My 51 Favourite horror films.
For this Hallowe’en and Covid-19 season I’ve chosen my 50 favourite horror films. The horror genre is one of my favourites, and though I may be biased, I do find new horror not as enticing as the classic BUT I have taken into account those who really were groundbreaking for the genre.
51. The Babysitter (2017) = This gem popped out of nowhere as it was an exclusive Netflix film with next to no promotion. It remains one of those fun and gory horror films that really offends no one and still makes me laugh.
50. Creepshow 2 (1987) = Although most people are fans of the first, I actually prefer the camp storylines of part 2 which touch on not only murder but racism, white privilege and sexual misconduct. I believe the script for this film was really ahead of its time.
49. The Frighteners (1996) = The Frighteners was director Peter Jackson’s first mainstream American film that somehow did not do well in theatres despite its wonderful cast (the dreamy Michael J. Fox headlining) and (for the time) great special effects. I thought this movie was terrifying and fun as a child and it still remains a favourite today.
48. Sleepy Hollow (1999) = Somehow Tim Burton is able to make a gory horror film targeted for kids. The premise of expanding the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow works incredibly well in this lavish and dark tale. Though Christina Ricci’s english accent is not the greatest, this is a film that has stood the test of time.
47. A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 3: The Dream Warriors (1987) = After Part 2 bombed in cinemas, Miramax had to regroup and go in a new direction to save the series. They contacted Wes Craven, who had written and directed the first film and who had refused to work on Part 2, to help with the script and produce this film. Craven added elements such as having original cast members return and wrote again about Freddy attacking and killing creatively in dreams rather than trying to come into the real World. On top of this more humour was added to the film which works, however becomes too saturated in further films of the series.
46. Child’s Play (1988) = This film basically would be the embodiment of my childhood nightmare, a “My-Buddy”-esque doll (which I had growing up) coming to life and trying to steal my soul. Also the fear of no one believing it is the doll causing all the trouble and that it is actually you, the kid. Chills.
45. Pet Semetary (1989) = A familiar Stephen King concept however wonderfully done and holding no horror film clichés. A family move near a pet cemetery with mystical powers, terror ensues.
44. Fright Night (1985) = The essential vampire movie of the 80s; mixing 80s pop, cheesy special effects and a cast of cute new-comers.
43. Happy Death Day (2017) = A horror comedy that mixes elements of any 80s slasher with Groundhog Day. A killer stalks sorority girl Tree, but each time she is killed she wakes up the beginning of the same day to relive the experience over and over again.
42. Evil Dead 2 (1987) = Its controversial to put this film so low as most consider it the best of the series. I feel however that because it is a comedy remake of the original that it does suffer from a lack of originality. However it is still a classic must-see.
41. Hellraiser (1987) = The Cenobites have to be some of the most frightening monsters to ever be seen on film. The idea that an H.R. Giger inspired Rubik’s Cube could be the doorway to Hell and that it could be opened anywhere in the World, by anyone looking for “experiences beyond limits” could only be thought of by Clive Barker.
40. Friday the 13th (1980) = One of the most iconic film franchises ever made, however out of 11 films this is really the only watchable one. A killer attacks counsellors while they try and open a summer camp.
39. Final Destination (2000) = Probably the biggest gross-out movie of my generation. Beautifully imagined and original, again followed by endless sequels, but the formula is one that can be repeated over and over.
38. The Blob (1988) = I first saw the trailer for this on television when I was 6 years old and I ran out of the room terrified, but fascinated. Fast-forward to being 14 years old and finally having the guts to rent the film from my local video store. This is one cheesy film that boasts great special effects and launched the career of a young Shawnee Smithson (most famous from the “Saw” franchise).
37. Curse of Chucky (2013) = Though this is sixth film in the Child’s Play series, it is probably the best in terms of direction, script and overall scare factor. Despite the fact the budget was slashed during production (no pun intended) it really works. Our favourite homicidal doll, Chucky, is back. In this instalment he is invading the home of Nica, a paralyzed young woman whose family is of great interest to him.
36. Dawn of the Dead (1978) = I love Dawn of the Dead. We start off with the World completely covered in zombies and our main characters are civilians simply trying to find a place to hide out and survive. This film proves far and above superior to so many that have come before or since. C'mon, escaping zombies by living in a mall? Amazing.
