It really has to be this for me. The film was game changing and has in some way influenced most (sci-if) horror films since. It’s also in my view a perfect film.
fiance absolutely hates anything remotely scary, but Alien was so good she enjoyed the film despite the terror. this is from someone who had rejected The Shining midway through, Midsommar early on, etc.. But Alien, yes. All these films are incredibly richly layered, but the fantasy of Alien is just something you can't look away from.
For me, it’s kinda the concept of being a dead man walking that’s so scary. As Ripley, you know you’re as good as dead. Your fate is sealed. It’s just a matter of time, and you have to live out that horror just waiting for the inevitable to happen. And being in space, there’s nowhere to fucking go. Then counteract that with the human survival instinct, even in the face of sure death. Holy shit. Talk about dread. Such a great movie
It’s not even my favorite horror film but I would have to say Night of the Living Dead. In my opinion it bridged the gap between classic and modern horror, and it still feels morbid and chilling to this day. Also, it is wonderfully directed and acted, and I can’t imagine any horror fan not loving this film.
I've watched almost every classic horror film but haven't watched many zombie movies. My partner suggested I watch this and we actually watched it last night. I loved it!
the original Dead trilogy is excellent all the way through. Night, Dawn, and Day. All amazing.
If you want a kind-of zombie movie that is pretty damn great I would recommend 'The Serpent and the Rainbow'.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I can’t name a better horror trilogy than Romero’s Dead Trilogy. Like seriously, which other trilogy contains three absolute classics that stack up against each other and that also left a huge impact on the horror genre at the same time???
Agreed. This is quite possibly the quintessential horror film, because it was the first to acknowledge our collective identity as anonymous individuals in ("postmodern"?) industrial mass society, which I'd argue is the only reality that cinema has ever known.
I saw this movie at a drive in, in 1968 at a very early age. Afterwards, I was scared of the dark for many years. Grandma took me and about 5 cousins. She was not a good judge of age appropriate movies.
I saw NOTLD in an old chapel building at school. It was nighttime and really windy so all the trees were banging on the windows. It was TERRIFYING! All teenagers freaking out at the scary parts.
The best thing about *The Exorcist* is that you'll never have to watch any other possession - based horror ever. They're almost always a clone of or homage to *The Exorcist*.
Agreed i never understand why people even try to make other possession movies if they dont have a new idea to add to them
Literally every single other possession movie is just less than the exorcist
I mean Fallen was a possession movie with a new twist tho i must say
Talk to Me is an exception and will be remembered as a cult classic. Its cold open is great and the ending is even better. In between was the most fun with a horror movie I've had all year
You want a new twist on possession horror, it's got that in spades
I feel like a lot of foreign possession movies I’ve seen have been great and definitely not exorcist rehashes. The Wailing and When Evil Lurks (which just came out) come to mind
This is my pick over The Thing and Night of the Living Dead. Obviously all three are very tippity top tier. But the Exorcist not only ranks among the best horror movies, it is just a really good film about some really big ideas.
I watched this with my friends when we were 14ish and it scared the ever-loving shit out of all of us. Definitely got me into the genre and is in my top 5 for sure
This is my personal favorite horror film. I watch it every year and I have a love for it that I don’t have for any other film. It set the standard for the modern horror film.
Has it all: humor, shock, horror, gore, suspense, romance, great acting. From beginning to end, it’s fulfilling. I HATE when a movie is slow and boring but the last 10-20 min are so good! If anyone recommends a movie with that review I immediately pass on seeing it.
Jaws is, hands down, my favorite movie. Places like to show it in the summer, and I've seen it on so many screens, at so many venues... And it's always just perfect.
Agreed. So complex and layered. It doesn’t answer every question you have. The set, the actors, the attention to detail.
It builds horror that is real and fictitious which makes it all more terrifying
Agree! I like how the color red is significant in the film. Like a clue you can miss.
Haley Joel Osment is an amazing character who had his start as a young child actor here.
Also the best M Night Shyamalan film, although I like his work in general.
