Nearly every cinematic genre conceivable features a minimum of one essential movie that everyone should see at once in their lifetime, and horror has proven to be no exception to this status quo. Numbering among some of the greatest horror movies ever made, the genre has played host to a number of indispensable cinematic classics over the years, leveraging a diverse array of terrifying subject matter to maximum effect.
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From classic horror outings that were ahead of their time to the best horror movies about groups of friends, the genre’s must-see entries have gone on to form an integral thread of cinema’s wider tapestry. Boasting some of the most iconic moments, characters, and one-liners in movie history, the lasting impact and significance of these essential horror films on popular culture cannot be overstated.
You are watching: 12 Essential Horror Movies That Everyone Should See At Least Once
12
Saw (2004)
Directed By James Wan
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Saw
R
Horror
Mystery
Crime
4/10
8.8/10
Release Date
October 29, 2004
Runtime
103 minutes
Director
James Wan
Writers
James Wan, Leigh Whannell
Producers
Gregg Hoffman, Jason Constantine, Mark Burg, Oren Koules, Peter Block
Cast
See All
-
Cary Elwes
Dr. Lawrence Gordon
-
Leigh Whannell
Adam Faulkner-Stanheight
Saw is the first installment in the horror franchise directed by James Wan. Released in 2004, the film follows two men who awake shackled in a derelict bathroom, discovering they are part of a sadistic game orchestrated by the enigmatic Jigsaw, requiring them to follow cryptic instructions to survive.
Main Genre
Horror
Studio(s)
Twisted Pictures, Evolution Entertainment, Saw Productions Inc.
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As deviously nasty as it is horrifically gruesome, James Wan’s Saw is decidedly not Citizen Kane in terms of quality. With that being said, the wider cultural footprint of the 2004 original means that the movie still constitutes essential viewing for horror fans. Saw’s success led to a multi-movie franchise, with the 11th installment Saw XI also announced to be on the way.
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Boasting a wickedly intricate plot to complement the movie’s visceral sense of intensity, Saw boasts some of modern horror’s most memorable sequences. From Gordon sawing off his own foot to the devious plot twist revealing the killer was in the room with both men all along, Wan’s offering remains a twisted and brilliant must-see to this day.
11
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Directed By Wes Craven
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A Nightmare on Elm Street
R
Horror
8/10
17
9.3/10
Release Date
November 9, 1984
Runtime
91 minutes
Director
Wes Craven
Writers
Wes Craven
Producers
John Burrows, Joseph Wolf, Robert Shaye, Sara Risher
Cast
See All
-
Heather Langenkamp
Nancy Thompson
-
John Saxon
Lieutenant Thompson
A Nightmare on Elm Street, released in 1984, explores the terror faced by a group of teenagers haunted in their dreams by Fred Krueger, a vengeful spirit. As they confront a series of mysterious deaths, Nancy Thompson uncovers the truth about Krueger’s dark past and seeks to stop him.
Main Genre
Horror
Studio(s)
New Line Cinema
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Introducing horror to one of its most iconic slasher villains, Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street retains status as the franchise’s greatest entry, despite a horde of sequels and crossovers. Earning rave reviews on release, a thing unheard of for horror movies at the time, Craven’s acclaimed original 1984 slasher has held up to this day and inspired a host of imitators.
Boasting some of the most widely imitated and parodied scenes in horror history, A Nightmare on Elm Street constitutes imperative cinematic viewing. The dated nature of Craven’s film has robbed it of some of its original sense of visceral terror, but don’t be surprised if you still find your hair standing up on end as this seminal slasher entry unfolds.
10
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Directed By Roman Polanski
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Rosemary’s Baby
R
Horror
Drama
8/10
8.3/10
Release Date
June 12, 1968
Runtime
137 minutes
Director
Roman Polanski
Writers
Roman Polanski
Cast
See All
-
Ralph Bellamy
-
Mia Farrow
Directed by Roman Polanski and starring Mia Farrow, Rosemary’s Baby chronicles the chilling tale of Rosemary Woodhouse, the wife of an actor who, after finding out she is pregnant, begins to suspect that her unborn child is something far more sinister than a normal baby. John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, and Maurice Evans also star.
Studio(s)
Paramount Pictures
Distributor(s)
Paramount Pictures
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Featuring one of the scariest movie scenes ever brought to life onscreen, it speaks volumes to the blood-curdling nature of Rosemary’s Baby that Roman Polanski’s horror remains one of the genre’s most terrifying, disturbing, and indispensable entries, more than half a century after it was initially released.
…the 1968 picture is widely agreed to be one of the greatest horror movies of all time.
