The horror movie has evolved since it first made an appearance on film as early as the 1890s. Its testament to the popularity of horror in dramatic fiction that it appears during cinema’s infancy and has continued to be one of the most loved genres amongst audiences all over the world.
From its roots in gothic literature, the horror film has modernized and changed over the years, incorporating other genres (science-fiction in Ridley Scott’s Alien, and comedy in John Landis’ An American Werewolf in London) and even retrospectively parodying itself in such films as Wes Craven’s A New Nightmare and his reinvention of the slasher film Scream.
As much as the genre is dismissed by high-brow critics who see it as low-grade, exploitation, horror film has, and continues, to produce some of the best movies.
10. The Wicker Man
This 1973 British horror film from director Robin Hardy quickly became a cult hit after it received only moderate success at the box office. On home video the film found a new lease of life, where its strange, existential story could be fully appreciated.
It follows the story of police sergeant Neil Howie, who heads to the remote island of Summerisle to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. There he finds a secretive community who seem unwilling to help him find the missing girl. The film is memorable for its devastatingly, twisty climax.
9. The Haunting
Not to be mistaken with the poor 1999 remake, the 1963 original directed by Robert Wise, is a classic example of visual horror. Wise uses his camera to take his audience on an emotional rollercoaster of fear.
Dr. John Markway is determined to find proof of paranormal activity and the existence of ghosts. He is accompanied by three people, some of them skeptics, some of them believers, to Hill House – an old Victorian mansion with a sinister past – where they begin to carry out experiments. Things begin to turn nasty when the house appears to target one of the group through some strange occurrences
8. Rosemary’s Baby
Roman Polanski’s brilliant 1968 film Rosemary’s Baby was recently voted 9th on the AFI’s 100 Years…100 Thrills list. Ruth Gordon won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in the film.
Mia Farrow plays Rosemary. She moves into a new Manhattan apartment with her husband, a struggling actor. They meet a strange but seemingly harmless old couple who live in the building. When Rosemary’s husband suggests they try for the baby they always dreamed of, the strange couple come round with dessert food. After Rosemary tries some of the chocolate mousse she passes out. While unconscious she believes she has a dream where she is raped by a demonic beast. Becoming pregnant soon after, more strange things start happening, and the old couple appear to be overly interested in the unborn child.
7. Halloween
John Carpenter’s 1978 film set a benchmark in American horror cinema. It was the first of the sub-genre known as Slasher or Stalk and Slash. It inspired countless sequels, remakes, and other franchises like Friday The 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. It was also directly responsible for the influences that created Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Michael Myers kills his older sister on Halloween night when he is just six years old. Spending years in a mental institution he finally escapes. Returning back to his home town, tracked by his doctor, Dr. Loomis, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) prepares for Halloween night unknowing that Michael is coming to get her.
6. Night of the Living Dead
George A. Romero’s 1968 horror movie is still the best film about Zombies ever made. Shot on black and white film stock, it feels like a down and dirty picture, realistic in detail, and documentary-like in its rugged photography. It tells the story of Ben (Duane Jones) and several other people who find themselves trapped in a farm house after flesh-eating corpses rise from the grave and start attacking them.
5. King Kong
Remade and re-imagined several times, most recently in Peter Jackson’s three-hour long version, the original 1933 film by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack stands the test of time because it was one of the first instances of stop-motion special-effects. If you imagine that today, even though the special-effects in King Kong of 1933 are dated, they are still effective. Now imagine what it would have been like for audiences in the 1930s who had never seen anything like it.
4. Alien
Ridley Scott’s Alien, released in 1979, is the best example of horror and science-fiction. It follows the crew of space vessel the Nostromo who detect a distress signal from a nearby planet while returning back to earth. On investigation one of the crew is attacked and is left with a parasite on his face. When the parasite dies, he comes out of his coma and appears to be fine. However, while they are having dinner, he begins to convulse and a creature breaks out of his chest killing him. As the crew desperately search for the murdering beast, it begins to pick them off one by one.
3. The Shining
Based on horror maestro Stephen King’s novel of the same name, the film version is Stanley Kubrick’s disturbing interpretation of the story about a novelist who takes over caretaking duties at the Overlook Hotel. The hotel has a mysterious past, including the fact the ex-caretaker went crazy and killed his whole family. The film is great largely because of Kubrick’s detached vision, how he isolates this family from the world. It’s also notable for Jack Nicholson’s breathtaking depiction of caretaker Jack Torrance, and his downward spiral into madness.
2. Psycho
Most people, if asked to name one scene from a horror film, would remember Janet Leigh in the shower screaming in horror at the knife-wielding murderer hacking at her naked body. Master director Alfred Hitchcock made a career out of suspense films, making such classics as Rear Window, Vertigo, North by Northwest, and Strangers on a Train. Psycho is the only film in his career to draw on gothic literary horror. That’s perhaps why this is one of his most well-known movies.
1. The Exorcist
There has only been one horror movie to cause significant controversy for its content and be widely praised by critics and loved by cinemagoers. The Exorcist is also the only film to be banned or advertised with a safety warning for being too frightening. William Friedkin’s 1973 masterpiece is a brilliant depiction of good versus evil, of faith versus facts. It features strong performances from all its cast, a haunting score including the memorable theme tune, authentic special-effects, and documentary-like direction from Friedkin, who makes even the most implausible feel very real indeed.
