1. American Psycho:
This 2000 horror film was directed by Mary Harron and stars Christian Bale in the title role of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker with homicidal tendencies. The film follows Bateman's downward spiral into depravity and sadistic behavior. It is based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis and has been praised for its sharp black humor and satirical themes.
2. The Conjuring:
Directed by James Wan, this 2013 supernatural horror movie follows the true story of Ed and Lorraine Warren as they investigate a haunted farmhouse in Rhode Island. It stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as the Warrens and has become one of the highest-grossing horror films of all time. The film received positive reviews for its atmosphere and direction, with some critics calling it one of the scariest movies ever made.
3. The Devil Inside:
This 2012 found footage horror movie was directed by William Brent Bell and stars Fernanda Andrade, Bonnie Morgan, Suzan Crowley, Brian Bonsall, Ionut Grama, and Evan Helmuth. It follows a woman who decides to investigate her mother's death, which had been labeled as an exorcism gone wrong. The film was met with mostly negative reviews for its poor plot and lack of scares, but it still managed to become the top-grossing movie on its opening weekend in the US.
4. Hannibal:
This 2001 horror-thriller is based on Thomas Harris' novel of the same name and stars Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, and Gary Oldman. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film follows serial killer Hannibal Lecter as he evades capture by FBI investigator Clarice Starling before finally being apprehended in Italy. Though initially criticized for its violence and pacing issues, Hannibal was widely praised for its performances and has become a cult favorite among horror fans.
5. Insidious:
This 2010 horror-thriller was directed by James Wan and stars Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, and Ty Simpkins. It follows a family who discovers their son is being haunted by evil spirits after trying to contact the dead. The film was met with positive reviews for its atmosphere, scares, direction, and performances, with many considering it one of the scariest movies ever made.
6. Ouija:
This 2014 supernatural horror film follows two teenage girls as they use an Ouija board to try and contact a friend who died in an accident. Directed by Stiles White, the movie stars Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto, Daren Kagasoff, Bianca Santos, and Douglas Smith. The film was met with mostly negative reviews for its lack of originality and formulaic plot, but it still managed to become the top-grossing horror movie that year.
7. Saw:
This 2004 horror movie was directed by James Wan and stars Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, and Leigh Whannell in the lead roles. It follows two men who are kidnapped and placed in a deadly game overseen by the Jigsaw Killer (played by Tobin Bell). The film has become one of the most successful horror franchises in history, spawning seven sequels so far.
8. Scary Movie:
This 2000 horror-comedy follows a group of teenagers who are targeted by the mysterious murderer known as Ghostface. Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, this film is a homage to slasher movies from the 1990s and stars Anna Faris, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, and Carmen Electra in the lead roles. The film was met with mixed reviews but has become a cult classic among fans of horror comedies.
9. Wrong Turn:
This 2003 slasher movie was directed by Rob Schmidt and stars Desmond Harrington, Eliza Dushku, and Emmanuelle Chriqui in the lead roles. It follows a group of friends who take a wrong turn on their way to a music festival and become the target of a group of cannibals. The film was met with mostly negative reviews for its violence and formulaic plot but has since become a cult classic among horror fans.
10. Zombieland:
This 2009 horror-comedy was directed by Ruben Fleischer and stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. It follows a group of survivors as they try to stay alive in a world overrun by zombies. The film received positive reviews for its clever blend of horror and comedy and has since spawned a sequel released in 2019.