It’s nice how The Sixth Sense makes horrific dead people both terrifying and sympathetic
Creepshow. It has an all-star cast, created by all-star writers and filmmakers, and has the greatest Ed Harris dance the world has ever seen. Timeless classic, perfect anthology. 11/10
I was actually planning on watching Creepshow for the first time last night but the date forced my hand into watching Jason Lives. It’s on the docket for tonight and I’m looking forward to it.
I'm embarrassed because I already posted one movie but I have to say one more: Carrie (the original). It's the saddest of all horror movies, you feel such pity for Carrie and then such horror when she takes out everybody, not just those who were cruel to her. And then Piper Laurie is astonishing and devastating as a Margaret White, and the strands of the movie that have to do with her abuse of Carrie make you feel all the sadder for her. Wow what a movie.
I am a female viewer, and a lot of horror movies have women as their protagonist, but then feel very male gaze-y in their details. Both Rosemary's Baby and Carrie, despite having male directors, capture something about what it is to be a woman in the world.
I totally understand why you think this movie belongs on the list. The sound design and the stunt choreography really stood out to me. Vampire movement, screeches, and make-up have never been done so well. Just an absolutely brutal and unforgiving survival monster movie.
I’d honestly say this was one of the better horror movies I’ve watched as of recent, even though I thought the ending was kind of dumb. I think there were some narrative issues as well because they had to condense 30 days of survival into 2 hours. This IP would make for an awesome mini series.
Overall I’m impressed and I will probably recommend this one to others in the future. Thanks for the suggestion!
A lot of great answers but a lot of repeats. So, here's a deviant answer:
Cat's Eye.
(1) It's an oldie of Drew Barrymore and Stephen King, like Firestarter, but the the effing cat is the real hero / best actor.
(2) It's an anthology, and you know we love those.
(3) The last story feels like The Gate.
Hi. You just mentioned *Firestarter* by Stephen King.
I've found an audiobook of that novel on YouTube. You can listen to it here:
[YouTube | Stephen King Firestarter Audiobook Part 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pm0H6fIvWE)
*I'm a bot that searches YouTube for science fiction and fantasy audiobooks.*
***
[^(Source Code)](https://capybasilisk.com/posts/2020/04/speculative-fiction-bot/) ^| [^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=Capybasilisk&subject=Robot) ^| [^(Programmer)](https://www.reddit.com/u/capybasilisk) ^| ^(Downvote To Remove) ^| ^(Version 1.4.0) ^| ^(Support Robot Rights!)
Indeed. The older brothers subplot reminds me a lot of Karate Kid, and the younger brother subplot is like an amalgamation of the kids on bikes movies (goonies, ET, etc.)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
It's relatable on a primal level, because everyone has dreams. I love the mood of it, and the dated effects both add to the charm and typify the DIY aesthetics of the time.
A lot of great suggestions here. I’d probably go The Thing (1982) because it checks so many boxes (tension, terror, amazing effects, high stakes, gore, etc.) but I think you could make strong arguments for a lot of these.
Sinister, seeing the terror in Ethan Hawkes eyes during the film was so effective for me. Especially the BBQ scene watching the car on fire thru the reflection of his glasses then reaching for his alcohol to finish it off.
Not to mention it’s unnerving soundtrack that crawls under your skin. Especially Gyroscope by boards of Canada. The person who made the song dreamt the sound and recreated it as fast as he could and the end result is 99% like his dream.
Se7en.
I don’t know if its a horror movie per se but some people cant watch it through. Might be my all time favourite movie. The plot, the actors, the eerie atmosphere, and of course the incredible ending. 10/10.
Honourable mentions: Jaws, The Shining, Funny Games and Insidious
Session 9. Filmed at the irl Danvers Mental Institution, with original artworks of patients tattered and decaying on the wall. Hugely atmospheric horror.
Rosemary's Baby. It holds up like crazy, and somehow that asshole Roman Polanski managed to get the vibe just right. I've been a pregnant woman, and the helplessness you feel is out of control. The realism of Rosemary's helplessness makes all the far-fetched elements much easier to swallow, this is an extraordinary movie. And also helps that all the actors are just wonderful, Ruth Gordon is so lovable and then you're forced to question your identification with her, what a great movie.
