By Dandy J. West and Gene Lass
As lifelong horror fans, we’ve watched a lot of movies and done many movie lists and movie reviews. Like any team of critics, we often disagree on what movies we think are good. However, there are some horror films that were so good we both recommend them. Here is a selection of great movies you can watch this Halloween. Enjoy!
Fright Night (1985): Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Roddy McDowell, Amanda Bearse
This film has a unique premise. A teen suspects his new neighbor is a vampire, so he turns to the host of the local late-night horror movie show (Roddy McDowell), who is supposedly a vampire hunter, to help destroy the creature. While the horror host at first doubt's the boy's claim, and then says he's just an actor, the two eventually team up in the perfect mix of comedy and horror that seemed to take place only in the 80s.
The Lost Boys (1987): Jason Patric, Keifer Sutherland, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Dianne Wiest
Another iconic film, this one finds a high school student (Jason Patric) drawn to a group of teens who seem to be living the ideal teen life - partying all night, sleeping all day, living on the edge, except they're vampires, and they want him to join them. Corey Haim and Corey Feldman play the Frog Brothers, young vampire hunters out to stake them all.
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992): Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves
In all the many adaptations of Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula," this is the only one that follows the format of the original novel, in which the story is told through the diaries and journals of the various characters involved. While it does add an origin of sorts for Dracula, and plays up the romance between Dracula and Mina quite a bit, the film sticks closely to the novel, and is a mix of sensual, stylish, and horrifying.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992): Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer, Luke Perry
Where's Sara Michelle Gellar? Not here! This is the hit film the iconic TV show was based on. No Willow, no vampire love interest, just cheerleader Buffy finding out she's a Slayer, and being trained in her skills. While Willow is missed, this film has Paul Reubens in his comedic best as a vampire henchling, plus Rutger Hauer, who more than makes up the difference.
Interview With the Vampire (1994): Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Kirsten Dunst, Antonio Banderas)
Anne Rice fans and Anne Rice herself dreaded the release of this adaptation of her groundbreaking novel, in which Tom Cruise, regarded a not a serious actor at the time, was cast in the role of the central vampire in the Rice mythos, Lestat. However, Rice and most fans changed their mind upon seeing the film, which was very faithful to the source material. Brad Pitt plays 19th century New Orleans gentleman Louis, who is turned by Lestat. A very young Kirsten Dunst plays the dying girl turned by Louis who complete the odd "family" of vampires. The film explores the mixed blessing and curse of being a vampire, being beautiful forever, loving beauty, but seeing all those you care about die while you stay young.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996): George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis
This film brings together writer/directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, who mash up the vampire genre and the caper film when a couple of criminals go into a bar, not knowing it's a vampire bar. Full of action, comedy, and gore, the film does not disappoint.
Blade (1998): Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris Kristofferson
There was a time when Marvel just couldn't make a good movie. Any attempt (Punisher, Captain America) was either so bad it went right to video or (Roger Corman's Fantastic Four) shelved and never released. Until "Blade." Based on the half-human/half-vampire vampire hunter seen in the legendary "Tomb of Dracula" comics, Blade is known as the Daywalker, possessing all of the strengths and none of the weaknesses of his mixed heritage. With amazing effects, action sequences, and solid performances, the film still holds up well almost a quarter of a century later.
Fright Night (2011): Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, David Tennant, Toni Collette
As much as remakes of classic films are beleaguered, sometimes, as in the case of this one, they're good. With essentially the same plot as the original "Fright Night", this film features Colin Farrell as the charming and sexy but deadly neighbor, while the brilliant David (Dr. Who) Tennant reinterprets Roddy McDowall's role from a schlock horror host into more of a Criss Angel type. Still scary and charming, this film is a good reinterpretation of the original.
Sinners (2025): Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell
You’ve heard the hype, and for a change, the hype is worth it. There has never been a vampire movie like this. In it, Michael B. Jordan plays a dual role as identical twins “Smoke” and “Stack”, who, in 1932, return to their hometown of Clarksdale, Mississippi after spending time working for bootlegger mobsters in Chicago. They buy a building and renovate it into a juke joint, but are attacked by vampires. It’s a family drama, it’s a vampire film, and it has outstanding music and performances. See it!
Dracula: A Love Tale (2025) Caleb Landry Jones, Christoph Waltz, Zee Bleu. Written and directed by Luc Besson.
Yes, Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula” has been adapted for the screen over and over again, starting with “Nosferatu” over 100 years ago. What could possibly be done to make it interesting? Well, take the romantic aspects Francis Ford Coppola used in his, “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” in 1992, add more historical accuracy and dept of character, and you get this refreshing, dynamic take on the king of vampires. Besson’s film has notes of other adaptations, while forging its own excellent path.
An American Werewolf in London (1981) David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne.
This groundbreaking film, written and directed by John Landis blends comedy and horror, leaning heavily into the horror side. Should you see the film, remind yourself that these effects are pre-CGI, as they're still groundbreaking today. Previous werewolf films showed transformations mainly by showing a series of stills in progression, so we could see the stages of hair growing, fangs emerging, etc. In this film, as seen in the picture above, limbs elongate and distort in painful ways, the face grows more lupine in appearance, and hair erupts from the body, all of which appears to be very painful to our fledgling werewolf. Landis also adds a new wrinkle to werewolf lore as the werewolf's first victim, in this case his best friend, continues to haunt the werewolf, in progressing states of decay, really bringing home the traditional guilt and desperation werewolves had been portraying since "The Wolf Man."
