Horror films have permeated so much through modern pop culture that it's nearly impossible to go far without tripping over a popular horror movie character. Many of the most popular villains have spawned from horror flicks - Michael Meyers, Freddy Kruger, Jason, Count Dracula, the Frankenstein monster, Leatherface, among a myriad of others. Even without these iconic figures, there have always been inhumane monsters and creatures shown on-screen; sometimes there's nothing scarier than seeing hoards of zombies, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, demons, and even the Devil himself. Sometimes, the scariest monsters are murderous, cruel, or crazy human beings.
No matter what the subject matter, horror movies have always been in abundance. They are often cheap to make, but when done right, they can conjure up frightful images and chilling performances that can penetrate deep into the viewer's psyche. They are freaky. They are disturbing. Sometimes, they're too much to look at. They are all capable of being entertaining in their own right.
Of all the horror movies I've seen in my lifetime, I've compiled this list of favorite horror films. I've done my best to focus on films that are true horror, although a few horror-action and horror-comedies are listed, because they provide a pretty freaky experience in their own right. I believe all of these would be perfect for Halloween time, but any time you want a good scare, most of these are heartily recommended. I must also warn you that my list probably does not reflect popular opinion; it takes a lot to scare me, and the films that do probably won't do much for you. On the flipside, a lot of popular and well-regarded films haven't done much for me, and are ranked pretty low. All these films are ranked in terms of what I feel makes for a better horror movie experience, rather than by personal score.
And now, heeeeeeeere's Al's Top 100 Horror Movies!
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100: The Faculty
Fear of: my teacher is an alien.
The Faculty has a pretty silly concept, but the film maintains a light-hearted sense of adventure and a lot of attitude to keep it thrilling and fun. The film employs a few unique effects, some snide humor, and a cast of hip characters.
My score: 3.5/5
--------------------The Faculty has a pretty silly concept, but the film maintains a light-hearted sense of adventure and a lot of attitude to keep it thrilling and fun. The film employs a few unique effects, some snide humor, and a cast of hip characters.
My score: 3.5/5
99: Thir13en Ghosts
Fear of: ghosts...thirteen to be exact.
This film is a pretty short, shallow, bloody, and messy affair. However, the featured ghosts are genuinely frightful and threatening. The film has a lot of painful-looking kills (including one incredible scene where a guy is cut in half by a pane of glass, and you can see his cross-section). It is a mad rush of freakiness, and it is a darn fun film that way.
My Score: 3/5
--------------------This film is a pretty short, shallow, bloody, and messy affair. However, the featured ghosts are genuinely frightful and threatening. The film has a lot of painful-looking kills (including one incredible scene where a guy is cut in half by a pane of glass, and you can see his cross-section). It is a mad rush of freakiness, and it is a darn fun film that way.
My Score: 3/5
98: Final Destination 3
Fear of: roller coasters, tanning booths, warehouses, nail guns, trucks, engine blocks, flagpoles, cherry pickers, and trains.
After all the chaos of Final Destination 1 and 2, #3 brings director James Wong back for another round of weird deaths. The film doesn't disappoint: it moves at a fine pace and features a few memorable scenes. The story is generally okay, but I always felt it was just more of the same. A fairly fun picture for fans of the franchise.
My score: 3/5
--------------------After all the chaos of Final Destination 1 and 2, #3 brings director James Wong back for another round of weird deaths. The film doesn't disappoint: it moves at a fine pace and features a few memorable scenes. The story is generally okay, but I always felt it was just more of the same. A fairly fun picture for fans of the franchise.
My score: 3/5
97: The Amityville Horror (1979)
Fear of: a haunted house.
In 1974, one of America's worst tragedies occurred, when six members of the DeFeo family were brutally murdered in Amityville. Supposedly (and I mean, SUPPOSEDLY), the house the murders took place in became haunted, and from the experiences of the Lutz family, Jay Anson wrote his novel, The Amityville Horror. And then they made this movie. With so much rich and dark history, the movie is given a substantial weight that really makes its events seem all the more real and frightening. The film has its share of freaky scenes, and it is creepy to watch the father flirt with madness. Whether or not there is any real truth to the hauntings of the Amityville house, it is still a place that resonates strongly in our culture, and this film has established itself as one of the essentials in haunted house stories. My only complaints about it are that it drags quite a bit, and the film hasn't aged that well.
