Is It Wrong to Love Horror Movies as a Christian?

Spoiler alert: this isn’t one of those nice, neat blog posts with a bow on top. This is the weird, messy, spiritually twitchy one. So if you’ve ever secretly watched The Conjuring and then Googled “does liking horror open the door to demons,” you’re exactly where you need to be.

It started, as most questionable habits do, innocently enough. A Friday night. Popcorn. Netflix. Just me and the flickering blue light of some haunted house movie I probably shouldn’t name. I remember sitting there frozen under a blanket, not because I was cold, but because I’d heard that sound. You know the one. The sudden violin screech. The “Don’t go into the basement, why are you like this?” kind of sound.

I was simultaneously scared out of my mind and wildly entertained.

And then, out of nowhere, the guilt wave.

Like. Wait. Should I even be watching this?

The Christian-Horror Dilemma No One Talks About

There’s a part of me that loves darkness. Not in the worship the devil kind of way, just... the storytelling kind. The psychological tension. The spiritual metaphors. The catharsis. There’s something about horror that forces you to sit face-to-face with the reality of evil, fear, death, even eternity. And yet, there’s also something about horror that kind of flirts with the edges of our convictions.

So here’s the dilemma, straight up:
Can you be filled with the Holy Spirit and enjoy movies where people get possessed?
Can you walk in the light and press play on films crawling with darkness?

It’s awkward. I don’t have a perfect answer. But I have wrestled, hard.

And I think the answer is... a conflicted yes and no.

Let me explain.

Horror Movies Aren’t All Created Equal

Some horror films are basically glorified bloodbaths, as if the whole point is to out-traumatize the last scene. These are the ones that make you feel sick after. Empty. Spiritually sticky. There’s no message. Just mutilation.

Other horror films, however, are incredibly symbolic. Some explore the spiritual realm with surprising reverence. I once watched a horror movie that portrayed evil more biblically than a church sermon. (No shade. Okay, maybe a little.) Some of them force us to confront sin, mortality, and the consequences of playing God in chilling, unforgettable ways.

It’s complicated.

And isn’t that what so much of the Christian life is? Discerning. Tension. Not everything is black-and-white with a verse taped to it.

We don’t just follow rules. We follow Jesus. And that means we have to check our motives, our spirit, our fruit. Not just our movie preferences.

When It Does Become Wrong

So, yeah. There is a point where loving horror is not spiritually cute anymore. And I say this as someone who once justified watching a demon-summoning movie because the cinematography was “just stunning.”

Here’s what I’ve personally noticed:

When I binge horror, my spiritual sensitivity dulls.
When I watch films that glorify evil instead of exposing it, I feel distant from God.
When fear lingers and replaces peace, something’s off.

The fruit doesn’t lie.
If I’m left anxious, numb, or spiritually heavy, I can’t pretend it’s just “entertainment.”

It’s like inviting a storm into your house and then complaining about the flood.

I’ve had to pause, confess, and repent more times than I’d like to admit. Not because the film itself was objectively evil, but because of the effect it had on me.

And that’s what we don’t talk about enough. The personal conviction.
The spiritual fruit.
The fact that the same movie might draw one Christian closer to God’s power over darkness and totally wreck another’s peace.

But When It’s Not Wrong

Yes, sometimes it’s actually... okay?

I’ve had moments while watching horror where I’ve been reminded of the realness of spiritual warfare. Of heaven and hell. Of sin and justice and the urgency of salvation.

Not every horror film is demonic. Some are deeply allegorical.
They put human depravity on full display, and make you long for redemption.
They expose the monsters in us, not just the ones on screen.

When done well (and watched wisely), horror can actually point to spiritual truths with a sobering kind of beauty.

Like Jordan Peele’s Get Out or A Quiet Place or even old-school Signs. They stir something under your skin.
They whisper, “This world is not safe. But maybe, just maybe, there’s something stronger than fear.”

And if that "something stronger" is Christ... that kind of horror isn’t toxic. It’s powerful.

How Do I Know If It’s Okay for Me?

I ask myself a few brutally honest questions now. Not to be legalistic. But because I know myself. My weaknesses. My wandering heart.

Does this movie draw me closer to God or subtly numb me?
Am I more curious about darkness than I am hungry for truth?
Do I find myself entertained by suffering rather than disturbed?
Do I feel peace afterward, or just the adrenaline of fear?
Would I be embarrassed if Jesus watched it with me? (He does, by the way. Awkward.)

