People love to watch horror movies in the months leading up to Halloween. But how do you pick what you intend to watch? Common themes include kid-friendly Halloween movies or the iconic Universal Monsters movies. However, we'll specifically look at some essential horror movies that many horror fans agree are must-watch cinema. (And in chronological order!) How many of these iconic horror movies have you seen?
1. Nosferatu (1922)
[Source: Prana Film/IMDb]
The original Nosferatu is one of the earliest and most influential horror films ever made. Heavily inspired by Dracula, the filmmakers made an unauthorized adaptation of the 1897 novel. The result was Count Orlock, a much more grotesque-looking vampire than the more popular Draculas like Bela Lugosi. Nosferatu is praised for its visual style and gothic feel, which made it a template for horror movies to follow. Interestingly, it was also the first movie to depict a vampire dying from sunlight exposure, as previous books only mentioned it made them uncomfortable.
2. Frankenstein (1931)
[Source: Universal Pictures/IMDb]
Universal Pictures set the standard early for iconic horror movies and, in doing so, gave us the Universal Monsters franchise. Frankenstein is regarded as one of Universal's best monster movies and still holds up well for modern audiences. Their depiction of Frankenstein's monster was so iconic that many later interpretations drew inspiration from this movie. If you love to watch classic horror movies for Halloween, make sure you have the original Frankenstein movie on your list! (And maybe add Dracula, The Invisible Man, and others, too!)
3. King Kong (1933)
[Source: RKO Radio Pictures/IMDb]
Movie monsters have been a horror staple, but one of the first majorly successful monster movies was King Kong in 1933. The special effects at the time were nowhere near as advanced as they are today, but they made the film using techniques like stop-motion animation, miniatures, rear projection, and matte painting. This opened the doors for bigger and bolder monster movies! Due to King Kong's success, it became a massive media franchise, with films about the gargantuan gorilla still being made today.
4. House of Wax (1953)
[Source: Bryan Foy Productions/Warner Bros./IMDb]
There are several prolific horror movie actors, but we will focus on Vincent Price right now. He's one of the most recognizable by face and voice (as heard in Michael Jackson's "Thriller") and deeply committed to acting in horror movies. If you want to see a great Vincent Price movie, 1953's House of Wax is one you should have on your list! He plays a disfigured sculptor who works at a wax museum, and he kills people and encases their bodies in wax.
5. Godzilla (1954)
[Source: Toho Co., Ltd./IMDb]
We could hardly mention King Kong without Godzilla! Godzilla is one of the most famous movie monsters and has a world record for the longest-running film franchise. The original movie also pioneered suitmation, a special effects technique where a performer in a suit interacts with miniature sets. Since Godzilla's inception, there have been many parodies, spinoffs, and tributes that cement Godzilla as the greatest movie monster of all time!
6. Psycho (1960)
[Source: Shamley Productions/IMDb]
Alfred Hitchcock was a master of suspense and horror, and Psycho is his crowning jewel. The performances, score, and camera work combine to make one of the greatest horror movies of all time. The shower scene, in particular, is one of the most famous and is frequently analyzed in university film studies. Even if you're not watching Psycho to study it for its film techniques, it's still an excellent watch for modern audiences. There's nothing better than re-watching Psycho to ring in spooky season!
7. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
[Source: William Castle Enterprises/IMDb]
Having a baby is an exciting experience, but it is also filled with fear and uncertainty. Rosemary's Baby draws on these fears of pregnancy and childbirth and adds a demonic twist. As the plot unravels, we see a twisted side to human nature and people you think you can trust. It's a bit of a slow burn, but Rosemary's Baby is an artfully done movie that's still well-regarded today.
8. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
[Source: Image Ten/IMDb]
It can seem like zombie movies are a dime a dozen these days. Still, George Romero's Night of the Living Dead is credited with popularizing the portrayal of zombies and beginning the zombie movie movement. The film was made on the proverbial shoestring budget and earned more than 250 times its cost! We're not going to spoil the movie for you, but if you intend to watch any classic zombie movies, Night of the Living Dead should be one of them!
