If you’re looking for some of the best horror movies ever, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll cover everything from “The Blair Witch Project” to “The Conjuring.” We’ll also touch on such underrated movies as “The Cabin in the Woods,” “The Cabin in the Sky,” and “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.”
I’m sure it comes as no surprise to anyone reading this that we here at Rotten Tomatoes are big believers in the critical importance of horror movies and the impact they have on our culture. For example, check out this article we wrote when Halloween and horror in general were declared to be a national art. As a website dedicated to reviewing all types of media, including scores of horror movies, I know that one of the most popular uses for RT is determining whether or not a movie is “worth your time.” And so, to help with that decision-making process, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to put together a list of the 10 Scariest Horror Movies Ever Made. That way, you can spend more time enjoying your weekend and less time trying to figure out which scary movie you should watch to get you into the Halloween spirit.
The Blair Witch Project
The Blair Witch Project premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. The movie was promoted by a promotional campaign stating that the actors were dead or missing. Artisan Entertainment then bought the distribution rights for $1.1 million. The film premiered in limited theaters on July 14 and expanded to a wider release on July 30. The movie is a true-crime thriller based on the footage found in the abandoned cameras of three young filmmakers.
The Conjuring
The second installment of the “Conjuring” franchise is called “The Devil Made Me Do It.” This sequel is a dark tale of curses and witchcraft that departs from the haunted house motif and goes into new territory. The director, Michael Chaves, never shies away from the next supernatural surprise. His twisted plot revolves around Warrens’ quest to piece together what happened to Johnson.
The Cabin in the Woods
The Cabin in the Woods is a five-year-old horror film that has done much to rekindle the horror genre. Directed by Drew Goddard and written by Joss Whedon, the film is incredibly effective at subverting clichés while still maintaining an emotional punch. Its strong sexuality, heavy language, and eerie atmosphere make it an effective choice for audiences of all ages.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
One of the most influential horror movies of all time is the silent German expressionist film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. It was released during the early years of Germany’s post-World War I easing of restrictions on German films. The film was screened internationally and has been acclaimed for being revolutionary in terms of filmmaking. Its eerie, dreamlike set and twisted plot are still highly influential.
The Silence of the Lambs
As one of the first films to utilize the cinematic medium for its horror content, The Silence of the Lambs is a classic that defines the genre as a whole. Despite its ghoulish nature, this movie is also hopeful, proving that horror films can be both frightening and humane. Here are some of the reasons why this film is so memorable. Aside from being a great Halloween movie, The Silence of the Lambs is also an important one to watch this October.
We are inclined to agree, and after discussing this on the site for a day or two, we were fascinated by some of the results of their experiment. We’re happy to see that 28 Days Later (2002) appears at the top of their list, because more people should be aware that it is an incredible horror film. In addition the movie is pretty damn grimy, which is always a huge plus in our eyes when it comes to a horror movie. Those who haven’t yet seen it should check out the movie immediately, as it features not just great story lines and acting but also some of the most intense fight scenes we’ve ever seen. We can’t vouch for what else appears on their list as we’re not big fans of horror movies as a whole, but we think they did a good job with this one and if you’re looking for scares– this’ll probably do it!
