Rate These Movies And We'll Give You A Horror Movie To Watch
- by Dylan Dembrow
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Even though Halloween has come and gone, that's no excuse to all of a sudden stop watching horror movies. After all, fall is the perfect time of year for horror movies -- the trees are losing their leaves, the weather is getting colder, and there's nothing look a good scary movie to give you another excuse to curl up under the blankets with your friends or significant other. Not to mention that you've probably already binge-watched your way through the second season of Stranger Things, meaning that you'll need to turn back to movies if you're still looking for something with a similar feel.
While plenty of people claim that they don't like horror movies, chances are that they just aren't watching the right ones. Just like any other genre, there are a plethora of horror sub-genres, which can include supernatural films, creature features, satires and parodies, zombie movies, werewolf movies -- and the list goes on and on.
While we admit that most good content today can be found on TV, we're actually in a hotbed for horror movies. Just recently, films like Get Out, It Comes At Night, and Don't Breath have all been among the best-reviewed movies during the years of their release.
So, let's see how you feel about this 35 horror films, and we'll fix you up with a lesser-known horror gem that's to your liking!
The Exorcist
Released in 1973, this supernatural horror film is just as terrifying today as it was at the time of its release. The story, which was based on the 1971 novel of the same name, follows the demonic possession of Regan, a 12-year-old girl living in Georgetown. The Exorcist is considered one of the greatest films in the genre, as it was even the first horror movie to be nominated for Best Picture of the Year.
The Evil Dead
Often considered the king of low-budget horror movies, The Evil Dead was released in 1981 and was directed by Sam Raimi, who would later go on to make the Toby Maguire Spider-Man trilogy. The film centers around five college students who retreat to a cabin in the woods for vacation only to run into an army of demonic spirits. Though many have copied the formula since, few films have yet to live up to the original Evil Dead.
Shaun of the Dead
Released in 2004, Shaun of the dead is not only one of the best zombie-comedies ever released, it’s also one of the best horror-comedies of all time. The film stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in their first big on screen roles, and the success of the film launched the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, which would later give audiences more parody/ homage films with 2007’s Hot Fuzz and 2013’s The World’s End.
The Shining
Best on the Stephen King novel of the same name, this Stanley Kubrick adaptation differs wildly from its source material, and was actually disliked by King immediately upon its release. However, that hasn’t stopped the complex and somewhat puzzling horror film from being one of the most critically acclaimed in its genre.
Cabin Fever
Before he brought audiences the torture porn Hostel series, writer/director Eli Roth created this equally gruesome cabin in the woods movie, that revolves around a group of friends falling victim to a flesh-eating disease. But what makes this film more entertaining than Roth’s later films, is a macabre sense of humor that serves as a nice backdrop to all the gross-out effects.
The Thing
Though John Carpenter’s The Thing is now considered one of the best movies in the genre, it may be surprising to find out that the film was actually a massive bomb upon its initial release. Both audiences and critics failed to enjoy the movie back in 1982, but has since gained a large cult following, inspiring a prequel film with the same title nearly 30 years after its release.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Released in 1984, this Wes Craven film spawned one of the most popular and successful horror franchise to date. The film revolves around antagonist Freddy Krueger, who stalks and kills teenagers in their nightmares, and the film is also known for featuring Johnny Depp in his first big screen performance.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Though many moderns audiences have no doubt seen the recent remakes and spin-offs of this cult classic, few people today have actually seen the original 1974 film that started it all. Though The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has become synonymous with slasher films, the original movie actually has far less gore than you might expect, but the film has no shortage of giving audiences the creeps.
Dawn of the Dead
Released as a semi-sequel to his 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, George A. Romero’s 1978 Dawn of the Dead is often considered the magnum opus of zombie films. Aside from some bright red blood and over-the-top acting moments, Dawn of the Dead remains thoroughly entertaining today. But if you have a hard time getting into older films, Zack Snyder’s 2004 reimagining is also worth checking out.