The Howling (1981) Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Christopher Stone, John Carradine, directed by Joe Dante.
This film features similar ground-breaking makeup effects showing werewolf transformation as "An American Werewolf in London," and for good reason, the effects artist started on this film, then left to work on the other film, but the techniques aren't identical. This film also breaks additional new ground in werewolf lore. First, there are multiple werewolves, plus they have no remorse. They like being werewolves.
Ginger Snaps (2000) Emily Perkins, Katherine Isabelle, Mimi Rogers.
This film again breaks new ground in the werewolf genre. First, the primary characters are female. Second, neither of them becomes werewolf because they are bitten. Already a bit odd in their school, one protecting the other, becoming a werewolf is a regressive trait in their family they had not heard about, triggered by the onset of menstruation. This is clever. It's a change of life, it signals becoming a woman, and classically, menstruation has been tied to the lunar cycle, each cycle taking about 28 days. Providing depth of character not typically seen in a horror film, but not short on terror or gore, it's a modern classic.
Dog Soldiers (2002) Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, Liam Cunningham.
In this film, a unit of British soldiers is sent on a training mission to the Scottish Highlands. there, they are attacked by a pack of werewolves, killing some, but the wounded also turn into werewolves. The werewolves are terrifying, and the action becomes relentless as the soldiers make a stand in a small home, cornered by the monsters. Few werewolf films use more than one werewolf, since one is usually enough. But this one does an excellent job of pitting multiple werewolves against highly trained and heavily armed defenders.
Night of the Living Dead (1968) Judith O’Dea, Duane Jones, Marilyn Eastman, directed and co-written by George Romero
This is the one that really started it all. The original George Romero film, shot on a low budget in rural Pennsylvania with a cast of unknowns, the film founded modern zombie lore, from eaters of living flesh (an attribute properly ascribed to ghouls, while vampires drink blood) to killing them by destroying the brain. Plus the film has aged very well. Filmed in stark black and white with remarkably good acting, the movie is still frightening and the sight and sound of zombie engaging in what came to be known as a "blood feast" is still disturbing.
Dawn of the Dead (1978) Davi Emge, Ken Foree, Scott Reiniger, Gaylen Ross. Written and directed by George Romero
The second film in George Romero's Living Dead series has a different tone from original film, and it adds to the zombie mythos. Continuing the events of the first film, the zombie apocalypse continues and the living are fighting for survival. One group of survivors ends up trapped in a large shopping mall. The woman among them is pregnant, and one of them has been bitten, leading to the theme common in other zombie films, "What do you do if you or someone you love is bitten?" Not only is this a good film of its own accord, it plays on a number of fantasy themes, such as, living in a store, where you can use and consume all of the things you can't afford, for free. Also, for anyone who has ever worked in retail, or who doesn't like shopping, the zombies play the part of shoppers, shambling around the mall mindlessly, while the human survivors pick them off.
Lucio Fulci's Zombie (1979) aka Zombi 2. Tisa Farrow, Ian McCulloch, Richard Johnson, Al Cliver, directed by Lucio Fulci
Italian horror films are different from those in Britain, America, and elsewhere. You may get one or more American actors in a film, it may be set in New York, but they up the gore and shock level in ways you don't typically see elsewhere. Expect injuries to the eye, expect maggots, expect disturbing themes. Expect guys like in the movie poster above. And among the Italian horror directors, Lucio Fulci is a master.
The Evil Dead (1981) Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker, written and directed by Sam Raimi
The first film from legendary horror director Sam Raimi, and the first film with his frequent collaborator, legendary actor Bruce Campbell, this film forges a new set of rules for zombie films that continue through two more films (Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness) and the recent series "Ash vs. Evil Dead". In this film, friends staying at a cabin in Michigan discover a book called the Necronomicon, which begins an assault from the undead. While humans can still be turned by a bite, one key difference is, parts of these zombies can act independently. You don't have to see all of them, but after you see this one, you'll want to.
Night of the Comet (1984) Robert Beltran, Catherine Mary Stuart, Kelli Maroney, written and directed by Thom Eberhardt
In this film, the Earth passes through the tail of a comet. All over the world, people go outside to see the lightshow in the sky, which also happens to turn them to dust. With most of the world's population gone, the few who are left fight to survive against the once-human creatures that were also a result of the comet. In a very 80s moment that has a similar theme but a different feel from "Dawn of the Dead," two sisters decide that the best thing to do when most of the world is gone is go to the mall and shop.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985) James Karen, Don Calfa, Thom Mathews , directed by Dan O’Bannon
Intended as an unofficial sequel to George Romero's "Night of the Living Dead," this one also takes zombie films in a slightly different direction. It turns out that the military sealed up some of the zombies from original outbreak in steel drums used for containing toxic material. When they're cremated and the zombie ashes go out through the chimney of the crematorium, they meet a cloud, which turns them into toxic zombie rain, which soaks into the ground of a cemetery, creating a brand new outbreak. In this film, we get a talking zombie, and we discover what it's like to be a zombie, and that what they crave is brains. Plus, an awesome punk soundtrack to go along with, yes, punk zombies.
