1. Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece Psycho redefined the boundaries of horror cinema with its narrative structure and psychological complexity. The film follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), whose fateful decision to seek shelter at the isolated Bates Motel during a thunderous night leads to one of cinema’s most shocking moments. Under the seemingly benign facade of the motel’s proprietor, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), lurks a darkness that would forever change the landscape of horror films.
The now-legendary shower scene, orchestrated with Bernard Herrmann’s spine-chilling violin score, stands as a testament to Hitchcock’s unparalleled mastery of suspense. By daring to eliminate his lead character midway through the film, Hitchcock shattered conventional storytelling norms and created a new template for psychological horror. The film’s enduring impact is reflected not only in its near-perfect 97% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes but in its continued ability to unsettle audiences decades after its release, proving that true terror lies not in the supernatural, but in the depths of the human psyche.
2. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead shaped the zombie genre by establishing the mythology that would influence so many zombie films that followed. With its moody lighting, complex character dynamics, and tragic storyline, every element of the film comes together seamlessly. Night of the Living Dead also set a high standard for social commentary within horror, addressing the tumultuous political climate of 1968.
The film centers on seven people trapped in a farmhouse while being terrorized by flesh-eating ghouls, but zombies are not their only problem. Tension arises among the group, particularly with Ben (played by Duane Jones), who faces constant conflict with Harry Cooper (Karl Hardman) over leadership and survival strategies.
Though Romero maintained he cast Jones simply because he gave the best audition, Ben’s tragic end, where he was shot by a white sheriff who mistakes him for a zombie, became a powerful commentary on race in America. The film’s masterful execution and lasting impact have earned it a well-deserved 95% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
3. Dracula (1931)
Before Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992 film), there was Tod Browning’s 1931 adaptation that set the gold standard for supernatural terror.
Bela Lugosi’s mesmerizing performance as the Transylvanian Count, with his hypnotic stare and distinctive Hungarian accent, didn’t just bring Bram Stoker’s vampire to life—the actor’s portrayal established the vampire archetype that continues to influence modern adaptations today. The film follows the Count’s sinister journey from his castle to London, where he sets his sights on the innocent Mina Seward, played by Helen Chandler.
Dracula (1931) also paved the way for other classics, like Frankenstein (1931) and The Wolf Man (1941), bringing horror to the forefront of American entertainment and establishing Dracula’s status as a cultural icon. The film currently has an impressive 94% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
4. Eyes Without a Face (1960)
Georges Franju’s haunting Eyes Without a Face is a testament to horror cinema’s ability to blend beauty with macabre. The film is centered around Dr. Génessier (Pierre Brasseur), a brilliant but deranged surgeon consumed by guilt and obsession after causing a car accident that leaves his daughter Christiane (Edith Scob) horrifically disfigured.
His desperate attempts to restore her face through grafting procedures create a narrative that walks the delicate line between tenderness and terror. The film’s power lies not just in its shocking surgical scenes, which were groundbreaking for their time, but in Edith’s mesmerizing performance as Christiane. Behind her expressionless mask, Scob captures the essence of isolation and yearning, creating what critics have aptly dubbed a ‘beautiful nightmare.’
Shot in stunning black-and-white cinematography that emphasizes both the clinical sterility of medical procedures and the gothic atmosphere of moral decay, Eyes Without a Face continues to captivate audiences, earning an impressive 97% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
5. Freaks (1932)
Tod Browning’s 1932 magnum opus Freaks is one of cinema’s most daring and controversial horror films. It features an authentic cast of actual carnival performers, including the conjoined Hilton sisters, the Earles siblings, and Johnny Eck, known as the “half-boy.”
The story unfolds when a beautiful trapeze artist named Cleopatra (Olga Baclanova) seduces and marries a little person, Hans Earles, intent on poisoning him for his fortune. The film’s most notorious sequence—the carnival performers’ revenge that transforms Cleopatra into the grotesque, legless, tarred-and-feathered ‘Chicken Lady’ — proved too shocking for its time and was heavily censored.
This controversy, coupled with severe critical backlash, effectively ended Browning’s promising directorial career. Yet, time has vindicated this bold piece of filmmaking, now celebrated with a 95% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes for its portrayal of disability and its stark examination of whom the real monsters are in society.
