Horror movieshave always been subjective. What one person finds scary, another might find silly. How, then, can we ever determine what the scariest horror movie ever made is? One way to go about it is to have a poll consisting of a plethora of horror films and allow audiences to pick their favorites.
That’s exactly what Rotten Tomatoes did some time ago. From a total of 40 films,users of Rotten Tomatoes were encouraged to vote in order to pick the most spine-tingling feature films. From demonic possession to insane killers, here are what Rotten Tomatoes users chose as a few of the scariest horror movies ever made. As a bonus, we’ve also included each film’s respective Tomatometer Score as well, which is often very different from the user rankings.
15It (2017)
Tomatometer Score: 85%
The best horror movies are those that scare you on an emotional level, and upon its release in 2017,Itbecame an instant hit for frightening audiences right down to their core. The film adapts a significant portion of Stephen King’sIt, a sprawling horror epic. Both the film and the book featurea group of children known as The Losers Club taking on Pennywise, a horrifying monster that uses their greatest fears against them.
A Clown-Fueled Nightmare From The Mind of Stephen King
Thanks to the amazing portrayal of Pennywise by Bill Skarsgård, this big budget remake from director Andy Muschiettigoes from zero to 60 and back again, taking viewers on a roller-coaster ride of terror. With equally commanding performances from the likes of Sophia Lillis and Ray Taylor,Itis as heartbreaking as it is scary. Pennywise doesn’t just want to scratch the surface of what terrifies The Losers Club, but rather, he wants to pour salt on the wounds of an already disturbing childhood. Featuring beautiful cinematography, and set pieces that lull you into a sense of familiarity, we’re not surprised thatItgoes down as one of the scariest films ever made,despite its differences from the Stephen King novel.you may StreamIton Max.
14Insidious (2010)
Tomatometer Score: 67%
Made for just $1.5 million,Insidiouswent on to gross more than $100 million at the box office, and it’s easy to see why. Directed by James Wan, and written by Leigh Whannell,this film takes every parent’s worst nightmare and makes it a realitywhen the Lamberts – comprised of Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson), Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne), and Dalton Lambert (Ty Simpkins) – are faced with tragedy. Dalton Lambert falls into a comatose state, with seemingly no explanation as to why. This paves the way for him to become host to several demonic entities, leading to a supernatural battle on the astral plane.
James Wan Launched a Fan Favorite Franchise
Insidioussubverts expectations in several ways, the most surprising of which being that the Lamberts actually move out of their haunted residence. It relies far more on a slow, suspenseful build than it does blood, making foran atmospheric piecethat’s a departure from Wan’s previous films likeSawandDeath Sentence. That was enough to scare audiences silly,turningInsidiousinto an entire franchise of films, withInsidious: The Red Doorbeing the most recent movie in the series.You can rentInsidiouson Apple TV, Amazon Video, or YouTube.
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13Sinister (2012)
Tomatometer Score: 63%
After moving his unsuspecting family into a murder house,a struggling true-crime writer named Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) discovers a box of snuff tapesthat he thinks is the key to recapturing some of his former success. However, he unleashes an ancient evil that’s determined to make sure his loved ones become the next victims in a string of murders dating back decades.
Supernatural Horrors Inside A Murder House
Released in 2012,Sinisterfeatures Ethan Hawke in a truly terrifying filmfrom director Scott Derrickson.Combining elements of the paranormal and found footage subgenres,Sinisteris a reminder to not neglect your family, while at the same time exploring themes of narcissism. Though it features an ending that some might say is a downer,Sinisteris a cautionary tale that makes no apologies for what it becomes in those final few minutes, which makes it one of the scariest films ever made.you may streamSinisteron Max.
12Halloween (1978)
Tomatometer Score: 96%
Directed by John Carpenter,Halloweenis one of those rare films thatinfluenced an entire genre, and has since gone on to be known as not only one of the scariest movies ever made, but one of the greatest films in history. With the simple premise of a masked killer stalking a group of babysitters,Halloweenhas become legendary, and deservedly so.
The Quintessential Slasher Movie by John Carpenter
TheHalloweenfranchise now consists of 13 films, but when the original hit theaters in 1978, audiences weren’t ready for it. Sure, they had been scared by films likeThe Exorcist, andThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but those stories felt far away.Halloweenbrought the horror home to the suburbs, warning us that nowhere was safe. Light on gore, and heavy on atmosphere, the film made a star out of Jamie Lee Curtis and marked Carpenter as one of the genre’s greatest filmmakers.you’re able to streamHalloween(1978) on Shudder, AMC+, Fubo, Cultpix, or Indieflix.
11The Ring (2002)
Tomatometer Score: 71%
A remake of the 1998 Japanese classic,Ringu,The Ringhas become a contemporary American classic in its own right. Naomi Watts stars as Rachel Keller,a journalist who watches a cursed videotape. Though the tape’s contents are disturbing enough, the realization thatshe now has seven days to livedrives her to uncover the tape’s mysterious origins.The Ringdives deep into mystery, while at the same time providing enough spine-chilling visuals to keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Best Japanese Horror Remake
As the first film in a slew of American remakes of horror films out of Japan,The Ringis held to a higher standard than most. Thankfully, director Gore Verbinski doesn’t disappoint, as hetakes what madeRinguso scary, and puts his spin on it for American audiences. It still holds up to this day, with the often quoted line, “seven days,” remaining a favorite among horror fans. Though the technology inThe Ringmay be dated, that doesn’t stopThe Ringfrom being an effective horror story, especially when you consider Daveigh Chase’s performance as Samara.You can streamThe Ringfor free on Pluto TV or on AMC+ or Prime Video.
