The Ten Most Scariest Movies Of The Last 40 Years
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- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsEllen BurstynMax von SydowLinda BlairWhen a mysterious entity possesses a young girl, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.What can I say about The Exorcist. When I first saw it, I was paralyzed with fear and it still manages to have that effect on me. Some of the scenes are so disturbing and creepy I can't help but wonder how many people have tried suing the producers for emotional damages. The movie is as about as flawless a scary movie can get.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsJack NicholsonShelley DuvallDanny LloydA family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter, where a sinister presence influences the father into violence. At the same time, his psychic son sees horrifying forebodings from both the past and the future.The Shining is a movie that belongs on the same level as The Exorcist and as far as film making goes, it may even be better than the The Exorcist. What really is shining is Stanley Kubrick's brilliance. I was very young when I saw it and I say this with admiration, but this movie scarred me for life.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsMorgan FreemanBrad PittKevin SpaceyTwo detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.The atmosphere that David Fincher created in this psychological roller coaster nightmare will forever be edged into my brain. Like The Shining, Se7en is a good example of exceptional film making that delivers in every frame.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsSigourney WeaverTom SkerrittJohn HurtAfter investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin, the crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform.Alien or Aliens. People often debate this, but I really can't decide which one is better. I do feel strongly about saying Alien is scarier. The darkness that consumes this movie has haunted me ever since I first saw it. If you have trouble sleeping, I'd avoid this movie.
- 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.The world was introduced to Michael Myers on Halloween night in 1978 and he's been with us ever since. You may not like all of John Carpenter's movies, but this movie proves he's a genius who belongs right there with Hitchcock. What really sits with me regarding Halloween is the highly effective camera work. You get the feeling you're being watched while you're watching the film.
- DirectorPaul W.S. AndersonStarsLaurence FishburneSam NeillKathleen QuinlanA rescue crew is tasked with investigating the mysterious reappearance of a spaceship that had been lost for seven years."Liberate tutame ex inferis." Those who've seen it know exactly what I'm talking about. It's haunting, it's shocking, it's unforgettable.
- DirectorOren PeliStarsKatie FeatherstonMicah SloatMark FredrichsAfter moving into a suburban home, a couple becomes increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence.Presented in the style of "found footage", Paranormal Activity delivered in my world. Because of the style and the brilliant execution of it, you almost forgot you were watching a movie and at times it felt as real as real life. I think I made my point.
- DirectorJames WanStarsCary ElwesLeigh WhannellDanny GloverTwo men awaken to find themselves on the opposite sides of a dead body, each with specific instructions to kill the other or face consequences. These two are the latest victims of the Jigsaw Killer.There's been countless sequels and I have a feeling some people are wondering why I'm putting Saw on the list. Here's my question: How did you feel about the first movie? In my humble opinion, it was shockingly good and maybe it even deserves to be higher on the list. Saw came at a time when there was a desperate need for a good scary movie and to me, the first Saw was a breath of fresh air.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroNick NolteJessica LangeA convicted rapist, released from prison after serving a fourteen-year sentence, stalks the family of the lawyer who originally defended him.The vengeance was his all right. It had been 14 years since he held a set of keys and the only thing on his mind was reconnecting with his old lawyer. When I think of evil, I often think about the character of Max Cady. Thanks to Scorsese and the electric performance of Robert De Niro, Cape Fear is a movie that refuses to sink.
- DirectorSean S. CunninghamStarsBetsy PalmerAdrienne KingJeannine TaylorA group of teenage camp counselors attempt to re-open an abandoned summer camp with a tragic past, but they are stalked by a mysterious, relentless killer.In a twisted sort of way, I fell in love with this movie. While it does have flaws, it's still good enough to scare the living daylights of the average human. Yes, there is a good reason why this movie is considered a cult classic. The ending and the masterful camera work is what has made this movie as powerful as it has become.