Horror movies can be some of the most divisive films out there – those that rely on cheap thrills are often criticized for their lack of story, while those with a more narrative-heavy style can often be dismissed as “not scary enough.” Those few horror flicks that manage to perfectly walk the border between the two styles are the ones that really stand out from the crowd, and there are several classics that fit that description. The best horror movies of all time know how to do this and make it look easy.
The past decade has seen a marked increase in so-called “elevated horror,” which essentially refers to scary movies that also have socially relevant concepts baked into their storytelling. The trend started with movies such as Get Out and has risen in popularity ever since, and it’s a perfect example of this precise combination of storytelling and scares that’s so necessary to make a horror movie work. But it’s been around for much longer than elevated horror, and certain projects have mastered the craft. Many great indie horror movies were the proponents of this idea.
10 Hereditary (2018)
Directed By Ari Aster
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Hereditary is a unique kind of film that doesn’t really become outright scary until the final act, but uses everything that comes before it to build suspense and set the scene for what’s to come. The film follows a grief-stricken family who begin to learn about their ancestors’ supernatural secrets, as ghosts and spirits begin to blend into their daily lives. It’s frightening when it needs to be, but the story has enough twists and turns to keep the audience interested.
9 The Shining (1980)
Directed By Stanley Kubrick
Kubrick’s The Shining is adapted from the great Stephen King novel of the same name, and instead of relying on jump scares to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, it slowly builds tension and uses grotesque imagery to get underneath the viewer’s skin. The story follows the Torrance family, who work in a remote hotel through the winter, and soon learn of the building’s troubled past.
8 The Conjuring (2013)
Directed By James Wan
While The Conjuring has grown to become a highly successful horror franchise with its sequels and spinoffs, the original film remains the most frightening of the bunch. It follows Ed and Lorraine Warren, two paranormal investigators called to the home of a family who believe they’re being haunted by ghosts. It’s a very traditional haunted house story, but the way that Wan weaves this intricate narrative together with some very effective scares is something that’s not seen too often.
7 Us (2019)
Directed By Jordan Peele
Peele’s follow-up to Get Out is often overshadowed by its predecessor, but the filmmaker’s second movie is just as chilling and well-written as his first. The story centers around a family who come into contact with their doppelgängers, leading them to discover the truth about a species of quasi-humans who live underneath the surface of the Earth. There’s an excellent blend of horror, tension, and brutal violence to please fans of all types of spooky movies.
6 The Babadook (2014)
Directed By Jennifer Kent
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The Babadook is a perfect example of what’s come to be understood as “elevated horror.” While there are plenty of scares and frightening moments that allow the film to be easily classified as horror, the project’s main focus is always the family dynamic at its core. It’s the story of a young boy who believes he’s seeing visions of a demonic creature known as the Babadook, and his suspicious mother, who soon realizes something is seriously wrong.
5 Midsommar (2019)
Directed By Ari Aster
Aster’s follow-up to Hereditary is much less focused on horror than his debut, instead weaving an intricate story about sacrifice, cultural differences, and destiny that gradually creates a suffocating atmosphere from start to finish. There’s a constant sense that something isn’t quite right, and that ultimately pays off in a shocking third act filled with terror. Midsommar is filled with hidden details that make the film endlessly rewatchable, proving that every narrative beat is plotted precisely and ordained from the beginning.
4 Saint Maud (2020)
Directed By Rose Glass
While Saint Maud went somewhat under the radar given its limited release and lack of critical fanfare, the film is actually one of the scariest releases of the past few years. It follows a young nurse who gets wrapped up in her patient’s religious fervor and dragged into a terrifying case of divinity and sacrilege. The film is a slow burn that claws its way under the audience’s skin before finally making itself known in the final act, delivering a fiery conclusion that isn’t easily forgotten.
3 Funny Games (1997)
Directed By Michael Haneke
Funny Games is one of the scariest home invasion movies ever filmed, not just because of the brutality on display but also because of its chilling commentary on human nature and our tendency towards violence. It speaks directly to the audience, pulling them into this story and using horror merely as a vehicle to push forward its terrifying message.
2 The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (2017)
Directed By Yorgos Lanthimos
Yorgos Lanthimos has a very distinct cinematic style, and while it can’t always be classified as horror, this film is the closest he’s ever come. Starring Colin Farrell, Barry Keoghan, and Nicole Kidman, the movie follows a wealthy surgeon who’s tortured by his young friend’s supernatural powers and demonic visions of the future.
1 Candyman (1992)
Directed By Bernard Rose
Candyman is filled with ominous lines and creepy imagery that immediately set the scene for this cerebral horror, long before the actual terrors hit the screen. It’s a masterclass in how to suck an audience into a story, setting up a gripping mystery with fascinating characters and tangible clues – before burning it all down in a shocking finale that catches the viewer totally off-guard.