My 10 Favourite Horror Films of All Time

If you read my blog or if you know me to some extent, you'll know that I absolutely love horror films. I write about them a lot, I tweet about them a lot, and of course I watch them a lot. While I've already done a post last year on the 50 greatest horror films of all time, I felt like it didn't really reflect my own personal opinion. So now, seeing as I've got some spare time and have recently put together a list, I'm going to do a post on my top 10 horror films of all time. This is 100% personal opinion and over time could even change, but as of now, for anyone who's interested, these are my top 10 horror films of all time.

10. The Witch (Robert Eggers, 2017)

What's it about?

After being exiled from their community in 17th century New England, a small puritan family decide to settle in an isolated rural area away from society. However, after the disappearance of their newborn child and a number of supernatural occurrences, the family begin to suspect that something wicked is at work in the woods around them.

Why it makes the list:

A fairly recent entry at number 10, but a damn fine one at that, The Witch was one of the most immersive horror films I've ever experienced on the big screen. Unlike a lot of modern horror films that rely mostly on jumpscares and gore, The Witch opted for using pure suspense and it works like a charm. The combination of Mark Korven's chilling score with the clever editing and Egger's direction create this terrifying atmosphere of dread throughout, playing with the audiences senses. When I first watched this film, I wasn't scared because of something jumping out onscreen, I was terrified at the prospect that something could. The way Eggers builds tension is excellent and manages to get the audiences heart racing without ever having to do anything explicitly scary onscreen. It's an effective method of filmmaking reminiscent of earlier horror films like The Shining, managing to do a lot by ultimately doing very little. On top of all that, the film also gave us THE greatest horror icon of the 21st century: Black Philip the goat.

Favourite scene:

Towards the beginning when we see why the titular witch snatched poor baby Sam. It had the whole cinema on the edge of its seat.

9. The Beyond (Lucio Fulci, 1981)

What's it about?

After purchasing an old hotel in Louisiana, a young woman is plagued by supernatural events around her which leads her to suspect that not everything is as it seems at the hotel. She forms an alliance with a local doctor and a mysterious blind woman in order to discover the hellish secret behind the Seven Doors Hotel.

Why it makes the list:

With Lucio Fulci you either love him or hate him, and I personally fall into the former category. Fulci's films are probably most well known for their use of explicit and over the top gore, and The Beyond is without a doubt his magnum opus. While it does contain a fair amount of bloodshed (there's a particularly nasty scene involving tarantulas), the film is also oozing with atmosphere and has some excellent cinematography as well. Fulci proves here that he is more than just a master of gore, but that he has also mastered the technical side of horror films as well as seen by the way he creates atmosphere. The entire film has this extremely eerie atmosphere, as though there is this ever present force stalking the protagonists that can manipulate the environment around them as it pleases. Because of all the bizarre and uncanny events that take place within the film, it has this surreal, almost Lovecraftian vibe to it that Fulci pulls off incredibly well. Being a Fulci film however, it also contains some top of the range gore to make your skin crawl. The mix of splatter and surrealism is not one you'd encounter often, and not one that could always work, but in The Beyond, I feel it works perfectly. Arguably one of Fulci's strangest and most terrifying films ever, and one that's sure to send a shiver up the spines of anybody who dares watch it.

Favourite scene:

SPIDERS.

8. Alien (Ridley Scott, 1979)

What's it about?

After receiving a distress call from a nearby moon, the crew of the merchant ship The Nostromo land there in search of intelligent life. However, what they find is something much more deadly and malevolent that begins to pick them off one by one. In space, no one can hear you scream.

