Warning: This review contains minor spoilers!
Halloween is a time of fun and fright, and a common pastime in preparation for the holiday is watching scary movies. While the term “scary” is vague and encompasses a plethora of films and film genres, these are the horror movies I found that truly deserve to be celebrated this upcoming spooky season.
The ranking is from most to least spooky.
1. “Barbarian”
Zach Cregger’s “Barbarian” (2022) stays true to its namesake, as the film is barbaric in every way. This movie lends a necessary perspective to the crimes of men against women, but it also shows the consequences of those actions from a woman’s perspective. AJ, an ex-actor facing sexual assault allegations about raping his co-star, alongside the protagonist Tess are trapped in an old, decaying house where a mysterious creature resides. Neither is completely sure who or what the monster is initially, yet both of them find out in the house of horrors. As previously mentioned, this film — while subversive — is horrendously dark. The film doesn’t hold back any punches with its depictions of violence or its commentary on rape and sexual assault. “Barbarian” features real-world issues, complicated characters and a disgustingly accurate satire of the dangers women face in today’s society that aren’t acknowledged enough.
2. “Midsommar”
“Midsommar” (2019) is an unforgettable movie. From start to finish, this film feels like a bewildering yet beautiful dream, truly encapsulating what the horror director Ari Aster was vying for. Oscar-winning actress Florence Pugh’s performance transforms a dark story about cults into a ride of pure terror. Pugh captures the grief and suffering her character goes through, from finding out her sister murdered her parents and subsequently killed herself to dealing with an uninterested boyfriend on a “student vacation” studying the Harga cult. Her dark journey of love and loss is only beginning at the movie’s end. Not only does this film feature an excellent setting, but it also features the best unconventional monster costumes of any horror film on this list. The sunny flower crowns, grassy fields and beautiful century-old linens imprint a sense of uneasiness from the get-go, despite the cult’s friendliness offering a perturbing sense of comfort to the viewer.
3. “The Descent”
Neil Marshall’s “The Descent” (2005) is not for those who have claustrophobia or a weak stomach. The story follows Sarah, a woman coping with the immense grief of losing both her husband and daughter in a car accident. To get her mind off her trauma, Sarah’s friends take her cave diving; however, this plan backfires on them. They wind up getting lost in the cave system and have to traverse an array of horrors, ranging from human-eating creatures to the dark unknowns. Everything in this movie feels unsettling, whether that be its devastating acting or immersive set design. While caves aren’t new settings for horror movies, “The Descent” skillfully captures the cruelty of what can lie in the shadows below. “The Descent” occasionally uses levity, but for the most part is an intense thrill from start to finish. Still, the film deserves your attention, especially if you’re looking for a horror that’ll keep you up at night.
4. “The Shining”
What can be said about Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” (1980) that hasn’t been said already? Many consider it to be the greatest horror film of all time. The main antagonist, Jack Torrance, gets a job overseeing the iconic Overlook Hotel for the winter, bringing his wife and son along to live there. Jack’s history of violence, as well as the resentment he has for his wife, feel almost as storied as the hotel’s. These details are made all the more bewildering given the film’s iconic plot twist at the end. “The Shining” is more than just a great horror film — it’s a cinematic classic, largely due to its top-notch acting. Despite much of the credit going to Jack Nicholson’s fantastic portrayal of Jack, Shelley Duvall produces the emotional heart of the film, making the character of Wendy Torrance one that the audience wants to sympathize with.
5. “The Thing”
“The Thing” (1982) is one of the strangest films ever produced. Even for a horror film, it goes beyond the conventions of the genre. The plot follows an American research team stationed in the middle of the Arctic desperately trying to fight against a mysterious entity. These scientists have no clue what they’re facing, as the monster can morph into anything or anyone. This results in the crew turning against each other in a desperate fight for survival. “The Thing” is a dramatic, horrifying and confusing masterpiece. It’s certainly not for everyone; if you’re not a fan of perplexing or gorey movies, this film won’t be your cup of tea. However, if you like mysterious, thrilling features with a touch of sci-fi elements thrown in, then “The Thing” will quickly become one of your favorites.