My score: 3/5
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Fear of: a haunted house.
In 1974, one of America's worst tragedies occurred, when six members of the DeFeo family were brutally murdered in Amityville. Supposedly (and I mean, SUPPOSEDLY), the house the murders took place in became haunted, and from the experiences of the Lutz family, Jay Anson wrote his novel, The Amityville Horror. And then they made this movie. With so much rich and dark history, the movie is given a substantial weight that really makes its events seem all the more real and frightening. The film has its share of freaky scenes, and it is creepy to watch the father flirt with madness. Whether or not there is any real truth to the hauntings of the Amityville house, it is still a place that resonates strongly in our culture, and this film has established itself as one of the essentials in haunted house stories. My only complaints about it are that it drags quite a bit, and the film hasn't aged that well.
My score: 3/5
96: The Amityville Horror (2005)
Fear of: 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, NY
Although this is a rather paint-by-the-numbers flick, I've always found the look, style, and pacing of this remake quite entertaining (by contrast, the original 1979 film has not aged well, and drags a lot). It's still a little incredulous to believe that these hauntings are real, but this remake does a better job of portraying the opening murder scene. It has a very slick style and plenty of ominous imagery. Even though the original film remains a classic among haunted house movies, I always preferred this version a little more.
My score: 3.5/5
--------------------Although this is a rather paint-by-the-numbers flick, I've always found the look, style, and pacing of this remake quite entertaining (by contrast, the original 1979 film has not aged well, and drags a lot). It's still a little incredulous to believe that these hauntings are real, but this remake does a better job of portraying the opening murder scene. It has a very slick style and plenty of ominous imagery. Even though the original film remains a classic among haunted house movies, I always preferred this version a little more.
My score: 3.5/5
95: The Devil's Advocate
Fear of: a law firm owned by the Devil.
This is a pretty slow-moving drama, but it does get pretty freaky at times. I've always been fond on the film's finale, which features an explosive performance by Al Pacino, and the film's concepts, which hint at some interesting theological themes. The film draws a fascinating parallel between law firms and demons who prey upon mankind's sins.
My Score: 4/5
This is a pretty slow-moving drama, but it does get pretty freaky at times. I've always been fond on the film's finale, which features an explosive performance by Al Pacino, and the film's concepts, which hint at some interesting theological themes. The film draws a fascinating parallel between law firms and demons who prey upon mankind's sins.
My Score: 4/5
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94: The Craft
Fear of: teenage witches.
I don't know what it is about this movie, but even though it might not have aged well and it might not be the most thrilling thing out there, I find it strangely addicting. I think it's because, at its core, it's a character-driven film with a clique of its own: it's just fun to watch these girls dabble in witchcraft and suffer the consequences. The film has its share of freaky occurrences and thrills, especially during its awesome climax, but the characters and their spirited interactions make it the most endearing.
My score: 3.5/5
--------------------I don't know what it is about this movie, but even though it might not have aged well and it might not be the most thrilling thing out there, I find it strangely addicting. I think it's because, at its core, it's a character-driven film with a clique of its own: it's just fun to watch these girls dabble in witchcraft and suffer the consequences. The film has its share of freaky occurrences and thrills, especially during its awesome climax, but the characters and their spirited interactions make it the most endearing.
My score: 3.5/5
93: The Final Destination
Fear
of: NASCAR races, random stones being flung by lawnmowers, cars
accidentally left running while in neutral, fences, pools, car washes,
explosives, escalators, and whatever.
Generally considered the weakest of the Final Destination series, I've always felt this film is still a heck of a blast, with its relentless onslaught of weird accidents and death scenes. Some of it is just too crazy to ignore. The plot is pretty standard fare, and the characters don't stand out at all. It's just a massive thrill ride.
My score: 3.5/5
--------------------Generally considered the weakest of the Final Destination series, I've always felt this film is still a heck of a blast, with its relentless onslaught of weird accidents and death scenes. Some of it is just too crazy to ignore. The plot is pretty standard fare, and the characters don't stand out at all. It's just a massive thrill ride.
My score: 3.5/5
92: I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
This film is most notorious for its long, agonizingly-brutal rape scene. But afterward, it's also notorious for its agonizingly-brutal revenge scenes, which are pretty darn wicked and gnarly. It's a simple film, but it does a great job of getting the audience to care about the main character, and to root for her when she takes out her attackers one by one. It's not an easy thing to watch, but it is quite a bittersweet affair.