Why it makes the list:

Ah Alien, how you've aged like a fine wine. Despite being nearly 40 years old, the film still holds up excellently in the modern world and is still just as scary as it would have been all those years ago. It's one of the most isolated and claustrophobic horror films ever made and its influence can still be felt in both the science fiction and horror genres today. An isolated ship in the vastness of space is the perfect setting for this space age creature feature, there literally is no escape from the terror that stalks the protagonists. With nowhere to run, the crew are forced to fight and hunt down the creature, but it's far to clever to let that happen. Screenwriter Dan O'Bannon and Ridley Scott really manage to bring to life that sheer sense of isolation and hopelessness felt by the crew, so much so that you feel almost as though you are stuck up there with them. Pitting the characters in tiny ventilation shafts and dark, steamy corridors, the whole film feels incredibly claustrophobic which turns the tension right up to eleven. I remember watching the scene with Tom Skerritt in the ventilation shaft for the first time with my heart racing, and yet no matter how many times I watch that scene, knowing what's about to happen, I still feel just as terrified. It's a terrifying, yet incredibly fun film that you can watch time and time again without it ever losing its impact. They certainly don't make them like this anymore.

Favourite scene:

Tom Skerritt in the vent, gets me every time.

7. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Robert Weine, 1920)

What's it about?

A troubled young man recounts the horrific encounter he had years ago with mysterious hypnotist Dr. Caligari and his murderous somnabulist Cesare.

Why it makes the list:

One of the most iconic horror films of the 1920's, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is like watching a moving painting onscreen. From the extremely angular and exaggerated sets to the gothic costumes, the entire film has this very dreamlike atmosphere making it come across as something entirely otherworldy. It is the pinaccle of German expressionist cinema and captures everything that made the short-lived subgenre so dazzling. The visuals are by far second to none and the film contains some of the most iconic frames in horror film history, but it's not solely reliant on style. The film is also known for having the first ever twist ending in cinema, I don't want to spoil it because it's a clever one, but it's clear how much it has influenced similar films years after its release. Coming in at a mere 76 minute runtime, it's a clever little film and an easy watch even for those who wouldn't normally enjoy silent films. The gothic imagery and surreal atmosphere make it such an immersive and enticing film that draws you in as if it is hypnotizing you like Caligari himself. It's hard not to love this film, and even harder not to acknowledge how influential it was to countless filmmakers years later. From Tim Burton, to Dario Argento, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari had an effect on them all and its influence can still be found in the media today. It was a true pioneer of not just horror cinema, but of cinema as a whole.

Favourite scene:

When Caligari wakes Cesare for the first time, Conrad Veidt is so chilling.

6. Bride of Frankenstein (James Whale, 1935)

What's it about?

Following the events of Frankenstein (1935), the film sees Henry Frankenstein reluctantly return to his work when a former mentor, Dr. Pretorious arrives. Under the pressure from both his mentor and his original creation, Dr. Frankenstein frantically attempts to make a female companion for the creature to issue in a new world of gods and monsters.

Why it makes the list:

Beating the likes of Aliens and The Empire Strikes Back for being the best sequel of all time, The Bride of Frankenstein manages to further develop the universe introduced in the first film. A large part of the film follows the creature himself (in another amazing performance from Boris Karloff) who continues to roam the countryside after almost dying in a windmill fire. The creature was already a sympathetic character in the first film, but now we see an extra layer of depth added to him as he begins his search for companionship. It is truly compelling in this sense as we see this creature desperately searching for acceptance only to be turned on by almost everyone who encounters him. While he does eventually find acceptance in the form of a kind old blind man, he is soon chased away by passing by villagers. It's an interesting arc for the creature that sees him eventually resorting to threatening his creator himself in order to give him the companion he so desperately yearns for. It's all quite sad to be honest. Of course, one of the highlights of the film is Ernest Thesiger as the devilishly camp Dr. Pretorious who makes for a sinister yet comedic villain. Ultimately culminating on a bittersweet note, Bride of Frankenstein is a thought-provoking, emotionally driven piece of gothic horror that immortalised Karloff in the role of the monster, despite it being his penultimate performance as him.

Favourite scene:

We belong dead.

5. Halloween (John Carpenter, 1978)

What's it about?

15 years after he murdered his sister on Halloween night, the deeply disturbed Michael Meyers escaped from a mental institution and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, to wreak havoc on its unsuspecting citizens. 

