Horror movies take place at night for a multitude of reasons. The fear of the dark is one of the most common phobias in the world, and the darkness can house anything the mind can create. In that vein, many horror movies feel like if the characters can survive until the daytime and can see the sunlight, they’ll be safe. Well today, we’re going to highlight the movies that flip that notion on its head: where the daylight can’t save the characters from the evils they’re facing. Inspired by The Woman In the Yard, we’ve comprised ten underrated horror movies we like that take place during the daylight because we like to do things a little differently here. Â
Revenge (2017)
Coralie Fargeat’s film The Substance gained mainstream attention last year, even earning the Oscar for Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling. Now that her talents as a filmmaker are widely recognized, her debut film Revenge, deserves more attention. Revenge tells the story of three wealthy married businessmen on their annual hunting trip. One of them brings along a mistress, who attracts the attention of the other two. However, events take a dark turn when the mistress is left for dead in the wilderness. Against the odds, she survives and turns the tables, creating a deadly game of her own. Set in an isolated Moroccan landscape, *Revenge* primarily unfolds in daylight. It is a must-watch revenge thriller that emasculates the male gaze and empowers its female lead.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane (1962)
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane is a fascinating psychological horror piece. Stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were alleged rivals throughout their careers, so for them to be in a movie about how a bitter rivalry for fame and jealousy as well as aging and losing relevancy, they truly hit the nail on the head. This isn’t a movie that will scare you but will leave you very uncomfortable and unsettled. Bette Davis is a powerhouse as she goes insane while Joan Crawford is helpless at her mercy. It holds up incredibly well being the oldest film on our list and it will stick with you for a while as it has for me.
Beaten to Death (2022)
Australians know how to make a crazy horror movie, and Beaten to Death is one of the most brutally exhausting films I’ve ever seen. This movie follows a desperate man making a decision that leads him down a path no person should ever have to go through. What makes it worse is the main character traversing through the Tasmanian backcountry having to battle the elements of nature, making this a daylight horror movie that you don’t want to miss.
Cargo (2017)
I typically am not a fan of zombie movies because of how depressing they are and Cargo fits the bill. Based on the 2013 short of the same name, we follow parents and their young daughter as they navigate a ravaged Australia while avoiding the infected. Cargo is less of a straight-up horror, with its focus on Martin Freeman trying to find a safe place for his daughter before he is ultimately infected. It brings more emotions as we know the mortality of our lead is fleeting and the last thing he needs to do is protect his daughter in the hellscape of a new world. The film prominently features Aboriginal Australians in leading roles and for the first feature film for Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke.
One Cut of the Dead (2017)
The remake of Dawn of the Dead primarily takes place during the day, but that’s a movie everyone already knows, right? Another daytime zombie film is the mockumentary One Cut of the Dead. This movie follows a film crew struggling to complete their production when zombies suddenly attack their set. Not only is this horror-comedy filmed during the day, but it’s also shot in one continuous take, hence the title. In a zombie genre that is so saturated, it’s rare to find a modern film that feels refreshing. One Cut of the Dead presents an original concept that truly elevates the zombie genre.
Bone Tomahawk (2015)
When people talk about the most out-of-pocket death scene in a horror movie, it doesn’t take long to bring up THAT scene in Bone Tomahawk. A Western horror that pits a sheriff and crew against a cannibalistic Native American tribe after members of their community are kidnapped. This movie gets all types of nasty and gnarly as the party we follow has to survive each onslaught from their brutal attackers who show them no mercy. Led by the always-impressive Kurt Russell, this one won’t be for the faint of heart, but it will scratch the nostalgic Western itch for many.
Brightwood (2022)
Imagine going for a run on a trail with your significant other, only to find yourself trapped in a never-ending loop with no way to escape. Brightwood is a low-budget independent horror film that effectively uses daylight to create a perplexing atmosphere. While nighttime can be frightening, being stuck on a trail in constant daylight feels like a different kind of nightmare. With only two characters in the entire film, Brightwood keeps the audience engaged through twists and turns that, although at times confusing, ultimately lead to a satisfying conclusion.
Piranha (1978)
Shortly after Jaws made you terrified to swim at the beach, Piranha made you think twice before jumping into the lake. I absolutely love horror movies based around bodies of water. Everything above the surface is clear and visible: you can’t see any danger so there is no danger. Under the surface, though? Endless nightmares for the brain to create. Piranha does a great job with this premise as it takes what should be a peaceful lake, and fills it with genetically modified killing machines. If you’ve ever stumbled upon the show River Monsters before, you know just how ferocious and how swiftly piranhas can rip meat off the bone. What’s great about this movie is it knows that it has a goofy premise as well and its release is shortly after Jaws. It doesn’t play itself too seriously as director Joe Dante brings the blood and the piranhas wrack up a body count.
The Hitcher (1986)
Hitchhiking, a form of transportation that gained popularity in the 1960s, has become less relevant in today’s ride-sharing culture. Despite its decline since the 70s, the 1986 film The Hitcher is a perfect example of creating fear in a fad popularized by being a product of its time. The film follows a protagonist who picks up a hitchhiking murderer and, after escaping his clutches, finds himself relentlessly stalked throughout the day—primarily in broad daylight. Similar to how Jaws instills fear of the ocean, Child’s Play does so with dolls, and Final Destination heightens anxiety about everyday activities, The Hitcher explores the dangers of picking up strangers on the side of the road.
Session 9 (2001)
Session 9 is a fun movie to highlight here. It bends your expectations for a movie set in an asylum. It follows an asbestos abatement crew cleaning an abandoned mental asylum and mysterious things happening to them while they work on a tightened schedule. This movie is authentically early 2000s for better and worse. It throws insane twists at you when you least expect it, and some of the most tense moments come when the sun is the brightest. There’s a reason it is a cult classic.Â
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I've always been a movie fan, but I first got big into cinema watching Whiplash when I was younger. That movie led to a greater appreciation of films and got me to dive into the medium. My favorite genre is horror movies, but I’ll always have a secret soft spot for rom coms and musicals. When I'm not podcasting or watching movies, I love working out and going hiking, and I currently work in business analytics with the degree I got from Western New England University.
MY FAVORITE MOVIES: Good Will Hunting, Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse, Whiplash, Moneyball, Top Gun: Maverick
Ever since my mom took me to go see The Blair Witch Project in theaters when I was 7 years old I’ve been obsessed with not just movies but the horror genre. When I’m not watching movies you can find me thrifting, attending a local horror convention, or collecting physical media. I attended the University of Central Florida with a degree in Cinema Studies and use my degree to rant about movies online.
MY FAVORITE MOVIES: The Cabin in the Woods, Cabaret, Seven Samurai, The Blair Witch Project, Inglourious Basterds