Scariest Horror Movies of All Time, Ranked

Everyone loves a good horror movie now and then. Whether it’s to revel in excessive practical effects or feel that familiar tingle in our spine, there’s a horror movie for just about every mood. But between horror comedies and even horror-themed romances, there’s one thing the genre does best: delivering scares.

Sometimes, all you need out of a horror movie is a good scare. Ever since the genre’s inception, tales of the macabre, stories of the supernatural, and all other kinds of paranormal happenings have made us cower behind our couches and sleep with nightlights on. But with so many horror movies available at our fingertips, how can we find a movie that’s guaranteed to chill our blood?

We’ve found it helpful to compile some of the scariest films in history in one place for your convenience; they may not be the most artistically perfect horror films (for that, check out the best horror movies ever made), but they are some of the scariest, and there’s some overlap. Zombies, ghouls, ghosts, and more will collide in some of the scariest horror movies ever made.

Updated on April 13th, 2024, by Soniya Hinduja: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.

40 Hereditary (2018)

Hereditary

Release Date

June 7, 2018

Director

Ari Aster

Runtime

127

Tagline

Every family tree hides a secret.

Ari Aster’s feature directorial debut is a psychological horror that creeps up in your head and refuses to let go. Its plot centers around the Graham Family. After the matriarch passes away, her daughter Annie and the grandchildren begin to uncover disturbing secrets about their line of succession. Their family home is soon struck by torment, and when a demonic entity finally makes itself felt, the truth about horrors being passed down to generations of the Graham bloodline is revealed.

Not Your Typical Horror Film

Hereditary is not your typical horror. It is not infused with graphic visuals or unexpected jump scares. Instead, the movie burrows deep into your subconscious through ingenious transitions between reality and nightmare. Toni Collette delivers an unforgettable performance as a mother driven to the brink of madness by her own grief, and Alex Wolff is equally grounded as her son. Aster uses domestic tension as fuel to create an inferno of atmospheric dread, hurling us toward the most excruciating and terrifying final moments. He creates a tale that is haunting precisely because of how familiar it seems, making Hereditary a masterpiece. Stream Hereditary on Max and Hulu

39 The Evil Dead (1981)

The Evil Dead

Release Date

September 10, 1981

Cast

Bruce Campbell , Ellen Sandweiss , Richard DeManincor , Betsy Baker , Theresa Tilly , Philip A. Gillis

Runtime

85

Tagline

Can they be stopped?

Before he became known for directing the Spider-Man trilogy, Sam Raimi showcased his audacious skills in the iconic film, The Evil Dead. The movie begins with five college students traveling to an isolated cabin in the woods for a vacation. They find an audio tape and unwittingly awaken the spirits and demons residing in nearby woods. Soon, each student becomes the victim of a gruesome supernatural attack. As the violence escalates, the remaining friends must find a way to save themselves from getting slaughtered.

Sam Raimi’s Incredible Horror Debut

Made on a shoestring budget of $375,000, this splatter flick established itself with a special legacy. The movie blurred genre lines and shocked critics and audiences alike. Beyond the over-the-top gore, there are elements in the movie that tap into your primal anxieties – like the creepy woods, an isolated cabin, oodles of sadistic violence, and demonic possessions. Starring Bruce Campbell in the role of Ash Williams, it gave birth to a massively influential franchise and became an unforgettable and exceptional horror movie. Stream The Evil Dead on AMC+

38 The Birds (1963)

The Birds

Release Date

March 29, 1963

Cast

Rod Taylor , Tippi Hedren , Jessica Tandy , Suzanne Pleshette , Veronica Cartwright

Runtime

1hr 59min

Another psychological horror, this time directed by Alfred Hitchcock, The Birds tells the story of a rich San Francisco woman named Melanie Daniels. To prove a point to a potential boyfriend, Melanie travels to a small town in Northern California. Shortly after her arrival, birds begin attacking the locals. As the suspenseful hostility of the birds grows frequent and deadly, it becomes apparent that there is a greater force at play.

Rooted in Anxiety

The Birds is adapted from a short story of the same name written by Daphne du Maurier. Under Hitchcock’s sublime direction, it transforms into a nail-biting suspense. Unlike usual horror movies, the tension in this one does not arise from a monstrous villain, but from the anxieties we project on seemingly harmless elements in nature. Steering away from graphic violence, the movie relies on the vagueness, the ambiguity of the threat to make the viewer mad. Clearly, Hitchcock’s work has rattled audiences for generations. Buy or Rent The Birds on Apple TV

37 It Follows (2015)

It Follows

Release Date

February 4, 2015

Runtime

100

A self-sustained minimalist horror directed by David Robert Mitchell, It Follows made quite an impression with its premise, and yet, remained criminally underrated until a couple of years ago. The protagonist, Jay Height, is a teenager who has a sexual encounter with her boyfriend. Following that, she finds herself being stalked by a malevolent spirit. She learns that she must pass the curse on to someone else, and soon other students get struck by this supernatural plague as well.

