BlueLion's 30 favorite horror films

[BlueLion]

These lists are so addictive, dammit. Contagious even. The moment I saw that Rodent had created his Halloween-themed thread, I just knew. It was meant to be.

Please note that these are not necessarily films I would consider the scariest, they just happen to be the highest rated films which are labelled as horror according to my Criticker. But I've looked on other places too just to make sure. Some of these aren't your typical, traditional horror flicks, but at the very least they consist of horror elements. I should finish this in about three days so enjoy it while you can.


- -

30. Gremlins (1984) by Joe Dante

http://i.imgur.com/leDjlFz.png

It's actually pretty silly for a horror, let's face it, and honestly not that scary, but I enjoy this one mainly because it gets the Christmas/holiday atmosphere right. Plus it has that very 80s feel which I always dig.


29. The Tenant (1976) by Roman Polanski

http://i.imgur.com/jC4X0Xv.png

A film that made me go "wut" several times while I was watching it, and then made me scratch my head once it was over. I'm still not sure what it all means, but I like the themes Polanski tries to explore here. With the exception of the final third in which Polanksi himself loosens his screws, the film is quite terrifying at times.


28. The Thing (1982) by John Carpenter

http://i.imgur.com/tafwBcH.png

Because a horror list isn't complete without a John Carpenter film.


27. Suspiria (1977) by Dario Argento

http://i.imgur.com/YOz4jur.png

This one definitely doesn't scare me, or even disturb me, still, I can't help but appreciate it for its visuals and soundtrack. Definitely a must see for those with an interest in visually striking films.


26. Funny Games (1997) by Michael Haneke

http://i.imgur.com/my4WySj.png

This is more a thriller than it is a horror, but it's more disturbing than most horrors since the situation is more plausible than in most horrors. The violence is sudden, like in most Haneke films, and is quite shocking as a result. Dude without the bag in his head puts in an excellent performance.

[BlueLion]

25. Eraserhead (1977) by David Lynch

http://i.imgur.com/A70U0V1.png

One simply should not try to make sense of this film, just surrender yourself to the incredible sound and visuals.


24. Carrie (1976) by Brian De Palma

http://i.imgur.com/cBGocP9.png

Cheesy and over-the-top in typical De Palma fashion, but disturbing and thought-provoking in equal measure.


23. Misery (1990) by Rob Reiner

http://i.imgur.com/yj1mjXE.png

I'm a sucker for this kind of thriller/horror which relies heavily on winter atmosphere. I've seen this one several times and never got tired of it. Definitely one of the better Stephen King adaptations.


22. The Conjuring (2013) by James Wan

http://i.imgur.com/YmkDjUB.png

It's full of cliches and it brings absolutely nothing new to the table, and yet, for some reason it just worked for me. Mainly because it delivers.


21. The Exorcist (1973) by William Friedkin

http://i.imgur.com/wIqQ4kg.png

The power of MoFo compels you! Rep me, rep me!

[Mr Minio]

Wow. I only haven't seen Gremlins (I thought it's a family movie, not horror!) and only find Misery and The Conjuring slightly inferior to the rest.

[BlueLion]

Wow. I only haven't seen Gremlins (I thought it's a family movie, not horror!) and only find Misery and The Conjuring slightly inferior to the rest.

You could say that it's a family film, but it's definitely a horror/comedy.

The Conjuring is inferior to most classics, without a doubt, but I found it scarier than most classics. I see it as effective filmmaking, they were clearly not trying to impress or overachieve, but to simply scare you to death, so it's very successful in that sense (for me at least)

[The Gunslinger45]

Thought you did not care for Eraserhead?

[BlueLion]

Thought you did not care for Eraserhead?

Not until I rewatched it. It left me cold at first as I found it impossible to penetrate, but now I see it as a rather profound work. The film is actually about simple (but important) things, it's just that it's presented in a very surreal manner which makes it a tough nut to crack for a lot of people.

