April Fool's Day is all about practical jokes and hoaxes, which lend themselves easily to big-screen adventures. That helps explain why they're a familiar refrain in horror movies, a place where dark humor can easily tread into murderous territory.
Sadly, while the original intention of pranks may have been playful, they often have a more cruel edge to them in real life. The more malevolent angle on pranks has often been explored in horror movies, as these seven examples demonstrate.
Carrie (2013)
Young Carrie (Chloe Grace Moretz), who has recently discovered she has telekinetic powers, reluctantly goes to the high school prom with Tommy (Ansel Elgort). But neither of them know they are about to victimized by a bloody prank that will have deadly consequences.
April Fool's Day (1986)
A young woman named Muffy invites a group of her college friends to her family's isolated island retreat for a little rest and recreation. Soon thereafter begins a series of pranks that initially seem quite innocent and silly, until they turn deadly. Oh, and did we mention this all takes place on April 1?
Sorority Row (2009)
To get back at her boyfriend for cheating on her, a young women gets help from her sorority sisters to fake her own death. Believing her to be already dead, however, the boyfriend ends up inadvertently killing her for real. It's little surprise that the vindictive prank backfires further on those involved, leading to a vicious series of murders.
Night of the Demons 2 (1994)
As superbly directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith, this frightful sequel follows a bullying young woman who tricks a few fellow Catholic boarding school classmates to go with her for a Halloween party in a haunted house. She thinks she's pulling an elaborate prank but the trick is on everyone when a demon in the house is reawakened.
Hell Night (1981)
A fraternity initiation in a supposedly haunted house goes very, very bad, though the homicidal acts are initially overshadowed by obnoxious pranks that have been set up around the house. The intended pranks also make it harder to figure out where the true dangers are lurking. Linda Blair (The Exorcist) stars.
The Burning (1981)
A prank goes horribly wrong, disfiguring a summer camp caretaker, who then seeks revenge on those responsible. The movie may be best remembered for showcasing early performances by future stars Jason Alexander and Holly Hunter, but it's a surprisingly effective, if derivative, little shocker.
Terror Train (1980)
A slightly earlier version of the classic "vengeful prank victim who becomes a serial killer" type of horror movie, this one also features Jamie Lee Curtis, Ben Johnson, a claustrophobic setting on board a train, and a series of imaginative costume changes.
