If you like scary movies, we’ve rounded up 20 of the greatest horror movies ever made, here!
Horror movies can be hit or miss. Sometimes, a film can completely fail to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. However, quite a few masterpieces have left moviegoers looking over their shoulders long after leaving the theater. Whether it be a slasher, a supernatural, a sci-fi or even a comedy-horror, multiple generations have watched the film genre improve.
Although there are numerous spine-chilling movies to choose from, horror enthusiasts all agree that only a handful of films are considered cinematic genius.
In no particular order, Hollywood Life has rounded up 20 of the greatest horror films of all time in our gallery, below!
1 of 20
‘Scream’ – 1996
Dimension Films
As one of the most popular film franchises in history, Scream introduced a new kind of terror in 1996 — poking fun at the formula of horror movies. Horror fans can watch most of the Scream franchise on Max in 2024.
July 17, 2024, 11:10AM 2 of 20
’10 Cloverfield Lane’ – 2016
Paramount Pictures
No one expected to watch John Goodman portray a twisted psycopath. 10 Cloverfield Lane doesn’t need slashings or gore to scare viewers. It keeps viewers guessing what his character’s true intentions are. Viewers can stream the film on either MGM+ or Amazon Prime Video in 2024.
July 17, 2024, 11:09AM 3 of 20
‘Cabin in the Woods’ – 2011
Lionsgate
Laced with enough dark humor to make an audience laugh out loud, Cabin in the Woods also manages to scare its viewers with its clever plot. Horror fans can stream the movie on Peacock in 2024.
July 17, 2024, 11:09AM 4 of 20
‘Get Out’ – 2017
Universal Pictures
Get Out is considered one of the greatest horrors of all time due to its smart and witty nature. Featuring themes of modern slavery, trauma and racial division, the 2017 movie ends with a positively vengeful note. The film can be streamed on Peacock in 2024.
July 17, 2024, 11:09AM 5 of 20
‘Halloween’ – 1978
Compass International Pictures
The character Michael Myers went down in horror history as one of the most frightening villains. After hitting theaters in 1978, Halloween became a long-running franchise with multiple sequels, spinoffs and reboots. In 2024, Amazon Prime Video added Halloween to its Halloween collection page.
July 17, 2024, 11:09AM
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6 of 20
‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ – 1956
Allied Artists Pictures
Multiple film sites and horror critics have credited Invasion of the Body Snatchers as one of the greatest in the genre. The film was initially underrated, but since then, movie fans have rewatched the sci-fi in modern years. In 2024, MGM+ and the Roku Channel had the film available to stream for free.
July 17, 2024, 11:10AM 7 of 20
‘The Invisible Man’ – 2020
Universal Pictures
Thanks to Elisabeth Moss’ fearless performance and its smart cinematic effects, the 2020 installment of The Invisible Man franchise highlights one character’s attempt to finally escape her stalker, abusive and controlling ex-boyfriend. Amazon Prime Video has the movie available to stream for free.
July 17, 2024, 11:10AM 8 of 20
‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ – 1984
New Line Cinema
Wes Craven’s Nightmare on Elm Street offered horror fans a new perspective on nightmares. Instead of just giving them a story to fear, audiences went home unable to sleep thanks to Freddy Krueger. The movie is available for streaming in 2024 on Max.
July 17, 2024, 11:10AM 9 of 20
‘Nosferatu’ – 1922
Film Arts Guild
Based on the original 1897 novel Dracula, Nosferatu is considered by countless critics and horror fans alike as a chilling, blood-curdling horror. In 2024, the flick was available to stream on Tubi and PlutoTV.
July 17, 2024, 11:10AM 10 of 20
‘Poltergeist’ – 1982
MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
“They’re here” is one of the most iconic — and scariest — lines in movie history. Poltergeist became a franchise, but only its original film is widely considered a criticial success. The movie can be streamed on Max in 2024.
July 17, 2024, 11:10AM 11 of 20
‘Psycho’ – 1960
Paramount Pictures
Alfred Hitchock’s Psycho created one of Hollywood’s most memorable storylines and can arguably never recreate the initial fear it instilled among moviegoers in 1960. Netflix has the film available to stream in 2024.
July 17, 2024, 11:10AM 12 of 20
‘A Quiet Place’ – 2018
Paramount Pictures
A Quiet Place shocked viewers with its detailed scenes, especially Emily Blunt’s birth scene as her character and their family try to evade the alien attackers from killing them. The film is available to stream on Paramount+ and for premium subscribers of Amazon Prime Video.
July 17, 2024, 11:10AM 13 of 20
‘Rosemary’s Baby’ – 1968
Paramount Pictures
Rosemary’s Baby has always haunted hororr fans, no matter how many times they’ve watched it! Mia Farrow’s expression upon looking at her apparently frightening newborn was enough to shake audiences to the core. The film can be streamed for free in 2024 on either Paramount+ or AMC+.
July 17, 2024, 11:10AM 14 of 20
‘The Silence of the Lambs’
Orion Pictures
Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins’ performances in The Silence of the Lambs made the film what it is — a bone-chilling thriller that doesn’t even need gore. The horror can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
July 17, 2024, 11:11AM 15 of 20
‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ – 1974
Bryanston Distributing Company
After hitting theaters in 1974, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre left fans on the edge of their seats. The independent horror features all the blood and gore some horror fans enjoy. The flick can be streamed in 2024 on Tubi or Peacock.
July 17, 2024, 11:11AM 16 of 20
‘The Shining’ – 1980
Warner Bros.
Jack Nicholson’s frightening character arc in The Shining haunts horror fans to this day. The horror can be streamed on Max in 2024.
July 17, 2024, 11:11AM 17 of 20
‘Zombieland’ – 2009
Sony Pictures
An unlikely masterpiece, Zombieland features a star-studded cast and so many laughs that the gore from the zombies is almost laughable to watch. Netflix has the film available to stream in 2024.
July 17, 2024, 11:11AM 18 of 20
‘Us’ – 2019
Universal Pictures
Lupita Nyong’o’s performance as two characters in Us quickly haunted viewers’ dreams and made its way into their nightmares. Us can be streamed for free on either Hulu or Peacock in 2024.
July 17, 2024, 11:11AM 19 of 20
‘M3GAN’ – 2022
Universal Pictures
An unlikely thrill that came out in 2022, M3GAN hilariously tells how the future of technology can destroy humanity in the most unexpectable ways. M3GAN can be streamed for free on Starz.
July 17, 2024, 11:23AM 20 of 20
‘Misery’ – 1990
Columbia Pictures
Every celebrity’s worst nightmare comes true in Misery, as James Caan and Kathy Bates reveal how one fan’s obsession with her favorite author is actually fatal. The flick can be streamed on Max in 2024.
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