BEST HORROR MOVIES -TOP 25

25. Gremlins
Okay, so Gremlins isn't straight-up horror, but what child of the '80s can say they weren't at least a little freaked out by that "hatching" scene? The 1984 flick from director Joe Dante and writer Chris Columbus tells what happens when a young man buys an exotic pet called Mogwai from a store in Chinatown, and disobeys a few simple rules in caring for the creature: Keep it away from bright light, don't get it wet, and never feed it after midnight. Unfortunately, the rules are broken and the disobedience spawns a slew of evil little creatures that wreak havoc on the town. Hoyt Axton and Phoebe Cates star in the fiendishly fun flick that became a hit with all ages. -BL

24.SHAUN OF THE DEAD
Following in the social satire tradition of George Romero's zombie flicks but played much more as a comedy than a straight-up horror film, Shaun of the Dead ranks as one of the most all-around entertaining zombie flicks ever made. Telling the story of unambitious electronics salesman Shaun (Simon Pegg) as he races across town to save his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield), who recently dumped him, Shaun boasts some great characters (including Shaun's best friend, Ed, played by Nick Frost, hilarious scenes, and very funny lines, all mixed in with some real scares that elevate it above most standard zombie movies. -BZ

23. Scream
Wes Craven's Scream is credited with reinventing and reinvigorating the slasher film. From Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson, the film follows a teenage girl who becomes the target of a deranged mask-wearing killer. The film stars Drew Barrymore, Courtney Cox, Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich, and David Arquette. Scream took the stock slasher concept, popularized by Craven's earlier work, and blended it with a tongue-in-cheek, slightly satirical approach. It spawned two sequels and a slew of imitators. -BL

22. Bride of Frankenstein

Sequel titles such as "Bride Of" are usually associated with B-movie sequels that are quickly forgotten and one day mocked on Mystery Science Theater. Bride of Frankenstein is the exception. Not only the greatest horror sequel of all time, Bride is in many ways superior to the original. Director James Whale returned to the franchise and put his all into a sequel with an admittedly silly premise. The film adds a dose of humor and still manages the scares. Karloff gets the chance to do more than grunt and groan and Elsa Lanchester is kinda hot as the monster's mate (in pre-goth way). "To a new world of Gods and Monsters!" -JO

21. Carrie
Perhaps the truest adaptation of a Steven King book, Carrie tells the story of an unpopular girl who discovers she has telekinetic powers. Constantly abused by her mother, who sees her daughter's "gift" as more of a curse, Carrie becomes introverted and ultimately dangerous. When a popular boy at school invites her to the prom, it sets the stage for one of the most memorable climaxes in horror history. Starring a young Sissy Spacek as the titular character, this adaptation stands the test of time, moreso even than the now-rudimentary novel. -CC

20. Eyes Without a Face

Not to be confused with Billy Idol's ballad of the same name, George Franju's Eyes Without Face crafts a terrifying tale of scientific depravity with this black and white thriller about a doctor who kidnaps young women in order to perfect a surgical procedure that may restore his daughter's tarnished beauty. Written by the same scribes who carved out such classics as Vertigo and Diabolique, the film is heavy on atmosphere and simultaneously on almost clinical creepiness; made in 1958, the film's surgery scenes are among the most realistic ever filmed, and are further enhanced by the dreamlike imagery of Franju's direction. This list's glass of champagne to wash down 24 bottles of beer, Eyes Without a Face offers elegant thrills for horror fans who prefer a little ambience with their amputations. -TG

19. Dracula

1931's Dracula not only launched the career of star Bela Lugosi (who previously starred as the Count in the Broadway version of the Bram Stoker novel) but also marked the start of a series of horror films in the 1930s, mainly from Universal (who would release Frankenstein just a few months later). The film's arguably strongest moments are in the beginning, as we're introduced to the incredibly creepy Count Dracula with some very eerie, atmospheric camerawork by cinematographer Karl Freund. Lugosi's delivery of several key lines, in his native Hungarian accent, stand as classics to this very day, including "Listen to them. Children of the night. What mu-u-u-sic they make." and "I never drink...wi-i-i-ne." -BZ


18. Dawn of the Dead (Remake)
Zack Snyder may have carried with him the inestimable pedigree of being a 'commercial director' when entering into this potentially disastrous remake of George Romero's classic zombie tome, but anyone who watches the film's first ten minutes is guaranteed to forget all of their objections and join the talented helmer for a raucous thrill ride unsurpassed by virtually any other horror movie made in the new millennium. Ving Rhames, Jake Weber and a game Sarah Polley hold together this ramshackle remake, which changes a few key elements of Romero's story for modern audiences (the zombies can run) and retains others (the careful character study) both for horror fans current and classic. While the subsequent slate of horror remakes failed to similarly raise pulses, Snyder's Dawn is satisfying – and scary – enough to sustain fans through a dozen more crash-and-burn creep-fests. -TG

