10 Best Horror Movies For Virgins

9. Poltergeist

Poltergeist 1982
United Artists

1982's Poltergeist is the perfect film for those looking to sample the horror realm but still be able to hold on to a safety net of sorts.

From director Tobe Hooper - with a huge dollop of input from producer Steven Spielberg - Poltergeist has an almost kid-friendly feel to it that means that, while yes, it does have its share of scares, it's a very 'safe' horror to indulge in.

Centred on a family whose new home is haunted by some spooky, supernatural sorts, Poltergeist has a warm hue and charm to its story, yet is never afraid to step it up with the terror when the time calls for it. For that terror, the main MacGuffin becomes the mysterious disappearance of the Freeling family's youngest child, poor Carol Anne.

With Carol Anne swooped up and taken by the sinister presence that resides within the house, the Freelings have no choice but to call in a medium to assist in their quest to not only rescue their daughter, but to decipher just what is causing these hauntings in the first place.

Sadly, away from the film itself, Poltergeist is a production that is infamous in film lore for the tragedies and tribulations that haunted so many of those associated with the project.

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Senior Writer
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Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer and Presenter, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund and Eli Roth to Kevin Smith and the Russo Brothers, to Kevin Conroy and Frank Miller, to Bret Hart and Sting, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, and Brian Flynn, to many, many more. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is a long-standing season ticket holder and an FSA Award-winner for his time co-hosting the Fearless in Devotion podcast.