15. Rec (2007) 

The movie: To begin with, let's disregard the English-language adaptation, Quarantine. With that taken care of, let's delve into the spine-chilling horror hidden within a Barcelona apartment complex in this Spanish horror flick. Like all great found footage horror films, the premise is straightforward. A morning TV program's crew is accompanying a group of firefighters when they receive a call regarding a woman's peculiar behavior in her apartment. Naturally, Angela and her cameraman Pablo excitedly trail the emergency workers into what can only be described as a descent into hell

Why it's scary: Rec builds tension slowly and masterfully, luring you into a false sense of security until it’s too late. While technically classified as a zombie movie, it feels more like a harrowing tale of infection, similar to 28 Days Later. The film's found footage style makes it painfully realistic and believable, heightening the claustrophobic nightmare. The performances, from the fire crew to the apartment building residents, are exceptional, causing your brain to struggle with the fact that it's only a movie. By the time Rec's hauntingly eerie third act kicks in with its night-vision visuals, you'll already be hiding behind someone or something for dear life.

14. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

 Have you ever wondered why camping in the woods isn't as popular these days? It's not just because millennials need to be near a charging point at all times. It's mainly because an entire generation watched The Blair Witch Project when they were young teenagers and now have a strong preference for sleeping indoors. This almost legendary found footage horror film follows three young filmmakers named Heather, Mike, and Josh as they venture to Burkittsville, Maryland to document the local legend of The Blair Witch. The witch is believed to reside in the woods, so they head into the wilderness to investigate. However, since all that remains are these tapes, it's safe to say that there's no happy ending to this terrifying story.

 The horror that awaits Heather and her companions in the woods is already chilling, with eerie sounds echoing through the trees and their sanity slowly slipping away, but what's equally frightening about The Blair Witch Project is the seamless blurring of reality and fiction. Heather Donahue, Michael Williams, and Joshua Leonard are not just actors playing a role, but actual individuals sent into the woods by the filmmakers who subjected them to nightly mental torture. Upon its release in 1999, the film revitalized the found footage genre and was marketed as a true story. Every shaky camera shot, every scream, and every stick figure found by the trio serves as a reminder that these individuals really ventured into the woods and never returned. And if that's not enough to haunt your dreams, the ending is like a gut-punch of terror.

13. The Witch (2015)

 Described by its creator Robert Eggers as a "New England folk tale," although it's more akin to a nightmarish fairy tale, this period horror drama is a chilling exploration of a Puritan family who are banished from their colony. As William (Ralph Ineson) leads his wife Katherine (Kate Dickie) and their five children into the ominous, dense woods to survive alone on a farm, audiences may find themselves yelling "don't do it" at the screen to no avail. It's not giving anything away to reveal that things don't go particularly well. Through the eyes of Thomasin, the family's eldest daughter played by Anya Taylor-Joy in her first credited role, we witness the unraveling of a dysfunctional family, tormented by the terror of an unknown force lurking in the trees.

 The Witch is a polarizing film, leaving viewers either loving or hating it. However, if you allow yourself to become fully immersed in it, everything becomes frightening and you can't quite pinpoint why. The family's struggle for survival in the wilderness is captured in meticulously crafted shots, and the terrifying score of strings and vocals intensifies the sense of dread. This means that when genuine horror finally does strike after a prolonged period of tension, it's as if Eggers has expertly primed you for the shock without you even realizing it. From the disturbingly playful behavior and eerie voices of the young twins to the presence of the monstrous goat named Black Phillip, The Witch contains an unsettling kind of horror that stays with you long after the credits roll.

12. The Wicker Man (1973)

 

 If the image above doesn't make you feel threatened, it's time to experience Robin Hardy's folk horror firsthand. The Wicker Man is more than just a source of reaction gifs or a target for ridicule due to the bee-filled Nicolas Cage remake. At the very least, watching Edward Woodward's journey to Summerisle is crucial context for the rural horror movies of the 21st century. It's the perfect accompaniment to the modern-day terror of films like Ari Aster's Midsommar or Ben Wheatley's Kill List, and its allure lies in its terrifyingly straightforward plot. A police officer travels to an island to search for a missing girl, only to discover that everything is not as it seems. Oh, and how it is, my dear. 

The idea of humans being the true monsters is a common theme in horror, but it never loses its impact. While the residents of Summerisle may come across as amusing at times, there are numerous instances of genuine humor in the film. Nonetheless, The Wicker Man is a source of fuel for anyone with trust issues. Can you really believe everything you're told? How can you feel safe in a world full of other human beings? The fear of the unknown is powerful as Neil Howie, played by Edward Woodward, stumbles into a world with its own customs and beliefs. And even if you somehow don't know how the film ends, the twist is still utterly devastating.  

