As a Horror Fan, I Will Never Shut Up About These 10 Movies
Horror has made many of us cinema fans giddy with its classic stories. As early as filmmaking itself, the horror genre has provided us with tons of fun and endlessly rewatchable terror, having so many iconic films that made some instant fans. With epic scares, legendary characters, menacing antagonists, and pulse-pounding suspense, some of these are too exciting and great to shut up about.
As a fan since early childhood, horror is my go-to genre for entertainment, especially around the Fall. It’s brought so much joy and excitement for decades, and it only grows stronger as the genre heads into our current decade. It’s a blast to be a fan, and I can tell you, there are some horror movies that I just simply cannot stop talking about. From zombie classics to slasher spectaculars, here are ten horror movies that I, as a fan, will never shut up about.
‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)
Starting with a doozy from the late Jonathan Demme, his 1991 Best Picture-winning thriller The Silence of the Lambs is a critically acclaimed and exceptional horror masterpiece that has endlessly blown the minds of audiences for generations. This exciting and intense mix of terror and mystery is one of pure suspense as it follows the story of a young FBI trainee tasked with probing the mind of a brilliant serial killer to capture another.
It’s full of legendary horror performances by the main cast, including two Oscar-winning performances by Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. Everything else, from the story and tone to the atmosphere and tension, is just brilliant and timeless. The Silence of the Lambs completely stunned me upon first viewing and had me gushing over its incredible ability to keep me invested right until its eerie open ending. Truly, it’s a masterpiece I don’t expect to forget any time soon.
‘Halloween’ (1978)
John Carpenter is a name that has stuck with me over the years when it comes to horror. He’s an absolute genius of his craft, turning in spectacular films that, while not always financially successful, still manage to have a profound effect on his fans. Many consider his highly acclaimed 1978 slasher masterpiece Halloween to be one of his all-time bests, and it’s not hard to see why. A masterclass in terror, it follows a babysitter on Halloween night as she’s stalked by an escaped, mask-wearing serial killer.
What Halloween is best at is filling you with so much dread and paranoia throughout its entire runtime that you’re left speechless until the very end. That’s an effect that has stuck with me long after I first saw the film, and today it still holds up well. Turn to this Carpenter classic if you’re really looking for something iconic and undeniably suspenseful this spooky season. It doesn’t fail to put you in the right mood.
‘Evil Dead II’ (1987)
The legendary Sam Raimi is another filmmaking icon I instantly think of when considering horror. His work in the Evil Dead franchise, the one that kick-started his entire career, shows his exceptional talent for crafting compelling storytelling with disturbing gore. Evil Dead II, however, is honestly one of his all-time greats, as it’s a delightful mix of horror and dark comedy. Bruce Campbell returns as Ash Williams, this time fighting a whole host of supernatural terrors at a cabin in the woods.
It’s honestly one of the best horror comedies around, featuring nonstop laughs, but also unsettling and eerie moments that are truly unforgettable. I’ve seen this over and over again and still have been blown away by its thrilling premise, fantastic characters, and wonderfully gory practical effects. Evil Dead II is a film that has stuck with a lot of fans, including myself, and its popularity will only grow as the years go by.
‘Aliens’ (1986)
If it’s sci-fi thrills, nonstop action, and intense terror you’re looking for, James Cameron‘s Aliens is the film to go to. This epic horror blockbuster and continuation to Ridley Scott‘s Alien often competes for the top spot as the best of the franchise, as it’s wonderfully pulse-pounding and captivating. It also features Sigourney Weaver in an Oscar-nominated role, back as Ellen Ripley, as she returns to the same Xenomorph-infested planet from before to aid in a rescue mission to a colony.
This seminal film has enough to satisfy so many fans of both action and horror, as it’s the right mix that doesn’t stray too far into either genre. Aliens blew me away as a kid with its terror and fist-pumping action. It’s simply a blast from start to finish that continuously entertains newer viewers throughout the years. Watching it now, over a hundred watches later, it still has that same exciting effect as when I watched it the first time.
‘Predator’ (1987)
One of the most thrilling action horror films of all time, John McTiernan‘s Predator is a legendary blast of entertainment that actually gets more fun with age. It follows an elite rescue team sent into a Central American jungle, where it encounters a deadly alien beast that’s arrived on Earth to hunt.