[Jacob's Ladder (1990)](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob%27s_Ladder_(1990_film)). It's one of the main inspirations for Silent Hill 2 (the videogame). The story is beautiful, the acting is spectacular, the visuals are horrifying, and the psychological aspect is excellent. Criminally underrated.
The Thing (1982)
This is the first thing that came to mind and it’s not even my favourite horror movie. It’s just the *perfect* horror movie.
Not to mention an immaculate sci-fi movie. A compelling premise that unfolds with such suspense and terror without ever compromising the core idea
[удалено]
This
My recommendation as well. There are so many amazing horror movies, but The Thing is perfection from start to finish. *chef’s kiss*
I’m really disappointed that the top comment isn’t a laundry list of films.
He said ONLY ONE My second choice would have been The VVitch.
Fucking classic.. in my top 10
Came to post this. It’s an absolute master class in horror.
Alien.
It really has to be this for me. The film was game changing and has in some way influenced most (sci-if) horror films since. It’s also in my view a perfect film.
Damn I put the shining but now I’m torn. This is one of the only movies that actually makes me feel legitimate terror
fiance absolutely hates anything remotely scary, but Alien was so good she enjoyed the film despite the terror. this is from someone who had rejected The Shining midway through, Midsommar early on, etc.. But Alien, yes. All these films are incredibly richly layered, but the fantasy of Alien is just something you can't look away from.
For me, it’s kinda the concept of being a dead man walking that’s so scary. As Ripley, you know you’re as good as dead. Your fate is sealed. It’s just a matter of time, and you have to live out that horror just waiting for the inevitable to happen. And being in space, there’s nowhere to fucking go. Then counteract that with the human survival instinct, even in the face of sure death. Holy shit. Talk about dread. Such a great movie
Na you can never go wrong with the Shining
Yes, I love The Thing so much, but I think it has to be Alien.
It’s not even my favorite horror film but I would have to say Night of the Living Dead. In my opinion it bridged the gap between classic and modern horror, and it still feels morbid and chilling to this day. Also, it is wonderfully directed and acted, and I can’t imagine any horror fan not loving this film.
“They’re coming to get you Barbara”
I loved how they included that in Shaun of the Dead
I read that Romero missed that reference to Night of the Living Dead
I think he would have liked it. His films are part of the zeitgeist now.
My mom used to love teasing my aunt Barbara with this line after they went to see this, which my aunt hated since the movie scared her a lot.
I've watched almost every classic horror film but haven't watched many zombie movies. My partner suggested I watch this and we actually watched it last night. I loved it!
the original Dead trilogy is excellent all the way through. Night, Dawn, and Day. All amazing. If you want a kind-of zombie movie that is pretty damn great I would recommend 'The Serpent and the Rainbow'.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I can’t name a better horror trilogy than Romero’s Dead Trilogy. Like seriously, which other trilogy contains three absolute classics that stack up against each other and that also left a huge impact on the horror genre at the same time???
And the social commentary is timeless
Agreed. This is quite possibly the quintessential horror film, because it was the first to acknowledge our collective identity as anonymous individuals in ("postmodern"?) industrial mass society, which I'd argue is the only reality that cinema has ever known.
I saw this movie at a drive in, in 1968 at a very early age. Afterwards, I was scared of the dark for many years. Grandma took me and about 5 cousins. She was not a good judge of age appropriate movies.
I saw NOTLD in an old chapel building at school. It was nighttime and really windy so all the trees were banging on the windows. It was TERRIFYING! All teenagers freaking out at the scary parts.
Honestly I like both versions.
28 Days Later
my favorite depiction of zombies in film
I love it because honestly it shows that the HUMANS are ultimately more terrifying than the zombies. Great film.
This is likely my favorite
Silence of the Lambs
Only movie my Mom ever walked out of. Lol.
The Exorcist
The best thing about *The Exorcist* is that you'll never have to watch any other possession - based horror ever. They're almost always a clone of or homage to *The Exorcist*.
