The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
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Back in cinemas Oct 9 — 36 cinemas in 12 states · 36 screenings at 36 cinemas on our showtimes page
Where to watch: Streaming on Shudder · Tubi (US, subject to change)
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How it scared people
The vibe
Hooper's grimy 16mm nightmare still feels like contraband — a heat-stroke documentary about the family at the end of the road. Far less gore than its reputation claims; the horror is texture, sound design, and a dinner scene that never ends.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) Parents Guide
| MPA rating | Rated R |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 83 minutes |
| Jump scares | 5/5 — among the scariest films on WhatScares |
| Gore | 5/5 — extreme gore — not for the squeamish |
| Dread | 3/5 — a lingering atmosphere that stays for the evening |
| Themes | a killer stalking victims; characters cut off from help |
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is rated R by the MPA. We score it 5/5 for jump scares, 5/5 for gore and 3/5 for lingering dread, over 83 minutes. Weigh the gore first: extreme gore — not for the squeamish. Older teens and adults, mostly on the strength of what it shows.
We rate what the film does — scares, gore, dread — not scene-level content like language or nudity, which we don't track.
Before you press play
- How scary is The Texas Chain Saw Massacre?
- On our intensity scale, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre rates 10/10 for jump scares and 6/10 for dread. It is among the scariest films on WhatScares.
- How gory is The Texas Chain Saw Massacre?
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre rates 10/10 for gore — expect extreme gore — not for the squeamish.
- How long is The Texas Chain Saw Massacre?
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre runs 83 minutes (1h 23m).
- What is The Texas Chain Saw Massacre rated?
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is rated R by the MPA. On our own scale it rates 10/10 for jump scares, 10/10 for gore and 6/10 for dread — the R tells you what it was certified, those tell you what it will do to you.
- Where to watch The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)?
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is back in cinemas from Oct 9 — 36 screenings at 36 cinemas on our showtimes page. As of our last update, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is streaming on Shudder and Tubi in the US. Availability changes, so check your service before settling in.
