Dead Heat: When Summer Plans Turn Sinister
Horror movies for the Summer Solstice
Happy Summer Solstice! To celebrate the season of heat waves, campfires, and late-night screams, here are three underrated horror films perfect for Summer.
Title: A Perfect Getaway
Release Date: August 7, 2009
Director: David Twohy
Producers: Mark Canton, Ryan Kavanaugh, Robbie Brenner, & Tucker Tooley
Where to Watch: MAX
Synopsis: Newlyweds Cliff and Cydney are celebrating their honeymoon by hiking through a secluded region of Hawaii. Their idyllic trek takes a dark turn when they find a group of frightened hikers who claim that another couple has been brutally murdered. Far from civilization and unsure who to trust, Cydney and Cliff soon get locked into a terrifying battle for survival.
Title: Summer of 84
Release Date: January 22, 2018
Directors: François Simard, Anouk Whissell, & Yoann-Karl Whissell
Producers: Matt Leslie, Jameson Parker, Van Toffler, & Cody Zwieg
Where to Watch: Redbox
Synopsis:Teenager Davey Armstrong is a conspiracy theorist who begins to suspect that a neighboring police officer is a serial killer. With help from three friends, Davey launches a daring investigation that soon turns dangerous.
Title: Willow Creek
Release Date: June 6, 2014
Director: Bobcat Goldthwait
Producers: Aimee Pierson
Where to Watch: Tubi, Shudder & Paramount+
Synopsis: A couple ventures into the forests of Northern California to document the legendary Bigfoot. But what begins as a cheeky travel vlog devolves into a nerve-racking descent into terror — and something is definitely out there.
From Bigfoot stalking the trees to neighbors who know too much, to a honeymoon that turns into a deadly guessing game—these films prove you don’t need Halloween to feel the fear. Summer is still peak horror season—just with fewer shadows and more sweat. So grab your favorite drink, hit play, and remember: Just because it’s bright out... doesn’t mean it’s safe.