The Greatest Horror Movies Ever Made

Few genres attract audiences to the theatre like horror. Since the 1960’s, the horror genre has produced frightening movies. Whether it’s psychotic serial killers, shining hotels or jaw-dropping sharks, the horror genre has produced several characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best horror movies ever made that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Psycho

Serial killers are frightening figures that always terrified me. At an early age, I developed fear of serial killers when my housemaid was murdered causing damage. Stabbed to death in the shower by her lover, my housekeeper faced psychotic murder. Left devastated, my family never recovered from murder of a housemaid that wasn’t investigated. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured psychotic nature of serial killers causing sorrow as powerfully as “Psycho”. Following its release in 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s film has stood the test of time as the greatest horror movie ever made. With the greatest film of his illustrious career, Hitchcock captured frightening serial killers evoking fear. Hitchcock is one of those filmmakers that had an aptitude for using editing to build tension in movies, and his strengths are evident in “Psycho”. Hitchcock effectively used discontinuity editing to capture serial killers which are terrifying. For instance, the iconic scene in which Marion is mercilessly stabbed to death in the shower remains one of the greatest moments of the horror genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Anthony Perkins, who created one of the most frightening villains in cinematic history. Ultimately, what makes “Psycho” the greatest horror movie ever made is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies made in the 1960’s which tend to be outdated, the film’s message remains relevant today. Nearly 60 years following the release of an iconic film about psychotic serial killers committing murders that are catastrophic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated genre that has never lost its abilities to captivate the general public.

2. The Shining

Isolation has impacted my identity. Several years ago, I was locked up in rooms for injuring my cousin in fights causing sorrow. I remember feeling terror when I was locked in a claustrophobic room by my mother. Driven towards the brink of insanity, I couldn’t cope with isolation that affected by ability to function effectively. As someone haunted by shining memories of isolation, I adored “The Shining”. Ever since its release in 1980, Stanley Kubrick’s movie has stood the test of time as a shining horror classic. With the most frightening film of his career, Kubrick did an extraordinary job of adapting Stephen King’s beloved book about isolation. Kubrick has an aptitude for using confined locations to build tension, and his strengths shine through in “The Shining”. For instance, the iconic “Here’s Johnny!” sequence in which Jack attacks his wife and child with an axe remains one of the greatest moments of the horror genre. At the centre of it all is a strong performance by Jack Nicholson, who embodies a frightening alcoholic causing destruction. Ultimately, what makes “The Shining” a classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about isolation which would resonate with everyone. As memorable as the Overlook Hotel, it’s a shining reminder of a genre with timeless stories to tell that has cast audiences in a magical spell.

3. The Silence of the Lambs

Hannibal Lecter is a frightening serial killer that has always fascinated my mother. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a mother that was afraid of a serial killer causing damage. She would often recount terrifying stories about a serial killer that shaped her identity. As someone treasuring memories of a mother scared of a serial killer with silence, I adored “The Silence of the Lambs”. Released in 1991, Jonathan Demme’s Oscar-winning movie captured serial killers. Demme has always thrived at building suspense in movies through silence, and “The Silence of the Lambs” showcased his strengths. For instance, the scene in which Clarice Starling interrogates Hannibal Lecter remains one of the greatest moments of the horror genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Anthony Hopkins, who created one of the scariest serial killers in pop culture. Ultimately, what makes “The Silence of the Lambs” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about trauma that would resonate with everyone. As unforgettable as murders that Hannibal Lecter has committed, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated genre filled with memorable movies that audiences have always appreciated.

4. Jaws

Sharks are scary creatures that have always terrified me. Ever since I was a child, I have been scared of creatures that are wild. At an early age, I became terrified of stepping foot into waters that posed damage. My lifelong fear of sharks with sharp jaws first began when I watched “Jaws”. Ever since its release in 1975, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as a jaw-dropping horror classic. With the most frightening film of his career, Spielberg used techniques to capture a shark evoking fear. One of the techniques Spielberg uses is close-ups of characters’ faces. Known as the ‘Spielberg Face’, this technique is an effective way in which the filmmaker builds tension in movies. In “Jaws”, Spielberg used close-ups to capture reactions of individuals witnessing sharks. For instance, the scene in which the camera zooms on Chief Brody’s face witnessing sharks on the beach with terror is one of the greatest moments of the horror genre. Ultimately, what makes “Jaws” a horror classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most horror movies, it’s one of those rare movies everyone will be able to enjoy. As memorable as sharks with sharp jaws, it’s a sensational reminder of a genre that has deserves a huge round of applause producing movies without flaws.

