The best horror movies of all time

[marginal]

So, it's October. It's the time of year when I, a horror fanatic, do two things. Number 1, watch horror movies. Number 2, update my annual list of the top 250 horror films of all time. Yep. 250. What can I say? I love horror movies, enjoy making lists, and have several friends who enjoy checking out my list every year.

So, what's the point of this thread? First, to spread the love of horror movies. I thought to myself, "Self, I'm pretty sure some people on the Escapist would love to have some suggestions for cool horror movies to watch." That's the whole point of the list, which you can find here: http://www.imdb.com/list/3GZH1xIdRI8/

Second, to see if anyone has any suggestions. Especially obscure stuff. I've seen pretty much every popular horror film (or at least every popular horror film post 1960). It's kinda hard to gauge what counts as popular when we get to real old movies. So, what say you, escapists? Seen any good horror movies?

 

[afroebob]

Well, its not really that scary (and its not supposed to be) but The Evil Dead trilogy for me (with my favorite being Evil Dead 2). Lots of dark, quirky humor and an all around fun series. For actual horror horror probably Nightmare on Elm Street (the original) but I still have to see Night of the Living Dead which, as I have heard from a number of credible sources, is fantastic.

 

[Alternative]

My top 3 favorite horror movies would have to be

1. John Carpenter's The Thing

2. Nightmare on Elm Street(original)

3. Evil Dead (the first one)

 

[marginal]

All of those movies are on my list, actually. They're all really good. The original Night of the Living Dead is great because it's a fantastic character study. I won't go into too much detail (don't wanna spoil anything) but there's some nice social commentary in the film, and zombies. It's in public domain too, so you can watch it online for free I'm certain. I don't have a link though. Anyways, happy watching!

 

[Marter]

I don't see 2004's Creep on your list. So I suggest that.

I was really glad to see Orphan on there, though!

 

[Wayneguard]

The fuck?? That list... oh my god that list...

1) Where in the FUCK is The Changeling?!
2) The Exorcist and A Nightmare on Elm Street are horribly overrated.
4) Se7en isn't horror; it's a crime thriller... c'mon imdb.
5) The fly? >_>
6) Shaun of the Dead (a comedy) is ranked higher than The Orphanage
7) Where in the FUCK is The Changeling?!

 

[aba1]

Good list I might use it for a marathon sometime with friends.

I personally dont want a ton of horror films but there are two that I find I always enjoy both Stephen King based oddly enough, Room 1408 and The stand are always good stories.

 

[marginal]

I don't see 2004's Creep on your list. So I suggest that.

I was really glad to see Orphan on there, though!

I'll have to check that one out. Thanks!

The fuck?? That list... oh my god that list...

1) Where in the FUCK is The Changeling?!
2) The Exorcist and A Nightmare on Elm Street are horribly overrated.
4) Se7en isn't horror; it's a crime thriller... c'mon imdb.
5) The fly? >_>
6) Shaun of the Dead (a comedy) is ranked higher than The Orphanage
7) Where in the FUCK is The Changeling?!

1) I'm not a huge fan of The Changeling. It's not scary, and the plot is about as formulaic as it gets.
2) I love em!
3) There is no 3!?
4) Se7en is certainly horror to me.
5) Is awesome.
6) You don't like Shaun of the Dead? I wouldn't get to hung up on the order.
7) See 1.

 

[floppylobster]

No 'The Wicker Man' (1973)? It's weird and a little slow in parts but that ending. It stays with you.

And if you can appreciate 80s horror then you should be able to appreciate 'The Innkeepers'.

I never finished watching 'The Changeling' (1980). (I ran out of time) but it has some moments. That bathtub sequence is nice.

 

[Nazulu]

I love a good horror movie myself, but unfortunately I can't recommend any thing new to your list (unless you want movies that are so bad they are considered horrors) . You have all those that matter to me, great list mate. I'm a list person myself but I haven't done any thing for movies yet.

Happy to see Poltergeist is so high, it would be my first. Hell, Poltergeist would be probably be on my top 5 greatest films list if I made one.

 

[zumbledum]

didnt have time to do more than a quick scan but my faves have to be alien/s the first nightmare on elm street and american werewolf in london. possible because i watched them all when i was far too young and they scared the crap out of me (well not aliens of course). watching horror films as an adult just doesnt have the same impact i find.

