Ranking of the Scariest Horror Movies Ever Made

The horror movie genre dates back to its predecessor, the film. There have been major changes within this genre since the first horror short of 1896. Such early silent movies were scary, thanks to villains similar to vampires or demons. Many sub-genres of modern horror do not have classic monsters at all. A psychological horror movie relies on suspense and mental torments rather than an obvious antagonist.

From the 1920s till the present, a lot of movies have been featured in the event. Nosferatu is a silent film listed in this along with The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock, The Evil Dead as well as the recent Oscar-winner Get Out and several horror comedies. Streaming services have facilitated this by exposing people to more horror films than they can watch in a month! Thanks to numerous first-class terrifying choices out there today, fans can even watch a plethora of great horror on TV.

In the eerie realm of horror cinema, a diverse array of spine-chilling classics has left an indelible mark on audiences. Here’s a list of some iconic films by CEOWORLD Magazine, each with its unique blend of terror and intrigue.

1. Psycho (1960)

   A quintessential horror film, “Psycho” etches its place in cinematic history with the infamous shower scene. The narrative unfolds as a woman on the run with stolen cash stops at a seemingly innocuous motel, encountering its polite yet eerie proprietor in Alfred Hitchcock’s suspenseful masterpiece.

2. Alien (1979)

   “Alien” chronicles the harrowing journey of the Nostromo’s crew, awakened from stasis to investigate a transmission from a nearby alien moon. Ridley Scott’s masterful direction and H.R. Giger’s brilliant alien design contribute to the intense atmosphere as the crew faces a horrifying rogue alien, culminating in John Hurt’s iconic chest-bursting scene.

3. The Unknown (1927)

   A shockingly macabre silent classic, “The Unknown” unfolds the tale of a wanted fugitive who assumes the guise of an armless knife thrower in a traveling circus. As he falls in love with the circus owner’s daughter, the story takes dark and dreadful turns, delivering a captivating narrative.

4. Frankenstein (1931)

   Considered among the pinnacle of classic monster movies, “Frankenstein” stands as one of English director James Whale’s earliest works. Drawing inspiration from German Expressionist films like “Das Kabinett des Dr. Caligari” (1919) and “Der Golem” (1915), the movie earned a spot in the United States National Film Registry in 1991, a testament to its enduring impact 60 years after release.

5. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

   A gripping thriller, “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” revitalized the careers of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Set in a decaying Hollywood mansion, it explores themes of jealousy and torment between two former stars.

6. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

   Edgar Wright’s 2004 comedy-horror, “Shaun of the Dead,” seamlessly blends humor with its zombie movie roots, delivering scares, violence, and a touch of gore. It was not just a hit with audiences and critics; even George Romero praised it as “an absolute blast.”

7. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

   “Rosemary’s Baby” takes a nuanced approach to the unsettling premise of a woman grappling with suspicions of demonic origins for her unborn child. A standout film of the era, it became a touchstone for occult-themed movies.

8. King Kong (1933)

   This movie weaves a chilling tale, pairing a blonde beauty with a colossal ape in a dark twist on the Beauty and the Beast narrative. Revolutionary special effects from its time continue to evoke a haunting atmosphere.

9. Dawn of the Dead (1978)

   A decade after “Night of the Living Dead,” George A. Romero revisits the zombie theme with the classic “Dawn of the Dead.” Zombies return to familiar places, with a shopping mall becoming a central setting. This film continues Romero’s exploration of societal decay in the face of the undead.

10. Hold That Ghost (1941)

    This horror comedy featuring Abbott and Costello unfolds as two ambitious gas station attendants inherit a potential fortune from a gangster. Their quest for hidden loot takes an unexpected turn as they find themselves trapped in a haunted house, blending humor with the supernatural.

11. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

    Often hailed as one of the finest sequels ever crafted, James Whale’s 1935 masterpiece, “Bride of Frankenstein,” seamlessly continues the narrative from the original “Frankenstein.” Dr. Frankenstein, while renouncing his monstrous creation, remains obsessed with unlocking the secrets to immortality. The introduction of the Bride, portrayed impeccably by Boris Karloff, adds another layer to this iconic horror tale.

12. The Shining (1980)

    Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, “The Shining,” is a captivating exploration of horror featuring an iconic performance by Jack Nicholson.

13. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

    George A. Romero’s debut film established the modern zombie film genre, portraying raw violence, a bleak vision, and political subtext with a small budget.

14. Freaks (1932)

    Tod Browning’s macabre tale of vengeance set in a circus sideshow revolves around a trapeze artist’s plot to marry a midget for his fortune, leading to revenge by his fellow “freaks.”