Why it makes the list:

While it wasn't the first slasher film ever made, Halloween is what set the standard for the countless slashers that would follow and is what essentially sparked the great slasher boom of the 1980's. Halloween may not have been the first of its kind, but its arguably one of the most influential (along with Bob Clarke's Black Christmas) and was mimicked countless times in the years that followed. This was also the film that truly established John Carpenter as the undisputed horror master he is known as today. Combining his unique directorial style with his own dread-inducing score, Carpenter manages to create a truly chilling air of suspense throughout, before anything scary even begins to happen. Some of the most chilling scenes are those when Meyers is merely standing there, watching. Carpenter establishes this character as a true force to be reckoned with and builds up this suspense throughout the film, so by the time Meyers does start killing off teens, he's all the more terrifying. I saw this in the cinema last Halloween, and while I had seen it numerous times beforehand, I felt as though I was watching it for the very first time. What makes it all the more terrifying is that Meyers is not some supernatural entity (not in this one anyway), but he's just a man. The fact that a human could do something like this is a chilling prospect and one that makes Halloween all the more real. Despite being copied countless times after, Halloween is still a one of a kind type film and one of Carpenters finest.

Favourite scene:

When Laurie thinks she has finally killed Michael and stops to catch her breath. He's behind you!

4. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Tobe Hooper, 1974)

What's it about?

On a road trip through Texas en route to their grandfather's grave, two siblings and their friends become the targets of a deranged family of cannibals living nearby, turning an idyllic summers day into a sheer nightmare.

Why it makes the list:

What I love about this film is how raw it all feels. Nothing feels clean or polished, instead there is this consistently gritty tone throughout that adds an extra layer of realism to the film. Notorious at the time of its release for being too violent, if you actually watch the film you'll realise that The Texas Chainsaw Massacre doesn't actually show a lot of violence onscreen. In fact, there is very little blood at all. But director Tobe Hooper was clever when he made this film, having the ability to do very much by showing very little. The sound design and the editing were two of the key features in this film, both being displayed perfectly in the infamous meat hook scene. We watch as Leatherface hoists poor Pam onto a pair of rusty meat hooks, and although we never see the hooks actually pierce her skin, the way in which the scene is edited and the sounds of her agonising screams make it just as effective. This brings me to Leatherface himself, played tremendously here by the late Gunnar Hansen. Leatherface is a true force to be reckoned with, a hulking being who slaughters his way through anything or anyone in his way. He is also a very unpredictable character, making all of his scenes incredibly tense and unnerving. While not an inherently evil character in comparison to the rest of his family, Leatherface is a terrifying villain nonetheless and the last person you'd want chasing you with a chainsaw.

Favourite scene:

Leatherface's chainsaw ballet against the Texas sunrise.

3. Hellraiser (Clive Barker, 1987)

What's it about?

Where do I begin. After being dragged into a hellish dimension by grotesque beings known as cenobites, Frank Cotton returns to the real world in the form of a decaying skeletal being. In order to reconstruct himself, he enlists the help of his ex-lover and sister-in-law Julia, who has recently married Franks brother and moved into their old house. When the bodies begin to pile up, Frank's niece Kirsty must take action before it's too late.

Why it makes the list:

In a period full of countless slasher films, each seeming more similar than the last, Hellraiser was a breath of fresh air. From the mind of British horror novelist Clive Barker came a tale of demons, deception, and leather fetish gear that was like nothing ever seen before. The practical effects used in Hellraiser are simply astounding, each cenobite is so detailed and unique that they all leave a lasting impact despite their relatively short screen time. The combination of leather fetish gear and grotesque mutilation made for some of the most unsettling yet original creatures to ever grace the silver screen. Another thing that made it stand out so well during its release was the tone. The 1980's were a time for fun slasher films that were borderline comedic, I mean look at the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. However, Hellraiser was pitch black in its tone. The cenobites were serious villains with no sense of emotion while Frank and Julia Cotton were both nasty, unrelenting people. It was extremely dark for its time, and Barker creates this incredible sense of dread right the way through. The scene at the beginning in the attic is a perfect example, the dim lighting, the rattling chains dangling from the wall, the mutilated flesh scattered around the room, Barker was not messing around here, this was serious horror. Unrelenting and highly unique for its time, Hellraiser still holds up wonderfully today and is one that you will never forget.

