People have always enjoyed a good scary story, something that keeps them on the edge on their seat. Whether it be a ghost story around a fire, horror movies, or a thrilling book by the likes of Stephen King or Dean Koontz, people have always found getting scared by a story perversely satisfying.
Of course when it comes to films, the genre is wide and diverse, with horrors ranging from the wacky and silly, to gory blood feasts, to psychological thrillers and so much more.
It is almost impossible to compare horror movies, especially those on different sides of the scary spectrum. A movie like Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds is so different to something like A Nightmare on Elm Street, except for the fact that they will both give you goosebumps. The five movies below though are a good broad selection of classic horror that everyone who loves the genre should see.
In 1960 the one and only Alfred Hitchcock introduced us to Norman Bates and the Bates Motel in Psycho. This masterpiece, with Anthony Perkins in the role of Norman, continues to stand the test of time. It many not be the scandalous movie it was in 1960, but it is still one of the most tense and nerve-wracking experiences you will have while watching a movie. The famous shower scene with Janet Leigh is perhaps the most iconic on-screen kill of all time.
Another oldie is William Friedkin's The Exorcist, made in 1973, but beware, this oldie is going to make you have sleepless nights. Dealing with the possession of a young girl, and the attempts by priests to rid her of this demon, it is the kind of scary movie that will leave a lasting impression. With stellar performances from Ellyn Burstyn, Max Von Sydow and Linda Blair as the possessed girl, Regan, do not watch this alone.
Steven Spielberg made his mark on cinema with the unforgettable horror about a Shark terrorizing a small town beach town in Jaws. This sparked a different kind of fear, and many people claim to be scared of the sea, and sharks, based strictly on having seen this film. The John Williams composed theme remains as haunting today, and with a great cast like Roy Schneider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss, one can forgive how fake the shark looks these days.
When it comes to the slasher horror movies, Halloween is perhaps the pinnacle of this sub-genre. Yes, Michael Myers has competition from Friday the Thirteenth's Jason or Wes Craven's Nightmarish Freddie Kruger, but John Carpenter's classic 1978 blockbuster was definitely the best. Carpenter is another fantastic director in this genre, having also made classics like The Fog and The Thing, but Halloween also had great performances from Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasance.
Finally, and to show Steven Spielberg's influence on horror movies, is a movie produced by him, and directed by Toby Hooper, the one and only Poltergeist. Released in 1982, the film revolves around a haunted home, and the family these ghosts decide to terrorize, eventually even taking the youngest child, memorably into the television set. Leading the cast were Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams.
Of course when it comes to films, the genre is wide and diverse, with horrors ranging from the wacky and silly, to gory blood feasts, to psychological thrillers and so much more.
It is almost impossible to compare horror movies, especially those on different sides of the scary spectrum. A movie like Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds is so different to something like A Nightmare on Elm Street, except for the fact that they will both give you goosebumps. The five movies below though are a good broad selection of classic horror that everyone who loves the genre should see.
In 1960 the one and only Alfred Hitchcock introduced us to Norman Bates and the Bates Motel in Psycho. This masterpiece, with Anthony Perkins in the role of Norman, continues to stand the test of time. It many not be the scandalous movie it was in 1960, but it is still one of the most tense and nerve-wracking experiences you will have while watching a movie. The famous shower scene with Janet Leigh is perhaps the most iconic on-screen kill of all time.
Another oldie is William Friedkin's The Exorcist, made in 1973, but beware, this oldie is going to make you have sleepless nights. Dealing with the possession of a young girl, and the attempts by priests to rid her of this demon, it is the kind of scary movie that will leave a lasting impression. With stellar performances from Ellyn Burstyn, Max Von Sydow and Linda Blair as the possessed girl, Regan, do not watch this alone.
Steven Spielberg made his mark on cinema with the unforgettable horror about a Shark terrorizing a small town beach town in Jaws. This sparked a different kind of fear, and many people claim to be scared of the sea, and sharks, based strictly on having seen this film. The John Williams composed theme remains as haunting today, and with a great cast like Roy Schneider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss, one can forgive how fake the shark looks these days.
When it comes to the slasher horror movies, Halloween is perhaps the pinnacle of this sub-genre. Yes, Michael Myers has competition from Friday the Thirteenth's Jason or Wes Craven's Nightmarish Freddie Kruger, but John Carpenter's classic 1978 blockbuster was definitely the best. Carpenter is another fantastic director in this genre, having also made classics like The Fog and The Thing, but Halloween also had great performances from Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasance.
Finally, and to show Steven Spielberg's influence on horror movies, is a movie produced by him, and directed by Toby Hooper, the one and only Poltergeist. Released in 1982, the film revolves around a haunted home, and the family these ghosts decide to terrorize, eventually even taking the youngest child, memorably into the television set. Leading the cast were Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams.
About the Author:
Need to catch up on horror movies starring your favourite actors? Fright Flicks has a variety of free movies to choose from with new arrivals coming in daily. From zombie movies to thrillers, you will find films perfect for you.
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