A Film Tailored to Specific Fears

A terror that is tailored to each victim’s deepest fear is what roams about in this contemporary slasher. Mitchell’s indie horror is not only a frightful romp but also a movie that tap dances above genre conventions to make a thought-provoking commentary on adolescence and existential dread. The meticulous camera work adds to the unease and uncertainty, making the movie both smart and unnerving. As for the acting, Maika Monroe is absolutely stunning as the final girl, carrying this terrifying tale to its frightening conclusion. Stream It Follows on Hulu and Paramount+

36 Poltergeist (1982)

Poltergeist

Release Date

June 4, 1982

Cast

Craig T. Nelson , JoBeth Williams , Beatrice Straight , Dominique Dunne , Oliver Robins , Heather O’Rourke

Runtime

114

Tagline

They’re here.

Tobe Hooper’s Poltergeist is a top-tier ghost film because it’s more about the central family than the actual specters. The plot follows the Freeling family, whose home just so happened to be built upon a Native American burial ground. As they settle into their home, a disquieting night involving the family television puts a damper on their pleasant mood. The youngest, Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke), makes an unsettling announcement following the arrival of a violent earthquake: “They’re here.”

A Terrifying Film from the 1980s

With excellent special effects and a host of compelling performances powering each member of the Freeling clan, Poltergeist works as well in its small moments as it does in the third-act set pieces. The early ’80s vibe is also instrumental in solidifying the film’s appeal, specifically when it comes to the type of organic sweet moments that reek of producer Steven Spielberg. And, really, there’s an argument to be made that Poltergeist is as much a Spielberg film as it is a Hooper film. Its terrifying paranormal sequences, even if they originate with an ominous toy clown or a harrowing bathroom mirror, remain iconic to this day. The shocking revelation that real-life skeletons were used in Poltergeist‘s haunting pool scene only adds to the genuine scares this film elicits. Buy or Rent Poltergeist on Prime Video

35 The Conjuring (2013)

The Conjuring

Release Date

March 20, 2013

Runtime

112

Tagline

Inspired by the true case files of the Warrens.

Being James Wan’s greatest horror accomplishment, the incredibly atmospheric familial nightmare that is The Conjuring made a big splash during 2013’s summer movie season. The plot follows Ed and Lorraine Warren, a couple specializing in exorcising evil spirits, who are called out to a country home to tend to the matriarch of a struggling family. However, what they’ll find is a demonic spirit that needs to be cleansed. The success of The Conjuring would allow for the creation of a highly-successful horror universe, with a plethora of mainline entries and spinoffs alike.

A Slick and Terrifying Possession Movie

Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are now iconic in their lead roles as the Warrens, and their intense struggle to exorcise a young girl throughout this film makes for some incredible tension. It’s an incredibly slick horror film, one that delivers its scares with the kind of big-budget production value we’ve come to expect from horror films nowadays. Plus, when you add in a terrifying performance from the young Lili Taylor, you get a possession film that really ratchets up the fear. Stream The Conjuring on Hulu and Max

34 Barbarian (2022)

Barbarian

Release Date

September 9, 2022

Runtime

1hr 42min

Read Our Review

Zach Cregger of The Whitest Kids U’Know really surprised a lot of people with his masterful Barbarian. Save for 2009’s regrettable comedy Miss March, Barbarian was his feature film directorial debut, and it couldn’t be any more impressive. The plot follows a young woman who checks into a rental house only to find another man already there. But he’s the least of her issues, even if he is a tad creepy, because what lurks in the basement is much worse.

Cregger both wrote and directed the film, which is as capable of legitimate surprises as it is loaded with insightful commentary about the modern world and the gender dynamics within. It also gives Justin Long one of his best films in years, introduces a frightening cinema icon in The Mother, and introduces audiences to the talents of Georgina Campbell. Barbarian, with its methodical pace, could have very easily flown under the radar. But thank goodness it didn’t, not that its fanbase couldn’t do with a little more expansion. It’s a completely terrifying film that works on multiple distinct levels. Buy or Rent Barbarian on Apple TV

33 Get Out (2017)

Get Out

Release Date

February 24, 2017

Runtime

103

Easily one of the top horror movies of the 2010s, Get Out also made for a massively successful directorial debut. And, after three films, it’s still Jordan Peele’s most insightful and well-written project yet. The plot follows a 30-something Black man as he goes with his white girlfriend to meet her parents. Unfortunately for him, he’s about to experience a much more elaborately awful experience than the one experienced by Ben Stiller’s Gaylord Focker.

