Get Ready to Be Spooked: Our Comprehensive List of the Top Best Scary Movies

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As a horror enthusiast, there is nothing more thrilling than settling down to watch a truly frightening movie. With so many films in the horror genre to choose from, it can be overwhelming to find the best ones to watch. That's why I've compiled a list of the top best scary movies that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Introduction to the horror genre

Horror movies have been around since the early days of cinema. They are designed to evoke fear, terror, and disgust in the audience through the use of suspenseful music, jump scares, and disturbing imagery. The horror genre has evolved over the years, with new sub-genres emerging to keep audiences entertained.

What makes a scary movie great?

A truly great horror movie is one that keeps you hooked from start to finish. It should have a well-developed plot, interesting characters, and plenty of scares. The best horror movies are the ones that stay with you long after the credits have rolled, leaving you feeling uneasy and unsettled.

Historical evolution of horror movies

Horror movies have come a long way since the early days of cinema. The first horror movie, "Le Manoir Du Diable," was released in 1896, and since then, filmmakers have been pushing the boundaries of what is possible in terms of scares. From the classic Universal monster movies of the 1930s to the slasher films of the 1980s, the horror genre has continually evolved to keep audiences engaged.

Top best scary movies of all time

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2. The Exorcist (1973) - This movie follows the story of a young girl who becomes possessed by a demon, and the attempts to exorcise the demon from her. "The Exorcist" is considered by many to be the scariest movie of all time, with its intense scenes of demonic possession and shocking imagery.

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2. Psycho (1960) - This Alfred Hitchcock classic follows the story of a young woman who stays at a motel run by a disturbed young man. "Psycho" is a masterclass in tension-building, with the famous shower scene still sending shivers down viewers' spines over 60 years later.

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2. The Shining (1980) - Based on the Stephen King novel, "The Shining" follows a man who takes a job as a caretaker at a secluded hotel. As the winter wears on, he begins to unravel, and the hotel's dark secrets are revealed.

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2. Halloween (1978) - This movie kickstarted the slasher genre and follows the story of a young boy who murders his sister and then escapes from a mental institution years later to go on a killing spree. "Halloween" is a classic for a reason, with its iconic killer, Michael Myers, and suspenseful score.

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2. The Babadook (2014) - This Australian film follows a single mother and her son as they are haunted by a mysterious creature from a children's book. "The Babadook" is a slow-burn horror movie that builds tension until its terrifying conclusion.

Psychological horror movies

Psychological horror movies are all about getting inside the viewer's head. They use mind games and manipulation to create a sense of unease and terror.

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2. Black Swan (2010) - This movie follows a ballerina who begins to lose her grip on reality as she prepares for a big performance. "Black Swan" is a disturbing and intense film that explores the pressures of perfectionism.

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2. Rosemary's Baby (1968) - This movie follows a young couple who moves into a new apartment and becomes involved with their strange neighbors. "Rosemary's Baby" is a slow-burn horror movie that builds to a shocking finale.

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2. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - This movie follows a young FBI agent who seeks the help of a cannibalistic serial killer to catch another killer on the loose. "The Silence of the Lambs" is a suspenseful thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

Supernatural horror movies

Supernatural horror movies are all about ghosts, demons, and otherworldly creatures. They use fear of the unknown to create a sense of terror.

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2. The Conjuring (2013) - This movie follows a family who moves into a new home and begins to experience strange and terrifying occurrences. "The Conjuring" is a masterclass in supernatural horror, with its expert use of jump scares and eerie atmosphere.

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2. The Ring (2002) - This movie follows a journalist who investigates a mysterious videotape that causes anyone who watches it to die seven days later. "The Ring" is a creepy and unsettling movie that will have you double-checking your TV for static.

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2. Poltergeist (1982) - This movie follows a family who moves into a new home and begins to experience supernatural activity. "Poltergeist" is a classic horror movie that still holds up today, with its iconic scenes of haunted dolls and ghostly apparitions.

