The Absolute Best Horror Films of All Time
Horror, to me, doesn't need to have gore in it at all. Horror films should scare you right down to the marrow in your bones. They should make you afraid, speed up your heart beat, create that feeling of dread in your tummy, make you scream at the people on screen 'DON'T DO IT!'" These are my tummy trembling horror favorites, hope you enjoy!!!
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- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.Mr. Hitchcock paved the way for horror films with this one, people finding they had an odd fascination for the marcabre on the big screen, only wanted more.
- DirectorJames CameronStarsSigourney WeaverMichael BiehnCarrie HennDecades after surviving the Nostromo incident, Ellen Ripley is sent out to re-establish contact with a terraforming colony but finds herself battling the Alien Queen and her offspring.I can't help it if Sigourney kicks ass in this, it's just awesome!!!
- DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsBruce WillisHaley Joel OsmentToni ColletteMalcolm Crowe, a child psychologist, starts treating a young boy, Cole, who encounters dead people and convinces him to help them. In turn, Cole helps Malcolm reconcile with his estranged wife.Bruce Willis + awesome co-stars, great director, creepy story, brilliantly done, it's just a good freaking movie!! Plus, creepy kid movie!!
- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsEllen BurstynMax von SydowLinda BlairWhen a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.Speaks for itself...
- DirectorWilliam Peter BlattyStarsGeorge C. ScottEd FlandersBrad DourifA police lieutenant uncovers more than he bargained for as his investigation of a series of murders, which have all the hallmarks of the deceased Gemini serial killer, leads him to question the patients of a psychiatric ward.Not fond of the sequel or the prequel honestly, however, for me this is an exception and fits more along the lines of continuing the story from the first film. George C. Scott is brilliant as ever in this. If you watch it closely, it's actually incredibly disturbing, which is why I love it. There's a scene in this film that creeps me out so bad, I won't watch it if my husband isn't home. People often glaze over this film, you shouldn't. Just because the second one sucked ass... This is one of my favorite horror films.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsDonald PleasenceJamie Lee CurtisTony MoranFifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.You can run and run as fast as you can, no matter how slow Micheal walks, he always catches up, always gets up, always comes for more carnage and death!!!! This one and H20 are the only Halloween movies I acknowledge as existing. The rest of them are like that one season of Dallas, it was all a bad dream!
- DirectorGeorge A. RomeroStarsDuane JonesJudith O'DeaKarl HardmanA ragtag group of Pennsylvanians barricade themselves in an old farmhouse to remain safe from a horde of flesh-eating ghouls that are ravaging the Northeast of the United States.There is a lot more than zombies to this original horror film in 1968. Race is the underlining politically incorrect theme of the times and it makes it's point very well.
- DirectorWes CravenStarsHeather LangenkampJohnny DeppRobert EnglundTeenager Nancy Thompson must uncover the dark truth concealed by her parents after she and her friends become targets of the spirit of a serial killer with a bladed glove in their dreams, in which if they die, it kills them in real life.I remember seeing this when it came out, scared the stuffins outta me!!!
- DirectorOren PeliStarsKatie FeatherstonMicah SloatMark FredrichsAfter moving into a suburban home, a couple becomes increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence.This is one of those horror films I will never watch again because it scared the crap out of me. I suggest watching it WITH someone!! Seriously, I saw a clip of it last night, purely by accident, and it freaked me out. Just a small piece of it. I can't tell if I'm warning you or offering it as a recommendation. Watch at your own risk.
- CreatorFrank DarabontStarsAndrew LincolnNorman ReedusMelissa McBrideSheriff Deputy Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma to learn the world is in ruins and must lead a group of survivors to stay alive.I know, technically, this is not a film. The quality of the show is much like a movie in my opinion and I've not seen a TV show that was more adept at making me tremble in fear as I watched.
- DirectorIain SoftleyStarsKate HudsonPeter SarsgaardJoy BryantA hospice nurse working at a spooky New Orleans plantation home finds herself entangled in a mystery involving the house's dark past.Intricate plot, nice twists and turns along the way to the ending.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsSigourney WeaverTom SkerrittJohn HurtThe crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform after investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin.Not quite as suspenseful as the second installment, however, pure shock value alone put this one near the top. I certainly don't forget the first time I saw this, I was hiding behind my brothers in the theater!
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRoy ScheiderRobert ShawRichard DreyfussWhen a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.This has long been one of my absolute favorite films. It made people afraid to swim in the ocean, it still does.
- DirectorDavid KoeppStarsKevin BaconZachary David CopeKathryn ErbeAfter being hypnotized by his sister-in-law, a man begins seeing haunting visions of a girl's ghost and a mystery begins to unfold around him.This one is nice and spooky with a creepy kid!!!