[The Gunslinger45]

Not until I rewatched it. It left me cold at first as I found it impossible to penetrate, but now I see it as a rather profound work. The film is actually about simple (but important) things, it's just that it's presented in a very surreal manner which makes it a tough nut to crack for a lot of people.

Glad to see ya came around. :D

[MovieMeditation]

I REALLY need to get around doing a list soon!

All those horror lists has made me excited about doing one myself for quite some time now...

[Derek Vinyard]

Very very nice to saw The Conjuring on your list ! I like it ! :)

[Mr Minio]

I hope Nosferatu makes it.

[honeykid]

I just can't see Gremlins as a horror film. I like it, though. + rep for that, The Exorcist, Carrie, Suspiria and The Thing. :up:

[cricket]

The Exorcist, The Thing, and Carrie are all easily in my top 10 horrors, and I also think highly of Misery, Funny Games, and The Conjuring.

I love Gremlins even though I don't consider it horror, bit I understand your perspective.

The Tenant and Suspiria are just ok for me.

I liked Eraserhead, but am unsure how I really feel about it. I could probably do with another viewing.

[the samoan lawyer]

Nice list BL

[The Sci-Fi Slob]

Some excellent choices so far.:up:

[Swan]

Yeah this is a really solid list so far, nice work BlueLion.

[BlueLion]

20. 28 Days Later (2002) by Danny Boyle

http://i.imgur.com/WRPA5Tb.png

I have a few complaints about this film: some scenes could have done without music (even if it's really good music), and sometimes the camera is shaky when it doesn't need to be. But other than that, it's very stylish and cool. I've never been a fan of gore myself, but in this film it's justified.


19. Beetlejuice (1988) by Tim Burton

http://i.imgur.com/HSoaREV.png

Weird and fun.


18. The Others (2001) by Alejandro Amenábar

http://i.imgur.com/ALDgXlJ.png

Impossible to say why I liked it without entering spoiler territory. Let's just say it has a twist that I never saw coming.


17. The Cabin in the Woods (2012) by Drew Goddard

http://i.imgur.com/5kyRv4J.png

Absolutely ridiculous.


16. The Fog (1980) by John Carpenter

http://i.imgur.com/8yu2SXW.png

Very atmospheric, the imagery of this film always haunted me each time I saw it during my childhood. The score, which is pretty excellent, was composed by Carpenter himself.

[BlueLion]

15. Jacob's Ladder (1990) by Adrian Lyne

http://i.imgur.com/GfTgx86.png

I found this film more frightening and disturbing than most horrors, as it shows how our minds (or souls) can go to very dark places on their own, even if we don't want to.


14. Dawn of the Dead (1978) by George A. Romero

http://i.imgur.com/9uir1VO.png

Pretty dated, and even cheesy in parts, but still enjoyable. That soundtrack by Goblin is a killer.


13. Halloween (1978) by John Carpenter

http://i.imgur.com/Didg2uc.png

Captures the Halloween mood perfectly.


12. Aliens (1986) by James Cameron

http://i.imgur.com/Rxurcms.png

More action-packed than the first film, but almost just as tense and claustrophobic.


11. Black Swan (2010) by Darren Aronofsky

http://i.imgur.com/aVltvDP.png

Psychological horror is my favorite subgenre of horror.

[The Gunslinger45]

The original Dawn of the Dead is my favorite horror movie! Excellent!

[BlueLion]

The original Dawn of the Dead is my favorite horror movie! Excellent!

It's my favorite George A Romero film by far. I think Night of the Living Dead is way more frightening and intense, but to me Dawn feels more like a hang out horror movie, which makes it that much more enjoyable

[The Gunslinger45]

It's my favorite George A Romero film by far. I think Night of the Living Dead is way more frightening and intense, but to me Dawn feels more like a hang out horror movie, which makes it that much more enjoyable

It is close for me between Dawn and Night, but Dawn wins out in the end.

[Derek Vinyard]

28 Days Later , The Others , Halloween and Aliens are all in my favorite and Jacob's Ladder , Dawn Of The Dead and The Fog are very good movies

[cricket]

Dawn of the Dead and Aliens are two of my favorites, although I consider the latter to be an action film.