Chronicling the plight of the eponymous mother as she begins to suspect the involvement of a Satanic cult in her pregnancy, the 1968 picture is widely agreed to be one of the greatest horror movies of all time. Forgoing jump scares and bloodshed in favor of some of cinema’s most unsettling moments, this acclaimed outing retains status as crucial viewing for all movie fans to this day.
9
Scream (1996)
Directed By Wes Craven
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Scream
R
Crime
Horror
Mystery
22
9/10
Release Date
December 20, 1996
Runtime
111 minutes
Director
Wes Craven
Writers
Kevin Williamson
Sequel(s)
Scream 2, Scream 3, Scream 4, Scream, Scream 6
Cast
See All
-
Drew Barrymore
-
Kevin Patrick Walls
Wes Craven flips the horror-slasher genre on its head with the 1996 release of Scream, the first in the long-running franchise. The residents of Woodsboro discover a series of murders are being committed by a dangerous ghost mask-wearing killer with an obsession for classic horror movies. To survive, a group of high school students, a reporter, and a town deputy will have to subvert horror expectations and stay one step ahead of the killer.
Main Genre
Horror
Studio(s)
Woods Entertainment
Distributor(s)
Dimension Films
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Breathing fresh life into the flagging sub-genre, popular culture had never seen anything quite like Wes Craven’s meta-slasher Scream before. Depicting a twisted series of murders perpetrated by a masked killer known as Ghostface, the 1996 horror was as self-aware as it was terrifying, a relentlessly entertaining and crowd-pleasing blend of satire and savagery.
|
Scream Franchise Entries by Year |
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score |
|---|---|
|
See more : Who is Johnathan Thurston Wife? Know Everything About Johnathan Thurston Scream (1996) |
77% |
|
Scream 2 (1997) |
81% |
|
Scream 3 (2000) |
41% |
|
Scream 4 (2011) |
60% |
|
Scream (2022) |
76% |
|
Scream VI (2023) |
77% |
It’s a state of affairs that persists to this day. Spawning a multi-film franchise that is set to continue with the upcoming Scream 7, the Scream movies have received a consistent degree of positive reception over the years. However, the original still remains the gold standard, and the first entry that any new viewers should sink their teeth into first.
8
The Evil Dead (1981)
Directed By Sam Raimi
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The Evil Dead
R
Horror
9/10
Release Date
September 10, 1981
Runtime
85 minutes
Director
Sam Raimi
Writers
Sam Raimi
Sequel(s)
Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, Evil Dead Rise
Cast
-
Bruce Campbell
-
Ellen Sandweiss
The Evil Dead is a horror movie from 1981 starring Bruce Campbell and directed by Sam Raimi. The film follows Ash Williams, who after visiting a cabin in the woods, is tormented by deadites and must fight for his life after his friends are possessed. The Evil Dead not only started a long-running horror franchise, but it is also the film responsible for putting both Raimi and Campbell on the map as a director and actor, respectively.
Main Genre
Horror
Studio(s)
New Line Cinema
Distributor(s)
New Line Cinema
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Cinema’s preeminent blend of horror and comedy, Evil Dead is one of the genre’s most beloved franchises, an affair that began with 1981’s fan-favorite original, The Evil Dead. Sam Raimi’s depraved directorial debut is just as chaotically entertaining in 2025 as it was on initial release, chronicling the tribulations of five friends who are set upon by demonic forces at an isolated cabin in the woods.
|
Evil Dead Franchise Entries by Year |
Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score |
|---|---|
|
The Evil Dead (1981) |
86% |
|
Evil Dead II (1987) |
88% |
|
Army of Darkness (1992) |
68% |
|
Evil Dead (2013) |
63% |
|
Evil Dead Rise (2023) |
84% |
Spawning a host of sequels and a spin-off television series, The Evil Dead retains status as one of cinema’s most significant and beloved cult classics to this day. The movie’s lasting reputation and cultural impact is even more impressive in light of the paltry budget that Raimi had to work with, underlining The Evil Dead’s status as one of horror’s most essential viewing experiences.
7
The Shining (1980)
Directed By Stanley Kubrick
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The Shining
R
Horror
Drama
10/10
39
8.6/10
Release Date
June 13, 1980
Runtime
146 minutes
Director
Stanley Kubrick
Writers
Diane Johnson, Stanley Kubrick
Cast
See All
-
Danny Lloyd
-
Shelley Duvall
Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall tells the story of the Torrance family, who move to the isolated Overlook Hotel so that father Jack Torrance can act as its winter caretaker. Stuck at the hotel due to the winter storms, the malevolent supernatural forces inhabiting the building slowly begin to drive Jack insane, causing his wife and psychically gifted son to be caught up in a fight for their lives when Jack is pushed over the edge.
