1Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes- Released: 1978
- Directed by: John Carpenter
In the iconic horror film Halloween, directed by John Carpenter, the tranquil town of Haddonfield, Illinois is thrown into a state of terror. The menace arrives in the form of Michael Myers (Nick Castle), an escaped mental patient with a chilling past. The film's protagonist, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), finds herself in Myers's crosshairs on Halloween night. As she and her friends become targets, Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence), Myers's psychiatrist, races against time to stop his murderous rampage. Unpredictable yet relentless, Halloween weaves a tale of suspense that won't soon be forgotten.More Halloween
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2John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Heather Langenkamp- Released: 1984
- Directed by: Wes Craven
In the chilling horror classic A Nightmare on Elm Street, Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) finds herself tormented by a monstrous figure in her dreams. This spectral menace, known as Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), wears a bladed glove and leaves a trail of terror in his wake. As teens in her town start dying mysteriously, Nancy realizes the peril is not confined to her nightmares. Directed by Wes Craven, this film weaves a web of psychological terror that blurs the lines between dream and reality. The movie was so impactful that it spawned a franchise of sequels, solidifying its place in horror cinema history.Available On:
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3Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Max von Sydow- Released: 1973
- Directed by: William Friedkin
In the heart-stopping horror classic The Exorcist, Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair), a young girl, becomes inexplicably ill. After all medical explanations are exhausted, her mother Chris (Ellen Burstyn) seeks help from two priests. Father Karras (Jason Miller), a troubled cleric wrestling with his faith, and veteran exorcist Father Merrin (Max von Sydow) step in to confront an evil beyond their understanding. The film, directed by William Friedkin, is recognized for its chilling portrayal of possession and exorcism. It won two Academy Awards and remains one of the most influential horror films to this day.More The ExorcistAvailable On:
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4Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn- Released: 1991
- Directed by: Jonathan Demme
The Silence of the Lambs, a gripping thriller, introduces audiences to FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster). She's assigned an unnerving task: to extract information from the infamous and incarcerated cannibalistic serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). The objective? To help apprehend another active serial killer, Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), before he strikes again. This chilling narrative, directed by Jonathan Demme, won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It interweaves suspense, crime solving and psychological manipulation, creating a film that is as thought-provoking as it is horrifying.Available On:
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5Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd- Released: 1980
- Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
In the chilling film The Shining, Jack Torrance (portrayed by Jack Nicholson) takes on a winter caretaker role at Colorado's secluded Overlook Hotel. His aim is to overcome his writer's block, and he brings along his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd). A unique aspect of this narrative is Danny's psychic abilities, which lead him to experience unnerving premonitions. The movie unfolds as Jack grapples with a stagnant writing process and Danny's visions grow increasingly alarming. The crux of the plot lies in Jack uncovering the hotel's sinister past, an event that triggers a terrifying transformation within him towards violence against his own family.
6Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight- Released: 1982
- Directed by: Tobe Hooper
A gripping tale of supernatural terror, Poltergeist is a 1982 horror film directed by Tobe Hooper. The Freeling family, led by parents Steven (Craig T. Nelson) and Diane (JoBeth Williams), find their tranquil suburban life upended when inexplicable phenomena start to haunt their home. Their youngest daughter, Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke), becomes the focus of these eerie disturbances, leading to her sudden and mysterious disappearance. The family's desperate search for Carol Anne uncovers a dark secret lurking beneath their home. Poltergeist was nominated for three Academy Awards, solidifying its place in the annals of horror cinema.More PoltergeistAvailable On:
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7Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Harry Crosby- Released: 1980
- Directed by: Sean S. Cunningham
On a chilling Friday the 13th, Camp Crystal Lake reopens after two decades of closure following a series of tragic accidents. The new group of young, energetic counselors, including Alice (Adrienne King) and Bill (Harry Crosby), are unaware of the ominous history that haunts this seemingly serene locale. As darkness descends upon the camp, an unknown assailant begins to pick them off one by one. Directed by Sean S. Cunningham, this seminal horror film combines suspenseful storytelling with a haunting score to create a classic slasher flick that birthed the infamous character Jason Voorhees, albeit in his mother's guise initially.Available On:
