Top 10 Horror Films of All Time
This is FM101’s dynamic top ten of the best horror films of all time. Horror is so subjective and perhaps along with comedy, these two are the toughest genres to crack. Yet, once in a while, there will be a filmmaker who is capable of crafting intimate, scary stories or go bonkers delivering a rollercoaster of jump scares and ominous atmosphere. On the other hand, you might have a film that takes its time to creep under your skin culminating in a dark and frenetic climax of terror and emotional chaos. Whether you prefer Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” (1980), John Carpenter’s “Halloween” (1978) or the relentless pace of Zack Synder’s “Dawn of the Dead” (2004), every person finds something different that hits their horror spot.
Suspense:
😰😰😰😰
Jump scares:
😱😱😱
Atmosphere:
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Death count:
💀
Creature/villain design:
👹👹👹👹👹
Production design:
🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️
Realism:
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
Gore:
🩸🩸
Characters:
🎭🎭
Scariest moment: Cillian Murphy wondering the desolate London streets is a now classic film moment but his first encounter with the infected inside a chapel is the stuff of nightmares.
10. 28 Days Later
Director: Danny Boyle
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Christopher Eccleston
Release year: 2002
What is interesting about “28 Days Later” is how it managed singlehandedly (along with Paul WS Anderson’s “Resident Evil” (2002)) to revitalize the dead-in-the-water zombie genre. Writer Alex Garland (“Dredd“ (2012)) offered a fresh take on the slow moving living dead (technically here they are infected) by raising the stakes and making them move really fast. This allows Danny Boyle (“Trainspotting“ (1996)) to stage various pulse pounding skirmishes, shot in a handheld dogmatic approach that enhances the film’s realism. Taking cues from the rabies disease, “28 Days Later” succeeds by having exquisitely dreadful atmosphere within the famous landscapes of London. Despite a rather contained second half, “28 Days Later” is a masterclass in tension with some valid points on human nature when it comes for survival. It might annoy some with its bleakness and permutating nihilism but it certainly will win those who are not keen on traditional horror cliches.
Suspense:
😰😰😰
Jump scares:
😱😱
Atmosphere:
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Death count:
💀
Creature/villain design:
👹👹👹👹
Production design:
🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️
Realism:
✔️✔️✔️✔️
Gore:
🩸🩸🩸
Characters:
🎭🎭🎭🎭
Scariest moment: The climax in the finale will shock you and rip your heart out but not before leaving you questioning your own interpretation.
9. The Wailing
Director: Na Hong-Jin
Starring: Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, Chun Woo-hee, Jun Kunimura
Release year: 2016
“The Wailing” is more than your typical supernatural horror movie with exorcisms and demonic presences. Relying heavily on a carefully constructed plot with various layers that are open to personal interpretation, it provides a slow burn approach till the unexpected and poetically ominous climax. “The Wailing” has a surprising emotional core, key ingredient that lacks from many horror films and is boosted by genuine performances. While the film has nuanced themes around someone’s faith and freedom of choice, it is still packed with nightmarish visuals and a decaying production design which is an omen of things to come. Requiring multiple viewings to understand its subtle symbolisms, “The Wailing” will offer plenty of discussion but not before it scares the crap out of you. It can be described in one word as a masterpiece.
Suspense:
😰😰
Jump scares:
😱
Atmosphere:
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Death count:
💀💀💀
Creature/villain design:
👹👹👹👹👹
Production design:
🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️
Realism:
✔️✔️✔️
Gore:
🩸🩸🩸
Characters:
🎭🎭🎭🎭
Scariest moment: A face off with a family is perhaps the darkest moment but the first half (or at least before the mystery is revealed) is unmatched in terms of atmosphere.
8. Sleepy Hollow
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Michael Gabon, Christopher Walken
Release year: 1999
“Sleepy Hollow” is not the scariest film in this list. Yet, it does have some of the most amazing art direction you will ever see and an atmosphere to die for. due to Emmanuel Lubezki’s mesmerizing cinematography. Tim Burton (“Batman“ (1989), “Edward Scissorhands“ (1990)) created the ultimate gothic horror film, filled with eccentricities, beautiful costume work and a high body count by decapitation. Almost a creature feature at its core, “Sleepy Hollow” is a feast for the eyes that 22 years later seems unmatched with Tim Burton’s style invoking the feelings of classic Hammer horror films while Johnny Depp is right front and center as the smart but not too brave Ichabod Crane. While its emphasis on grand guignol violence might be too much, it is undeniable that “Sleepy Hollow” definitely stands out from the lot as a well crafted and visually original film.
