Rank It: The Top 25 Horror Movies of All Time

The leaves have begun to turn to a plethora of fall colors, the night brings with it a chill in the air and everyone is worrying whether or not they can get away with wearing the same Halloween costume as last year…

With these fall staples comes the perfect opportunity to spend nights inside and catch up on a backlog of movies. For those interested, there is no better assortment of films than that of the horror genre to pair nicely with the spookiness that hangs around in the month of October,

In honor of the Halloween season, below is a personalized ranking of the top 25 horror movies of all time according to the opinion of a Commradio writer.

Certain titles with lasting cultural impact or titles which would otherwise be deemed great strictly due to their influence on the genre were left off the list if their modern watch ability did not hold up compared to more modern titles. This is a list of the best horror movies to watch RIGHT NOW.

However, more than a few classics still made the cut considering their timeless nature. Titles are listed in order of release date and are not ranked.

The Top 25 Horror Movies of All Time

No. 1) Psycho (1960)

While more of a Thriller and less of a horror movie, “Psycho” still effectively laid the groundwork for how horror stories were to be told in video form for years to come, with its impact lasting until today. Black and white movies aren’t for everyone, but they certainly carry a great deal of charm, and the graphical fidelity that comes with the medium makes many of these films shot in this visual style stand up to this day.

Directed by the “master of suspense” Alfred Hitchcock, “Psycho” might be the first film to be considered a “psychological horror” by today's standards. If you haven’t seen it prior, the twist at the end as well as the position of “Psycho” atop the proverbial horror/suspense Mt. Rushmore is enough to give it a watch. Expect a slow-burner, but a rewarding one.

No. 2) Eyes Without a Face (1960)

“Eyes Without a Face” or “Le yeux sans visage” in its native French name, is haunting. Its datedness actually serves it for the better as the black-and-white footage creates a perpetually unsettling atmosphere that full-color likely cannot replicate. There’s a reason why even now, filmmakers on occasion choose to shoot in black and white - particularly in horror circles - it is the ultimate method into tapping into the “uncanny valley”. “Eyes Without a Face” is also a surprisingly graphic film for its release date, the effects of which are felt all the more due to the usage of silence and ambient noise during more disturbing moments. This old dog can certainly keep up with the new tricks of cinema today, but this is really the only sort of movie you would want to watch today if you were laser-focused on it the entire time.

No. 3) Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Certainly, a movie that influences a number of other entries on this list, “Rosemary’s Baby” is simply a masterpiece of suspense and horror. The Satanic panic that swept the United States in the 80s can at least be partially attributed to the success of this movie and those it inspired. “Rosemary’s Baby” delivers a remarkably put-together presentation of paranoia, religion and the occult while carrying with it themes of feminism and… what was that?

The director, Roman Polanski, is a convicted child rapist who fled to France days before his sentencing and has been living out his days as a fugitive? And he’s still making movies? And the movies are still receiving awards? Oh, brother. If it is truly possible to “separate the art from the artist”, then “Rosemary’s Baby” is a prime example of when one would be motivated to do so.

“Rosemary’s Baby” may be a masterpiece, but bringing praise to said work without mentioning the ongoing relevance of Polanski’s atrocities and undeserving legal freedom would be doing you, the reader, a disservice. Look to watch this on a streaming service rather than purchasing it outright, if you can help it.

No. 4) The Exorcist (1973)

“The Exorcist” is another movie that is so successful that it spurred an entire subgenre of horror and sent shockwaves through pop culture as well as religious and civil discourse. At the time of its release, the film drew major criticism due to its portrayal of the Catholic Church and its disturbing depiction of a demonic possession, and, of course, the subsequent exorcism of said demon.

The film was successfully banned in a few countries including the United Kingdom and Ireland and in the United States, even the trailer was banned. While using children front and center in horror media is almost a given nowadays, it was widely viewed as tasteless and insensitive at the time.

However, there is a reason so many films have tried to replicate the dynamic that “The Exorcist” plays into: casting a child as a victim of possession creates greater emotional investment of the audience and effectively communicates the film’s version of demons as pure evil. It is unlikely that experienced horror fans will jump out of their seat at any time during this movie, but there is a reason why it is found atop so many all-time horror movie rankings: it is just a remarkably well-made film.

