Number 1, “Halloween (1978)” Directed by John Carpenter
Halloween is the greatest horror film of all time. Here is why: The popular horror genre we know as “Slasher” was not very popular back in the 1970’s but suddenly Halloween dropped and it sparked a new era in the horror game. With that movie a slasher was born, Michael Myers. Michael Myers set the blueprints for the future of slashers with the iconic masked killers. On top of that came an instantly recognizable score. It was small yet so haunting. Halloween influenced countless slasher greats like Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th and Freddy Krueger in Nightmare on Elm Street.
Number 2, “The Conjuring (2013)” Directed by James Wan
The Conjuring was really close to taking the number one spot for me. This movie is elite in all levels of horror. For starters, this movie is based on a true story which right off the bat makes it scarier, in my opinion. The movie is inspired by the real-life investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, well-known paranormal investigators. The direction in this film is top notch from the way James Wan builds tension and delivers scares to the atmosphere and pacing. The Conjuring also masterfully develops the family into unforgettable characters, unlike most horror films. Lastly, this move effectively uses its sound design to build up tension and fear from pure silence, whispering, creaking doors and subtle voice cues.
Number 3 “Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)” Directed by Tobe Hooper
This movie is great! This movie was a low budget type film, which, in my opinion, gives it a little more realism. This film is full of suspense and edge of your seat moments thanks to a very well known character, “Leatherface.” This film introduced one the most terrifying horror villains who really became a symbol of fear. He is scary in many ways, from his silence to his mask made of human skin. This film delivered in many ways but one that stood out is that famous dinner scene which today is one of the most intense sequences in the horror game.
Number 4 “Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)” Directed by Steve Miner
Following the success of the original Friday the 13th (1980), Part 2 builds on the established lore of Camp Crystal Lake and its tragic history, continuing the story of Pamela Voorhees and introducing a new central antagonist: her son, Jason Voorhees. This transition marks a pivotal moment in the franchise, as Jason would go on to become a legendary figure in horror, and appear in many sequels after this one. You’ll never look at a hockey mask the same way after this one.
Number 5 “The Shining (1980)” Directed by Stanley Kubrick
This one could be controversial but I really believe that this movie is in the top 5. For starters, Kubrick did a masterful job at directing this film making it all come together: the visuals, the atmosphere, and the unsettling tone. The Shining dives into different genres of horror, isolation and madness. This movie also has that well known moment when Jack Nicholson yells, “Here’s Johnny!” after using an ax to chop down the door. I’m sure everyone knows that line. Stephen King, the author of the book this is based on, notoriously disliked this version of his story.
Number 6 “Scream (1996)” Directed by Wes Craven
As slashers became more popular thanks to Halloween, here came this gem. Craven was well known in the horror genre and he delivered a classic. This is another classic slasher with a mask, Ghostface. Ghostface became an instant star due to the mystery surrounding the identity of the killers, their eerie mask, and the signature black robe. With this came an unforgettable opening sequence featuring Drew Barrymore which is one of the most famous scenes in horror cinema. The opening scene made sure to set the tone for what this movie was going to be.
Number 7 “Exorcist (1973)” Directed by William Friedkin
This movie was eerie and it is one of the few movies that have actually made me uncomfortable while watching it. The Exorcist explores complex themes of faith, doubt, and the human condition. Father Karras is a priest struggling with his faith after the death of his mother, making the spiritual conflict in the film much deeper. The exorcism is not just a battle against a demonic entity, but also a test of Karras’s faith and belief in God. This emotional and philosophical depth elevated the film beyond a typical horror story. This film is full of memorable moments like Regan’s head-spinning, the crab-walk down the stairs, the priest yelling, “The power of Christ compels you!” during the exorcism scene, and Regan’s demonic voice.. These moments still manage to unsettle and terrify new audiences, which speaks largely to the movie’s lasting impact.
Number 8 “Hereditary (2018)” Directed by Ari Aster
This could be a hot take but I find this movie really creepy and scary. Hereditary dives into family trauma, grief, and the devastating effects of mental illness. Toni Collette’s portrayal of Annie, the grieving mother, is one of the most acclaimed aspects of the film. Her performance is raw, intense, and deeply unsettling, particularly in scenes where she experiences emotional breakdowns or horrific realizations. Collette’s ability to convey a range of emotions, grief, anger, confusion, and terror anchors the film, making it both horrifying and heartbreaking. To me what makes this film great is all of its unexpected twists and turns, this film builds slowly but it delivers some tragic and shocking moments like the tragic death of Charlie (Milly Shapiro), a scene that shocked audiences with its brutal suddenness. The unpredictability of the narrative keeps viewers on edge, unsure of where the story will go next, which heightens the tension.
Number 9 “Sinister (2012)” Directed by Scott Derrickson
It was hard for me not to put this higher , this movie really exceeded my expectations, with the use of found footage within the narrative is one of the film’s standout elements. Ethan Hawke’s character, Ellison, a true-crime writer, discovers a box of old home movies in his attic. These films, which depict families being gruesomely murdered, are horrifying in their own right, with a grainy, unsettling realism that heightens the tension. The found footage scenes are masterfully crafted to be eerie, lingering in the viewer’s mind long after they end.
Number 10 “Blair Witch Project (1999)” Directed by Eduardo Sanchez
This film may be the most surprising on this list; this movie uses what looks like real found footage which instantly boosts up the ranking for me, but on top of all that the film’s story is shot entirely through footage shot by characters themselves. This is a unique direction that Sanchez took to make this film and it is really what makes it stand out. The film is set in the remote woods of Maryland, and as the charters adventure deeper into the woods, this movie begins to use a sense of isolation, and many strange unsettling occurrences to create a feeling of dread and a sense of being watched. This film is a scary watch. It’s very grounded but it still manages to scare you.