Imdb Top Horror Movies

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

The Silence of the Lambs is an Academy Award-winning psychological thriller directed by Jonathan Demme and based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris. The film follows Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), an FBI trainee tasked with tracking down a serial killer known as "Buffalo Bill" (Ted Levine). To do so, she must enlist the help of Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant but dangerous cannibalistic serial killer. Through her conversations with Lecter, Clarice begins to understand the motivations of Buffalo Bill and his victims, and slowly draws closer to the killer. In the end, she manages to outwit both Lecter and Buffalo Bill, saving the final victim and bringing the killer to justice.

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

"Alien" (1979) is a science-fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott. The film follows the crew of the commercial space tug Nostromo, which is on a return trip to Earth when they pick up a distress signal from a nearby planet. Upon investigating, they discover a derelict spacecraft and a hive of alien eggs, which unleashes a horrific creature that proceeds to hunt down and kill the crew, one by one. Ellen Ripley, the warrant officer of the Nostromo, is the only survivor as she fights to destroy the creature and escape the doomed ship.

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

Psycho is a classic horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and released in 1960. It follows the story of Marion Crane, a young woman who steals a large sum of money from her employer and flees to the Bates Motel. There she meets the mysterious owner, Norman Bates, and his strange, domineering mother. After a series of frightening events, Marion discovers the terrifying secret behind the Bates family. The film is famous for its shocking plot twists and its suspenseful use of music and cinematography. Psycho has become a classic of the horror genre and is considered one of Hitchcock's best films.

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

Aliens is a sci-fi action-horror movie directed by James Cameron. Set 57 years after the events of Ridley Scott's 1979 film Alien, Aliens follows Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) as she is rescued by a deep-space salvage team. After learning that the planetoid she was on has been colonized, she joins a team of Colonial Marines to protect the colonists from a vicious alien species known as the Xenomorphs. With the help of the android Bishop (Lance Henriksen), Ripley must face her nightmares as she confronts the alien queen in a climactic battle for the future of mankind. The movie was well-received, winning Oscars for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Effects Editing, and Best Sound. It is widely hailed as one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time.

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

The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic, as he takes a job as a winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. His young son Danny (Danny Lloyd) has psychic abilities and is able to see horrific visions. As the winter progresses, Jack slowly becomes possessed by a supernatural presence and descends into madness, resulting in a violent confrontation with his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son. The film is renowned for its haunting imagery, surrealist elements, and its many references to the works of horror writer Stephen King. The Shining is considered one of the greatest horror films of all time.

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

The Thing is a 1982 American sci-fi horror film directed by John Carpenter and written by Bill Lancaster. The film follows a group of researchers in Antarctica as they are confronted by a parasitic extraterrestrial lifeform that is able to assimilate and imitate other organisms. Led by helicopter pilot R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell), the team must find a way to contain the creature before it escapes and potentially takes over the world. With paranoia and mistrust throughout the group, no one can be sure who is still human and who has become assimilated by the creature.

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

The Exorcist (1973) is a horror film directed by William Friedkin. The movie centers around the demonic possession of 12-year-old Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair). Regan's mother, Chris (Ellen Burstyn), turns to a local priest, Father Karras (Jason Miller), to try and help her daughter. Father Karras comes to believe that the only way to rid Regan of the demon is to perform an exorcism. With the help of an elderly priest, Father Merrin (Max von Sydow), the two brave priests battle the forces of evil in a frightening and epic battle of good versus evil.

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

Rosemary's Baby is a psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski and released in 1968. It follows a young couple, Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, who move into a spooky apartment in New York City. They soon become involved with their creepy neighbors, Roman and Minnie Castevet, who seem to have an ulterior motive for befriending them. As the film progresses, Rosemary discovers that the Castevets are part of a Satanic cult and that they have sinister plans for her unborn child. As Rosemary begins to fear for her life and that of her baby, she is forced to make a heart-wrenching decision between her own safety and that of her unborn child's. The film is a classic exploration of paranoia, suspense, and the battle between good and evil.

