Favourite and scariest horror movies?

[griffin]

With halloween this week, becoming a bigger thing each year in Australia from the major retailers trying to create another spending event... plus seeing some TV commercials promoting some horror shows/movies this week, I had the idea to ask what others have as their favourite horror movies, and/or the most scariest movies you've ever seen (or failed to watch to the end because it was too scary).

[Gutsman Heavy]

Alien is probably the only movie that I'd consider scary (not counting jump scares, which are a shock rather than actual fright). I do find some movies like Spice to be rather unsettling.

I'd also reccomend Attack the Block, whilst more Sci-fi with some comedy dressing, I think it makes good a Halloween flick.

[Demonac]

The movies that worked on me are:
The Haunting (1963 version), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (original), Exorcist, Blair Witch Project.

[GoktimusPrime]

In terms of skin-crawlingly creepy, I can't go past that awful "Romeo & Juliet" scene in Transformers: Age of Extinction. (-_-)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/th_shudder_zpsl5viij1f.gif

[Handsprime]

Monsters inc is the scariest movie out there just think there could be a monster in your closet

[Ralph Wiggum]

The scariest movie I've seen is The Ring (Japanese version).

The most horrifying would be Transformers Age of Extinction.

[5FDP]

+ 1 for The Ring... although I've only ever seen the US version. We actually named our daughter Samara based on the character of the same name :D

[BigTransformerTrev]

Wolf Creek was pretty damn scary as it seemed like something that could plausibly happen. Saw was pretty scary, never saw any of the sequels.

I really dig getting scared by flicks but can't say I'm much of a gore fan so the Hellraiser movies and similar flicks more grossed me out more than made me frightened.

[fatbot]

The Evil Dead all the way, the remake is pretty damn good as well.

I'm not really into gore for gores sake, movies like Saw & Hostel are terrible, terrible movies.

IVe always hated the opening scene from Nightmare on Elm st 2, it's always scared the crap out of me.

[Gutsman Heavy]

For those with netflix, try jumping to the US/UK version, much wider selection of Horror.

Also some others movies that scare me, American Werewolf in London & Dog Soldiers. Those two have the best Wolves I've seen in horror. Just look at this thing

http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140126172342/villains/images/8/83/600full-an-american-werewolf-in-london-screenshot.jpg

[griffin]

The first horror movie that I had to walk out on because it was so scary was when I was 13, and it was Pet Cemetery. It's a fairly tame movie by today's standards, but the special effects of the things coming back to life just freaked me out.

Since I was more into scifi/fantasy because of my imagination, I didn't watch many Horror movies because of that over-active imagination. I was 11 when I saw my first two, and both of them kept me awake at night for a number of days afterwards.
One was called The Hand (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hand_%28film%29) (made in 1981), and the other was called Piranha (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piranha_%281978_film%29) (made in 1978). Jaws was also an early one that I remember watching, so the two aquatic ones made it difficult to go into the water for a while as a kid.

Since then it's suspense horror that affects me more, as gruesome horror is more fascinating for thinking about how they did it with special effects. (unnecessary gruesome special effects in non-horror movies is not something I like, but contained within the horror genre, it has a purpose for the film-maker to flex their creative muscles, and therefore has a place on screen for "entertainment" purposes - whereas a non-horror movie that has excessive blood and gore is redundant when the genre or entertainment focus is supposed to be action, adventure or drama)

Suspense horror movies that I found scariest (as in, is still scary when watching it a second time), include Event Horizon (still creeps me out, but is a scifi movie as well so it fascinates me as well), The Ring (the American version), Poltergeist, Arachnophobia, It (I ended up watching it so many times that I don't find it scary anymore), Paranormal Activity, and Critters.

When doing a search online for what others think are the "best" or "scariest" horror movies, a lot of them are really old (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_considered_the_best#Horror.2Fmonster .2Fthriller) or gained critical support for being the first to be doing something... as such, I've seen most of them and don't find them very scary (I guess modern movies has desensitised me).
One movie that keeps showing on or near the top of various lists is the 1982 movie "The Thing (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(1982_film))", which I've never seen, but probably should since it seems to rate very well.

