Horror Cult Movies

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror-thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme and released in 1991. The movie stars Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, a young FBI trainee, who is tasked with tracking down a serial killer known as “Buffalo Bill”. To do this, she seeks the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant but dangerous serial killer who has been imprisoned for his previous murders. As Clarice searches for clues to Buffalo Bill's identity, she becomes more and more ensnared in a twisted game of cat and mouse with both the killer and Hannibal. The Silence of the Lambs won several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Jodie Foster, and Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins' performance as Hannibal Lecter.

From Ridley Scott, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Rated R

Alien is a science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott in 1979. The film follows the crew of the commercial towing spaceship Nostromo, who encounter a mysterious, malevolent extraterrestrial life form that is on board their vessel. In their attempt to survive, the crew members battle the creature, leading to a tense, nail-biting climax. Along the way, the crew must confront their own fears and superstitions, while simultaneously trying to solve the mystery of the unknown creature and its agenda. With its haunting visuals, intense sound design, and groundbreaking special effects, Alien has become one of the most acclaimed and influential sci-fi films of all time.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin
Rated R

Psycho is a 1960 American psychological horror film directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, and written by Joseph Stefano. The film stars Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, John Gavin, Vera Miles, and Martin Balsam. The film revolves around the disturbed Norman Bates, who runs a motel in the fictional town of Fairvale, California. After Marion Crane, a secretary who has stolen money from her employer, checks into the motel, she is murdered by Norman's "mother". When her sister and ex-boyfriend come looking for her, they soon discover the terrifying truth about Norman and his mother. The film is now seen as a classic of the horror genre and a major influence on popular culture.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Rated R

The Shining is a classic horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. It tells the story of Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic, who takes a job as the winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel. He initially takes the job, hoping to use the solitude to get some writing done, but he soon discovers that the hotel is haunted by some mysterious and malevolent forces. Along with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), Jack must fight to protect his family from these forces while also battling his own inner demons. As the forces in the hotel become more and more sinister, Jack descends further into madness, putting his family in great danger.

From James Cameron, starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Aliens is a science fiction action horror film directed by James Cameron and starring Sigourney Weaver. The film is the sequel to the 1979 film Alien, and follows Ellen Ripley as she returns to the planet where her crew encountered the hostile Alien creature, along with a unit of space marines. After arriving, they discover the planet is now inhabited by thousands of the aliens and their queen. Ripley and the marines must battle the aliens in order to stay alive and prevent the creatures from reaching Earth. In the end, Ripley is successful in destroying the aliens and their queen, thus preserving the human race.

From John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Masur
Rated R

The Thing is an American science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter, starring Kurt Russell. The story follows a group of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter a parasitic alien life-form that assimilates and then imitates other organisms. The researchers come to suspect that the alien has infiltrated their camp and is imitating members of their group. As paranoia and mistrust grow within the group, they must fight to survive the deadly creature and figure out which one of them is the Thing in disguise. The film is a remake of the 1951 film The Thing from Another World.

From Guillermo del Toro, starring Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú
Rated R

Pan's Labyrinth is a 2006 dark fantasy film set in post-Civil War Spain. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, the film follows Ofelia, a young girl who enters a fantastical world of mythical creatures. When Ofelia's pregnant mother moves to a rural military outpost to live with her new husband, Ofelia discovers a mysterious labyrinth and meets a faun who tells her she is a princess from an underground kingdom. Ofelia must complete three tasks to prove her royalty and return to her kingdom. As Ofelia's surreal adventures become more dangerous and her stepfather's cruelty increases, she must find the courage to journey through the dangerous labyrinth, confront her stepfather, and reclaim her rightful place in the magical world of her ancestors. Pan's Labyrinth is an exploration of Ofelia's journey from childhood innocence to adulthood, as she discovers the power of faith and courage to overcome great obstacles.

From William Friedkin, starring Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb
Rated R

The Exorcist is a 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin and based on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. The film stars Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller and Lee J. Cobb. The story revolves around the possession of 12-year-old Regan MacNeil (Blair), the daughter of an American actress (Burstyn). As doctors are unable to provide a diagnosis, her desperate mother turns to two Catholic priests for help in an attempt to exorcise the demon possessing her daughter. The priests, Father Karras (Miller) and Father Merrin (von Sydow), must overcome the powerful forces of evil in order to save the little girl. The movie was a box office success and became one of the most successful horror films of all time, garnering the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing and eight other nominations. It also served as a major influence on the horror genre, spawning numerous sequels and inspiring filmmakers to create their own supernatural tales.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Lorraine Gary
Rated PG

Jaws is a 1975 American thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley's novel of the same name. The film stars Roy Scheider as Police Chief Martin Brody, Robert Shaw as shark hunter Quint, and Richard Dreyfuss as marine biologist Matt Hooper. Set in the fictional Amity Island off the coast of New England, the film follows Brody and Hooper as they attempt to track down and kill a giant great white shark that has been terrorizing the islanders. The film also features Lorraine Gary as Brody's wife, Ellen, and Murray Hamilton as Mayor Larry Vaughn. The story follows Brody and Hooper's hunt for the shark, aided by Quint, as the creature wreaks havoc on the island's beachgoers. After several attempts to kill the shark, including a failed attempt with a bomb, Brody, Hooper, and Quint set off on a fishing boat to hunt and kill the shark. After a tense battle, the trio is able to finally kill the shark, restoring peace to Amity Island. Jaws was a massive commercial success, grossing nearly $470 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film of all time until the release of Star Wars in 1977. The film