- DirectorSteve MinerStarsJamie Lee CurtisJosh HartnettAdam ArkinLaurie Strode, now the dean of a Northern California private school with an assumed name, must battle the Shape one last time, as the life of her own son hangs in the balance.the only "sequel" I even acknowledge
- DirectorPaul W.S. AndersonStarsMilla JovovichMichelle RodriguezRyan McCluskeyA special military unit fights a powerful, out-of-control supercomputer and hundreds of scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures after a laboratory accident.I'd never seen the video game, but I loved this *chics kick ass and take names* movie. Girls rule, boys drool!!!! \0/
- DirectorJames WatkinsStarsDaniel RadcliffeJanet McTeerCiarán HindsA young solicitor travels to a remote village where he discovers that the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals.There were a couple places where I really did jump out of my seat, very freakin creepy.
- DirectorJames WanStarsCary ElwesLeigh WhannellDanny GloverTwo strangers awaken in a room with no recollection of how they got there, and soon discover they're pawns in a deadly game perpetrated by a notorious serial killer.Like many horror films that end up lost in a never ending spiral of video release quality sequels, the first one was fairly brilliant and extremely disturbing.
- DirectorTobe HooperStarsJoBeth WilliamsHeather O'RourkeCraig T. NelsonA family's home is haunted by a host of demonic ghosts.Best creepy kid movie!!! She was a doll, but she was creepy, which is an excellent draw into the film, the cute, creepy kids and.... the clown. I never really understood the whole scared of clowns thing, but I love horror, so even creepy clowns are cool. Plus, they call them irrational fears because they make no sense. Show me a banana spider and either locked in or running like an SOB out the door!
- DirectorStephen SommersStarsHugh JackmanKate BeckinsaleRichard RoxburghThe famed monster hunter is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula, who is using Dr. Frankenstein's research and a werewolf for nefarious purposes.There's something for everyone in this one, Hugh is so dashing and Kate is yummy, the Priests are all exploitative at the Vatican, but really saving the world.... add monsters and stir!!!!
- DirectorTarsem SinghStarsJennifer LopezVince VaughnVincent D'OnofrioAn F.B.I. Agent persuades a social worker, who is adept with a new experimental technology, to enter the mind of a comatose serial killer in order to learn where he has hidden his latest kidnap victim.Before Dexter, JoLo delved into the mind of a serial killer and his name was Vincent D'Onofrio. Nicely twisted, strangely compassionate, very disturbing and visually stunning.
- DirectorRon UnderwoodStarsKevin BaconFred WardFinn CarterNatives of a small isolated town defend themselves against strange underground creatures which are killing them one by one.Not so creepy as funny, but still very enjoyable!
- DirectorDaniel MyrickEduardo SánchezStarsHeather DonahueMichael C. WilliamsJoshua LeonardThree film students vanish after traveling into a Maryland forest to film a documentary on the local Blair Witch legend, leaving only their footage behind.*should have been called dumb white folks in the woods* OR *The dumb bi*ch project* I was one of the unfortunate ones that was made ill from motion sickness when I saw this however (!!!!) this was a very innovative and new sort of film making, so if you can handle the movement of the film and how it flows, worth a watch.
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerCarl WeathersKevin Peter HallA team of commandos on a mission in a Central American jungle find themselves hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior.The first time you see that ripple of light in the trees.... I know I was saying WTF is that!!! @.@
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsSimon PeggNick FrostKate AshfieldThe uneventful, aimless lives of a London electronics salesman and his layabout roommate are disrupted by the zombie apocalypse.OK so it's not reeeeeeeeeeeally scared, but my tummy still trembles when I laugh. Plus, gotta learn to laugh at the genre too, it's only healthy. Take a large dose of silliness and get the pop corn ready when you press play!!
- DirectorKen RussellStarsWilliam HurtBlair BrownBob BalabanA psycho-physiologist experiments with drugs and a sensory-deprivation tank and has visions he believes are genetic memories.This gave me the hebbie jebbies, I was also 10 when it came out, so I call childhood trauma!!! Really though William Hurt is fabo in this and it's fairly awesome.
- DirectorWes CravenStarsNeve CampbellCourteney CoxDavid ArquetteA year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a masked killer who targets her and her friends by using scary movies as part of a deadly game.My view of this film was slightly tragic when I saw it the first time. Someone had told me it was a comedy. When I saw the opening scene it kinda freaked me out because I was ready for some light hearted silliness. However, that kinda makes my point, it's fu**ed up, like most horror films, but it was well done. So it earns it's place.
