1.The Shining
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Release year: 1980
Jack Torrance, a writer and recovering alcoholic, takes a job as a winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel, bringing along his family. Strange and terrifying occurrences lead him to madness, putting his wife and son, who has psychic abilities, in grave danger. Kubrick’s masterpiece is celebrated for its intense atmosphere and Jack Nicholson’s iconic performance as Jack.
2.Psycho
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Release year: 1960
Psycho is a 1960 horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, centered on Marion Crane, a real estate secretary who steals $40,000 from her employer. After fleeing to start anew, she stops at the Bates Motel, run by the troubled Norman Bates. Their unsettling conversation reveals Norman’s complicated relationship with his domineering mother. In a shocking turn, Marion is brutally murdered in the shower by a mysterious figure. As Norman attempts to cover up the crime, his dark past and dissociative identity disorder emerge, culminating in a chilling revelation about his mother’s influence over him.
3.Halloween
Director: John Carpenter
Release year: 1978
Halloween (1978), directed by John Carpenter, is a seminal horror film that redefined the genre. The story follows Michael Myers, a young man who, after murdering his sister on Halloween night in 1963, escapes from a mental institution 15 years later. He returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he stalks babysitter Laurie Strode and her friends. Known for its suspenseful atmosphere and minimal gore, Halloween introduced iconic tropes and established the “slasher” genre, influencing countless films that followed.
4.The Exorcist
Director: William Friedkin
Release year: 1973
The Exorcist is a 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin, based on William Peter Blatty’s novel. The story follows Chris MacNeil, an actress in Georgetown, whose 12-year-old daughter Regan exhibits disturbing behavior, ultimately diagnosed as demonic possession. Desperate, Chris seeks help from Father Damien Karras, a priest struggling with his faith. Together with seasoned exorcist Father Merrin, they confront the malevolent entity, Pazuzu. The harrowing exorcism culminates in tragedy, revealing the depths of evil and sacrifice as Karras takes Regan’s place, leading to his own demise.
5.Hereditary
Director: Ari Aster
Release year: 2018
“Hereditary” follows the Graham family as they grapple with the death of matriarch Ellen, whose secretive past haunts them. Annie (Toni Collette), a miniature artist, struggles with her family’s dark legacy alongside her husband Steve and children Peter and Charlie. After a tragic accident claims Charlie’s life, Annie becomes obsessed with the supernatural, leading to a séance that unleashes a malevolent force. As the family unravels, they confront terrifying secrets and their inherited trauma, culminating in a chilling climax that reveals the true nature of their fate.
6.Get Out
Director: Jordan Peele
Release year: 2017
In Get Out (2017), directed by Jordan Peele, Chris Washington, a young Black photographer, visits the family of his white girlfriend, Rose Armitage, for a weekend getaway. Initially, Chris feels uneasy about meeting her parents, Dean and Missy, who exhibit overly accommodating behavior that masks their true intentions. As Chris navigates their strange interactions and the unsettling demeanor of the family’s Black servants, he uncovers a horrifying secret: the Armitage family is part of a sinister cult that abducts Black individuals to transplant the consciousness of wealthy white people into their bodies.
7.Jaws
Director: Steven Spielberg
Release year: 1975
Jaws (1975), directed by Steven Spielberg, is a suspenseful horror film set on the fictional Amity Island. The story begins with a shark attack during a beach party, leading to the discovery of a young woman’s remains. Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) wants to close the beaches for safety, but Mayor Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) fears economic loss and pressures him to keep them open. After more attacks, Brody teams up with oceanographer Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) to hunt the great white shark terrorizing the town. Their perilous journey at sea culminates in a thrilling showdown with the monstrous predator. The film is renowned for its iconic score and has become a classic of American cinema.
8.Rosemary’s Baby
Director: Roman Polanski
Release year: 1968
Rosemary’s Baby (1968) is a psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski, based on Ira Levin’s novel. It follows Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), a young woman who moves into a gothic New York City apartment with her ambitious husband, Guy (John Cassavetes). As Rosemary becomes pregnant, she grows increasingly paranoid about her eccentric neighbors, the Castevets, and their sinister intentions. After a harrowing pregnancy filled with strange occurrences and manipulation, she discovers her baby is destined for dark purposes, leading to a chilling climax that questions trust and motherhood.
9.The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Director: Tobe Hooper
Release year: 1974
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) is a seminal horror film directed by Tobe Hooper. The story follows five friends—Sally Hardesty, her brother Franklin, and their companions Jerry, Pam, and Kirk—who embark on a road trip to visit their grandfather’s grave in rural Texas. Their journey takes a dark turn when they encounter a disturbed hitchhiker who violently attacks them.
10.A Nightmare on Elm Street
Director: Wes Craven
Release year: 1984
In A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), high school student Nancy Thompson faces a terrifying reality when her dreams become a battleground against Freddy Krueger, a vengeful spirit of a child murderer. After her friend Tina is brutally killed in her sleep, Nancy and her remaining friends discover they share the same nightmare. As they are systematically hunted, Nancy learns that Freddy was killed by the parents of his victims but has returned to exact revenge. Determined to end the terror, she confronts Freddy in the dream world, devising traps to pull him into reality. The film culminates in a dramatic showdown where Nancy must outsmart Freddy to save herself and her loved ones.