Suspense:
😰😰😰😰😰
Jump scares:
😱😱😱😱😱
Atmosphere:
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Death count:
💀
Creature/villain design:
👹👹👹
Production design:
🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️
Realism:
✔️✔️✔️✔️
Gore:
🩸
Characters:
🎭🎭🎭🎭
Scariest moment: Too many to chose from but the sequence in the daughters’ room is incredibly tense while a particular spirit reveal around a wardrobe will catch you unguarded.
7. The Conjuring
Director: James Wan
Actors: Lili Taylor, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston
Release year: 2013
By now “The Conjuring” has evolved (unexpectedly) into a Golgothian horror franchise with three direct sequels and six(!) spin offs all unnecessarily interconnected with various levels of cinematic quality. Yet, this relatively small film - based on the case files of the Warrens, famous demonologists - showcases James Wan’s directing talent at staging horrifying sequences with malevolent spirits. Assisted by exceptional 70’s style cinematography by John R. Leonetti (“Mortal Kombat” (1995), “Soul Surfer” (2011)), an outstanding sound design and supported by excellent performances, “The Conjuring” brought back quality horror in the multiplex without insulting the audience’s intelligence and delivering unexpected jolts and thrills. The lack of CGI enhanced monstrosities makes this even better and despite the presence of child actors, the film really sells its supernatural tale with panache.
Suspense:
😰😰😰😰
Jump scares:
😱😱😱
Atmosphere:
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Death count:
💀💀💀
Creature/villain design:
👹👹👹👹👹
Production design:
🏚️🏚️
Realism:
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
Gore:
🩸🩸
Characters:
🎭🎭🎭🎭
Scariest moment: By far the scene with Drew Barrimore which opens the film with a bang and remains to this day one of the very best.
6. Scream
Director: Wes Craven
Starring: Neve Campell, Rose McGowan, Skeett Ulrich, Drew Barrimore
Release year: 1996
“Scream” exploded back in 1996 spotlighting the horror genre with a meta analysis on its current decline packaged within a slasher formula that emphasized a who-dun-it mystery. Cleverly directed by horror maestro Wes Craven (“Nightmare on Elm Street“ (1984)) and accompanied by an outstanding score from Marco Beltrami, “Scream” introduced a brand new horror icon for the 90’s generation in the form of Ghostface and twisted the genre’s conventions in surprising ways. Supported by an excellent cast that share genuine chemistry and enough characterization to make you care for who lives and dies, “Scream” had also the privilege to come up with a commentary not only on horror but on the actions of individuals that have a domino effect on those around them. And that is why it stands the test of time. All the ghosts and ghouls in the world cannot be scarier than a psychotic with a knife.
Suspense:
😰😰😰😰
Jump scares:
😱😱😱😱😱
Atmosphere:
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Death count:
💀💀
Creature/villain design:
👹👹👹
Production design:
🏚️🏚️🏚️
Realism:
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
Gore:
🩸🩸🩸
Characters:
🎭🎭🎭
Scariest moment: SWAT cops enter the top floor apartment - enough said.
5. Rec 2
Director: Paco Plaza & Jaume Balaguero
Starring: Manuela Velasco, Jonathan Mellor, Oscar Sanchez Zafra
Release year: 2009
“Rec” (2007) and “Rec 2” have more things in common with the classic “28 Days Later” than with traditional zombie (and gory) flicks. While the first film was a case of using correctly the found footage gimmick, it managed to deliver some original frights, “Rec 2” makes the original look like a trip to Disneyland in comparison. Populated with interesting ideas of how to utilize real time within the movie (the cops have mounted cameras) gives the proceedings a direct realism allowing for the directing duo to craft some exceptional jump scares. Similarly, they continue to expand the mythology by presenting fresh and intriguing new elements and thus, raising the dramatic stakes (and the body count) for our pleasure. Oozing with supernatural atmosphere amidst its nifty production design from Barcelona’s magnificent apartment complexes, “Rec 2” is not afraid to explore uncharted for the genre territory to instill fear in the hearts of the genre fans.
Suspense:
😰😰😰😰
Jump scares:
😱😱😱
Atmosphere:
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Death count:
💀💀
Creature/villain design:
👹👹👹👹👹
Production design:
🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️
Realism:
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
Gore:
🩸🩸🩸
Characters:
🎭🎭🎭🎭
Scariest moment: While the blood testing scene is the stuff of cinematic legends, the reveal of the thing during a particular medical procedure is sure to make you jump from your seat.