On the topic of horror movies that failed to be scary, I'd have to give a mention for the original Nightmare on Elm Street films and TV series, which became more amusing than scary over time... particularly the TV show.

As for a horror parody, I recommend watching the "Scary Movie (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scary_Movie_%28film_series%29)" series, with my favourite being the second one. I've actually found that these horror spoofs make the original horror movie almost completely un-scary, as you keep thinking about the comedy element related to it from the spoof movie.

[shockNwave]

I was 17 and I thought I'd seen it all and no horror movie could scare me (I'd already been scared by the likes of The Exorcist, Alien, Aliens & Friday The 13th) but then I saw The Thing (1982) and I can see why John Carpenter regards that as the best film he's ever made.

[Paulbot]

...I had the idea to ask what others have as their favourite horror movies, and/or the most scariest movies you've ever seen (or failed to watch to the end because it was too scary).

Showgirls. Absolutely frightening

Which is of course a quote from Scream 2 which was the first horror slasher film I ever saw (and starting with someone watching a horror movie in the cinema getting killed really freaked out this person watching a horror movie In a cinema). Hasn't held up on subsequent viewing though I have a soft spot for it


Wolf Creek was pretty damn scary as it seemed like something that could plausibly happen. Saw was pretty scary, never saw any of the sequels.

A +1 for Wolf Creek. That was one I almost walked out of. The second one wasn't bad either

I love Aliens but that's more action than horror. The Dawn of the Dead remake is my favourite zombie movie, despite the fast zombies. Dog Soldiers is an underrated werewolf film that I really enjoyed (good pick Gutsman). The Others was a great gothic horror film. I saw It Follows recently and that was very successful creepy thriller.

But if I picked one horror film that scared the **** out of me it would be The Descent. Was on edge and restless the whole time and definitely jumped out of my seat at one moment.

[Trent]

For movies that scared the crap out of me, not including ones I saw as a kid, only two come to mind. The first is Event Horizon. I was 16, at a friends house with about 8 other friends. It was 2am and we were all fairly intoxicated. We shat ourselves at Sam Neil's decent into madness :eek:

The other was The Ring (US version). Watched it with my wife on DVD. After it finished we dared each other to watch the clip from the movie, couldn't do it :o

[twincobra]

Event horizon scared the s*#t out of me when I originally saw it in High school, and The Human Centipede shocked me the most, I wouldn't watch it again.

Also the VHS box art for the Ghoulies & Nightmare on Elm Street used to freak me out as a kid.

[GoktimusPrime]

The scariest movie I've seen is The Ring (Japanese version).

+ 1 for The Ring... although I've only ever seen the US version. We actually named our daughter Samara based on the character of the same name :D
I've seen both versions, and IMO the Japanese one is scarier. And the book (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_(Suzuki_novel)) that it was adapted from is even scarier. :eek:

Although my favourite horror genre book would be Interview With A Vampire. Not necessarily because it's scary per se, but I just really enjoy the story. :) The film is a pretty faithful adaptation, but there are inevitably parts from the book which are omitted.

[theshape]

The descent was great!

I'm a huge horror fan. Best horror film of the last decade was "Rec."

Most disturbing film is "A Serbian film" (you have been warned)

[BigTransformerTrev]

A movie I absolutely refuse to watch is The Human Centipede. I know the storyline and I've been told the ending and the whole thing is just so gross and so freaky that I wont watch it. I'm all for wishing hateful things to happen to my enemies - helps me sleep at night :p - but I couldn't imagine doing that kind of stuff to anyone anywhere ever! :eek:

I had an ex-student who from the age of 16 onwards watched that movie like every single night religiously. Loved it! Think it was yet another piece of evidence he will end up in prison at some point in his life :rolleyes:

[BruiseLee]

I would say Event Horizon as well. It's scary enough as it is but even worse if you went to the movies not expecting to see a horror flick. I think if you're prepared to watch a horror flick you start in a certain frame of mind so your mind it's kinda ready to take in the scares. I thought it was a sci-fi flick... Started off nice and cruisey and then...well those who have seen it know what I'm taking about.

