Horror films can be some of the most divisive out there: those that rely on cheap thrills are often criticized for their lack of story, while those with a more narrative style can often be dismissed as “It’s not scary enough.” Those few horror films that manage to perfectly walk the line between the two styles are the ones that really stand out from the crowd, and there are several classics that fit that description. The best horror movies of all time know how to do this and make it look easy.
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In the last decade there has been a marked increase in the so-called “elevated horror”, which essentially refers to horror films that also have socially relevant concepts integrated into their narrative. The trend started with movies like Go out and has grown in popularity ever since, and is a perfect example of this precise combination of storytelling and scares that is so necessary for a horror film to work. But it’s been around much longer than high horror, and certain projects have mastered the craft. Many great independent horror films were champions of this idea.
10 Hereditary (2018)
Directed by Ari Aster
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Hereditary is a unique type of movie that doesn’t actually get absolutely terrifying until the final act, but instead uses everything that comes before to build suspense and set the stage for what’s to come. The film follows a grieving family as they begin to learn about the supernatural secrets of their ancestors, as ghosts and spirits begin to blend into their daily lives. It’s scary when it needs to be, but the story has enough twists and turns to keep audiences interested.
9 The Shining (1980)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Kubrick the glow is adapted from Stephen King’s great novel of the same name, and rather than relying on jump scares to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, it slowly builds tension and uses grotesque imagery to get under the viewer’s skin. The story follows the Torrance family, who works at a remote hotel during the winter and soon learns of the building’s turbulent past.
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8 The Conjuring (2013)
Directed by James Wan
While the spell has grown into a hugely successful horror franchise with its sequels and spin-offs, the original film remains the scariest of the bunch. It follows Ed and Lorraine Warren, two paranormal investigators called to the home of a family who they believe are being haunted by ghosts. It’s a very traditional haunted house story, but the way Wan weaves this intricate narrative together with some very effective scares is something you don’t see too often.
7 us (2019)
Directed by Jordan Peele
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Peele’s follow-up to Go out It’s often overshadowed by its predecessor, but the filmmaker’s second film is just as chilling and well-written as his first. The story centers on a family that comes into contact with their doppelgängers, leading them to discover the truth about a species of quasi-humans that live beneath the Earth’s surface. There is a great mix of terror, tension, and brutal violence to please fans of all types of horror movies.
6 The Babadook (2014)
Directed by Jennifer Kent
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The Babadook is a perfect example of what has come to be understood as “elevated horror.” While there are many scares and terrifying moments that allow the film to be easily classified as horror, the main focus of the project is always the family dynamic at its core. It is the story of a boy who believes he is having visions of a demonic creature known as the Babadook, and his suspicious mother, who soon realizes that something is very wrong.
5 Midsommar (2019)
Directed by Ari Aster
Aster’s tracking Hereditary is much less horror-focused than its debut, instead weaving an intricate story about sacrifice, cultural differences, and destiny that gradually creates a suffocating atmosphere from start to finish. There’s a constant feeling that something isn’t quite right and that finally pays off in a shocking horror-filled third act. Midsommar is filled with hidden details that make the film endlessly rewatchable, proving that every narrative beat is precisely plotted and ordered from the beginning.
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4 Saint Maud (2020)
Directed by Rose Glass
While Saint Maud Although it flew somewhat under the radar due to its limited release and lack of critical fanfare, the film is actually one of the scariest releases in recent years. It follows a young nurse who becomes engulfed in her patient’s religious fervor and drawn into a terrifying case of divinity and sacrilege. The film is a slow burn that works its way under the audience’s skin before finally revealing itself in the final act, delivering a gripping conclusion that is not easily forgotten.
3 Fun Games (1997)
Directed by Michael Haneke
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fun games is one of the scariest home invasion movies ever filmed, not only for the brutality on display but also for its chilling commentary on human nature and our tendency toward violence. It speaks directly to the audience, drawing them into this story and using horror simply as a vehicle to drive its terrifying message.
2 The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos
Yorgos Lanthimos has a very distinctive filmmaking style, and while it can’t always be classified as horror, this film is the closest he’s come. Starring Colin Farrell, Barry Keoghan and Nicole Kidman, the film follows a wealthy surgeon who is tortured by his young friend’s supernatural powers and demonic visions of the future.
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1 The Candy Man (1992)
Directed by Bernard Rose
The candy man is filled with sinister lines and eerie images that immediately set the stage for this cerebral horror, long before the actual terrors hit the screen. It’s a masterclass in how to draw an audience into a story, setting up a gripping mystery with fascinating characters and tangible clues, before burning it all up in a shocking finale that catches the viewer completely off guard.