5. Hereditary

It’s often challenging to face the loss of a loved one. At an early age, my family faced loss of a housekeeper causing damage. Several years ago, my housekeeper passed away causing my family to face sorrow. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t recover from the death of a housekeeper that tragically died. As someone haunted by memories of a family tragedy, I adored “Hereditary”. Released in 2018, Ari Aster’s frightening movie capturing a family torn apart by a terrifying tragedy. With the most frightening film of his career, Aster captured the impact of loss causing a family to face despair. Aster is a filmmaker that has always excelled at making humane horror movies tackling realistic themes, and his strengths are evident in “Hereditary”. For instance, the sequence in which Annie chases Peter around the house in a possessed state is one of the best scenes of the genre. Ultimately, what makes “Hereditary” a great horror movie is its message. Through its focus on hardships an ordinary family goes through, it’s one of those commemorated horror movies everyone can relate to. The film delivers a powerful message about family trauma which would resonate with everyone. A commemorated portrait of trauma causing a family to experience a dilemma, it’s a profound reminder of a genre that has always attracted audiences to the Cinema.

6. Alien

Aliens are creepy creatures that have often been seen in horror movies. With their frightening eyes, painful claws and creepy bodies, aliens often make compelling antagonists in horror movies. The trend of aliens being seen in horror movies first began with “Alien”. Released in 1979, Ridley Scott’s movie forever changed the horror genre through its depictions of aliens causing trauma. Scott showcased his strengths as a filmmaker by using groundbreaking practical effects to capture aliens causing danger. Assisted by Sigourney Weaver who is excellent in the leading role, Scott used stunning practical effects to create unforgettable aliens causing danger. As powerful as aliens causing disaster in a spaceship, it’s a sensational reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced memorable movies which audiences worship.

7. The Exorcist

One of the most common themes often explored in the horror genre is possession. The horror genre has often explored dangerous consequences of possessions causing families to face trauma. This theme of possessions that are rarely missed is most evident in “The Exorcist”. Released in 1973, Willian Friedkin’s classic horror movie capturing the demonic possession of a young girl facing tragedy. With the scariest film of his career, Friedkin captured frightening possessions causing girls to face despair. Friedkin showcased immense control over the camera creating a film about traumatic possessions that marked a huge achievement for the horror genre. A dazzling depiction of a demonic possession, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated genre which is filled with unforgettable movies that are worthy of celebration.

8. Get Out

Racism is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell stories of racism in a country where it has become a problem. In an industry where issues of racism are rarely talked about, it’s worth praising “Get Out”. Released in 2017, Jordan Peele’s movie depicted the racism faced by a black man from his white girlfriend’s family. With his dazzling directorial debut, Peele proved the horror genre could be used to depict hardships individuals facing racism go through. Aided by Daniel Kaluuya who is superb in the lead role, Peele used the horror genre to discuss race in the modern era. As strong as Chris’ desire to get out of his white girlfriend’s house, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has achieved success without a doubt by discussing provocative topics that deserve to be talked about.

9. Halloween

When it comes to the scariest movies ever made about Halloween, it’s worth discussing “Halloween”. Since its release in 1978, John Carpenter’s movie has stood the test of time as one of the greatest horror movies ever made. With the scariest film of his career, Carpenter captured the scary nature of the Halloween season causing fear. Carpenter’s movie changed the horror genre through its frightening depiction of serial killers causing trauma. Assisted by Jamie Lee Curtis who is excellent in the lead role, Carpenter captured scary nature of a season causing lives to spiral out of control. The perfect film for the Halloween season, “Halloween” remains a horror classic. A heartfelt tribute to Halloween, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies which deserve to be seen on the big-screen.

10. A Quiet Place

Silence is a tricky technique to use in horror movies. The horror genre has always been driven by sounds used to build tension. Without sounds, horror movies often run the risk of becoming boring. However, in 2018 John Krasinski pulled off the tricky feat of making an entertaining movie about hardships quiet families face with “A Quiet Place”. With his directorial debut, Krasinski used silence to capture hardships quiet families go through. Krasinski showcased his strengths for using silence to build tension. Assisted by Emily Blunt who is excellent, Krasinski used silence to create a terrifying horror movie. As strong as the Abbott family’s desire to survive in a world that’s silent, it’s a sensational reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost ability to leave audiences in astonishment that I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of entertainment.