35. The Howling (1981) = Though this film was released six months before “An American Werewolf in London” it did not get as much attention. A news reporter goes on vacation to a resort with her husband and, you guessed it, there are werewolves. Campy, amazing special effects and really emphasises a strong female lead with Dee Wallace.
34. Candyman (1992) = Candyman is an Urban Legend film about a vengeful spirit who kills anyone who says his names 5 times while looking in a mirror. A sleeper hit written by horror-guru Clive Barker.
33. Demoni (Demons) (1985) = Lamberto Bava’s vision of making a pop-corn schlock demonic possession film is the 1980s at its best. The cinematography and music are fantastic, and though there isn’t much of a story, it’s a fun ride.
32. Ringu (1998) = Forget Naomi Watts, the original Japanese film is where it all started. A videotape emerges that contains a curse; whoever views the contents of the tape will die a week later. I personally wouldn’t risk it, but these kids do, so hey, its entertainment.
31. I See You (2018) = A Helen Hunt starring vehicle that really doesn’t have Helen Hunt in it more than the first half of the film. This is one of those movies where for the first half it gets very intriguing but half way through… well I won’t spoil this one.
30. The Omen (1976) = No one will ever hear the name Damien the same way again. A film that explores the idea that Antichrist could be born into a 20th century political family. Hmmm this could now be considered a commentary on a current political family, huh?
29. The Craft (1996) = Probably one of the best films about witches ever released. Four “teenage” (c’mon they’re like 30) outcasts form a coven that summons the archaic spirit of Manon (btw this was the name of my college PE teacher) who grants them untold powers. They of course abuse this privilege.
28. Scream 2 (1997) = Wes Craven did his fans proud when he created an almost perfect sequel to the first Scream. This all-star cast really brings the scares and the opening scene even had me frightened to go into bathroom stalls. This time the killer hits a university campus.
27. The Stepford Wives (1975) = Due to many problems during production (including the director and writer refusing to be in the same room) the studio was unclear of how this film would fair. Luckily “Stepford” has become synonymous in pop culture and its message of feminism and terror still remain. Why are the Stepford wives so perfect? Why does our heroine fear being like them?
26. Death Proof (2007) = Director Quentin Tarantino’s only horror film is a bit slow at first and then becomes a combination of “A Spit on Your Grave” meets “Bullitt”. A psychotic stuntman stalks women and kills them with his car. Watch the extended version as it is far superior to the theatrical.
25. Carrie (1976) = Carrie is an iconic film which in a lot of ways has stood the test of time. Every kid ever bullied relates to Carrie. It would have ranked higher on my list but I loathe the fast-forward effect director Brian De Palma used on the shopping scene.
24. The Cabin in the Woods (2012) = Made two years prior to its release but was stuck in production hell after MGM went bankrupt, Cabin still proved to be a modern horror classic now with a cult following. Joss Whedon’s horror comedy script proves why he is still one of Hollywood’s most in demand writers.
23. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) = The film’s marketing campaign convinced the World these events really happened which made the film even scarier and more popular. As Tobe Hooper’s first mainstream film, it is still lauded as a slasher classic.
22. Suspiria (1977) = Considered to be Italian director Dario Argento’s masterpiece. This film explores the world of witches in a German dance school. The film would later inspire Darren Aronofsky’s film “Black Swan”.
21. Shaun of the Dead (2004) = As horror comedies go, this is probably one, if the not the best you can find. Edgar Wright’s original style of filming and editing adds a level of camp humour to this modern day zombie thriller.
20. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) = A remake of the cult classic from the 1950s and also the second of four interpretations. I find this one to be the superior of all four and one of the most suspenseful films ever made.
19. Tenebrae (1982) = Dario Argento will feature prominently on this list as his early work is quite genius. We follow American writer, Peter Neal, as he does a book tour of Italy. Unknown to him a killer is obsessed with the gory violence in his books and decides to murder women in the same manner written.
18. Hereditary (2018) = The whole time watching this film I couldn’t figure out what was going to happen next. It’s sheer chilling and creepy nature kept me intrigued. Toni Collette is wonderful at playing the complex Annie, whose life is plagued with tragic death, which seems to be linked to her family’s past.
