Escape, Murder, Sleepaway Camp: Top 5 Summer Horror Films

Don't let that scenery fool you—camping is far from peaceful

Summer is the best time for horror films. Or at least that’s how we feel here at Krakit Vancouver Escape Game. In summertime, everyone is free and easy, and even people who aren’t usually up for a scary movie will watch one when the sun stays up until 9 pm.

Not only is summer the best time to watch tales of escape, murder, and sleepaway camp, but it’s also one of the classic horror film settings. It’s probably for the same reasons we listed above: everyone is free and easy—making the appearance of a decidedly uptight murderous maniac all the more unexpected.

1. Jaws (1975)

With one simple line, Steven Spielberg ruined summer for millions of kids: “Don’t go in the water.” The beachgoers in Jaws likewise have their summer ruined, when the resort town they’re all hyped to be at turns out to have a monstrous man-eating shark trawling its pristine waters. Oh well, there’s always next summer.

2. Friday the 13th (1980)

Arguably the most iconic summer-themed horror film, with little (or not so little) Jason Voorhees unable to leave the grounds of Camp Crystal Lake after tragically drowning there. His mother doesn’t help the situation either, making sure Jason’s death is never resolved thanks to her murderous rampage on the camp counsellors.

3. Sleepaway Camp (1983)

Playing on the success of Friday the 13th, Sleepaway Camp has a similar premise to its predecessor, with one crucial difference: this time it’s a girl who is bullied at camp! Or—is it? Bizarre moments and plot twists abound in Robert Hiltzik’s film, making it a cult favourite.

4. Cabin in the Woods (2012)

In the more recent Cabin in the Woods, an unsuspecting group of friends is heading for a—you guessed it—fun and carefree camping trip. Unlucky for them, the summer horror film is by now a well-studied phenomenon, with the bizarre moments dialed up to 11 by a team of experts. Unfortunately, this means their chances of escape aren’t looking good.

5. The Final Girls (2015)

By now, the summer-themed horror film has developed into pure parody, as seen with 2015’s The Final Girls. Though escape and murder are still on the menu, the top priority here is comedy. After falling through a cinema screen into a Friday the 13th-esque horror film set at Camp Bloodbath, a group of friends must figure out a way to dodge the murderous maniac and also somehow get back to reality.



Try your luck with Krakit Vancouver Escape Game’s own homicidal maniacs in our Saw or Asylum escape rooms. Book a slot here: http://bookeo.com/krakit

Summer in the City: Best Summer Group Activities in Vancouver

It’s no secret that Vancouver is a great place to live. But there is one time of year when it really shines, and that is summer. The mountains, the ocean, the parks, and more fun activities than a person knows what to do with—it’s really just the best.

It’s easy to hide away when the winter rains are falling, but now that June is here, it’s definitely time to get back out there. Because summer is for spending as many sunshine hours out and about with friends as possible.

Here are just some of the best activities Van City offers in summertime.

Thom Quine (CC BY 2.0)

Craft Beer Bike Tours

Craft beer? Check. Bicycles? Check. A tour guide to make sure you don’t cycle into traffic before you reach the last brewery? Check. Sprinkle in a handful of your besties, and you’ve got a recipe for some serious summer memories.

Find out more here.

Evo Summer Cinema

The outdoor cinema screenings are now a fixture of Vancouver’s summers, with outdoor theatres set up everywhere from Richmond to Stanley Park. With a mix of recent flicks and retro classics, the ability to bring your own snacks, and the great outdoors, what’s not to love?

Going with a group of friends makes the screenings the most fun, as you can all bunch together as the temperature dips and, just as importantly, take turns being human furniture once that blanket starts feeling a little too thin.

The 2016 lineup will be announced here.

Krakit Escape Game

One of the best things about summer is the fact that the sun stays up nearly as long as you do. Krakit Escape Game is open late into the night (the last games start at midnight), helping you to stretch your summer calendar as much as possible. Groups of up to eight pals can work together to solve the room, before time’s up.

Book one of four themed escape rooms here.

River Tubing in North Van

There’s nothing like a long, slow tube down the Capilano River. Some tubes, some lifejackets and paddles, and a half-day’s worth of “refreshments” make for a relaxing float down the river with a group of buddies. There are some rough patches though, so make sure you don’t bring too many refreshments.

More details here.