these fit that narrative. 

Hope you found at least one film you enjoy and as always, Thanks for reading!

*I do not own any of the images. All images belong to their respected owners.*