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Horror movies come in all forms, from haunting and psychological to grotesque and downright disturbing. But only a few have managed to burrow into our minds and stay there long after they've left theaters.
Whether through suspense, mind games, supernatural phenomena, or brutality, here are the scariest movies of all time that have totally terrified audiences and earned their place in the horror hall of fame.
Scroll to see the absolute scariest movies of all time you can watch right now...
Warner Bros.
1. The Exorcist (1973)
Of course, we have to start with The Exorcist, which shocked viewers everywhere when it premiered in 1973. It centers around Regan, a young girl who becomes possessed, pushing her mother to get help from two priests.
With exceptional sound design and unforgettable imagery, The Exorcist turned possession into a more mainstream nightmare and inspired countless more modern works. In fact, to this day, many people still view it as the standard that other demonic horror flicks are judged against.
Haxan Films
2. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The Blair Witch Project blurred the line between fiction and reality in a way that no film had done before, thanks to its innovative use of "found footage." Told through the lenses of handheld cameras, it documents the last known days of three student filmmakers who vanish while investigating a local legend in the woods of Mayland.
The low-budget aesthetic and psychological terror gave the movie an unnerving sense of authenticity, which is why so many viewers at the time were actually convinced they were watching something real.
Warner Bros.
3. The Conjuring (2013)
James Wan's The Conjuring marked a turning point in modern horror by combining old-school scare tactics with more nuanced filmmaking techniques. Based on the real-life case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the movie follows a family plagued by a supernatural presence in their rural farmhouse.
What makes The Conjuring so effectively terrifying isn't just its eerie atmosphere or jump scares, though. It's the depth of the characters, particularly the Warrens, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, that makes their fight against evil feel really personal.
Mubi
4. The Substance (2024)
A more recent but equally horrifying film is The Substance, a body horror movie directed by Coralie Fargeat. The plot follows an aging celebrity who turns to a black-market drug that promises youth and beauty, only to find herself losing control of a younger, replicated version of herself.
The movie starts as a commentary on unattainable body standards and eventually morphs into a gory nightmare. Its final 20 minutes are so jaw-dropping and revolting that you want to look away, but you just can't.
Fox Searchlight
5. The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
Alexandre Aja's 2006 remake of The Hills Have Eyes is much more brutal than the original. It follows an unsuspecting family stranded in the desert who are hunted by a clan of mutated cannibals.
What unfolds is a somewhat traumatizing blend of survival horror and extreme violence, complete with shockingly graphic and emotionally upsetting scenes. It's one of those movies that will definitely leave you with a lingering feeling of discomfort.
A24
6. Hereditary (2018)
After it debuted in 2018, Hereditary solidified director Ari Aster as a force to be reckoned with in the horror film genre. The story centers on a family that loses their secretive grandmother and begins to uncover terrifying truths about their ancestry and the supernatural forces that are attached to them.
Hereditary is loaded with disturbing imagery and shock factor, but it's the suffocating sense of hopelessness that really sets it apart. Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, and Milly Shapiro also deliver standout performances.
Vortex
7. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is like a real-life nightmare. It follows a group of friends who fall victim to a family of cannibals, including the now-iconic Leatherface, while traveling through rural Texas.
What the movie lacks in gore (at least by today's standards), it makes up for in aesthetics. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is grainy and documentary-like, giving it a raw feel that cuts deeper. This, coupled with its extreme gore, is why the film was banned in multiple countries upon release.
A24
8. Midsommar (2019)
Finally, Midsommar impressively redefined horror in broad daylight. Directed by Ari Aster, this folk horror tale centers on a grieving woman, played by Florence Pugh, who joins her boyfriend and his friends on a trip to a remote Swedish village for a festival. But what begins as a peaceful retreat morphs into a ritualistic, violent, and extremely unsettling story within a cult.
The movie's brightness and beautiful setting create a major juxtaposition against the disturbing subject matter. Midsommar is also a slow-burn, anchored by Florence Pugh's incredible acting, which makes the whole story seem even more surreal.
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