9. The Wicker Man (1973)
[Source: British Lion Films/IMDb]
Once described as "the Citizen Kane of horror movies", The Wicker Man is a well-regarded horror film. It delves into folk horror and paganism, following a police officer who visits an island that has embraced pagan Celtic tradition. While he is trying to solve the disappearance of a young girl, he is unwittingly drawn into a festival and ceremony that leads to his sacrifice. Yes, there was also a remake that stars Nicholas Cage, but it is far inferior to the original.
10. The Exorcist (1973)
[Source: Hoya Productions/IMDb]
Believe us when we say that The Exorcist remains one of the scariest horror movies of all time, even though it was made decades ago, in 1973. It's certainly not for the faint of heart, but it's also one of the most influential horror movies. The movie was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning two. The Exorcist was also the first horror movie nominated for Best Picture. (Although it would be many years before a horror movie won the award.) Even years later, images of The Exorcist steps and Regan in her nightgown immediately bring this movie to mind. If you can stomach watching it, it's an iconic film for the horror genre.
11. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
[Source: Vortex Inc./IMDb]
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is an icon of low-budget horror movie success stories. While it faced much criticism for its violent subject matter, that didn't stop it from being a commercial success or spawning a movie franchise. Like other early slasher films, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre popularized several themes commonly found in slasher movies—power tools as weapons and masked serial killers. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's an essential watch for fans of horror movies for its contributions to the genre.
12. Jaws (1975)
[Source: Zanuck/Brown Company/Universal Pictures/IMDb]
Jaws is a stand-out horror movie that was instrumental in making summer blockbuster movies a regular part of the movie-watching experience. It also has one of the most recognizable main themes, which starts to play when you see the killer shark on screen. Widely considered one of the horror movie greats, you don't want to miss your chance to watch Jaws!
13. The Omen (1976)
[Source: 20th Century-Fox/Mace Neufeld Productions/IMDb]
Do you like horror movies with scary kids? The Omen is a great example, with strange events around a boy named Damien. The film was initially panned by critics and criticized by the Catholic church over its subject matter, but later analysis changed its tune about The Omen. It became a successful franchise with several movies and a short-lived TV series.
14. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
[Source: Laurel Group/IMDb]
Dawn of the Dead is George Romero's second zombie movie, often considered his best work. It portrays a large-scale zombie event, with most of the movie taking place in a large shopping mall. Besides being an entertaining zombie movie, it has an underlying commentary on mindless consumerism. If that's not enough to get you to watch Dawn of the Dead, the score is also excellent, featuring progressive rock music by the band Goblin in Argento's version of the movie.
15. Halloween (1978)
[Source: Compass International Pictures/Falcon International Pictures/IMDb]
It only makes sense to watch a horror movie set during Halloween for Halloween! Although Halloween may not be the very first slasher movie, it is one of the most influential, as it created the blueprint for other slasher movies to come. It popularized the use of a final girl, a musical theme for the killer, and perspective shots from the killer's point of view. (Not to mention the death of promiscuous young adults.) Halloween spawned an entire franchise, although you may want to research guides on how you'd prefer to watch the sequel movies.
16. Phantasm (1979)
[Source: New Breed Productions/IMDb]
If you love creepy, atmospheric horror movies, Phantasm has some really cool scenes that will stick with you. Specifically, the long, marble mausoleum corridors are hard to forget. (Especially after seeing one of the Tall Man's orbs flying down the halls!) While the film wasn't initially well-received, its impressive, surreal imagery gave it its cult classic status.
17. Alien (1979)
[Source: 20th Century Fox/Brandywine Productions/IMDb]
Alien is one of the best sci-fi horror movies of all time, although, at the time of its release, it didn't get the appreciation it deserved! The lukewarm reception didn't dampen its spirit, as Alien went on to have an incredibly successful sequel and franchise. The creature work and set design in Alien is top-notch and influenced many other movies after it. Alien is also notable for making its heroine a genuine action movie hero instead of a helpless damsel-type of final girl.
