Film|Movies

The Scariest Horror Movies Of All Time

Harper Brooks
Updated July 19, 2024 780.5K views 219 items

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632.9K votes
29.7K voters
72 reranks
Voting Rules

Vote up the most terrifying films you've ever seen, regardless of how good or bad they are. 

Latest additions: Oddity, Longlegs, MaXXXine
Most divisive: The Blair Witch Project
Over 29.7K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Scariest Horror Movies Of All Time

The scariest movies of all time captivate audiences by thrilling stories, spine-chilling visuals, and unforgettable performances. This ranked list of really scary films considers a variety of criteria, including the movie's ability to elicit fear, its staying power in the culture, and the sheer terror experienced by viewers. Made by horror fans for horror fans, the list primarily focuses on movies that persistently haunt and spook audiences long after the credits roll. With crowd-ranking driving the selection, the aim is to gather an authentic representation of what truly terrifies people.

Key contenders like The Exorcist, The Conjuring, and Insidious stand out not just for their brilliant execution but for the way they continue to terrify generations of viewers. The Exorcist, with its iconic scenes and dramatic performances, has been a benchmark in horror since its release. Meanwhile, supernatural spine-tinglers like The Conjuring and Insidious bring breathtaking suspense and eerie atmospheres that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Psychological thrillers like The Shining and Se7en delve into the madness and human psyche, offering different yet equally haunting experiences. Global horror hits like 28 Days Later add unique, international flavors to the mix, proving that the spectrum of terror knows no borders.

Each film on this list has its unique scare factor, ensuring a variety of horror experiences. For instance, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre intense horror through brutal slasher elements and relentless tension, whereas The Silence of the Lambs uses psychological thrills to ingrain fear. The cult twist in Hereditary and the psychological terror in The Shining provide layered narratives that haunt one's mind. Other good horror movies that are actually frightening include Saw, The Babadook, The Descent, and As Above, So Below.

Don't just take our word for it; be sure to actively participate in this crowd-ranked list by voting up the scariest movies of all time. Your votes determine which films truly stand on top as the pinnacle of terror. Whenever the need for a spine-tingling scare arises, swing back to this list to find your next nightmare-inducing film. Let's celebrate and scrutinize together what makes these horror masterpieces so chillingly unforgettable.