 

[Tanakh]

Second, to see if anyone has any suggestions. Especially obscure stuff. I've seen pretty much every popular horror film (or at least every popular horror film post 1960). It's kinda hard to gauge what counts as popular when we get to real old movies. So, what say you, escapists? Seen any good horror movies?

Since you ask for obscure horror movies and seem to have a broad definition of "horror":

- Cronos http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104029/

- Ichi the killer

- Dance of the Vampires

Bear in mind that i don't give a rat's ass about horror movies as a genera, a movie focused on being "scary" bores me to tears. I do like movies however.

GL.HF with your list.

Edit: Of those tree, if i had to choose one it would be cronos for sure. Great movie, totally obscure, very experimental and fresh, fits your needs like a glove me thinks.

 

[Tallim]

Not entirely sure it would count, but given some of the blatantly not-horror movies on that list I'll say Delicatessen.

Also:

Altered States
Andromeda Strain
Faust (1994)


Ermw was Shallow Grave on the list, can't remember, if not then that.

 

[TheFunPolice]

I know it's definitely not the best horror movie ever. But it's my personal favourite

REC and it's sequel: REC 2.

I absolutely loved the way these were filmed, I think they had great atmosphere and they overall totally terrified me and I think that's the the main goal of all Horror films, so it did a great job in my opinion

 

[Gladion]

I didn't see Inside, Dream Home, Martyrs and Grotesque on your list - not sure if you didn't know those or if you did not like them, but all of them go with a big warning - they are definitely harsh films. Though if that's what you're looking for, knock yourself out.

Weirdly, you included Predator, I am Alive and Freaks. I wouldn't call any of those horror films, but whatever: Irreversible. No horror film either, but goddamn.

More obscure stuff would be Subconscious Cruelty, Philosophy of a Knife (semi-documentary, if you know Men Behind the Sun you know what it's about, 4 1/2 hours!) or infamously, Begotten. I don't recommend these, just point out that they exist.

There is probably more stuff if you want to, but that is the stuff off the top of my head.

Edit: Oh yeah: I think The Thing (80s) and Alien are my favourite horror films.

 

[Eagle Est1986]

I love the [REC] series of films. Well, the first two are really good, haven't seen the third yet, if you can handle subtitles or understand Spanish then I can't recommend them highly enough.
And Session 9 is probably my favourite English language horror film, really stuck with me. Or maybe The Shining, love that film and I think it might actually be improving with age. First Hostel hit a nice nerve too.

EDIT: I think the trouble is agreeing on what horror actually is. For instance I don't really consider Jaws or Se7en to be horror. I even had to have a good ol' think about wether The Silence of The Lambs is.

 

[TheFunPolice]

I love the [REC] series of films. Well, the first two are really good, haven't seen the third yet, if you can handle subtitles or understand

THERE'S A THIRD? Please tell me you're not kidding :'D

 

[Cid Silverwing]

Paranormal Activity series may be the only one that actually gave me a good scare the first time watching any of them, despite a bad habit of blatantly telegraphing the spooky parts at night.

 

[HardkorSB]

"Dead End" is pretty good:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308152/

"People Under the Stairs" (it is pretty weird and unrealistic but definitely worth a watch):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105121/

I recently saw "Detention" and it's a really entertaining movie:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1701990/

Dark Corners" - the best things about it are the visuals and the sound (I had shivers gong down my spine a few times which doesn't happen often, I've been watching horror movies since I was 5):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0485376/

"Eden Log" - good stuff, check it out:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1087842/

"Leviathan" - an underwater monster movie from the late 80's with decent effects and atmosphere:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097737/

That should be enough for now.

 

[Wayneguard]

The fuck?? That list... oh my god that list...

1) Where in the FUCK is The Changeling?!
2) The Exorcist and A Nightmare on Elm Street are horribly overrated.
4) Se7en isn't horror; it's a crime thriller... c'mon imdb.
5) The fly? >_>
6) Shaun of the Dead (a comedy) is ranked higher than The Orphanage
7) Where in the FUCK is The Changeling?!

1) I'm not a huge fan of The Changeling. It's not scary, and the plot is about as formulaic as it gets.
2) I love em!
3) There is no 3!?
4) Se7en is certainly horror to me.
5) Is awesome.
6) You don't like Shaun of the Dead? I wouldn't get to hung up on the order.
7) See 1.

Haha you're right. There's no 3 lol. But seriously, you can honestly say that Se7en is a better horror movie than the Changeling? I just... I... wha?? And I didn't say I didn't like Shaun of the Dead; it's just a comedy in a list of horror movies.