Shaun of the Dead
Though a parody of the zombie genre, this goofy comedy is just as scary as it is hilarious. When zombies take over London, slacker Shaun attempts to get his life together on top of taking on the impending apocalypse. Written by British comedy duo Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, this cult classic is perfect for horror fans as well as anyone looking for a laugh.
Hocus Pocus
Not quite as frightening as it was in the fourth grade, “Hocus Pocus” still has the nostalgic charm of a Halloween classic. In this family film, three devious witches wreak havoc on a town after being accidentally summoned by an angsty teen. Even with its overall ridiculousness, this film continues to be a Halloween favorite. The cheesy humor and over-the-top acting make for a great choice if you’re looking for something that’s more funny than freaky.
The Others
“The Others” tells the tale of a woman whose paranoia leads her to believe that she and her sickly children are not alone in their isolated home. Though it might seem like just another haunted house story, Nicole Kidman’s performance as an overprotective mother and the film’s creeping pace make for an outstanding horror movie. Not to mention, the plot twist ending is just as startling as the movie itself.
Rear Window
When a photographer is confined to his apartment after an accident, he passes the time by observing the people in the apartment building next to his. After seeing what he believes to be a murder, he recruits his girlfriend and in-home nurse to help him catch the culprit. “Rear Window” perfectly demonstrates how Hitchcock could instill horror in his viewers without any gore or monsters.
The Blair Witch Project
Despite its minimal and low-budget nature, this film is tremendously scary. Paving the way for films like “Paranormal Activity,” “The Blair Witch Project” is presented as the found footage of three students who disappeared when making a documentary in the haunted woods of an urban legend. Extremely realistic and ending in a cliffhanger, this film is recommended for fans of the truly terrifying.
The Silence of the Lambs
You can’t go wrong with one of the most iconic villains of all time. And cannibal psychologist, Hannibal Lector. By balancing totally believable and totally disturbing, “The Silence of the Lambs” is terrifying in all the right ways. With its smart, suspenseful plot and Anthony Hopkins’ truly sinister performance, it’s easy to see why it’s the only horror movie to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Coraline
Don’t let the candy colors and animation fool you, this film is just as creepy as it is cute. When exploring her new home, a young girl discovers a secret world through a trap door. But as she spends more time in this parallel universe, she begins to realize that things are not as perfect as they seem. Though it’s designed for kids, Coraline’s every present eeriness is equally scary for twenty-somethings.
The Conjuring
If you still haven’t seen this summer’s scariest hit, now’s a great time to visit the nearest Redbox. This based-on-a-true story revolves around couple of paranormal investigators asked to help a family being haunted by a demon spirit. From creepy kids, exorcisms and evil dolls, “The Conjuring” pulls out all the stops for constant chills. While not groundbreaking, this solid film will still keep you up at night.
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