My Top Ten Favorite Horror Films
Horror is among my favorite genres and never gets enough credit, especially from The Academy, for how much effort goes into making a horror film. I watch a lot of films every year and I always take a lot of time during October to revisit classics and explore new horror films. So, with Halloween just around the corner, here are my top horror films of all time.
10. Misery
The first and, not the last, Stephen King film on this list, “Misery” is a brilliant thriller based on the novel of the same name depicting every writer’s worst nightmare.
In the film, writer Paul Sheldon (James Caan) gets into a car accident which breaks both of his legs and is rescued by a nurse named Annie Wilkes (Cathy Bates) who is a huge fan of Sheldon’s novels surrounding a character named Misery Chastain. However, when Wilkes discovers that the last book in the series killed off Misery, she goes crazy and keeps Sheldon prisoner, forcing him to write a new book which resurrects Misery.
The film is a brilliant homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s style of filmmaking and “Misery” is full of tension. The film also has an incredible sense of isolation with Paul’s character, which works in making him feel trapped. Bates’ performance, which won her an Oscar, is the stuff of legend with her switching back-and-forth from nice and pleasant to downright psychotic.
With two incredible performances, iconic scenes and tension so tight it can be cut with a knife, “Misery” is the perfect film based on the Master of Horror.
9. Get Out
The debut effort from comedian Jordan Peele, a lot of people, including myself, were completely taken aback with just how good “Get Out” was with the film, deservedly, winning an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
In the film, Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) is nervous about meeting his white girlfriend Rose’s (Allison Williams) family, fearing a lack of acceptance. However, things seem to go pretty well for the young couple until Chris discovers that this nice family has something very wrong with it.
Without going into too much detail, since this is a relatively new film, “Get Out” is full of so many twists and turns that kept me guessing the entire time. The film is also full of interesting, subtle commentary on race in America that is just as relevant now as it was back in 2017.
Much like Rose’s family, “Get Out” is much more than meets the eye which makes it an interesting watch around Halloween.
8. Hereditary
Much like Jordan Peele, director Ari Aster cemented his reputation as a great horror filmmaker with just two films and his first, “Hereditary,” is another brilliant piece of terror.
“Hereditary” follows Annie (Toni Collette) and, through a series of tragedies involving her family, she falls into a terrifying mental illness which becomes supernatural. Saying anything else would completely ruin the film so it’s best that you just go see it.
What makes this film stand out is Collette's breathtaking performance and the dramatic range she delivers. From frame one, she is captivating and uncompromising in her and Aster’s quest to make the audience as scared as possible.
The film also has a unique atmosphere which both resembles dreams and reality, creating an unreal experience. It’s quickly becoming a horror classic and deserves even more attention.
7. Alien
Spawning a franchise that is continuing to this day, Ridley Scott’s “Alien” is one of the best pieces of isolation horror with an iconic hero and villain.
Taking place on a cargo spaceship hauling ore, the crew of seven land on a planet after receiving a distress signal. Unfortunately, a murderous alien lifeform gets on board the spacecraft and, while in deep space, begins killing off the crew one by one. With few options, the survivors, led by Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), have to band together to kill the alien before it kills them.
This is, one again, a film with too many iconic scenes. But even if you know the plot going in, “Alien” is still suspenseful because of Scott’s direction and the constant presence of the creature despite it not appearing that much in the film.
The idea of being trapped on a spaceship with no escape is brilliant because, no matter where you go, this creature will find you and won’t rest until you’re dead. While the franchise has made some other good films like “Aliens” and “Prometheus,” nothing can compare to the shock and terror that is “Alien.”
6. Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn
With the cult success of the first “Evil Dead” along with a glowing endorsement by Stephen King, “Evil Dead II” took the franchise in a completely different direction while staying true to the original’s roots.
Taking place immediately after the events of the first film, Ash (Bruce Campbell) is the sole survivor of a demonic attack at a cabin in the woods. Armed with only his wits, a shotgun and a chainsaw, he must fight off possessed corpses called “Deadites” while trying to use the Book of the Dead to send them back to hell.
