The best John Carpenter-movies (full list)

One of the best sci-fi horror-movies of all-time! Everything about this movie is perfect! The 2011 prequel is also decent, if you wanna check that one out. And don't forget Howard Hawks' version too. 11/10.

One of the first true serial-killer horror-movies, and still one of the most creepy! The music is (as always) fantastic, and Mike Myers (not the actor) still holds op as being one of the most icon movie-killers of all-time! Only some of the sequels are worth watching though. 10/10.

Kurt Russell again stars, and this time he's playing one of the most iconic action-heroes of all-time, as Snake Plissken, a one-eyed mercenary who needs to save the president of the USA from an island full of violent criminals. Great fun all the way. 10/10.

One of the best "under siege"-movies of all-time. Made with a relatively low budget, but manages to get the best out of it, by ensuring great dialogue, good performances from all, and a fantastic soundtrack! The remake was so-so, but not very much related. 9/10.

Kurt Russell is hilarious as a redneck trucker, who suddenly gets involved in a black magic mystery thriller, and has to use his wits to fight pure evil. One of Carpenter's funniest movies, this one can't be missed! Also, Carpenter SINGS the title-melody as well. 9/10.

Fascinating story about a young man, who gets addicted to a gorgeous killer car who he names "Christine". Based on a Stephen King-novel, it doesn't fail to live up to its horror origins, and actually has a quite decent ending as well (very abnormal for King-adaptations). 8/10.

OBEY! CONSUME! This is one of the most influential "body snatcher"-type of movies of all-time, with Rowdy Roddy Piper and Keith David fighting (also literally with each other) against a horde of aliens that have overtaken the human race. The ending is a bit "meh", but until then, it's a fun ride! 8/10.

Jeff Bridges plays an alien who comes to earth and discovers what life on earth is like. Cute, funny drama, which also got Bridges nominated for an Oscar! 8/10.

Although he didn't direct this film, he still had a lot to do with it's production, so I'm including it on the list. Unlike all the other Halloween-movies, this one doesn't feature Mike Myers, and is a departure from the regular "serial-killer" theme, much to many people's disdain. However, I find it refreshingly nasty and gory, with a catchy theme-song and great performances as well. 8/10.

An ancient evil fog sweeps over a small coastal town, and inside the fog are undead pirates who only want to kill people. Interesting mystery-horror with many memorable sequences, but not exactly a masterpiece though. Also, be sure to avoid the remake at all costs. 7/10.

Underrated supernatural thriller, about a group of scientists who are attacked by an evil green substance, when they are investigating its origins inside an abandoned church downtown. Great no-name cast does the best they can, and it's fairly entertaining throughout. 7/10.

James Woods plays a serious vampire-killer, who goes out into the desert with his squad to try and avenge the killings of another squad which was eradicated by an evil vampire and his gang. Much more action and entertainment than anticipated. Good stuff. 7/10.

Sam Neill plays the lead in this horror-thriller about a man who battles evil in the shape of a notorious writer, Sutter Kane (Jürgen Prochnow) who wants to take over the world. But he's unsure if it's real or if he's going insane. Pretty entertaining, but very grim story. 7/10.

Pretty cool horror-anthology, with Carpenter himself playing the narrating coroner. Tobe Hooper directed the other half of the film. My personal favorite storyline was about Stacy Keach's character getting a hair-transplant and turning into a hairy beast. Great fun. 7/10.

Although he didn't direct this film, he still had a lot to do with it's production, so I'm including it on the list. It's a direct sequel to the first one, taking place in a hospital late at night. Highly entertaining, with many gruesome kills. 7/10.

Kurt Russell passionately portrays Elvis Presley in this rather decent biopic, even though it's very different from pretty much every other Carpenter-flick. 7/10.

Haven't seen this in a while, but as I recall, it was pretty funny. 7/10.

Haven't seen this in a while, but as I recall, it was pretty scary. 7/10.

Snake Plissken returns again, but this time he's switched cities... otherwise it's pretty much just a remake of the original, but a little more cheesy and silly. 7/10.

Although he didn't direct this film, he still had a lot to do with it's production, so I'm including it on the list. An action-packed thriller about a professional thief who steals a super-car. 6/10.

Although he didn't direct this film, he still had a lot to do with it's production, so I'm including it on the list. The true "sequel" to Halloween 1+2, this time Mike Myers returns to try and kill the surviving Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), and also takes a bunch of others down along the way. Decent, but not spectacular. 6/10.

Jason Statham and Ice Cube go to Mars to battle zombie-like creatures. It's plain silly nonsense, but slightly entertaining. 6/10.

Carpenter's first "big" movie, although it's basically an expanded school-project. Has a lot of dark humour, and is the precursor for Dan O'Bannon's future screenplay for "Alien", which makes it historically very interesting. But a bit too silly and amateurish for my taste. 5/10.

Half-decent tv-movie, but nothing spectacular. 5/10.

A bunch of (maybe) insane girls tries to escape a ward they're being kept prisoners in. Slightly reminiscent of the terrible "Sucker Punch", but definitely worse. Probably Carpenter's least interesting movie to date. 4/10.