17. The Shining (1980) = though this film changed most aspects of Stephen King’s novel of the same name, it really is stunning to watch. The tone is slow and introverted, which will cause the viewer to feel as isolated as the main characters.
16. 28 Days Later (2002) = my favourite zombie film of all time. The isolation and fear in the characters is felt after they try to make sense of a zombie infection that has almost completely consumed the United Kingdom.
15. Misery (1990) = Another Stephen King adaptation, this one is all about the power of obsession. A novelist is injured after a car accident and is nursed back to health by a crazed fan. Kathy Bates is terrifying as James Caan’s “Number 1 fan”.
14. The Birds (1963) = A movie that is a metaphor for how Hitchcock perceived strong women (watch it and see if you agree). Scavenger birds attack a small fishing village for seemingly no reason, i.e. Birds are scary.
13. Scream (1996) = The 90s wrapped into one movie. Before cell phones and the internet were really prominent in everyday life, prank calls were a form of amusement and terror. Add some analytical teens dissecting horror films and you’ve got a winner. The past decade before this movie was released, slasher and horror films were benign and dull, Scream really stirred the pot. The opening scene with actress Drew Barrymore is still one of the scariest I have ever seen.
12. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) = A terrifying look into the mind of serial killer. A provocative and deeply disturbing movie that explores the story of an FBI agent and the cannibal that must help her find a wanted killer. Though this was followed by one sequel and two prequels, they could not touch the original.
11. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) = Wes Craven’s masterpiece and overall the best film of his career. What is scarier than being trapped in a World controlled by someone else? What’s scarier is if that World turns out to be inside your own head.
10. Halloween (1978) = Jamie Lee Curtis’s first film role is one of her finest, as a babysitter being stalked by a masked killer. The movie itself contains no blood, however is still stick fingernails in your boyfriend’s thigh terrifying. Michael Myers remains to be one of the scariest villains in film history.
9. The Evil Dead (1981) = In my opinion this is the greatest film in the Evil Dead trilogy. This film contains more simple horror elements mixed in with the Sam Raimi’s signature odd-camp-humour but is effective at being both funny and scary.
8. Get Out (2017) = Director Jordan Peele surprised audiences with this slow building tour-de-force. Peele is very intuned with the current political climate about race and really won audiences over with his homage to such films as The Stepford Wives (see No. 23) and Psycho.
7. Alien (1979) = Ridley Scott brings horror to outer-space when a crew of scavengers uncovers alien eggs and unknowingly brings the embryo of one back to their ship. The technology is very much of the time, however the terror transcends.
6. Profondo Rosso (Deep Red) (1975) = A psychic is murdered after feeling the presence of a crime committed years earlier. The man who witnesses her death also becomes a target of the killer. Another brilliant film by Dario Argento.
5. Black Christmas (1974) = A Canadian horror film that though is similiar to Halloween, actually came out four years earlier. A killer stalks a house full of sorority girls and kills them one by one before they leave for Christmas break. Very creepy and gory.
4. The Exorcist (1973) = The classic possession movie. Both Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair were nominated for Academy Awards for their roles and it was also nominated for Best Picture. During the initial release people were actually rushed to the hospital due to illness and fainting after watching.
3. Psycho (1960) = The most known of Alfred Hitchcock’s films and ironically the one the studio wanted to shut down. Based on the novel of the same name, Hitchcock explores the mind of a crazed individual intent on keeping people away from the secrets of the Bates Motel.
2. The Thing (1982) = Again, another superior remake to a classic 50s B-Movie. John Carpenter continues on his era of classic horror films, this time exploring an alien being able to imitate other humans. This film is a cult classic and stars the very sexy Kurt Russell as RJ MacReady.
And the best for last…
1. Rosemary’s Baby (1968) = Based on my favourite novel, Rosemary’s Baby is almost a page for page interpretation of its source. The acting, cinematography and story are excellent. The Woodhouse’s move into a new apartment only to find they may be the subject of a grander design by their neighbors. Is Rosemary being paranoid during her pregnancy or is someone plotting against her and her baby?