1.The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Director: Tobe Hooper
Amazon Rating: R
Release year: 1974
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), directed by Tobe Hooper, is a seminal American horror film that introduced audiences to the terrifying and iconic character of Leatherface. Set in rural Texas, the story follows a group of friends who encounter a cannibalistic family and their monstrous member, Leatherface, who wields a chainsaw. Known for its gritty, realistic style and disturbing imagery, the film is a pioneering force in the slasher genre and remains a cultural touchstone in horror cinema.
2.The Silence of the Lambs
Director: Jonathan Demme
Amazon Rating: 8.6
Release year: 1991
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) is a psychological horror-thriller directed by Jonathan Demme, based on Thomas Harris’s novel. It follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling, who seeks the help of imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter to catch another killer, Buffalo Bill. The film explores themes of manipulation, power, and obsession. It is renowned for its intense performances by Jodie Foster as Starling and Anthony Hopkins as Lecter, earning multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
3.Totally Killer
Director: Nahnatchka Khan
Amazon Rating: 6.5
Release year: 2023
Totally Killer is a 2023 horror-comedy film directed by Nahnatchka Khan. The story follows Jamie, a teenager who is transported back in time to 1987 after a modern-day serial killer suddenly murders her mother. As she teams up with her teenage mom, they must stop the killer before he strikes again. The film blends elements of slasher horror with witty humor, offering a nostalgic and thrilling ride that balances heart-pounding suspense with comedic moments.
4.The Witch
Director: Robert Eggers
Amazon Rating: 8.2
Release year: 2015
The Witch is a chilling 2015 horror film directed by Robert Eggers. Set in 1630s New England, it follows a Puritan family struggling with religious paranoia and dark forces lurking in the woods. When their infant son disappears, the family begins to unravel as they suspect witchcraft is at play. Known for its haunting atmosphere, meticulous period details, and psychological terror, The Witch explores themes of isolation, guilt, and fear of the unknown.
5.Nanny
Director: Nikyatu Jusu
Amazon Rating: 5.3
Release year: 2022
Nanny (2022) is a psychological thriller directed by Nikyatu Jusu. The film follows Aisha, an immigrant from Senegal who works as a nanny for a wealthy New York couple. As she navigates the challenges of her new life, she begins experiencing strange visions and disturbing dreams. The story explores themes of identity, loss, and the American Dream, blending horror elements with emotional depth. It’s a gripping exploration of the psychological toll of displacement.
6.Candyman
Director: Bernard Rose
Amazon Rating: 6.7
Release year: 1992
Candyman (1992) is a supernatural horror film directed by Bernard Rose, based on Clive Barker’s short story The Forbidden. Set in the Chicago neighborhood of Cabrini-Green, it follows graduate student Helen Lyle as she investigates urban legends surrounding the Candyman, a vengeful spirit with a hook for a hand. As Helen delves deeper, she discovers disturbing truths, blurring the line between myth and reality. The film explores themes of class, race, and fear, becoming a cult classic in the genre.
7.Suspiria
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Amazon Rating: 6.7
Release year: 1977
Suspiria (1977), directed by Dario Argento, is a classic Italian horror film known for its haunting atmosphere and striking visual style. Set in a prestigious dance academy, the story follows an American student, Susie Bannion, who uncovers dark secrets tied to witchcraft and murder. The film combines gory horror with surreal imagery and a powerful soundtrack by Goblin, making it a standout in the giallo genre and a defining work in horror cinema.
8.Coherence
Director: James Ward Byrkit
Amazon Rating: 6.9
Release year: 2013
Coherence (2013) is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller directed by James Ward Byrkit. The film follows a group of friends who experience strange and unsettling events during a dinner party, coinciding with the passing of a comet overhead. As reality begins to fracture, they must grapple with parallel universes and the consequences of their actions. Coherence explores themes of identity, choice, and fate, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats with its intense, atmospheric tension.
9.Doctor Sleep
Director: Mike Flanagan
Amazon Rating: 7.3
Release year: 2019
Doctor Sleep is a 2019 supernatural horror film directed by Mike Flanagan, based on Stephen King’s 2013 novel. It serves as both a sequel to The Shining and a standalone story, following Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) as an adult, haunted by his traumatic past. When he encounters a young girl with psychic abilities, Danny must protect her from a group of dangerous individuals who feed off the life force of gifted children. The film blends psychological tension with eerie visuals.
