My Top 20 Horror Films

Honorable Mentions- 

“Would You Rather” (2012)

“Grudge” (2004)

 “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”(2003)

“Freddy vs. Jason” (2003)

“Dawn of the Dead” (2004)

20.) “Hellraiser” (1987)- Hellraiser in my opinion is underrated in the sense that no one ever talks about it when talking about good horror movies. For being 26 years old, this movie still is eerie and awesome, I recommend watching it again to see what I mean. As a kid this was a creepy classic.

19.) “The Ring” (2002)- Great story, direct copy of the Japanese film “Ringu” (1998). The scene when she comes through the TV is enough to land this movie in most peoples scariest scenes list. Something about long black hair that is perfect for Halloween and horror. I prefer the American version of this film to its predecessor.

18)  “Jaws” (1975)- Jaws joined “The Birds” in the Animal Horror films, and was an instant classic. Some people have a hard time putting this movie into the Horror category, but it had everything. Jump scares, population terror, everyone rooting against the villain. I know I thought twice about jumping into the ocean ever since I saw this film. Judging by the terrible shark movies that have been coming out recently, it doesn't appear that this movie will soon be forgotten either.

17) “Poltergeist” (1982)- As a kid, I find it hard to believe if you could sit there and watch this movie by yourself. You want a haunted ghost movie? Well I’d tell you to stay away from Paranormal Activity, and come watch this. The clown, the peeling of the face, the scene with the TV playing the National Anthem and then shutting off, not to mention the infamous “There Heeerree”. 

16) “Halloween II” (1981)- The sequel to the classic Halloween, Halloween 2 picks up right where the first one left off. Dr. Loomis is frantically looking for Michael, as he tries looking for his sister. This is where we first find out that Laurie is related to Michael. One of the few good sequels made for any film. 

15) “Saw 1-3” (2004,2005,2006)- The first 3 Saw movies were outstanding. No movies re-energized the Horror Movie Genre in my opinion more than Saw. It was not a slasher flick, nor was it a possession or ghost movie. It was Horror in every sense of the word. The traps were like a car crash, you couldn’t look, but you couldn’t look away. The story was unpredictable, refreshing, and it only took a week to film! Simple, horrific, and awesome.

14) “Friday the 13th” (1980)- His name is Jason, and today is his birthday! This classic movie started off a string of over 12 different Friday the 13th films, some good, some awful (Jason X, Jason takes Manhattan). People not familiar with these films forget that Jason’s mom was the killer in this film, seeking revenge for her son drowning. This is one of the top grossing franchises ever made. Nothing better than watching this movie while camping in the woods, no?

13) “Nightmare on Elm Street III - Dream Warriors” (1987)- In my opinion, NOES II was absolute junk. Don’t agree? Turn on TNT anytime in October and you’ll see that film at least twice, its that laughable. To me, NOES III is the sequel to the original NOES and I think its one of the best sequels ever, topping Halloween II. Nancy comes back to help the kids figure out who this man is haunting their dreams. The dream transitions were awesome, sometimes you did not know they were dreaming until its to late. Robert Englund is phenomenal in this movie. One of the most shocking sequences, is when Nancy dies. Its rare nowadays to see a main character die in a film, so it was refreshing as much as it was disappointing. Also enjoyed Freddy Krueger mom angle, added alittle extra to creep people out.

12) “Friday the 13th II” (1981)- The very first horror movie I ever saw, and was terrified as a kid watching this at Cooks Forest. The masked man known as Jason Voorhees comes back to terrorize everyone at Camp Crystal lake. It’s a unique story in which Jason watches his mother get killed, and seeks revenge on everyone who comes to Crystal Lake. Thought this movie started and ended pretty well, with Jason killing the woman who killed his mom in the opening scene. To me it’s a classic, a movie that I can watch all the time and it never gets old. Love the beginning with the head in the fridge scare!

11) “Evil Dead” (1981)- Bruce Campbell’s road to stardom. This movie is completely messed up. Almost like a calmer version of the Exorcist. The thing that makes this movie so great, is that they are in the middle of no where, with no where to go, just stuck here with these demons. “Join us” is so creepy added with the music. This movie definitely raised the bar when it comes to horror. 

10) “Psycho” (1960)- One of the greatest Horror movies ever made. Alfred Hitchcock was obviously way before his time with this movie. Black and white with no gore, also had many different twists and turns involved in it. For starters thinking that it was Norman Bates mom the whole movie only to find out it was him. The most infamous shower scene is known by people who did not even watch the movie. Fun Fact: This was the first movie that had a flushing toilet, causing many complaints about indecency and improperness. 

