Are you tired of rewatching the same scary movies every year? Are you looking for a movie that will leave you with that eerie, creeped-out feeling? Do you love a good, old-fashioned scare? If you answered yes to any of these, then this list is for you!
These are the top 10 scariest movies to watch when you want to add a little bit of thrill to your October season.
10. The Blair Witch Project
Starting off our list is a film that changed the horror genre forever: The Blair Witch Project. This movie was one of the first to utilize a “found-footage” approach in a way that left audiences terrified. Although some consider it to be somewhat slow, I promise you that it is worth the watch. The fact that it is reportedly based on a true story makes it all the more horrifying. The Blair Witch Project follows 3 film students as they attempt to film a documentary about the legend of the Blair Witch. Many of the scariest elements of this movie seem like things that could legitimately happen in real life, which makes it a truly terrifying experience. This is the movie for you if you want a slow buildup of tension and fear, followed by a fiery climax.
9. The Autopsy of Jane Doe
This fan-favorite tells the ominous story of an autopsy performed on an anonymous woman (Jane Doe). As the autopsy unfolds, the two coroners discover increasingly creepy things about the corpse. This is the only other movie on the list which doesn’t seem all that scary in the beginning. However, the combination of intense lighting, an eerie soundtrack, and supernatural effects make it one of the scariest horror movies ever made. This one will definitely stick with you for a while.
8. The Conjuring
The Conjuring is hands-down one of the best fast-paced horror movies of the decade. The fear and tension start to build immediately as the viewer is drawn into the story of a family who just bought a new house in the wrong place. The sheer terror of the haunting, combined with the threats of possession, and the fact that this was based on a true story make this movie one of the scariest that you will ever experience. The jump scares alone are enough to keep you on the edge of your seat!
7. Lights Out
In my opinion, the best horror movies are the ones that exploit the deepest, most common fears. Who wasn’t afraid of the dark at some point? Lights Out follows a family torn apart by a demon named Diana who can only take physical form in the dark. The movie is well-acted and has a solid storyline with a surprise twist ending. Anyone who has watched Lights Out would agree that it makes the viewer relive their childhood fear of the dark. You’ll certainly think twice about sleeping with all the lights turned off after this thriller.
6. The Nun
Simply hearing the soundtrack of The Nun is enough to chill you to the bone. In my opinion, the story of The Nun is the scariest in The Conjuring universe. The use of Gregorian chants and unsettling violin music gives the audience a sense of unease that doesn’t go away for the entire movie. The movie follows a young nun and priest who are sent by the Vatican to investigate rumors of an evil spirit at an abbey in Romania. The movie is filled to the brim with jump scares, so watch with caution!
5. The Babadook
This movie is more of a psychological thriller than a horror movie, but it is great nonetheless. The Babadook is masterfully written and directed, and it has one of the best storylines in the genre. The movie follows a mother and her child who try to cope with the grief they feel after the death of the mother’s husband. Soon, an evil presence takes hold of the house and threatens to destroy them both. The Babadook is eerie, unsettling, and emotionally charged. It is the kind of movie that will stick with you long after the ending credits.
4. Sinister
Sinister is a great movie if you want to feel your heart beating in your chest. It is jam-packed with jump scares and eerie music, as well as a bone-chilling plotline that would scare even the bravest of souls. The movie follows a true-crime writer and his family as they move into a haunted house. The writer begins to regret his decision as the horrifying stories he heard about the house begin to become his reality. 10/10 would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a really good, really scary, really gory horror movie.
3. Hereditary
Taking the spot of “most recent release” on this list is Hereditary, the 2018 film that left audiences speechless. The storyline is absolutely genius. This movie follows a family dealing with the death of their mentally ill grandma, but things take a very dark turn early on. Every time I watch this movie, I find new things that only add to the tension and the foreboding sense of doom that catapults this movie so far ahead of its competitors. This movie is brilliantly acted, directed, and written. Hereditary creates the kind of fear that never truly goes away.
2. Paranormal Activity
Despite its low budget and small cast, Paranormal Activity remains one of the biggest names in the horror genre (and for a good reason). The movie follows newlyweds Micah and Katie as they settle into their new home. What they don’t realize is that Katie had been followed by a demon from her childhood. The subtle choices that the director makes to incorporate more fear and tension really play into how genius this movie was for the time. The found-footage format, coupled with the amazing practical effects, great acting, and realistic plot make this movie a true horror classic.
1. The Exorcist
No description would do this movie justice. The Exorcist follows the possession and exorcism of a little girl named Reagan. It is hands-down one of the scariest, if not the scariest movie in all of cinematic history. Don’t watch this one alone! But trust me when I say that those seeking a good scare will not be disappointed