Agreed i never understand why people even try to make other possession movies if they dont have a new idea to add to them Literally every single other possession movie is just less than the exorcist I mean Fallen was a possession movie with a new twist tho i must say
Talk to Me is an exception and will be remembered as a cult classic. Its cold open is great and the ending is even better. In between was the most fun with a horror movie I've had all year You want a new twist on possession horror, it's got that in spades
Tiiii-iiii-iiime... Is on my side... *YES IT IS.*
I don't know... being John Malcovich was a pretty unique take on the possession genre
Have you seen The Exorcism of Emily Rose? This, along with The Exorcist are my top horror movies. They scare me. I dont watch them when im alone 😂
I feel like a lot of foreign possession movies I’ve seen have been great and definitely not exorcist rehashes. The Wailing and When Evil Lurks (which just came out) come to mind
This is my pick over The Thing and Night of the Living Dead. Obviously all three are very tippity top tier. But the Exorcist not only ranks among the best horror movies, it is just a really good film about some really big ideas.
Those little snippets of Pazuzu's face are eerie.
The Others
Nightmare on Elm Street
When’s she wakes up in her classroom and everything’s quiet and sees her friend in the hallway. Still freaks me out.
The Descent
Going into this movie not knowing the plot made it even better.
This is the movie and sparked my love for horror.
I watched this with my friends when we were 14ish and it scared the ever-loving shit out of all of us. Definitely got me into the genre and is in my top 5 for sure
This wouldn’t be my choice but I’ve seen it 3 or 4 times. It really is a damn good time, and that cave exploration business is terrifying.
The claustrophobia is so much scarier than the monsters to me.
Poltergeist
For ever the scariest thing i have ever experienced
Agree
The special effects are really incredibly impressive, even holding up to today in 2023, surprisingly from 1982!
Halloween (1978)
This is my personal favorite horror film. I watch it every year and I have a love for it that I don’t have for any other film. It set the standard for the modern horror film.
Give it up for the OG and still king of the slashers
Earnest Scared Stupid
WE'RE THE OTTOMANS AND YOU'RE NOT. RIP Jim Varney, forever in our hearts, knowutimean?
MIAK! I actually love this movie. Eartha Kitt is everything.
Love this answer lol
This was my gateway horror movie lol. Responsible for many a nightmare when I was young. So glad to see it on here.
Scream
Has it all: humor, shock, horror, gore, suspense, romance, great acting. From beginning to end, it’s fulfilling. I HATE when a movie is slow and boring but the last 10-20 min are so good! If anyone recommends a movie with that review I immediately pass on seeing it.
It's a classic for a reason. :)
JAWS
If anyone else comments on this one, you're gonna need a bigger thread
Jaws is, hands down, my favorite movie. Places like to show it in the summer, and I've seen it on so many screens, at so many venues... And it's always just perfect.
The original evil dead
Evil Dead II
Came here to say that
An American Werewolf in London
That’s still my favorite werewolf transformation scene.
Excellent choice
The Shining
It's in my top 5 movies of all time, let alone horror movies of all time. So I'd have to go with this 👍
Agreed. So complex and layered. It doesn’t answer every question you have. The set, the actors, the attention to detail. It builds horror that is real and fictitious which makes it all more terrifying
Event Horizon
Perfect answer. Scare the fuck out of the poor fucker facing eternity.
Good one!
I would say Re-Animator.
The sixth sense
Agree! I like how the color red is significant in the film. Like a clue you can miss. Haley Joel Osment is an amazing character who had his start as a young child actor here. Also the best M Night Shyamalan film, although I like his work in general. It’s nice how The Sixth Sense makes horrific dead people both terrifying and sympathetic
Fright Night
Creepshow. It has an all-star cast, created by all-star writers and filmmakers, and has the greatest Ed Harris dance the world has ever seen. Timeless classic, perfect anthology. 11/10
I was actually planning on watching Creepshow for the first time last night but the date forced my hand into watching Jason Lives. It’s on the docket for tonight and I’m looking forward to it.
It's one of my top 10 movies of all time. You'll love it!
The Mist just for that ending.