No. 5) The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre can be described no better in a single word than “timeless”. Serving as the blueprint for the slasher genre while simultaneously not falling for its artistic trappings, TCM delivers a delightful horror experience with its practical effects and engaging plot. At the surface, it may seem like TCM has little to say thematically and is just the first of many gore-filled slop-fests that populated the late 90’s and early 2000’s (although those movies can be quite a good time as well). However, beneath the surface lies a politically charged narrative critiquing 70’s government, the meat industry and gentrification all under a surprisingly cosmic horror-driven plot. With one of the most chilling intro sequences in the film, TCM feels like a fever dream as the scenarios experienced by the characters on screen grow increasingly depraved, finally coming to a conclusion as the sun rises and a new day begins. A must-watch.

No. 6) Jaws (1975)

Ask yourself. Is “Jaws” really that scary? No. Is it a good watch? Yes. Did that underwater corpse scene cause you to jump on your first viewing? More than likely. Making the list on the laurels of being a genuinely entertaining, well-scripted and smoothly paced film rather than its lasting fear factor, “Jaws” is another Steven Spielburg-directed cinematic gem. From the iconic soundtrack to the endlessly entertaining dialogue “a whaaaaaat?”, “Jaws” makes for a good time and is a good introduction to the horror genre for those fearful of being scared to death. Think of it like the shallow end of a swimming pool - no pun intended.

No. 7) Halloween (1978)

While The Texas Chainsaw Massacre may have served as the ancestral DNA to the slasher subgenre, Halloween fleshed it out and perfected the formula into what is widely replicated and lauded today. With “Halloween”, director and composer John Carpenter successfully created arguably the most iconic horror villain and horror movie song of all time.

Nothing short of greatness. “Halloween” isn’t exactly a “scary” movie by today’s standards, but it still excels in creating suspense and is also a masterclass in horror movie pacing. Also, it is literally a movie that takes place on Halloween. Few movies capture the Fall season and horror vibe of which this list was inspired to be created. Don’t expect to jump out of your seat, but expect a good time. Jamie Lee Curtis is also iconic.

No. 8) Alien (1979)

“The perfect organism. Its structural perfection is matched only by its hostility.” Dripping with atmosphere and beyond innovation in its worldbuilding, “Alien” is a complete classic in every sense of the word. The titular xenomorph creature has become a cultural icon and has since driven the creation of a sprawling franchise that is successful to this day. “Alien” brings the horrific creations of artist H.R. Giger to life, carrying with it Giger’s heavy artistic themes of gender and sex. This thematic presentation is layered over a sci-fi suspense horror film that critiques the harsh treatment of workers under capitalism.

“Alien” stands alone at the top of the sci-fi horror pyramid, and there’s a reason why the franchise’s fanbase is so vast and active to this day. These movies, especially the first one, really do offer everything from humor to horror and the occasional alien-slaying badassery. Alien is another movie from this list that hasn’t aged a day, and it does so by capturing the essence of what is so terrifying about the unknown and the uncontrollable. If you check it out and like what you see, you can find comfort in the fact that there are a myriad of other installments in the franchise to scratch your “Alien” itch.

No. 9) The Shining (1980)

Everyone’s seen “The Shining”, right? Or at least parts of it. It’s hard to think of a horror title that has cemented itself deeper into pop culture than that “The Shining”.

Directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson, the film follows Nicholson as he and his family take over as caretakers of an isolated Colorado hotel while Nicholson attempts to cure his writer's block. Seemingly the sanity of those involved begins to slip away and paint a darker picture of both the hotel’s history and human nature. “The Shining” is such a hit classic due to its memorable dialogue “all work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy,” and its creative setpieces, something the director Kubrick is well known for. “The Shining” is one of Kubrick’s best-paced films and includes all the other elements that make his movies universally acclaimed, leading to what is often considered to this day to be one of the scariest movies of all time. It succeeds in being truly unsettling and chilling for the entirety of its second and third acts.

