Horror Films - Best Horror Films

Horror Films

Horror films are unlike any other type of film. You enter the theater with anticipation and excitement and you often leave feeling frightened and with a heightened sense of being. No other genre can offer this, which is why horror films are so special.

One of the first horror films to really shock the nation, and the world, was Rosemary’s Baby. The ending of that movie left many people shaken for years, including those who happened to be pregnant at the time. Another movie to shock a nation, and to make people think twice about taking a shower, was Psycho. Norman Bates is a name that still makes people cringe.

The best horror films are those that put a new twist on the genre. The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre fits into this category. The cinematography and rawness of the film make you feel as though you’re one of the victims. The Shining was unique because of its psychological power. How can you not root for a little boy trying to escape a father gone insane?

The 80s was an interesting decade for horror films. While revenue was good for the industry, the horror films of that era didn’t offer much substance. Friday The 13th, and to a lesser extent, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Halloween, were mostly about gore and shock value. You might squirm in your seat a little bit, but the scenes from these movies aren’t going to frighten you for weeks.

Even though it was a hoax, The Blair Witch Project had created more of a stir than any horror film in decades. Audiences flocked to theatres to get their tastes of three kids searching for a legend in a Maryland forest. All did not end well, especially when the gig was up. That said, it was exciting while it lasted. And if you know anyone who doesn’t know about this horror movie, it’s recommended you play it for them.

The Sixth Sense was unique because it mixed real life drama with horror. Some would argue if it classifies as a horror film. If a movie can make you sweat and come up with a classic horror line, such as “I see dead people,” I think it qualifies for horror film status. The twist in this movie was also superb. If you haven’t seen it yet, rent it tonight.

Another movie to put a different spin on the horror genre was Signs. Aliens beaming down to earth doesn’t often equal horror, but the way Shyamalan pulled this off with unending suspense, if you were human, your heart was pounding the whole way through. What made this unique is that it was a horror film that combined the power of religion with horror. Unlike The Exorcist, this was done in a positive light, which is tough to pull off.

Prior to Saw, no movie had ever combined a puzzle so well with horror. Watching two people try to figure out how to escape a room in a warehouse with their only option being to saw their limbs off would definitely qualify as a new kind of horror. Saw II disappointed, which is a shame, because Saw III was well received.

The most recent horror film to shock audiences is Paranormal State. Many have stated that it’s by far the scariest movie they’ve ever seen. While the majority of these audiences are young and haven’t seen many movies on this list, that’s still quite a statement. If you enjoy a racing heart, beads of sweat dripping from your brows, and inconsistent breathing patterns, then this movie might be for you.

Horror films offer more emotional swings than any other type of movie. If you’re not interested in this genre yet, it’s recommended you attempt to live the experience. Don’t be scared.