Favourite scene:

The first look at the ghastly cenobites, Chatterer was always my favourite.

2. The Wicker Man (Robin Hardy, 1973)

What's it about?

Police Seargent Howie arrives on the isolated island village of Summerisle in search of a missing girl who the townspeople insist never existed. Howie searches the island for the young girl, encountering a number of the villagers and their mysterious pagan rites along the way. Howie must complete his investigation before somebody ultimately keeps their appointment with the dreaded wicker man.

Why it makes the list:

The Wicker Man is a different sort of horror as it's not explicitly scary. In fact, for most of the film nothing horrific happens at all. However, the late Robin Hardy manages to create this intense feel of isolation throughout which builds this unmistakable sense of paranoia. The fact that Howie is a Christian outsider in this tightly-knit pagan community makes him an isolated character who is alone without any allies on the island. While the villagers come across as relatively friendly, there is this constant sense that something sinister is lurking beneath the pleasant town of Summerisle. The cheery music and picturesque country setting juxtapose excellently with the underlying sense of dread and mystery. I've always found it even more unsettling the second time around, knowing of the films grim conclusion and witnessing all the cheeriness that came beforehand. Cheeriness has never been so unsettling. This is by far my favourite Christopher Lee performance, next to Dracula, as it is one of the more complex villains that he has played. Lord Summerisle is not an inherently evil man like Dracula, he is merely a man who is obeying his religion and believes that what he is doing is right. Lee clearly has a lot of fun as Summerisle which can be clearly seen as he skips about dressed as a woman towards the films end. It's a fascinating film that sees a devout Christian's odyssey into a strange new world of pagan rituals and rites. The film is full of strong themes, wonderful imagery, and one of the most shocking endings in horror film history.

Favourite scene:

The final scene with the eponymous wicker man or the maypole scene just because the song is so catchy.

1. Suspiria (Dario Argento, 1977)

What's it about?

American ballerina Suzy Bannion arrives at a prestigious dance academy in Germany to begin her studies there. However, she soon discovers that not everything is as it seems at the Tanz academy and that dark forces are working against her. Suzy then finds herself plunged into a terrifying world of murder and witchcraft from which she is unsure she will ever escape. 

Why it makes the list:

I mean come on, was there ever any doubt? Suspiria is by far my all time favourite horror film and one that I can watch time and time again without it losing its effect. Full of sets and gorgeous cinematography, every frame of Suspiria is like a painting, from the red neon glow of the hallways to the darkly-lit witches lair, the film is visually incomparable. Argento takes these psychedelic visuals and combines them with the terrifying score by prog group Goblin to create this incredibly unsettling atmosphere. It creeps under your skin and keeps you captivated, hypnotised almost, and as much as you'll want to look away you simply cannot. It's an incredibly eerie film from start to finish. While there is plenty of bloodshed to please gorehounds, the real beauty of Suspiria lies within its atmosphere, Argento paid so much attention to detail in order to craft it and it's clear that it paid off. Literally, all Argento has to do is take a shot of a hallway, play some Goblin music over it, and he'll already scare you senseless. Its vibrant colour scheme and production design make it by far the most visually stunning horror film ever, but Argento's commitment to building dread is what really makes Suspiria my favourite horror film of all time. He knows what makes the audience tick and uses this to his advantage, toying with their senses and bringing them into submission to his terror. Suspiria is a dazzling and truly terrifying film, and a prime example of why Dario Argento is one of horror cinema's greatest filmmakers.

Favourite scene:

Daniels unfortunate demise, one of the most unsettling scenes I've ever witnessed.

So there you have it, those are my top 10 horror films of all time. If you've got a favourite horror film or a top ten yourself, let me know in the comments, and if you haven't seen any of the films on the list then it goes without saying that I highly recommend them all. Until next time!