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8It
Jaeden Martell, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis- Released: 2017
- Directed by: Andy Muschietti
Seven young outcasts in Derry, Maine, are about to face their worst nightmare -- an ancient, shape-shifting evil that emerges from the sewer every 27 years to prey on the town's children. Banding together over the course of one horrifying summer, the friends must overcome their own personal fears to battle the murderous, bloodthirsty clown known as Pennywise.More It- Dig Deeper...The Best Characters In The It Movie
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- #16 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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9Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, William Katt- Released: 1976
- Directed by: Brian De Palma
In the chilling horror flick Carrie, a high school girl named Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) grapples with her emerging telekinetic powers, under the oppressive reign of her fanatically religious mother, Margaret (Piper Laurie). A pariah at school, she's tormented by her peers and misunderstood at home. When a cruel prank at the prom triggers her abilities, the night descends into terror. Directed by Brian De Palma, this film is based on Stephen King's novel of the same name. Nominated for two Academy Awards, it remains a classic in the horror genre.More Carrie- #13 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
- #271 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #41 of 375 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
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10Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss- Released: 1975
- Directed by: Steven Spielberg
In the classic thriller Jaws, the quiet summer resort of Amity Island is thrown into chaos by a deadly great white shark. Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) must team up with oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and grizzled shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) to stop it. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film redefined the horror genre, creating the concept of a summer blockbuster. The film's tension-filled plot and iconic score won it three Academy Awards, including Best Original Score for John Williams. Despite its simple premise, Jaws remains an enduring masterpiece of suspense and fear.More JawsAvailable On:
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11Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, John Hurt- Released: 1979
- Directed by: Ridley Scott
In Ridley Scott's 1979 movie Alien, the crew of the commercial space tug Nostromo, led by Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), encounter an unknown life form after being awakened from stasis to investigate a distress signal from a distant planet. This sci-fi horror film, known for its atmospheric tension and iconic creature design, takes the audience on a harrowing journey through the claustrophobic confines of a spaceship. As the alien organism infiltrates their ranks, survival becomes paramount, and no one is safe. The film won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, testament to its groundbreaking cinematic visuals.More Alien- Dig Deeper...43 Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About 'Alien'
- And Deeper...Making 'Alien' Was Even More Horrific Than The Final Product
- #9 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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12Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles- Released: 1960
- Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
In the chilling classic Psycho, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) absconds with stolen cash, seeking solace at the remote Bates Motel. The proprietor, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), is a peculiar young man dominated by his puritanical mother. Marion's disappearance triggers an investigation led by her sister, Lila (Vera Miles), and boyfriend, Sam Loomis (John Gavin). Directed masterfully by Alfred Hitchcock, this iconic horror-thriller won several awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Leigh's performance. Psycho's suspense-filled plot twists and haunting score have left an indelible mark on cinematic history.More Psycho- #9 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #7 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
- #9 of 82 onThe 75+ Best Whodunit Murder Mystery Movies
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13Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen, Allen Danziger- Released: 1974
- Directed by: Tobe Hooper
In the heart of rural Texas, a horrendous tale unfolds. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a chilling horror film directed by Tobe Hooper, tells the story of Sally Hardesty (Marilyn Burns) and her friends, who unwittingly stumble upon a family of cannibals during their trip to an old homestead. Among them lurks Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen), a monstrous figure wielding a chainsaw, whose terrifying presence dominates the film. As their peaceful journey spirals into a nightmarish chase for survival, viewers are left on the edge of their seats. Despite its low-budget production, the movie has gained cult status and is widely regarded as one of the most influential horror films in cinema history.- Dig Deeper...This Sixth Scale Leatherface Statue Is Absolutely Killer
- #8 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
- #4 of 57 onThe Best Horror Movies Based On True Stories, Ranked
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14Dale Midkiff, Fred Gwynne, Denise Crosby- Released: 1989
