Boo!
I love all kinds of movies. Horror is fun. Some of the horror movies that I have seen are legit scary, and some of them lean on the edge of more thrilling than actual terrifying. There are 12 movies that I have seen that I would consider "horror" movies, so here they are, ranked in order of my liking of them.
12. The Shining
I've never really gotten the appeal of The Shining. It's a different viewing experience, for sure, but not exactly in a good way. It has some high highs, like the twins scene and Jack Nicholson's crazy performance, but it is a strangely shot and strangely made movie. Stephen King famously hated the film for the ending, which is pretty underwhelming. I can understand why some people would like this film, but some people claim that it is the best horror movie of all time. It's not bad, but it certainly is not the best.
11. The Sixth Sense
I would've liked The Sixth Sense a whole lot better if I hadn't know the twist. Sure, it's still a good movie, but the pacing is off and the story doesn't always feel like it's moving forward. Some people love this movie, and that's fine, but you do have to separate a great scene and a great twist reveal from the rest of the movie, which just feels like a good, not great, psychological thriller.
10. It
Once again, I just don't get it. Why do people love It? I liked the film, for sure, but people rave about it, saying it's the best Stephen King adaptation and one of the scariest of all time. It's not. There aren't many scares and it feels like the movie relies on the drama more than the horror. Bill Skarsgård's Pennywise is the highlight, and does do more than just send chills down your spine. The group dynamic between the kids is good, but the film feels like a teen drama with a horror twist, not a horror movie with some teen drama.
9. Jurassic Park
Yes, this is an unpopular opinion. Jurassic Park is a fun movie, but the first hour of it is not an enjoyable experience. The writing is full of science jargon that will be hard to understand, and it is so incredibly slow until the dinosaurs are let loose, which is almost halfway through the movie. As soon as that happens, it picks up the pace and would be in the top five if that had happened earlier.
8. The Invisible Man
I do admit, I was a little bit disappointed with The Invisible Man. Not nearly scary enough, but Elizabeth Moss' performance is almost Oscar-worthy. Director Leigh Whannel did a great job of making you feel unsafe throughout the duration of the film. However, that doesn't ever really feel payed off. The film is short on scares and puts all of its money into the performances and paranoid tone. It works for most of the film,. but eventually got old. While I have gripes with it, it is still a very good movie.
7. Halloween (2018)
Easily the scariest movie that I have ever seen, the return of the Halloween franchise is a blast from start to finish. The top six movies are so good, but otherwise, this movie would at the top. Michael Myers' intimidating figure isn't the only thing that the film has the spotlight on. Jamie Lee Curtis gives her best performance in a film to date, and we get some convincing family problems along with a ton of jump scares and gory kills.
6. Get Out
Probably the best directed film on the list, Get Out is a fantastic film that comments on the problems of our society today. Jordan Peele's masterpiece delivers a scary ride that is full of unpredictable twists and turns, and you never know when some creepy person is going to pop out and smack you across the face with a jump scare. This also has an intense amount of psychological disturbance, making the audience feel very uncomfortable throughout.
5. Predator
Predator is definitely more of an action/sci-fi flick than a horror movie. However, the predator himself is pretty horrifying and he has some nasty kills. This movie is the height of Schwarzenegger's career, and it absolutely delivers. The action is fantastic, the scares are great, and the mystery and story are iconic. Overall, Predator is a very fun action movie that is perfect for people who aren't too fond of horror movies.
4. It: Chapter Two
I think that It: Chapter Two is a much better film than It. The scares and emotion are much better, and we get world class actors to play out the group dynamic. Chapter Two has much more focus on the problem at hand, which is Pennywise, and tones down the drama much more. This is one of the most fun experiences that I've ever had at the theater, and I love this movie.
3. The Silence of the Lambs
The only film on this list to win Best Picture, The Silence of the Lambs is a truly classic film. Anthony Hopkins steals the show as Hannibal Lecter, and he is just terrifying. Even better, he's a protagonist in the film. Absolutely scary and psychologically thrilling, Silence is a non-stop movie that all horror and all movie fans will love.
2. Doctor Sleep
The sequel to The Shining delivers on more than one level. Doctor Sleep is almost like a superhero horror movie, with supernatural abilities being present throughout the film. The main villains of the movie are much more motivating than Jack in The Shining, and it has the perfect amount of callbacks to the iconic stuff in its predecessor. The performances are great, the story is thrilling, and the scares will keep you up at night.
1. Jaws
However, the best horror movie that I have ever seen is Jaws. Jaws is a classic movie full of iconic scenes. The main trio is so great to be with, and it is a crime that none of them were nominated for an Oscar. The shark may not look fantastic, but Spielberg's genius shooting makes up for that with showing the underwater shots from the shark's point of view. The score is terrifying and simple, and the first of John Williams' iconic themes. If you have not seen Jaws and you are over eight years old, go watch it. Now.