11. Get Out (2017)

Chris, a photographer in his mid-20s, is heading to rural New York to meet his girlfriend's parents for the first time. However, he's feeling uneasy and asks Rose, his girlfriend, if her parents are aware that he is Black. Rose dismisses his concerns, saying that her father is a big fan of Obama and would have voted for him a third time if possible. Despite this reassurance, Chris should be wary because things could go awry in ways beyond just feeling socially uncomfortable. In fact, he should consider turning back before it's too late.

 Get Out is a horror film that goes beyond mere scares. It is filled with thought-provoking social commentary, unsettling moments that send shivers down your spine, and bold humor that doesn't pull any punches. Director Jordan Peele doesn't just want to frighten you for the duration of the 90-minute film; he also wants to expose the disturbing realities that lie at the heart of identity politics in modern-day America. His revelations are more terrifying than any cheap jump scare could ever hope to achieve, making Get Out a contemporary horror masterpiece in every sense of the word.

10. 28 Days Later (2002)

Danny Boyle's horror movie can be identified as a zombie movie, despite the fact that these zombies can run. While they may not be the ideal guests at a family gathering, they belong to the same lineage as the zombies from Romero's classics and are equally capable of wreaking havoc. The protagonist, Jim, wakes up in a hospital bed and steps out into a post-apocalyptic London that will never be the same again. The movie, 28 Days Later, is terrifying as it feels like a nightmare, with a heart-pounding soundtrack that is often poignant. The modern British apocalypse is portrayed in a convincing manner, with the Infected being particularly gruesome, survivors being wary of one another, and the British landscape being stunningly captured on camera. With stellar performances from the cast, 28 Days Later is an emotive and gory spectacle.

 

9. Scream (1996)

n the late '90s, the horror genre was losing its edge with the overused trope of masked slashers in desperate need of rejuvenation. Wes Craven's Scream came to the rescue by successfully blending humor and terror, featuring Neve Campbell, Rose McGowan, Drew Barrymore, and Courtney Cox, who was at the peak of her Friends fame, in a story about a group of teenagers being hunted by a genre-obsessed serial killer. Despite being parodied into postmodern irony, Scream revitalized the horror genre with its perfect balance of comedy and scares, making it a modern classic.

Scream's success in frightening viewers is not solely dependent on self-referential humor. The Scream mask, inspired by Munch's painting, remains disturbing and thrilling despite being spoofed in Scary Movie. The unpredictable nature of the scares keeps viewers on edge, with victims falling prey to the killer's knife frequently. As we grow attached to the likable and witty heroes, the end game becomes increasingly stressful as we wonder who will survive to the end. With Craven's Nightmare on Elm Street scare talents, terror is guaranteed from start to finish.

 

8. Alien (1979)

Arguably one of the greatest science fiction films ever made also happens to be one of the most terrifying horror movies. It hardly seems fair, does it? Ridley Scott's original Alien sends the crew of the Nostromo on a mission to investigate a distress signal from an abandoned alien spaceship, much like a group of teenagers heading off to a remote cabin in the woods. Unfortunately, like those teenagers, not many of them will survive to tell the tale. Sigourney Weaver delivers an unforgettable performance as the ultimate Final Girl.

What makes it frightening is the feeling of being horribly isolated on a spaceship light years away from home, combined with the terror induced by Giger's alien, which is an incredibly frightening monster. However, the horror runs deeper than mere teeth and claws. This creature represents a complex, bottomless well of psychosexual terror, its very form preying on a host of primordial fears. Additionally, Scott's direction in the final act, with its visual ambiguity, is a masterclass in building tension and leaving audiences guessing as to what's lurking in the shadows. Ignore the recent xenomorph-filled films and watch this and Aliens in the dark to rekindle your passion for the genuine horror of Scott's vision.

 

7. Jaws (1975)

Steven Spielberg's film, Jaws, predates popular blockbusters like Jurassic Park, ET, and Ready Player One. Despite the outdated appearance of the shark, this horror movie remains terrifying even now. The story follows Chief Brody's attempts to prevent swimmers from entering the water during Amity Island's bloody summer season. The movie's popularity is reflected in the long queues outside cinemas, with viewers leaving in terror. Jaws' haunting score is unforgettable, and the film's ability to ruin seaside trips is why it lingers in the minds of viewers. Spielberg's unflinching portrayal of the shark's attacks is particularly gruesome, with even children and dogs falling prey to the beast. The three men who set out to kill the shark are not guaranteed to survive. With stellar performances and an unforgettable monster, Jaws remains the ultimate creature feature.

