Be sure to visit the Scariest Horror Movies Ever, Part 1 to read about the most frightful film picks - numbers 6 through 10.
Now on to the top five scariest movies of all time…
5. The Exorcist (1973)
It’s known by many as the scariest movie of all time, but come on—it’s those last forty minutes or so that’s truly frightening. While this movie remains a classic and by far one of director William Friedkin’s finest works, the terror takes just far too long to get going to call this the number one scariest movie ever. But once that bedroom gets dark and freezing cold, there’s no turning back.
Scariest Moment: Regan rising through the air
4. The Evil Dead (1981)
Sam Raimi might be famous for directing three Spider-Man movies, but he started his career by helming this low-budget, innovative splatter movie. While attention might be given to the excessive (yes, very excessive) gore splashing against characters for ninety minutes, there are a number of frightening moments, particularly ones that don’t gravitate toward blood and guts at all.
Scariest Moment: The demonic presence’s cackling
3. Halloween (1978)
While Halloween III: Season of the Witch barely missed the list (totally kidding), the original chiller is here to stay. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis and the great Donald Pleasance, this film remains one of the very few that is frightening not only during its night scenes, but its ominous day scenes as well. Beginning with one of the greatest long takes in horror cinema, and ending with one of the most terrifying open endings ever, Halloween will forever be the best horror movie ever made and easily one of the scariest.
Scariest Moment: The Shape appears in the shadows behind Laurie
2. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Yes, it’s true—there was a time back in the early 1980’s when Freddy Krueger was actually scary. The guy became a punch line by the time parts 4 and 5 rolled around, and no matter how many sequels and remakes will continue to beat this poor character to death, the original Nightmare remains one of the most frightening movies ever. Everyone sleeps, and everyone dreams. What’s scarier than a creepy scarred killer chasing you in your dreams night after night, knowing there’s no escape, and knowing if he kills you, you won’t wake up and be dead forever? Not a whole lot.
Scariest Moment: Freddy jumps up behind Nancy’s bed after she awakens from her dream
1. The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick’s epic horror masterpiece is not only scary; it scars you for life. No other movie fills the viewer with such dread throughout its long but never dull two-and-a-half hour running time. Jack Nicholson has always been a lunatic on screen, but the character he plays here will forever be his King of Complete and Utter Insanity. Filled with one bizarre, nightmare-inducing image after another, the movie preys on you all the way through its final, haunting tracking shot. Scariest movie of all time? Hell, yes.
Scariest Moment: Five words: “Come play with us, Danny.”