- Directed by: Mary Lambert
In the chilling horror film Pet Sematary, Dr. Louis Creed (Dale Midkiff) relocates his family to rural Maine, unaware of the eerie pet cemetery near their new home. The story takes a dark turn when tragedy strikes, leading Louis to an old local named Jud Crandall (Fred Gwynne). A secret, ancient burial ground with sinister powers is unveiled by Jud. As the Creeds grapple with death and its unnatural reversal, director Mary Lambert masterfully unravels a tale of escalating dread and unspeakable horror. Characters plunge into a nightmare where boundaries between life and death hauntingly blur.More Pet Sematary- Dig Deeper...Real Burial Grounds And Locations That Could Have Inspired 'Pet Sematary'
- #140 of 399 onThe Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
- #18 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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15Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker- Released: 1981
- Directed by: Sam Raimi
Five college students, led by Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell), stumble upon an isolated cabin in the heart of a dense, eerie forest. Within its decaying walls, they discover an ancient book - The Necronomicon - and a tape recorder holding cryptic incantations. Recoiling in fascination and dread, they unwittingly unleash a horde of malevolent spirits. As the supernatural forces grow increasingly hostile, the group's bond is strained to breaking point. Directed by Sam Raimi, The Evil Dead is a visceral exploration of survival horror that has been celebrated as a cult classic within the genre since its release in 1981.More The Evil Dead- #164 of 399 onThe Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
- #143 of 278 on'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime
- #22 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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16Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner- Released: 1976
- Directed by: Richard Donner
In the chilling classic, The Omen, Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) is an American diplomat who adopts a newborn child to replace his own son, lost at birth. Unbeknownst to his wife Katherine (Lee Remick), their new son Damien (Harvey Stephens) holds a sinister secret. As the boy grows, bizarre and horrifying events unfold around them. Directed by Richard Donner, this supernatural horror film won an Academy Award for its haunting score. A tale of prophecy and peril, The Omen weaves an intricate narrative that leaves viewers questioning the nature of destiny and evil.More The OmenAvailable On:
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17Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox- Released: 1996
- Directed by: Wes Craven
Scream, a quintessential horror film, masterfully combines suspense and dark humor. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is a high school student in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California. Her life takes a horrifying turn when she becomes the target of a mysterious killer known as Ghostface (Roger Jackson), who is inspired by classic horror movies. As the body count rises, Sidney and her friends must unmask the killer before it's too late. Directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, Scream cleverly subverts genre conventions while offering thrilling scares, making it a modern classic in horror cinema.More Scream- Dig Deeper...Whatever Happened To The Cast Of 'Scream'?
- And Deeper...According To This Theory, Dewey Is The Serial Killer Mastermind In 'Scream'
- #48 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
18Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman- Released: 1968
- Directed by: George A. Romero
A disparate group of individuals takes refuge in an abandoned house when corpses begin to leave the graveyard in search of fresh human bodies to devour. The pragmatic Ben (Duane Jones) does his best to control the situation, but when the reanimated bodies surround the house, the other survivors begin to panic. As any semblance of order within the group begins to dissipate, the zombies start to find ways inside -- and one by one, the living humans become the prey of the deceased ones.- #159 of 278 on'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime
- #27 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
- #3 of 124 onThe Top 100+ Zombie Movies Of All Time
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19Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter- Released: 2004
- Directed by: James Wan
In the heart-pounding horror-thriller Saw, two men, Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) and Adam Stanheight (Leigh Whannell), wake up in a dilapidated bathroom with no memory of how they arrived there. They soon discover they're pawns in a deadly game orchestrated by the notorious serial killer, Jigsaw (Tobin Bell). As their grim surroundings start to reveal horrific clues, they must solve riddles and endure unthinkable physical torment to survive. Directed by James Wan, this film is a chilling exploration of human survival instincts that redefined the horror genre and spawned a long-running franchise.More Saw- #33 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #25 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
- #72 of 82 onThe 75+ Best Whodunit Murder Mystery Movies
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20Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, T.K. Carter- Released: 1982
- Directed by: John Carpenter
