horror movies can be some of the most controversial films out there – those that rely on cheap thrills are often criticized for their lack of story, while those with a more narrative style can often be dismissed as “it’s not scary enough.” Those few horror films that manage to perfectly walk the line between the two styles are the ones that really stand out from the crowd, and there are several classics that fit that description. The best horror movies of all time know how to do this and make it look easy.
The last decade has seen a sharp increase in so-called “heightened horror”, which essentially refers to horror films that also have socially relevant concepts incorporated into their narrative. The trend started with films like To go out and its popularity has grown ever since, and is a perfect example of that precise combination of storytelling and scares that is so necessary to make a horror film work. But it’s been around a lot longer than heightened horror, and certain projects have mastered the craft. Many great independent horror films have been proponents of this idea.
10
Hereditary (2018)
Directed by Ari Aster
Hereditary it’s a unique kind of film that doesn’t become truly scary until the final act, but uses everything that comes before to build suspense and set the stage for what’s to come. The film follows a distressed family who begin to learn about the supernatural secrets of their ancestors, as ghosts and spirits begin to blend into their daily lives. It’s scary when it needs to be, but the story has enough twists to keep the public interested.
9
The Shining (1980)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Kubrick The Shining is an adaptation of Stephen King’s great novel of the same name, and instead of relying on jump scares to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, slowly builds tension and uses grotesque imagery to get under the spectator’s skin. The story follows the Torrance family, who work at a remote hotel during the winter, and soon discover the building’s troubled past.
8
The Conjuring (2013)
Directed by James Wan
While The Conjuration has grown to become a wildly successful horror franchise with its sequels and spinoffs, the original film remains the scariest of them all. Follows Ed and Lorraine Warren, two paranormal investigators called to the home of a family who believe they are being haunted by ghosts. It’s a very traditional haunted house story, but the way Wan weaves this intricate narrative together with some very effective scares is something that isn’t seen very often.
7
Us (2019)
Directed by Jordan Peele
Peele’s follow-up to To go out is often overshadowed by its predecessor, but the filmmaker’s second film is just as chilling and well-written as his first. The story revolves around a family who comes into contact with their doppelgängers.leading them to discover the truth about a species of near-humans living beneath the Earth’s surface. There’s a great mix of horror, tension and brutal violence to please fans of all types of scary films.
6
The Babadook (2014)
Directed by Jennifer Kent
The Babadook is a perfect example of what has come to be understood as “heightened horror.” While there are plenty of scares and scary moments that allow the film to easily be classified as horror, the main focus of the project is always the family dynamics at its core. It’s the story of a boy who believes he’s having visions of a demonic creature known as the Babadook, and his suspicious mother, who soon realizes something is seriously wrong.
5
Summer Solstice (2019)
Directed by Ari Aster
Aster’s follow-up to Hereditary is much less horror-focused than his debut, instead weaving an intricate story about sacrifice, cultural differences, and fate that gradually creates a suffocating atmosphere from start to finish. There is a constant feeling that something is not rightand this finally pays off in a shocking and horror-filled third act. Summer solstice is packed with hidden details that make the film endlessly replayable, proving that every narrative beat is precisely plotted and ordered from the start.
4
Saint Maud (2020)
Directed by Rose Glass
While Saint Maud went largely unnoticed due to its limited release and lack of critical fanfare, the film is actually one of the scariest releases in recent years. It follows a young nurse who gets caught up in her patient’s religious fervor and is drawn into a terrible case of divinity and sacrilege. The film is a slow burn that works its way under the audience’s skin before finally making itself known in the final act, delivering a fiery conclusion that is not easily forgotten.
3
Funny Games (1997)
Directed by Michael Haneke
Funny games is one of the scariest home invasion films ever filmed, not only because of the brutality on display, but also because of its chilling commentary on human nature and our tendency toward violence. He speaks directly to the audience, pulling them into this story and using horror only as a vehicle to deliver his terrifying message.
2
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Yorgos Lanthimos has a very distinct cinematic style, and while it can’t always be classified as horror, this film is the closest he’s ever come. Starring Colin Farrell, Barry Keoghan and Nicole Kidman, the film follows a wealthy surgeon who is tortured by his young friend’s supernatural powers and demonic visions of the future.
1
Candy Man (1992)
Directed by Bernard Rose
sweet man is filled with menacing lines and haunting images that immediately set the scene for this cerebral horror, long before the real terrors hit the screen. It’s a masterclass in how to draw an audience into a storycreating a gripping mystery with fascinating characters and tangible clues – before burning everything to the ground in a shocking ending that catches the viewer completely off guard.