Slasher horror movies

Slasher horror movies are all about masked killers and gruesome murders. They use gore and violence to create a sense of terror.

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2. Scream (1996) - This movie follows a group of teenagers who are targeted by a masked killer. "Scream" is a meta-horror movie that pokes fun at the slasher genre while still delivering plenty of scares.

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2. Friday the 13th (1980) - This movie follows a group of teenagers who are stalked and killed by a mysterious killer at a summer camp. "Friday the 13th" is a classic slasher movie that spawned a franchise that still continues today.

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2. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) - This movie follows a group of teenagers who are haunted by a killer who attacks them in their dreams. "A Nightmare on Elm Street" is a classic horror movie that introduced the world to the iconic killer, Freddy Krueger.

Found footage horror movies

Found footage horror movies are all about creating a sense of realism by presenting the events as if they were captured on camera. They use shaky-cam footage and jump scares to create a sense of terror.

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2. The Blair Witch Project (1999) - This movie follows a group of filmmakers who venture into the woods to document the legend of the Blair Witch. "The Blair Witch Project" is a groundbreaking movie that popularized the found footage sub-genre.

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2. Paranormal Activity (2007) - This movie follows a couple who set up cameras in their home to capture evidence of a demonic presence. "Paranormal Activity" is a low-budget movie that became a massive hit, thanks to its terrifying jump scares and eerie atmosphere.

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2. REC (2007) - This Spanish movie follows a television reporter and her cameraman as they document a group of firefighters who become trapped in an apartment building with a deadly virus. "REC" is a tense and terrifying movie that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Foreign horror movies

Foreign horror movies offer a fresh take on the genre, with different cultural perspectives and storytelling techniques.

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2. Train to Busan (2016) - This South Korean movie follows a group of passengers on a train who must fight for their lives against a zombie outbreak. "Train to Busan" is a thrilling and emotional movie that will have you rooting for the survivors.

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2. Audition (1999) - This Japanese movie follows a widower who holds auditions for a new wife, only to discover that one of the candidates has a dark and disturbing past. "Audition" is a slow-burn horror movie that builds to a shocking and bloody conclusion.

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2. Let the Right One In (2008) - This Swedish movie follows a young boy who befriends a mysterious girl who turns out to be a vampire. "Let the Right One In" is a beautiful and haunting movie that explores themes of loneliness and isolation.

Cult classic horror movies

Cult classic horror movies are the ones that have gained a devoted following over the years, despite not necessarily being box office hits.

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2. The Evil Dead (1981) - This movie follows a group of friends who go to a cabin in the woods and accidentally summon evil spirits. "The Evil Dead" is a gory and over-the-top movie that has become a cult classic.

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2. Re-Animator (1985) - This movie follows a medical student who discovers a serum that can bring the dead back to life. "Re-Animator" is a gory and hilarious movie that has become a cult classic.

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2. Phantasm (1979) - This movie follows a young boy who discovers that the local mortician is using corpses as part of a sinister plan. "Phantasm" is a surreal and eerie movie that has gained a devoted following over the years.

Honorable mentions

There are so many great horror movies out there that it was tough to narrow it down to just a few. Here are some honorable mentions that are also worth watching:

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• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

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• Dawn of the Dead (1978)

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• It Follows (2014)

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• Hereditary (2018)

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• Get Out (2017)

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• The Witch (2015)

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• The Descent (2005)

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• The Thing (1982)

Where to watch the best scary movies

Now that you have a list of the top best scary movies, you may be wondering where to watch them. Many of these movies can be found on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Some may also be available to rent or buy on platforms like iTunes and Google Play.

Conclusion

Whether you're a horror fanatic or a casual viewer, there is something on this list of the top best scary movies for everyone. From classic horror to modern thrillers, the horror genre has something to offer for all tastes. So, grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and get ready to be spooked.