Critics and Fans Agree — This Is the Greatest Horror Movie of All Time

1. The Exorcist (1973)

Directors: William Friedkin | Cast: Linda Blair, Max von Sydow, Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller | Release Year: 1973

When a 12-year-old girl becomes possessed by a demonic entity, her mother desperately seeks help from two Catholic priests to save her daughter’s life. The Exorcist stands as the gold standard of horror cinema, earning 10 Academy Award nominations and winning two (Best Screenplay and Best Sound). The film grossed $428.8 million worldwide on a modest budget, earning a fresh 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. IMDb users have consistently ranked it the #1 scariest movie of all time. Linda Blair’s haunting performance as the possessed Regan MacNeil and Max von Sydow’s gravitas as Father Merrin created an enduring masterpiece that continues to terrify audiences over 50 years later.

2. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Director: Jonathan Demme | Cast: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine | Release Year: 1991

FBI trainee Clarice Starling seeks the counsel of imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter to catch another serial murderer known as Buffalo Bill. This psychological thriller became a cultural phenomenon, earning $275.7 million worldwide and making history as the third film (and first horror film) to win the “Big Five” Academy Awards: Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Screenplay. Anthony Hopkins won Best Actor despite having only 17 minutes of screen time—one of the shortest performances to ever win an Oscar. With a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 8.6/10 on IMDb, it remains the only horror film to win Best Picture.

3. Psycho (1960)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock | Cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin | Release Year: 1960

An embezzler on the run stops at an isolated motel where she encounters its disturbing proprietor, Norman Bates. Made on a budget of just $807,000, Psycho earned $50 million at the box office (equivalent to $384.5 million today) and revolutionized cinema. Hitchcock’s black-and-white thriller introduced the shower scene—arguably the most iconic moment in film history. Janet Leigh’s performance earned an Oscar nomination, while the film itself received four Academy Award nominations. With 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 8.4/10 on IMDb, it established the template for the modern slasher genre and remains endlessly influential.

4. It (2017)

Director: Andy Muschietti | Cast: Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Martell, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard | Release Year: 2017

A group of bullied kids must confront their worst nightmares when a shape-shifting entity returns to their small hometown. Based on Stephen King’s epic novel, It became a cultural phenomenon and the highest-grossing horror film ever made at $704.1 million worldwide. Bill Skarsgård’s portrayal of Pennywise the Dancing Clown became instantly iconic, creating one of cinema’s most memorable villains. The film earned 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.3/10 on IMDb, demonstrating that horror can achieve both critical acclaim and massive commercial success when the storytelling is strong.

5. Alien (1979)

Director: Ridley Scott | Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm | Release Year: 1979

The crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly extraterrestrial creature with a parasitic life cycle. Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror masterpiece earned $188 million worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley became an iconic action hero and feminist symbol, earning her international stardom. The film holds an 8.5/10 on IMDb and 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, establishing itself as one of cinema’s most influential films and spawning a beloved franchise that continues today.

6. The Conjuring (2013)

Director: James Wan | Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston | Release Year: 2013

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. James Wan crafted a modern horror classic that earned $316.1 million worldwide on a $13 million budget, proving that supernatural horror could still captivate audiences. The film holds 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.5/10 on IMDb, spawning a highly successful franchise that has grossed over $1.5 billion combined. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson’s chemistry brought authenticity to the lead roles, making the paranormal investigation feel grounded and terrifying.

7. The Ring (2002)

Director: Gore Verbinski | Cast: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox, David Dorfman | Release Year: 2002

A journalist investigates a cursed videotape that kills anyone who watches it within seven days. Gore Verbinski’s American remake of the Japanese horror film earned $248.2 million worldwide and holds 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.1/10 on IMDb. Naomi Watts delivered a career-defining performance, bringing vulnerability and determination to the lead role. The film’s original concept—a cursed videotape—became a cultural sensation and demonstrated how effectively Eastern horror concepts could resonate with Western audiences.

8. Get Out (2017)

Director: Jordan Peele | Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener | Release Year: 2017

A young Black man visits his white girlfriend’s family estate and discovers a sinister conspiracy. Jordan Peele’s directorial debut became a cultural phenomenon, earning $252.3 million worldwide and establishing Peele as a visionary filmmaker. With a stunning 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.7/10 on IMDb, the film explores race relations through a horror lens with intelligence and purpose. Daniel Kaluuya’s performance earned him an Oscar nomination, demonstrating that horror could address contemporary social issues while delivering genuine scares.

9. A Quiet Place (2018)

Director: John Krasinski | Cast: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe | Release Year: 2018

A family must survive in silence to avoid deadly creatures that hunt by sound. John Krasinski’s innovative thriller earned $334.8 million worldwide and holds 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.5/10 on IMDb. The film’s commitment to silence as a narrative device created unprecedented tension, making every sound a potential death sentence. Emily Blunt delivered a powerhouse performance as a pregnant mother protecting her family, earning widespread acclaim and establishing A Quiet Place as a modern horror masterpiece that redefined how filmmakers approach sound design.

10. Hereditary (2018)

Director: Ari Aster | Cast: Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Milly Shapiro, Alex Wolff | Release Year: 2018

A family unravels after the death of their grandmother, discovering dark secrets and supernatural forces at work. Ari Aster’s feature directorial debut became an instant horror classic, earning $80 million worldwide and achieving a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 7.6/10 on IMDb. Toni Collette delivered a career-best performance earning an Oscar nomination, exploring grief and family trauma through a supernatural lens. The film’s commitment to psychological horror, practical effects, and genuine character development established Aster as one of contemporary cinema’s most exciting voices.

The Evolution of Horror Excellence

These ten films represent the pinnacle of horror cinema, showcasing how the genre has evolved from Hitchcock’s psychological manipulation to modern filmmakers exploring contemporary social anxieties. Whether through supernatural scares, psychological terror, or innovative narrative techniques, these films prove that horror isn’t just about jump scares—it’s about exploring the deepest human fears and the experiences that connect us all. Each film on this list has influenced countless filmmakers and terrified generations of audiences, cementing their place in cinema history as essential viewing for anyone who appreciates great filmmaking.