18. The Amityville Horror (1979)
[Source: Cinema 77/Professional Films, Inc./IMDb]
How many houses are this iconic? The curved windows on the upper floor of The Amityville Horror house feel like a pair of eyes on a home that comes to life to haunt its inhabitants. Haunted house movies can feel like they're a dime a dozen, but The Amityville Horror is a pillar of the genre. Interestingly enough, the film crew intended to shoot at the real Amityville house in Long Island, but the authorities denied them access. Instead, they bought a Dutch Colonial home in New Jersey and modified it to look similar to the Long Island house.
19. Friday the 13th (1980)
[Source: Georgetown Productions Inc./IMDb]
Friday the 13th is one of what many consider the big three slashers. (The other two are Halloween and A Nightmare on Elm Street.) For those unfamiliar with the franchise, the first movie didn't feature Jason as the masked, machete-wielding villain. Instead, it was his mother, Pamela Voorhees. Even with the absence of Jason, we still recommend watching the original Friday the 13th as part of your Halloween horror movie binge.
20. The Shining (1980)
[Source: The Producer Circle Company/Peregrine Productions/Hawk Films/IMDb]
Author Stephen King has made several amazingly successful horror movies, including the iconic The Shining. Although Stephen King famously hated it, it remains one of his best adaptations. So many scenes from The Shining have appeared or been parodied in pop culture and other horror movies, making it fun to watch so you can find all the original references. If you have not watched any Stephen King movies, The Shining should rank high on your list.
21. An American Werewolf in London (1981)
[Source: PolyGram Pictures/Lycanthrope Films Limited/IMDb]
If you're looking for lighter horror movie fare, consider a comedy horror movie like An American Werewolf in London! John Landis wrote it of Blues Brothers and National Lampoon fame. It features two American Graduate students who are vacationing in The Moors when they encounter a werewolf who turns one of them and kills the other. This is one of the better werewolf movies you can watch, and it won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Makeup.
22. The Evil Dead (1981)
[Source: Renaissance Pictures/IMDb]
It's a big deal when your independent horror movie gets a big thumbs-up from Stephen King! The Evil Dead is one of the biggest horror cult classics and is quite a success story. On a $375,000 budget, they raked in $29.4 million! The Evil Dead was so successful that it became a trilogy with a soft reboot and a TV series. Just be aware that this movie is well-known for gore and lots of it, and it's fine if that's not your thing.
23. Poltergeist (1982)
[Source: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/SLM Production Group/IMDb]
One of the best ghost movies you'll have the chance to watch is Poltergeist. The film has iconic scenes, from the static-filled TV to the possessed clown doll. The fact that Poltergeist was a horror movie didn't stop it from being one of the best movies from 1982! In the film, a family deals with supernatural events that plague their home. It's only later that they find out that the housing development was built on a former cemetery, which led to the deluge of ghostly activity.
24. The Thing (1982)
[Source: Universal Pictures/The Turman-Foster Company/IMDb]
Where do you go when there's nowhere to run? The Thing shares the story of a team of researchers in Antarctica who encounter an extraterrestrial life form that assimilates their ranks through imitation. The practical effects used in this movie make it well worth your time! Interestingly enough, The Thing was initially poorly received upon its release. The bleak tone and unusual setting made it feel cold and unapproachable at the time, but the isolation makes this horror movie unique.
25. Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)
[Source: Friday Four, Inc./IMDb]
Just so you don't miss watching Jason Voorhees in action, we recommend watching Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. This movie is frequently considered one of the franchise's best films, with some debate over Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. (If you want to score brownie points this Halloween, watch part 6 too!) The writers were aware of the declining popularity of the franchise and slasher movies in general, thus naming part four The Final Chapter. However, it was a massive success that renewed the franchise and cemented Jason Voorhees as one of the greats.
26. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
[Source: New Line Cinema/Media Home Entertainment/Smart Egg Pictures/IMDb]
A Nightmare on Elm Street is another classic slasher movie that gets a lot of attention around Halloween. It knows how to tread the line between humor, entertainment, and terror. Freddy Kreuger himself is an iconic horror movie villain with his signature hat, sweater, and glove. If you want to watch an entertaining slasher movie, A Nightmare on Elm Street may be just what you need!
27. Predator (1987)
[Source: 20th Century Fox/Davis Entertainment/IMDb]
Alien may have popularized extraterrestrial horror, but there's always room for more! Predator introduced another incredible alien to horror. (And later, we even saw the Xenomorph vs. the Predator in action!) The first movie starred prominent action movie hero Arnold Schwarzenegger, which added an action element to the otherwise sci-fi horror. Equal parts fun and thrilling, this horror movie is a blast to watch. If you love Predator, don't forget to check out some of the franchise's other better films, such as Prey and Predators.
28. The Lost Boys (1987)
[Source: Richard Donner Production/IMDb]
Vampires are frequently depicted as well-dressed, well-mannered villains, but The Lost Boys has a refreshingly different take on these classic movie monsters. Filmed in the 80s, they brought vampires into the present in glorious 80s fashion! The vampires have a very glam-rock aesthetic, and it's so much fun to watch. Some late sequels turned The Lost Boys into a franchise, as well as a couple of comic books.
29. Hellraiser (1987)
[Source: Film Futures/IMDb]
Pinhead and the Lament Configuration are some of the most famous things about Hellraiser. But the movie has much more going on than it might seem. The Cenobites only occupy a portion of the plot, as there's another story with Julia going to extreme lengths to bring Frank back to life, and Kristy is trapped between her fight with the Cenobites and Julia. Hellraiser went on to become a successful franchise, so we might not have seen the last of Pinhead!
30. Child's Play (1988)
[Source: United Artists/IMDb]
The well-known Chucky franchise began with Child's Play in 1988. There are other earlier scary doll movies, but Chucky had the staying power that turned Child's Play into a media franchise with multiple films, TV series, books, comics, and more. Child's Play may not be the most artistic or award-winning horror movie, but it is entertaining with a good balance between laughs and scares. If you want to watch a fun and entertaining horror movie, we definitely recommend it!
31. It (1990)
The original It is a must-watch, especially for fans of scary clowns. The first movie was a two-part television special featuring Tim Curry as Pennywise. Although there were a few portrayals of scary clowns in previous horror movies, Pennywise was so attention-grabbing that he became the face of the archetype. The movie's popularity eventually led to a successful remake (also worth watching) and a wave of additional Stephen King miniseries adaptations.
32. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
[Source: Strong Heart Productions/IMDb]
Who could forget the most decorated horror movie of all time, The Silence of the Lambs? It was the third film in history to win the big five Academy Awards (Best Director, Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Actress) and the only horror movie so far to accomplish this feat. Anthony Hopkins plays the fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter, who takes part in interviews with a detective to find another active serial killer.
33. Candyman (1992)
[Source: Propaganda Films/PolyGram Filmed Entertainment/IMDb]
Urban legends are a common subject for horror films, and Candyman executes on this front beautifully. It feels similar to "Bloody Mary", but the tale is transported to inner-city Chicago. The film's dark and gritty settings are littered with rubble and graffiti, giving it a very urban and foreboding feel. Additionally, Candyman is not afraid to comment on race and social class—but not at the expense of the thrills.
34. Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
[Source: American Zoetrope/Osiris Films/IMDb]
Bela Lugosi as Dracula is the most universally classic depiction of the character. However, some modern viewers may find the original's pacing challenging to watch. (But you're still welcome to do so!) That being said, Bram Stoker's Dracula is an excellent alternative for vampire fans dripping with style. It's the first Dracula movie to drop the black-collared cape that became regular attire for the character, instead giving him several looks to match his shape-changing abilities. Bram Stoker's Dracula is a feast for the eyes, and it has an opulence that is rarely seen in horror movie productions.