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While The Shining’s wider reputation has suffered somewhat in response to Stanley Kubrick’s abhorrent treatment of Shelley Duvall during filming, the 1980 take on Stephen King’s classic novel still represents crucial horror viewing for any self-respecting cinema fan. King might famously hate this adaptation, but Kubrick’s film is still regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made, chronicling Jack Torrance’s insidious descent into madness at the Overlook Hotel.
The Shining’s iconic “Here’s Johnny!” soundbite was not scripted; Jack Nicholson improvised the legendary line himself.
Loaded with unforgettable scenes and instantly quotable pieces of dialogue, the movie’s notorious “Here’s Johnny!” sequence in particular numbers among cinema’s most immortal onscreen moments. The greatest Stephen King movie of all time, no cinematic conoisseur’s repertoire would be complete without having seen The Shining at least once.
6
The Thing (1982)
Directed By John Carpenter
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The Thing
R
Horror
Sci-Fi
Mystery
10/10
15
9.5/10
Release Date
June 25, 1982
Runtime
109 minutes
Director
John Carpenter
Writers
Bill Lancaster
Prequel(s)
The Thing
Cast
See All
-
T.K. Carter
-
David Clennon
A team of researchers set out to study an alien spacecraft found in Antarctica, where they also discover an alien body on the site. The alien buried in ice is actually alive and has the ability to imitate human form. The group must find a way to distinguish who the real person is from The Thing and stay alive. John Carpenter’s 1982 film is a remake of 1951’s The Thing from Another World and stars Kurt Russel as the hero RJ MacReady.
Studio(s)
Universal Pictures
Distributor(s)
Universal Pictures
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Initially released to a mixed critical reception in 1982, John Carpenter’s The Thing has subsequently gone on to attain cult classic status. Now viewed as one of the greatest sci-fi horror movies of all time, Carpenter’s revered outing follows a group of researchers as they are hunted by a mysterious camouflaging predatory entity, one capable of assuming its victims’ appearances.
Featuring some of the most haunting scenes that sci-fi horror has to offer, Carpenter’s masterpiece bears the enviable distinction of being a must-see offering across two separate genres. Speaking volumes to the movie’s technical brilliance, The Thing’s spectacular practical effects hold up in terms of fear and shock factor to this day, a jaw-dropping achievement given their purportedly dated nature.
5
Get Out (2017)
Directed By Jordan Peele
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Get Out
R
Horror
Mystery
Thriller
7/10
12
7.9/10
Release Date
February 24, 2017
Runtime
1 hour, 44 minutes
Director
Jordan Peele
Writers
Jordan Peele
Cast
See All
-
Lyle Brocato
-
LaKeith Stanfield
Jordan Peele made his directorial Horror debut with Get Out, a terrifying Psychological Horror film starring Daniel Kaluuya. In the 2017 release, Chris Washington heads to Upstate New York to meet the family of his girlfriend, Rose. What follows is a horrifying ordeal for the anxious photographer.
Distributor(s)
Universal Pictures
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The movie that introduced modern horror directorial virtuoso Jordan Peele to global audiences, 2017’s Get Out has been acclaimed as one of the most ambitious and impressive entries the genre has ever witnessed. Led by Daniel Kaluuya, the psychological horror follows Chris, a young black man who discovers he has been chosen for a horrifying purpose when meeting his girlfriend’s family.
…Get Out is an absolute must-see for movie fans of all ilk.
Boasting a near-flawless Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score of 98%, Get Out is an absolute must-see for movie fans of all ilk. Peele’s thought-provoking blend of cutting social commentary, wickedly dark humor, and fully-fledged nightmare fuel make for what is arguably the finest horror film of the 21st century to date.
4
Jaws (1975)
Directed By Steven Spielberg
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Jaws
PG-13
Adventure
Horror
Thriller
10/10
33
9/10
Release Date
June 18, 1975
Runtime
124 minutes
Director
Steven Spielberg
Writers
Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb, John Milius, Howard Sackler, Robert Shaw
Cast
See All
-
Roy Scheider
-
Robert Shaw
Steven Spielberg’s legendary tale of one man’s desperate battle with a killer Great White shark on his small seaside community. Faced with a mounting list of victims and a local authority dead-set against causing panic or destroying the tourist economy, he assembles a team to tackle the shark head-on.