[Starscream77]

For pure shock the worst I watched was Cannibal Holocaust, there is a reason it was banned for so long.
The scariest to me is still The Exorcist.

I am a massive horror fan though and love my classic slashers like Jason, Freddy, Michael, Pinhead etc.

I may have to finally sit down and watch Event Horizon after reading this thread though

[5FDP]

I am a massive horror fan though and love my classic slashers like Jason, Freddy, Michael, Pinhead etc.

I have figures of all these guys in storage, ever since the kids came along. One day, they'll see the light of day again. 80's horror was the best :cool: Couldn't live without my monthly subscription to Fangoria.

[Gutsman Heavy]

A movie I absolutely refuse to watch is The Human Centipede. I know the storyline and I've been told the ending and the whole thing is just so gross and so freaky that I wont watch it. I'm all for wishing hateful things to happen to my enemies - helps me sleep at night :p - but I couldn't imagine doing that kind of stuff to anyone anywhere ever! :eek:

It's not that graphic and honestly it's not a bad movie. It is very unsettling and definitely not for those easily disturbed. The sequels on the other hand...

[shockNwave]

Something that should be mentioned in all of this is the factor of atmosphere as an important part in how scary such movies can be.
For example is how I found Aliens, Lord Of Illusions (a Clive Barker movie) and The Grudge (American version) scary and unsettling due to watching them at the cinemas.
The three factors that help the fear factor are the following:
1. That it's dark.
2. The surround sound.
3. Teenage girls screaming during the shock moments.
If there's anything more, feel free to add it.

[Trent]

I would say Event Horizon as well. It's scary enough as it is but even worse if you went to the movies not expecting to see a horror flick. I think if you're prepared to watch a horror flick you start in a certain frame of mind so your mind it's kinda ready to take in the scares. I thought it was a sci-fi flick... Started off nice and cruisey and then...well those who have seen it know what I'm taking about.

Same. I had never heard of it and was told it was a movie about a lost spaceship. I had no idea it as a horror movie.

I watched it again a few years ago and it didn't have nearly the effect on me. I guess you need the atmosphere.

[Megatran]

The three factors that help the fear factor are the following:
1. That it's dark.
2. The surround sound.
3. Teenage girls screaming during the shock moments.

You've just summed up One Direction. ;)

[BruiseLee]

You've just summed up One Direction. ;)

The horror! The horror!

[1AZRAEL1]

Phantasm has always been held high in my books. While not particularly scary by today's standards, it is a great film, along with it's sequels. There is another one coming next year that I can't wait for. Luckily the whole cast is still alive near 40 years on to do the new one heh.

House of 1000 Corpses is a favourite too.

Also while not scary, Zombie Strippers.

And Dog Soldiers has to be one of the best werewolf movies in a long time.

Mutant Chronicles and Prince Of Darkness are both pretty good too.


Anyone ever watched Masters Of Horror mini series? There are some great stories in that. Well worth hunting down. Basically a collection of the great horror movie writers and directors do an episode each.

[Handsprime]

Anything that is considered Torture Porn would be in the list of scariest films, although most of them go into disturbing and just plain cruel.

Since I don't really watch much horror films, the only one I really liked was Cabin In The Woods, even though that was a Comedy Horror.

[1AZRAEL1]

Heard a few pretty messed up movies. I'll have to ask my mate, he knows them all hahaha

Not a movie, but I've been playing the Silent Hill games again for a bit of old school horror gaming.

[Megatran]

Also while not scary, Zombie Strippers.
Zombie Strippers! Wasn't the guy who played Freddie Kruger in that movie. Not horror, just horrid.

[GoktimusPrime]

I first played Resident Evil at my cousin's place at 1am. Scared the bejeebus out of me! :eek:

[5FDP]

Resident Evil 4 FTW! :cool:

[BigTransformerTrev]

As a teenager saw The Blob and IT and both scared the crap outta me. Wouldn't say they were favs of mine though.