Night of the Creeps (1986) Jason Lively, Jill Whitlow, Tom Atkins, written and directed by Fred Dekker
"Thrill me." That's the line you'll always remember, and if you say it, fans of this film will know exactly what you're quoting, and they'll love you forever. It's difficult to describe the film fully, as it's many things. Taking place in both 1959 and 1986, the film starts as a slasher film with a sci-fi twist. When fraternity pledges in 1986 find the body of the victim from the earlier part of the film, the body comes to life, starting a zombie outbreak, which then brings in the fraternity film element, in which the ending many of us watching college films had hoped for arrives as many fraternity and sorority members are brutally killed.
28 Days Later (2002) Cillian Murphy, Christopher Eccleston, Brendan Gleeson, directed by Danny Boyle, written by Alex Garland
By the time this film had come out, zombie films were commonplace and anyone who went to see one knew the rules. Zombies were typically slow and mindless and to stop them you shot, stabbed, or bludgeoned them in the head. With this film, director Danny Boyle broke all the rules and set new ones. In this world, the cause of the outbreak is the Rage virus, which can be spread not only through bites but by getting bodily fluids from the infected into an open wound, or even one's eyes. He also did a great job of showing what the world would be like if say, you just woke up out of a coma in the hospital and all the people were gone.
Dawn of the Dead (2004) Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer , directed by Zack Snyder
This remake is true to the original, with essentially the same theme. Survivors of the zombie apocalypse take shelter in a mall and try to survive long enough to get out. It's scarier than the original, plus it has Ving Rhames, who brings a lot to the film. In an odd coincidence, the film is set in Milwaukee, and it looks convincingly like the Milwaukee area. There's even an abandoned mall in Milwaukee (Northridge) that could have served well enough for the shooting of the film. Yet somehow, it was filmed in Ohio, at an abandoned mall there.
Shaun of the Dead (2004) Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Lucy Davis, Kate Ashfield, Bill Nighy, directed by Edgar Wright
The first film from director Edgar Wright and actor Simon Pegg, this comedy is directly influenced by the George Romero Living Dead films. In it, our hero isn't a solider or any sort of heroic type at all. He's not even Ash Williams. He's a directionless slacker, his best friend is also a slacker, and they mostly want to sit around. But they are the ones trying to save their family and friends when the zombies appear.
28 Weeks Later (2007) Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Catherine McCormack
Continuing the zombie saga started with "28 Days Later", this film shows how NATO forces are trying to establish a zombie-free zone in London. The military angle is interesting, and it's fun to see early appearances from stars who became much bigger later, such as Imogen Poots, Idris Elba, and Jeremy Renner.
Quarantine (2008) Jennifer Carpenter, Jay Hendandez, Greg Germann
Found footage films are tedious. Really tedious. But this one is good. Jennifer ("Dexter") Carpenter stars as a TV reporter assigned to follow a fire crew throughout their day. They get sent to an apartment building on a call and find themselves in the middle of an outbreak of a super-strain of rabies, similar to the Rage Virus from ""28 Days Later." Unlike other films, the found footage angle works with this one, as it's a tv crew, and in some cases, it makes the film scarier.
Dead Snow (2009) Stig Frode Henriksen, Charlotte Frogner, directed by Tommy Wirkola
A really well-done Norwegian horror-comedy, the film is about teens being attacked by zombie Nazis. Yes, World War II Nazis, who are resurrected as zombies. What more could you want?
Zombieland (2009) Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Bill Murray
This horror-comedy features an all-star cast, including a brilliant cameo from Bill Murray as himself. The film, narrated by Jesse Eisenberg, follows four survivors of the zombie apocalypse who encounter each other and band together as a loose family. The film has strong performances, witty dialogue, and a great balance of comedy and action, but its other strength is its self-awareness. It doesn't need to explain why the zombies are there. We've all seen zombie films, we know how it works. They're very much the Romero rules. Zombies are stupid, slow, and immune to pain. Don't get bit, aim for the head. These are among the many rules for survival Eisenberg's character includes as part of his narrative, which all the members of his group have learned to follow, and which we've seen in other films. The difference is, similar to "Scream" and slasher films, here the rules are actually laid out.
Train to Busan (2016) Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-Mi, Ma Dong-Seok
As you can guess by the title, this all happens on a train from Seoul to Busan as a zombie outbreak occurs and the passengers struggle for survival. The interesting take with the zombies is that they react to sound, seemingly blind otherwise. Among the passengers is a Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) with his daughter. As he helps the high school kids with survival and keeping his daughter safe, will they make it to Busan safely?
28 Years Later (2025) Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, directed by Danny Boyle, written by Alex Garland
In this third part of the series, the zombie apocalypse has ravaged the British Isles, but a small community has formed on an island off the coast of Scotland. Periodically, parties go to mainland Scotland to search for supplies, aware that there are roaming hordes of zombies. When a boy’s mother contracts cancer, he takes her to the mainland in search of a doctor to help her.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, directed by Nia DaCosta, written by Alex Garland
In this direct sequel to “29 Years Later”, the boy from the previous film has been rescued by a murderous gang who terrorizes the remaining humans in Scotland. Not wanting to take part in their mayhem, he still relies on them for survival. Meanwhile, the doctor from the previous film may have unwittingly discovered a treatment for victims of the Rage Virus.
