Written By: Xiomara Tintaya
It’s the time of year for everyone who loves a good horror movie. Usually, fans of horror will watch one for the thrill, almost as one would while riding a rollercoaster. Most scary movies can be ranked on different levels that can range from beginner/light to advanced/dark. Putting aside cult classics such as Scream, Friday the 13th, and Halloween, there are so many more films that deserve recognition. From German expressionist black & white films to more recent slasher trilogies, here is a guide to help you decide which horror movies you would like to watch.
BEGINNER (Light):
These movies are horror movies but they aren’t the scariest of all time. They are beginner friendly and a gateway into more terrifying films. These are some films you should definitely watch for a good scare.
- The Blair Witch Project
- Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
- Child’s Play
- Insidious
- The Omen
- Pan’s Labyrinth
- The Conjuring
- Ready or Not
- Saw
- Poltergeist
- The Babadook
- Children of the Corn
INTERMEDIATE (Medium):
These films might be a little scarier than the first rank. This is if you want something more intense and frightening without being fully petrified.
- Get Out
- The Exorcist
- The Shining
- Carrie
- The Silence of the Lambs
- Us
- Psycho
- The Grudge
- Dead Silence
- Nosferatu
- The Visit
- Midsommar
- The Witch
- Perfect Blue
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- Pet Sematary
ADVANCED (Dark)
Now these films might be a little dark and more psychologically terrifying than the rest of the movies listed. Viewer discretion is highly advised. Please do NOT say I didn’t warn you.
- Mother!
- Hereditary
- Ringu
- Host
- Eraserhead
- Pulse
- The Descent
- I Saw the Devil
- Tusk
- Rosemary’s Baby
When ranking these films, I would say my favorite beginner film that I would recommend is Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) by Guillermo del Toro. For intermediate, I would go with Carrie (1976) by Brian De Palma. Finally, for advanced, I highly recommend Hereditary (2018) by Ari Aster. I would also recommend looking at horror movies outside of America; other countries produce horror movies that are just as scary and really worth watching. Have fun watching these movies and have a Happy Halloween!