From Roman Polanski, starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer
Rated Approved

Rosemary's Baby is a 1968 psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski, based on the bestselling novel by Ira Levin. The film tells the story of Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), a young wife who moves into an apartment building with her struggling actor husband, Guy (John Cassavetes). She soon becomes pregnant and discovers that her neighbors are a coven of witches who intend to use her unborn child for their nefarious purposes. With the aid of her best friend, Hutch (Maurice Evans), Rosemary must figure out how to protect her baby from the witches and escape their clutches before it's too late. The film is notable for its exploration of themes such as paranoia, fear, faith, and the power of motherhood in the face of danger.

From Tomas Alfredson, starring Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl
Rated R

Let the Right One In is a 2008 Swedish romantic horror drama film directed by Tomas Alfredson. The story follows a 12-year-old boy named Oskar whose life is changed when a mysterious girl named Eli moves in next door. Oskar befriends Eli, despite the fact that she is a vampire, and the two form a close bond that helps Oskar cope with the bullying he suffers at school. Meanwhile, Eli's caretaker Håkan is tasked with finding victims for her to feed on, leading to a series of tragic events. Through their friendship, Oskar and Eli explore the boundaries of life and death, love and loneliness, and ultimately, what it truly means to be alive.

From Directors: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack, starring Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher
Rated Passed

King Kong is a 1933 American monster adventure film directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack. The film tells the story of a film crew who travel to a mysterious island in search of a legendary giant gorilla known as Kong. Upon arrival, the crew discovers Kong is a real creature and is captured and brought back to New York City. However, Kong escapes his captors and goes on a rampage through the city, culminating in a climactic battle atop the Empire State Building. Along the way, Kong falls in love with the female lead, Ann Darrow. In the end, Kong is shot down and killed by airplanes. The film is widely considered to be a classic of the horror and adventure genres and was a major influence on later films.

From George A. Romero, starring David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross
Rated Unrated

Dawn of the Dead is a 1978 horror movie directed by George A. Romero. The movie follows a group of survivors who have barricaded themselves in a shopping mall after the world is overrun by zombies. As the group struggles to survive the zombie hordes, they must also battle the relentless forces of consumerism and their own feelings of despair. As their numbers dwindle, the survivors must face the ultimate reality of the horror they have unleashed. Dawn of the Dead is an iconic horror movie that set the standard for the zombie genre, and has become a cult classic.

From James Whale, starring Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson
Rated Not Rated

The Bride of Frankenstein is a 1935 horror film, directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff as the Monster. The film begins with Henry Frankenstein's wife, who has been killed by the Monster, receiving a letter from Henry announcing his intention to create a female companion for the Monster. Elizabeth, an old friend of the Frankenstein family, agrees to help Henry in his experiments, and assembles a group of eccentric scientists to help. They successfully create a female Monster, but when the Monster sees his bride, he rejects her, leading to a chaotic scene in which the Monster destroys the laboratory and escapes. Meanwhile, the mad scientist Dr. Pretorius arrives and forces Henry to help him create a race of monsters to take over the world. In the end, the Monster and his Bride sacrifice themselves to save the lives of Henry and Elizabeth.

From George A. Romero, starring Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman
Rated Not Rated

Night of the Living Dead is a horror classic directed by George A. Romero that follows a group of people trapped in a rural farmhouse as they attempt to survive a zombie apocalypse. The group of survivors, who are from different backgrounds and beliefs, must learn to work together to survive the onslaught of the undead. As the film progresses, tensions rise as the survivors fight amongst themselves while the zombies continue to attack. Ultimately, the group is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to survive, leading to a shocking conclusion. The film was groundbreaking for its depiction of horror and gore, and has become a cult classic in the horror genre.

From James Whale, starring Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff, John Boles
Rated Passed

Frankenstein is a 1931 horror classic directed by James Whale. It is based on the novel of the same name by Mary Shelley and stars Boris Karloff as the title character. The film follows Dr. Henry Frankenstein, a mad scientist who creates a creature out of human body parts, only to have it come alive and escape. While on the run, the creature is hunted by Dr. Frankenstein and the local townsfolk, who are horrified by its monstrous appearance. Ultimately, the creature meets a tragic fate and Dr. Frankenstein learns a valuable lesson about playing God.

From Ken Russell, starring Vanessa Redgrave, Oliver Reed, Dudley Sutton, Max Adrian
Rated R

The Devils is a 1971 British historical drama film directed by Ken Russell and starring Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave. It is a dramatization of the Loudun possessions of 1634. In the film, a Catholic priest (Reed) is accused of witchcraft and inciting the sexually repressed nuns of an Ursuline convent into hysteria, leading to a violent clash with the local authorities. The film was widely condemned for its violence and sexual content and was banned in numerous countries. However, it is now seen as an important work of British cinema, and has been credited with influencing the modern horror genre.

