If you’re looking for a horror movie recommendation, here it is! Check out our list of the best demons in horror and the creepiest scary movies you can watch:
Horror movies, one of the most popular genres in cinema, have consistently been among the most sought-after movies. We’ve curated a list of the best creepy horror movies just for you.
Over the last 100 years, the movie industry has explored nearly every possible way to scare us, unnerve us, give us goosebumps, and touch on our most basic fears. People are also curious about this genre and often ask, “What is the world’s first horror movie?” Georges Méliès’ “Le Manoir du Diable”, also known as “The Haunted Castle” or “The House of the Devil”, is considered the world’s first horror movie.
If you’re a fan of scary movies, we’ve prepared some great recommendations for you. Let’s dive into our content, which features both new horror movies and classic horror productions. ⬇️
Best horror movies recommendations 📜
When examining the history of horror movies, it’s clear that early movies were often inspired by characters and stories from classical literature, such as Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Werewolf, The Phantom of the Opera, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Modern horror movies generally fall into three subgenres: psychological horror, apocalyptic horror, and demonic horror.
Some of the most-watched horror movies include The Conjuring, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Purge. While these are certainly among the best horror movies of recent history, let’s take a look at some of the greatest scary movies of all time. Here are some recommendations for those seeking the most effective horror movies:
1.The Exorcist
If you’re searching for the scariest movie in the world, you’ve come to the right place. The Exorcist, William Friedkin’s legendary horror movie from 1973, has cemented its place in the world of cinema. The Exorcist essentially laid the foundations for modern horror movies and masterfully blended paranormal activity with realism. The movie suggested that there might be phenomena beyond scientific explanation and achieved groundbreaking effects with its exorcism scenes. Friedkin’s methodical approach produced exceptionally realistic effects for its time. The Exorcist is still widely regarded as one of the best horror movies ever made.
Information about The Exorcist (1973) 👿
- Director: William Friedkin
- Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Jason Miller
- Release Year: 1973
- Duration: 122 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Horror
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Similar Movies: Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Omen (1976), The Shining (1980)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Exorcist on IMDb
2.Psycho
Psycho, an Alfred Hitchcock classic that has been around for over 60 years, remains an impressive movie despite having many of its details revealed. The 1960 horror movie Psycho is indeed a chilling thriller, but its effectiveness lies in the subtlety of its details. In the movie, we observe that the main character, Norman Bates, suffers from personality disorders and has an unhealthy obsession with his mother and birds.
The plot follows Marion Crane, who steals $400,000 from her boss to help her boyfriend Sam, who is in debt, and to start a new life. Marion heads to a secluded motel to meet Sam but is pursued by the police and those who suspect her. To avoid detection and the storm, Marion decides to spend the night at the motel, where she encounters Norman Bates. Their conversation makes her realize that something is terribly wrong. Additionally, the movie inspired a series called Bates Motel, which also offers a compelling narrative.
Information about Psycho (1960) 🔪
- Director: Alfred Hitchcock
- Cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin
- Release Year: 1960
- Duration: 109 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Horror, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
- Similar Movies: Rear Window (1954), The Birds (1963), Vertigo (1958)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: Psycho on IMDb
3.The Ring
What could a simple tape possibly do? In The Ring, those who watch a mysterious tape featuring a well receive a phone call, and they die within seven days. Adapted from the novel by Koji Suzuki, often referred to as Japan’s Stephen King, The Ring is one of the most-watched and highest-grossing movies in Japanese cinema history. The movie is renowned as one of the best horror movies globally. It follows a journalist who investigates a rumor that anyone who views a particular video will die, though she is initially skeptical. The Ring consistently ranks among the world’s scariest movies, and it’s a must-watch for horror enthusiasts.
Information about The Ring (2002)
- Director: Gore Verbinski
- Cast: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox, David Dorfman
- Release Year: 2002
- Duration: 115 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Horror, Mystery
- Language: English
- Age Rating: PG-13
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
- Similar Movies: The Grudge (2004), Dark Water (2005), The Others (2001)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Ring on IMDb
4.The Shining
Adapted by the legendary director Stanley Kubrick from Stephen King’s novel of the same name, The Shining is widely regarded as one of the best foreign horror movies. The movie narrates the chilling tale of the Torrance family’s experiences at the isolated Overlook Hotel in the snowy Rockies. Entrusted with maintaining the hotel during the off-season, the family encounters increasingly unexplained phenomena. The story focuses on Jack Torrance, the father, as he spirals into an inexplicable depression and ultimately madness. The Shining stands as a masterpiece in the horror genre, its impact undiminished even after more than 40 years. This enduring power secures The Shining a place among the most famous horror movies of all time.
Information about The Shining (1980)
- Director: Stanley Kubrick
- Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
- Release Year: 1980
- Duration: 146 minutes
- Country: United States, United Kingdom
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
- Similar Movies: Doctor Sleep (2019), Misery (1990), The Witch (2015)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Shining on IMDb
5.Alien
Ridley Scott’s 1979 Alien is a classic in the horror genre. Alien is considered one of the best horror movies, showcasing a narrative that has become common in video games and movies today. Remarkably, it achieved this nearly half a century ago. The movie follows the crew of a spaceship sent to explore an unknown planet, only to be attacked by a terrifying alien creature. Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) is one of the few survivors who must confront this relentless predator. Alien was a massive box office success from its debut and has since inspired five sequels. In essence, Alien is a quintessential science fiction horror movie.
