The Ten Scariest Horror Films I've Ever Seen

by Richard
(UK)

1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Tobe Hooper, 1974)

The first horror classic I ever saw. Even now, years later, it still sends shivers down my spine. The shocking realism, uncompromising nature, chilling atmosphere. The definition of pure terror.

2. Halloween (John Carpenter, 1978)

The theme song alone is enough to inspire dread. John Carpenter and Michael Myers establish themselves as the premier partnership within the stalker/slasher genre.

3. The Exorcist (William Friedkin, 1973)

Is it as scary as everybody says? Well....Yes.

4. Alien (Ridley Scott, 1979)

No film exploits the male fear of pregnancy better than Ridley Scott's classic. The scene is legendary, the movie unmissable.

5. Don't Look Now (Nicolas Roeg, 1973)

When Donald Sutherland catches up with his nemesis at the end of the movie, we also come face to face with one of the most haunting images in movie history.

6. Audition (Takashi Miike, 1999)

Disturbing is perhaps the best word to describe this film. Somewhat different from the other movies on this list, it is fundamentally a test of endurance. The torture scenes make Hostel look like Winnie The Poo.

7. Night of the Living Dead (George A. Romero, 1968)

Despite all of the scary moments involving zombies, the most frightening scene is the final one; a shocking indictment of contemporary society.

8. Ringu (Hideo Nakata, 1998)

Please, if you must watch the awful Gore Verbrinski remake, at least watch the original first. It is far more chilling; Japanese cinema at its best.

9. Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960)

Hitchcock proves why he is regarded the master of suspense. If, upon coming face to face with 'mother' at the end of the film, you don't feel a very sharp shudder, you're relatively fearless.

10. The Evil Dead (Sam Raimi, 1981)

Ok, the sequel is arguable a better film, but it's not as unnerving as the original. Enough jumps to keep everybody happy and utterly gore-tastic!