17. Suspiria

Although a far lesser known work than Halloween, Italian horror classic Suspiria released a year before and likely influenced Carpenter's film. Goblin's amazing score is among the best horror scores ever created. Along with a few other directors such as Mario Bava, Argento rejuvenated the Italian horror genre with his bloody, nightmarish work. More than just a gore-fest, his film is also deeply psychological and visually breathtaking. -JO

16. The Thing
A remake of 1951's The Thing from Another World, John Carpenter's The Thing updates that black and white movie (which was based on the 1938 novelette, Who Goes There?) with full color, widescreen and some of the best special effects in any horror movie (courtesy of FX master Rob Bottin). Following a group of researchers in the Antarctic as they discover the remains of a spacecraft and subsequently become infected by an alien life form, The Thing showcases some incredibly creepy moments, genuinely scary scenes, and a great ending. -BZ


15. Friday the 13th

Although many immediately associate the Friday the 13th movies with the character of Jason Vorhees, the original does not even introduce him until the very end (the hockey mask comes much later). Friday the 13th took the momentum created by John Carpenter's Halloween and accelerated it, leading to a slew of sequels and copycats throughout the '80s. Now on its tenth installment (and 11th if you count Freddy vs. Jason, Friday the 13th has risen above cult status and become a full-blown cultural phenomenon. The original is a great example of what makes slashers so scary and fun, and as a bonus, it serves as a great linking point when playing "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon." -CC

14. A Nightmare on Elm Street
Based on a strange character director Wes Craven saw out his window as a boy, Elm Street may be one of the greatest premises for a horror franchise. After all, what is scarier than being attacked in your sleep when you are at your most vulnerable? The film also gave birth to one of the most popular '80s icons, Freddy Krueger. He would evolve into more of a jokester murderer in future films, but the mysterious psychopath with the trademark red and green sweater, burned face and razor glove is scariest in the first. Sure, the film has worn a bit with age and it's got some cheesy moments, but I'd be surprised if it doesn't still make you jump at least a bit. Tina's death is one of the best slasher death sequences ever. Heck, it's even got Johnny Depp, so what more could you ask for? -JO

13. Nosferatu
Perhaps one of the most notorious film productions of all time, director F.W. Murnau's film ranks as one of the great silent films and remains a classic staple of the horror genre. Somewhat ironically, the storyline and star Max Shreck's creepy appearance were created out of necessity when Murnau failed to secure the rights to Bram Stoker's Dracula novel. Murnau was determined to make his film anyway, and the silent went into a storied production that would later become the basis for the 2000 film Shadow of the Vampire. Shreck was notoriously reclusive on set, and the film took the mystery a step further, purposing that the actor was actually a real life vampire. Whatever your take, Shreck's Count Orlok is probably scarier than any Dracula ever portrayed since on screen. -JO


12. Dawn of the Dead (Original)
I really enjoy George Romero's Night of the Living Dead, but as far as zombie movies are concerned his follow-up, Dawn of the Dead, tops the list. Launching into its sordid story with but the slightest of explanations, this film is at once a thrill ride and a languid mood piece: Ken Foree exudes calming authority as Peter, the SWAT team leader who anchors a foursome of refugees who hole up in a shopping mall after humanity discovers 'there's no more room in hell.' While much has been made in subsequent years of the film's running anti-consumerist commentary, the film proves to be much more interesting as a character study than a treatise on the dangers of too much shopping; but a healthy dose of gore, combined with some wicked humor and considerable invention on the part of the filmmakers makes this Dawn a sunrise you'll want to watch all day and night. -TG

11. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Filmed on a nightmarish set with a near-tortured cast, Texas Chainsaw Massacre stands as one of the most visceral, primal films set to celluloid. Loosely based on Ed Gein (who is from Wisconsin, not Texas), whose bizarre and macabre repurposing of human bodies made international headlines, it is a chilling account of a group of travelers taking a wrong turn that makes all the difference. Set predominantly in and around the creepiest house ever recorded by film, the film introduces us to Leatherface, an oaf of a man whose only pleasure is killing and skinning victims, only to use their body parts to form furniture and even his own mask.

It stands with Poltergeist as Tobe Hooper's most chilling cinematic achievement, and apart from a couple sequels and a remake, has virtually no serious copycats in the realm of horror. -CC

10. Night of the Living Dead
George A. Romero's 1968 film, Night of the Living Dead, is the ultimate zombie movie. The film tells what happens when the dead come to life, and begin attacking the living and feeding on their flesh. This seminal horror film spawned a number of sequels (some official, others unofficial) and dozens of knock-offs. -BL


9. Frankenstein

Based on the Mary Shelley novel about a mad scientist who reanimates dead tissue, this is a lasting film that helped to define the horror genre early on. Featuring Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's monster, it is a masterpiece of mood. The characterization of the monster makes him utterly human, making for a rare sympathetic character in horror cinema. Who can forget the famous line "It's alive!" or the monster throwing a young girl into the pond when he runs out of flower petals?