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 film directed by Tomas Alfredson. The plot revolves around Oskar, a 12-year-old boy living in a suburb of Stockholm, who is bullied by schoolmates and neglected by his divorced parents. Oskar meets a strange girl named Eli, who moves into the apartment next door. Eli is a centuries-old vampire, who preys on the neighbors at night and slowly develops a close bond with Oskar. As their friendship develops, Oskar stands up to his bullies, while Eli struggles with the moral implications of her nocturnal life, and both find solace in the other. The film received critical acclaim, with many praising its atmosphere, direction, and performances, and is considered to be one of the best vampire films of all time.

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

Night of the Living Dead is a 1968 American horror film directed by George A. Romero. It follows seven people who are trapped in a rural farmhouse in western Pennsylvania, which is besieged by a large and growing group of unidentified "living dead" monsters. The movie is widely regarded as a classic of the horror genre and is considered by many to be one of the greatest horror films of all time. It spawned a franchise of sequels, remakes, comic books, video games, and other media. The story follows the characters as they fight to survive the night against the never-ending onslaught of the dead, with the group ultimately deciding to make a desperate last stand in the basement of the house. The film is notable for its frank, explicit violence and its groundbreaking special effects.

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

"The Innocents" is a 1961 British supernatural horror film directed by Jack Clayton and based on the novel "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James. The movie stars Deborah Kerr as Miss Giddens, a governess who takes charge of two young orphans residing at a British country estate. She soon discovers the estate is haunted by two ghosts, those of Miss Jessel, a former governess, and Peter Quint, a former valet. Giddens is determined to protect the children from their lurking presence. As the story unfolds, she finds herself in a race against time to save the children from the evil forces at play. The film is a psychological thriller that explores themes of innocence, corruption and the supernatural.

From Jee-woon Kim, starring Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik, Jeon Gook-hwan, Ho-jin Chun
Rated Not Rated

I Saw the Devil is a South Korean psychological thriller directed by Jee-woon Kim. The film follows special agent Kim Soo-hyeon (Byung-hun Lee) as he plots a violent revenge against Kyung-chul (Min-sik Choi), a psychopathic serial killer who brutally murdered his fiancée. Driven by rage, Kim Soo-hyeon dedicates himself to a brutal and relentless game of cat-and-mouse with Kyung-chul, as he uses his resources and training as a special agent to track down and torment the killer. As the two men descend into a violent, psychological battle of wits, their relentless pursuit of each other culminates in a powerful and shocking climax.

From Sam Raimi, starring Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Kassie Wesley DePaiva
Rated R

Evil Dead II is a 1987 horror-comedy film directed by Sam Raimi. It is the sequel to the 1981 horror film The Evil Dead, and stars Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, who is once again fighting off a horde of evil spirits. The film follows Ash as he is mysteriously transported to a cabin in the woods, where he is attacked by a horde of demonic forces. After a series of horrific events, Ash and the spirits engage in a battle that results in Ash being the lone survivor. Armed with a chainsaw, a shotgun, and a 'boomstick', Ash sets out to fight off the evil dead, in the hopes of finding a way back home. As he fights for his life, Ash discovers an ancient book of the dead, which holds the key to summoning the spirits and laying them to rest. With the help of his trusty chainsaw and shotgun, Ash manages to defeat the evil dead, and ultimately defeats the powerful, ancient evil that has been unleashed. With the help of his friends, Ash is able to escape from the cabin and return home, victorious.

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

Halloween is a classic 1978 horror film written and directed by John Carpenter. The film follows a psychopathic killer, Michael Myers, who escapes from a mental institution and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield to terrorize a group of teenagers on Halloween night. Jamie Lee Curtis stars as Laurie Strode, one of the teenagers targeted by Myers, who must fight to survive against his relentless pursuit. With a dark and chilling atmosphere, Halloween is considered to be one of the most influential horror films of all time, and spawned many sequels and remakes.