Psycho(1960) Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, directed by Alfred Hitchcock
It all begins here. Based on the novel by Robert Bloch, which was in turn inspired by notorious serial killer Ed Gein, this masterpiece by Alfred Hitchcock is the result of Hitchcock being bored and wanting to do something that neither he nor anyone else had ever done. Something that elevated film from suspense to pure terror, and brutal violence. The film does an incredible switch of perspective, as the lead characters change partway through the film, and all of the violence is purposefully, painstakingly realistic.
Last House on the Left (1972) Sandra Pabody, David Hess, Sandra Cassel, written and directed by Wes Craven
The first movie written and directed by Wes Craven, this film is a pioneer of two genres - slasher films, and the lesser-known sub-genre of revenge films, both of which picked up speed in the '70s. When a couple's daughter is brutally killed, the couple realize that by a twist of fate, those who killed her have come to their home. Distraught and seeking vengeance, the couple decide to kill them all, painfully.
Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen, directed by Tobe Hooper
While marketed as "based on actual events," there actually weren't any chain saw killings in Texas, the film, like Psycho, was inspired by Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein, who like the film's iconic killer Leatherface and his demented family of cannibals, did make things out of his victims. Spawning two sequels, a prequel, and a few remakes, none are quite as good, quite as groundbreaking, quite as brutal as the original. In the case of both "Psycho" and this film, they were so horrific compared to anything that had come before, people passed out and vomited in the theatre. While "Superman the Movie" had the tagline, "You will believe a man can fly," this movie could say, "You will believe you've seen a person get impaled on a meat hook."
I Spit on Your Grave (1978) Camille Keaton, Eron Tabor, written and directed by Meir Zarchi
Another brutal entry in the Revenge Film sub-genre, this movie features a woman who hunts down, mutilates, and kills the group of men who brutally raped her and left her for dead. Banned in multiple countries due to its explicit violence, the film is both reviled and celebrated for its gore.
Halloween (1978) Donald Pleasance, Jamie Lee Curtis, P.J. Soles, Nancy Loomis, Nick Castle, directed by John Carpenter
This wasn't writer-director John Carpenter's first film, but it was the one that put him on the map, subsequently making Michael Myers one of the most iconic killers in film, and launching the career of actress and scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis. The 13th and supposedly final film in the series, "Halloween Ends," comes out this month, all started by this film, in which a maniac, kept in a mental hospital since he killed his sister at age 6, escapes and comes home to kill again, until he encounters a very resilient baby-sitter.
Friday the 13th (1980) Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Kevin Bacon, directed by Sean S. Cunningham
With the smash success of "Halloween" and "Texas Chain Saw Massacre," of course Hollywood wanted more slasher films, and in the case of "Halloween," stay on the theme of scary times of the year and go with Friday the 13th, plus up the ante on killing scantily-clad teenagers by having the killer stalk and butcher counselors setting up for the season at a summer camp. The film establishes themes continued later in the franchise, as the characters with the worst behaviors (sex, smoking, drinking, drug use) die, while the "final girl" is the smartest, most resourceful, and pure of heart. Note: If you think you've seen them all just because you've seen later entries in the series, you haven't. The first one is entirely different.
Terror Train (1980) Ben Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis, directed by Roger Spottiswoode
Jamie Lee Curtis isn't considered a scream queen because of the first two Halloween films. She's considered THE Scream Queen because she was in those films, plus "Prom Night," and this film, and she's excellent in all of them. In this film, a group of college students have booked a charter train to celebrate New Year's Eve. But they're being stalked by someone who wants revenge. As Hitchcock showed in "Strangers on a Train," and as shown ever since, trains are an excellent location for a suspense or horror film, because they're big enough to hide in, but there's only so far you can go.
Friday the 13th Part II (1981) Adrienne King, Amy Steel, John Furey, directed by Steve Miner
There are many sequels in this franchise, and you may want to check out all of them, particularly 3, but we've only added the most noteworthy ones to the must-see list. In this one, it still doesn't have all the hallmarks of the later entries in the series, but it's getting there. As the poster says, the body count continues. There's no hockey mask, no unstoppable killer. The film is still about a real person, seeking vengeance on anyone who tries to open Camp Crystal Lake, where a boy named Jason Voorhees drowned years ago.
Sleepaway Camp (1983) Felissa Rose, Katherine Kamhi
Clearly influenced by "Friday the 13th," which had already spawned two sequels, this film continued the still-new but growing genre of slasher films set at a summer camp, which is a great locale. Camps are secluded. Cell phones weren't yet reality, and even today slasher films just say there's no reception due to the remote location, or mountains, or whatever. So you isolate the teens, put them in bikinis because you normally swim there, then start picking them off. Easily done, fun to watch. What makes "Sleepaway Camp" unique is the killer, and the amazing twist at the end.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) John Saxon, Heather Lagenkamp, Robert Englund, Johnny Depp, written and directed by Wes Craven.
Arguably this film could be on our list of Supernatural films you need to see, because in the time frame of the film, Freddy Krueger is no longer an ordinary killer. But the feel of the film is of a slasher film, and Freddy is normally associated with the other slasher icons of Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, and Leatherface. Wherever you want to categorize the film, you should still see it. After already having several successful films under his belt, this is what made writer-director Wes Craven a legend, and actor Robert Englund an icon.
Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) Lilyan Chauvin, Linea Quigley, Robert Brian Wilson, Will Hare, directed by Charles E. Sellier, Jr.
Like "I Spit on Your Grave," this film was banned in many countries, but unlike that film, it wasn't due to the violence, it was due to the theme. "Halloween" started the theme of holiday-themed films, which continued with "Mother's Day" in 1980, and then this classic, set naturally on Christmas, in which the killer is dressed as Santa Claus. Having a killer Claus was too much for many people, thus the ban. If you can, find the anniversary edition DVD, which has a special feature detailing the controversy over the film, which was denounced by legendary actor Mickey Rooney. The irony is, Rooney later starred in the largely forgettable and awful "Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker."
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Part 2 (1986) Dennis Hopper, Caroline Williams, Bill Moseley, Jim Siedow, directed by Tobe Hooper
As noted, there are multiple sequels, prequels, and reboots in this series, and they're of varying quality. However, this one is unique among all sequels. Not only is it directed by horror legend Tobe Hooper, who directed the original, but it blends horror and comedy in ways unlike any other film. It's rumored that Hooper did the film as a horror-comedy because he was tired of being pestered to do a sequel and he wanted to have it entirely different from the original, and if that's true, that's fine. All that matters is, he made it, and it has the added aspect of starring Dennis Hopper, by then a noted actor for some time, as the heroic lead, hunting down Leatherface and his family for the killings they did in the original, more than a decade earlier.
A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 3: The Dream Warriors (1987) Heather Langenkamp, Patricia Arquette, Lawrence Fishburne, John Saxon, Robert Englund
This film again takes the Nightmare franchise down a different path as some of the kids he's been preying on realize that Freddy isn't the only one with powers in the dream world. They can have powers, too, that make them much more in dreams than they are in their real lives. Not only is this worth watching for the new direction in the series, but it also marks the return of actress Heather Langenkamp from the original film, plus key roles for Patricia Arquette and Lawrence (billed as Larry) Fishburn, both of whom would go on to much bigger careers afterward in films such as "True Romance" and "The Matrix."
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) Gordon Currie, Kelly Hu, Kane Hodder, written and directed by Rob Hadden
By the 1980s, much of America assumed New York City was a hellhole that had slid so far into crime and violence that it was possibly irredeemable, thus resulting in films like "Escape from New York," which gave the solution of just walling off the city and making it a large prison. That's the sentiment behind this film, which is noteworthy for two things: One, it gets Jason out of Camp Crystal Lake, which breathed new life into the series. Two, in a series that became so routine one would basically just watch it to see how clever the kills would be, it has two of the most satisfying in the history of slasher films. The first is when Jason efficiently and brutally picks up a victim's sleeping bag, with the occupant still in it, and beats it against a tree. The other, in New York, when a street criminal thinks he can out-fight Jason. He ends exhausting himself, and when Jason sees the thug will fight no more, Jason simply punches his head clear off his body, sending it into a dumpster.
Scream (1996) Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courtney Cox, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Drew Barrymore, written by Kevin Williamson, directed by Wes Craven
While "Shaun of the Dead" is a fun film of its own accord, the real value is that it showed that zombie films had progressed so far that everyone knew the rules. This is also the significance of "Scream," which came out several years earlier. Here, master of horror Wes Craven, who had produced, written, and/or directed many horror films at this point, deconstructs the slasher genre pointing out what by then were the tired, assumed rules of every slasher film, because it had become obvious to everyone watching the films that the good girl would be left in the end, plus all the mistakes the victims made throughout the film. This was a brilliant move by Craven, as it forced the creators of slasher films to try harder, while also giving us the gore and suspense we expecting.
Freddy vs. Jason (2003) Robert Englund, Ken Kirzinger
This match-up had been teased at the end of a previous "Friday the 13th" installment, in which Jason has been killed yet again, and Freddy's clawed hand comes out of the ground to grab the signature hockey mask lying on Jason's grave. Finally, the film became reality, with Jason and Freddy each killing their share of teens, and attacking each other both in the dream world and in Camp Crystal Lake. Not since "King Kong vs. Godzilla" had there been such a battle of titans, with the added bonus that this film actually maintains continuity with both film franchises, marking the end of each before their reboots.
House of 1000 Corpses (2003) Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon, Karen Black, written and directed by Rob Zombie
Two couples hoping for some side road freak show entertainment get more than they bargained for when they are kidnapped by a family of sadistic killers.
Wolf Creek (2005) John Jarratt, Cassandra Magrath, written and directed by Greg McLean
Showing that not all slasher films take place in America, this film, based on actual events, takes us to Australia, where a killer has been stalking and killing victims for years. What makes this film, and the sequels, different is that the killer, Mick Taylor, never becomes superhuman like Freddy, Jason, or Michael. Nor is he largely mute like Leatherface or again, Michael. He's a normal guy who just happens to be skilled hunter and decent combatant, armed with a number of guns, knives, and other tools to really ruin your day. He's even kind of likeable, when he's not terrifying.