35. The Craft (1996)
[Source: Columbia Pictures/IMDb]
Halloween is the season for witches, ghosts, and monsters. If you're in the mood for something witchy, The Craft is an essential cult classic movie about a coven of witches that goes off the rails. (It's also a great teen movie to watch with your kids when they're ready to start watching horror movies for spooky season!) A coven of outcasts enamored with the occult gets drunk with power when their hexes and spells start having real-world consequences. Only one of their own can stop them when events go too far.
36. Scream (1996)
[Source: Woods Entertainment/IMDb]
By the time Scream came onto the scene, the popularity of slasher movies like Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th had waned. It faced an uphill battle but ultimately won the public's favor as a box office success. (And in December, no less!) This meta-horror movie took a stab at popular tropes used in slasher films with a dose of wit and humor. We can't recommend watching Scream enough if you haven't seen it already!
37. I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
[Source: Mandalay Entertainment/IMDb]
Scream is often recognized as helping to revive the slasher genre in the 1990s, but I Know What You Did Last Summer also played a role. This entertaining teen horror flick draws inspiration from the urban legend "The Hook," as a group of teens are chased by a man with a hook hand. While it's not breaking any new ground, it's a fun horror movie to watch with friends.
38. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
[Source: Haxan Films/IMDb]
The Blair Witch Project achieved the kind of commercial success that many independent filmmakers can only dream of. It's also considered the best found-footage movie of all time. (We'll have to see how long it can retain that title!) There were very few found-footage films until The Blair Witch Project popularized the genre. These movies are presented as being filmed in the story by the characters you see, and the footage is later found and shared with the audience.
39. Final Destination (2000)
[Source: Zide/Perry Productions/Hard Eight Pictures/IMDb]
Many horror movies are famous for their iconic masked villains, but how do you run from a danger you can't see? A group of high school students narrowly escape death on a plane on their senior trip, but it turns out that Death still wants its due. The movie was a financial success, and it had several sequel movies. We also recommend watching Final Destination 2 to see the most famous death in the series. (Always watch out for logging vehicles on hilly roads!)
40. Jeepers Creepers (2001)
[Source: American Zoetrope/Cinerenta-Cinebeta/Medienbeteiligungs KG/IMDb]
Jeepers Creepers, where'd you get those peepers? There's something so fun and chilling about strange old songs that pop up in horror movies. "Jeepers Creepers" is a jazz standard song from 1938 that inspired the title of this movie and served as foreshadowing later in the film. The villain, the Creeper, takes after characters like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, who initially appear human but are later revealed to be something more supernatural.
41. The Ring (2002)
[Source: Parkes/MacDonald Productions/BenderSpink, Inc./Vertigo Entertainment/IMDb]
We might feel a little more insulated from the horror in The Ring these days than we did in 2002, but watching Samara crawl out of a static-filled television screen is so creepy! (And fun!) Samara's M.O. is unique because it involves watching a cursed VHS tape, after which you receive an ominous phone call that warns you that you have seven days to live. While it is true that VHS tapes are nearly obsolete these days, we'd love to see a modern revival!
42. Saw (2004)
[Source: Twisted Pictures/IMDb]
Saw was another low-budget success story that became one of the biggest horror franchises of the 2000s. The movies are well-known for being grisly and grueling, but they also offer a twisted sense of morality from Jigsaw's perspective. In Saw, we find out that the people in these torture games have all done something terrible that may or may not be publicly known, and they are forced to confront their sins through a series of gruesome challenges that kill them if they fail.
43. Trick 'r Treat (2007)
[Source: Warner Premiere/Legendary Pictures/Bad Hat Harry Productions/IMDb]
There's something classic about horror movies that fully embrace the Halloween holiday. Trick 'r Treat is an anthology series that sets a few ground rules surrounding Halloween. Sam appears in his footie suit and burlap sack head whenever one of these rules is broken. This movie doesn't break any new ground, but it has wormed its way into Halloween and horror lovers' hearts. Do you know the rules of Halloween?