From James Wan, starring Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Danny Glover, Ken Leung
Rated R

Saw is a 2004 horror film directed by James Wan. It follows two men, Adam and Lawrence, who wake up in a dark and dingy bathroom, chained to pipes and are forced to play a twisted game devised by a sadistic serial killer known as Jigsaw. If they do not follow his rules and complete the game, they will die. Throughout the movie, the two men find clues to the serial killer’s identity and motives. As the game progresses, their lives become more and more endangered and it becomes a race against the clock for them to survive. Along the way, they discover that other people are also involved in Jigsaw’s game as they come across gruesome traps and puzzles. In the end, the two men must make a difficult decision in order to save their lives and the lives of others.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette
Rated PG-13

The Birds is a classic horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and released in 1963. The film follows the story of a wealthy socialite, Melanie Daniels, who travels to the small coastal town of Bodega Bay, California to meet with a potential love interest, Mitch Brenner. However, upon her arrival, the town is suddenly and inexplicably beset by a series of strange and violent bird attacks. Along with Mitch, Melanie must battle the relentless avian predators and uncover the mystery behind their sudden aggression. The film has been praised for its suspenseful and suspense-filled scenes, as well as its sharp visual effects. The Birds is widely considered one of Hitchcock's greatest films, and has become a classic of the horror genre.

From Ruben Fleischer, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Abigail Breslin
Rated R

Zombieland is a 2009 American post-apocalyptic zombie comedy film directed by Ruben Fleischer. The film follows a group of survivors, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), as they journey through the United States in search of a place that is safe from zombies. Along the way, they come across many other survivors and must battle both the zombies and their own personal demons. Through humor, heart, and some serious zombie-killing action, Zombieland is an enjoyable and hilarious ride.

From Alejandro Amenábar, starring Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Fionnula Flanagan, Alakina Mann
Rated PG-13

The Others is a 2001 psychological horror film directed by Alejandro Amenábar and starring Nicole Kidman. The film follows Grace Stewart (Kidman), her two young children and their servants as they inhabit a secluded manor in the British countryside. After the family take up residence, strange occurrences begin to take place, and Grace becomes convinced that her home is haunted. As she attempts to uncover the truth, Grace is forced to confront her deepest fears and the secrets of her past. As the secrets of the house unfold, Grace discovers that the paranormal phenomena is more connected to her own family than she ever imagined.

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. It follows Sergeant Howie, a devout Christian police officer, as he travels to a remote Scottish island in search of a missing girl. Upon his arrival, he discovers that the islanders practice a form of paganism, and they are preparing for a mysterious ritual known as The Wicker Man. As Howie delves deeper into the islanders’ strange customs and beliefs, he uncovers dark secrets and finds himself in a life-or-death struggle with the islanders. The Wicker Man is an eerie and suspenseful classic, exploring themes of faith and the darkness of the human soul.

From Michael Haneke, starring Susanne Lothar, Ulrich Mühe, Arno Frisch, Frank Giering
Rated Not Rated

Funny Games is a 1997 psychological thriller directed by Michael Haneke. It follows a family of three—Anna, George, and their son Georgie—who are on their way to their holiday home when they are held hostage by two young men. The two men, Paul and Peter, proceed to torment the family and play cruel psychological games with them. As the two men toy with their victims, the family must fight for their lives in order to survive. The film is a commentary on violence in media and how it affects viewers. It also serves as a critique of the effects of deindividuation and the way in which violence can be seen as amusing. In the end, the two men leave the family alone, but the film leaves the audience with a feeling of unease and a deep sense of dread.

From Danny Boyle, starring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Alex Palmer
Rated R

"28 Days Later..." is a post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. The story follows a group of four survivors in the wake of a virus that has decimated the population of the United Kingdom. The virus, which is spread through bodily fluid contact, has turned most of the population into mindless, raging monsters called "Infected". The survivors are forced to battle the Infected, as well as their own personal demons, as they search for a way to survive. Meanwhile, a military faction is searching for a cure to the virus in order to restore order to the country. Over the course of 28 days, the survivors must make their way through a devastated, zombie-filled landscape in search of safety and a way to put a stop to the virus before it is too late.

From Tobe Hooper, starring Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain
Rated R

From Sam Raimi, starring Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker
Rated NC-17

From Directors: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza, starring Manuela Velasco, Ferran Terraza, Jorge-Yamam Serrano, Pablo Rosso
Rated R

From Brian De Palma, starring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, John Travolta
Rated R