The Best Of Horror

Over the last couple days I've been trying to come up with a diverse list of the best horror films ever made. Whether it was psychological, comedy, foreign, sci-fi,  or just a sliver of terror, I want to include every type of sub-genre. There's only one problem: I haven't seen every single horror film that's been created. I'm not a fan of Japanese horror, Zombies, re-makes, or in more recent years the horror 'porn' that has been produced by Eli Roth (among others). I've also given up on the genre, to a certain extent. Why? Because horror to me isn't what's shown; while over the years I haven't been able to tollerate blood and guts like I did when I was in Junior High, it's tired and expected. Calm, quiet, subtle horror creeping up is generally what I'm interested in now.

With all this, I still enjoy the "typical" horror film. I grew up at a time when the teen horror flick was getting a second breath of 'fresh air'. It started with Scream, then Hollywood really started to bank on that concept again: I Know What You Did Last Summer and Urban Legend soon followed. I back tracked and saw numerous films from all different decades and grades; The Blob, Friday the 13th, Black Christmas, Night of the Living Dead, Evil Dead(s), Nosferatu, The Thing, Halloween, The Haunting (1963, and unfortunately the 1999 version too), Eyes Without A Face, to just name a few.



Down To It Then: What are my favorite horror films of all time? 


1. Alien

Ridley creates a dark moody claustrophobic atmosphere with the 2.35 aspect ratio; your brain has convulsions because of it.

2. The Shining

For almost the opposite reasons of Alien.  The film is certainly claustrophobic to some degree, but the deep focus, wide open lenses create an overwhelming scope. It's the type of situation where everything is well lit and entirely in focus, so where is the horror going to come from? It's hiding, but not around the corner. (That was the most corny thing I've ever written. I apologize.)

3. Carrie

Sissy Spacek's performance is what makes this film so memorable. She's quiet, weak and vulnerable. You feel for her and you're frightened at the same time.

4. Repulsion

5. Rosemary's Baby

Roman Polanski is a genius. I would even go so far as to call his Knife in the Water a horror film, versus a drama. If you haven't seen these two films, and The Tenant -- which stars Polanski -- go rent them now.

6. Diabolique 

Clouzot, like Hitchcock, is a master of suspense, mystery and set-up. The last 10 minutes of the film will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. The Raven will also give you chills.

7. Psycho

You know what's going to happen, you know when it happens, you know how it happens, but it doesn't take away from the performance of Anthony Perkins. The mental instability of Norman Bates will continuously be shocking to me. I always think he'll suddenly move off into a different direction, even though he clearly won't.

8. Mulholland Drive.

One of the best directed films I've ever seen. Lynch is in total control, but its smooth style makes it all seem so effortless. Not too mention the performances from Laura Harring, and the amazing (and lovely) Naomi Watts, are so close to perfect that it's scary.

9. Bug

William Friedkin's underrated 2006 classic gets far more under the skin than The Exorcist.


10. Eyes Wide Shut.

The older I get, the more frightened I get from Kubrick's final film.


I'm sure there are much scarier films I could put on this list. But these are the films that get me every time.

Honorable Mentions: Bunny Lake is Missing, Lost Highway, Blue Velvet, Halloween, The Silence of the Lambs, Night of the Hunter, The Magician, The Birds and Peeping Tom. 


I'd loved to write and direct a horror film someday. My friend Shaun Pakenham and I have been tossing around ideas for almost 7 years, maybe even more. Now we just need to find a balance between two different styles. 


What are your favorite horror films of all time?