7 Best Horror Movies of All Time, Ranked by IMDb Rating
Horror movies are always popular, but never more so than during the Halloween season.
And while there are a handful of modern classics such as Go away And Itmany of the greatest horror films are older films.
To celebrate the scary season, Watch With Us has put together the best horror movies of all time, ranked by IMDb.
Note that movies like The Silence of the Lambs And Seven are actually thrillers. and no horror movies. That’s why, unlike some other horror movie lists, you won’t find them below.
7. ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984)
The horror films of the 1980s were slashers, and none of these big-screen killers could match the impact of Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) in A nightmare on Elm Street. Later films in the franchise diluted Freddy considerably with a more humorous personality. But as the writer and director had in mind Wes CravenFreddy was a ruthless monster who could kill teenagers in their dreams.
Although Johnny Depp made his film debut in this film as Glen Lantz, Glen’s girlfriend, Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp), is the central figure. Nancy is forced to watch her friends fall prey to Freddy one by one as she tries to stay awake and figure out why he’s so eager to torment her from beyond the grave.
A nightmare on Elm Street is streaming HBOMax.
6. ‘The Omen’ (1976)
Screen legend Gregory Peck increased The Omen with his performance as Robert Thorn, the American ambassador to Great Britain. Years before his current post, Robert and his wife, Katherine Thorn (Lee Remick)lost their child at birth, and he secretly agreed to adopt another woman’s baby.
That was the big mistake in Robert’s life, because his son Damien (Harvey Spencer Stephens), is literally the Antichrist. Robert doesn’t want to hear the truth from Father Brennan (Patrick Troughton), but there are too many strange things happening around Damien to ignore. And if Robert can’t bring himself to stop his son, the whole world could be lost.
The Omen is streaming Tubi.
5. ‘Halloween’ (1978)
Halloween helped usher in the slasher films by introducing Michael Myers (Nick Castle), a silent killer whose face was largely hidden behind a white mask. This is one from the director Johannes Timmerman‘s best films, and he even composed the iconic ones Halloween theme used in almost every film in the franchise.
In 1978, Michael escapes from the custody of Dr. Samuel Loomis (Donald Pleasence) and returns to his hometown to resume his murderous ways. Jamie Lee Curtis stars as Laurie Strode, the prototypical final girl who finds herself in danger because of Michael. Wherever she goes or hides, Michael follows. And he just won’t stop coming, no matter what Laurie does to fight back.
Halloween is streaming Plex.
There’s no other streaming platform that can help you get ready for Halloween better than Shudder. Shudder is the one-stop shop for films with a creepy atmosphere, and while the streamer largely leans into horror, it does offer an eclectic banquet of subgenres, ranging from paranormal thrillers to fantasy musicals and more strange choices. Thank you! You […]
4. ‘Night of the Living Dead’ (1968)
Contrary to popular belief, George A. Romero didn’t create zombies. His 1968 film, Night of the Living Deadshaped the undead monsters in the public’s imagination for decades to come. Romero went on to direct other zombie films, but this is the one that made a name for himself at the box office.
As the dead inexplicably begin to rise and attack the living, a woman named Barbara (Judith O’Dea) retreats to a farm, where Ben (Duane Jones) and other survivors are also hiding. Casting a black actor as the hero in a horror film had never been done before this film, but Jones has made his mark here. Not only does Ben have to fight the zombies, he also has to face Harry Cooper’s racism (Charles Hardman), one of the other survivors.
Night of the Living Dead is streaming Netflix.
3. ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ (1968)
Apart from Chinatown, Rosemary’s child is perhaps the best film ever directed by Roman Polansky. The story follows Rosemary (Mia Farrow), the wife of a theatrical actor, Guy Woodhouse (John Cassavetes). After moving into an exclusive building, Rosemary and Guy befriend the owners, Roman (Sidney Blackmer) and Minnie Castevet (Ruth Gordon).
In the mood for a scare? The Watch With Us team presents a chilling series of classic horror films on Peacock that promise to spice up your spooky season. Thank you! You have been successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email address. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the terms and conditions and privacy policy […]
Over time, Rosemary realizes that something is very wrong with their neighbors and their unusual interest in her unborn child. Her instincts are correct, but even Rosemary couldn’t have predicted what the Castevets really want her child for, or what her husband is willing to do to help them achieve their satanic goal.
Rosemary’s child is streaming Biggest+.
2. ‘The Exorcist’ (1973)
For many fans it is The exorcist is the greatest horror film of all time. The film’s IMDb rankings may not reflect that, but this could easily be the No. 1 film on any horror list. Director William Friedkin and writer Willem Peter Blatty deserve their share of credit for the film’s reception, but young actress Linda Blair is the main reason why it is a classic. Her performance as the possessed 12-year-old girl, Regan MacNeil, is terrifying.
Regan’s wealth slowly grows, much to the horror of her mother, Chris MacNeil (Ellen Bursten). Once the demon takes control of Regan’s body, he refuses to relinquish control, and his profanity-laden speeches were deeply shocking to audiences in 1973 – and even today. Father Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow) and Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) are forced to perform an exorcism to save Regan’s life and her soul, but even their combined efforts may not be enough.
The exorcist is streaming HBOMax.
From serial killers to psychotic clowns to murderous hotel attendants, Us’ list of horror movies is sure to keep you entertained – and scared – this Halloween. Thank you! You have been successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email address. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy […]
1. The Radiant (1980)
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” It also makes Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) as mad as a hatter The radiant. Stefan King was not a fan of that director’s deviations Stanley Kubrick made after his novel, but the results speak for themselves. More than four decades after its release, The radiant is a horror masterpiece that few films can challenge.
Jack was always a little crazy, even before he took his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and their son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), to watch over the Overlook Hotel during the off-season. However, the ghosts in the Overlook are very real, and they successfully drive Jack into a murderous rage. Danny is also tormented by the ghosts, thanks to his emerging paranormal powers. But he is more concerned about his own father than about the ghosts he encounters.
The radiant is streaming HBOMax.