The Conjuring
Easily one of the best horror movies of the last decade, The Conjuring is based on the real life story of a haunted farmhouse in 1971 Rhode Island, which was investigated by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. While The Conjuring may not have the most original concept, it’s a masterly crafted film that delivers some solid performances and some truly nerve wrecking scares.
The Blair Witch Project
Though found footage films certainly existed decades before, The Blair Witch Project was easily the first horror film to perfect the technique, leading many viewers to think the film was actually real upon its initial release. While we know now that this is not the case, The Blair Witch Project is still an intense, slow-burning horror film in its own right.
28 Days Later
A twist on the zombie genre, 2002’s 28 Days Later popularized the “fast zombie,” as well as made the circumstances surrounding a possible zombie apocalypse seem all the more realistic. Even before anything supernatural occurs on screen, the opening shots of London in total vacancy are enough to make you feel unsettled all by themselves.
The Descent
This 2005 British horror film follows six women as the explore an uncharted map only to find that the cavern is inhabited by underground humanoid monsters. The film received critical acclaim upon its released, grossing over $50 million against a $3.5 million budget, though it’s still a shame how few people have actually seen this movie today.
The Witch
Though this 2015 film received acclaim from critics upon its release — garnering a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes — The Witch is a modern horror film that regular audience seem to either absolutely love or absolutely hate. this seems to be the result of the films slow-burn nature, which favors spookiness and atmosphere over gross-outs and jump scares.
Re-Animator
In the same vein of films as Evil Dead II, Re-Animator has no shortage of laughs and gross-out effects. The film, which is loosely adapted from a short story by H.P. Lovecraft, follows a mad scientist who invents a serum to bring the dead back to life, much to the chagrin of his down-to-earth roommate.
Insidious
Easily one the scariest PG-13 movies every released, Insidious is able to creep audiences out with just its soundtrack alone, which is filled with shrieking violins and a terrifying rendition of Tiny Tim’s “Tiptoe Through The Tulips.” The 2010 film has already inspired two sequels with a third on the way, but the original is an absolute must watch for horror fanatics.
Misery
Easily one of the best adaptations of a Stephen King novel to date, Misery follows the story of famous writer Paul Sheldon who finds himself trapped in the home of a deranged fan after his car goes off the road during a blizzard. The film stars James Caan as Paul and Kathy Bates as the obsessed Annie Wilkes in a truly terrifying performance that actually won Bates the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Alien
Released in 1979, Ridley Scott’s Alien was a smash hit, which went on to spawn the most successful sci-fi horror franchise of all time. While each film in the series has offered up a slightly different take on the style of storytelling, it’s hard to compete with the slow-burning tension that fuels the first film. Not to mention the first chestburting scene which is one of the most iconic moments in cinema history.
Sinister
From even the first shot of this 2012 supernatural horror film, you know that this movie is no joke. Sinister doesn’t just offer up jump scares, but it makes you feel downright dirty just watching certain scenes. But at the heart of this hardcore horror film is an intriguing story about a man who puts his ambitions in front of his family’s safety, making Sinister all the more worth your while.
Friday the 13th
After the success of 1978’s Halloween, a slew of other low-budget slashers were released in the following decade, including the 1980 film Friday the 13th. Much like Halloween, Friday the 13th went on to introduce audiences to another iconic horror villain in that of Jason Voorhees, a character that has popped up in numerous sequels, reboots and cross-overs in the four decades since the original’s release.
The Mist
Directed by Frank Darabont, The Mist is based on a Stephen King novella of the same name, which centers around a group of survivors holding up in a grocery store while a mysterious mist crawling with monsters envelopes their town. Though many mainstream audiences weren’t onboard with the film’s extremely downbeat ending, The Mist remains a favorite for many hardcore horror fans.
Paranormal Activity
Made on a shoestring budget of just $15,000, Paranormal activity grossed a whopping $193 million at the box office and went on to spawn one of the most prevalent horror franchises of the last decade. The premise is simple but effective and involves a couple filming themselves while they sleep after suspecting their new home in haunted. Unsurprisingly, they’re absolutely right.