44. The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
[Source: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists/Mutant Enemy/IMDb]
If you have already seen many of the movies on this list and it's your first time watching The Cabin in the Woods, you're in for a real treat! The Cabin in the Woods is a great movie, but its meta-humor and the sheer amount of Easter eggs from other iconic horror movies make it even better. The film starts with some of the most common horror cliches, only to flip them upside-down. Give this one a re-watch after watching more movies so you can spot all the extras!
45. The Conjuring (2013)
[Source: New Line Cinema/The Safran Company/Evergreen Media Group/IMDb]
The Conjuring story focuses on famous paranormal experts Ed and Lorraine Warren. They assist in the case of the Annabelle doll, which they add to their collection of haunted artifacts. They then head to Rhode Island to help a family with paranormal activity in their home. If you're already familiar with popular horror movies, you know that the Annabelle doll now has her own franchise, and there are other The Conjuring films and related spinoffs. Why not watch the movie that started it all?
46. The Witch (2015)
[Source: A24/IMDb]
The Witch was Robert Eggers's directorial debut, and what a first movie to make! It's one of the best horror films of the 2010s and an artful period piece that depicts rural New England in an era with growing fears about witchcraft. Eggers is now known for his artistic filmmaking style and historical accuracy, as his horror films thus far have all been period dramas. If you want to watch a witchy horror movie that feels like a portal to the past, we highly recommend The Witch!
47. Terrifier (2016)
[Source: Dread Central/Dark Age Cinema/IMDb]
There's a new clown in town! Terrifier's Art the Clown is a recent slasher villain who has garnered enough attention to be considered a new horror icon. This budding franchise already has two sequel movies, and we're unsure what else Art might have up his sleeve. Similar to other slasher villains like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, Art wordlessly slaughters his victims with gory gusto. The Terrifier films aren't for the faint of heart, as they're some of the bloodiest movies on this list, but that doesn't diminish their contribution to horror.
48. Us (2019)
[Source: Universal Pictures/Monkeypaw Productions/Perfect World Pictures/IMDb]
It can be hard to think of modern horror movies as "iconic", but incredible new movies continue to be made yearly! Jordan Peele solidified his status as a new master of horror with films like Get Out and Us. Specifically, when it comes to Us, the Tethered are instantly recognizable in their red coveralls. The music is excellent and helps create a sense of unease, and some well-thought-out scenes have hauntingly beautiful imagery. Get out there and watch this movie!
49. Midsommar (2019)
[Source: Square Peg/B-Reel Films/A24/IMDb]
In stark contrast to dark, gritty horror movies, Midsommar presents terror with abundant sunny skies and colorful natural beauty. It is a folk horror film that depicts a pagan cult in rural Sweden that draws unsuspecting visitors in with its midsummer festival. Some artfully done yet terrifying scenes in this movie will stick with you long after you turn off the TV.
50. Pearl (2022)
[Source: Little Lamb/Mad Solar Productions/A24/IMDb]
Many of the most famous horror movie villains are indeed men. However, Pearl presented us with a fatal female. Pearl is the second movie in the X film series and is a prequel to X. The film entertains while drawing parallels between the COVID-19 pandemic and the Spanish Flu era in America. Pearl is a young woman who wants to star in movies, but her mother insists on isolating her at their farm due to the Spanish Flu. She's lonely because her husband is fighting in WWI, and events become a perfect storm that leads to her murderous rage.
51. M3gan (2022)
[Source: Blumhouse Productions/Atomic Monster/IMDb]
As fears about artificial intelligence and humanized robots increase with technological advances, M3gan found its place in 2022. It's a fun, campy horror movie that presents fears of AI gaining self-awareness and becoming hostile. A M3gan sequel is on the horizon, so how much more can we expect from this budding new horror movie villain?
Do you agree with our list of iconic horror movies? What are your must-watch horror movie recommendations? We'd love to hear from you! Don't forget to find your favorite horror movie character costumes to wear this Halloween.