Really like Halloween, Black Swan, and Beetlejuice.

I like 28 Days Later, but prefer the sequel, and I also liked Jacob's Ladder and Cabin in the Woods.

Haven't seen The Fog or The Others yet.

[Captain Spaulding]

There are a few I haven't seen (Jacob's Ladder, The Tenant, The Conjuring), a couple I dislike (The Fog, Cabin in the Woods), but all the others I either like or love. My personal favorites to appear so far: The Thing, Eraserhead, 28 Days Later, Beetlejuice, and Black Swan.

[Camo]

Horror is something i need to get back into, when i was younger this was probably my favourite genre. Anway these are the ones i've liked from your list so far:

Gremlins, The Thing, Funny Games, Eraserhead (too low if your counting it as horror ;)), Carrie, Misery, The Exorcist (way too low ;)), 28 Days Later (i personally preferred Weeks but both are good), Beetlejuice, Dawn of the Dead (i actually preffered the remake), Halloween, and Aliens.

The ones i didn't include are only because i've either not seen them or i'm not that big a fan. There has been none so far that i dislike.

[the samoan lawyer]

Brilliant list BL. Only one i have yet to see is The Fog but hopefully shouldnt be too long. I'm right with you on the psychological horror by the way. Maybe we'll see Repulsion? The Innocents? Cronenberg?

[Daniel M]

Good idea with it soon being Halloween. i might steal it and do something similar, just a quick list of my favourite horrors. I love The Thing, Eraserhead and The Exorcist. I like a couple of the others, although I think that Halloween and Carrie are overrated.

[honeykid]

The Fog, Halloween, Dawn Of The Dead and The Others. :up: Still need to see Cabin In The Woods and I have Black Swan, though I'm not sure I'll like it. I wasn't that bothered about seeing it.

[the samoan lawyer]

The Fog, Halloween, Dawn Of The Dead and The Others. :up: Still need to see Cabin In The Woods and I have Black Swan, though I'm not sure I'll like it. I wasn't that bothered about seeing it.

Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman HK, that is all.;)

[honeykid]

Yeah, but the first is someone I think I should find a lot more attractive but don't, while I've never been particularly fond of the other.

[BlueLion]

10. Hour of the Wolf (1968) by Ingmar Bergman

http://i.imgur.com/KdXF4gY.png

I saw this one very recently as part of the Halloween horror challenge, and instantly loved it. It's dark and eerie and gothic, filled with surreal imagery throughout. Great study of a character battling with his own inner demons.


9. Let the Right One In (2008) by Tomas Alfredson

http://i.imgur.com/dT9AKTJ.png

Better love story than Twilight.


8. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) by Wes Craven

http://i.imgur.com/mJE1Qux.png

A horror list without Freddy Krueger? Are you f***ing kidding me?!?!


7. An American Werewolf in London (1981) by John Landis

http://i.imgur.com/xjnikUb.png

The makeup and special effects in this film are ridiculous.


6. Alien (1979) by Ridley Scott

http://i.imgur.com/MvVaivG.png

Classic from start to finish. Alien makes good use of location and knows how to build the tension.

[BlueLion]

5. Rosemary's Baby (1968) by Roman Polanski

http://i.imgur.com/Trx0fHd.png

Polanski delivering the goods.


4. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) by Tobe Hooper

http://i.imgur.com/WZHK7oo.png

This is the kind of horror I myself would make. No gore, nothing silly, just tension.


3. Lost Highway (1997) by David Lynch

http://i.imgur.com/ys8AKlS.png

Why do I hold Lost Highway in such high regard? Because it's neo-noir unlike any other. Lynch gives the middle finger to both subtlety and narrative as he dives headfirst into a character's subconscious, scene after scene presenting us with pure madness. On top of that, David Bowie + Rammstein in the soundtrack = win.


2. Psycho (1960) by Alfred Hitchcock

http://i.imgur.com/Zkoh0VT.png

Champion filmmaking. It's dark and disturbing and complex, but I believe the true power of this film lies in its craftsmanship.