 

6. Halloween (1978)

Director John Carpenter's masterpiece, Halloween, features a terrifying William Shatner mask-wearing villain who stalks babysitters in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois. The movie launched Jamie-Leigh Curtis to fame as a scream queen and set the standard for stalk-and-slash horror films. Despite a nonsensical opening scene where a child murders his sister while wearing a clown mask, the movie remains frightening, and if you disagree, your horror fan status should be revoked. Carpenter's shot compositions keep the audience on edge with a mix of claustrophobia and fear, creating a pervasive sense of vulnerability. Moreover, the movie's pounding doom-synth soundtrack is still the quintessential soundtrack for horror films. Additionally, the 2018 sequel removes messy sequels and shows the real trauma of growing up as a victim of The Shape.

 

5. The Exorcist (1973)

As we enter the top five of this list of the best horror movies, it's no surprise to see William Friedkin's masterpiece, which has been around for 50 years, still occupying a top spot in many horror features. The Exorcist tells the story of Regan, the daughter of a famous movie actress who unknowingly invites an unwelcome guest into her body through an ouija board. This leads to the arrival of the titular exorcist, and the rest is history.

What makes this movie scary is its unpredictability, visceral nature, and primal fear. Even in its happy moments, The Exorcist is anxiety-inducing. Friedkin's relentless pursuit of authenticity during the production process resulted in his actors being subjected to extreme conditions, including a refrigerated bedroom and physical exertion to replicate the demon's strength. The movie's infamous pea soup scene adds to the disturbing nature of the battle between good and evil portrayed in the film. You may not actively enjoy watching The Exorcist, but its sheer terror will keep you coming back for more.

4. Hereditary (2018)

The movie "Hereditary" explores the concept that the worst horrors can exist beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect family life. Toni Collette plays the role of a grieving mother whose own mother's death has brought turmoil into their home. The movie is unsettling and unpredictable, with no moment of respite or indication of what will happen next. It is unclear whether the movie is a supernatural thriller or a portrayal of the family's grief, and every scene is fraught with tension. Despite the divisive reaction from audiences, "Hereditary" is a powerful example of modern horror that will leave a lasting impact.

3. The Thing (1982)

If you've missed John Carpenter's ultimate creature feature, perhaps you've been buried in snow. But don't worry, come closer to the fire and warm up. Although the title may seem cheesy, The Thing remains one of the most thrilling and gory horror movies of all time. The film follows a group of Americans stationed at an Antarctic research facility, including Kurt Russell's R.J MacReady, as they confront an alien creature that infects their blood. While the creature begins by attacking their dogs, it doesn't stop there. The physicality of The Thing is what makes it so terrifying. As the infection spreads and the group falls apart, the paranoia and horror intensify. However, it's the practical effects, created by a young Rob Bottin and uncredited Stan Winston, that steal the show. Limbs are devoured, heads sprout legs, and bodies are distorted and stretched in a macabre display of nightmarish creatures. These gruesome monsters are all too tangible, making The Thing a true horror classic.

2. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

The horror movie, directed by Tobe Hooper, titled The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, stands apart from other movies with vague titles that slowly reveal their meaning. Unlike those films, this movie is not delicate at all; it is a blunt instrument of horror that showcases extreme violence. The narrative follows five young individuals who leave the safety of their world and venture into dusty Americana, only to stumble upon death and depravity in a single house while searching for gas. Decades after its release, the movie still poses a disturbing endurance test to viewers.

Despite having little blood, the movie is terrifying because of its horror scenes, such as the iconic Leatherface and a death scene involving a hook. Viewers mentally imagine gore to cope with the screams of pure terror and the disturbing soundtrack. Although several movies have tried to copy its style, including a glossy cash cow remake produced by Michael Bay, none could replicate the desperation and violent honesty that make The Texas Chain Saw Massacre unique. Attempting to replicate it could even be dangerous.

 

1. The Shining (1980)

Even if you haven't seen Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece, you are likely aware of The Shining, thanks to Jack Nicholson's iconic "Heeeeeeeere's Johnny" line and the infamous Room 237. The film follows a man and his family as they take on the role of winter caretakers at The Overlook, a resort hotel with a dark past. The winter months prove to be unsettling as the hotel begins to exert its malevolent influence on the family.

What makes The Shining so frightening is its palpable sense of malevolence. Nicholson's performance as the increasingly unhinged Jack Torrance, combined with Kubrick's masterful direction, makes for an unnerving viewing experience. The film is not reliant on cheap jump scares, but rather a pervasive sense of dread that lingers long after the credits have rolled. Like being driven by a drunk madman, you never know what horrors lurk around the corner in The Shining.