Related posts:
nestschaukel
May 18, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Your article is very informative, interesting and useful. I have enjoyed reading it and considering the many good thoughts in your content. I agree with numerous points and others need my full concentration to consider.
lipo 6 black directions
May 18, 2012 at 10:21 pm
most important features that a great blog…
has, is that it is genuinely useful to the readers of your blog. if people find your blog informative, fun and entertaining, then you will have no problem owning a great blog. sometimes it can be hard to figure out what…
cars
May 18, 2012 at 10:29 pm
I added this article to my favorites and plan to return to digest more soon. It’s easy to read and understand as well as intelligent. I truly enjoyed my first read through of this article.
barcode scanners
May 18, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Thank you for writing such a great article. Two thumbs up for this well-written and researched material. It’s loaded with engaging material. You are truly a gifted writer. Thank you.
barcode printers
May 18, 2012 at 10:38 pm
I wish I could come up with something profound to say, but wow is the only word that comes to mind after reading your article.
modern warfare 3 kill cams
May 18, 2012 at 11:03 pm
This content is interesting reading. I like to have my brain challenged and this article did that. It’s not just informational, it’s also stimulating and thought-provoking material. You’ve done well.
versaute Omas Bilder
May 18, 2012 at 11:05 pm
I’m glad I didn’t have to write this because it would be so confusing. You did a great job with this content and I agree.
casio px 330
May 18, 2012 at 11:13 pm
I am so impressed with this article. It’s not only well-written it’s also motivating and smart. Few writers have the talent to make this topic exciting, but you’ve managed to do it. Really great job.
standing desk ikea
May 18, 2012 at 11:23 pm
I read through your article and some of your readers’ comments. I agree with a lot of your content and concur with many of these comments on how well your material is written. Thank you.
laser labels
May 18, 2012 at 11:32 pm
You have a true writing talent which is evidenced by this informative article. Your presentation and unique views are expressed well, smart and interesting. You and I have like minds.
training
May 18, 2012 at 11:33 pm
I have been searching online for this information and I have only found confusing and poorly written articles until now. This is the best and easiest to understand article on this topic I have found.
pics
May 18, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Your writing style says a lot about who you are and in my opinion I’d have to say you’re insightful. This article reflects many of my own thoughts on this subject. You are truly unique.
Chicago SEO Company
May 18, 2012 at 11:39 pm
I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style of blogging. I added it to my favorites web page list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my site as well and let me know what you think.
porn
May 18, 2012 at 11:44 pm
That is a great point to bring up. I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important thing will be working in honest good faith.
Круизи
May 18, 2012 at 11:45 pm
It’s important to share original thoughts with today’s reader. Your article is a good example of how to make sound points and write interesting content. I agree with your views. Thank you for this article.
dansko factory outlet
May 18, 2012 at 11:58 pm
I’m glad you shared this article. It’s full of great information and you make many rational points that I can understand. I agree with a lot of your content and appreciate how your presented it.
versichern
May 19, 2012 at 12:20 am
This information is very useful, interesting and unique in nature. You have hit on some seriously solid points upon which I can relate. I really like your style and thank you for this great content.
DNS
May 19, 2012 at 12:22 am
This is an excellent example of superior writing. You have made a good impression on me with your interesting content and unique point of view on this subject. Great work!
Penny Stock Newsletters
May 19, 2012 at 12:22 am
I have never come across such great online content as you have written on this site. I’m intrigued by many of your points and agree with a lot of them. Keep up the good work.
ige WOW gold
May 19, 2012 at 12:28 am
Reading is one of my favorite past-times. I think your work is incredible and easy to understand. There is so much valuable information here that it leaves the reader thinking over much of the content.
wholesale jewelry
May 19, 2012 at 12:29 am
Thanks for your blog post. I would also like to say that the health insurance agent also works well with the benefit of the actual coordinators of the group insurance. The health insurance agent is given a list of benefits needed by individuals or a group coordinator. Exactly what a broker may is search for individuals or even coordinators which in turn best go with those needs. Then he reveals his tips and if all sides agree, the particular broker formulates a legal contract between the two parties.
Reason
May 19, 2012 at 12:32 am
This is a really good article loaded with useful information. I enjoyed the read and I agree with most of it. Thank you for sharing.
live sex
May 19, 2012 at 12:34 am
Thank you for publishing such a great article for the world to see. I offer two thumbs up for this writing both for grammar and engaging material. I could only hope to write this well.
teen reading
May 19, 2012 at 12:37 am
Thank you for making your article easy to read and grasp. I respect all the work you did here and I’m glad I read this.
seitensprung in Sandakan
May 19, 2012 at 12:39 am
This article is informative, interesting and descriptive with the many different ways the writer presents points of view that differ from the norm. Thank you.
buy thyromine
May 19, 2012 at 12:41 am
I’m not a professional writer, but I could be a professional reader. Thank you for your interesting and forward-thinking views on this unique subject matter.
круизи
May 19, 2012 at 12:41 am
I decided to show my appreciation for your point of view concerning this subject by leaving a positive comment here. Thank you so very much for writing quality content for people like me to read.
quick loans
May 19, 2012 at 12:51 am
It’s great to read content from a writer that cares about quality content. You are intelligent and well-versed on this topic. This is good writing.