6. “Alien”
“Alien” (1979) has long been a horror classic and for good reason. This movie had groundbreaking visual effects for its time, not to mention it’s also been hailed as one of the first prominent examples of feminist cinema. Ripley and her fellow crew members, who work on the Nostromo spaceship, wake up from cryogenic sleep early. Acting on orders from their employers, they check the area for intelligent life; however, Ripley’s crewmates accidentally bring Xenomorphs onto the ship — whose main and only interest is killing any life forms that aren’t their own. Intricate details like the hypnotically wired hallways, the frightening design of the iconic Xenomorphs and the producers’ commitment to practical effects trap the narrative’s characters in a horrific maze. The unsettling feelings that come with horror are pushed to another level with the film’s sci-fi setting. While not as scary as some of the other movies on this list, “Alien” nonetheless delivers on its fearful premise while still maintaining its level tone throughout.
7. “Misery”
Rob Reiner’s “Misery” (1990) is an Oscar-winning film based on Stephen King’s classic novel of the same name about an author trapped in a snowstorm. Luckily for Paul Sheldon, the author portrayed by James Caan, nurse Annie Wilkes, masterfully played by Kathy Bates, rescues him in time. As luck would have it, she’s a massive fan of his work, but perhaps too intense of a fan. The film pushes the term “cabin fever” to its limit. Every scene in this movie fills you with dread in some way or another. A harsh winter backdrop, as well as the injuries Paul sustains, keep him from escaping; he’s completely at Annie’s mercy. The horror of “Misery” is utterly unique in that there are no monsters or stereotypical bad guys. In fact, there are hardly any other characters aside from the two we meet. It’s a story of two people who are trapped together, and one doesn’t realize how dangerous it will become until it’s too late. Bates’ performance will rattle any viewer, as she is kind enough to take a man in need but cruel enough to trap him. Bates plays her role effortlessly, even having won an Oscar for it. Not only is the acting superb, but King’s voice echoes throughout the film as he projects his authorial experiences onto the main character. “Misery” makes for a deeply personal and shockingly human story of love, loneliness and trauma.
8. “Scream”
Wes Craven’s “Scream” (1996) is the classic satirical depiction of the teen horror genre. Every aspect of the movie is well thought out; it’s hard to see every twist coming. The movie does satire so well that its gimmicks such as the virgin survival and titular final girl come off as campy and not overplayed. “Scream” focuses on Sidney Prescott, a high school girl coping with the death of her mother. As if that wasn’t enough, Sidney also faces threats from a killer who taunts her about her dead mother. With her life now on the line, Sidney faces the cult-favorite killer, Ghostface, and tries to escape him by any means necessary. “Scream” is not only a scary movie but also a funny one, so it is the perfect film for someone not too into horror but would still like to have a fun, campy thrill.
Not many horror movies like Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick’s “The Blair Witch Project” (1999) exist. Three film students set out to capture footage of the mythical Blair Witch but get more than what they bargain for when the witch tries to capture them. The film was a box office success, as it raked in over $248 million on a $60,000 budget. It also pioneered a new horror movie format: found footage. This particular aesthetic helps glaze over the movie’s choppy parts, making it feel as if it really was shot by the three college students in the movie themselves. This gives the movie a more authentic feel and allows viewers to form more intimate connections with the students, as the movie is told through their perspectives. “The Blair Witch Project” is perfect for a casual horror fan or a true fear fanatic.
10. “Longlegs“
True crime and paranormal activity fans should check out Osgood Perkins’ “Longlegs” (2024). Under the premise of a dramatic manhunt, Federal Bureau Investigation agent Lee Harker is tasked with capturing a satanic serial killer — one that she seems to have a past with. If you’re a fan of “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) but still want some occult themes, few movies will catch your interest like “Longlegs.” Admittedly, the movie can feel disjointed; its introduction of supernatural elements feels amateur but flows more smoothly as the film progresses. Moreover, Nicolas Cage’s wild performance was not up to par for many viewers. Despite these problems, a genuine love for horror shines through the movie’s rougher edges. The camera work in the film feels almost like a character in itself, quietly waiting for the next moment to stun you. Moreover, several references to classic horror flicks are expertly scattered throughout the film. You can even see the titular terror icon Annabelle in the background of a scene at one point. “Longlegs” may reek of inexperience but it’s far from unwatchable. If you’re in the mood for an interesting thriller, or a fan of Cage in general, then this is the movie for you.
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