- DirectorNimród AntalStarsAdrien BrodyLaurence FishburneTopher GraceA group of elite warriors parachute into an unfamiliar jungle and are hunted by members of a merciless alien race.The way that it opens is really one of my favorite scenes in film and it made me laugh in a very dark and twisted way, BONUS!!!
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsJack NicholsonShelley DuvallDanny LloydA family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where a sinister presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from both past and future.Red Rum anyone? An important roll for Mr. Nicholson and very popular among men... which is somewhat worrisome... I can't say it's a favorite of mine really, but it was significant when it came out.
- DirectorFrank DarabontStarsThomas JaneMarcia Gay HardenLaurie HoldenA freak storm unleashes a species of bloodthirsty creatures on a small town, where a small band of citizens hole up in a supermarket and fight for their lives.The ending blew me away even though I remember reading it. I think it's one of the best adaptation of Stephen King's work that there is.
- DirectorZack SnyderStarsSarah PolleyVing RhamesMekhi PhiferA nurse, a policeman, a young married couple, a salesman and other survivors of a worldwide plague that is producing aggressive, flesh-eating zombies, take refuge in a mega Midwestern shopping mall.So many zombie films, tv shows, videos, games, it's hard to filter through all of them sometimes. Ving Rhames is great in this and it actually has some touching moments.
- DirectorVincenzo NataliStarsNicole de BoerMaurice Dean WintDavid HewlettA group of strangers awaken to find themselves placed in a giant cube. Each one of them is gifted with a special skill and they must work together to escape an endless maze of deadly traps.Yeah, the very first scene had me. I was hooked. I paused it, turned off everything else, got a snack, turned out the lights and started it at the beginning again giving it proper attention. Really liked this one.
- DirectorGore VerbinskiStarsNaomi WattsMartin HendersonBrian CoxA journalist must investigate a mysterious videotape which seems to cause the death of anyone one week to the day after they view it.Sometimes you just got to ask 'Why is she such and evil *beep* BI*CH!!!?' And that would be very appropriate here. Creepy freaking movie, creepy kid movie!!!! Two creepy kids for the price of one!!!
- DirectorStephen HopkinsStarsDanny GloverGary BuseyKevin Peter HallThe Predator returns to Earth, this time to stake a claim on the war-torn streets of a dystopian Los Angeles.Good flick on it's own, great cast, several jaw popping moments.
- DirectorStephen NorringtonStarsWesley SnipesStephen DorffKris KristoffersonA half-vampire, half-mortal man becomes a protector of the mortal race, while slaying evil vampires.Great crew, great cast, awesome soundtrack, fun if you've read the comic or not!!! And seriously, Wesley, in that outfit, he owned this role.
- DirectorDavid S. GoyerStarsWesley SnipesKris KristoffersonParker PoseyBlade, now a wanted man by the FBI, must join forces with the Nightstalkers to face his most challenging enemy yet: Dracula.This one was just as good as the first and much funnier because of Ryan Reynolds. There are some good heart breaking moments and awesome amounts of sexy, combat and eye candy!
- DirectorRobert RodriguezStarsHarvey KeitelGeorge ClooneyJuliette LewisTwo criminals and their hostages unknowingly seek temporary refuge in a truck stop populated by vampires, with chaotic results.This movie is fun, it's messy, yeah it's gory, but it's almost like B movie gore you can laugh at it. George Clooney playing a tattooed bad boy? I'm so there every time!!!
- DirectorNeil JordanStarsBrad PittTom CruiseAntonio BanderasA vampire tells his epic life story: love, betrayal, loneliness, and hunger.I adored the book I must say, but like anything translated from literature and adapted for the screen you really should take it at it's own value. As a stand alone flick it had the star power, it had the gorgeous wardobes, the mise en scene. I can't say that Antonio Banderas was not the best ever vampire eye candy, because it simply wouldn't be true!!
- DirectorTakashi ShimizuStarsSarah Michelle GellarJason BehrClea DuVallAn American nurse living and working in Tokyo is exposed to a mysterious supernatural curse, one that locks a person in a powerful rage before claiming their life and spreading to another victim.This film is severely disturbing, haunting, and should not be watched by people who can't deal with supernatural horror. If you want a good scare, watch it, but you're not sleeping with the light on!!!
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppChristina RicciMiranda RichardsonIchabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of three people; the culprit is legendary apparition The Headless Horseman.So many yummy people in this one and it's creepy Tim Burton and the freaking amazing Johnny Depp doing what he does best, Christopher Lee for epicness, Christina Richie beautiful as a blond. Really did the feel of the story justice and the Headless Horsemen (Christopher Walken and played by Ray Park (Darth Maul) when headless) was freaking scary and tummy quaking.