No. 10) The Evil Dead (1981)

Director Sam Raimi’s debut film “The Evil Dead” has grown into much more than a sum of its parts throughout the years, becoming a cult classic in every sense of the word and proving to generations of filmmakers and artists that you don’t need a big budget to make something great - especially in the horror genre. There is a ton of history behind the production of the first film, and you can tell upon watching the blood, sweat and tears that were put into making sure it was released.

Sam Raimi and lead actor Bruce Campbell both dropped out of school to make this movie happen on a shoestring budget - the result is a movie that never takes itself too seriously while still being a passion project in every sense of the word. The success of the first film spawned a franchise of sequels, spin-offs and video game releases which continue to be successful to this day, a testament to the powerful vision Raimi and those involved had all those years ago.

No. 11) The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter’s second film to make the list, “The Thing” proves that there is a reason why body horror is such an effective and lasting subgenre. It is human nature to fear what we can’t understand, and after watching, you’ll undoubtedly be left with more questions than answers. Sporting a unique and underutilized horror setting of a remote research base in Antarctica, researchers fall victim to the destruction of a shapeshifting alien lifeform as hope becomes extinguished in the arctic cold.

The visual effects, while being quite outdated by today's standards, were far ahead of their time upon release. Another classic film whose themes serve as the blueprint for a lot of tropes seen to this day, ‘The Thing’ is a tense showcase of human distrust and paranoia in the midst of an unstoppable, unknowable and formless threat.

No. 12) Poltergeist (1982)

“Poltergeist” exists in a class of its own regarding its ability to be able to take the viewer on an experience that steadily ramps up the intensity from start all the way to finish. Directed by Tobe Hooper of TCM fame, “Poltergeist” received co-direction and assistance from none other than Steven Spielburg (although it is rumored Spielberg was the true creative drive behind the process, and strictly couldn’t be accredited as such for contractual reasons).

Nevertheless, both visionaries' touches are felt as “Poltergeist” is one of the best movies one can point to when recommending a gem of the ‘haunted house’ variety. “Poltergeist” violates childhood’s sanctity by bringing to life the many fears that plague adolescence. It realizes the fears of every child; tree branch shadows in a thunderstorm, doors left open in the dark across the room while you’re trapped underneath the covers and that one absolutely should not trust creepy-looking clown dolls. That clown scene is truly nightmare fuel. And the bathroom scene. And the skeleton scene. Lots of “scenes” in this movie. Just go watch it if you haven’t.

No. 13) The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

“The Silence of the Lambs” sports one of the scariest movie villains of all time in Hannibal Lecter, whose performance galvanized the audience’s attention and incited morbid curiosity throughout. Crime thriller first, horror movie second, this movie is another one which can be found atop many non-genre-exclusive movie ranking lists. “The Silence of the Lambs” brings audiences face to face with a remorseless, cold and unreadable psychopath in of Hannibal Lecter from behind bars as Jodie Foster’s character of FBI agent Clarice Starling races to unravel the cryptic messages of Lecter in order to solve an ongoing abduction case.

Many view Foster’s performance and character portrayal to be a strong feminine one, at least by the standards of the 90’s where lead women in movie roles were often hypersexualized and underbaked compared to their male counterparts. Foster breaks from this stereotype and plays a strong and aspirational young FBI agent while nothing in the script or direction dehumanizes her, making it a refreshing watch for its time of release. The film's secondary antagonist “Buffalo Bill”, whose characteristics won’t be spoiled for plot reasons also has a scene where he dances to goth banger “Goodbye Horses” by Q Lazzarus, so extra points for that.

No. 14) Ring (1998)

“Ring” was so successful in Japan that it spurred a western adaptation just four years later and served as a revival for Japanese horror. The original is just better however, and should be the definitive viewing experience. Both are great in their own ways, but 1998’s “Ring” taps into a more effective lane of horror with its visuals. Being less gimmicky and more outright terrifying will always be a recipe for success.

