The horror genre has a unique ability to tap into our deepest fears and anxieties, confronting us with unsettling imagery and bone-chilling narratives. The best horror movies transcend mere scares, lingering in our minds long after the credits roll. They reflect social anxieties, challenge our perceptions, and sometimes, provide twisted catharsis.
Let’s explore some of the greatest horror films ever made, examining why they have earned their place in the pantheon of cinematic terror:
- The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist (1973) is a landmark horror film directed by William Friedkin and adapted from William Peter Blatty’s novel. When young Regan MacNeil exhibits increasingly horrifying and inexplicable behavior, her mother seeks medical help with no success. Desperation leads them to call upon two Catholic priests to perform an exorcism. The film delves into themes of demonic possession, the conflict between faith and doubt, and the inherent evil that can exist within. Its terrifying scenes of Regan’s transformation, controversial themes, and shocking special effects caused uproar but solidified its place as one of the most influential and unsettling horror movies ever made.
2. Scream (1996)
Scream (1996) revitalized the slasher genre with its self-aware approach and witty meta-commentary on horror tropes. Set in the quiet town of Woodsboro, the film follows Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she becomes the target of a masked killer named Ghostface, who stalks and taunts his victims using their knowledge of classic horror films. Directed by Wes Craven, Scream weaves humor and genuine scares, subverting expectations while paying homage to the slasher films that came before it. With its iconic opening scene, sharp dialogue, and a shocking twist, Scream solidified its place as a horror classic.
3. Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, Get Out (2017), is a groundbreaking psychological horror film that delves into the terrifying depths of systemic racism and liberal hypocrisy. Chris, a young African American photographer, accompanies his white girlfriend Rose on a weekend visit to her family’s seemingly idyllic estate. However, a growing sense of unease soon reveals sinister intentions lurking beneath a facade of politeness and false progressivism. Get Out masterfully integrates suspenseful horror tropes with biting social commentary, escalating into a nightmarish struggle for survival that exposes the insidious nature of covert racism.
4. The Witch (2015)
The Witch (2015) is a chilling and disturbing period horror film set in 17th-century New England. It chronicles a devout Puritan family banished to the edge of a dark wilderness, where they encounter horrifying forces of evil. Director Robert Eggers meticulously creates a world steeped in historical authenticity, drawing on real-life accounts of witchcraft. The film builds unbearable tension with stark visuals, dissonant music, and an unsettling focus on the disintegration of the family unit. More than jump scares, The Witch relies on an oppressive atmosphere of dread and the exploration of religious paranoia, questioning whether the real horrors stem from supernatural forces or the darkness within the human heart.
5. It Follows (2015)
“It Follows” (2015) is a unique and deeply unsettling horror film that subverts classic genre tropes. After a sexual encounter, teenager Jay finds herself relentlessly pursued by a mysterious, shape-shifting entity that only she can see. The film expertly builds a relentless sense of dread as the entity inches closer, its presence always felt but rarely fully seen. Unlike typical slasher films, the horror isn’t rooted in jump scares or graphic violence, but in the psychological torture of the unknown and the inescapable threat that permeates every moment. This psychological depth, paired with its retro aesthetic and haunting score, make “It Follows” a lingering and unnerving horror experience.
6. The Descent (2005)
The Descent (2005) is a claustrophobic and terrifying British horror film directed by Neil Marshall. The film follows a group of six women who embark on a caving expedition that takes a horrifying turn when they become trapped deep underground. As their escape routes dwindle and tensions rise, they realize they are not alone in the darkness. The Descent weaves a masterful blend of psychological terror and visceral creature horror, culminating in a descent into primal survival instincts and ultimately, madness.
