We’re all familiar with the nostalgic Halloween movies that put us in the holiday mood. But how do your favorites compare to the top-ranked horror movies of all time? Here are the top 10 horror films according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Number 1, The Exorcist (1973.) tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who becomes possessed by a demonic entity. Her desperate mother seeks the help of two priests in an effort to save her daughter’s life.
Number 2, Hereditary (2018.) follows the Graham family as they begin to uncover dark secrets about their ancestry. With these revelations come terrifying supernatural occurrences that force them to confront their horrifying reality.
Number 3, The Conjuring (2013.) centers on a family who encounters a demonic presence in their farmhouse. Two paranormal investigators step in to help and attempt to free the family from the evil forces haunting them.
Number 4, The Shining (1980.) starring Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, tells the story of a recovering alcoholic and aspiring novelist who takes a winter caretaker job at an isolated hotel. As the days pass, his sanity unravels, endangering his wife and psychic son.
Number 5, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974.) follows a group of friends who encounter a family of cannibals while traveling through rural Texas—leading to a horrifying night of terror.
Number 6, The Ring (2002.) features a journalist who discovers a cursed videotape that dooms its viewers to die exactly seven days after watching it. The film is a remake of a 1998 Japanese horror classic, both based on Kōji Suzuki’s 1991 novel.
Number 7, Halloween (1978.) tells the story of a mental patient who escapes sanitarium fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night. He returns to stalk a teenage girl and her friends, while his psychiatrist races to stop him.
Number 8, Sinister (2012.) follows a struggling true-crime writer who discovers disturbing home videos that depict gruesome murders linked to a supernatural entity. His investigation puts his entire family in grave danger.
Number 9, Insidious (2010) a married couple’s young son falls into a mysterious coma and becomes a vessel for demonic spirits. This film, the first in a successful series, delivers an unsettling exploration of the supernatural.
Number 10, IT (2017) introduces Pennywise, a terrifying shapeshifting clown who preys on the fears of children in a small town. The film’s chilling atmosphere and strong performances make it a modern horror classic.
Although your favorite film may or may not be on this list, all these titles are worth watching. With so many terrifying options to choose from, the horror genre offers countless ways to get into the spooky Halloween spirit.
