10 Horror Movie Trailers Scarier Than The Actual Film

No matter its differences from its source material, 1989's Pet Sematary is celebrated for being an appropriately unnerving and devastating adaptation of what’s arguably Stephen King’s scariest and saddest novel.

When director Mary Lambert returned – alongside new screenwriter Richard Outten – for the 1992 follow-up, they crafted a campier and less grounded movie. Of course, Pet Sematary Two isn’t an outright horror-comedy, but its story of resurrected animals and people isn’t nearly as dark, depressing, and petrifying as the first Pet Sematary.

That said, you wouldn’t be mistaken for expecting the same sort of psychological/emotional dread and grotesque imagery from it based on the wholly sombre trailer.

Punctuated by Hitchcockian strings and gruff narration, the 90-second appetiser splices together bleak and/or violent scenes to foreshadow another serious and atmospheric portrayal of murderous pets and parents. For example, it hints at a Dr. Loomis-esque expert warning patriarch Chase Matthews about the impending danger, as well as shots of actor Clancy Brown acting especially cold and sadistic.

That side of Brown is present, but he turns out to be a largely amusing threat who relishes chewing of the scenery once he’s resurrected. Undoubtedly, his kookiness – as well as multiple bits of absurdity leading up to a hammy climax featuring stagey acting from a melting mother – makes Pet Sematary Two pure popcorn entertainment.