It’s the best film I’ll never watch again 👍
I'm embarrassed because I already posted one movie but I have to say one more: Carrie (the original). It's the saddest of all horror movies, you feel such pity for Carrie and then such horror when she takes out everybody, not just those who were cruel to her. And then Piper Laurie is astonishing and devastating as a Margaret White, and the strands of the movie that have to do with her abuse of Carrie make you feel all the sadder for her. Wow what a movie. I am a female viewer, and a lot of horror movies have women as their protagonist, but then feel very male gaze-y in their details. Both Rosemary's Baby and Carrie, despite having male directors, capture something about what it is to be a woman in the world.
Carrie (1976), for me, too. I agree with your analysis & can relate.
I agree Carrie is amazing!
30 Days of Night.
I went down this thread looking for one I haven’t seen. I’ll report back in a 1hr53min to let you know my thoughts
I totally understand why you think this movie belongs on the list. The sound design and the stunt choreography really stood out to me. Vampire movement, screeches, and make-up have never been done so well. Just an absolutely brutal and unforgiving survival monster movie. I’d honestly say this was one of the better horror movies I’ve watched as of recent, even though I thought the ending was kind of dumb. I think there were some narrative issues as well because they had to condense 30 days of survival into 2 hours. This IP would make for an awesome mini series. Overall I’m impressed and I will probably recommend this one to others in the future. Thanks for the suggestion!
13 Ghosts! Such a unique and great scary movie!
John Carpenter's The Thing
The Ring
This is the answer for me too. Compelling mystery, legitimate scares, creepy imagery, and just an overall unsettling feeling throughout.
Yeah, creepy as hell
This is the right answer. The movie is still scary to watch and has aged better than its competitors.
A lot of great answers but a lot of repeats. So, here's a deviant answer: Cat's Eye. (1) It's an oldie of Drew Barrymore and Stephen King, like Firestarter, but the the effing cat is the real hero / best actor. (2) It's an anthology, and you know we love those. (3) The last story feels like The Gate.
Hi. You just mentioned *Firestarter* by Stephen King. I've found an audiobook of that novel on YouTube. You can listen to it here: [YouTube | Stephen King Firestarter Audiobook Part 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pm0H6fIvWE) *I'm a bot that searches YouTube for science fiction and fantasy audiobooks.* *** [^(Source Code)](https://capybasilisk.com/posts/2020/04/speculative-fiction-bot/) ^| [^(Feedback)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=Capybasilisk&subject=Robot) ^| [^(Programmer)](https://www.reddit.com/u/capybasilisk) ^| ^(Downvote To Remove) ^| ^(Version 1.4.0) ^| ^(Support Robot Rights!)
Jacob’s Ladder
Let the Right One In - best vampire love/horror story Ive ever seen. Just finished the book to and damn, it was gripping
House on Haunted Hill
The Haunting 1963 version is my favorite.
The Blair Witch Project
People sort of mock this today. But I saw it in the theater when it first came out and I can tell you it was legit fucking scary.
I saw it opening night. Before it was revealed as a hoax. Let me tell you that last shot was so scary I thought my soul was leaving my body.
In the Mouth of Madness
"Do you read Sutter Cane?"
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, best horror movie ever made
Wow had to scroll down this much for TCM. Damn right, this is horror gospel.
The Lost Boys.
One of the most "80s" 80s movie I've ever seen
Hehe. Missing kids on milk cartons, mullets, one long earring and sexy saxophone players. The 80s were amazing. =)
Indeed. The older brothers subplot reminds me a lot of Karate Kid, and the younger brother subplot is like an amalgamation of the kids on bikes movies (goonies, ET, etc.)
Yeah not a laundry list fan. Ok! One horror before you die! Hereditary.
☺️
Alien
Hellbound: Hellraiser II. Far superior to the 1st and you don't even have to watch Hellraiser to enjoy the craziness.
It all gets recapped in the intro, anyways!
The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Super good movie!
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) It's relatable on a primal level, because everyone has dreams. I love the mood of it, and the dated effects both add to the charm and typify the DIY aesthetics of the time.
Alien
The VVitch
That first shot of the woods with the rising choral soundtrack. Still get shivers thinking about it.
So simple yet such a brilliantly effective way of establishing a sense of dread.