10The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Tomatometer Score: 89%
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Though a group of friends being terrorized by a gang of maniacal killers might seem cliché today, it was a fresh idea that helped propelThe Texas Chain Saw Massacreinto infamy back in 1974. Directed by the late Tobe Hooper, its infamous legacy as a gory film is, interestingly, a little overstated. Itcreates a deeply uncomfortable and unsettling atmosphere, but the film itself features very little explicit violence compared to other horror legends.
Still Shocking Decades After Its Release
Featuring disturbing imagery, and an antagonist that has become a part of pop culture history,The Texas Chain Saw Massacrepremiered during a shift in both the political and cultural landscape of America. It hit at just the right time, with some comparing its importance to the likes ofNight of the Living Dead. Over the years, it has been analyzed in books, essays, and documentaries, with the consensus being thatit’s as iconic as ever, despite being nearly 50 years old.You can streamThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre(1974) on Prime, Peacock, Screambox, Tubi or Plex.
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9The Shining (1980)
Tomatometer Score: 83%
The Shining
Controversial to say the least,The Shiningis a work of art that’s riddled with suspense and tension, making fora terrifying examination of addiction, insanity, and the disintegration of family. Comparisons to the Stephen King novel aside, it’s one of Stanley Kubrick’s best films, and arguably features thebest performance in Jack Nicholson’s long career.
Inescapable Madness in a Remote Hotel
As one of the first films to utilize the newly invented Steadicam,The Shiningis avisually stunning piece that relies on its slow build to lure audiences in, before unraveling into madness. While critics panned the film upon its release, the years since have been kinder to Kubrick’s vision, withmany praising the movie for its complexities upon various reexaminations. Its numerous theories even led to the creation ofRoom 237, a film devoted solely to the film’s many hidden interpretations.You can rentThe Shiningon Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
8Get Out (2017)
Tomatometer Score: 98%
Against a small budget of $4.5 million,Get Outearned a total of $255.5 million at the box office and scored 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. This success is fit forJordan Peele’s brilliantly horrifying take on the history of racism and its unsettling presence in the modern day. The movie was even named the Greatest Script of the 21st Century by the Writers Guild of America for how smoothly it incorporates sociopolitical issues within the horror genre. The movie tells the story of a black man, Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), and his white girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams), as they head south to meet Rose’s parents for the first time. Unfortunately, the lovely weekend getaway slowly turns into a horrifying nightmare.
Jordan Peele’s Explosive Directorial Debut
Though the film plays into cringe comedy and awkward interactions between Chris and Rose’s parents at first, the gradual escalation into full-blown horror culminates into what is arguably one of thebest movies of the 2010s. It would bean instrumental film for putting Jordan Peele on the map as a director, leading to the creation of other successful films likeUsandNope.you may rentGet Outon Apple TV, Amazon Video, or YouTube.
7The Babadook (2014)
A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son’s fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.
No matter how old we get, the trope ofhaunted houses and monsters lurking in closets never gets old.The Babadookscored a near perfect 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and is considered to be one of the best horror movies by not only casual audiences, but by critics as well. The movie is about a single mother, Amelia (Essie Davis), struggling to process the violent death of her late husband, and her little son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), who is convinced that there is a monster in their house.
The Monster That Lurks in the Imagination of Kids
The Babadookis a modern masterpiece, acting as anincredible examination of griefas it tackles the idea on multiple fronts. The mother’s psychological and physical degradation gives more power to the monster, hurting both her and Samuel. The numerous horror elements utilized throughout all serve the deeper theme of overcoming grief as well, with an ending that’ll stick with you long after it’s over.The Babadookis the kind of horror movie that strikes the perfect balance between very scary and very meaningfulat the same time.You can streamThe Babadookon AMC+, Shudder, The Criterion Channel, Plex, or Mubi.
6Alien (1979)
Tomatometer Score: 93%
Alienwas directed by Ridley Scott and released towards the tail end of the 1970s. Set in the deep future, the film takes place on a commercial starship, with its unfortunate crew eventually making a horrifying discovery. The terror begins as soon as they wake up from their hypersleep capsules, now tasked with investigating a mysterious distress signal from an abandoned alien spaceship.Upon discovering a series of eggs in the ship’s chambers, the crew must fight off the Xenomorph, one of the most efficient killing machines in the universe.
Featuring creature designs by the late H. R. Giger and timeless practical effects,Alienquickly turned heads after debuting to mixed critical opinions. It’s easilyone of the most inspired horror films ever made, made more iconic by its infamously gruesome scenes and its influence on the horror genre as a whole. Even if it’s not the scariest movie on this list, it was certainly one of the most impactful. It should hardly be a surprise for a movie with such creative directorial power and strong performances to enjoy such lifelong success.you may streamAlien(1979) on Hulu.
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