Nothing beats the feeling after watching a pure good horror. How amazing is it that a film can have the power to absolutely terrify you? Most of the time they aren’t even true stories – we’re petrified by total fiction. Nothing to be a shamed of though, I’m a fearty at the best of times. So, to celebrate horror films, here’s the best 10 out there!
10. The Woman in Black
This film majorly surprised me when it was released, I mean a horror starring Harry Potter? But christ above, I screamed various times. Seriously, give it a try.
9. Psycho
Hitchcock’s finest work, this tremendous, albeit old film, pioneered suspense in cinema. It has one of the most famous scenes EVER, but forget about that, the rest is still gold.
8. IT
Pennywise the Clown terrified me when I first saw clips from the film on YouTube, then I saw the film. Some points are a bit silly, but when Tim Curry gets time to shine, I’m sure you’ll feel uneasy.
7. Halloween
One of the original one-man slasher films, Halloween is still as powerful today. Tense, well paced and scary, what else do you need?
6. The Ring
The Hollywood remake of the Japanese classic is actually one of the few remakes that is just as good (if not better) than the original. “You will die in 7 days”.
5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
It’s the low-budget, effortless terror captured in this classic that makes it so scary. It was actually banned in several countries due to the extreme gore at the time, and although it looks a little dated it’s still worth watching.
4. Nightmare on Elm Street
The premise of Nightmare on Elm Street is ingenious. How terrifying is the idea that you could be killed in your dreams? Throw in a grotesque looking character with blades on his hands, you have yourself a tremendous horror.
3. The Blair Witch Project
The first ever shaky-cam film, it’s 100% still the best on offer. It’s a slow-burner, but it is totally worth it. What’s amazing is how authentic it feels as you watch it, are we sure it’s no real?
2. The Shining
“Here’s Johnny!”. A creepy hotel, a psychotic dad with an axe, weird-as-fuck twins – a few things featured in Stephen King’s The Shining. It never fails to give me the heeby-jeebies, which is probably why it has remained so loved among horror fans.
Honourable Mentions
The Birds
The Babadook
The Omen
Rosemary’s Baby
Alien
Don’t Look Now
Jaws
NUMBER ONE
- The Exorcist
Of course The Exorcist is the best horror movie OF ALL TIME. Here’s why.
Considering it was the 70s, films about exorcisms and possessed little girls weren’t exactly common. The Exorcist revolutionised the horror genre, actually creating a sub-genre in the process. The special effects may not look all that now, but back then audiences were terrified by the realism. Head spinning? Spider-walking? The ideas presented in this film are what make it the best horror, as well as stellar performances from all the cast, especially the girl.
The Exorcist reigns at the top, not just because it’s the best horror – it’s one of the best films ever made.
What’s your favourite horror film? Let us know in the comments, or tweet @film_swot.
Author: Cameron Frew
FrewFilm 
On the whole I would have to agree with the list but for my personal taste Alien would have featured in the official top ten. If we’re talking horror in space, what about Event Horizon?
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Of course, Event Horizon is a tremendous film, which I’ll admit must have escaped my train of thought! It deserves an honourable mention.
– Cam
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