- DirectorEli RothStarsJay HernandezDerek RichardsonEythor GudjonssonThree backpackers head to a Slovak city that promises to meet their hedonistic expectations, with no idea of the hell that awaits them.This totally fits into the slasher category, but I did make it all the way through and it definitely frightened me. I had to cover my eyes a few times so if your squeemish, maybe not such a good pick for you.
- DirectorAlbert HughesAllen HughesStarsJohnny DeppHeather GrahamIan HolmAfter five ritualistic murders are committed in 1888 London, Inspector Abberline's assignment is to investigate the "Jack the Ripper" murders. Along with a string of mutilated prostitutes, he uncovers a conspiracy involving the government.Focused around the Jack The Ripper murders in White Chapel London. Johnny Depp, brilliant of course, plays the investigator in charge of finding the killer. It's a unique look and the sets are gorgeous.
- DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsSissy SpacekPiper LaurieAmy IrvingCarrie White, a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom.Talk about a coming of age movie. Yeah, it's just like Annie but with more blood. Symbolism like you wouldn't believe. Highly recommended if you like the vintage horror films.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsMia FarrowJohn CassavetesRuth GordonA young couple trying for a baby moves into an aging, ornate apartment building on Central Park West, where they find themselves surrounded by peculiar neighbors.And speaking of vintage horror films.... Make sure you know who you're marrying before you sign any demonic contracts!! The fine print is a killer...
- DirectorDanny PangOxide Chun PangStarsDylan McDermottPenelope Ann MillerKristen StewartAn ominous darkness invades a seemingly serene sunflower farm in North Dakota, and the Solomon family is torn apart by suspicion, mayhem and murder.Ooooo this was nice and creepy!!!!
- DirectorAndrzej BartkowiakStarsKarl UrbanRosamund PikeDwayne JohnsonSpace Marines are sent to investigate strange events at a research facility on Mars but find themselves at the mercy of genetically enhanced killing machines.Scifi Horror, which is some of my favorite kind!!! Plus, Karl Urban, whom I've adored since his Xena days... massive weapons and monsters!!!!!
- DirectorMary LambertStarsDale MidkiffDenise CrosbyFred GwynneAfter tragedy strikes, a grieving father discovers an ancient burial ground behind his home with the power to raise the dead.Creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy kid movie!!!! They're the best!!!
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsSam NeillLaura DernJeff GoldblumA pragmatic paleontologist touring an almost complete theme park on an island in Central America is tasked with protecting a couple of kids after a power failure causes the park's cloned dinosaurs to run loose.Prehistoric creeeeepyyyy!!! \0/ And genetically altered creepy!!!!! This may be in a different category for some, but this movie brought back memories of Jaws when I saw it.
- DirectorClive BarkerStarsAndrew RobinsonClare HigginsAshley LaurenceA woman discovers the newly resurrected, partially formed, body of her brother-in-law and lover. She starts killing for him to revitalize his body and escape the demonic beings that are pursuing him after he escaped their underworld.I always thought that 'Pinhead' and his minion buddies were an excellent representation of what a demon would look like. Clive Barker was my absolute favorite author for many many years and is still in the top five. He has a way of showing you the nightmares in his head and you're never the same after.
- DirectorAndré De TothStarsVincent PriceFrank LovejoyPhyllis KirkAn associate burns down a wax museum with the owner inside, but he survives only to become vengeful and murderous.The remake is good too, but this one is Vincent Price. He was such a master of horror, this was truly one of his great films.
- DirectorRob ZombieStarsSid HaigKaren BlackBill MoseleyTwo young couples traveling across the backwoods of Texas searching for urban legends of murder end up as prisoners of a bizarre and sadistic backwater family of serial killers.This definitely a slasher film and personally I don't enjoy that aspect of films, but there is a reason behind the gore. Decent story and I have to admit, I have a soft spot for Rob Zombie, due to awesomeness.
- DirectorJan de BontStarsLiam NeesonCatherine Zeta-JonesOwen WilsonDr Marrow enlists Theo, Luke and Nell for a study of sleep disorders at the Hill House. As soon as the terrifying truth about the mansion is revealed, everyone is found fighting for their lives.
- DirectorWilliam MaloneStarsGeoffrey RushFamke JanssenTaye DiggsAn amusement park mogul offers a group of diverse people $1,000,000 to spend the night in a haunted house with a horrifying past.
- DirectorWilliam CastleStarsVincent PriceCarol OhmartRichard LongA millionaire offers $10,000 to five people who agree to be locked in a large, spooky, rented house overnight with him and his wife.Again.... VINCENT.... PRICE..... nuff said.
