Nearly every cinematic genre conceivable features a minimum of oneessential movie that everyone should see at once in their lifetime, andhorrorhas proven to be no exception to this status quo. Numbering among some of thegreatest 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.
Fromclassic horror outings that were ahead of their timeto thebest 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.
Saw
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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.
As deviously nasty as it is horrifically gruesome, James Wan’sSawis decidedly notCitizen Kanein 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’ssuccess led to a multi-movie franchise, withthe 11th installmentSaw XIalso announced to be on the way.
Saw Movie Series: The Complete Guide & Jigsaw Timeline
Saw has one of the more convoluted timelines in horror movie history. From flashbacks to plot twists, this is the place to understand it all.
Boasting a wickedly intricate plot to complement the movie’s visceral sense of intensity,Sawboasts 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.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
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.
Introducing horror to one of itsmost iconic slasher villains, Wes Craven’sA Nightmare on Elm Streetretains 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 Streetconstitutes 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.
Rosemary’s Baby
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.
Featuring one of thescariest movie scenes ever brought to life onscreen, it speaks volumes to the blood-curdling nature ofRosemary’s Babythat 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.
Scream
1996’s Scream follows a teenage girl who is targeted by a masked killer a year after her mother’s murder who uses horror movies as a deadly game against her and her friends.
Breathing fresh life into the flagging sub-genre, popular culture had never seen anything quite like Wes Craven’s meta-slasherScreambefore. 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.
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Scream VI(2023)
It’s a state of affairs that persists to this day. Spawning a multi-film franchise that is set to continue withthe upcomingScream 7, theScreammovies 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.
The Evil Dead
The Evil Deadis 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 Deadnot 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.
Cinema’s preeminent blend of horror and comedy,Evil Deadis 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.
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Evil Dead Rise(2023)
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Spawning a host of sequels and a spin-off television series,The Evil Deadretains 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, underliningThe Evil Dead’sstatus as one of horror’s most essential viewing experiences.
WhileThe Shining’swider 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’siconic"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 greatestStephen King movie of all time, no cinematic conoisseur’s repertoire would be complete without having seenThe Shiningat least once.
The Thing
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.
Initially released to a mixed critical reception in 1982, John Carpenter’sThe Thinghas 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 themost 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’sspectacular practical effects hold up in terms of fear and shock factor to this day, a jaw-dropping achievement given their purportedly dated nature.
Get Out
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.
The movie that introducedmodern horror directorial virtuosoJordan Peele to global audiences, 2017’sGet Outhas 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 Outis an absolute must-see for movie fans of all ilk.
Boasting a near-flawless Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score of 98%,Get Outis 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.
Jaws
Jaws, directed by Steven Spielberg, follows the residents of Amity Island as they face terror from a menacing great white shark. The town’s police chief, a marine biologist, and a seasoned shark hunter join forces to track and kill the predator threatening their coastal community. Released in 1975.
Chronicling the terrifying rampage of a man-eating great white shark, Steven Spielberg’sJawsleft 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 ofJaws’most iconic momentsnumber 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.
Alien
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.
Widely regarded as thebest sci-fi horror movie of all time, Ridley Scott’sAlienkick-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’sexemplary 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.