10.The Thing
Director: John Carpenter
Amazon Rating: 8.2
Release year: 1982
John Carpenter’s The Thing is a gripping sci-fi horror film set in Antarctica. A research team discovers an alien entity capable of imitating any organism it encounters. Paranoia escalates as the crew members struggle to trust one another, unsure of who is human and who is the alien. With its tense atmosphere, practical effects, and chilling score, The Thing is a standout in the genre, blending fear with psychological tension.
11.The Return of the Living Dead
Director: Dan O’Bannon
Amazon Rating: 8.5
Release year: 1985
The Return of the Living Dead (1985) is a cult classic horror-comedy film directed by Dan O’Bannon. A unique blend of zombies and dark humor, it follows a group of people who accidentally release a toxic gas, bringing the dead back to life. The film is notable for its fast-moving, brain-craving zombies and its satirical take on the zombie genre. With memorable characters and iconic scenes, it became a significant influence in horror cinema, spawning multiple sequels.
12.New Life
Director: John Rosman
Amazon Rating: 8.0
Release year: 2024
New Life is a chilling horror film that delves into the unsettling journey of a young woman, Sarah, who discovers an eerie connection between her life and an abandoned house she inherits. As she unravels the sinister history of the property, dark secrets begin to surface, threatening her sanity. With supernatural forces at play, Sarah must confront the disturbing truths of her own past before it’s too late. A suspense-filled tale that keeps viewers on edge.
13.Child’s Play
Director: Tom Holland
Amazon Rating: 8.7
Release year: 1988
Child’s Play (1988) is a classic horror film that introduces Chucky, a murderous doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer named Charles Lee Ray. The story follows a mother, Karen, who buys the doll for her son, Andy, unaware of its sinister capabilities. As Chucky embarks on a killing spree, Andy becomes the prime suspect. The film blends supernatural terror with slasher elements, making it a standout in the horror genre.
14.Sleepy Hollow
Director: Tim Burton
Amazon Rating: 7.3
Release year: 1999
Sleepy Hollow (1999), directed by Tim Burton, is a dark, atmospheric horror film based on Washington Irving’s classic short story. Set in 1799, the tale follows Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp), a skeptical constable sent to investigate mysterious decapitations in the eerie town of Sleepy Hollow. As Crane uncovers unsettling truths, he faces the legend of the Headless Horseman, a vengeful spirit. With Burton’s signature gothic style, the film combines horror, mystery, and surreal visuals for a chilling experience.
15.Psycho
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Amazon Rating: 8.5
Release year: 1960
Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is a groundbreaking psychological horror film that has become a cornerstone of the genre. The story follows Marion Crane, a woman who embezzles money and checks into the secluded Bates Motel, where she meets the enigmatic and unsettling Norman Bates. The film is renowned for its shocking twists, suspenseful atmosphere, and the iconic shower scene, which redefined horror cinema and influenced countless films to come.
16.The Dark Half
Director: George A. Romero
Amazon Rating: 7.8
Release year: 1993
Thad Beaumont is an author and recovering alcoholic who lives in the town of Ludlow, Maine. Thad’s own books – cerebral literary fiction – are not very successful. Under the pen name ‘George Stark’, he writes highly successful crime novels about a psychopathic killer named Alexis Machine. When Thad’s authorship of Stark’s novels becomes public knowledge, Thad and his wife, Elizabeth, decide to stage a funeral to announce Stark’s death. However, Stark’s spirit returns to enact a series of gruesome murders, unleashing chaos in Thad’s life.
17.Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
Director: Jung Bum-shik
Amazon Rating: 6.5
Release year: 2018
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is a South Korean horror film that follows a group of individuals who venture into the infamous Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, known for its dark history and eerie reputation. The movie, filmed in a found-footage style, centers on a livestream team documenting their exploration. As they delve deeper into the asylum’s haunted halls, they encounter terrifying paranormal events, blurring the line between reality and nightmare. The chilling atmosphere builds tension, leading to an unforgettable experience.
18.Rosemary’s Baby
Director: Roman Polanski
Amazon Rating: 8.0
Release year: 1968
Rosemary’s Baby (1968), directed by Roman Polanski, is a psychological horror film based on Ira Levin’s novel. The story follows Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), a young woman who becomes pregnant after moving into an old Gothic apartment building with her husband. As her pregnancy progresses, Rosemary becomes increasingly suspicious of her neighbors and fears they have sinister plans for her unborn child. The film explores themes of paranoia, power, and trust in a chilling atmosphere.