9) “Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)- The classic Freddy Krueger, one of the scariest Horror villains ever. This movie could have been higher in my favorites if it wasn’t for that confusing ending that to this people question. This was one creepy movie, most notably Nancy’s dream in school, with the blood on the floor and the body bag dragging down the hallways. Another scene which is my favorite in the whole movie, is when Freddy kills Nancy’s mom, and her Dad pulls the blanket off and shes a skeleton corpse and disappears into Hell through her bed. Johnny Depps death was also classic as well. 

8) “Scream” (1996)- Scream is one of my all time favorites. Its different, its exciting, its not what you expect. I love all the classic movie references throughout the entire film. There’s a lot of jump scares, there’s the “I know its him“ villain, and then the “oh it could be him” villain, then “I can’t believe it was him to!” villain. You just knew Sidney’s boyfriend was the killer, then to find out it was Matthew Lillards character also?! I loved the story, the phone calls with the voice changer, and also the costume. That ghost face mask is now the most popular mask not named Freddy, Jason, or Michael. But why did they have to kill Henry Winkler though?

7) “Friday the 13th” (2009)- I am in the minority here, but I thought that Friday the 13th remake was exceptional. It was supposed to take place after Friday the 13th part 1, and the story stayed true for the most part to the original. Jason was big, mean, no emotion accept for the girl who reminded him of his mother. I feel that the opening 20 minutes or so was incredible. I remember after that scene wear it looks like he’s gonna slice the girl in half, it fades to the opening title screen, and the theatre let’s out a collective gasp. Almost like saying “that was just the beginning?” The music was great, the clichés were there, the killings were graphic as expected. I thought it was well done. 

6) “Halloween” (2007)-  I can appreciate why people do not like this film, but man I loved it. I thoroughly enjoyed the back story Rob Zombie gave Michael Myers. The entire atmosphere of the movie is dark, creepy trashy, and gives you an unsettling feeling throughout the film. Young Michael Myers was great, psychotic and played the part almost flawlessly. The film was a different take on the Michael Myers saga, and I was one of the few who appreciated the movie for what it was, and not comparing it to the original. 

5) “Halloween” (1978)- With everything I said about Rob Zombies Halloween, I still prefer the original. One of the best parts is the 1st person killing aspect in the opening scene, when he puts the mask on and everything. That is something unique that adds to the movie I felt. Love how he stalks Laurie while she is in class, just staring over his car. The methodical walking, the creepy music, all very well done. 

4) “The Shining” (1980)- “REDRUM”!!  This movie is a masterpiece. Jack Nicholson is phenomenal as the man suffering from cabin fever in a secluded and closed down hotel. This movie has everything, from creepy scenery, to ghosts, to creepy girls, to jump scares. This movie has me glued to the screen every time I watch it. The ending with the creepy music and the picture of Jack with everyone in the Hotel is oddly unsettling. 

3) “Insidious” (2010)- For a modern day movie to make my top 3, it really has to creep me out, and that’s what Insidious does. The whole movie is completely faded dark and the house that the family moves into is just as creepy as the opening credits. This movie is so un-nerving, especially with the young kid hiding in the corner while Renai does errands around the house. Elise is a great and necessary character and I think she is at times more creepy than the demon possessing Dalton. The last 15 minutes or so gives you the feeling that your in a haunted house, and it is definitely a tough movie to sit through if you don’t like these types of films. Between the scene when Elise is talking to Dalton, when she is describing the demon, and the end, Insidious truly is one of my top 3 favorites Horror movies.

2) “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974)- Talk about a disturbing movie. TCM was another movie before its time. Very little gore, which left your mind to wander about the torture they are going through. This movie is an absolute classic, and back when it first came out, people had a hard time watching it at all. The whole family is crazy, and the ending scene with the family at the dinner table is something that all the movies before on my list could not duplicate in its level of crazy and un-nerving energy. 

1) “Exorcist” (1973)- Why is this my favorite of all time? How about because I only watched it one whole time through, and tried a second time and couldn't do it. This movie takes Insidious to a whole new level. I could go on and on about every single creepy scene in the movie, but that’s basically the entire movie. The head spinning doesn't scare me as much as the creepy demon face, or the taunting of Jesus. However, and I do not know why, but the creepiest scene to me is when you here faintly the sound of a pitter patter and they look up and she’s crawling backwards down the steps and screams as blood comes out of her mouth. (Re-released version). This movie was nothing but brilliant hysteria and crazy.