With it being the month of October, horror movies are the dominant genre. There have been bad horror movies and there have been great horror movies. Today, I will rank my top 10 horror movies of all time. Let's begin.
10) Seconds (1966)
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Seconds is a film you wouldn't name when you think of horror movies but it is one of the scariest films of all time. Director John Frankenheimer leaves you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole runtime. It is a weird and eerie film that makes you think about your own life if you were in this situation. If you haven't watched Seconds, I highly recommend it.
9) Black Swan (2010)
Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
Black Swan is again another film you wouldn't think about in the horror genre but it is a scary film. Black Swan is a psychological horror film and in my eyes that is much scarier than a film with fake ghosts and paranormal activities. Natalie Portman gives a groundbreaking performance that will terrify you but make you not look away. Director Darren Aronofsky builds the tension throughout the film, leading to one of the best endings I have ever seen.
8) The Thing (1982)
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Horror and Sci-fi have always gone together like peanut butter and jelly but no film does it better than The Thing. Director John Carpenter ramps up the tension throughout the film which makes the whole rumtime terrifying. Carpenter takes the playbook from Jaws by not showing "The Thing" until the ending. The Thing is definitely the scariest Sci-fi film ever created.
7) Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Rosemary's Baby is another film on the list that doesn't have jump scares or scare you in every frame. What Rosemary's Baby does is leave you on the edge of your seat wondering what's going to happen next. Mia Farrow gives one of the best performances of all time in the horror genre. Director Roman Polanski builds up the tension and creates one of the most terrifying endings in cinema history which is why it is #7 on my list.
6) Hereditary (2018)
Courtesy of A24
Hereditary is one of a few films on this list that is a typical horror film. Hereditary terrifies the audience throughout its runtime. Toni Collette gives an amazing terrifying performance that leaves you wanting to crawl out of your skin. I usually don't get scared of horror movies anymore but I admit I was scared while watching this film. It was something I had never seen in horror before. There were some moments where I didn't want to look at my screen but I couldn't look away. That is what great horror is supposed to evoke and that is why Hereditary is #6 on my list.
5) The Evil Dead (1981)
Courtesy of New Line Cinema
The Evil Dead belongs on this list because it is the definition of a scary film. The film has all the horror movie tropes. It takes place in a scary setting. It has a group of people together in one place. It has stupid characters that make terrible decisions. What makes The Evil Dead a great horror film is that it will make you terrified. It will make you have nightmares. Again, I don't usually get scared of horror films but after watching The Evil Dead, I was terrified to go to sleep. That is why The Evil Dead is #5 on my list.
4) The Exorcist (1973)
Courtesy of Warner Brothers Pictures
There wouldn't be a top 10 horror movie list without The Exorcist. The Exorcist is known as the scariest movie ever created. There's not much to be said about this film except that it lives up to its moniker. I challenge anyone who hasn't seen this movie to watch it and not be scared.
3) Halloween (1978)
Courtesy of Compass International Pictures
Halloween is not only the most iconic horror film on this list, it has the most iconic character in horror history. Even if you haven't seen Halloween, you know the name Michael Myers. Halloween does everything a great horror film is supposed to do. It terrifies you and builds tension throughout the film. It has great music that will make you have goosebumps from legendary composer John Carpenter. It even has a great story that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Halloween was the first horror film I have ever watched and as a kid I was terrified and even watching as a adult, there are still parts that make me jump out of my seat.
2) Psycho (1960)
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
Arguably the best film on this list, Psycho is a film everyone should experience once in their lives. Directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock, Psycho dives into Hitchcock's darkest thoughts. With a masterful performance by Anthony Perkins, Psycho will make you uncomfortable throughout the whole runtime while not knowing what is going to happen. If you haven't seen this film, go check it out. It is worth the experience.
1) The Shining (1980)
Courtesy of Warner Brothers Pictures
The Shining is my #1 horror film of all time. Director Stanley Kubrick mesmerizes and terrifies his audience with this film. Jack Nicholson gives the best performance in a horror film. Nicholson terrifies you as the film progresses and his madness ensues. Everything about this film is perfect. "Here's Johnny" is one of the most iconic lines in film history and is said in such a way that will make your skin crawl. Not only was The Shining a horror film on the screen, it was a horror film on the set too. Lead actress Shelley Duvall's life was changed for the worst because of the events that took place on set. The Shining changed how I look horror films and will always be my gold standard for the genre.
Do you agree with my list? Leave your opinion in the comments below.
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