In the spirit of Halloween, here’s a list of the top 10 scariest movies sure to have the hair on the back of your neck rising and grabbing hold of the person next to you. In order from first appearance on the big screen to last, this list is guaranteed to put your Halloween spirit into overdrive. So sit back, grab some popcorn and prepare to be terrified!
The Exorcist (1973): The demonic possession of a teenage girl leads her mother to seek the help of two priests in hopes an exorcism will cast the entity out. Thrilling and suspenseful are only some of the reasons this movie will continue to be known as one of the best horror films ever made.
Carrie (1976): A sheltered and abused teenage girl with telekinetic powers releases her fury on her high school class mates and teachers after she is pushed over the edge and humiliated at her school dance.
Amityville Horror (1979): A newly wedded couple finds their dream home in a house already inhabited by the evil spirits of the gruesome family murder that was committed within its walls just a few years before.
Halloween (1978): Michael Myers is out for revenge after escaping from the institution he was placed in for 15 years since the age of 6 for the brutal murder of his 17 year old sister on Halloween night in 1963. Masked and out for blood, Michael Myers brings the town of Haddonfield to an utter standstill with his ravenous acts of murder committed upon the town.
Friday the 13th (1980): The reopening of Camp Crystal Lake after the drowning of camper Jason Voorhees has its counselors one by one getting killed off by a machete wielding, hockey masked, mad man.
Silence of the Lambs (1991): Clarice Starling is a young FBI agent that must work with the brilliant yet psychotic killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter to help capture a grotesque serial killer that skins his victims and wears them.
Se7en (1995): Two homicide detectives are on a hunt to capture a serial killer using the seven deadly sins as his MO in his mission to rid the world of these sinners.
Donnie Darko (2001): A troubled teenager named Donnie Darko escapes what would be a tragic death while following his imaginary friend named Frank that looks like a bunny. Donnie is warned by Frank that the world will end in 28 days and leading up to the worlds destruction, Frank appears in Donnie’s mind continuously compelling him to commit acts that he normally would not do.
The Ring (2002): A young journalist named Rachel Keller sets out to investigate a video tape that has killed 3 teenagers and possibly also was responsible for the death of her niece. Watching this tape results in death exactly 7 days after. As Rachel digs deeper into the origin of this tape, she uncovers a story that leaves her fighting for her life.
Saw I – V (2004): Serial killer “Jigsaw” doesn’t actually kill his victims. Instead, through his gruesome and intricate contraptions, he finds ways to make them kill themselves or each other, with the guarantee of a changed and better life IF one survives.
Not Looking for Movies? For Halloween Party List New York City, please visit Halloween Events in NYC.
Here are also 5 honorable mentions that might not hold a light to the top 10 but are sure to scare the living daylights out of you! ENJOY!
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
The Omen (1976)
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Psycho (1998)
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
