Horror movies are one of the most enduring and controversial genres in the film world. Despite how subjective the genre is, there are a handful of horror movies that seem to transcend controversy and find universal renown. These movies have such broad appeal that they move beyond the genre and speak to all audiences.
There’s no through line that connects all the films on this list. Some are fantasies, others are science fiction, and others are more realistic. Regardless, horror fans across the globe know each of these movies backwards and forwards.
Frankenstein Will Always Be the Cornerstone of the Genre
Image via Universal Pictures
There were horror stories before Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, but that novel is so impactful that it feels like the genesis of horror fiction. A movie version of Frankenstein could have been an incredible disappointment, but instead, James Whale’s adaptation made the novel a permanent part of the Western canon. Whale’s film isn’t just a great horror film — it’s one of the all-time classic movies.
While Frankenstein is much shorter and simpler than the novel on which it is based, it’s still one of the best movies about a sympathetic monster. The film nails its tone, and it sets up an incredible sequel: Bride of Frankenstein. While other talented actors such as Christopher Lee, Robert De Niro, and Jacob Elordi have all taken on the role of Frankenstein’s monster, Karloff’s version of the character will always be the definitive cinematic interpretation.
The Exorcist Still Shocks All These Years Later
The demon Pazuzu from The Exorcist (1973)Image via Warner Bros.
When The Exorcist was first released in 1973, it was controversial for two main reasons: the violence in the film was over-the-top for the time, and many Christians felt the film was blasphemous. As time has gone on and horror has become more permissive, those criticisms have grown less pronounced. However, the film is still absolutely incredible, thanks to its grounded atmosphere, which makes the fantastical elements feel real.
Linda Blair gives one of the most incredible child performances in any film, as she’s believable both as a cherubic child and as a demoniac possessed by Satan (unforgettably voiced by Mercedes McCambridge). The final stretch of the film, where the two priests have to fight the devil himself, is a tour de force that will affect even the most jaded horror fan. There have been many possession films since The Exorcist, but none have equaled it.
Psycho Paved the Way for the Entire Genre
Image via Paramount Pictures
Alfred Hitchcock may have inspired more movie directors than anyone else in his field. His filmography includes numerous masterpieces, including The 39 Steps, The Lady Vanishes, Vertigo, North by Northwest, and The Birds. If he had only directed Psycho, he would still have an incredible legacy. With one film, he paved the way for the entire slasher genre.
Anthony Perkins arguably gave the best performance in horror history when he brought Norman Bates to life. If you’ve never seen Psycho before, go out of your way to know as little as possible about its plot. Many slasher films are gorier or flashier than Psycho, but none of them have the sophistication of Hitchcock’s magnum opus — or its perfect shower scene.
Stanley Kubrick Immeasurably Improved Stephen King’s The Shining
Wendy (Shelley Duvall) screams as an axe breaks through the door in The ShiningImage via Warner Bros/Everett Collection
Stephen King’s The Shining is an intriguing unofficial retelling of The Amityville Horror — it’s frightening, albeit thoroughly straightforward. Stanley Kubrick rewrote the story to make it much more surreal and ambiguous by removing much of the novel’s exposition. By doing that, he set the groundwork for much of the modern “elevated horror” genre. Unusually for a slow-paced movie, it’s endlessly rewatchable — and, fittingly, it rewards repeat viewings.
On one level, the film is very cold, as its brilliant cinematography makes its characters feel remote. That chilliness is offset by Jack Nicholson’s delightfully expressive performance as Jack Torrance, a man who initially seems only slightly unusual before he descends into madness. While the film is not particularly violent, its atmosphere of dread builds and builds to an incredible finale.
Alien Combined Two Genres Perfectly
A close-up of the Xenomorph from 1979’s Alien filmImage via 20th Century Fox
Evil aliens and haunted houses are two staples of horror, but they don’t overlap very much. Alien is incredible because it relocated the basic structure of a haunted house movie onto a spaceship, creating a high-concept movie that appealed to a wide audience. The big budget allowed the filmmakers to bring one of cinema’s greatest creature designs to life.