15. Halloween (1978)

    John Carpenter’s slasher classic follows the terrifying return of a man who murdered his sister, terrorizing the town after years in a mental asylum.

16. Get Out (2017)

    Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, “Get Out,” is a modern classic with a mix of horror, humor, and social commentary, earning massive success at the box office.

17. Evil Dead II (1987)

    Sam Raimi’s sequel surpasses its predecessor, blending horror and humor to create an indie gore-fest that is both entertaining and frightening.

18. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

    Don Siegel’s film serves as a commentary on the 1950s communist witch hunt, portraying a small-town doctor discovering alien replacements for humans in a tale of societal paranoia.

19. The Thing (1982)

    John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” a critical classic, explores apocalyptic horror and features special effects by Rob Bottin, gaining recognition as a horror and sci-fi masterpiece.

20. Curse of the Demon (1957)

    Jacques Tourneur’s film follows an American professor’s investigation of a devil-worshipping cult in England, praised for nightmarish sequences and hailed as one of the most intelligent and thoughtful horror movies.

21. The Invisible Man (1933)

    Directed by James Whale, Claude Rains stars as a scientist experimenting with invisibility, leading to a reign of terror as the formula’s side effects drive him insane.

22. The Call of Cthulhu (2005)

    Andrew Leman’s indie silent film, based on H.P. Lovecraft’s story, explores a young man’s discovery of documents revealing an unspeakable evil lurking in the ocean.

23. The Birds (1963)

    Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” based on Daphne du Maurier’s horror story, hauntingly depicts inexplicable bird attacks, creating a metaphysical and historical sense of a world out of joint.

24. The Wailing (2016)

    Hong-jin Na’s South Korean thriller with supernatural elements follows a policeman’s quest to save his daughter from a mysterious sickness linked to a stranger’s arrival in town.

25. The Evil Dead (1981)

    Sam Raimi’s early film showcases innovative filmmaking and dark humor, gaining popularity and leading to a franchise, including three big-budget Spider-man movies and a 2013 remake.

26. A Quiet Place (2018)

    In a post-apocalyptic world stalked by blind aliens with ultra-sensitive hearing, John Krasinski’s film explores the challenges faced by an isolated family that must live in silence to survive.

27. Mad Love (1935)

    Karl Freund’s adaptation of “The Hands of Orlac” follows an unhinged doctor with an obsession, leading to a macabre plot involving the replacement of a man’s hands with those of a serial killer.

28. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

    Wes Craven’s film introduces Freddy Krueger, a burned killer who haunts victims in their dreams, becoming an iconic figure in the horror genre.

29. The Fly (1986)

    David Cronenberg’s remake of “The Fly” combines fright, humor, and grotesque elements as scientist Seth Brundle, played by Jeff Goldblum, undergoes a horrifying transformation after merging his DNA with a housefly.

30. The Exorcist (1973)

    William Friedkin directs this graphic horror film, adapted by author William Peter Blatty, depicting the relentless demonic possession of a young girl and gaining enduring blockbuster status due to extreme audience reactions.

31. The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

    Jack Arnold’s science fiction film explores existential themes as a man gradually shrinks after exposure to a mysterious cloud, reflecting on acceptance and the loss of power.

32. Dracula (1931)

    This 1931 classic is still remembered for its portrayal of Count Dracula by Bela Lugosi, standing as a seminal and influential representation of the blood-sucking vampire.

33. The Invisible Man (2020)

    The horror movie Leigh Whannell is a re-telling of the story by H.G. Wells about a woman leaving an abused relationship who now finds out that her supposed dead ex has come alive and is watching the woman.

34. The movie title is Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)

    This is a 1939 film adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes novel that revolves around Holmes and Watson investigating the mysterious murder of a family heir whose death was reportedly caused by a phantom dog.

35. The story of an American werewolf in London (1981)

    In this famous horror comedy, John Landis acts both as director and narrator while make-up artist Rick Bauer provides stunning special effects about American students who face a werewolf challenge abroad.

36. The comedy horror Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

    This film mixes the comedy genre with classic horror through its classic comedic duo Abbott and Costello.

37. The Uninvited (1944)

    The atmospheric movie of Lewis Alan centers on the twin London brothers and their paranormal occurrence on a previously inhabited beach residence occupied by evil spirits/ghosts.

38. The movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers, in 1978

    Philip Kaufman’s remake of the 1956 classic examines paranoia and terror through Donald Sutherland, where he sees disturbing happenings to the people surrounding him after the organic pods show up.

39. Pi (1998)

    Darren Aronofsky’s unsettling neo-noir thriller explores a gifted mathematician’s tortured psyche and journey in search of a 216-digit number that will bring sanity to his life.

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