The Scariest Horror Movies
For horror lovers, there's a countless backlog of frightful features to keep us thrilled. But with so many gore-fests at our fingertips, it seems like we’d spend more time searching for a good movie as opposed to watching one. That’s the whole point of this list right here: to narrow things down to the absolute best in horror so we can break out the popcorn, bundle up on the couch, and brace ourselves for the creepiest of nights. As we put on a brave face, let’s dive into our reviews of the best horror films that’ll have us sleeping with one eye open.
John Carpenter’s The Thing
Bodiless horror
When it comes to generating a healthy scream, John Carpenter is an expert. With a resume that spans decades, his films are watched over and over again. One surefire classic that bears his name is The Thing. Brilliantly crafted, this mix of horror and sci-fi will leave us guessing to the very last shot. What’s also great about this flick is that it still holds up to this day. The scares are genuine, the story is interesting, the characters are multi-layered, and the horror is old school. This masterpiece of the genre is best viewed in a group setting, as we’ll all want to talk about it once the credits start rolling. On a side note, there was a prequel to The Thing that was released a few years back.
Pros:
- We adore the practical effects, which still look convincing, even with today’s modern advances in CGI.
- For super fans of the genre, this Blue Ray comes with a bonus feature with commentary from Kurt Russell and John Carpenter that gives a fascinating insight into the film.
- This is an excellent option for those that like the tension and Lovecraftian horror of the Alien franchise.
Cons:
- The gore may be upsetting for those that prefer more psychological horror and less blood.
Friday The 13th Collection
Friday fear fest
Most successful horror movies spawn a sequel, but there’s something to be said for a franchising giant like Friday The 13th that has released 10 movies in the series. Even if we haven’t seen any of them, we all know the name Jason Vorhees and immediately recognize the hockey mask that accompanies it. This series is one of the all-time campiest when it comes to the slasher genre, and we mean that in a good way. In fact, the majority of the films use a camp as the backdrop. It’s also worth noting that several well-known actors got their big break as a result of this canon – Kevin Bacon, Crispin Glover, and Corey Feldman to name a few.
Pros:
- The box set itself is beautiful, with colorful artwork galore. This makes it the perfect gift for fans of the series.
- The restored 4K scans of the original films look stunning. Even if you’ve already seen the films, you haven’t seen them in this quality.
- Each disc is jam-packed with seemingly endless bonus features, from deleted scenes to audio commentary.
Cons:
- It doesn’t include the offshoot film Freddy v. Jason, which many fans consider a part of the series.
Saw 8-Film Collection
Let's play a game
With a villain named Jigsaw and a twist ending that’ll leave your jaw on the floor, it’s no wonder the original Saw has grown into a hugely successful franchise. With next-level psychological horror, this series somehow manages to find new and breathtaking ways to catch us off guard. Plus, the storyline carries through all the films, so there’s plenty of opportunity for binges and marathons with friends.
Pros:
- As gory as they are, these films are a lot more rewarding to those that pay attention to the plot. Unlike brainless slasher films, the writing encourages you to think.
- We couldn’t believe the low price at first, especially considering you get a total of eight films.
- All eight films come in a compact case, so they don’t take up a lot of space on your shelf.
Cons:
- The series may prove too gory for even the bravest of horror fans.
- Doesn’t contain the recent release of Spiral.
Nosferatu: Kino Classics 2-Disc Deluxe Remastered Edition
Creepy images you can't unsee
This silent movie is truly one of the most horrific films ever to be captured on film. With one of the creepiest villains in cinematic history, this one-of-a-kind feature excels at giving us chills. Although it’s in black and white, the shadowy lighting and eerie effects are still imitated to this day, which is a true testament to this picture’s beautifully horrific influence. So let’s dim the lights and brace ourselves for one of the scariest movies in cinematic history.
Pros:
- This is a great film to watch as a family. It’s not gory, but it’s still creepy enough to keep everyone engaged and many of the shots are really memorable.
- The remastered film looks sharp and crisp and the score sounds awesome.
- The Blu-ray disc includes a fascinating documentary on the innovative director F.W. Murnau.
Cons:
- Younger kids may not have the patience to read the intertitles and title cards.
The Exorcist, Extended Director’s Cut
The devil is in the details
It’s rare for a genre like horror to be responsible for one of the best movies ever made, but that’s the case with The Exorcist. A superb lesson in craftsmanship, this flawless picture was not only nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, but it also walked away with the statue for Best Adapted Screenplay. For fans of the craft of filmmaking, this one is a must-watch. Between the pacing, the sound design, the cinematography, the film is one of the most bone-chilling masterpieces to ever grace the silver screen.
Pros:
- If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t get scared easily and wants a thrill, this one is definitely worth checking out.
- It’s available in a range of formats, including Blu-ray, streaming, DVD, and even VHS, so there’s no excuse to not watch it.
- The Extended Director’s Cut includes extra footage that’s truer to the director’s original vision of the film.
Cons:
- This has a lot of sacrilegious elements in it, so it may be offensive to some religious folks.
Our Tips and Tricks
Sitting through an entire horror film and not feeling scared can be pretty disappointing. If you struggle to find a movie that scares you, we recommend adjusting your viewing environment for better immersion in the film’s universe. For starters, make sure all the lights are out so that the room is in total darkness. Also, most filmmakers in the horror genre design the sound with extreme intention to instill suspense and fear. You may find that using quality surround-sound speakers at a loud yet comfortable volume can make all the difference.
If you’re still not scared, we recommend honing in on the horror subgenre that gets under your skin. Some people are more scared by psychological horror, such as the Saw films, while others only react to jump scares and shocks, such as those in the Friday the 13th films.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly constitutes a horror movie?
While there are certain genre tropes that all filmmakers must abide by, each viewer has their own definition of horror. Some movies in the horror genre rely solely on chills and suspense. Sometimes there’s not even a drop of blood in sight. Others, however, rely on buckets of blood and gore to generate some decent scares. But again, everyone has their own definition of horror. Luckily, there’s no shortage of films to give everyone a good scare.
What if I don’t know anything about horror movies?
Not a problem. This list could be your introduction to the scariest of genres. You may love one type of horror, but find yourself repulsed by another. That’s the beauty of horror – the idea of it spans far and wide.
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