6. The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick’s movie adaptation of Stephen King’s novel The Shining, though initially receiving mixed reviews and even Razzie nominations, is now often hailed as one of the greatest horror films of all time. The psychological thriller weaves supernatural elements with human darkness, creating an atmosphere of mounting dread that has captivated audiences for generations.
Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) is a recovering alcoholic and struggling writer who accepts a position as winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel. Accompanied by his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd), who possesses mysterious psychic abilities, Jack unknowingly leads his family into a labyrinth of terror. As winter’s isolation tightens its grip, the hotel’s malevolent forces begin to prey on Jack’s fragile psyche, transforming a father’s inner demons into very real threats against his own family.
Kubrick’s meticulous direction, combined with Nicholson’s transformative performance and Duvall’s raw portrayal of maternal desperation, elevates The Shining beyond conventional horror. While critics initially gave it a modest 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences have long recognized its brilliance with a 93% approval rating.
7. The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist taps into viewers’ primal fear of invincible forces through the haunting story of Regan (Linda Blair), whose possession by a demonic entity transforms her from an innocent child into a vessel of pure evil. In her desperate quest to save her daughter, Chris (Ellen Burstyn) turns to two Catholic priests, culminating in a harrowing exorcism performed by the experienced Father Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow).
The powerhouse performances by Blair, Burstyn, and Sydow, combined with groundbreaking special effects, create an atmosphere of unrelenting dread that lingers in viewers’ minds long after the credits roll.
The film’s methodical pacing and building tension culminate in some of horror cinema’s most shocking and iconic sequences, cementing The Exorcist’s position as one of the most influential and deeply unsettling films ever created. While its Rotten Tomatoes critic score stands at 78%, the higher audience approval of 87% reflects its enduring impact.
8. The Mummy (1932)
The Mummy is arguably one of the creepiest and most beautifully executed horror films, thanks to its chilling visuals, skillfully created using only makeup and camera tricks. This cinematic gem weaves a mesmerizing tale of love, death, and ancient curses through the story of Imhotep, an Egyptian priest portrayed brilliantly by Boris Karloff.
When archaeologists unwittingly awaken this millennia-old being, who was entombed alive for attempting to resurrect his beloved Anck-es-en-Amon, they unleash a force that bridges the gap between the ancient world and modern civilization.
Under Karl Freund’s direction, the film bathes its narrative in shadows and dreamlike sequences, while Karloff’s performance strikes an unforgettable balance between menacing horror and tragic romance. This artful combination of elements has earned the film its rightful place among horror’s most enduring classics, reflected in its impressive 89% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
9. Halloween (1978)
In addition to launching Jamie Lee Curtis’s career as one of Hollywood’s most iconic scream queens, John Carpenter’s Halloween is a masterclass in weaving together suspense and eerie atmospheres into a tapestry of terror. The film set the standard for future slashers, establishing many genre conventions while prioritizing tension over excessive gore.
The film centers around Michael Myers, a silent, relentless figure who escapes from a mental institution to stalk the streets of his hometown, becoming the archetypical masked killer that countless films would later emulate.
The film’s brilliance lies not in gratuitous gore but in Carpenter’s direction, which employs haunting music, strategic shadows, and methodical long takes that make viewers feel as though they are being watched alongside the movie’s characters. It is these very elements that establish Halloween as a cornerstone of horror cinema, and the film’s 97% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes is a testament to that.
10. The Omen (1976)
While religious horror may have lost its edge in the modern era, when The Omen was released, it surprised audiences with its complex story and outstanding performances, particularly by the legendary Gregory Peck as the beloved father figure, Robert Thorn.
Unbeknownst to his wife Katherine (Lee Remick), Robert adopted a child, Damien (Harvey Spencer Stephen), after their own died shortly after birth, unknowingly bringing home the Antichrist.
Directed by Richard Donner and written by David Seltzer, the film features impressive pacing that is relatively surprising for a movie released nearly five decades ago. From its chilling atmosphere to Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting score—especially the iconic Ave Satani, meaning ‘Hail Satan’—the film creates a gripping sense of suspense, earning an impressive 85% critic score and 81% audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sources: Esquire, Entertainment Weekly, Harper’s Bazaar