Some movies are just purely horrifying. Since the dawn of cinema, horror has been at the forefront of entertainment, delivering some of the most spectacular and terrifying films in history. They captivate audiences, sending a shiver down their spines at how thrilling and creepy they can be.
Yes, the horror genre is full of some truly frightening movies, but which ones stand out as the most chilling? The following entries are top contenders for the scariest of all time.They’re iconic and unquestionably disturbing stories that have endured throughout the decade, continuing to scare viewers and filling them with unimaginable terror. They have retained their ability to scare and are as effective today as when they first came out. FromStanley Kubrick’sThe ShiningtoWilliam Friedkin’sThe Exorcist, here are the scariest movies from horror cinema.
25’The Shining' (1980)
From the brilliant mind of one of the all-time greatest filmmakers of the 20th century, Stanley Kubrick, comes his eerie adaptation of horror novelistStephen King’sThe Shining. Hailed as horror royalty, it’s a chilling, slow-burning horror masterpiece full of dread and mounting tension. Featuring two magnificent performances byJack NicholsonandSelly Duvall, it follows a struggling writer as he slowly succumbs to madness and turns on his family after being influenced by the sinister ghosts of a desolate mountain resort.
This thought-provoking psychological masterpiece has become an essential part of horror and pop culture. It’s a perfect example of suspense and tension building used to enhance the horror elements of the story.It’s also incredibly ambiguous, leaving unanswered questions about whether it’s more psychological or supernatural. ThoughKing has had some hard wordsabout the changes and ambiguity of this story, this version of The Shining is undeniably frightening and complex. There are so many moments that have audiences gasping and coming back for more.
24’The Omen' (1976)
The ultimate creepy kid movie, the lateRichard Donner’sThe Omen, is a terrifying supernatural horror thriller that came to define the genre in the 1970s. A paranoia-inducing tale with shocking twists and intense dread, it sees Academy Award-winnerGregory Peckin a heartbreaking role as an American Ambassador who slowly uncovers a devastating secret that he’s being used to raise the devil’s son to take over the world.
It’s a nail-biting thriller with mounting suspense and unending dread.There’s a lingering sense of doom throughout this story, and it keeps rising with every scene and every shocking death. Coupled with a compelling and undeniably frightening supporting performance by the then-youngHarvey Stephensas the sinister son of satin, Damien Thorn,The Omenis a creepy classic that continues to leave shivers down audiences' spines.
23’The Silence of the Lambs' (1991)
As the only horror film to win Best Picture, and one of only three films to win the big five at the Academy Awards,The Silence of the Lambsis an undeniable masterpiece that deserves all of its acclaim. Directed by the lateJonathan Demme, this fascinating crime thriller features two powerhouse performances byJodie FosterandSir Anthony Hopkinsin a thrilling mystery that follows an FBI trainee as she plays an intense game of wits with a brilliant convicted murderer to help her locate another serial killer.
With hair-raising suspense and grisly violence,The Silence of the Lambsis quite intense and shocking,one of the mostedge-of-your-seat horror movies of all time. Sir Anthony Hopkins intimidates viewers with his Oscar-winning performance as the cunning and ruthless Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Every second of his screen time is tense, and he seems to control every moment, despite the fact that he spends most of the time behind bars. There’s a great feeling of terror in this masterpiece, and it hasn’t diminished in the years since its release. It’s only gotten more compelling and terrifying.
22’When Evil Lurks' (2023)
One of themost unbelievably terrifying filmsin recent memory,Demián Rugna’s unusually disturbing supernatural thrillerWhen Evil Lurksis a devastating watch that gets more shocking and unflinching with every second. It follows two farming brothers in Argentina as they accidentally ignite a terrible series of events after they unsuccessfully try to dispose of a bloated, demonically possessed body.
This brings new levels of demonic terror.When Evil Lurksnever lets up in intensity and dread.It’s often cited as being mean-spirited and bleak, featuring a plot that seriously has no chance of a triumphant finalefor the main characters. The deaths are nightmare-inducing, and there are moments here that are unbelievable and striking enough to evoke a sense of absolute terror. There’s nothing else quite like it.