Arachnophobia was a pretty cool scary movie for its day, as was Aliens (don't think a lot of the other flicks in the series). The first Predator movie was pretty good too - loved them all freaking out and blasting the crap out of some trees for like two minutes :D:p

[Handsprime]

Game wise, alien isolation has scared me. Heck at the start of the game I was worried if there was an alien around there.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Game wise, alien isolation has scared me. Heck at the start of the game I was worried if there was an alien around there.

It was Alien 3 on the Super Nintendo for me. Playing that as a kid at night was pretty scary

[Meister]

Scariest movie for me was "The Omen", I saw that when I was 5. I also saw movies like "A nightmare on Elm Street", "Alien", "Jaws" and "Piranha" when I was that age, thanks to my older cousins next door... Many sleepless nights, although I ultimately became a fan of 80's horror flicks. Needless to say, I haven't been frightened from movies for a long time, I mostly just laugh whilst appreciating the way the directors create suspense and atmosphere

I agree Event Horizon was a nice surprise, I too was thinking it was going to be a Sci-fi flick. The opening scene of Nightmare II also has a special place in my mind.

Still nothing had an impact on me like the Omen, and to this day I still think it does a good job in creating a very evil atmosphere

[Meister]

Splatterhouse II was an awesome game on the sega mega drive :)

[shockNwave]

Heard a few pretty messed up movies. I'll have to ask my mate, he knows them all hahaha

Not a movie, but I've been playing the Silent Hill games again for a bit of old school horror gaming.

I've played Silent Hill 2 in the dark and it was scary as hell and I know it influenced Saw director; James Wan. But what I'm wondering is: "Is this game still regarded as the scariest game ever made or has it been superseded?"

[Paulbot]

I watched BBC's Ghostwatch tonight, a 1992 live special investigation into a haunted house, and even though I knew the story going in, it sure got me spooked more than anything I've seen in ages.

[Jaxius._]

Hm there's no video of my birth. Now there's a demon ;)

[Sinnertwin]

I watched BBC's Ghostwatch tonight, a 1992 live special investigation into a haunted house, and even though I knew the story going in, it sure got me spooked more than anything I've seen in ages.

I might use the YouTube machine and have a look see

[Raider]

I don't really find horror movies scary at all. Most of them are so unbelievable that I just know it's not capable of being real and so it doesn't "scare" me. But one that did sort of get me a little freaked out was The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Based on a true story, that one got me. I even listened to the real audio recording after I watched the more. Creepy stuff.

[TAAUBlaster]

I have a hard time finding good horror. I'm not a fan of the overly gory horror movies, but I do like the psychological ones. I didn't mind the first Insidious movie, and the standard Japanese ones (like The Ring and One Missed Call) aren't too bad.

But a lot of English language horror movies seem to be more gore than story :/

[XMan]

Fire In The Sky.

That movie stayed with me for a while.

[BigTransformerTrev]

I have a hard time finding good horror. I'm not a fan of the overly gory horror movies, but I do like the psychological ones. I didn't mind the first Insidious movie, and the standard Japanese ones (like The Ring and One Missed Call) aren't too bad.

But a lot of English language horror movies seem to be more gore than story :/

Yeah I'm not a big gore fan.

I flipped over to the latest Piranha movie on SBS the other day to see one of the fishies cough up a half chewed human penis, then it get swallowed up by another fish. It was a major 'WTF?!?!' moment for me :eek::confused:

[Megatran]

Two movies come to mind:
The Exorcist
The Crying Game

[Jetfire in the sky]

I am not into horror films at all anymore and it's all because of The Blair Witch Project which literally made me "freeze" in my seat in the cinema when it ended.
F THAT!!
It took me about ten minutes to move after the last scene finished.

[ZoonMaster5000]

I personally like old b-grade horrors like the howling series. I got so infatuated with werewolves I had to quit my job as a paperboy when I was younger cause I was too scared to ride through the bush land :p