I love horror movies [1]. Unfortunately, my husband doesn't feel the same way, which means that — out of respect for his wimpy side — my scary movie nights are reserved for nights when he's away. That means it's just me, my dogs, and an empty house . . . which, post-horror film, can turn into a pretty spooky situation. After years of imagining creepy figures out of the corner of my eye or being scared to get up and go to the bathroom in my own home, I've realised that there are certain types of horror movies that are better suited for watching solo.

When picking a scary movie to watch [2] while home alone, it's important to avoid films where the horror takes place while somebody is in the same situation! No scary movies where the protagonist is primarily home alone, like Paranormal Activity or The Strangers. If a scary film has moments that will make you scared to do certain basic activities in your own house while alone, like wash your hair (The Grudge) or open the closet (Babadook), those are probably best to avoid, too. Unless, of course, you enjoy debilitating terror that bleeds into your everyday life.

I've found that the ideal scary movies to watch alone check (at least) one of the following boxes:

• Take place primarily in public or outdoors
• Have an element of humour [3] (or old-school campiness)
• Are entirely contained within a claustrophobic space

So if you're home alone and looking for a horror movie to watch, check out one of these spooky films that won't leave you paralyzed with fear on your own couch.

Se7en

This scary movie follows a serial killer investigation, and while it's definitely creepy as hell, it's on the move enough not to make you fear your home's dark corners.

Get Out

While certainly a horror movie, Get Out also has elements of humour. It's less of a "makes you scared to get up and grab a midnight snack" movie and more of a "makes you fearful of other people" one.

It Follows

The entire premise of It Follows is the need to stay on the move, which means that the film takes place in tons of different locations outside the house.

The Omen

The Omen is actually better to watch alone, because it makes you more scared of other people — especially kids — than of paranormal happenings inside your home. There's no need to fear your staircase banister after the flick unless there are other, potentially Antichrist, people the house with you.

Carrie

Carrie has plenty of unsettling scenes in that attic bedroom, but it has an element of old-school camp that makes it less traumatizing for a modern viewer. Plus, the crux of the movie famously takes place at a high school prom!

The Blair Witch Project

This groundbreaking found-footage horror film has scared many people out of camping trips, but is an OK option to watch solo in the comfort of your own home.

The Descent

Because this film primarily takes place in underground caverns, it will feel less familiar to somebody who's watching from the comfort of a bed or couch.

The Witch

Unless you live in a Pilgrim-era cottage, the spooky house scenes in The Witch will make you say "oh sh*t!" in the moment, but won't affect your ability to walk around an empty house after the credits roll.

Buried

Buried takes place almost entirely inside a wooden box, so it won't remind you of your empty house — unless you live in a coffin!

Cabin in the Woods

This movie does take place in a remote cabin, but it's got several funny, unexpected elements that will keep you feeling safe while you're alone.

28 Days Later

28 Days Later is one of the best zombie movies out there and takes place on the run rather than inside a spooky house.

Shaun of the Dead

Zombies? Check. Blood and guts? Check. Enough jokes to keep the whole thing from feeling too horrendous? Checkmate.

The Village

There are a few spooky house scenes in The Village, but the movie takes place primarily outdoors or in large groups. Plus, this is one of the less overtly scary films on the list!

The Mist

This film will definitely stick with you after the credits roll, but not in a way that'll make you fearful of being home alone.

The Lost Boys

This '80s vampire flick checks several of the "OK to watch at home alone" boxes: it's got old-school campiness galore and it takes place mostly in public or outdoors. (It might make you scared of men with mullets, though!)

Life After Beth

Though often inside a home, Life After Beth has more funny moments than jump scares.

The Silence of the Lambs

This iconic horror film will make you more scared of criminal psych wards than of your own bathroom mirror.