A Modern Horror Masterpiece

It didn’t take long for Get Out to be rightfully considered a modern horror masterpiece. However, for those looking for pure, visceral thrills, it’s worth noting that Peele’s debut steers towards social commentary more often than visceral scares. That being said, Get Out terrifies you in other ways, with its thrilling mystery and upsetting revelations giving you ample chills (as well as thrills). For those who are looking for frights that will stick with them, for something much smarter than Saw and the like, Get Out is as good a choice as one can make. Stream Get Out on Prime Video

32 A Quiet Place Part II (2021)

Read Our Review

From the first scene of A Quiet Place Part II, it’s pretty obvious John Krasinski has grown a lot as a filmmaker since the 2018 original. And that film was terrific. A follow-up to A Quiet Place, this film sees Emily Blunt (sans John Krasinski) leading her family through a world filled with monstrous creatures. Unlike your typical horror movie monster, however, these creatures operate based on one key sense: hearing.

A Terrifically Terrifying Sequel

The opening of the film conveys chaos every bit as well as Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead remake. And many film fans are known to say what they will about Snyder, but he nailed that neighborhood-destruction opening scene. From there, the film never lets up, as Emily Blunt’s Evelyn Abbott does everything in her power to keep her kids alive from the sightless beasts.

But, unlike Snyder’s solid Dawn of the Dead, Krasinski’s sequel remains every bit as solid throughout the remainder of the runtime. The cast is more acclimated to their difficult survivalist characters, with Millicent Simmonds and Emily Blunt turning in legitimately Oscar-worthy work. Even though it was released in 2021, there’s a good chance A Quiet Place Part II remains one of the strongest examples of the horror genre to come from the decade. Stream A Quiet Place: Part 2 on Hulu and Paramount+

31 The Shining (1980)

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Directed by Stanley Kubrick, The Shining follows Jack Torrance, a writer struggling with alcoholism who takes an off-season caretaker job at the abandoned Overlook Hotel, moving to the place of occupation with his family. However, as his writing ambitions darken, so does his sanity. The more Jack isolates himself from the world and his family, the creepier he gets. His wife Wendy and son Danny are terrorized by unexplained dread and a memory that won’t stay buried.

Stanley Kubrick’s Iconic Horror Film

The Shining is a classic horror in every sense because it doesn’t use any “paranormal” aspect to create a chilling atmosphere, but instead relies on the protagonist’s subconscious to retain that nightmarish vibe. Many films have been adapted from the legendary horror writer Stephen King, but few remain as iconic and as popular as Kubrick’s. Just about every scene has been picked apart for its deeper meaning, and given Kubrick’s impeccable style (as well as John Alcott’s cinematography) behind the camera, your skin will be crawling by the time of its shocking conclusion. Buy or Rent The Shining on Prime Video

30 Psycho (1960)

Psycho

Release Date

June 22, 1960

Cast

Anthony Perkins , Vera Miles , John Gavin , Martin Balsam , John McIntire , Simon Oakland

Runtime

109

Tagline

A new- and altogether different- screen excitement!!!

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock at a time when the horror genre was still finding its ground, Psycho thrilled and shocked the audience at the same time. The scary slasher flick follows office secretary Marion Crane, who finds refuge at the isolated Bates Motel after committing fraud and embezzlement and being pursued by the police. Little does she know, the motel owner, Normal Bates, harbors a terrifying secret beneath the veneer of politeness and charm. When Marion’s sister and mother arrive at the hotel, unimaginable violence breaks out.

An All-Time Horror Classic

Be warned, Psycho is not for the fainthearted. With every shallow breath and subtle air of suspense, the film allows the audience a glimpse into the mind and integrity of a psychopath. Janet Leigh delivers a performance that is still remembered as one responsible for changing the course of cinema, pairing well with Psycho‘s haunting twist and an unparalleled amount of violence for its time. It’s easily up there as Hitchcock’s most culturally significant film, as well as one of his most terrifying. Buy or Rent Psycho on Prime Video

29 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Release Date

October 1, 1974

Cast

Marilyn Burns , Allen Danziger , Paul A. Partain , William Vail , Teri McMinn , Edwin Neal

Runtime

83

Tagline

Who will survive and what will be left of them?

A group of five friends are on their way to Sally and Franklin’s grandfather’s house, but on the way, they run out of gas and find themselves stranded in creepy rural Texas. Soon after, they encounter Leatherface and his bizarre family of cannibals, who work quickly to unleash pure chaos upon the teens by killing them one by one.