My score: 4/5
91: I Spit on Your Grave (2010)
Man, I thought the original '78 film was wicked. This modern remake takes the same old story but tells it in a fresh new way, loaded with some really gnarly and grisly kills. It's a much grittier and more brutal tale, but what makes it bearable is that it takes a few interesting liberties with the story (going so far as making the villains a little less one-sided), and it's just the nature of the story to be timeless. No matter what version you watch, one can't help but to root for the woman when she takes her revenge on all those sick jerks who wronged her...
My score: 4/5
90: Wishmaster
Fear of: the djinn.
Wishmaster is a short and quick little film that features one of the oldest and most primal of mythological beings: the djinn, or genie, which grants wishes but often with a terrible price. The price paid in this film is pretty extraordinary; the film is loaded with some of the gnarliest and bloodiest massacres imaginable. Even though the story's pretty light, it makes for a very wicked and thrilling experience.
My score: 3.5/5
--------------------Wishmaster is a short and quick little film that features one of the oldest and most primal of mythological beings: the djinn, or genie, which grants wishes but often with a terrible price. The price paid in this film is pretty extraordinary; the film is loaded with some of the gnarliest and bloodiest massacres imaginable. Even though the story's pretty light, it makes for a very wicked and thrilling experience.
My score: 3.5/5
89: Village of the Damned (1995)
Fear of: scary kids with freaky white hair.
John Carpenter's rendition of Village of the Damned is a pretty short affair, but it is definitely freaky and tense. The children featured in the film are genuinely creepy. The film's story breezes by pretty lightly, but shows just enough to tell an intriguing and thrilling tale.
Note: Unfortunately, I still haven't seen the original version.
My score: 3.5/5
--------------------John Carpenter's rendition of Village of the Damned is a pretty short affair, but it is definitely freaky and tense. The children featured in the film are genuinely creepy. The film's story breezes by pretty lightly, but shows just enough to tell an intriguing and thrilling tale.
Note: Unfortunately, I still haven't seen the original version.
My score: 3.5/5
88: The Rage: Carrie 2
Fear of: telepaths.
I don't think very many viewers cared for this sequel to Brian DePalma's film, but I always felt it was a decently-constructed thriller. Probably not a necessary sequel, but it does have a solid plot, and the rampage at the end is pretty darn thrilling, with a ton of wicked kills.
My Score: 3.5/5
--------------------I don't think very many viewers cared for this sequel to Brian DePalma's film, but I always felt it was a decently-constructed thriller. Probably not a necessary sequel, but it does have a solid plot, and the rampage at the end is pretty darn thrilling, with a ton of wicked kills.
My Score: 3.5/5
87: Planet Terror (Grindhouse)
As part of the Grindhouse project, spearheaded by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, Planet Terror presents a crazy B-movie thrill ride, full of insane blood and gore and crazy action. But even when buried chest-deep in a pile of zombie bodies, the film remains fun and hip, thanks to its endearing cast and amusing script. It's a ridiculous and over-the-top thrill ride, filled not only with great action, but also with gut-wrenching gore and thrilling terror. It makes for a perfectly-entertaining and perfectly-stylish piece of schlock cinema.
My score: 4.5/5
86: Stir of Echoes
Fear of: visions in your head.
I've always had mixed feelings over this movie, but in the end, it is a pretty decent story with all the right parts. It has supernatural terror, it has people with weird visions, it has domestic drama, and a gritty mystery story buried beneath. The visuals help make the movie stand out, for they are often pretty unique. It's not a movie that I enjoy as much as other ghost stories, but it has firmly embedded itself in my mind as simply a good story told with flair.
My score: 3.5/5
--------------------I've always had mixed feelings over this movie, but in the end, it is a pretty decent story with all the right parts. It has supernatural terror, it has people with weird visions, it has domestic drama, and a gritty mystery story buried beneath. The visuals help make the movie stand out, for they are often pretty unique. It's not a movie that I enjoy as much as other ghost stories, but it has firmly embedded itself in my mind as simply a good story told with flair.
My score: 3.5/5
85: The Pit and the Pendulum (1991)
Fear of: the Spanish Inquisition.