No. 15) 28 Days Later (2003)

The only “zombie movie” on the list, “28 Days Later” makes a strong case for itself for the way the film is shot and how it adds to the overall horror composition. Existing before the oversaturation of zombie media, the chilling opening of “28 Days Later” follows the protagonist waking up from a coma to a destitute and empty London. As he walks through, he encounters no one and his paranoia grows, and with it grows the paranoia of the audience. “28 Days Later” captures all of the good the zombie genre has to offer and sprinkles in with it some social commentary and symbolism.

At the time, zombies were largely being depicted in popular media as shambling, ineffective and borderline comical, and this movie brought the true horror back to what it meant to be a zombie by making them able to run and pursue their victims at full-speed. The film carries with it a gritty and immersive feel, which is done so in part due to the director filming with a handheld Canon XL1, making everything on screen feel more real. Worth a watch if you are a fan of zombie media, or Cillian Murphy.

No. 16) Saw (2004)

Oh, Saw. There are many ways to view this film, and that’s what makes it so great. A masterpiece in schlock. A cheap-thrilled, shock-value slasher. A queer cult classic? Saw is whatever you want it to be, and for whatever cognitively dissonant reason, has evolved into being a comfort franchise for many horror fans. Writer included. Great twist. Great twists. A very “2000s” movie, which comes with the best and the worst of that title. Still, the stylization of the first film keeps it unbeaten. The atmosphere and set of this movie is just perfect. Any questions the audience thinks on their own are, in due time, answered. Chekhov’s Gun - The Movie.

No. 17) Pulse (2001)

“Pulse” or “Kairo” in its native Japanese name, is a dark, depressing and ultimately unsettling film that should not be recommended to the faint of heart. “Pulse” is not a perfect movie - but secured a spot on this list for containing what many modern horror viewers consider to be the “scariest” scene in cinema. It does so without the use of cheap jumpscares or gore, just pure, pit-of-your-stomach terror.

The cinematographer, Junichiro Hayashi, can be found for his work elsewhere on this list in “ Ring”. He clearly understands how to captivate audiences through the medium of horror. It’s a shame “Pulse” never got as much attention overseas as “Ring”, because it’s just as good if not better and arguably has more to offer up artistically.

No. 18) Lake Mungo (2008)

Subtly is a blade that “Lake Mungo” deftly wields and delivers a heartbreaking and haunting ride for the viewer as they are taken on a metaphorical haunted rollercoaster of events. A criminally underrated title, any going over of the plot would be spoiling the effect the overarching story is able to dish out on a first watch. “Lake Mungo” is inspired, and utilizes the found footage genre to the utmost of its narrative heights and effects.

No. 19) Sinister (2012)

Ethan Hawke steals the show in the big-screen supernatural snuff film extravaganza “Sinister”. The kills in this movie are as creative as they are disturbing, and the usage of sound is what truly hammers home the unsettling nature. While the ending is hit-or-miss, (alright, it's just a bad ending) the rest of the movie is moody, perfectly stylized and terrifying. Few films capture the feeling of prolonged dread that “Sinister” is able to accomplish, and it's all the more of a thrill to watch for doing so.

No. 20) The Conjuring (2013)

This was seemingly every 8-12 year old who was born in the early 2000’s understanding of what the “scariest movie of all time” was. That may sound like a condemnation, but it isn’t. What “The Conjuring” accomplished was it scared an entire generation of kids who were too young to even see the movie more than from the sneaked view from the top of the staircase while their older brother or sister watched it with their friends. Surely that stands for something. On to more praise.

Horror movies are not immensely profitable. They inherently come with a smaller market, and gross less on average in the box office. So when a title is able to cement itself into a successful franchise, which then has spin-offs, which then has spin-offs of the spin-offs, the original was probably pretty darn good. That was simply the case with “The Conjuring”. Sure, you can look at it as a rip-off of the Exorcist. Or you can look at it as the Exorcist with a modern coat of paint and a creepy possessed doll. Buyer beware, but you’ll likely be thoroughly entertained.

No. 21) Get Out (2017)

Everything Jordan Peele touches seemingly turns to gold. The man deserves his credit. A wildly successful Comedy Central special in “Key and Peele”, the skits of which have been ingrained into the hearts and minds of many. If you think you haven’t seen a “Key and Peele” skit, you’re wrong. If you think you can watch a “Key and Peele” skit and not at the very least crack a smile - you’re also wrong. Peele’s resounding success in the comedy genre led to his departure, and he stated that his perusal to direct horror movies was a shock to everyone.