Tobe Hooper’s Unfiltered Masterpiece

Featuring some of the most grimy, raw, and unfiltered scares in the history of cinema is this pioneering film in a great franchise. While the movie was barely seen or distributed upon release, it went on to become so influential that horror fans still discuss it almost 50 years on. In less than 90 minutes, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre guts its audience and the genre. The reason? Tope Hooper’s vision of using chainsaws, an insatiable hunger, and shaky camerawork. Shockingly, while the amount of on-screen blood and gore is surprisingly minimal, the sheer atmosphere crafted by its sun-scorched remains and isolating cinematography are more than enough to terrify you. Stream The Texas Chain Saw Massacre on Shudder

28 Alien (1979)

Alien

Release Date

May 25, 1979

Runtime

117

Tagline

In space…no one can hear you scream.

Stunning in its creature design and world-building, Alien transports the audience into the claustrophobic setting of Nostromo, a spaceship orbiting outside the Earth. When the crew intercepts a distress call from a faraway planet, they decide to check it out. However, they soon find themselves trapped within the dark corridors, attacked by a lethal extraterrestrial beast.

The Debut of the Xenomorph

The best thing about this 70s horror film is the tension that keeps on expanding with every scene, leading to that unforgettable “chest-burster” scene that had audiences jumping out of their seats. Based on a design by renowned artist H. R. Giger, the now-legendary Xenomorph alien is one of the most iconic and terrifying science fiction creations in equal measure. Heavy on atmospheric terror, Ridley Scott’s science fiction masterpiece deserves a spot on a list of the scariest movies ever made. Stream Alien on Hulu

27 Jaws (1975)

Jaws

Release Date

June 18, 1975

Runtime

124

Tagline

The terrifying motion picture from the terrifying No. 1 best seller.

Set against the backdrop of a fictional Amity Island in New York, Jaws begins with a great white menace invading beaches and icy waters and terrorizing the community of people. In such a scenario, someone obviously needs to do something. So, police chief Martin Brody teams up with a scientist and a local fisherman to wage a war against the beast. This film would be the first of many in a wider Jaws franchise, though most — if not all, really — would agree that the great white shark’sd debut is still its scariest entry.

An Chilling Monster with an Iconic Theme

While Jaws is less outwardly horror-themed compared to other entries on this list, its overall impact and the enduring perception of sharks it created is a testament to its terrifying tale of oceanic horror. This thriller directed by Steven Spielberg still evokes spine-chilling horrors after multiple rewatches, mainly because of its iconic theme song. While most of the scares in the movie come from the shark in question itself, it is the immersive sequences and riveting score that pull the audience into the drama and have them shivering. Buy or Rent Jaws on Netflix

26 Day of the Dead (1985)

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As beloved as George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead is, we have to give it up to the follow-up film, Day of the Dead. Released in 1985, Day of the Dead is easily the most gruesome and somber of the earliest Night of the Living Dead films, depicting a group of survivors in the zombie post-apocalypse as they shelter in an underground bunker. A fight for survival comes with staggering questions surrounding humanity’s abilities to communicate and work together in the face of impossible odds.

The Scariest Romero Zombie Film

Day of the Dead is downright terrifying. Romero’s zombies have never looked more decayed, and combined with amazing practical effects by Tom Savini, it all coalesces into a tragic narrative with some of the most horrifying kills the series has ever seen. Though the film is also one of the hammiest in the series, mostly due to the memorable over-the-top performance of Joseph Pilato, the incorporation of surreal dream sequences and stomach-churning gore easily puts this film over the others in terms of scariness. The visage of a bloodied Captain Rhodes screaming “choke on ’em” still haunts us to this day. Stream Day of the Dead on Hulu and Shudder

25 Funny Games (2007)

Funny Games

Release Date

October 20, 2007

Runtime

108

Tagline

Shall we begin?

Funny Games – either the original 1997 film or the American 2007 remake – is a terrifying time. A family of three makes a pleasant trip to their lake house, with some help from their pleasant neighbors, Paul and Peter. However, what starts as some annoying tricks quickly escalates into a full-on series of torturous games as both Paul and Peter take the family hostage. Both films were directed by Michael Haneke, and barring some stylistic differences between the two, they’re almost shot-for-shot identical.

