6 Classic Horror Movies Everyone Should Watch at Least Once

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Horror entertainment has many different types, leading to a huge number of well-loved films. For example, movies like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Black Christmas are iconic in the slasher sub-genre. And The Silence of the Lambs is a timeless classic of the psychological thriller type.

While not everyone who loves horror enjoys all classic films – or even all types of horror – different fans tend to gravitate towards specific movies and sub-genres. Still, a few classic horror films are essential viewing for anyone interested in the genre. Movies like Psycho have become iconic and have greatly influenced not just horror, but filmmaking in general.

Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Psycho, starts with Marion Crane stealing money and driving to see her boyfriend. She stops for the night at the isolated Bates Motel. After a peculiar encounter with the motel owner, Norman Bates, Marion is shockingly murdered in the shower by someone resembling an elderly woman. As detectives investigate Marion’s disappearance, they begin to suspect Norman and find his behavior increasingly strange.

Though it initially sparked debate, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho has become a landmark psychological thriller. The shower scene is still considered one of the most terrifying and important moments in the genre. The film’s performances by Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, and Janet Leigh continue to be celebrated. Psycho is remembered not only for defining the horror genre, but also for its innovative storytelling that revolutionized Hollywood. While now seen as the definitive psychological thriller, it also heavily influenced the development of modern slasher films.

In the world of slasher films, Scream stands out as a classic. The story begins with a masked killer, Ghostface, terrorizing a high school and murdering two students, which especially frightens Sydney Prescott, whose mother was killed the year before. It soon becomes clear that Sydney is the killer’s next target. Scream has become a hugely popular and enduring horror franchise, recently updated with new films that include both returning and new characters. But the original Scream remains one of director Wes Craven’s most important works, defining many of the tropes of the slasher and meta-horror genres.

While films like Halloween and Friday the 13th are classic slasher movies that defined the genre, Scream stood out by being remarkably self-aware. It cleverly used—and then twisted—typical horror movie clichés. The characters in Scream are highly conscious of horror tropes, and the killers even explain that they’re taking inspiration from horror films. This approach allowed Scream to offer a smart critique of slasher films and explore their impact on viewers.

This film blends creature features with the unsettling atmosphere of cosmic horror. The story takes place in the future, where a spaceship crew is roused from hibernation upon discovering an alien vessel. Their encounter with a terrifying creature that hatches from an egg quickly turns into a brutal battle to stay alive.

While not all films in the Alien series are great, the original Ridley Scott movie was a game-changer for science fiction horror. It presented a more realistic and unsettling take on space travel and remains one of the most influential horror films ever made, pushing the boundaries of the genre with its innovative creature design. Alien was shocking and terrifying, effectively using gore and suspense to create a truly frightening experience. Beyond the scares, it’s also a masterfully told story, building tension slowly and making the horror even more impactful.

The Exorcist was highly controversial, especially because of its portrayal of a child believed to be possessed. The story follows a mother who becomes concerned when her daughter starts acting strangely. After doctors can’t find a medical explanation, the mother turns to an exorcist, believing a demonic force is controlling her daughter.

More than half a century after its release, The Exorcist remains widely considered the most frightening supernatural horror film ever created. The gradual and disturbing changes in young Regan, including her frightening appearance, are particularly terrifying within the context of possession stories. Even today, some people find the film deeply disturbing, but it’s also undeniably compelling and has become the standard for demonic possession movies, perfectly capturing the fear and anxiety of innocent people affected by paranormal forces.

As a huge fan of horror, I always say that Night of the Living Dead isn’t just one of the greatest zombie movies ever made – it defined the entire genre. It’s a classic black-and-white film where the dead suddenly rise and attack people. The story follows a group of strangers who barricade themselves in a farmhouse, trying to survive the onslaught of zombies. But what’s really terrifying isn’t just the undead outside, it’s how quickly the survivors start turning on each other as things get worse and worse. It’s a truly chilling and groundbreaking film.

George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead didn’t just create the modern zombie horror film – it completely redefined the genre. The original film established the now-familiar image of zombies as flesh-eating monsters, and its sequel surprised audiences by challenging everything they thought they knew about them. Night of the Living Dead has been referenced in more films than almost any other, a testament to its lasting impact. While today we enjoy zombie stories like Shaun of the Dead and The Walking Dead, Romero’s classic was the first to show how this type of horror could also be a powerful form of social commentary, and it remains incredibly influential even 57 years later.

Jaws was a groundbreaking film that popularized the idea of sharks as terrifying monsters in horror movies. The story starts with a late-night swimmer who is attacked by something hidden beneath the waves. It then centers on Chief Martin Brody, who tries to close the beaches of Amity Island after a man-eating shark begins causing chaos.

Steven Spielberg’s Jaws was a groundbreaking film, notably the first large-scale movie shot on the open ocean, which helped create its incredibly realistic and terrifying feel. It’s also considered the movie that established the modern summer blockbuster, pioneering a highly successful marketing strategy. The film’s innovative use of animatronics and special effects deeply impacted how suspense is built in monster movies. While monsters are common in this genre, Jaws uniquely featured a realistic threat – a shark – and popularized the trend of using real-world predators as the villains in horror films.

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2025-11-25 04:39