In the weeks leading up to Halloween, there's always the need to break out the horror movies to get in the holiday spirit. While some choices like Hocus Pocus or Halloween are must-watch Halloween movies, there are plenty of other films in the horror genre to check out. In fact, horror films have seen a bit of a renaissance as of late. The past decade has brought a surprising amount of must-see scary films, some of which have earned high praise from horror fans and mainstream audiences alike.
Whether you're a fan of the horror genre or a seasonal horror movie watcher, here's a brief overview of the 25 top-rated horror movies of all time, with guidance from Rotten Tomatoes. We begin with some of the best horror movies from the past few years and go in reverse chronological order all the way back to the earliest horror movies in the 1920s. So if you're tired of Friday the 13th or Nightmare on Elm Street marathons each October, why not check out something on this list of critically-acclaimed horror movies? Maybe you'll find your next horror movie Halloween costume idea here!
1. Get Out (2017)
Image: Universal Pictures/IMDb
Chris Washington and his girlfriend, Rose Armitage, are spending a weekend with her parents at their family estate. Over time, things begin to become more and more uncomfortable for Chris (and the audience watching him). Everything comes to a head when he decides he needs to leave. Get Out was a box office success in 2017 and even nabbed an Oscar for Jordan Peele in his directorial debut.
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2. The Witch (2015)
A period movie following a 17th-century family being overtaken by a mysterious power. If you're looking for slow-burning tension, you're not going to want to miss this one. Don't expect to see your typical witch costumes with pointy hats and broomsticks here, because it's not your typical witch movie! This historical horror movie is the feature directorial debut of filmmaker Robert Eggers.
3. It Follows (2015)
Image: Northern Lights Films/IMDb
Nobody quite knows what "It" is because it takes many forms. They don't know where it will turn up, but it's always coming for you no matter where you are. The only thing they do know is once they get infected by the curse, they need to transfer it to someone else. It Follows is considered a modern horror classic and is well worth your time to watch!
4. The Babadook (2014)
Image: Screen Australia/Causeway Films/IMDb
Surely, a character from a spooky children's book can't be that scary, right? Well, maybe after reading about the Babadook, you'll think differently and want to sleep with the lights on. This psychological horror movie may make you think twice about having kids.
5. The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Much like how Wes Craven brought a new meta twist to horror movies in the 90s with A New Nightmare and Scream, The Cabin in the Woods sets up something similar. While the film starts out as a typical scenario with a group of teens on a weekend romp at a cabin when eerie things start to happen. However, the audience quickly learns that these instances aren't as coincidental as they may seem in this incredibly meta horror movie.
6. Let the Right One In (2008)
How do you handle things when you fall in love with someone who turns out to be a blood-thirsty vampire? You go along with it and exact revenge on your bullies. This Swedish horror film was so good that it spawned an American remake in 2010 called Let Me In.
7. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Pan's Labyrinth is a little more fantasy than it is horror, but that doesn't mean it won't give you nightmares. Guillermo del Toro has made a living out of the fantastic characters and worlds he's created, and deservedly takes a high spot on this list. The movie takes place during World War II and follows a young girl, Ofelia, who is taken to a magical world. There, she must complete three tasks to prove herself a princess and see her father again.
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
While it's a rarity to see a horror film with multiple Oscar nominations, The Silence of the Lambs actually took home five such awards in 1991 including the highest honor of Best Picture. The famous horror movie features Jodie Foster as FBI agent Clarice Starling, who enlists the help of incarcerated killer Hannibal Lecter to help her catch another killer on the loose.
9. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)
As far as zombie movies go, The Evil Dead is top-tier. Unlike zombie movies before it, this comedy horror film introduced a little humor to the genre, as evidenced by the over-the-top carnage during the fight scenes. Evil Dead II stars Bruce Cambell as Ash, the lone survivor from the first movie, as he hides out in a cabin with a group of strangers to escape from zombies...until, of course, it's time to fight back.
10. Aliens (1986)
The sequel to Ridley Scott's critically acclaimed Alien takes place 57 years later, with Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) waking from hypersleep to help fight aliens who have destroyed a space colony on the moon LV-426. This is a case where the sequel is on even footing or even better than the original movie! It stands up as one of the greatest horror movies of all time, along with the best sci-fi movies and 80s movies.
11. Don't Look Now (1973)
After moving to Venice following the death of their daughter, things only start to get worse for John and Laura Baxter. After an odd run-in with a pair of elderly sisters bearing a psychic message, John starts receiving visions of his own, including what looks to be his own funeral. This incredible horror movie stands up as an incredibly influential British film.
12. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Ruth Gordon won the Oscar for best supporting actress, and Rosemary's Baby was also nominated for best screenplay. The classic horror film begins with a strange pregnancy for the title character, Rosemary Woodhouse, and her husband. However, Rosemary's paranoia drives her to distance herself from those around her as increasingly alarming things occur.
13. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Night of the Living Dead is the quintessential zombie movie. Directed by George Romero, the movie features a group of individuals who have barricaded themselves in a barn to escape the zombie apocalypse. Unfortunately, instead of finding safety, they've more or less trapped themselves as the area is overtaken by zombies. This horror film is a must-watch for zombie movie fans!
14. Repulsion (1965)
A woman who is repulsed by sexuality, especially her roommate, her sister, and her married lover, shuts herself off from the world and is driven to madness by her own delusions. This is another incredibly powerful British horror movie that was nominated for a BAFTA Award for cinematography.
15. The Birds (1963)
Image: Alfred Hitchcock Productions/IMDb
This list would not be complete without a film from noted horror director Alfred Hitchcock. (He shows up more than once on this list, by the way, and rightfully so.) Much like how Jaws made everyone scared to go in the water, The Birds made everyone scared to even be outside. It's amazing how scary an ordinary animal can become in the hands of a master of horror.
16. Eyes Without a Face (1962)
Image: Champs Elysees Productions/IMDb
Dr. Genessier's daughter, Christine, lives her life with facial disfigurement from a car accident. Feeling guilty for causing the accident in the first place, he vows to get her a new face by kidnapping girls and attempting facial transplants. This French horror film was cleared by European censors, although it was controversial for some time after its release.
17. The Innocents (1961)
After being hired to care for two orphaned children, Miss Giddens becomes convinced something is wrong at their uncle's estate. She begins seeing mysterious figures, and the children's behavior seems off. Upon learning of the recent deaths of the former governess and valet at the property, she suspects that the children have become possessed. The British horror movie was based on the novella The Turn of the Screw.
18. Psycho (1960)
Another Alfred Hitchcock classic, Psycho follows Marian Crane and her disturbing stay at the Bates Motel. Many consider this film an influence on "twist endings" in movies, as well as the slasher genre. It's considered one of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest movies, as well as his most famous and influential.
19. Godzilla (1954)
Just your run-of-the-mill movie about a giant lizard monster emerging from the sea near a nuclear testing facility and destroying a city. Ok, the original Godzilla (Gojira) is a little more than that, taking into consideration how many sequels and remakes have been released. Godzilla is generally regarded as the first Japanese kaiju film, a genre that involves oversized animals and monsters.
20. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Much like the title suggests, the sequel to 1931's Frankenstein (also on this list) sees the monster get a bride. Ah, true love! This is another case where the sequel is as good as or even better than the original horror movie!
21. King Kong (1933)
Another love story of sorts, as King Kong falls in love with actress Ann Darrow, who is abducted while filming a movie on location at Skull Island. After being captured by the crew, King Kong is brought to the city to be an attraction for the public. Unfortunately for the city, the ape has other plans.
22. Freaks (1932)
Cleopatra, a trapeze artist, takes interest in Hans, a performer in a circus sideshow. She plans to marry him to get his inheritance while having an affair with another performer, Hercules. Once the truth comes out, her plan quickly falls apart and she finds herself in a troublesome situation. Freaks was a pre-Code horror movie that benefited from the lack of enforcement of censorship guidelines. It also made a splash for prominently casting sideshow performers with disabilities as opposed to Hollywood actors with special effects makeup and prosthetics.
23. Frankenstein (1931)
Remember, Frankenstein refers to Dr. Henry Frankentein, the star of this film, whose obsession with bringing the dead back to life unleashes a monster of his creation. (So yes, Frankenstein costumes these days have it wrong. Oh well!)
24. Nosferatu (1922)
Image: Jofa Atelier Berlin-Johannisthal/IMDb
Vampire movies have evolved over the years, but Nosferatu is the quintessential OG vampire. This silent horror film is still a staple among horror junkies and one of the most copied and remade properties in all of horror.
25. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
The mysterious plot of this movie centers on Dr. Caligari and Cesare, a somnambulist who's being used to commit murders. Spoilers, of course, but this classic horror movie is almost 100 years old, so you've had plenty of opportunities to see it. We still highly recommend it.
So, how many of the highest-rated horror films have you seen? If you're interested in the horror genre at all and have only seen 10 or fewer, it's time to start watching. It might be cool to watch all of these in chronological order and try to point out the influences these movies have had on others. If you do watch any of these highly-rated horror films or see any, let us know which are your favorites. If you're looking to get in the Halloween spirit, need some horror costume inspiration, or just want to chill with some friends and get scared, this list of top scary movies will have something that's to your liking.
