Watching a horror movie is like willingly conjuring up and participating in an immersive nightmare. But of course, the experience is only worth it if the movie is well-made and packed to the gills with primo and unexpected jump scares. Fortunately, there are quite a few horror films that hit the spot and promise spine-chilling moments, featuring iconic boogeymen and violent zombies to bloodthirsty cannibalistic serial killers.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Filmed in the 70s, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of Hollywood’s most gruesome horror films to date. Directed by Tobe Hooper, the film’s visuals are a bit too real, enough for those with weaker stomachs to walk out. But of course, without this, the movie would not be what it is. The story revolves around friends traveling to rural Texas. Along the way, they come across what seems to be a run-down house, only to find something frightening inside—someone wearing a mask of human skin armed with a chainsaw.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre made approximately $80 million and was nominated and even won various awards, including a Critics Award at the 1976 Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival.
The Exorcist
William Friedkin’s adaptation of the novel of the same name became one of the highest-grossing R-rated horror films. It follows a girl who exhibits odd behavior—speaks in tongues and levitates. When no other scientific form of help is effective, her mother turns to a priest for assistance. From then ensues the story of her demon-possessed daughter, who might have to undergo exorcism.
The Exorcist was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars and took home two trophies. The movie is sure to haunt viewers long after the credits roll.
The Conjuring
Another top horror film that most horror movie enthusiasts will like is James Wan’s The Conjuring and its slew of sequels. What makes the movie even scarier is that it is inspired by true events and is based on the experiences of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, respectively. The movie won a Saturn Award in 2014 and an Empire Award in 2014 for Best Horror Film and grossed over $320 million worldwide.
The Ring
This horror film grossed over $249 million worldwide, and for good reason. The film features numerous spine-chilling moments, such as a long-haired, white-dressed girl emerging from a television. But when a movie is as good as The Ring, one can’t help but watch each scene with eyes peeled. The film is a remake of Japanese director Hideo Nakata’s acclaimed thriller about a cursed videotape. The Ring features stellar performances by renowned stars of the time, such as Naomi Watts as Rachel and Martin Henderson as Noah.
Insidious
The film follows a comatose boy who gets possessed by an evil entity. His parents, Josh and Renai Lambert, played by Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, respectively, take extreme measures when they realize their new home is haunted.
Insidious won eight awards, including two in 2011—the Titra Film Award at the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival and Best Horror Movie at the Fright Meter Awards. The film grossed about $50 million worldwide.
It
The fear of clowns is real and even more so when viewers witness director Andy Muschietti’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name. The movie was so popular that it was one of the highest-grossing horror films to be made and grossed over $7 million at the global box office.
It, set in 1989, tells the story of a group of kids who band together to destroy a shape-shifting monster, which disguises itself as a clown and preys on the children of Derry, a small Maine town. The movie has dramatic tension and gives viewers what they want–a bag full of spine-tingly scares.
28 Days Later
While a good horror film has its fair share of unexpected jumpscares, it also plays on viewers’ deepest fears and the fear of the unknown or what’s to come. 28 Days Later captures that perfectly. It is a film on the threat of contagion from an unfamiliar disease spreading rapidly, turning people into zombies quicker than one can imagine.
28 Days Later had a worldwide gross of over $82 million and had renowned actors in the leads, like Cillian Murphy, Christopher Eccleston, and Naomie Harris. The zombie-based horror won a suite of awards, including the Best Feature Film in 2003 and the Best Horror Film in 2004.
The Omen
This horror film grossed over $48 million worldwide and is the perfect example of what unholy phenomena can truly do. The movie is set around the rebirth of the antiChrist, where unbelievably gruesome deaths happen around Satan’s son. Some popular names who starred in this film are Harvey Stephens, who plays Damien, and Gregory Peck and Lee Remick, who play Damien’s parents. The Omen won an Oscar for Best Music at the 1977 Academy Awards.
Hereditary
In this movie, Toni Collette stars as Annie, an artist who creates disturbingly realistic dioramas. The film is a true horror experience that will likely have viewers screaming and hiding under their blankets several times. The plot centers around a grieving daughter, Annie, who begins to experience strange occurrences after her mother’s death. The film also features well-known actors, including Milly Shapiro and Gabriel Byrne. Hereditary has won over 50 awards since its release and grossed over $80 million at the global box office.