10 Favorite Horror Films

With today being Halloween, I thought it would be fun to share my 10 favorite horror films. I didn't start getting into horror movies until the end of college and have since been enjoying them more and more. I will watch just about any horror movie but demon possession or exorcism are where I draw the line. So The Exorcist, the Conjuring franchise, or anything like that is a no-go for me. I don't have a super deep list of favorites. All of these movies are pretty basic but they are what I like. I don't strive to like all of these prestige films. With that being said, in no particular order, here are my top 10 favorite horror movies.

1. Scream

The original Scream is probably my all-time favorite horror film. This movie was the first to do a meta-commentary on horror which makes fun of the tropes of horror movies and has the characters aware they are in a horror movie. It lays the foundation for what makes the rest of the franchise work and stand out. The movie also delivers a lot of likable characters and introduces us to Sidney who is one of the more competent leading ladies in a horror franchise. This movie also does a great job of creating a fun whodunit mystery that the rest of the franchise will go on to follow. The killers in this movie are also the most logical and have the motivation that makes the most sense. Finally, I thought that this movie had some of the most memorable moments and kills in the entire franchise. Overall, this is a fantastic movie and really sets up a great premise that lets the rest of the franchise run full steam ahead with all sorts of success. Not only is this my favorite Scream, but it is also my favorite horror movie.

2. Nightmare on Elm Street

With films like Friday the 13th and Halloween already very successful, this film brings a new concept to the genre. This movie introduces a new and interesting premise of a killer that comes after you in dreams. It really adds a new level to the storytelling as you never know what is real or fake. This movie also introduces a new kind of scare as the characters realize that they are not safe when they go to sleep. It is a concept that translates well to real life and can have more of an impact on people's fear. The story itself is very simple and is all about these kids learning about the dangers of Freddy and who he is. It is also just a classic story that will be spoofed and parodied for many years to come. The movie also does a great job of establishing the rules of the world. It explains how dangerous dreaming is and the extent of Freddy's powers. Finally, this film introduces us to Freddy Kruger who is one of the most iconic villains ever. Even with a very limited amount of screen time, Freddy's presence is felt throughout the entire film. Robert Englund does a great job with the character. In the end, this is a great movie with an iconic villain concept that is so good that it has become a mainstay of the horror genre.

3. Halloween

Without a doubt, the original Halloween is the best Halloween film and one of my favorite horror films. Not only is it the best in the franchise, but it is also the first prominent slasher film that would lay the groundwork for films such as Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street. Michael Myers is of course the iconic slasher killer and is a great part of this film. This movie is a great example of excellence through simplicity. Where you don't need a lot going on and can still achieve an effective and iconic film. This film has a really good simple story and can build tension with it. It is so gradual with the tension that you can feel everything building to the big climax. This is one of the first slasher films to go with a slow-burn plot and this film does it the most effectively. Laurie Strode is also a great character in the film. She is very likable and easy to route for. The score in this movie is also very good. It has the perfect amount of creepiness that causes the movie to have such a great tone to it while also building throughout the movie to aid in building the tension for the big kills at the end. Overall, this is just such a classic film that laid the groundwork for many to come.

4. Alien

Not only is Alien one of my favorite horror films, but it is also one of my favorite Sci-Fi films. I like this movie because it takes a different approach to horror than your typical slasher film. This movie creates a great amount of suspense as you never know when the alien is going to show up. Ellen Ripley is such an interesting character as she can hold her own against all of the male characters. She is one of the first true strong female leads in a movie and Sigourney Weaver does a great job with the role. I thought the movie was able to portray the alien quite well. The filmmakers knew that the Alien would not look good in full lighting so they made the smart decision to shroud it in darkness. Doing so made the alien much more realistic and more terrifying. The movie also delivers on a lot of solid Sci-Fi elements including space travel and futuristic technology. The story itself is very simple but still does an excellent job of building tension. I don't find it super scary but a lot of people put this film as one of the scariest horror films out there. In the end, this is a solid Sci-Fi film that builds tension and fear and delivers a monster that is interesting and terrifying.

5. Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead is one of three zombie movies on this list and definitely the most serious of the three. Dawn of the Dead delivers all the carnage you would expect from a zombie movie and in typical Zack Snyder fashion. While this is a zombie movie, the core of this movie is about the relationships between the human characters. A majority of the movie is set inside a shopping mall and allows the focus to be on the various human characters from completely different life points. I enjoy how self-contained this movie yet still manages to bring in what is happening outside of the mall. This movie also has a few funny moments in it, specifically when the characters create a game where they shoot zombie celebrity lookalikes. The movie also has some solid action where we see people destroying a lot of zombies. Overall, this is a solid zombie film that has action, humor, and character moments and makes for a very entertaining film.