If I can't say yes to peace, clarity, or conviction, then I’ve probably crossed a line. Not everyone’s line. My line.

That’s where the Holy Spirit comes in.
We need Him to help us navigate this stuff, because the Bible doesn’t exactly say, “Thou shalt not watch Hereditary.”
It gives us principles, not playlists.
Convictions, not content ratings.

So ask Him. Don’t outsource your discernment to culture or even to your favorite Christian influencer with the ironic beanie and bookshelf aesthetic.

Ask the Spirit. He’ll tell you what’s okay for you.

My Weird Prayer After Watching Horror

I’ll end with something you probably won’t find on other Christian blogs: my post-horror movie prayer.

Because I still watch them. Sometimes. Carefully.

And when I do, I sit in the dark and I pray:

"God, if anything unclean snuck in, kick it out.
If I fed something in me that shouldn’t be fed, starve it.
If I got desensitized to evil, re-sensitize me.
And if I’m just overthinking everything... give me peace."

Because this isn’t about horror movies.

This is about the slow erosion of holiness in the name of “freedom.”
And also the slow creep of fear in the name of “discernment.”
Somewhere in that tension is truth.

And maybe, just maybe, you can love a good horror movie and love Jesus. With a soft heart, a clean conscience, and a willingness to walk away the second it starts dulling your soul.

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FAQ

Q: What does the Bible say about watching scary movies?

A: The Bible does not specifically mention watching scary movies, but it offers clear guidance about what we should focus on and allow into our minds. Verses like Philippians 4:8 encourage believers to think about whatever is true, honorable, and pure, while Proverbs 4:23 warns us to guard our hearts because it affects everything in life. Watching scary movies can be spiritually harmful if they lead to fear, anxiety, or fascination with evil, so Christians are called to use discernment and avoid content that might dull their sensitivity to God’s peace.

Ultimately, the Bible urges us to live in the light and avoid anything that promotes darkness or ungodly fear. While watching horror films is not explicitly forbidden, believers should ask themselves if such media builds their faith or hinders their walk with God. Prayerful reflection and listening to the Holy Spirit are key to deciding what is appropriate to watch without compromising one’s spiritual well-being.

Q: Can watching horror movies really open a door to demons?

A: The Bible doesn’t directly say that watching horror movies opens a door to demons, but it does warn us about exposing ourselves to things that could give the enemy a foothold in our lives (Ephesians 4:27). Being obsessed with or entertained by evil, occult practices, or fear can make us spiritually vulnerable. When we invite darkness into our minds repeatedly, it can dull our spiritual senses and make it easier for harmful influences to affect us.

That said, it’s not about a magic formula or instant possession. It’s about guarding your heart and mind (Proverbs 4:23) and being careful not to feed fears or unhealthy fascination with the demonic. Christians are called to live in the light and resist evil by faith (James 4:7), so if horror movies cause spiritual discomfort or open doors to fear and anxiety, it’s wise to step back and seek God’s protection.

Q: Is liking horror stuff a sin?

A: Liking horror as a genre isn’t automatically a sin according to the Bible. The key is the condition of your heart and what your fascination with horror leads to. If enjoying scary stories draws you closer to understanding good and evil or points you toward God’s truth, it might not be sinful. However, if it fuels fear, numbness, or a fascination with darkness that pulls you away from God’s peace, then it becomes a problem.

Sin isn’t about liking a certain type of entertainment, it’s about what controls you and what you allow to shape your thoughts and actions (Romans 6:16). Christians are called to focus on what is pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). So if horror starts to disrupt your relationship with God or your spiritual health, it’s worth reconsidering and praying for wisdom.

Q: Are there any “safe” horror movies for Christians?

A: Not every film that’s dark is spiritually harmful. But use discernment. Look for redemptive themes. Avoid films that glorify darkness, invite fear, or treat evil lightly. Not all horror is demonic, but not all horror is harmless either.

Relevant Reads

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If this post gave you chills, peace, or just made you feel seen in your horror-loving Christian weirdness, scroll down and let me know what you’re wrestling with. I don’t have perfect answers. But I’ll meet you in the comments: snacks, prayers, and maybe some popcorn included.

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