Halloween (2018) Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, James Jude Courtney, Nick Castle
This film isn't a reboot like the Rob Zombie film, it's a direct sequel to the original film. In this one, the events of Halloween 2 and the other films of the series have never occurred. Instead, Michael Myers is captured and held again after his attacks in Haddonfield, Illinois. 40 years later, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), the girl who fought him off, is still haunted by the events of that night. Much like Sarah Connor in Terminator 2, she has prepared herself and waited for the time when her attacker would come back, and it has ruined her life and distanced her family. But now Michael has returned and they both mean to finish what they started.
Ghostbusters" (1984) Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, directed by Ivan Reitman
It's hard to aptly describe this film, mainly due to its impact. Two sequel, a remake, a cartoon, toys, comic books. The reach is long, but the premise is simple: A group of scientists band together to not only investigate, but eliminate, paranormal pests, as exterminators do with roaches, or the Humane Society and Department of Animal Control do with wild animals that get into your home.
Beetlejuice (1988) Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Catherine O’Hara, directed by Tim Burton
One of director Tim Burton's truly great creations, "Beetlejuice" is a unique horror comedy about a couple happily married couple, who are also ghosts, are upset that a new family is moving into their home and wanting to change things. Unable to scare the family out themselves, the ghosts turn to a specialist in the field of frightening the living.
Ghost (1990) Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, Whoopi Goldberg, directed by Jerry Zucker
There are a few iconic films on this list, and this is one of them. Once, long ago, Whoopi Goldberg acted in films, and her performance in this film won her an Oscar. All of the performances in the film are excellent, and it made Demi Moore one of the hottest actresses in Hollywood. But what is it about? Moore and Patrick Swayze play a couple torn apart when Swayze's character is killed. He lingers as a ghost, loving her from beyond the grave. Goldberg plays a fake psychic who is surprised she actually can see and talk to the dead.
The Frighteners (1996) Michael J. Fox, John Astin, Dee Wallace Stone, Jeffrey Combs, Jake Busey, R. Lee Ermey, directed by Peter Jackson
This supernatural comedy, starring Michael J. Fox, takes a different look at supernatural investigators. Fox plays a man who develops the ability to talk to the dead, so he uses the ability to send ghosts to peoples homes, then he charges a fee to remove the ghosts. Most people think he's a con man, but the ghosts are real. The twist comes when an entity arises that plagues both the living and the dead.
The Ring (2002) Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman, directed by Gore Verbinski
Based on the Japanese film, "Ring", this film relies heavily on disturbing visuals, and it delivers. Naomi Watts plays a journalist investigating stories of a cursed video tape. Those who watch the tape reportedly die 7 days after watching it, and it seems the rumors may be true.
The Orphanage (2007) Geraldine Chaplin, Belen Rueda, Fernando Cayo, directed by J.A. Bayona
A woman convinces her husband to buy the abandoned orphanage where she grew up, so they can reopen it as a home for disabled children. But the former residents may not all be gone, and not all of them were happy there.
Mama (2013)) Jessica Chastain, Javier Botet, Nikolai Coster-Waldau, directed by Andy Muschielli
A creepy but endearing film, "Mama" tells the tale of a protective mother who continues to look after her children years after her husband kills her.
creature films
Jaws (1975) Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfus, Lorraine Grey, directed by Steven Spielberg
Not only is this a great film, it's a landmark film. While it wasn't his first movie, this was the film that put director Steven Spielberg on the map. It was also the first "summer blockbuster", setting the trend for films for years to come. And it had a huge cultural impact, making people to this day nervous to swim anywhere, for fear of being eaten, while also spawning countless movies of similar themes, from its own 3 sequels to films like "Tentacles," "Piranha," "Orca," and "Shark Night."
The Thing (1982) Kurt Russel, Keith David, Wilford Brimley, directed by John Carpenter
A remake of "The Thing from Another World", which was inspired by the classic story, "Who Goes There?" by John Campbell, this movie is rightfully regarded as one of director John Carpenter's best efforts. With an excellent cast, including Kurt Russell in his second film with Carpenter, the effects are as mind-blowing and stomach-churning today as they were 40 years ago.
As with "The Blob" and "The Gorgon", the concept of "The Thing" is horrifying. The Thing is an alien that can look like any living creature or animal, absorbing all of the traits of what it has come into contact with. So it can be anyone, while it can also spontaneously sprout tentacles, spider legs, extra heads, whatever it needs to survive. And it's almost impossible to kill.
The Terminator (1984) Arnold Schwarzenneger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, directed by James Cameron
As with "Alien" you could argue that this is a science-fiction film. It's about a robot (actually a cyborg) who comes to our time from the present in order to kill the woman who will give birth to the man who will lead the humans as they battle for survival after machines try to wipe them out. However, just by looking at the description on the original movie poster you can see the intent was to create a chilling, unstoppable creature who is hunting down a woman and killing anyone who gets in its way. And the Terminator is indeed fearsome. Arnold Schwarzennegger has never looked bigger on-screen, dwarfing the rest of the cast, and the violence he dishes out is brutal. While later entries are more action-oriented, at its core, this is a horror film.
