You'll float, too.
Happy almost Halloween! This is my final horror ranking that I have planned. It had to end with this. The horror genre is one of my favorite genres. I don't think I've seen a horror movie that I would give a negative review to. That said, I have not seen a ton of horror movies. So this list is going to be a little bit controversial. I haven't seen classics such as Psycho, Saw, A Nightmare on Elm Street, etc.. So keep in mind that I have not watched every horror movie ever while reading this list. That said, my order of the films on this list may not be that popular. Compare your list to mine down below. Happy Halloween!
10. Halloween (2018)
Halloween is a great little return to form for the franchise. It shows a traumatized Laurie Strode and explores how the events of 1978 would affect her for forty years. It also gives us an older but still very scary and very brutal Michael Myers. The kills in this movie are nauseating. It also pays tribute to the original with certain shots as well as an atmosphere that is very intense and urgent. This is a good movie, and I'm so glad it exists, because otherwise, Michael would still be on Universal's shelf.
9. Alien
I wasn't overwhelmingly positive on Alien, but as time goes on, I like it more. Ridley Scott crafts a very creepy atmosphere that is off from the beginning, but the tension increases when the facehugger appears. And it kicks into high gear with the chestburster scene. Alien is kind of like a haunted house or slasher film in space, but it executes that concept with perfect filmmaking and storytelling techniques.
8. It: Chapter Two
I am of the unpopular opinion that It: Chapter Two is a better movie than It: Chapter One. The movie is kind of repetitive, but I think that the high stakes and absolutely terrifying Pennywise make this film great. It really leans into the weirder and more fantastical side of Stephen King's novel, which I appreciated. The adult cast also really feels like the child cast, which is truly impeccable casting. It: Chapter Two is a good movie, and there's a lot to like that's really overlooked.
7. Halloween
The original Halloween is one of the simplest yet most effective movies ever made. The plot is easy: three teenagers are stalked by a scary man in a white mask. But John Carpenter's clever direction and haunting score make this movie so good. Throughout the movie, creepy things happen as Michael stalks Laurie and her friends, all culminating in a super intense, scary finale that is one of the best climaxes in horror history.
6. Halloween Kills
Yep. I like Halloween Kills more than the original film. This movie is the scariest that Michael Myers has ever been. He is brutal and merciless, massacring whoever stands in his way. It shows how Haddonfield has been traumatized by Michael and uses that concept well, showing the residents of Haddonfield rebelling against evil. The ending is shocking, setting the stage for a great finale in Halloween Ends. I think I've calmed down a little bit since my review. I still love it, but after reading some other reviews, I've realized that it isn't as great as I initially thought. Still a very good horror movie and great continuation of the Halloween franchise.
5. Scream
I am very thankful for Scream. Without this film, the horror genre might've just disappeared. However, Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson crafted one of the most unique slashers ever. Alongside a great, thrilling story, Scream is very self-aware and meta. It makes fun of the slasher genre while also being a love letter to classic horror films. This film re-ignited horror with a fun, campy, scary good time.
4. Doctor Sleep
Doctor Sleep is one of my favorite movies of all time. All of my top four are movies that I absolutely love. This movie does the impossible and pays tribute to Kubrick's film while also making Stephen King happy and honoring his versions of both Doctor Sleep and The Shining. Once again, this film delves into fantastical elements and develops the powers of the shining itself. Danny Torrance's character arc is really amazing as he tries to avoid becoming his father. And Rose the Hat is one of the scariest and most underrated horror villains ever. Doctor Sleep is a great movie that is a must-watch for all horror fans.
3. Get Out
I adore Get Out. I can't put it higher, because the next two films are two of the greatest movies ever made, but I think with time, Get Out can earn that title too. This film combines a Twilight Zone-esc vibe with horror, black comedy and social commentary. All of that is blended together deftly under Jordan Peele' amazing direction and script as well as a powerhouse performance from lead actor Daniel Kaluuya. I don't care how good The Shape of Water was. Get Out should've won Best Picture and Best Director. This movie is so close to perfection and it pains me that I cannot put it higher. These next two movies are just a little bit closer to perfection.
2. The Silence of the Lambs
This is basically tied with the next movie on my list. The Silence of the Lambs is, simply put, a perfect movie. In my original review, I complained about the pace of the film, which is not a problem upon rewatch. From the iconic performances of Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster to the stunning script and direction, Silence of the Lambs just does everything right. This is, in my opinion, the greatest serial killer film of all time. And it's the second greatest horror film of all time. Behind...
1. Jaws
The only reason Jaws is higher than Silence of the Lambs is that it's a perfect movie and has had more of an impact on me. This is the first legitimate horror film that I watched. I saw it when I was probably nine or ten, and it freaked me out, but I loved it. This movie is so, so, so, so good. Spielberg directs the hell out of this movie, showing the kills from the shark's point of view. John Williams' classic score adds another layer of greatness to this movie. And, somehow, with all the havoc and terror surrounding the shark, this film manages to have amazing character moments that make the scenes without the shark just as good as the scenes with him. Jaws is probably my fifth or sixth favorite movie. I absolutely love it.