My Top 15 Scariest Movies
I don't really care for for gory, slasher films. That's an entirely different category, although some were better than others. So, the SAW movies won't be on this list, and yet...Michael Myers is. I'm talking about that hair on the back of the neck, running into solid objects kind of fear. Authentic chills, which means somebody would have to come up with something original.
I tried to come up with ten, but I ended up with five honorable mentions.. What the heck. I went for fifteen.The most important thing is my certainty of number 1. The remaining order is debatable.
I tried to come up with ten, but I ended up with five honorable mentions.. What the heck. I went for fifteen.The most important thing is my certainty of number 1. The remaining order is debatable.
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- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsEllen BurstynMax von SydowLinda BlairWhen a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.To be clear, this is the scariest move I have ever seen. I've seen it over 50 times, but never alone. The last time I saw it was about six years ago. I may watch it again (one of these days) if I can find someone to watch it with me. In spite of all the theatrics, it was really the intangibles that made this film cut so deep. The others, while entertaining, were not cut of the same stuff. Well, there's one other film that kind of get to me. That's why it's listed as number 2.
When the "version you've never seen" came out, a friend actually "leaked" a very important part of the film and spoiled the whole thing for me. He knew not what he did.
Exorcist gets my highest score: 10 chills, - DirectorDamien LeoneStarsKatie MaguireCatherine A. CallahanMarie MaserA babysitter finds a VHS tape which features various sinister murders performed by a psychotic clown.I watched this a kind of a fluke. I'd never heard of it until my nephew, who knows about my aversion for clowns, recommended it. About ten minutes in, I found myself looking over my shoulder. If you haven't seen it, it's worth checking out. Halloween's coming soon. You might find it a little "campy", but the one time I watched it turned out to be quite enough.
8.5 chills. - DirectorMikael HåfströmStarsColin O'DonoghueAnthony HopkinsCiarán HindsAmerican seminary student Michael Kovak travels to Italy to take an exorcism course.Anthony Hopkins: Boo-yow! I liked his fatherly priest character, and the story was beautifully told. Actually, it was kind of sad, but stylish and entertaining.
8.5 chills. - DirectorJames WanStarsPatrick WilsonVera FarmigaRon LivingstonParanormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.A modern classic. This movie caught a lot of us by surprise. There had been so many "scary" movies that failed to deliver that my expectations were very low. They pulled some nice moves in this, but once you see it, the chill is gone.
8 chills. - DirectorJohn R. LeonettiStarsWard HortonAnnabelle WallisAlfre WoodardA couple begins to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists.***Spoiler Alert***
Although a prequel (after the fact) to the Conjuring, I found Annabelle a bit creepier. The doll never moves. That kind of made this work for me. Not a huge spoiler, but a spoiler, nonetheless.
8+ chills. - DirectorJon WattsStarsAndy PowersLaura AllenPeter StormareA loving father finds a clown suit for his son's birthday party, only to realize that it's cursed.Another sleeper. I highly recommend this if you've never seen it. It will sneak up on you like Gin & Juice. A good one to spring on unsuspecting friends. Psychological. Creepy. Relentless. You will view clowns differently.
8+ chills. - DirectorTakashi ShimizuStarsSarah Michelle GellarJason BehrClea DuVallAn American nurse living and working in Tokyo is exposed to a mysterious supernatural curse, one that locks a person in a powerful rage before claiming their life and spreading to another victim.I would have put more Japanese made film on the list, but they would have taken over. I just watched this about 3 month ago for the first time. I lived in Japan for about 4 years. This is another one that gets under your skin, and it has some very creepy moments.
8 chills. - DirectorCourtney SolomonStarsDonald SutherlandSissy SpacekRachel Hurd-WoodAn invisible entity haunts a 19th century family, and family secrets soon begin to surface.This one was another surprise. I didn't expect much, but the film actually delivers some jaw-dropping special effects. It's mostly visual, and more entertaining than scary. However, if you've got friends who haven't seen it, you can spring it on them and thank me for it later.
8 chills. - DirectorRob ZombieStarsScout Taylor-ComptonMalcolm McDowellTyler ManeAfter being committed for 15 years, Michael Myers, now a grown man and still very dangerous, escapes from the mental institution and immediately returns to Haddonfield to find his baby sister, Laurie.Now for my slasher movie exception, part 1. After all the misadventures of Michael Myers, this one really turned a corner for me. I purchased the Blue-Ray, and I actually stopped watching it at one point. It was extreme, disturbing, and visceral. This version of Michael Myers scared me because he was portrayed, for the first time, as someone who could be out there, lurking about.
8+ chills and quite disturbing. - DirectorSean S. CunninghamStarsBetsy PalmerAdrienne KingJeannine TaylorA group of teenage camp counselors attempt to re-open an abandoned summer camp with a tragic past, but they are stalked by a mysterious, relentless killer.Slasher movie exception, part 2. The original. One of my first rated "R" movies. My brother and I were on our way out when the "big finale" happened. We almost missed it. The "mother's" performance makes the film unforgettable. Slow going at first, but it builds to a shattering crescendo.
8 chills - DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsKurt RussellWilford BrimleyKeith DavidA research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.This remake is a big reason my list went from ten to fifteen. "Is that a man in there?". Creepy. Innovative. Suspenseful, and delightfully disturbing. It also takes advantage of one my real-life fears: claustrophobia. If you want to watch this, run the prequel first. It wasn't that great, but it does set things up nicely.
8.5 chills. - DirectorJanusz KaminskiStarsWinona RyderBen ChaplinSarah WynterA Catholic teacher meets an atheist journalist, whom a group of Catholics and Priests believes has been chosen by the devil to be the Antichrist.Honorable mention. Winona Ryder. Yup.
- DirectorRupert WainwrightStarsPatricia ArquetteGabriel ByrneJonathan PryceWhen a young woman becomes afflicted by stigmata, a priest is sent to investigate her case, which may have severe ramifications for his faith and for the Catholic Church itself.Honorable mention. This, along with Lost Souls, and The Rite, are the perfect lineup for a medium range, trifecta movie fright-night.
- DirectorPhilip KaufmanStarsDonald SutherlandBrooke AdamsJeff GoldblumWhen strange seeds drift to earth from space, mysterious pods begin to grow and invade San Francisco, replicating the city's residents one body at a time.Another classic movie remake, and my first look at a young Jeff Goldblum. You get your suspense, your paranoia, and your continuous fear being cranked up with each passing moment. Then, as a bonus, you also get a little Leonard Nimoy.
8 chills. - DirectorRidley ScottStarsSigourney WeaverTom SkerrittJohn HurtThe crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform after investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin.A truly great and scary movie, but I consider this sci-fi. Different category.