But the success of this endeavor should have been obvious. It is quite difficult to find a profession in which painstaking thoughtfulness and attention to detail are put into the work than that of comedy - making people laugh is an art. It requires you to understand people. Understand society. Understand the current political climate. All things which are required in making a great horror movie, too.

This was evident by Peele’s smashing success following the release of “Get Out”, a brilliant stylization of how racism is still very much alive in today’s world - it has just evolved. It is systemic, often subtle and it is everywhere. Peele’s two other directed movies could easily make the list as well, including “Us”, which made the honorable mentions. However, “Get Out” seemed to resonate with the most people and is the best at “cutting to the chase”.

No. 22) Hereditary (2018)

“Hereditary” is simply great, and back when it was released in 2018, it encapsulated the promise and originality that horror has a lot left to give, and a lot more stories to tell. Director Ari Aster blasted onto the scene with this release, and has since gone on to release two other successful and unapologetically unique films “Midsommar” (also horrifying) and “Beau is Afraid” (divisive, but awesome). From the moment of the weed-high-fueled car ride home scene, the viewer is hooked.

This movie gets its claws into you and doesn’t let go until the end. Dealing with a main theme of familial trauma (hence the name) Ari Aster makes the viewer feel like you’re at the table during a heated Thanksgiving dinner argument and you hadn’t gotten a lick of sleep the night before. Just nerve-wrenching stuff. Worth a watch, worth a rewatch, worth every second.

No. 23) Midsommar (2019)

Ari Aster went back to back with “Midsommar” just a year after shocking the horror world with “Hereditary” and it could be argued he delivered an even more terrifying film with “Midsommar”. Focusing more on relationship trauma than that of the familial (although still throwing in a subplot of the main characters family all tragically dying in a gas leak prior to the events of the movie), “Midsommar” is another showcasing of how great Aster is at unsettling you.

The audience picks up on things that on the surface level seem innocuous but later reveal to be truly sinister as the fever dream marches on into deeper facets of insanity. The ending will certainly have people feeling different ways about it, but it likely will stick with you for a while, which is not something every horror movie, even the good ones, can say. Just a word of advice: don’t watch this movie immediately after exiting a toxic relationship.

No. 24) The Lighthouse (2019)

“The Lighthouse” feels like an H.P. Lovecraft short story stretched out to an hour and fifty minutes, with a studded cast and visuals that are as beautiful as they are horrifying. Anxiety wreaks havoc on the characters on screen and its effect seeps out and onto the viewer as the narrative becomes increasingly surreal. This movie is as much a technical triumph as it is a scare-inducing one - the visual effects achieved by shooting on black and white 35mm and a dated aspect ratio create a unique horror experience rivaled by none in the current landscape.

No. 25) Barbarian (2022)

The most recent release to crack the list, Barbarian was a welcome surprise to viewers when it hit theaters back in 2022. Its trailers hyped up the movie extremely well, but notably also laid the groundwork for what the film would excel at: subverting expectations. How do you scare an audience that thinks they’ve seen every trick in the book? Come up with new tricks.

This is a spoiler-free review, but to keep things short, Bill Skarsgård plays his role perfectly in this movie, and the halfway point of the runtime will leave viewers feeling dazed and confused. Barbarian was so phenomenal it deserves a spot on this ranking and is the perfect watch for someone who wants to experience the experiential highs of the horror genre but doesn’t want to watch something from the 80’s or 90’s. Barbarian is beautifully shot in high fidelity, well acted and delightfully dreadful.

Honorable Mentions/Personal Favorites.

These movies didn’t quite make the list, but are still absolutely worth checking out. Especially Longlegs, which came out earlier in 2024. Had it not been such a recent release it likely would have cracked the top 25.

Friday the 13th (1980)

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Creep (2014)

Us (2019)

Longlegs (2024)

Trip Tagle is a second-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact them, please email tnt5403@psu.edu.