7. Paranormal Activity (2007)
Paranormal Activity (2007) revolutionized the found-footage horror genre with its minimalist story and terrifying execution. The film centers on Katie and Micah, a young couple plagued by an unseen, demonic presence in their new home. Micah decides to record the haunting phenomena throughout the night, leading to escalating scares and disturbing footage. With its slow-burn pacing, dread-inducing atmosphere, and emphasis on what remains unseen, Paranormal Activity became a commercial smash hit and launched a long-running franchise that explores the terrifying events before, during, and after the original film.
8. An American Werewolf In London (1981)
An American Werewolf in London (1981) is a horror-comedy classic that seamlessly blends bone-chilling terror with darkly humorous wit. Two American backpackers, David and Jack, encounter a terrifying fate on the English moors – a werewolf attack that leaves Jack dead and David cursed with lycanthropy. As David transforms each full moon, he grapples with his monstrous affliction, the morbidly surreal situations it produces, and the horrifying aftermath. An American Werewolf in London revolutionized werewolf depictions with its groundbreaking special effects and makeup, earning an Academy Award for its iconic transformation scene. Despite its horrifying elements, the film maintains a satirical edge, providing both thrilling scares and twisted laughs.
9. 28 Days Later (2002)
28 Days Later (2002) is a post-apocalyptic British horror film that revitalized the zombie genre. After a highly contagious “Rage” virus accidentally escapes from a lab, it rapidly infects the population, sending Britain into violent chaos. A bicycle courier named Jim awakens from a coma amidst the societal collapse, forced to navigate a brutal, desolate world alongside a small group of survivors. Directed by Danny Boyle and with exceptional performances, 28 Days Later’s visceral style, gritty realism, and exploration of survival in the face of a devastating pandemic remain highly influential in the horror landscape.
10. Let The Right One In (2008)
Let the Right One In (2008) is a chilling Swedish vampire film that subverts genre expectations with its blend of horror and tender coming-of-age themes. Set in a bleak, snowy Stockholm suburb, the story follows Oskar, a lonely, bullied 12-year-old who forms an unlikely bond with Eli, his mysterious new neighbor. Eli, it turns out, is a vampire trapped in the body of a child, forever dependent on her aging protector for survival. Their friendship offers a respite from their harsh realities, but Eli’s thirst for blood casts a long shadow, leading to moments of shocking violence and heartbreaking moral dilemmas. The film weaves a haunting and poignant tale of loneliness, connection, and the dark complexities of youth.tunesharemore_vert
11. Midsommar (2019)
Midsommar (2019) is a deeply unsettling folk horror film by Ari Aster, the director of the equally disturbing ‘Hereditary’. The film follows Dani, a young woman grappling with grief, who accompanies her distant boyfriend and his friends to a remote Swedish commune for a midsummer festival. What begins as an idyllic, sun-drenched retreat slowly spirals into a hallucinatory nightmare. As Dani navigates the group’s unsettling rituals and traditions, Midsommar delves into themes of trauma, toxic relationships, and the horrors that can lurk beneath seemingly beautiful communities.tunesharemore_vert
12. Raw (2016)
Raw (2016) is a French coming-of-age horror film that follows Justine, a lifelong vegetarian thrust into the brutal world of veterinary school. During hazing rituals, she’s pressured to eat raw meat, triggering an insatiable and disturbing hunger for human flesh. Director Julia Ducournau’s film offers a graphic and visceral exploration of female desire, identity, and the dark complexities of sisterhood. Its blend of body horror and psychological intensity has garnered both critical acclaim and controversy, establishing Raw as a powerful and unforgettable entry in the modern horror canon.
13. The Babadook (2014)
The Babadook (2014) is an Australian psychological horror film that delves into the themes of grief, trauma, and the fear of monstrous forces within ourselves. Amelia, a troubled widow, and her young son Samuel stumble upon a disturbing pop-up book titled “Mister Babadook,” which triggers eerie events and hallucinations. As Amelia battles grief and Samuel’s behavioral problems, it becomes increasingly unclear whether the monstrous Babadook is a supernatural entity or a manifestation of their own deteriorating mental states. The film cleverly weaves psychological terror with gothic imagery, leaving viewers unsettled and questioning the true nature of the darkness that plagues the characters.
14. Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary (2018) is a chilling and masterful horror film by director Ari Aster. Exploring themes of familial trauma, mental illness, and the destructive power of inherited secrets, the film follows the unraveling of the Graham family after the loss of their secretive matriarch. Toni Collette’s gut-wrenching performance anchors a narrative that slowly ratchets up tension, blending psychological unease with shocking acts of supernatural terror. Aster’s meticulous direction evokes a palpable sense of dread as the family becomes pawns in a horrifying ancestral legacy. Hereditary isn’t a jump-scare-laden thrill ride; it’s a slow-burn, profoundly disturbing, and unforgettable exploration of the darkness that can lurk within families.
15. It Follows (2014)
After a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, Jay, a 19-year-old college student, finds herself relentlessly pursued by a mysterious, shape-shifting entity. “It Follows” transcends typical horror tropes, delivering a chilling exploration of vulnerability and the unrelenting nature of fear. With its haunting atmosphere, creeping sense of dread, and potent metaphor for anxieties surrounding adolescence and sexuality, the film lingers in the mind long after the final credits roll. Its unique premise and understated presentation solidify “It Follows” as a modern horror classic.
16. The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring (2013), directed by James Wan, revitalized the haunted house genre with its terrifying story based on the purportedly real experiences of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film follows the Warrens as they aid the Perron family, who are experiencing increasingly disturbing paranormal events in their Rhode Island farmhouse. Tension builds masterfully through ominous creaks, chilling apparitions, and a menacing demonic presence lurking in the shadows. The Conjuring skillfully plays on primal fears of the unknown and taps into the unsettling idea that malevolent forces exist just beyond our sight, delivering a horror experience that lingers long after the final scene.
17. Kill List (2011)
Kill List (2011) is a disturbing and enigmatic blend of hitman thriller and folk horror. Initially presenting as a gritty crime drama, the film spirals into a nightmarish odyssey as two contract killers, Jay and Gal, take on a mysterious new assignment. As the targets on their list become increasingly bizarre, a sinister conspiracy and unsettling ritualistic elements emerge. Kill List pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling, blurring the lines between reality and madness as it descends into a profoundly unsettling psychological horror experience. Its shocking violence and ambiguous finale leave viewers deeply disquieted and ripe for debate.
18. Saw (2004)
“Saw” (2004) is a gruesome and twisted horror film that launched a sprawling franchise. Two strangers awaken chained in a dilapidated bathroom, forced to play a sadistic game orchestrated by a meticulous killer known as ‘Jigsaw’. To survive, they must confront their past sins and engage in brutal acts of self-mutilation. The film’s shocking violence, unrelenting tension, and its infamous twist ending propelled it to iconic status amongst horror fans, who were fascinated by the moral dilemmas and philosophical undertones presented by Jigsaw’s deadly ‘games’.
19. It: Chapters One and Two (2017 & 2019)
It: Chapter One & Two are supernatural horror films based on the first half of Stephen King’s iconic 1986 novel. Set in the small town of Derry, Maine, the film follows a group of outcast kids, known as the “Losers’ Club,” as they confront their deepest fears in the form of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, an ancient, shape-shifting evil that preys on children. Their friendship, courage, and a confrontation with their personal demons become their strongest weapons as they navigate the terrifying events unfolding in their town.
Conclusion
Ultimately, “the best” is influenced by personal experiences and sensibilities. A childhood encounter with a slasher flick may forever make that subgenre resonate deepest. A film tackling specific anxieties, be it isolation or fear of the unknown, may prove more terrifying than graphic gore.
While “The Exorcist,” “Halloween,” or more recent classics like “The Babadook” often top “best of” lists, the conversation of “the best” horror film continues. New filmmakers keep redefining the genre. Our own perspectives change with time.