50 best HORROR MOVIES of all time
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10. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
In my opinion, The Silence of the Lambs does not belong to horror movies… however, it does belong to fundamentally terrifying films. A viewer confronted with Sir Anthony Hopkins in the role of Hannibal the cannibal will certainly feel an unpleasant shiver down their spine. Evil that manifests where it is least expected. Evil that, although undeserved, is no less monstrous. Yes, Hannibal Lecter instills fear every second he appears on screen. But not just him, credit must also be given to Ted Levine as the disturbed Jame Gumb. The scenes with Catherine Martin by the well evoke just as much fear as Lecter’s stone-cold gaze. The script, acting, and set design – a perfectly executed trio – allowed Jonathan Demme to create a masterpiece that transcends genres in its terror.
9. Jaws (1975)
Comparing Jaws with Spielberg’s later works, what stands out is the sheer joy of instilling fear in the audience, without much concern for political correctness or conformity to so-called values. Despite the happy ending, the softening of character traits in characters like Hooper and Brody’s wife compared to the novel, Spielberg didn’t pamper the audience as he did in the majority of his later films. Jaws was meant to scare and continues to do so to this day, although not as strongly as in the 1970s. Its lasting value lies in the referential way tension is built, which could serve as a ready-made manual for aspiring directors.
8. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
A Nightmare on Elm Street remains not only one of the most iconic horror films in cinema history but also, in my view, one of the best and most impactful, still making the greatest impression after several decades since its premiere. It’s one of the most iconic because who doesn’t know Freddy Krueger, the dream-world killer? The best because it serves as a prime example of a slasher operating between horror, entertainment, and teen drama. And it’s the most impressive because it managed to create a timeless vision of experiencing a nightmare for just a few dollars and a pack of cigarettes.
7. The Omen (1976)
Richard Donner’s classic, which continues to scare despite the passing years. The theme of the birth of the Antichrist is simple and suggestive, the cold visual presentation provides the right atmosphere, and the legendary soundtrack gives you chills every time. The Omen masterfully employs demonic iconography, which means that even if we’ve seen the film several times, we still feel a powerful dread every time.
6. Psycho (1960)
This film is more than an example of a director’s genius. Psycho is evidence that Hitchcock was ahead of his time. In his previous two films, the director also displayed an unconventional approach, but this 1960 work marked a 180-degree turn. To surpass the success of Rear Window (1955), the master of suspense reached for old tools, which he enhanced, creating an ostensibly archaic but fundamentally pioneering thriller. […] The film strongly affects emotions, it’s incredibly suggestive, yet at times very subtle. The director grapples with themes of guilt and punishment, crafting a tension-laden psychological thriller where the action unfolds slowly, twisting ever further into darker realms. It’s hard to forget Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates – his madness is concealed behind a facade of normality, but his expressions, gestures, and glances reveal disturbing nuances of character.
5. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
A masterpiece of the genre based on Ira Levin’s novel. The duo of Polanski and Komeda endowed an intriguing story with a vision and sound that have already become legendary. The lullaby is perhaps not only the most famous but also the most unsettling musical motif in film history. Even if nothing else were played, Rosemary’s Baby would be talked about for years. Yet beyond it, there’s also the oppressive atmosphere of an excellent screenplay, a short but consistent story full of escalating horror, which doesn’t need jump scares or screams. There’s only a young woman expecting a child, her oddly indifferent husband, and an intrusive pair of friendly neighbors. And, of course, the devil.
4. The Shining (1980)
Horror, a total film, and a cult masterpiece, one of the many peaks in Stanley Kubrick’s filmography – but undoubtedly the most terrifying one. The horror in The Shining is ambiguous and surrounds from different sides: psychological discomfort emerges within the family, in isolation from the outside world, through the context of a past tragedy, and from the ambiguous nature of humanity, which suddenly becomes predatory. Kubrick’s complex spectacle, while terrifying, invokes various contextual meanings – from allegories of the creator’s psychological struggles, through sexual inclinations and the influence of supernatural forces, to the tone of atonement for past sins and a brutal unmasking of American identity. The strength of The Shining lies in combining effective fear-inducing and openness to multiple interpretations, which can coexist without excluding one another, contributing to a fascinating tapestry of fear, allusions, and intersecting paths. Amidst all this, it’s a perfectly executed film, where every shot has been meticulously composed, contributing to a unique aesthetic that offers intense screen terror while stimulating the imagination simultaneously.
EDITORIAL team