They say that the scariest movies ever made are those that stick with you, and those that make you want to sleep with the lights on. We’ve all seen a horror movie at some point in our lives, but which ones have actually left their mark?
When it comes to movies, it’s hard to compare one person’s experience with another. Whether it’s because of the genre they prefer or the type of films they enjoy watching, there is always going to be a list of favourites. However, these six films are widely considered classics in the horror genre. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush and a good scare this Halloween season, check them out.
The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is one of the scariest movies ever made. The film follows a young girl who becomes possessed by a demon, and her mother’s attempts to save her daughter. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won two (Best Sound Mixing and Best Adapted Screenplay). The Exorcist is ranked as one of the best horror films of all time.
Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary is a 2018 American supernatural horror film written and directed by Ari Aster. The film stars Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, and Gabriel Byrne. The story follows the Graham family after the death of their secretive grandmother.
Toni Collette delivers one heck of an on-screen performance as Annie Graham in this horror gem. She portrays the unravelling of her character’s sanity with such grace, it’s hard not to be in awe of her emotional power. If you’re looking for great scares this Halloween season, this is a must-watch film.
The Shining (1980)
A lot of Stephen King’s novels have been adapted for the big screen, many to movies that are now considered classics. One such movie is Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining – it showcases a variety of memorable images and an iconic Jack Nicholson performance. Few jumps scares still bring about terror in this film, but its true power comes from having you experience Jack Torrance’s slow descent into madness. This horror film rightly has a position on our top five list!
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
If you want to be truly scared, this 1974 film is a must see. The story is set around an incestuous family of cannibals who slaughter everyone they encounter and wear their skins as clothing. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has been remade three times but the original still stands out as the scariest.
The film opens with the protagonist picking up hitchhikers on a road trip from Houston, Texas to California. After getting picked up by the antagonist, he takes them to his house where he keeps any hitchhiker he picks up hostage in a shed in the backyard. After deciding that it’s time for them to have a barbecue, he chains them all together with one end of the chain hooked onto an iron pipe which is secured to their leg so they can’t escape while he cuts their limbs off and cooks them alive.
Not only was this film one of the first horror movies ever made, but it’s also considered one of the scariest films ever made today.
The Ring (2002)
Released in 2002, The Ring is a modern horror film that follows the main character, Rachel. Rachel is a journalist who is investigating what happens to those who watch a cursed videotape. After watching the tape and ignoring its warning, she starts to notice strange occurrences happening around her. She also gets the feeling that someone is following her.
The Ring was met with mixed reviews when it first came out but has since gone on to be considered one of the scariest movies of all time. This may not be as scary for some people as other films on this list because it relies more on psychological fear rather than jump scares, but it still will get you thinking about your phone’s battery life!
Sinister (2012)
If you’re looking for a thriller with twists and turns, Sinister is the movie for you. It follows a true crime writer who moves his family into a house where a murder was committed years ago. But when he finds home videos of children being tortured and killed, he realises that what happened in this house might not have been so innocent after all.
Sinister is an intense movie that will leave you on the edge of your seat. You never know when something creepy will happen next, but it’s sure to make your stomach turn.