8. Evil Dead 2
Sam Raimi's sequel to the low-budget splatterfest The Evil Dead surpasses its predecessor by leaps and bounds, if only because its humor is intentional rather than inadvertent. But more than merely leavening the gore with a heaping dose of gags, Raimi attacks horror convention with surgical precision, eviscerating a decade of slasher-movie clichés (much less otherworldly terrors) and employs inventive, frenetic camerawork to create an all-new template that few if any could decipher, much less put to proper use. Bruce Campbell, meanwhile, proves to be the most game – not to mention shameless – leading man in the history of the movies, offering one relentless, self-deprecating sight gag after another; but together they craft a new vision of horror that transcends the limitations of box office or budget with creativity and enthusiasm. We guarantee this is the most fun you will ever have being frightened. -TG

7. An American Werewolf in London
An American Werewolf in London, the 1981 film from director John Landis, stars David Naughton, Griffin Dunne and Jenny Agutter as two American tourists in London who are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists. The movie is a favorite among horror fans for its meshing of straight-up scares with intentionally funny and ironic moments. -BL


6. Poltergeist

Family-friendly director Steven Spielberg teamed up with cult horror director Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) for this creepy 1982 haunted house flick. Directed by Hooper, and co-written by Spielberg, Michael Grais & Mark Victor, Poltergeist contains a great mix of creepy moments and special effects to create a very smart and entertaining horror movie. An excellent example of the film's spooky tone is the scene in which 5-year-old Carole Anne (Heather O'Rourke) declares "They're here..." (which was also the focus of the film's one-sheet). -BZ


5. Halloween
The film that gave birth to the modern American slasher film. Unfortunately, it also gave birth to some pretty poor imitators and an endless string of '80s horror sequels that could never live up to their originals. But that's besides the point. Director John Carpenter made a star and scream queen out of Jamie Lee Curtis and crafted a frightening scare-fest that helped boyfriends get closer to their girlfriends in theaters and living rooms to this day. It remains the best work Carpenter ever did, and that score is positively unforgettable and creepy. Maybe best of all, the film created an iconic boogeyman out of a repainted Captain Kirk mask. I know I always found Shatner pretty scary. -JO

4.Jaws
The production of Jaws hit several snags, and the animatronic shark that was created for the movie failed, resulting in the haunting snippets of the shark and the implied terror it was causing. This resulted in a tight, suspenseful film that more than stands the test of time. Filled with classic moments (the opening death, the exchange of scar stories) and lines ("We're going to need a bigger boat"), Jaws is both dramatic and chilling, and is responsible for a couple generations' worth of irrational fear of the water. Among Steven Spielberg's early works, this is the crowning achievement, and one of the most terrifying and well-cast pieces of horror cinema around. -CC


3. Rosemary's Baby

Featuring a young and vibrant Mia Farrow (Woody Allen's longtime wife), Rosemary's Baby is the horrifying account of a woman who believes she has been impregnated by Satan himself. Trapped in an apartment building with overzealous neighbors and boxed in by a demanding husband, this is almost more of a psychological thriller than horror film. Directed by Roman Polanski before his exile from America, it stands with Chinatown as one of his great contributions to cinema. -CC

2. The Exorcist
Faithfully based on William Peter Blatty's 1971 best-selling novel of the same name, The Exorcist tells a story of a young girl (Linda Blair) who's possessed by demons. Masterfully directed by William Friedkin (previously known for The French Connection), the film features horrifying and sensational scenes, some nauseating special effects (pea soup, anyone?), and great acting (12-year-old Blair steals the show, while Jason Miller and Max von Sydow also turn in wonderful performances, as the preists attempting to exorcise the demons). The film's creepy title tune, "Tubular Bells," became a #1 single on the Billboard charts, and The Exorcist went on to win two Academy Awards (for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound) and another eight nominations, including Best Picture. -BZ


1. The Shining
An absolute masterpiece of atmosphere and tension, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining isn't merely the top choice on IGN's list of horror movies, but my personal genre favorite: Jack Nicholson comes unhinged – perhaps permanently – as the failed novelist and hotel manager who succumbs to madness after spending a long winter cooped up in the creepy confines of the Overlook Hotel, and offers one of cinema's most indelible portraits of suspense ever created. Unlike so many others on this list, Kubrick's film is surprisingly light on gory action; the first time I watched it I had to stop it halfway through, and nothing of note had yet happened. But once it shifts into high gear, racheting anticipation with multiple storylines including Jack's wife, child, and a helpful hotel employee played by Scatman Crothers, there's no suppressing its irresistible, nail-biting allure: from the dismembered twins to the disguised, canoodling partygoers in Room 237, The Shining offers frights that last long after the film is finished. -TG