It’s got everything anyone can find exciting, from an iconic muscle-bound cast and legendary one-liners to jaw-dropping special effects and immense terror. Predator was one of the first horror films I saw, and it definitely shaped my path to becoming a diehard horror buff. It was fascinating and scared the absolute hell out of me, and continues to do so even to this day. Predator is honestly worth many rewatches as its entertainment power is limitless.
‘Dawn of the Dead’ (1978)
Hailed as one of the greatest zombie movies ever made, the late George A. Romero‘s Dawn of the Dead is a true masterpiece that honestly feels timeless. This groundbreaking classic elevated the modern zombie subgenre to new heights with its inspiring premise and legendary themes and messages. It follows four unique survivors as they work together to outlast a zombie epidemic in an isolated shopping mall.
Dawn of the Dead was game-changing thanks to its story and timeless messages about society and how it draws connections to the dangers of consumerism. This approach fascinated many zombie fans, and it continues to inspire other zombie films, TV shows, and other forms of media. Dawn of the Dead is iconic and rewatchable, and it manages to keep you drawn in instantly.
‘Scream’ (1996)
An all-time fan favorite for many slasher fans, including myself, the late Wes Craven‘s revolutionary masterpiece Scream is honestly a film that’s come to define the genre. This incredibly rewatchable mix of intense horror and hilarious dark comedy has become legendary for revitalizing slashers during a dark period in the 1990s. It follows a high school teen as she and her dwindling allies try to figure out which deranged, movie-obsessed local is going around killing people while dressed up in a Ghostface costume.
It’ll have you shivering in terror and then busting a gut laughing, thanks entirely to screenwriter Kevin Williamson‘s Oscar-worthy script. Scream is a marvel that any horror fan honestly needs to see, as it’s nearly perfect from start to finish. It had a profound effect on me when I was young and first watched it, and it made me more fascinated with the slasher subgenre.
‘Night of the Living Dead’ (1968)
Zombies have always been a fascination of mine since viewing Romero’s first zombie masterpiece, 1968’s Night of the Living Dead. Truly, it is one of the most inspiring, iconic, and celebrated horror movies in history, a ground-breaker with epic terror and unique storytelling. It’s about several strangers holding out for rescue while staying at an isolated farmhouse that’s quickly being surrounded by a horde of the recently resurrected dead.
I can’t recommend this movie more to people. Night of the Living Dead is everything a horror film should and can be, from having nonstop dread and eerie tension to legendary performances and iconic dialogue. I was instantly drawn to it the first time and have continuously talked about it and rewatched it since. Its timeless feel really makes it all the more worth watching.
‘Jaws’ (1975)
The great Steven Spielberg‘s Jaws may just be the most fun anyone will have when watching a horror film. This powerful blend of action, horror, and adventure has left an unshakable mark on cinema, being endlessly fun and undeniably iconic. It’s the story of three men as they go on a high-seas journey to hunt down a massive killer great white shark responsible for terrorizing the locals of a summer community.
Jaws is an absolute must-watch, not just for horror fans but for casual cinemagoers as well. It instantly hooks you in with its exciting premise and nonstop suspense, then satisfies you with its explosive finale. I saw this as a kid and was immediately drawn to its adventure feel and iconic scares. There’s no telling how many times I’ve rewatched this over the years, a testament to how enjoyable this truly is.
‘The Thing’ (1982)
Lastly, and most importantly, of all the horror films I have experienced over the years, John Carpenter’s greatest masterpiece, The Thing, is truly the movie I can’t seriously shut up about. It is one of the most compelling horror films ever, a nearly flawless tale that’s so incredibly unsettling and captivating. Kurt Russell leads this story, playing a rugged helicopter pilot who leads a group of survivors out on a harrowing ordeal after their Antarctic base is infiltrated by a hostile alien shapeshifter.
With nothing but the best suspense, acting, and special effects in horror history, The Thing honestly makes me proud to be a horror fan, and it’s the one I’d always tell anyone getting into the genre to see. It’s a shame it initially flopped upon release, but it slowly garnered immense acclaim over the years and is now considered one of the greats.