4. The Thing
Director: John Carpenter
Starring: Kurt Russell, Keith David, A. Wilford Brimley, TK Carter
Release year: 1982
John Carpenter (“Escape from New York” (1981), “Halloween” (1978)) adapted the 1938’s novella “Who goes there?” with cinema-altering results. With a strong cast led by the charismatic Kurt Russell, “The Thing” brings on the surface emotions of distrust and paranoia within a scientific group in Antarctica as the titular parasitic organism assimilates and imitates any life form that comes into contact with. Having an ambiguous script at his disposal with a frosty atmosphere of dread, gives “The Thing” an edge over traditional creature features. There is outstanding work on disgusting creature effects that is unmatched by today’s standards, yet Carpenter effectively keeps any shocks brief and sudden, emphasizing atmosphere and performances. The rather open interpretation of who could be the thing makes the film a candidate for several viewings as the script continues to capitalize on the characters’ state of mind under an ominous score from the legendary Ennio Morricone.
Suspense:
😰😰😰😰
Jump scares:
😱😱😱
Atmosphere:
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Death count:
💀💀
Creature/villain design:
👹👹👹👹👹
Production design:
🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️
Realism:
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
Gore:
🩸🩸
Characters:
🎭🎭🎭🎭
Scariest moment: When Kane joins the table after his unlucky ordeal with a facehugger, things seem normal. Almost too normal.
3. Alien
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Ian Holm, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt
Release year: 1979
Being the most famous (and scariest) movie monster of all time is no small feat. A landmark in science fiction horror, Ridley Scott’s masterpiece “Alien” is a sinister creature feature that gave birth to one of cinema’s best and most beloved heroes - Ellen Ripley. For a film that is perfect in every area, there is little to say about “Alien” without leaning into spoiler territory. Scott films the monstrous entity mostly obscured from the human eye, cloaked in shadows and industrial camouflage while picking off one by one the crew of Nostromo in traditional slasher tropes. Nevertheless, despite the science fiction appeal, it is the cast that attracts the most praise - all playing genuine people in an extraordinary situation. With gorgeous production design and a stoic direction from Scott, “Alien” gave birth to new heights of terror and introducing an vicious life cycle for cinema’s most hostile alien form.
Suspense:
😰😰😰😰😰
Jump scares:
😱😱😱😱😱
Atmosphere:
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Death count:
💀💀💀
Creature/villain design:
👹👹👹
Production design:
🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️
Realism:
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
Gore:
🩸🩸🩸🩸
Characters:
🎭🎭🎭
Scariest moment: The now infamous creature reveal is one of the best executed jump scares in cinema history.
2. The Descent
Director: Neil Marshall
Starring: Shauna McDonald, Natalie Mendoza, MyAnna Burin, Saskia Mulder
Release year: 2005
Sharing a similar concept with the disappointing “The Cave” (2005), Neil Marshall (“Dog Soldiers“ (2002)) managed to take six strong female characters and pitied them against an unknown threat laying within a subterranean cave complex with explosive violence. The cast is spot on who portray their heroines with genuine traits with Marshal avoiding objectification. Along with a meticulous production and sound design, he creates believable scenarios in total darkness involving paranoia, disorientation and claustrophobia assisted by a bleak, almost documentarist photography. Filmed with tremendous panache - if you are claustrophobic this is not the film for you - and a tense score while providing a subtle commentary on human nature (“it is kill or be killed“), “The Descent” demonstrates that horror can have real pathos and emotional impact.
Suspense:
😰😰😰😰😰
Jump scares:
😱😱😱😱
Atmosphere:
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Death count:
💀💀💀
Creature/villain design:
👹👹👹
Production design:
🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️🏚️
Realism:
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
Gore:
🩸🩸🩸🩸
Characters:
🎭🎭🎭
Scariest moment: Pretty much all the entire first half; the tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife.
1. Event Horizon
Director: Paul WS Anderson
Starring: Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neil, Natasha Richardson, Sean Pertwee
Release year: 1997
Paul WS Anderson (“Mortal Kombat“ (1995)) used the success of his first movie to fuel this far-out sci-fi horror film. Borrowing cues from “Alien“ and Kubrick’s “The Shining“ (1980), “Event Horizon” explores space travel through a Lovecraftian approach relying more on suggestion than jump scares. The first half is unparalleled in its atmosphere elevated by Joseph Bennet’s out-of-this-world production design and Adrian Biddle’s bleak cinematography (“Aliens“ (1986)). The cast is on top form too: Fishburne is a reliable and pragmatic lead playing well against the scientifically oriented Neil while the rest of the crew demonstrate genuine chemistry despite some butchered roles in the editing room. Anderson films passionately offering amazing shots that embrace the gothic environments and despite a shift in the climax into gory territory, time has been very kind to “Event Horizon” rewarding it a cult status.