Gremlins (1984) Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, written by Chris Columbus, directed by Joe Dante
If your memory is selective, you may only recall Gizmo the cute Mogwai who is the tiny, furry star of the film, alongside Zach Galligan and 80s icon Phoebe Cates. However, Gizmo is only one of several Gremlins in the film, and the most pure-hearted of them, the rest eventually becoming quite mischievous, if not evil, particularly their leader, Stripe, and the evil Gremlins have not only the potential to be lethal, they are dispatched in frequently gory, horrible ways, such as blowing them up in the microwave. Sure, there's cuteness and fun, which Executive Producer Steven Spielberg went on to specialize in, but there's also significant terror involving tiny beings, which director Joe Dante also went on to specialize in.
Chopping Mall (1986) Kelli Maroney, Barbara Crampton, Mary Woronov, directed by Jim Wynorski
Security robots in a mall malfunction into killing machines, going after a group of teens partying after hours.
Tremors (1990) Kevin Bacon, Fred WArd, Micahel Gross, Reba McEntire directed by Ron Underwood
Enormous worm-like things burrow beneath the ground and come up to chomp on prey. Some scariness, a whole lot of fun. Imagine "Jaws" but on land.
Pan's Labyrinth (2006) Ivana Baquero, Sergi Lopez, Doug Jones, written and directed by Guillermo del Toro
This masterpiece from Guillermo del Toro is technically a fantasy film, detailing a hidden world full of bizarre creatures, but it's a very dark fantasy, with some of the creatures being quite disturbing or scary, such and the one seen above.
Pacific Rim (2013) Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Ron Perlman, directed by Guillermo del Toro
Both a science-fiction and horror film, the movie details a period in the future when giant monsters are emerging from a dimensional portal in the Pacific Ocean. The monsters typically are drawn to and destroy cities, so a specially trained team of people piloting giant robots are used to stop the monsters.
supernatural
Child's Play (1987) Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Brad Dourif, directed by Tom Holland
Maybe you're thinking, "What? Why is this film here with the Supernatural movies, it's a slasher film!" No, no it's not. 35 years ago, when this franchise started, a franchise that had many sequels and now two seasons of an ongoing series, it started as the story of a criminal who, cornered and dying, uses his knowledge of the occult to transfer his soul into a doll. Then, now as an animated doll, he goes on a quest to get his soul back into a living body, perhaps the body of the boy who the doll was given to. That criminal, Chucky, continues that quest today.
Monster Squad (1987) Andre Gower, Tom Noonan, Stan Shaw, directed by Fred Dekker, written by Shane Black and Fred Dekker
The great thing about the Universal Horror films of the 1940s was when you'd see the great monsters in the same film, with "Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man" being the best example. This movie has a bit of that energy, with all 5 classic era monsters - Dracula, the Mummy, the Wolf Man, Frankenstein's monster, and the Creature (aka Fish Man) all appearing in the film together, with more of an adventure/Goonies spin on things than flat-out scariness.
Hellraiser (1987) Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, written and directed by Clive Barker
Before this movie came out, a quote from Stephen King ran on many of Clive Barker's books, stating, "I have seen the future of horror, and it is Clive Barker." That's a hefty statement to make, but this film, written and directed by Barker, proved it accurate, as "Hellraiser" was one of the most unique, visceral iconic horror films ever, spawning many sequels (some of them good). Essentially the film shows that there are many roads to Hell, and one of them is a puzzle box. Not all who go to Hell are condemned there. Some go voluntarily, seeking the ultimate transfusion of pain into pleasure. Whether you condemn yourself or find your way there by accident, the angel/demons known as the Cenobites will be there to cut you, pierce you, break you, and otherwise mutilate you far beyond what your mind could predict or comprehend.
Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Kenneth Cranham
Continuing after the events of part 1, Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) is in a psychiatric hospital relaying her story to a doctor who is unknowingly into occult worship. Upon learning of Julia’s fate, the doctor resurrects her and uses another patient to solve the infamous puzzle box to unleash the Cenobites and open a gate to Hell. Meanwhile, Kirsty is convinced her father is in Hell and desperately tries to find him but is finding other information that will save her from being trapped herself. Fun fact: I had seen this movie many times, but as taped-off-HBO version not knowing it was edited. I have watched this movie recently on DVD and was shocked to see some of the gorier imagery that I was never privy to before. Who knew HBO edited movies?!
Night of the Demons (1988) Cathy Podewell, Amelia Kinkade, Linea Quigley
This film is a good mix of scary and fun. When a group of teens has a party at an abandoned funeral parlor on Halloween night, they awaken an evil presence that begins to possess them, turning them into demons.
The Stand (1994) Gary Sinise, Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald, Miguel Ferrer, Ray Walston, Laura San Giacomo, Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis
Yes, it was technically a tv mini-series but 1. See it anyway 2. Look at the cast - wall to wall movie stars. Based on what many consider Stephen King's best novel, the film resurrected the career of actor Rob Lowe, and showed many that Molly Ringwald could do more than teen films. The plot is simple - a highly contagious, highly lethal supervirus has wiped out most of the population of the world, seemingly overnight. Those who are left are guided by visions to join survivors in one of two locations. One area seems to attract inherently good people, the other area - Las Vegas - bad people, with Randall Flagg, who may be the devil himself, running the show in Vegas.
Sleepy Hollow (1999) Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, directed by Tim Burton
Hands down Dandy’s favorite Tim Burton film. Feel free to argue about it, but the aesthetics of this movie always screamed German Expressionism. Backed by the talent of its carefully selected actors, most being Burton favorites in a time before we realized he had favorites. Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) is sent to the town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate the murders of some of the town folk all having the same cause of death-decapitation. Upon investigation, he encounters the entity of the Headless Horseman, and it becomes a race to protect the next victim and figure out who is controlling the Horseman with calculated victims.