Main Genre
Adventure
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Chronicling the terrifying rampage of a man-eating great white shark, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws left an entire generation afraid to go swimming. A triumphant case study in the art of building suspense to near-intolerable levels, the 1975 movie maintains a white-knuckle viewing experience through the mere implication of the great white’s presence, long before the shark actually arrives on the scene.
Representing indispensable viewing, many of Jaws’ most iconic moments number among the most memorable scenes in movie history, from Chrissie’s fateful swim to the explosive final showdown with the shark. Spearheaded by a trio of knockout performances from Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss, this is one of cinema’s finest numbers, regardless of genre.
3
Alien (1979)
Directed By Ridley Scott
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Alien
R
Sci-Fi
Horror
10/10
21
9.4/10
Release Date
June 22, 1979
Runtime
117 Minutes
Director
Ridley Scott
Writers
Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Cast
See All
-
Sigourney Weaver
Ripley
-
Tom Skerritt
Dallas
Alien, directed by Ridley Scott, is a science fiction horror film that follows the crew of the commercial spacecraft Nostromo. Upon investigating a distress signal on a distant moon, they discover a deadly extraterrestrial lifeform. The film stars Sigourney Weaver as Ripley and became a seminal work in both the sci-fi and horror genres, known for its atmospheric tension and groundbreaking visual effects.
Main Genre
Sci-Fi
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Widely regarded as the best sci-fi horror movie of all time, Ridley Scott’s Alien kick-started one of the most successful franchises the two genres had ever witnessed. Chronicling the nightmarish first encounter with the series’ iconic Xenomorphs, Scott’s picture received mixed reviews at the time, but is now widely regarded as one of the most impressive and influential movies of all time.
Alien’s exemplary pacing and jaw-dropping practical effects mean that this acclaimed 1979 entry has aged like a fine wine, a glorious blend of sci-fi and horror that holds up seamlessly to this day. Simply put, it’s a near-perfect movie that every movie fan should experience at least once in their lifetime.
2
Psycho (1960)
Directed By Alfred Hitchcock
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Psycho
R
Horror
Mystery
Thriller
10/10
12
9/10
Release Date
September 8, 1960
Runtime
109 minutes
Director
Alfred Hitchcock
Writers
Joseph Stefano, Robert Bloch
Sequel(s)
Psycho 2
Cast
See All
-
Janet Leigh
-
Martin Balsam
In this now-iconic Alfred Hitchcock thriller, a secretary embezzles forty thousand dollars from her employer’s client, goes on the run, and checks into a remote motel. The place is run by a young man under the domination of his mother — and he soon turns out to be far more threatening than he appeared at first.
Main Genre
Horror
Studio(s)
Universal Pictures
Distributor(s)
Universal Pictures
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Widely agreed to be the magnum opus of arguably the greatest filmmaker of all time, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho marked a watershed moment for horror movies, laying the foundations for the modern slasher sub-genre as we know it. Unraveling the sinister secrets lurking behind the desk of Bates Motel, this 1960 horror classic represents absolutely essential viewing.
Unable to procure a budget for Psycho, Hitchcock financed the movie’s production out of his own pocket.
Setting a new bar for what was acceptable to show in a movie, Psycho is one of the most influential films of all time, irrespective of genre. From the iconic score to moments like the unforgettable shower murder scene, Alfred Hitchcock’s best movie is one of the most groundbreaking and widely imitated entries in cinematic history.
1
The Exorcist (1973)
Directed By William Friedkin
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The Exorcist
R
Horror
Supernatural
9/10
9.3/10
Release Date
December 26, 1973
Runtime
122 minutes
Director
William Friedkin
Writers
William Peter Blatty
Prequel(s)
Exorcist: The Beginning, Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist
Cast
See All
-
Max Von Sydow
-
Linda Blair
The Exorcist is a supernatural horror film based on the novel released in 1971 and was directed by William Friedkin. When a young girl is passed by a powerful demon, two Catholic priests are brought to her home to attempt an exorcism to expunge the demon.
Main Genre
Horror
Studio(s)
Hoya Productions
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
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One of the most terrifying horror movies of all time, The Exorcist prompted widespread fainting and vomiting among audiences when the film debuted in 1973. Chronicling two priests’ desperate attempts to save a young girl’s soul from demonic possession, William Friedkin’s heart-stopping picture retains status as horror royalty to this day.
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A front-runner for the genre’s most famous, influential, and straight-up terrifying movie, The Exorcist has lost none of the sickening brilliance and innate fear factor that gained it classic status in the first instance. A heart-pounding triumph that will leave you questioning your faith, Friedkin’s offering is arguably horror’s quintessential movie, boasting a laundry list of the genre’s most iconic moments and soundbites.
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