What makes this film work is how much it elicits scares as well as laughs. Unlike the first film which was a low budget horror film, the sequel has more comedic leanings which makes it stand well on its own. Bruce Campbell gives an incredible performance as Ash which is both insanely goofy and awesome at the same time.
The film’s practical effects are also worthy of praise for being over-the-top and creatively gory. There are plenty of low budget horror films, but there’s nothing like “Evil Dead.”
5. The Universal Monster Films
It’s honestly too hard to pick between these films so watching all of these classic films makes for a great Halloween. Universal’s monster films of the 30s, 40s and 50s are still iconic and are incredibly atmospheric. If your child is interested in horror, these are the perfect films to show because, honestly, they’re pretty tame.
But what makes these films work are the main monsters and the incredible gothic feel that they deliver. With iconic designs, beautiful sets and a great sense of dark atmosphere
With over 30 film’s it’s hard to see which ones to watch so these are the best ones to check out:
Dracula (1931)
Frankenstein (1931) and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
The Mummy (1932)
The Invisible Man (1933)
The Wolfman (1941)
The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1955)
If you enjoy these films, consider digging deeper into the crossovers, sequels and spinoffs that this legendary franchise created.
4. Halloween
What better film to watch on Halloween than the slasher classic “Halloween.” John Carpenter’s film revitalized the genre and created one of the greatest icons of horror: Michael Myers.
Taking place in a small Illinois town, high schooler Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her friends are being stalked by the masked killer while his doctor Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasance) is trying to hunt the monster down.
The simple premise results in a lot of chilling moments that make me afraid every time I watch this film. While there are very few kills, the main asset of the film is its haunting atmosphere with foreboding fall colors and Carpenter’s original score.
Spawning an ever changing franchise that keeps on coming back, none of the sequels, reboots and rebooted sequels has ever matched this chilling classic.
3. Nosferatu
The oldest film on the list, F.W. Murnau’s 1921 vampire film elicits chills nearly one hundred years later.
Based on Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula,” the film sees the menacing Count Orlock (Max Schrek) move from Transylvania to Wisborg, Germany to feast on the blood of those that live there.
The German expressionism used to tell this story creates one of the most visually interesting horror films of all time and the image of Max Schrek as the vampire is more terrifying than any other cinematic depiction of vampires.
While many might cringe at the thought of watching a silent film, “Nosferatu” is a classic to watch and there’s never a dull moment.
2. Psycho
Alfred Hitchcock practically risked his entire career to make “Psycho” which no studio wanted to make. However, by financing it himself, Hitchcock had complete control to make one of the greatest thrillers ever made.
When Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) steals $40,000 from her employer and leaves town, she stops at the Bates Motel run by a nice, young man named Norman (Anthony Perkins). However, when Marion is killed in the infamous shower scene by a mysterious woman, her boyfriend (John Gavin) and her sister (Vera Miles) investigate her disappearance which leads to one of the most shocking twists in all of film.
This is the film that changed the very nature of horror and its twist ending is one of the most iconic. Leading the cast in brilliance is Perkins’ portrayal of Norman. Until the very ending of the film, it’s unclear what his motivation is which makes him scary despite appearing so nice and friendly.
The uncompromising direction of Hitchcock also results in a visually stunning film and, despite sequels, a remake and a television series, nothing can quite recapture the magic of Hitchcock.
1. The Shining
Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name results in the greatest horror film ever made, despite King openly hating the film.
When a recovering alcoholic named Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) and family decide to spend the winter caring for the remote Overlook Hotel, all seems well. However, the spirits of the hotel begin to come out and play which leads to Jack’s son Danny (Danny Lloyd) discovering his psychic powers and Jack being driven to madness.
The entire film is an exercise in dread and is chilling from the very beginning. Every decision Kubrick makes is a mystery that can never be solved, no matter how hard fan theories try. The use of hypnotizing Steadicam and slow, rising tension make this film a masterclass of horror.
At the center of it all is Jack Nicholson who goes from a decent guy to a murderous, psychopath which chills you to the bone.
“The Shining” has now become an iconic masterpiece but, even if you know the story, nothing compares to watching the film and being sucked into pure terror.