- DirectorSteve BeckStarsTony ShalhoubShannon ElizabethEmbeth DavidtzWhen Cyrus Kriticos, a very rich collector of unique things, dies, he leaves his house, fortune, and his prized collection of ghosts.
- DirectorJames WongStarsDevon SawaAli LarterKerr SmithAfter getting a premonition about a plane crash on his school trip, Alex, a student saves a few of his classmates. However, their situation gets complicated when death starts chasing them.
- DirectorMathieu KassovitzStarsHalle BerryPenélope CruzRobert Downey Jr.A psychiatrist awakens as a patient in a mental institution, with no memory of the murder she's accused of committing. As she tries to regain her memory, a vengeful spirit manipulates her.
- DirectorMichael RymerStarsAaliyahStuart TownsendMarguerite MoreauIn this loose sequel to Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994), the vampire Lestat becomes a rock star whose music wakes up the equally beautiful and monstrous queen of all vampires.
- DirectorTom HollandStarsChris SarandonWilliam RagsdaleAmanda Bearse"Fright Night" sees a teenager believing that the newcomer in his neighborhood is a vampire. He turns to an actor in a television hosted horror movie show for help to deal with the undead.
- DirectorCraig GillespieStarsAnton YelchinColin FarrellDavid Tennant"Fright Night" - A new neighbor moves in next to Charley, who discovers that he is an ancient vampire who preys on the community. Can he save his neighborhood from the creature with the help of the famous "vampire killer", Peter Vincent?The only reason this version made it to this list is because of David Tennant, he made this movie.
- DirectorDarren Lynn BousmanStarsPaul SorvinoAnthony HeadAlexa PenaVegaA worldwide epidemic encourages a biotech company to launch an organ-financing program similar in nature to a standard car loan. The repossession clause is a killer, however.Anthony Stewart Head ♥ was the reason I watched this and it's a lot of fun if you enjoy musicals and horror!!
- DirectorBernard RoseStarsVirginia MadsenXander BerkeleyTony ToddThe Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster's myth.
- DirectorMark PellingtonStarsRichard GereLaura LinneyDavid EigenbergA reporter is drawn to a small West Virginia town to investigate a series of strange events, including psychic visions and the appearance of bizarre entities.
- DirectorJamie BlanksStarsJared LetoAlicia WittRebecca GayheartA college student suspects a series of bizarre deaths are connected to certain urban legends.
- DirectorFran Rubel KuzuiStarsKristy SwansonDonald SutherlandPaul ReubensFlighty teenage girl Buffy Summers learns that she is her generation's destined battler of vampires.The film that gave birth to Buffy, how can I not love it?
- DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsKiefer SutherlandKevin BaconJulia RobertsFive medical students experiment with "near death" experiences, until the dark consequences of past tragedies begin to jeopardize their lives.Beware of 80's hair!!!
- DirectorRupert WainwrightStarsPatricia ArquetteGabriel ByrneJonathan PryceWhen a young woman becomes afflicted by stigmata, a priest is sent to investigate her case, which may have severe ramifications for his faith and for the Catholic Church itself.
- DirectorJaume BalagueróStarsAnna PaquinLena OlinIain GlenA teenage girl moves into a remote country house with her family, only to discover that their gloomy new home has a horrifying past that threatens to destroy the family.
- DirectorGeorge SluizerStarsBernard-Pierre DonnadieuGene BervoetsJohanna ter SteegeRex and Saskia, a young couple in love, are on vacation. They stop at a busy service station and Saskia is abducted. After three years and no sign of Saskia, Rex begins receiving letters from the abductor.This is one of the only films I ever walked out on because it was freaking me out. I was able to watch it on video later and it's worth a watch.
- DirectorPhilip KaufmanStarsDonald SutherlandBrooke AdamsJeff GoldblumWhen strange seeds drift to earth from space, mysterious pods begin to grow and invade San Francisco, replicating the city's residents one body at a time.
- DirectorTod BrowningStarsWallace FordLeila HyamsOlga BaclanovaA circus' beautiful trapeze artist agrees to marry the leader of side-show performers, but his deformed friends discover she is only marrying him for his inheritance.This is one of the most unique and strange films you can watch. If you ever find occasion to feel sorry for yourself, watch this and see what these people over came in every day life.
- DirectorWes CravenStarsChristina RicciJesse EisenbergPortia de RossiA werewolf loose in Los Angeles changes the lives of three young adults who, after being mauled by the beast, learn they must kill it in order to avoid becoming werewolves themselves.