21’Psycho' (1960)
A highly influential masterpiece, the lateSir Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest contribution to horror,Psycho, is truly a necessary watch for fans of the genre. A prime example of brilliant tension and psychological terror, it follows a shocking crime as a thieving woman checks into an isolated motel in the California desert, owned and operated by a timid young man who’s not as harmless as he appears to be.
Psychois scary in many ways, from its incredible suspense to thrilling mysteryto evenAnthony Perkins' career-defining performance as the deeply disturbed Norman Bates. It’s an unforgettable, hair-raising classic that’s only gotten better and more terrifying with age. And, of course, it is remembered the most by audiences forPsycho’s iconic shower scene, which is one of the most significant moments in cinematic history.
20’It' (2017)
King returns, this time withIt,a 2017 monster horror flick directed byAndy Muschietti. A thrilling story with shocking scares and compelling performances, the story is about a group of young outcasts as they band together to defeat a terrifying supernatural entity that’s secretly terrorizing their small town, who takes on the eerie appearance of a circus clown called Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård).
For those terribly afraid of clowns,Itwill certainly keep them up at night.Yes, it’s a bit over-the-top and can be quite goofy at times, but there’s no denying it’s got scenes that can get viewers' hearts racing. Bill Skarsgård’s iconic performance as the sinister Pennywise is pure nightmare fuel, and it’s already seen as one of the scariest performances in recent memory. This one is a fun, modern horror classic that thrills audiences with how terrifying it can get.
19’Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1978)
Ever had that terrifying thought that an alien invasion would happen right under our noses? Well, that’s the thought that was explored in the most frightening way possible in directorPhilipKaufman’s 1978 sci-fi horror filmInvasion of the Body Snatchers. A remake ofDon Siegel’s 1956 originalmovie centered on an alien invasion, the story follows several New Yorkers as they slowly realize that humanity is being replaced by sinister extra-terrestrial doppelgängers.
This film will make anyone paranoid about the people around them.It’s incredibly intense and suspenseful, featuring hair-raising scenes and haunting imagery that are truly striking.The ‘78Invasion of the Body Snatchers, in many ways, is a worthy remake of Siegel’s black-and-white original, keeping a lot of the suspense and dread of that film and cranking it up to the extreme with better effects and more scares.
18’The Wailing’ (2016)
FromNa Hong-jin,The Wailingis an intense 2016 horror mystery thriller from South Korea. After a string of bizarre killings and a mysterious virus wreaks havoc in a small mountain village, a police officer arrives to investigate the situation and stop who is responsible. But, soon he realizes this disaster may be the result of a terrifying curse.
Featuring gruesome violence, terrifying suspense, and unimaginable scares,The Wailingis truly one of the most unsettling international horror movies in recent history. It’s full of so many moments that can give viewers nightmares, and it ends with a bleak and intense conclusion that only gets more shocking with every rewatch.
17’Jaws' (1975)
Ever been afraid of swimming in the ocean? Well, the 1975 summer blockbuster hitJawsmight be the reason for that. Directed bySteven Spielberg, it follows three men as they go on a dangerous hunt to kill a monstrous great white shark that’s responsible for devouring sunbathers in a peaceful summer community.
This thrilling monster flick has terrified audiences for decades, making them scared to even go near a beach. It’s greatly suspenseful and features some truly startling moments that have become recognizable in cinema. It features one of the all-time scariest theme songs courtesy ofJohn Williams, who received an Academy Award for his efforts.
16’Smile' (2022)
Horror is thriving in the current decade thanks to the release of chilling modern classics like 2022’sSmile. Hailed as one ofthe horrifying films of the decadeso far, this intense psychological monster flick will surely leave audiences covering their eyes. It follows a troubled psychiatrist, Rose (Sosie Bacon), who, after witnessing a traumatic and bizarre death, is terrorized by a frightening entity that keeps smiling at her.
This film can make anyone nervous when being greeted with a grin.Smileis a deeply unsettling chiller, jam-packed with so much terror that it’s truly unforgettable.The suspense is intense, the atmosphere is foreboding, and it’s full of shocking jump scares that can keep anyone up at night. It’s one of the best horror films of the 2020s and will continue to scare the pants off of fans as the years go by.