Evil Dead II
While most horror movie sequels usually prove to be a major disappointment, this follow-up to the 1981 film is largely considered the superior picture in what would eventually become Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead trilogy. The film pretty much has the same exact premise of the original, though it features far more impressive practical effects as a result of its bigger budget, and Evil Dead II also manages to add some genuine laughs into the mix.
Jeepers Creepers
Like most horror films, Jeepers Creepers wasn’t exactly a hit with critics, though that didn’t stop it from finding it’s audience with horror buffs. The film follows two siblings on a road trip who stumble upon a demonic monster in rural Florida. The film inspired two sequels, one of which that is set to be released on Blu-ray later this year.
Annabelle
You know a horror film is popular when it’s able to inspire not just a sequel, but a spinoff series all of its own, which is exactly what The Conjuring did for this 2014 film. Annabelle serves as a prequel to The Conjuring and follows the terrifying doll and the demonic forces that inhabit it. The prequel has even inspired a prequel of its own, Annabelle: Creation, which was released earlier this year.
Don’t Breathe
The reason that horror films never seem to go out of fashion is that they can be effectively made on a relatively small budget. Which is exactly the case with this 2016 film. Don’t Breathe was made with just $9.9 million — as the film almost exclusively takes place in one house. Yet the film grossed over $157 million and has since become one of the most critically acclaimed horror movies of the last few years.
Cloverfield
Another found footage film, there’s no confusing Cloverfield for a real-life event — like some people previously had with films like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity — but that doesn’t stop Cloverfield from being any less thrilling. The story follows a group of friends who struggle to survive one night in New York City after a massive alien monster goes on a rampage.
Dead Silence
James Wan is easily one of the best horror directors working today, who has brought audiences the first Saw film, as well as The Conjuring and Insidious. He also directed this lesser-known horror film that was released in 2007. Though Dead Silence may not have received the critical acclaim of Wan’s more recent films, the movie is still a treat for horror lovers who are looking to be seriously creeped out.
Get Out
Just when you thought that every horror story had already been told in one capacity or another, this 2017 horror film took audiences on a totally unexpected ride, while also serving as one of the most scathing social satires to date. The film was written and directed by famed sketch comedian Jordan Peele, who adds just the right amount of laughs to an otherwise terrifying film.
Ginger Snaps
This criminally underrated horror-comedy follows two death-obsessed high schoolers dealing with a werewolf crisis in their town. The film parallels the werewolves full moon transformation to going through puberty from a female’s perspective — often to great comedic effect. And although Ginger Snaps was a box office bomb, it has since gained a small cult following.
Hush
Released straight to Netflix in 2016, Hush is an original take on a worn out horror concept, which centers around a deaf women who must fight off a masked killer who appears one night at her isolated home in the woods. Upon its release, the film received critical acclaim from critics, garnering a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Amityville Horror
Nothing quite captivates audiences like a horror movie that is based on actually events, which is the case with this 2005 film staring Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George. The story is inspired by the real-life Lutz family, who moved into a Long Island house that was the scene of a mass murder. The story has inspired over a dozen retellings and remakes, including this year’s Amityville: The Awakening.
An American Werewolf in London
Another ‘80s cult classic, An American Werewolf in London has no shortage of laughs, scares and gross-out effects — giving the story a little for everyone, including a look at some of the UK’s beautiful and quaint backcountry. But one of the highlights of the film is the impressive practical effects, including an in-depth werewolf transformation that is both hilarious and huanting.
The Sixth Sense
Though the film has since become the butt of many cultural jokes, The Sixth Sense is actually quite a disturbing and terrifying film, especially considering its PG-13 rating. While even those who haven’t seen the movie most likely already know the twist at the end, The Sixth Sense is still worth watching for its intriguing premise and solid performances.
Slither
Before James Gunn was writing and directing the big-budget Guardians of the Galaxy movies for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he turned out this lesser-known gross-out flick that was released in 2006. Though critics seemed to enjoy the macabre humor and B-movie homages, Slither bombed at the box office, only to become a hit on DVD years after its release.