Self-Aware In the Scariest Way

Funny Games is, at its core, what you would expect from a home invasion thriller, but with one special caveat. The film’s antagonists are seemingly self-aware of their existence in a horror movie, and their ability to break the fourth wall lends them a power that can’t be combated by our helpless protagonists. In a way, the film serves as a critique of the very audience that’s watching it, delivering the genuine horror you would expect from a movie such as this, but in a way that is so cold and clinical, it’ll leave you breathless. It’s certainly an unconventional horror film, but it’s one that purposefully preys on the audience’s expectations to deliver something scarily profound. Buy or Rent Funny Games on Apple TV

24 The Mist (2007)

One of multiple collaborations between Stephen King and director Frank Darabont, The Mist is up there as one of their best. Released in 2007, The Mist takes what would’ve been a conventional monster movie and turns it on its head, focusing instead on how a monstrous cloud of mist forces a group of survivors into a supermarket. With unknown threats lurking on the horizon, ideologies clash in how to best survive their current predicament, with seemingly no hope for rescue in sight.

Can’t Go Wrong with Darabont and King

Chances are you’ve already heard about The Mist for a single reason: its horrifically tragic ending. But as iconic as the ending is, everything building up to it is just as tense and spine-chilling. It’s one of the few adaptations of Stephen King’s work that got the famed horror author’s direct approval, with its biggest changes from the original story garnering the most praise overall. If you need a little more convincing, the lead role of David Drayton is also played by Thomas Jane of The Expanse fame, delivering a particularly haunting performance. Stream The Mist on Freevee

23 The Sadness (2021)

The Sadness

Release Date

May 12, 2022

Director

Rob Jabbaz

Cast

Berant Zhu , Tzu-Chiang Wang

Runtime

1hr 39min

Those with weak stomachs may want to steer clear of The Sadness. Arguably one of the most intense zombie movies of the decade thus far, The Sadness sees modern-day Taiwan afflicted by a horrific virus that quickly infects the majority of the population. However, instead of turning them into mindless zombies, they now feel an unstoppable urge to commit just about any kind of heinous act you can imagine.

A Shockingly Scary Zombie Film

The Sadness is a movie that just never relents. There’s no happy ending in store for anyone, and the few times our protagonists seem to get ahead, it’s all for naught. It’s a film that skewers humanity, one that highlights the nastiest societal potholes we keep managing to stumble into. Add onto that unparalleled violence and some of the most shocking imagery put to film, and you effectively have a horror film that not only scares, but saddens as well. Stream The Sadness on Shudder

22 Maniac (2012)

Maniac (2012)

Release Date

January 2, 2013

Runtime

89 Minutes

Tagline

I warned you not to go out tonight

A remake of the 1980 William Lustig film, 2012’s Maniac sees Elijah Wood playing the role of Frank Zito, a scalp-oriented serial killer. The film follows Zito as he embarks on his murderous exploits, balancing his frail view of reality with the one positive relationship he’s managed to forge for himself. We rarely ever leave Zito’s point of view as we see the world through his eyes, only ever catching his face through reflections. Combine that with a score reminiscent of the 1980s, and you have one of the most intriguing, yet brutally graphic horror remakes of the 2010s.

An Unconventional Remake

Both Maniac films address the same idea in similar ways, but only in 2012’s Maniac do we get the neon-soaked streets of Los Angeles and a screenplay co-written by Alexandre Aja. Yes, the same Alexandre Aja responsible for 2006’s The Hills Have Eyes and the poster child of the New French Extremity movement, High Tension. The level of violence here is appropriately grim, given an extra level of intimate terror via its extensive point-of-view cinematography. As a remake of the original William Lustig film, and as its own terrifying standalone story, Maniac is a film that’s sure to leave you squirming in your seat. Stream Maniac on Plex

21 Begotten (1989)

Begotten

Release Date

June 5, 1991

Director

E. Elias Merhige

Cast

Brian Salzberg , Donna Dempsey , Stephen Charles Barry , James Gandia

Runtime

72 Minutes

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It’s difficult to describe Edmund Merhige’s Begotten, as breaking down what happens in the film seemingly goes against its intended purpose. On the surface, Begotten is an experimental film that sees a man wandering a barren landscape until his repeated encounters with a group of nomads ends with his grisly death. But underneath this literal interpretation, however, is a sea of symbolic imagery and horrifying implications.

An Infamously Horrifying Experiment

Begotten is infamous for its incredibly distorted cinematography, lack of dialogue, and otherwise alien presentation. It’s a film whose disturbing content feels “wrong” to witness, as if the audience is peering into a horrifying alternate reality. It certainly doesn’t help that Begotten was prominently bootlegged sometime after its original release, meaning you could’ve found it sitting on the same shelves as other classic horror films in 1995. It’s easily one of the most disturbing film experiments of the past few decades. Begotten is not available to rent or stream.