I (and my wife) picked “Nightmare on Elm Street”. That movie got “inside our heads” more than any of the others listed here.
“The Exorcist” scared both of us more but they cheated. In the theaters it had subliminal cuts that greatly enhanced the scare factor.
Paul O'Connorsays
Some good films on that list but I think the Exorcist is a cut above. I was twelve when it came out and desperately wanted to see it (and was secretly relieved when my parents forbade it). Saw it a few years later and it got under my skin. Then saw it again as a big, bad teenager and laughed it off. Saw it a third time as an adult and a parent and it hit me in an entirely different way — there’s no greater fear for a parent than having a sick child, and experiencing the movie through a parent’s vulnerable eyes creeped me out all over again. As a social phenomenon and a movie that inspired a genre, the Exorcist really is the top of your list (only Psycho comes close).
The list is not inclusive of all horror films, but only those recognized by most movie critics as the best. Alien and The Thing were not included in the list because the discussion is still rampant and jury remains out as to if those two are horror or sci-fi. I am of the opinion that those two particular films are a perfect blending of both genres.
oktaynesays
Alien is most DEFINITELY a HORROR movie!! It’s basically a slasher movie set in space. Just because the “boogeyman” is an alien doesn’t make it sci-fi.
Looks to me like this list was put together by people who have a cursory knowledge of the genre AT BEST!
oktaynesays
I also notice that all but 3 of the above were directed by Yanks. Are they seriously saying that only Americans direct decent horror movies?
ejdalisesays
It’s the accent, you see; you can’t get “scary” with a British accent.
I picked Halloween. Psycho was more of a thriller than horror for me. I don’t consider the Exorcist a horror film (no, not looking for an argument). Some of those I have not seen, so Halloween is my choice in part because I watched it on the big screen, and in part because it was the first time I remember seeing a dispassionate killer. Not just the mask, but the casual curiosity, deliberate movements, and the music all contributed to the overall effect.
If I were asked for the scariest movie (psychologically) I would have to say The Thing . . . although Alien would be a near tie.
Finally, I think perceptions are colored by when people watched the movies, and how old they were. Young, old, seeing the movie when it first came out versus years later, all those affect our perception. Right now I can’t imagine a movie “scaring” me . . . well . . . maybe some Sandler movie, or perhaps a combination Steve Carrel and Will Farrell movie . . . too horrible to contemplate.
once upon a time I would’ve picked The Exorcist but because that movie is tied to a specific memory, it’ll never be scary to me again.
I chose The Shinning. It’s a classic that I have to watch every Halloween. I’ve even traumatized a few friends during a couple of movie nights
Andy "The Penguin Boy"says
Jaws was always the scariest movie to me when I was a kid. Out of the list I went with Night of the Living Dead, but I do agree that Alien and The Thing should be on the list as well. Who cares if they are Sci-Fi themed horror, they are still horror. Thats like saying that “The Exorcist” and “The Omen” don’t count because they are religious movies.
tcsays
I watched The Thing in an old movie theatre in Withington, Manchester, England in the winter of 1982/83. Happens to be the only film I watched in my life where I remember the clothes that I was wearing that day. I virtually suffered from paranoia of all Things for the rest of the week!
Alien and The Exorcist are others that nearly made me soil my trousers, great horror shockers. Horror is horror, has nothing to do with setting.
Lisasays
I sound like an echo, but The Thing and Alien are tied at #1 for me. I’m sorry to see they didn’t make the list.
MetallihaMsays
No Rosemary’s Baby?
I watched that when my wife was pregnant with our 3rd child, and it shook me up pretty good.
Sixth Sense and The Others did too, but may not be classified as horror.
Rosemary’s Baby deserves a place on this list though in my opinion.
claresays
Resident Evil? How did that even make the list?
I vote Don’t Look Now, even if it’s not one of the choices. Better than the whole list put together.
eliottsays
hey for me its halloween now that was a classic but so was the exorcist friday the 13th(1980) was good as well why are all of these classic horror films being remade? i heard next up is The Exorcist and Jaws why? maybe Linda Blair will get to play Ellen Burstyn’s part. but then again Linda may not want to go through this again she should had gotten the oscar back in 1974. please no more remakes i would settle for another sequel. maybe the remake to nightmare on Elm street will be ok the trailer looks ok. when is Halloween 3D be out? i know another sequel at least its no remake
I (and my wife) picked “Nightmare on Elm Street”. That movie got “inside our heads” more than any of the others listed here.
“The Exorcist” scared both of us more but they cheated. In the theaters it had subliminal cuts that greatly enhanced the scare factor.