From Jack Clayton, starring Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins, Michael Redgrave
Rated Not Rated

"The Innocents" is a 1961 British psychological horror film directed by Jack Clayton and based on the novella "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James. It tells the story of a governess, Miss Giddens (Deborah Kerr), who is hired by a man to look after his niece and nephew at a remote country estate. As the governess grows increasingly suspicious of the supernatural occurrences at the estate, she must confront the truth of the children's troubled past and the identity of a mysterious figure who lurks nearby. With its minimalist approach to horror, psychological complexity and intense suspense, "The Innocents" is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all time.

From John Carpenter, starring Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes
Rated R

Halloween is a 1978 horror film directed by John Carpenter. The movie follows the story of Michael Myers, a six year old child who murders his older sister on Halloween night in 1963 and is then institutionalized for fifteen years. Fifteen years later, he escapes and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, to continue his murderous rampage. He is pursued by his psychiatrist, Dr. Sam Loomis, who is determined to stop him. Along the way, Michael stalks and kills several of his teenage victims, including his former babysitter, Laurie Strode. With the help of her friends, Laurie manages to survive the night and ultimately defeats Michael. The movie is considered to be one of the most influential and iconic films of the horror genre, and has spawned numerous sequels.

From Roman Polanski, starring Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux
Rated Not Rated

Repulsion is a 1965 psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski. It stars Catherine Deneuve as a young French woman living in London who begins to experience psychological breakdown as a result of her extreme repression of her sexual desires. As her mental state deteriorates, she begins to suffer from hallucinations and delusions, and eventually descends into a state of madness as she becomes increasingly isolated and unable to cope with the world around her. The film is a powerful exploration of the effects of isolation and repression, using dream-like imagery and unsettling sound design to create a nightmarish atmosphere.

From Georges Franju, starring Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli, Juliette Mayniel, Alexandre Rignault
Rated Not Rated

Eyes Without a Face is a 1960 French horror film directed by Georges Franju. The film follows Dr. Génessier, a brilliant doctor and surgeon whose daughter, Christiane, has been disfigured in a car accident. In an attempt to restore her face, Génessier attempts to steal healthy skin from young women. Alongside his assistant Louise, Génessier continually fails in his attempts, resulting in the death of the women he victimizes. As the body count rises, Génessier's actions become more and more desperate. Ultimately, Christiane learns of her father's deeds and attempts to stop him. The film is a dark and surreal exploration of the depths a parent will go in order to protect their child.

From David Lynch, starring Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette, John Roselius, Louis Eppolito
Rated R

Lost Highway is a psychological mystery-thriller film directed by David Lynch. It follows the story of Fred Madison, a jazz musician who is arrested for the murder of his wife, Renee. While in prison awaiting trial, Fred mysteriously transforms into a younger man named Pete Dayton. After his release, Pete embarks on a strange journey into a surreal, menacing world. Along the way, he meets a seductive femme fatale named Alice, who leads him into a love triangle with a sinister gangster. The further he delves into this new reality, the more bizarre and twisted the journey becomes. As the mystery deepens, Fred and Pete’s lives intertwine in unexpected ways, leading to a shocking and unexpected conclusion.

From Robin Hardy, starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland
Rated R

The Wicker Man is a 1973 British horror film directed by Robin Hardy. The film follows Police Sergeant Neil Howie, a devout Christian, who is sent to the remote Scottish island of Summerisle in search of a missing girl. Upon arrival, he discovers that the islanders are pagans who practice ancient rituals and are uncooperative in helping him find the girl. As Howie's investigation continues, he discovers a sinister and sinister plot involving the disappearance of the girl, as well as the islanders' annual sacrifice of a human being to appease their pagan gods. In the climax of the film, Howie himself is chosen as the sacrifice and is burned alive inside a giant wicker man.

From Dario Argento, starring David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Gabriele Lavia, Macha Méril
Rated R

Deep Red is a 1975 Italian horror film directed by Dario Argento. The film follows jazz pianist Marcus Daly (David Hemmings) as he investigates a brutal murder of a psychic in Rome. He gradually becomes aware that he too is being targeted by a mysterious killer and must solve the crime before it is too late. Along the way, he meets a beautiful young woman named Gianna (Daria Nicolodi) who assists him in his investigation. Together, they uncover a web of secrets that reveals the identity of the murderer, a man with a dark and twisted past. Deep Red is a visually stunning and suspenseful thriller that has become a cult classic and is widely considered to be one of Argento’s best works.

From Richard Donner, starring Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, Harvey Stephens, David Warner
Rated R

The Omen is a 1976 horror film directed by Richard Donner. The film follows Robert Thorn, a successful American Diplomat, and his wife Katherine, who discover that their adopted son Damien is the Antichrist. The couple soon discovers that Damien is the source of a string of mysterious deaths, with the ultimate goal of achieving world domination. With the help of a priest, Robert and Katherine race to prevent the coming of the Antichrist and the destruction of the world. Along the way, they encounter a variety of supernatural forces and must battle for their lives in an attempt to save the world.