Top Ten Favorite Horror Films

I really like horror films, but to make a list of my top 10 favorite ones is a little bit tricky. For me, when I am making this list I am not simply ranking my top 10 favorite movies that happen to be within the genre of horror.  Instead, the criteria, for me, are how much I like the particular film as a horror film.   I am judging it as a horror film not only by how much I happen to like it.  So, for example, in my list there are some movies I may like more than ones that are ranked better, but I do not like it as much as a horror film. I can imagine this is mildly confusing to some and to the rest it is just stupid. Oh well, it's my list, not yours.

NOTE:  THE FAVORITE SCENES CONTAIN SPOILERS (DUH)

10.  Scream (1996)

I like to think that Scream is almost like a reward, or a treat for horror film buffs, especially for those who are particularly fond of slashers. Anyone who is familiar with the Halloween, Friday the 13th, or A Nightmare on Elm Street series will find the humor and catch the many in-jokes within Scream. It has a solid marriage of being a slasher film while also an amusing satire.
Favorite Scene


9. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

I have fond memories of begging my parents to let me see this movie when I was younger. I saw a toy of Freddie Kruger's knife glove at the grocery store one Halloween and since then I just had to see the movie that was associated with it. Then, in middle school, my wish was finally granted. I saw it and I loved it, and it even lived up to my expectations. Actually, I like it more now than I did the first time, since I now understand the cool "what is real?" mechanic the film has.
Favorite Scene


8. The Thing (1882)

 
I will start off by saying that when it comes to alien movies, I prefer this one to Alien. I love the mystery the movie has surrounding it. One is never sure who is "the thing" until it's too late, and when that happens there is usually a fantastic scene full of death, gore, and magnificent traditional special effects. Plus, Ennio Morricone wrote the score.
Favorite Scene


7. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

I love the look of this movie. The raw, grainy black and white photography works so well with the overall creepy aesthetic of the film. Also, the title, I think, is one of the best in the history of cinema. This movie simply screams classic! The political undertones of the film add a nice touch of intelligence to the storytelling and it is interesting to compare the zombies in this movie to those in the more modern zombie movies.

Favorite Scene

6. Freaks (1932)

Here is an example of a movie that can probably never be made again. Director Todd Browning used actual freak show performers as the cast of his movie. The effect is shocking. The viewer is robbed the luxury of being able to say, "It’s just a movie." Also, the climax is one of the most visually interesting and creepy scenes I have ever witnessed. Well, it's at least one of my favorites.
Favorite Scene


5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Chaos, absolute chaos. That is what The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is, pure insanity. The film creates a brilliant world that is completely void of reason. The viewer and the protagonists are lost in a film that does not offer much rhyme or reason behind the killers, they simply are. he entire situation is random and the 16mm handheld photography along with fantastic sound effects decorate one of the most unforgettable horror films of all time.
Favorite Scene


4. The Ring (2002)

I'm pretty sure The Ring terrified at least 90% of the people my age, me included.  The nightmare I had after I first watched this movie spooked me for a month. Unfortunately, the CGI at the end looks a bit lame today, but the original film used only makeup effects for the climactic scene, so that is always an option if anyone is interested. The video from the movie is probably the scariest thing I have ever seen in a movie. It's of course my favorite scene.
Favorite Scene


3. The Exorcist (1974)

This movie actually did not scare me at all the first time I saw it. Then a few years passed and I watched it again.  That time, I was a tad creeped out. I had one of those moments where one constantly looks over his or her shoulder while watching a movie just in case a monster is there. The sound design is what really makes me shiver, with the fantastic music and Regan's demonic voice, one simply must shiver.
Favorite Scene


2. Frankenstein (1931)

Frankenstein is a somewhat tricky pick. It's not really scary, nor did it ever scare me, even when I was younger. But when I was growing up (I'm talking pre-school though elementary school) I would constantly go to the library and check out Universal Studios Monster Movies. Of that movie series, Frankenstein is my favorite, but I would like to say that this entry represents all of them. With a run time of only 71 minutes not a single frame is wasted. So many images from the movie are iconic today and the cinematography inspired by German Expressionism is wonderful.
Favorite Scene


1. The Shining (1984)

The Shining.  It is a masterpiece of both the horror film genre and film in general. The movie's greatest aspect is how its fear is created not with shocks, but instead atmosphere. The entire film feels creepy, and it's not because Kubrick had a bunch of creepy images.  Rather, much of the horror comes from the synthesis the movie has with its sound, image, and story.  Kubrick messes with the viewer's head in more ways than most people are even conscious of. In a way, he scares the viewer with nothing, which is exactly what may be amiss with the Overlook Hotel, nothing.
Favorite Scene