Some good films on that list but I think the Exorcist is a cut above. I was twelve when it came out and desperately wanted to see it (and was secretly relieved when my parents forbade it). Saw it a few years later and it got under my skin. Then saw it again as a big, bad teenager and laughed it off. Saw it a third time as an adult and a parent and it hit me in an entirely different way — there’s no greater fear for a parent than having a sick child, and experiencing the movie through a parent’s vulnerable eyes creeped me out all over again. As a social phenomenon and a movie that inspired a genre, the Exorcist really is the top of your list (only Psycho comes close).
Where is Carpenter’s “The Thing”??????
Pretty weak choice of movies imo.
Of the choices given .. of those that I’ve seen .. A Nightmare On Elm St would be my choice.
BUT the horror film that scared me the MOST as an adult is not listed .. ALIEN.
I picked The Exorcist but this list needs to be expanded big time!
No Bava, Argento or Fulci??!!!? You need to broaden your horizons a bit guys.
Don’t even get me STARTED on the Universal stuff!!!
SAW!!??? Oh well, at least you didn’t put Hostel on the list!
N.B. From what I have read and heard, THE UNBORN is complete dreck!!
The list is not inclusive of all horror films, but only those recognized by most movie critics as the best. Alien and The Thing were not included in the list because the discussion is still rampant and jury remains out as to if those two are horror or sci-fi. I am of the opinion that those two particular films are a perfect blending of both genres.
Alien is most DEFINITELY a HORROR movie!! It’s basically a slasher movie set in space. Just because the “boogeyman” is an alien doesn’t make it sci-fi.
Looks to me like this list was put together by people who have a cursory knowledge of the genre AT BEST!
I also notice that all but 3 of the above were directed by Yanks. Are they seriously saying that only Americans direct decent horror movies?
It’s the accent, you see; you can’t get “scary” with a British accent.
I picked Halloween. Psycho was more of a thriller than horror for me. I don’t consider the Exorcist a horror film (no, not looking for an argument). Some of those I have not seen, so Halloween is my choice in part because I watched it on the big screen, and in part because it was the first time I remember seeing a dispassionate killer. Not just the mask, but the casual curiosity, deliberate movements, and the music all contributed to the overall effect.
If I were asked for the scariest movie (psychologically) I would have to say The Thing . . . although Alien would be a near tie.
Finally, I think perceptions are colored by when people watched the movies, and how old they were. Young, old, seeing the movie when it first came out versus years later, all those affect our perception. Right now I can’t imagine a movie “scaring” me . . . well . . . maybe some Sandler movie, or perhaps a combination Steve Carrel and Will Farrell movie . . . too horrible to contemplate.
once upon a time I would’ve picked The Exorcist but because that movie is tied to a specific memory, it’ll never be scary to me again.
I chose The Shinning. It’s a classic that I have to watch every Halloween. I’ve even traumatized a few friends during a couple of movie nights
Jaws was always the scariest movie to me when I was a kid. Out of the list I went with Night of the Living Dead, but I do agree that Alien and The Thing should be on the list as well. Who cares if they are Sci-Fi themed horror, they are still horror. Thats like saying that “The Exorcist” and “The Omen” don’t count because they are religious movies.
I watched The Thing in an old movie theatre in Withington, Manchester, England in the winter of 1982/83. Happens to be the only film I watched in my life where I remember the clothes that I was wearing that day. I virtually suffered from paranoia of all Things for the rest of the week!
Alien and The Exorcist are others that nearly made me soil my trousers, great horror shockers. Horror is horror, has nothing to do with setting.
I sound like an echo, but The Thing and Alien are tied at #1 for me. I’m sorry to see they didn’t make the list.
No Rosemary’s Baby?
I watched that when my wife was pregnant with our 3rd child, and it shook me up pretty good.
Sixth Sense and The Others did too, but may not be classified as horror.
Rosemary’s Baby deserves a place on this list though in my opinion.
Resident Evil? How did that even make the list?
I vote Don’t Look Now, even if it’s not one of the choices. Better than the whole list put together.
hey for me its halloween now that was a classic but so was the exorcist friday the 13th(1980) was good as well why are all of these classic horror films being remade? i heard next up is The Exorcist and Jaws why? maybe Linda Blair will get to play Ellen Burstyn’s part. but then again Linda may not want to go through this again she should had gotten the oscar back in 1974. please no more remakes i would settle for another sequel. maybe the remake to nightmare on Elm street will be ok the trailer looks ok. when is Halloween 3D be out? i know another sequel at least its no remake