My Top 10 Favorite Scary Movies
With spooky season creeping just around the corner, I wanted to share a handful of my favorite scary movies to spice up your October! I have loved scary movies ever since I watched The Ring (2002) when I was four years old when I was supposed to be taking a nap (sorry Mom!). I mean, I look forward to 31 Nights of Halloween pretty much all of the other 334 days out of a year. Everybody loves a good scare every once and a while, so grab your popcorn and hide under your covers as I show you a few of mine!
10. Poltergeist (1982) https://youtu.be/9eZgEKjYJqA
IMDB Score: 7.3/10
Rated: PG
This movie is a classic, visually stunning and extremely scary for its time, with one of the most interesting horror concepts I’ve ever seen: an evil spirit kidnaps a child through a TV. Yes, some of it may look cheesy now in comparison to contemporary scary movies, but the original Poltergeist more than outdid the 2015 remake.
9. Insidious (2010) https://youtu.be/zuZnRUcoWos
IMDB Score: 6.8/10
Rated: PG-13
All I have to say is: “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” by Tiny Tim haunts me.
8. It Follows (2014) https://youtu.be/HkZYbOH0ujw
IMDB Score: 6.8/10
Rated: R
S.T.D. Sexually Transmitted Demon, a demon that can take whatever form that it wants in its pursuit to kill you. This movie gives off a typical teen movie vibe to start, but has some serious scares and some terrifyingly imaginative escape sequences. I don’t know if the underlying message really is saying ‘be careful who you sleep with’, but I mean be careful who you sleep with because they might just give you a demon.
7. Halloween (1978) https://youtu.be/xHuOtLTQ_1I
IMDB Score: 7.8/10
Rated: R
Another classic, with some iconic horror music, Halloween is the debut film of Scream Queen, Jamie Lee Curtis. Sometimes this movie makes me cringe with how foolish the characters are, but hey, that’s a slasher film for you. With 11 films to-date and another in the making, the original Halloween is one of the sparks that started the horror film craze in the ‘80s that still lives on today.
6. IT (2017) https://youtu.be/hAUTdjf9rko
IMDB Score: 7.4/10
Rated: R
Although the remake of IT isn’t exactly as horrifying as it could have been, the remake indefinitely outshines the original in all aspects. With a phenomenal cast of teen actors, compelling cinematography and plot, not to mention some hair-raising jump scares, the first chapter of IT has made a serious name for itself in the realm of scary movies.
5. Don’t Breathe (2016) https://youtu.be/76yBTNDB6vU
IMDB Score: 7.1/10
Rated: R
In terms of genre, this film is versatile enough that it could stand alone in the Thriller or the Horror category, but for me, this movie was horrifyingly thrilling. Don’t Breathe is one of those heart pounding, edge-of-your-seat, hiding-behind-your-hands kind of movies. This movie opened my eyes to fears I never knew I even had, and just when you think it’s over, it’s not.
4. When A Stranger Calls (2006) https://youtu.be/1U8QyDsjgIo
IMDB Score: 5.1/10
Rated: PG-13
This is one of my favorites because 1) I’ve seen it probably 30 times, 2) it’s one of those urban legends we all know and love, and 3) it feels real, and that’s the best kind of scary movie. If I could get a degree studying urban legends, I would, because they are fascinating and spooky. I’m not going to say anything else because thanks to 2000’s style of making trailers, it just about gives away the whole movie, and that’s just no fun.
3. Scream (1996) https://youtu.be/AWm_mkbdpCA
IMDB Score: 7.2/10
Rated: R
This movie was an instant classic in its time of debut, not only because of its cast but also because of its call outs of scary movie stereotypes within the movie, like how its “Always a stupid killer stalking some big-breasted girl who can’t act who is always running up the stairs when she should be running out the front door.” However, despite recognizing these horror film tropes, most characters forget to heed their own advice as they become victims to Ghostface. Another lovable aspect of this film is trying to figure out who the killer is before the big reveal. The opening scene is one of the best movie hooks I’ve ever seen.
2. Sinister (2012) https://youtu.be/_kbQAJR9YWQ
IMDB Score: 6.8/10
Rated: R
Writer dad moves family into a house where an entire family was just brutally murder, finds mysterious tapes in an otherwise empty attic featuring the aforementioned dead family being murdered and then some? Also, some symbols of Pagan deities and strange things going on inside the house? Sounds pretty sinister to me. This is one of those movies that gets under your skin, especially the tapes. I jump even when I know it’s coming.
1.Vacancy (2007) https://youtu.be/9DCyrUheIpM
IMDB Score: 6.2/10
Rated: R
This is one you’ve probably never heard of, but it’s another urban legend that feels too terrifyingly real. Though it may not be conventionally scary, this movie packs a punch of violence and genuine scares. This is one of those films that makes me have no faith or trust in humanity because this can actually happen (honestly it probably has). So, if realistic horror is not your thing because you want to be able to leave your house and believe that people are good, this movie is not for you.
So now that I’ve told you mine, I guess there’s really only one question to ask: what’s your favorite scary movie?