Halloween is here and it’s time to celebrate all things spooky and spooky. It’s also the best time to watch horror movies.
Horror films tap into our deepest fears and draw us into a world of suspense, dread and the unknown. The “horror” genre has existed since the earliest years of cinema and has reached new heights over the decades.
From supernatural and psychological thrills to body horror and gory slashers, this list features the 10 best horror films to binge this Halloween.
So if you don’t have anything else planned, grab some popcorn, turn out the lights, and treat yourself to the best of the genre.
Psycho (1960)
Master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece broke the mold of conventional horror, paving the way for the era of the psychological thriller. The story revolves around the unhappy stay of a secretary in an isolated motel run by a young man. It’s as scary as the other films on this list, but it’s interesting to see how Hitchcock crafted this classic and laid the foundation for the genre.
The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick’s eerie adaptation of Stephen King’s novel focuses on a family’s disturbing experiences in a haunted, snowy hotel. The film is full of disturbing scenarios and explores madness in isolation. It’s a perfect blend of psychological horror and supernatural dread.
The Exorcist (1973)
Another chilling horror classic where a young girl’s demonic possession leads to a desperate battle as two priests attempt to save her soul from evil. William Friedkin’s groundbreaking directing and practical effects set a new standard for horror and continue to entertain modern audiences.
Halloween (1978)
John Carpenter’s slasher classic that introduced us to one of horror’s most iconic antagonists, Michael Myers. The silent, relentless killer escapes from a mental institution to stalk a babysitter in a quiet suburban neighborhood one Halloween night. It is full of suspense and atmospheric tension and remains one of the most iconic films of the genre.
Extraterrestrial (1979)
Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror masterpiece follows a spaceship crew who find themselves confronted by a deadly alien organism stalking them. This is another iconic film and the top-notch visual and special effects make the alien a nightmare.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Tobe Hooper’s low-budget masterpiece is the dark and graphic story of a group of friends who fall prey to a family of sadistic cannibals in rural Texas. Banned in several countries upon its release, it is undoubtedly the most impactful and influential slasher film ever made.
The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s body horror is set in a remote Antarctic research station, where a shape-shifting alien entity infiltrates a group of researchers. As the crew engages in a horrific fight for survival, the tension and paranoia of this classic are deeply felt.
Ring (1998)
Japanese horror classic where a journalist and her ex-husband investigate a cursed videotape that dooms its viewer to a terrifying death within seven days. Director Hideo Nakata introduces us to the malevolent and downright scary spirit Sadako, who will surely haunt you in your dreams.
Martyrs (2008)
In this disturbing French horror directed by Pascal Laugier, two young women seek revenge on their childhood tormentors, leading them down a nightmarish path of sadistic torture. This movie will simply ruin you. It is an emotionally haunting journey into the darkest corners of the human soul, leaving you with a lingering sense of dread and existential questioning.
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
In the midst of a zombie apocalypse, a diverse group of strangers barricade themselves on a farm, sparking tension and survival challenges. George A. Romero’s groundbreaking film not only revolutionized the zombie subgenre, but also offered brutal social commentary that remains relevant to this day.
Honorary mentions: Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Fly (1986), Hereditary (2018), Train to Busan (2016), The Innocents (1961), It Follows (2014), The Conjuring (2013), Insidious, Dabbe 4, Possession (1981) ) ), Suspiria (1977), Get Out (2017)
More horror recommendations: Let the One on the Right Enter (2008), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Friday the 13th (1980), The Orphanage (2007), The Blair Witch Project (1999), Dawn of the Dead (1978), Ju-On: The Grudge (2002), The Babadook (2014), Dabbe: The Possession (2013), The Descent (2005)
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