Information about Alien (1979)
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm
- Release Year: 1979
- Duration: 117 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom, United States
- Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
- Similar Movies: Aliens (1986), Prometheus (2012), The Thing (1982)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: Alien on IMDb
6.The Conjuring
Let’s shift our focus to more recent horror movies, particularly those from the 21st century. The Conjuring stands out as a notable entry among contemporary horror movies. Directed by James Wan, the movie is designed to make you scream and jump from your seat multiple times.
The Conjuring is based on a true story and follows the renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they tackle a chilling case. They visit the isolated farmhouse of the Perron family, who are plagued by a dark and malevolent presence, turning their lives into a living nightmare.
Following the success of The Conjuring, two sequels were released: The Conjuring 2 and The Conjuring 3. While the first two movies are widely acclaimed, the third installment, though not lacking in quality, is considered the weakest of the series. The success of the series led to the creation of The Conjuring Universe, expanding with various movies set within the same universe. If you’re a fan of scary movies, these are definitely worth checking out.
Information about The Conjuring (2013)
- Director: James Wan
- Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston
- Release Year: 2013
- Duration: 112 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Similar Movies: Insidious (2010), Annabelle (2014), Sinister (2012)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Conjuring on IMDb
7.When (Get Out)
Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, Get Out, is widely regarded as one of the best horror movies. This masterpiece stands out not only for its acting, directing, and screenplay but also for its incisive social criticism.
The movie follows the experiences of Chris, a young Black man in a happy relationship with his girlfriend. When Chris visits his girlfriend’s family home, he soon discovers unsettling truths about the property. The movie explores the eerie disappearance of Black men associated with the family’s estate, adding a chilling layer to its social commentary.
Information about Get Out (2017)
- Director: Jordan Peele
- Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener
- Release Year: 2017
- Duration: 104 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Similar Movies: Us (2019), The Invitation (2015), The Witch (2015)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: Get Out on IMDb
8.Hereditary
Ari Aster’s feature-length directorial debut, Hereditary, stands out as an extraordinary first attempt. The movie centers on Annie Graham, a miniature artist who attends the funeral of her estranged mother, Ellen. As the story unfolds, Annie and her family begin to uncover the mysterious and terrible secrets of their ancestors. As these secrets come to light, the situation escalates into a family tragedy, leading them to grapple with the ominous legacy left behind.
Information about Hereditary (2018)
- Director: Ari Aster
- Cast: Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne
- Release Year: 2018
- Duration: 127 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Similar Movies: Midsommar (2019), The Witch (2015), It Follows (2014)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: Hereditary on IMDb
9.The Witch
The Witch is also the first feature-length movie by director Robert Eggers. Set in 17th century England, the movie follows the experiences of a couple, William and Katherine, who are deeply religious and strictly adhere to Christian rules. The family’s life is meticulously portrayed, but their world is soon upended when their newborn child disappears without a trace. As the couple’s older daughters begin to report hearing divine voices and the twins start humming in rhyme, it becomes clear that these events are only a small preview of the disasters to come.
Information about The Witch (2015)
- Director: Robert Eggers
- Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw
- Release Year: 2015
- Duration: 92 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
- Similar Movies: Hereditary (2018), The Lighthouse (2019), The Babadook (2014)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Witch on IMDb
10.Saint Maud
In the movie Saint Maud, directed by Rose Glass, we follow Morfydd Clark, known from Rings of Power. The movie delves into the life of Maud, a deeply religious woman, as suggested by the title.
The story begins with a nurse named Katie who tries to save her patient with her compassionate care but ultimately fails. After this traumatic experience, Katie leaves nursing and converts to Roman Catholicism, adopting the name Maud. Despite her new faith, she continues her work as a caregiver and is assigned to look after Amanda, an American dancer and choreographer. As Maud starts living at Amanda’s house, she forms a strong bond with her, driven by her mission to save Amanda’s soul from its perceived sins. However, Maud’s intentions take a tragic turn as the story unfolds.
Information about Saint Maud (2019)
- Director: Rose Glass
- Cast: Morfydd Clark, Jennifer Ehle, Lily Frazer, Marcus Hutton
- Release Year: 2019
- Duration: 84 minutes
- Country: United Kingdom
- Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
- Similar Movies: The Witch (2015), Hereditary (2018), The Babadook (2014)
- Trailer: YouTube Trailer
- IMDb Link: Saint Maud on IMDb
The best Netflix horror movies 💯
The popular streaming platform Netflix offers a diverse array of productions across various genres. As it continues to grow, Netflix provides us with an impressive selection of movies, including an extensive range of horror movies. We’ve curated a list of the best Netflix horror movies for you to enjoy. Additionally, if you have any recommendations for Netflix horror movies that you’ve watched and liked, feel free to share them in the comments section.
- Things Heard & Seen (2021)
- The Silence (2019)
- Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
- It Follows (2014)
- Fear Street Part One/Part Two/Part Three – Fear Street (2021)
- Creep/Creep 2 (2014)
- The Ritual (2017)
- 1922 (2017)
- Hush (2016)
- Gerald’s Game (2017)
We’ve reached the end of another article. In this piece, we’ve provided you with recommendations for the best horror movies. Our list includes both cult classics and classic productions from the history of scary movies, as well as the best and scariest movies released in recent years. If you want to enhance and contribute to our guide for those seeking creepy horror movies, please feel free to share your recommendations in the comments section.
