The Ten Best Horror Movies of All Time. Do you Agree?
The horror genre has been around for more than a century, and in that time, there have been some truly classic films. From the early days of German Expressionism to the present day, horror movies have always had the power to shock, frighten, and entertain.
Horror fans have always been divided on what the best horror movie is.
So, what are the best horror movies of all time?
Is it “The Exorcist” with its graphic depiction of demonic possession? Or “The Shining” with its eerie atmosphere and slow-burning scares?
There are so many great horror movies out there, that it’s hard to choose just one. However, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best horror movies of all time.
Here are our ten of the most spine-tingling, hair-raising, heart-stopping films ever made.
Do you agree?
10. Scream (1996)
I thought horror was on hold until Scream came out in 1996. This movie was instant nostalgia for any classic horror fan.
We have a teenage girl home alone, a phone call from a mysteriously sexy man asking rather odd questions, and of course, a boyfriend with his guts spilling out on the house’s patio.
For my generation that grew up with Camp Crystal Lake and Haddonfield, Illinois, Scream became an automatic favorite. This teen slasher flick is a must-see and is deservedly in my top ten.
9. Friday the 13th (1980)
I can’t pick just one, but I would say that every Friday the 13th up through Jason Takes Manhatten deserves its own spot. But I realize that’s unfair.
Friday the 13th is the ultimate horror slasher film starring our golden boy, Jason Voorhees. Jason was thought to have drowned as a young boy at a summer camp because of the neglect of the camp counselors.
And for years to come, the “cursed” Camp Crystal Lake is the scene of mass murder as Jason (and his beloved hockey mask) take revenge. Jason is the star of every Friday the 13th except the first one. That’s where Mrs. Voorhees, Jason’s mama, shines.
8. The Omen (1976)
I won’t lie. I wanted to list all three Omens, but I’ll stick to the first one for this review. A young, loving couple is mourning after their stillborn child. A priest suggests that swapping the child out for a healthy newborn might not be a bad idea.
Fast forward, and little Damien is now five years old. And he’s creepy as hell, especially on that damn tricycle. Weird things start to happen, including the dramatic suicide of his nanny. But he is the spawn of Satan, after all.
7. The Shining (1980)
The Shining may just be Stephen King at his finest. The Torrance family are asked to stay the winter at a beautiful resort in Colorado and keep it functioning until the spring when the guests return.
But how long can an aspiring writer with an annoying kid and pain in the ass wife stay sane? Not long if you’re couped up with The Shining. Those watching this movie may feel like we are all going a little mad right along with Jack Torrance.
6. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
By this I mean, the original. I’m usually not a huge fan of remakes anyway.
Picture the mid-70s and a group of pot-smoking teenagers with a van that breaks down in the middle of nowhere.
The teens try to find help at the only house they see for miles (which is really run down) and realize they are in for a lot more than they bargained for, especially when they meet Leatherface and his notorious chainsaw.
5. Evil Dead (1981)
With its cheesy one-liners, Evil Dead was an instant classic. Ash Williams and his friends sneak into the woods for a fun night at a cabin. There they find an old book that reawakens the dead.
A flood of evil is released, and they must fight for their lives as they become possessed one by one. And it’s not pretty.
4. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
George Romero knows how to make a zombie movie. There is no getting around that. The original Night of the Living Dead is what gave us our love for zombies.
They may not be The Walking Dead, but they are pretty creepy when they are trying to break into your house. Remember, “They’re Coming for you, Barbara.”
3. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Rosemary’s Baby is such an excellent film that has stood the test of time. It’s a macabre film with such an eerie sense of the unthinkable.
When a beautiful young housewife finds herself pregnant, she is overjoyed. Even when the pregnancy takes its toll on her health. Little does she know she is carrying the son of Satan. And her husband is in on it.
2. Halloween (1978)
I will give my own opinion here. Halloween 1 and 2 are excellent. Please don’t bother with the rest of them.
Halloween takes place in the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois, and centers around the studious Lori Strode. After escaping from the Smith’s Grove Sanitarium, Michael Myers goes on a killing streak in the town where he first committed murder when he was just a child.
Lori doesn’t know it yet, but she is actually Michael’s sister. After seeing all of her friends get murdered on Halloween night, it’s up to Lori to escape Michael’s wrath.
1. The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist, released in 1973, is still, hands down, the scariest movie ever made. The film, which is inspired by a true story, follows the demonic possession of a 12-year-old girl living in Washington DC and her mother’s desperate attempts to save her through a Catholic exorcism.
The American public had never seen anything like The Exorcist before. It was released in December in theatres throughout the United States and Canada. And people flocked to see it, waiting in long lines in the frigid winter.
Viewers were so shocked by what they saw that there have actually been documentaries made about the public’s reaction to the movie.
Moviegoers fainted and vomited and were especially disturbed by the scene where the 12-year-old girl uses a crucifix to please herself. The media reported that viewers suffered heart attacks, and one lady even suffered a miscarriage.
The Exorcist was the highest-grossing horror film along with IT, which was released in 2017. It is truly the greatest horror film ever made.
It’s a Wrap
Whether you’re a horror movie buff or just looking for a good scare, we hope that you enjoyed our list of the ten best horror movies of all time.
These films are sure to send chills down your spine and keep you up at night, so be sure to watch them with the lights on!