Despite the film’s futuristic setting, it feels real, mostly due to Ridley Scott’s wise decision to make all of its technology look lived-in. Fittingly, there are no action heroes here — just regular people caught up in a freakish situation. On top of that, Sigourney Weaver is incredible in the lead role, which is part of why Ellen Ripley is still one of the great cinematic heroes.
Jaws Is Horror For People Who Don’t Like Horror
The first victim being attacked in Jaws’ opening scenesImage via Universal Pictures
When people think of horror movies, they think of nighttime scares and indoor settings. On the other hand, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws primarily takes place outside in broad daylight. It was a simple decision, but it made Jaws so much more accessible to audiences who would usually avoid horror films. The film proved so popular that it ushered in the modern era of the summer blockbuster.
Some monster movies thrive on giving us plenty of time to look at the monster and appreciate its design. Meanwhile, Jaws goes in the exact opposite direction, showing the shark as little as possible. This choice creates incredible suspense and makes each glimpse of the shark so much more satisfying. People have been scared to go back into the water ever since.
Halloween Took the Best From Alfred Hitchcock
Michael Myers holds a knife and looks over the bannister of a staircase in Halloween (1978).Image via Compass International Pictures
Part of what makes Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho so interesting today is how its plot is so much more complex than that of the typical slasher film. John Carpenter’s Halloween was one of the first movies to distill the most memorable parts of Psycho into a deceptively simple package. While Norman Bates is haunting because his mind is so intricate, Michael Myers is haunting because his mind is so rigid.
Halloween is also notable for the way in which it twisted suburbia into nothing more than a trap for characters caught in Myers’ web. It’s incredible what a musical score can do to a generally cozy location! The success of Halloween was the catalyst for the early 1980s slasher boom — a trend whose influence is being felt to this day.
The Thing Shouldn’t Be This Good
Kurt Russell in The Thing.Image via Universal Pictures
1950s nostalgia was massive in the 1980s. Back to the Future and Peggy Sue Got Married took us back to that decade, “La Bomba” graced the radio again, and a certain actor from that time period became the President of the United States. This led to a trend of remakes of classic ‘50s horror films. When John Carpenter remade The Thing from Another World, he could have churned out a cash grab, but instead, he made his best film.
The Thing came out at the same time as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and it initially could not appeal to the broad appeal of Spielberg’s film. With time, The Thing has become a genre-transcending classic that has been praised for its visceral creature effects as well as its paranoid atmosphere. The Thing could have been nostalgia bait — but it became one of horror’s greatest thrill rides.
Night of the Living Dead Created the Modern Zombie
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For much of their folkloric history, zombies were understood as dead people who had come under the control of another person. In Night of the Living Dead, George A. Romero rewrote the myth so that zombies were now the mindless undead who want to eat everyone in their path. While previous movie monsters exhibited a perverse sort of glamour, his zombies were gritty and grotesque. The zombie subgenre was never the same.
However, Night of the Living Dead’s true virtue isn’t its influence. It’s the movie’s incredible pacing that makes the film’s apocalyptic plot seem real and urgent. In addition, the film’s masterful social commentary never feels preachy — instead, it flows naturally out of the movie’s story. When you realize the meaning of the film’s ending, it’s even more devastating than any of its violence.
The Silence of the Lambs Proved Horror Could Be Oscar Material
When people think of gory horror movies, “class” is usually not the first word that comes to mind. Adapted from Thomas Harris’ intelligent novel, The Silence of the Lambs had more than enough brains to complement all the bloodletting. While many Best Picture winners look questionable in hindsight, the Academy was correct in awarding this film all five major Oscars.
It’s rare to find a film with two performances of such stellar quality. On one hand, Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling is one of the most well-rounded protagonists in the history of horror. On the other hand, Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter is both delightfully over-the-top and brutally real. The dynamic between the two characters is so incredible that it lingers in the memory long after the credits roll.