Of all the genres in cinema history, horror has the most dedicated fanbase. To be a true horror fan takes time, as there are thousands of acclaimed titles considered must-watch for any budding horror fan. From the exaggerated shadows and unforgettable visuals of German expressionism to the genre’s modern renaissance headed by A24, sifting through the horror catalog in search of the best gems is no easy task.
In the shadow of a Halloween season many are calling the worst in modern history, cinephiles are desperate for better horror content. The most recent Halloween box office weekend saw a lack of new horror movies, leading to Colleen Hoover’s latest adaptation, Regretting You, topping the domestic charts. For anyone looking to up their horror game who might not yet count themselves as fans, there is a small selection of movies that make for essential viewing. Here are ten horror movies everyone needs to see.
1
‘The Exorcist’ (1973)
There is no better place to start on a list of must-watch horror movies than perhaps the greatest in the genre’s history. William Friedkin‘s The Exorcist follows a young girl as she becomes possessed by an evil entity. Her desperate mother, searching for answers, turns to two Catholic priests.
From the performances and the cinematography to the soundtrack and the storytelling, everything about The Exorcist is horror perfection. What’s more, the film is now over half a century old and holds up remarkably well, still terrifying even the most skeptical of viewers and furthering its spotless legacy.
2
‘The Shining’ (1980)
Stephen King is the most famous name in the literary world of modern horror, so a list such as this would be poorer without an adaptation of his work, even if said adaptation doesn’t have his seal of approval. Nor did The Shining have the approval of initial critics, earning Golden Razzie Awards nominations for Worst Director and Worst Actress. Now, the film is widely considered a masterpiece, and one whose legacy is arguably greater because of this initial misrepresentation.
The film follows recovering alcoholic Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) as he takes his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd) to the Overlook Hotel during the off-season. However, their stay becomes eerie when ghosts seemingly appear, and young Danny is found to have special powers, eventually sending Jack into a spiral that will lead him to do the unthinkable.
3
‘Get Out’ (2017)
Some movies are deemed must-watch for their influence on the genre. Others are must-watch simply for how prescient their theming is. Get Out is arguably both, managing to steer the modern horror landscape in a new direction whilst also becoming one of the chief flagbearers of modern politically-minded movies.
The story follows black photographer Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) as he heads on a weekend away to meet his white girlfriend’s family. However, their sickly friendliness hides a dark secret, one that threatens to change Chris’ life forever as he is about to become the latest in a long line of victims.
4
‘The Thing’ (1982)
Considered by some to be the finest horror movie ever put to screen, John Carpenter‘s 1982 masterpiece The Thing is the perfect example of what can be done with a relatively small budget, with a tenth of its reported $15 million budget spent on creature effects. Because of this, a visual nightmare is crafted worthy of its place on any ‘best-of’ horror list.
Blending a terrifying base-under-siege story with a gripping examination of trust, the film follows a research team in Antarctica as they are slowly and maliciously picked off by an alien evil. However, this is no average alien, as their hunter can assume the physical appearance of anyone else on board, throwing the team’s once-tight bond into question.
5
‘Psycho’ (1960)
The master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, is possibly the most important name in horror cinema, with his visionary take on the genre ushering in the style of horror we know and love today. Among his many celebrated movies, of which several could find their place on this list, Psycho is possibly his most influential and is required viewing for any budding horror fan.
The movie follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a young woman who escapes with a large sum of cash from an unassuming motel. Little does she know she is heading into the devil’s lair, as the motel is owned by the unsettling Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). The horror that unfolds has been parodied on countless occasions, as homage is paid to one of cinema’s finest death scenes and one of the greatest twists ever.
6
‘Jaws’ (1975)
This list would be incomplete without Jaws. Steven Spielberg‘s game-changing masterpiece is an enthralling drama, a visceral monster-horror, and a tense action flick all rolled into one. The film follows a trio of brave souls as they venture out into the ocean to try and battle a terrifying killer shark that has unleashed hell on their community.
The ultimate horror blockbuster, Jaws still dazzles audiences to this day, as has been seen by the huge success of its recent 50th anniversary box office re-release. From perfectly timed jump scares to influential practical effects and a score that has arguably transcended the film’s pop culture legacy, Jaws is simply a work of genius.
7
‘Possession’ (1981)
From one of the most famous horror movies of all time to one of the most underrated, Possession follows the spiraling relationship of a young couple as they grapple with suspicions of infidelity and the looming presence of a divorce. As chaos erupts, the supernatural takes hold, and unthinkable horrors overcome them both.
The horror genre is perfect for holding a mirror up to society and screaming about the biggest cultural frustrations. However, it is also at its best when pointed inward, becoming the tool for an introspective look at the troubled soul of its creator. That is the case with Possession, as director Andrzej Żuławski unleashes his personal trauma onto an audience who can do nothing but sit back and admire its chaotic genius.
8
‘Alien’ (1979)
Sci-fi and horror go together like salt and pepper, and nowhere is that more obvious than in Ridley Scott‘s Alien. The film follows the crew on the USCSS Nostromo as they respond to a strange distress call for fear of losing money. However, the call isn’t quite what it first seemed, and they soon realize that instead of helping a suffering victim, they have instead unleashed hellish suffering on themselves.
One of the most iconic horror movies, from the design of its villain to Sigourney Weaver‘s Ellen Ripley, Alien is a masterful example of how to craft suspense. From its first moments, observing the crew as they bicker over wages to the final showdown between Ripley and the xenomorph, each beat of Alien is perfectly assembled on a typically awe-inspiring Scott canvas.
9
‘Halloween’ (1978)
The slasher sub-genre is a horror staple, taking the best of suspense and the best of gore and blending them with the very real fear of serial killers for an unforgettable viewing experience. This is on no better display than in John Carpenter‘s Halloween, a film that, almost 50 years on, still stands tall as the measuring stick used to rate any slasher film.
The film follows Jamie Lee Curtis‘ breakout role as Laurie, a plucky young woman who becomes the target of the terrifying, knife-wielding serial killer Michael Myers, complete with a featureless William Shatner mask. As Halloween night draws closer, the town of Haddonfield locks its doors as the promise of death comes knocking.
10
’28 Days Later’ (2002)
Any wannabe horror fan simply must indulge in the zombie horror sub-genre, although picking one for this list is a nigh-on impossible task. Perhaps the best blend of the classic era of zombies and the modern era is Danny Boyle‘s groundbreaking 28 Days Later, even if the movie doesn’t technically feature any zombies.
Following the outbreak of an all-consuming rage virus, 28 Days Later details the journey of Jim (Cillian Murphy) as he awakes from a coma to a deserted London. As he begins to piece together the terrifying truth behind the empty streets, he meets fellow survivors and heads on a life-threatening trip to find solace in the arms of the military. However, the true evil is lurking in the place they least expect it.
- Release Date
-
November 1, 2002
- Runtime
-
113 minutes
- Director
-
Danny Boyle
- Writers
-
Alex Garland
- Producers
-
Andrew Macdonald