19.The Nightmare
Director: Rodney Ascher
Amazon Rating: 5.7
Release year: 2015
“The Nightmare” is a horror documentary by Rodney Ascher that dives into the unsettling phenomenon of sleep paralysis. Released in 2015, the film explores real-life accounts from eight people who suffer from this terrifying condition, where they’re awake yet unable to move, often seeing shadowy figures or experiencing intense fear. Combining interviews with haunting recreations, The Nightmare captures the psychological horror of being trapped in one’s own mind, making it a chilling exploration of sleep and the unknown boundaries of consciousness.
20.The Breach
Director: Rodrigo Gudiño
Amazon Rating: 7.6
Release year: 2022
The Breach is a horror movie that takes audiences into the eerie world of Lone Crow, a small town where unsettling events unfold. The story follows John Hawkins, a local sheriff drawn into a disturbing mystery after a mangled body is found along the river. As Hawkins investigates, he uncovers terrifying secrets and strange phenomena, leading him into a nightmarish reality where science and the supernatural collide. With intense suspense, unexpected twists, and chilling visuals, The Breach grips viewers from beginning to end, leaving a haunting impression.
21.Bones and All
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Amazon Rating: 7.4
Release year: 2022
In 1988, teenager Maren Yearly eats her friend’s finger at a sleepover. Her beleaguered single father Frank, used to her cannibalistic nature since she murdered her babysitter at three years old, promptly relocates them and abandons her shortly after her 18th birthday, leaving behind a message where he hopes for her to overcome her hunger. Deciding she wants to find her long-absent mother, Maren sets out for Minnesota. She runs into the eccentric Sully, who explains he is a fellow ‘eater’, and that it is part of their code to never eat each other, leading to challenges of morality and survival.
22.Play Dead
Director: Patrick Lussier
Amazon Rating: 8.3
Release year: 2022
Play Dead is a horror-thriller film that follows criminology student Chloe, who makes a terrifying decision to fake her own death. This drastic move aims to sneak into the morgue and retrieve crucial evidence to help her brother, who is tangled in a botched crime. However, the morgue harbors dark secrets, and Chloe soon discovers that she’s not alone. The suspense heightens as she faces unexpected dangers in the morgue’s eerie and chilling depths, testing her bravery and survival skills against an unknown, lurking menace.
23.Absentia
Director: Mike Flanagan
Amazon Rating: 5.8
Release year: 2011
Absentia (2011) is a low-budget horror film directed by Mike Flanagan, known for its eerie atmosphere and psychological tension. The story follows two sisters, Tricia and Callie, as they face the mysterious disappearance of Tricia’s husband, Daniel, who vanished seven years prior. As Tricia is about to declare him legally dead, strange occurrences hint that a dark force connected to a nearby tunnel may be responsible. Blending supernatural horror with psychological themes, Absentia explores trauma, grief, and the unknown, making it a chilling watch for horror fans.
24.Renfield
Director: Chris McKay
Amazon Rating: 6.4
Release year: 2023
In the early 20th century, Transylvanian vampire Count Dracula meets English lawyer R. M. Renfield, who hopes to broker a land deal. After proving to be useful, he becomes Dracula’s familiar, gaining immortality and super strength when he consumes bugs. Ninety years later, Renfield grows weary of bringing victims to Dracula and seeks self-help for his toxic relationship with Dracula, discovering feelings for a traffic cop, Rebecca Quincy, as he tries to break free from his master’s demands.
25.The Burning
Director: Tony Maylam
Amazon Rating: 4.2
Release year: 1981
“The Burning” is a 1981 American horror movie directed by Tony Maylam. The story revolves around a group of summer camp teens who become targets of a vengeful killer named Cropsy, a former camp caretaker who was disfigured in a prank gone wrong. Driven by revenge, Cropsy hunts down the campers with a pair of garden shears, creating a chilling atmosphere. Known for its intense gore and suspenseful scenes, The Burning has gained a cult following over the years. It features early performances from actors like Jason Alexander and Holly Hunter, adding to its legacy as a memorable slasher film of the 1980s.