EXCELLENT HORROR FILMS BEYOND GENRE
Carrie (1976) Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, P.J. Soles, Betty Buckley, Nancy Allen, John Travolta, directed by Brian De Palma
As with "Duel," this film pairs a great writer and a talented director, in this case Brian DePalma adapting the first novel of Stephen King. This film was groundbreaking, essentially introducing the world to King, actress Sissy Spacek, and other actors and actresses in the film, including William Katt and John Travolta. The film has been redone, and spawned a musical, but none are as good as this must-see original about a shy and sheltered young high school girl, Carrie, (Spacek) who is subjected to the most humiliating high school prank of all time. What her peers don't know is Carrie has also developed telekinetic abilities that make her a force to be reckoned with.
They Live (1988) Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, written and directed by John Carpenter
This classic from director John Carpenter is perhaps his most socially relevant film, in which a man finds that when he (or anyone) puts on special sunglasses, the world we live in is revealed to be a simulation. The reality is, television and advertising work subliminally to make people consume, spend, question nothing, and submit to authority. Plus, people all around us, in government, in the media, even our neighbors, are actually hideous aliens.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine directed by Jonathan Demme
While Hannibal Lecter had already made an appearance before, in the film, "Manhunter," based on the novel, "Red Dragon," it was this film that introduced us to Lecter as portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, and that portrayal made Lecter a household name. Based on the novel by Thomas Harris, the film finds FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) assigned to interview captured serial killer and psychiatrist Lecter to aid the pursuit of a new killer, dubbed Buffalo Bill.
The Addams Family (1991) Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Christina Ricci, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
It takes a lot of guts to make a film about an iconic and beloved TV series, and cast none of the originals in it. Sure, original Morticia Addams Carolyn Jones was dead, as was original Lurch Ted Cassidy, but original Gomez John Astin was still alive and working when this film was released. Not only was the film made, but new Gomez Raul Julia and new Morticia Angelica Huston were so good in their roles, with so much chemistry, that they fans to this day have a hard time choosing a favorite.
Swimfan (2002) Jesse Bradford, Erika Christensen, Shiri Appleby
Sexy tales of obsession are nothing new, and they vary widely in quality. You can find them anywhere from the big screen to the Hallmark Channel, and the formula is usually the same. The good character is tempted with forbidden love or sex with an attractive "bad" character. The forbidden tryst occurs, and that should be that. But then their forbidden hookup won't go away, threatening their relationship, their job, and ultimately their life. That's pretty much the case here, but "Swimfan" is so suspenseful, so stylish, and some of the scenes so hot, that it stands out as one worth watching.
High Tension (2003) Cecile de France, Maiwenn, Philippe Nanon, directed by Alexandre Aja
In talking to horror fans, there are a few films that get mentioned on lists of films that really disturbed them. Films so brutal they had nightmares, or felt sick. "High Tension," is one of those films. It combines the best elements of a slasher film with a psychological horror film in a unique package that will ingrain it in your memory and make you say, "wow."
Planet Terror (2007) Rose McGowan, Michael Biehn, Josh Brolin, Freddy Rodriguez, written and directed by Robert Rodriguez
In 2007, friends, writer-directors, and collaborators Quentin Tarentino and Robert Rodriguez teamed up on what might be the ultimate project - "Grindhouse" a double feature in which they paid tribute to the schlocky yet awesome films of the 1970s seen most often in drive-in theatres. Each director contributed his own film, with other directors such as Rob Zombie contributing trailers for fake movies in the same style (Zombie's was "Rob Zombie's Thanksgiving). This was Rodriguez's contribution to the project, which features Tarantino, Bruce Willis, and Rose McGowan as a girl who loses her leg in the fight against zombies, replacing it with a machine gun. It makes no sense, as tends to be the case with grindhouse films, but it's awesome all the same.
Orphan (2009) Vera Farmiga, Peter Skarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman, CCH Pounder, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra
There are a few movies out there about evil kids. This one, about an orphan named Esther who is adopted by a normal, loving family, seems to be one of those, as Esther, who has a troubled past, starts killing those around her. Except this isn't a standard evil kid film. Evan after you know what makes it different, you'll want to watch it again.
Cabin in the Woods (2012) Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, directed by Drew Goddard
As we noted in our list of slasher films, what made "Scream" brilliant was that it acknowledged that most slasher films had become blatantly formulaic, and it actually stated what the formula was, then redefined it. This film goes a step further, combining the familiar tropes of effectively every horror film, from slasher films to monster movies into one film, then saying there's a very good reason why they're all the same, with teenagers coming to the woods to party and die for generations. There's no movie like this. Brilliant and funny.
Weapons (2025) Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Aiden Ehrenreich, Amy Madigan, Benedict Wong, written and directed by Zach Cregger
Essentially this is a supernatural film, since there is a witch involved, but it feels like so much more. When 17 children from the same classroom run away on the same night at the same time, leaving only one child behind, most parents blame their teacher, but the reasons are much more sinister.
Gene Lass and Dandy J. West are lifelong horror fans and film buffs. They are the former editors of the blog "So Good It's Scary."