Horror is arguably the hardest genre to get right when looking for a movie to watch. The directors and actors have perfected the art of pacing and building tension while finding something that sets them apart. The sub-genres within horror movies ensure something for each person. They touch on the fears of the heart through contemporary sociopolitical issues making this genre timeless.
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Today we will list the top 10 horror movies that have graced our screens and have terrified us. Let’s sink right into it.
Top 10 Horror Movies
The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is a masterpiece and, in its 50th year, still ranks first on our top 10 horror movies list. If you watch this film, you will understand why. It is a tale of Regan, the daughter of a successful actress who decides to one day occupy herself with an Ouija board in the basement. Through the Ouija board, an unwelcomed guest takes over the little girl to create cinematic excellence.
Much like the shining, this movie is unpredictable, unsafe, original and based on a simple premise that will have you anxious even during the happiest moments. You cannot say you enjoy this movie, but you’ll find yourself rewatching it just to feel the terror as the battle between good and evil in its disturbing glory rage on.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Some movie titles will be vague and gradually let you work out their plot as the story progresses. But not this movie. The Texas Chain-Saw Massacre is a blunt instrument of pure horror where five young people leave the safety of the modern world and tour dusty America. They find a house upon which they innocently enter, looking for gas. But unfortunately, what they get is death and depravity. There have been remakes of this movie, but nothing can replicate the desperation and violence hidden inside this film.
The Shining (1980)
A favourite in many top 10 horror movies lists is The Shining which is an adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. It follows a man and his family as he takes on the role of taking care of a hotel resort called Overlook. Unfortunately, the winter months don’t go smoothly as the hotel does not like people.
This movie will make you feel unsafe as Jack Nicholson navigates through the hotel corridors, unsure of what will happen next. You can say that this film feels like an intoxicated man is driving you, as it is a rollercoaster of emotions. The dangers that lurk in room 237 will stay with you long after you have watched this movie.
Jaws (1975)
Before there was ET and Jurassic Park, there was Jaws. This Steven Spielberg horror is a disaster waiting to happen to the residents of Amity Island as a white shark starts to terrorise the residents of the quiet island. The police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), a marine Biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and ship Captain Quint (Robert Shar) spring into action, trying to capture the shark and put an end to all the carnage happening to the tourists and locals in the New England tourist town.
Scream (1996)
After a year has elapsed since Sidney Prescott’s (Neve Campbell) mom’s death, she and her friends start getting odd phone calls which they later realise are coming from a deranged serial killer looking for revenge. This serial killer is wearing a white-faced mask and a large black robe, and his usual questions include; what’s your favourite scary movie along with other movie trivia? Unfortunately, this film ends up with blood and innocent lives scattered in the small town of Woodsboro.
Hereditary (2018)
The newest movie in our list of top 10 horror movies is Hereditary. We all have ways of handling grief, but in this film, we get to see the outcome of turning into the supernatural leads to. Well, after her mother-in-law passes away, Annie (Tonie Collete), her husband (Gabriel Byrne), daughter (Milly Shapiro) and Son ( Alex Wolff) mourn her loss. They all turn to different ways to handle the grief, and Annie and her daughter turn to the supernatural to cope with the pain. Unfortunately, they experience disturbing incidents as they uncover the sinister secrets and trauma passed down through the family generations.
The Omen (1976)
Directed by Richard Donner, this film will grab our attention and does not go away until the finale. The American Ambassador to Great Britain and his wife – Robert and Katherine Thorn, suffer the horrors depicted in this movie. When the American Ambassador’s child dies during childbirth, he decides it is a good idea to pass another child as his to the wife. It turns out to be none other than Damien – satans child.
Life goes on smoothly for a few years, but as Damien grows, strange things start to happen, and his only goal is to grow up and take over the world for his father. As the film progresses, we get disturbing murders and unholy situations that make it an unlikely movie for the faint-hearted.
The Wicker Man (1973)
Directed by Robin Hardy, The Wicker Man, is a tale that follows a brave detective Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward), who travels to a mysterious island named Summer Isle in search of a missing girl. Once he arrives at the island, the locals act strangely and appear to be hiding something. Through his investigations, he discovers they have unusual customs, beliefs and worship of nature. The movie becomes more thrilling as the Seargent uncovers shocking secrets and a surprising end making it a gripping and suspenseful tale.
The Witch (2015)
Another recent movie in our top 10 horror movies is The Witch, directed by Robert Eggers. It follows a family man from England who decides to settle in a secluded area near a spooky forest. They face strange occurrences while there, and soon their youngest child disappears. The family becomes scared and starts to believe that witchcraft is involved. Their fear grows, and they blame each other for the mysterious happenings. We get to feel the eerie and tense atmosphere while watching this movie as it progresses, especially with the spooky scenes and haunting musical scores. The Witch explores fears and beliefs humans are prone to as we wonder if witches hide in shadows.
Watch The Witch on Amazon Prime.
Suspiria (1977)
Wrapping up our list of Top 10 Horror Movies is Dario Argento’s Suspiria that features actors Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Flavio Bucci and Miguel Bose. They play pivotal roles that contribute to its atmospheric and haunting storytelling. In this film, we enter a spooky world as we follow a young American girl called Suzy, who attends a prestigious dance academy in Germany. But as she arrives, strange things start to happen. We see Suzy becoming suspicious of the academy’s staff as she uncovers horrifying secrets.
These top 10 horror movies have captured movie lovers for years with unforgettable endings and chilling narratives, leaving a lasting impression. Which movie do you think should be on the list above and why? Let’s continue this conversation in the comments section.