6. The Shining

The Shining is easily the scariest movie on this list. Stanley Kubrick uses this movie as a masterclass in building tension. The way the movie slowly burns until going fully crazy is just so well done. Jack Nicholson delivers a fantastic performance as Jack Torrance. We get to see the evil of the hotel slowly break Jack down until he goes completely crazy. The Overlook Hotel is also such a unique setting for the movie. The set looks so great and everything about it just gives off a creepy vibe. The music also helps really build the tension of the film. Sometimes the music adds a great amount of tension to a seemingly relaxed scene and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The movie has so many different messages such as the dangers of alcoholism, the impact of cabin fever and so many more yet still manages to balance them all into this one story. The movie also has so many iconic images as moments whether it be the bloody elevator, the twin girls, or "Here's Johnny!". In the end, this is a fantastic movie that does a great job of building tension while maintaining a compelling story.

7. Zombieland

Zombieland is the second zombie movie to make this list. However, this one is definitely much more of a comedy. Zombieland is an absolutely hilarious movie. It has so many funny lines as well as so much slapstick comedy. Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Abigail Breslin have such great chemistry together. This movie essentially takes away the scariness of zombies and just has them be there to be beaten up. The main focus of this story is the journey of these four characters and the bond that they form. We get to see them share their skills with each other. Some are sillier than others. It is also fun to witness the Jesse Eisenberg character loosen up a bit while still forcing his "survival rules" on everyone. The movie also has a lot of fun action sequences and settings with the amusement park at the end being so much fun. Easily the best part of this movie is just the banter between these four characters as it is just so funny. Also, there is a great cameo in the second half of the film that is just so much fun. Overall, this is a super fun Zombie movie that gives action, humor, and a great story.

8. Shaun of the Dead

Shaun of the Dead is the other zombie comedy movie to make this list. Unlike Zombieland, the humor in this film is a lot more subtle as the humor comes more in the form of witty dialogue and absurd situations. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are so funny together and have such great chemistry. Their banter and bickering is what makes the movie so funny. The story itself is very simple but still very fun. All of the rest of the characters are great as well and each one has some sort of funny line or moment. This movie is also the most zombie-centered as the zombies are present and an obstacle the entire journey in the movie. I also quite enjoyed the soundtrack for this movie. It had some really fun songs that somehow still fit with what is happening in the movie. I just really enjoy Edgar Wright's style of filmmaking. He makes such fast-paced movies with witty dialogue and subtle humor and Shaun of the Dead is the best example of that. Finally, I just think it is so funny how casually they act in certain situations. Towards the beginning, they are using records to throw at zombies but instead of throwing all of them, they go throw one by one and decide which ones are worth keeping. In the end, this is a movie that is my kind of humor that makes me laugh every time I watch it.

9. Jaws

People can fight me on this, but I think Jaws is a horror film. It is all about a killer monster that nobody can see and causes you to fill with dread and fear when someone enters the water. It was also so scary that when it was released, tons of people were too scared to go into the ocean. Also, it is my list, so I can put what I want. The best thing about this film is the characters and the dialogue between them. The three main characters are all so different but yet play off of each other so well. The scenes with them together on Quinn's boat just show how great the writing and acting are. The movie also handles its special effects very well. Spielberg knew that the shark did not look good so instead of having it show all the time, he just had its fin or some barrels showing that its presence was there. This movie manages to be a thrilling shark movie without much of the shark in it. The main way this is accomplished is with John Williams's signature score. Those two notes let you know the shark is there and keep the movie as thrilling as possible. The score even manages to make a group of barrels or a shot under the water seem scary. Overall, this is not just a great horror film but also a great movie and an all-time classic.

10. It

It is the most recent movie I saw and the second Steven King adaptation to become one of my favorites. Pennywise is such an iconic horror icon and a truly terrifying villain. Even with only four minutes of dialogue, he still manages to have such a menacing presence throughout the entire movie. While Pennywise is the biggest draw of the movie, the main focus is telling the story of this group of friends over one summer. All of the kids are so good in their parts and have such great banter with one another. At its core, this is a movie about friendship and this story shows the lengths these kids are willing to go to to protect each other. The movie also does a great job of showing each kid on their own and what their individual life is like. I also found the movie to be one of the scariest I have seen. Pennywise is so terrifying especially when he takes all of these different forms. It is definitely not a movie I would watch at night by myself. Finally, I enjoyed the 80s setting of the film. It puts things in a different light as to why the kids have to go to certain lengths to defeat Pennywise. In the end, this is a great story with a frightening villain and a great adaptation of a classic book.