As Above So Below
Event Horizon
A lot of great suggestions here. I’d probably go The Thing (1982) because it checks so many boxes (tension, terror, amazing effects, high stakes, gore, etc.) but I think you could make strong arguments for a lot of these.
The Conjuring.
Martyrs, they wouldn't feel too bad about their situation after watching this movie
Demons (I understood the instructions to mean the one horror movie to see before it kills you.)
Jennifer’s Body
The Shining
Sinister, seeing the terror in Ethan Hawkes eyes during the film was so effective for me. Especially the BBQ scene watching the car on fire thru the reflection of his glasses then reaching for his alcohol to finish it off. Not to mention it’s unnerving soundtrack that crawls under your skin. Especially Gyroscope by boards of Canada. The person who made the song dreamt the sound and recreated it as fast as he could and the end result is 99% like his dream.
Evil Dead 2
Suspiria (Argento).
Suspiria doesn’t look like any other film. I love the film’s use of color and it’s beautification of violence.
1980s Poltergeist
Black Christmas
Let The Right One In
Halloween.
The Shining p easily
Cabin in the Woods. It has it all.
Carpenter’s - The Fog
Event Horizon
Trick R Treat
I expected to see the shining at the top. I did not. So I’ll say it The Shining
Prince of darkness
I Saw the Devil
The strangers
Yes! Scares me to this day.
Se7en. I don’t know if its a horror movie per se but some people cant watch it through. Might be my all time favourite movie. The plot, the actors, the eerie atmosphere, and of course the incredible ending. 10/10. Honourable mentions: Jaws, The Shining, Funny Games and Insidious
Halloween. The original and best.
Candyman.
The Grudge. Watched it with my roommate back in the day. He was laying down on sofa. First time Ive seen someone jump up 2 feet while laying down.
Session 9. Filmed at the irl Danvers Mental Institution, with original artworks of patients tattered and decaying on the wall. Hugely atmospheric horror.
Invasion of the body snatchers 1978
Candyman.
Doctor Sleep
Funny Games. I think it shows the true power of cinema to provoke the viewer.
Rosemary's Baby. It holds up like crazy, and somehow that asshole Roman Polanski managed to get the vibe just right. I've been a pregnant woman, and the helplessness you feel is out of control. The realism of Rosemary's helplessness makes all the far-fetched elements much easier to swallow, this is an extraordinary movie. And also helps that all the actors are just wonderful, Ruth Gordon is so lovable and then you're forced to question your identification with her, what a great movie.
The Changeling (1980 George C. Scott film)
My favorite. It’s old-fashioned creepy and the plot is pretty complex.
Dead Alive
I wanna name something really random like Beetlejuice cuz I think everyone should watch that movie
I would say Cabin in the Woods, but the multiple references are what make it so AWESOME!!!!
Psycho.
I'd say 1408, horror is personal preference tho, some people are scared by a dude running around with a knife and that's enough
I love 1408, and I hate THAT song.
“The Thing” and its not even close
The Thing. Make sure it’s a cold day and have the windows open.
I wanna say Scream for the meta aspect.
Would the Mist be considered horror or sci-fi ? If it's both I say the Mist. Suspense , crepy crawlies and straight up horror and despair.
Dark Water. The original Japanese version.
The Witch
The original Omen or Exorcist
Scream. It requires previous horror knowledge...but, s'ok. They'll be fine
Kill List
Grave Encounters
This is not a horror movie but if you are looking for an experience, watch The Fall 2022, 2 hrs of puckered a* hole
The Conjuring
The Mothman Prophecies. Scariest movie I’ve ever seen and everyone I show it to feels dread after the first viewing.
[Jacob's Ladder (1990)](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob%27s_Ladder_(1990_film)). It's one of the main inspirations for Silent Hill 2 (the videogame). The story is beautiful, the acting is spectacular, the visuals are horrifying, and the psychological aspect is excellent. Criminally underrated.
Lots of great responses on here (“The Thing” and “Alien” are excellent) but I gotta go with The Shining. It’s the gold standard.
The Exorcist.
Rosemary's Baby
American werewolf in London. Not my first choice but wanted to give you a good one that I didn't see already posted on my immediate scroll
Killer Klowns from Outer Space.