In the frost-bitten isolation of Antarctica, a team of American researchers find themselves under siege. Their adversary? An alien life-form with an unnerving ability to assume the appearance of its victims. The team's helicopter pilot, R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell), steps up in defense of his comrades, igniting a nerve-wracking battle of paranoia and survival against their shape-shifting foe. This is The Thing, a chilling blend of science fiction and horror directed by John Carpenter. The movie, released in 1982, stands as a testament to practical effects, expertly designed suspense and a hauntingly desolate setting that amplifies the terror within.More The ThingAvailable On:
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21Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman- Released: 2002
- Directed by: Gore Verbinski
In the spine-chilling film The Ring, journalist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) stumbles upon a cursed videotape that forebodes a gruesome death to anyone who watches it within seven days. As she investigates, her skepticism wanes and fear escalates when her son Aidan (David Dorfman) unwittingly views the tape. Racing against time, Rachel must unravel the cryptic puzzle behind the curse in order to save herself and her son from impending doom. This eerie horror mystery, laden with supernatural elements, keeps viewers on their toes till the very end.More The RingAvailable On:
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22Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence- Released: 1987
- Directed by: Clive Barker
In the macabre world of Hellraiser, Larry Cotton (Andrew Robinson) and his wife, Julia (Clare Higgins), find themselves tangled in a twisted web of horror. Moving into his family home, they unwittingly unleash something chilling: Frank (Sean Chapman), Larry's brother who has been trapped in a hellish dimension. He emerges through a mysterious puzzle box, bringing with him an army of Cenobites - grotesque beings from another realm, led by Pinhead (Doug Bradley). As Julia falls into a dangerous love triangle with Larry and the resurrected Frank, she becomes ensnared in their gruesome game of pleasure and pain. This 1987 British horror film is based on Clive Barker's novella The Hellbound Heart, with Barker himself at the helm as director.More Hellraiser- Dig Deeper...Behind-The-Scenes Stories From The Making Of 'Hellraiser'
- #204 of 399 onThe Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
- #31 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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23Cillian Murphy, Noah Huntley, Naomie Harris- Released: 2002
- Directed by: Danny Boyle
In the suspenseful thriller 28 Days Later, London bike courier Jim (Cillian Murphy) awakens from a coma in an abandoned hospital. He finds the city eerily deserted, save for infected humans ravaged by a mysterious virus. Meeting a small group of survivors, including the stalwart Selena (Naomie Harris), they navigate the post-apocalyptic landscape, clinging to hope. Directed by Danny Boyle, this film masterfully combines elements of horror and drama, presenting a chilling scenario of societal collapse due to a relentless pandemic. Its raw depiction of survival amidst chaos earned critical acclaim and notable box-office success.More 28 Days Later- #23 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #23 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
- #6 of 167 onThe 150+ Best Futuristic Dystopian Movies
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24David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne- Released: 1981
- Directed by: John Landis
In the genre-bending horror-comedy, An American Werewolf in London, college students David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) encounter a werewolf during their backpacking trip through Britain. After this harrowing incident, David wakes up in a London hospital only to learn of Jack's unfortunate demise. Nurse Alex Price (Jenny Agutter) becomes his caretaker and confidante, as he navigates through disturbing nightmares and horrifying transformations. Directed by John Landis, this film is renowned for its groundbreaking makeup effects by Rick Baker, which earned it an Academy Award in 1982. It successfully melds horror with humor while delivering a unique take on the classic werewolf lore.Available On:
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25Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon- Released: 1968
- Directed by: Roman Polanski
In Rosemary's Baby, Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow) and her struggling actor husband, Guy (John Cassavetes), move into an old New York City apartment. Their eccentric neighbors, Roman and Minnie Castevet (Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon), soon become overly involved in their lives. After Rosemary becomes mysteriously pregnant, she grows increasingly paranoid about the safety of her unborn child. This film, a chilling blend of psychological thriller and horror, directed by Roman Polanski, won Ruth Gordon an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. It continues to unsettle audiences with its haunting narrative and suspenseful build-up.More Rosemary's Baby- #46 of 251 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #37 of 406 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
- #32 of 167 onThe Greatest '60s Movies, Ranked
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Everything HorrorLists of the greatest, worst, goriest, and scariest horror movies, series, characters, scenes, and more.Filed under:
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Everything Horror
Lists of the greatest, worst, goriest, and scariest horror movies, series, characters, scenes, and more.
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