Although this film is a pretty far cry from Edgar Allan Poe's original poem, it is still the one and only film I've seen that focuses on the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition. And man, it is horrifying. The film puts the characters through seemingly hopeless and painful situations (including, of course, a pit and a swinging pendulum). It gets pretty gruesome, but the film does present a quality story with quality characters and a truly menacing performance by Lance Henrikson. It is a bit of a cheap and silly film, but still very wicked.
My score: 4/5
--------------------Although this film is a pretty far cry from Edgar Allan Poe's original poem, it is still the one and only film I've seen that focuses on the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition. And man, it is horrifying. The film puts the characters through seemingly hopeless and painful situations (including, of course, a pit and a swinging pendulum). It gets pretty gruesome, but the film does present a quality story with quality characters and a truly menacing performance by Lance Henrikson. It is a bit of a cheap and silly film, but still very wicked.
My score: 4/5
84: Halloween (2007)
Fear of: Michael Myers, the boy who became an asylum inmate who became a masked psychopath.
Remaking a classic is polarizing as it is, but with Rob Zombie's signature trashiness, his rendition of Halloween has ticked off established fans and repulsed many horror fans. The film does have its moments though; I've always felt this version of Michael Myers is far creepier and scarier than the original, because he's not just some supernatural boogieman, but a human monster molded out of a disturbing childhood filled with domenstic terror and lashings of unbridled violence. The psychology of Myers gives him much more depth than before, and it is pretty freaky to see how a boy could become a hulking monsterous serial killer. From there on, the film falls into familiar slasher territory, but with a rough edge that makes for a gnarly and thrilling ride. Despite the film's trashy nature, I think it's a notable effort.
My score: 3.5/5
--------------------Remaking a classic is polarizing as it is, but with Rob Zombie's signature trashiness, his rendition of Halloween has ticked off established fans and repulsed many horror fans. The film does have its moments though; I've always felt this version of Michael Myers is far creepier and scarier than the original, because he's not just some supernatural boogieman, but a human monster molded out of a disturbing childhood filled with domenstic terror and lashings of unbridled violence. The psychology of Myers gives him much more depth than before, and it is pretty freaky to see how a boy could become a hulking monsterous serial killer. From there on, the film falls into familiar slasher territory, but with a rough edge that makes for a gnarly and thrilling ride. Despite the film's trashy nature, I think it's a notable effort.
My score: 3.5/5
83: Halloween (1978)
Fear of: Michael Myers
One of the most revered classics among horror movies: Halloween was made on an extremely limited budget, but yielded a huge profit, because it was so effectively scary. The opening scenes, showing a young Michael Meyers murdering his sister, is a very unsettling scene. From then on, Meyers becomes a menacing, invincible "boogeyman" type of villain, who goes on to slaughter hapless teenagers with cold and purposeful resolve. However, I was never a big fan of this film, because it is a very slow-moving film, and I was never personally all that engaged in it, save for that first scene. It is worthwhile seeing now and then though, and it does come heavily recommended.
My Score: 3.5/5
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82: The Others
Fear of: ghosts.
Following in the same vein as The Sixth Sense, The Others presents yet another well-crafted ghost story with an interesting plot twist. The twist still holds up really well on repeat viewings. It is a good plot with quality characters and good craftsmanship. My only complaint would be that it's a little slow.
My Score: 4/5
--------------------Following in the same vein as The Sixth Sense, The Others presents yet another well-crafted ghost story with an interesting plot twist. The twist still holds up really well on repeat viewings. It is a good plot with quality characters and good craftsmanship. My only complaint would be that it's a little slow.
My Score: 4/5
81: The Sixth Sense
Fear of: dead people.
At the time, I remember plenty of viewers were genuinely creeped out by this film. I personally never was. However, it is a darn good story with a tightly-constructed plot, a heck of a twist that works on every level, and quality performances by the cast. What it lacks in actual scares, the film makes up for in being a great ghost story.
My Score: 4.5/5
--------------------At the time, I remember plenty of viewers were genuinely creeped out by this film. I personally never was. However, it is a darn good story with a tightly-constructed plot, a heck of a twist that works on every level, and quality performances by the cast. What it lacks in actual scares, the film makes up for in being a great ghost story.
My Score: 4.5/5
To be continued...
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