Chilling Summer Nights: 5 Must-Watch International Horror Films | A Fresh Take on Fear

On hot summer nights, why not cool down with spine-tingling thrills in the comfort of an air-conditioned room? From claustrophobic terror to time-bending mysteries and encounters with unknown life forms, these five international horror and suspense films will bring an icy chill to your summer nights.

Blood Red Sky

“Blood Red Sky” is set on a passenger plane hijacked by terrorists, where a mother, desperate to protect her son,unleashes her hidden powers in a desperate fight for survival.This German panic-thriller film delivers a chilling battle in the skies.

Nadja (Peri Baumeister), a mother traveling to the U.S. for her son’s bone marrow transplant, boards the wrong flight — one taken over by terrorists. Trapped on the hijacked plane with no way out, she is forced to unleash the terrifying power she has kept hidden in order to protect her son.

Chill Factor: The claustrophobic setting of an airplane with no escape, paired with the terrifying reveal of the mother’s “true nature,” doubles the fear.

The Call

“The Call” is a thriller film inspired by the 2011 UK–Puerto Rico co-production The Black Phone. A single phone call connects two women from different eras, and soon the future begins to unravel.It’s a time-paradox thriller.

Visiting her parents' house for the first time in a long time, Soyeon (Park Shin-hye) loses her cell phone and connects the old telephone in the house. Then, she receives a call from a young woman named Yonsuk (Jeon Jong-seo) who lived in this house 20 years ago. As they continue talking, the two become close friends, and Yonsuk stops the fire that killed Soyeon's beloved father...

Chill Factor: One phone call disrupts the future, leading to an unavoidable chain of despair.

Sputnik

“Sputnik” is a sci-fi horror set in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, following a cosmonaut who, in space,becomes infected with a mysterious alien organism,and the female doctor brought in to investigate the disturbing case.

In the 1980s, during the Cold War, the Soviet Union. An astronaut named Konstantin (Pyotr Fedorov) survives a terrible accident that kills almost all of the crew members of his spacecraft. However, he is immediately taken to a military facility, where a female doctor who is shunned by the government is sent to treat him. She discovers the existence of “something” living inside Konstantin's body and realizes the conspiracy that the military is plotting.

Chill Factor: Set in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, this is a nightmare about a mysterious life form that quietly invades.

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Train to Busan

“New Infection: Final Express” is the first live-action feature film by director Yeon Sang-ho, who has been attracting attention in the Korean animation industry. The story preceding this film is revealed in the feature-length animated film “Seoul Station Pandemic.”

On the high-speed railway connecting Seoul and Busan,a mysterious viral outbreaksweeps through the passengers. Seok-woo (Gong Yoo), on his way to deliver his daughter to his estranged wife, must struggle to survive the harrowing two-hour journey to the train’s final safe destination.

Chill Factor: Zombies attack in the closed space of a runaway train, putting you in an extreme situation where you must protect your family.

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Midsommar

"Midsommar" is a story set against the beautiful landscapes of Sweden, centered around a festival. The once-in-90-years celebration in a village where the sun never sets, with blooming flowers and friendly villagers singing and dancing, seemed like a paradise—but…

Dani (Florence Pugh), a college student who lost her family in a tragic accident, travels with her boyfriend and his friends to a remote Swedish village for a midsummer festival. Surrounded by breathtaking nature and welcoming locals, Dani seems to find solace — until she notices that other visiting tourists begin to disappear, and she slowly realizesthat something is terribly wrongabout this seemingly idyllic village.

Chill Factor: The endless madness of celebration unfolding under the bright white light of summer.

▶︎Watch "Midsommar"
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Tips for Enjoying Horror on Hot Summer Nights

1. Set the mood with lighting

Watching a horror movie in a bright room can reduce the fear factor. Use indirect lighting or candles to create a deliberately dark space, and you'll be instantly drawn into the world on the screen. Why not try it and see if you feel like you're one of the characters in the movie?

2. Create a chill with temperature differences

We recommend setting the air conditioner a little lower and watching in a slightly chilly environment. When you get goosebumps from fear, the actual cold air will add to the sensation of chills running down your spine. It's also a good idea to have cold drinks or ice cream on hand.

3. Aim for the silent hours of the night

Late at night, there are fewer outside noises, and the silence is accentuated. Watching a horror movie in such an environment will make you sensitive to even the slightest sounds, amplifying the fear many times over. Be cautious, as it might appear in your dreams before bedtime, but that’s also part of the charm of a summer horror experience.

4. Enjoy with family or friends

It's nice to immerse yourself in the horror alone, but watching it with family and friends will fill your summer memories with screams and laughter. Discussing scenes like, “That scene was scary, wasn't it?” after watching is also one of the pleasures of watching horror movies.

Summary

The true thrill of summer horror lies in savoring the cool night air together with a chilling sense of fear. Whether you watch alone in silence or laugh and scream with family and friends, the films we’ve introduced —「Blood Red Sky", "The Call", "Sputnik", "Train to Busan", "Midsommar」— are perfect for a spine-chilling summer night.

Check out other recommended summer works below!

「ブラッド・レッド・スカイ」「ザ・コール」©︎Netflix,Inc.「スプートニク」(c) NMG Studio LLC 2020「新感染：ファイナル・エクスプレス」(C) 2016 NEXT ENTERTAINMENT WORLD & REDPETER FILM. All Rights Reserved.「ミッドサマー」©2019 A24 FILMS LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Note: The information on this page is current as of August 2025. Please check the official websites for the latest updates.