Summary
From the early days of cinema,horror movieshave been a regular fixture on our screens. Horror is popcorn cinema at its best, from gore-drenched slasher movies to the elaborate costumes of Gothic horror. These films capture the imagination of audiences year after year and are often the most remembered movies of each generation.
At their best, horror movies force us to confront our fears. They take viewers to nightmarish worlds where unstoppable monsters hunt the innocent and always return in the end. The 90s was a decade that saw horror cinema change dramatically. The early decade gave us someall-time Hollywood classics, while the latter end saw the rise of the J-Horror and found-footage sub-genres.
10The Exorcist 3
A Worthy Successor To The Original Classic
Based on the novel,Legion, William Peter Blatty’sThe Exorcist 3stands as the best sequel to the 1973 classic so far. Although the film was plagued with studio interference, changing Blatty’s original vision for the movie, it remains an underrated classic in the genre.
Starring George C. Scott, the film follows a detective who is investigating a series of strange demonic murders linked to a deceased serial killer. This leads him to a psychiatric ward, where a mysterious patient hides a dark secret.The Exorcist 3is a psychological horror that is more than just its scares. Praised for both its intellectual nature and creepy atmosphere, the film is a worthy successor to the original.
9Silence Of The Lambs
A Career-Defining Performance In An All-Time Classic
This bonafide classic introduced audiences to one of themost unsettling villains in movie history: Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Anthony Hopkins' career-defining turn steals every scene he’s in, in a movie filled with stellar performances.Silence of the Lambswas a critical hit and collected many awards, including five Oscars, one for Best Picture.
The film follows FBI agent Clarice Starling, played by Jodie Foster, who is on the trail of serial killer Buffalo Bill. To get a better understanding of the man, she seeks the help of the notorious cannibal and psychiatrist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. What follows are some of the most tense and captivating scenes ever put on film, elevating the movie into a timeless classic.
8Candyman
An Iconic Villain Who Dares Victims To Say His Name
Based on a short story by legendary horror writer Clive Barker,Candymanis a tale of inner-city folklore that takes on a life of its own. The film follows Virginia Madsen’s Helen, a grad student researching local legends. Stumbling onto the story of Candyman, she soon finds herselfthe newest obsessionof the supernatural killer.
Candymanis a haunting and sometimes gory movie with a standout performance from Tony Todd as the titular character. The actor’s deep and distinctive voice brings the tragic figure to life, creating one of the most memorable villains in horror movie history. The film leans more into psychological terror than jump scares, and deals with themes of race, poverty, and belief.
7Cronos
The Debut Feature From One Of Film’s Biggest Directors
Originally released in 1992 for a festival run, its theatrical release came in 1993 and marked the start of one of cinema’s most unique visionaries. This independent Mexican horror film follows the story of an antique dealer, who discovers a strange device that gives the bearer eternal life, as well asa thirst for blood.
Cronosis an impressive debut from del Toro, with critics praising its blend of horror and drama. The film is considered one of the best Spanish language horror films ever made and was a first glimpse into the creativity of the now famous director.
6Interview With The Vampire
A Stylish Adaptation Of The Famous Vampire Novel
With its all-star cast, this adaptation of Anne Rice’s classic novel was a hit with audiences and stands as one of Tom Cruise’s best performances. It also introduced the world tochild star Kirsten Dunst. The film follows vampires Louis and Lestat as they struggle to come to terms with the changing times and their own vampiric existences.
Interview With The Vampirebrought together two of Hollywood’s biggest stars in their primes. The film is a gothic dream, where the romanticized vision of eternal life is put into question and beauty hides inner ugliness.
5Screamers
A Bleak Vision Of The Future Where Machines Prey On Humans
Set during an interplanetary conflict on a far-off world, a military commander discovers the robots designed to kill the enemy have evolved and gained sentience. Now taking the form of humans,paranoia turns to fearas they are hunted by the deadly Screamers.
This cult sci-fi gem was released at a time when horror cinema was at a low point, with many releases falling into the B-movie category.Screamersmay not have the budget of some movies on this list, and some effects now seem dated by modern standards. However, the film makes up for this with its bleak atmosphere, strong social commentary, and a terrifying central premise. Fans of sci-fi horror will love the suspense and technological nightmare the film portrays.
4Scream
Breathed New Life Into A Waning Genre
From horror maestro Wes Craven,Screamis a classic slasher movie that reinvigorated the genre. With its self-aware script and slasher movie references, the film is both a love letter and satire to its own genre. The film follows Neve Campbell’s Sydney as she is terrorized by a movie-obsessed killer hunting her and her friends.
Screamwas a hit with critics and audiences alike, becoming a box office success and making stars of its cast. The now iconicScreammask, worn by the killer, has cemented itself in horror movie history.Screambrought new life to the horror genre, with films such asFinal DestinationandI Know What You Did Last Summerowing much to its success.
3Cube
A Truly Original Cult Classic
This Kafkaesque nightmare follows six strangers after they wake up in a mysterious room with hatches on every wall leading to other, similar rooms. They soon discover each new space contains different traps designed to kill. Without ever explaining why, how, or who made the Cube, the characters attempt to escape with their lives.
Cubeis all the more disturbing because of its enigmatic nature. The conflict comes from the panic and desperation of the six people trapped in a situation beyond their control. The Cube represents the futility and the random nature of life, where death can always be behind the next door. The film became a cult hit, with several sequels following.
2Ring (Ringu)
A Landmark Moment In Japanese Horror Cinema
Ring(orRingu), for many Western audiences, was their first introduction to Japanese cinema. The movie follows a reporter investigating a series of strange deaths where the victims all died from sudden heart failure, their faces contorted in fear. Coming across a videotape connected to one of the victims, the reporter unknowingly falls victim to the same deadly curse.
Ringdoesn’t rely on jump scares or blood to sell its horror. The film has ableak and claustrophobic atmosphere, where the curse seems to haunt every frame of the movie. The growing tension all builds to a climax that has become an iconic cinema moment. A few years later, an American remake was released starring Naomi Watts.
1The Blair Witch Project
The Movie Phenomenon That Popularized Found Footage
Love them or hate them, found footage movies became a staple of horror cinema largely due to the success ofThe Blair Witch Project. One of the biggest success stories ever in independent cinema, the movie is proof that a great idea and a unique vision can find financial success.
With its six-figure budget,The Blair Witch Projectearned around $200 million at the box office, becoming a global hit. The film’s simple premise revolves around a group of friends who have gone missing after making a movie about a local myth. The film is presented as the lost footage of the friends, all filmed with a cheap handheld camera. The movie is raw and full of atmosphere, and shows what a creative team can achieve even without a Hollywood budget.