1. The Shining (1980) by Stanley Kubrick

http://i.imgur.com/nZtQqNC.png

A marvellous masterpiece. The Shining is, and will always be, my #1 horror film.

[honeykid]

Psycho is so good I'm tempted to + rep the whole post. But I've yet to see Lost Horizons and the other three aren't even liked, let alone favourites. Definite + rep for A Nightmare On Elm Street and An American Werewolf In London and I liked Let The Right One In.

[Swan]

F*cking fantastic list, BlueLion. We have very similar taste when it comes to horror, apparently. Our top ten horror films looks very similar too. Alien, Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Rosemary's Baby, Psycho, An American Werewolf in London - they would all be in it (and I love the rest too, though I've not seen Hour of the Wolf, which is weird as a horror and Bergman fan).

[BlueLion]

Psycho is so good I'm tempted to + rep the whole post. But I've yet to see Lost Horizons and the other three aren't even liked, let alone favourites. Definite + rep for A Nightmare On Elm Street and An American Werewolf In London and I liked Let The Right One In.

lmao Lost Horizons. I knew you wouldn't like my #1 choice, or my #4 choice, but what don't you like about Rosemary's Baby?


F*cking fantastic list, BlueLion. We have very similar taste when it comes to horror, apparently. Our top ten horror films looks very similar too. Alien, Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Rosemary's Baby, Psycho, An American Werewolf in London - they would all be in it (and I love the rest too, though I've not seen Hour of the Wolf, which is weird as a horror and Bergman fan).

:highfive:

[Captain Spaulding]

Great finish to the list. Alien, Psycho, Rosemary's Baby, The Shining and Texas Chain Saw Massacre are all favorites of mine, and I'm not just talking about within the horror genre, but favorite films in general. Lost Highway is interesting and I'd like to watch it again, but it's easily one of my least favorite films from Lynch.

[honeykid]

lmao Lost Horizons.
:facepalm:

I knew you wouldn't like my #1 choice, or my #4 choice, but what don't you like about Rosemary's Baby?
The last time I saw it was the most I've ever liked it and, on that occassion, I don't think it bored me too much. I just don't think it's that good. Mia's annoying, as usual, and that's made even worse by one of the worst haircuts I've ever seen. Of course, none of this would matter greatly if it was interesting. I know for some/many it creates a great sense of dread or unease, but I get none of that. I like a great atmosphere. Especaially in a horror film, but this doesn't have one for me. There's just nothing special or particularly noteworthy about it, IMO.

[cricket]

I need to see Hour of the Wolf and Lost Highway, but the rest of those last 2 sets are just sick-awesome favorites you got there:cool:

[The Sci-Fi Slob]

Great list. Many of the films were on my list as well, which just shows we both have great taste in horror films.;)

[The Gunslinger45]

Fantastic finish dude!

[Derek Vinyard]

G.R.E.A.T list.

Let The Right One In , A Nightmare On Elm Street , An American Werewolf In London , Alien , The Texas Chainsaw Massacre , Psycho and the best finish THE SHINING.

all great movies

[Lucas]

Excellent list obviously, but your top 10 is on a whole nother' level of greatness.

[donniedarko]

4. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) by Tobe Hooper

http://i.imgur.com/WZHK7oo.png

This is the kind of horror I myself would make. No gore, nothing silly, just tension. .




3. Lost Highway (1997) by David Lynch

http://i.imgur.com/ys8AKlS.png
.

:p

But seriously great list, I like/love the majority of these films, and all of the top 5

[Daniel M]

Don't like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but the other four get a thumbs up from me :) I wouldn't have really considered Lost Highway for such a list, but I guess it has enough horror elements to qualify and is certainly more eligible than other films that seem to appear on these types of list. I guess in the same way you could include Inland Empire, which is very creepy/scary with many dark, jumpy moments, a lot scarier than most films I have seen actually.

[the samoan lawyer]

Brilliant list BL. Well played.

[Guaporense]

I really need to watch all the ones on your top 10 that I haven't watched yet!