Which is the Best Scary Movie? A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Scary movies are an integral part of popular culture. From classic horror films such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, to modern-day blockbusters like James Wan’s The Conjuring and Ari Aster’s Hereditary, there is no shortage of cinematic thrills and chills. In this article, we will explore which is the best scary movie by comparing the top ten scariest movies of all time, examining what makes a perfect scary movie, and ranking popular horror films based on audience reviews.

Comparison of Top Ten Scariest Movies of All Time

According to a survey conducted by Total Film magazine in 2005, the top ten scariest movies of all time are The Exorcist (1973), Jaws (1975), The Shining (1980), Alien (1979), The Thing (1982), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), An American Werewolf in London (1981), The Omen (1976), and Psycho (1960). Let’s take a closer look at each movie:

The Exorcist (1973): Directed by William Friedkin, this classic horror film tells the story of a young girl possessed by a demonic entity and the two priests who attempt to exorcise it from her. The movie has been praised for its psychological depth and intense atmosphere, and has earned numerous awards, including two Academy Awards. It is widely considered one of the greatest horror films of all time.

Jaws (1975): This Steven Spielberg-directed thriller follows Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) as he attempts to hunt down a great white shark terrorizing the shores of Amity Island. The movie was a critical and commercial success and spawned several sequels. It is also credited with popularizing the “summer blockbuster” concept.

The Shining (1980): Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) as he descends into madness while working as a caretaker at an isolated hotel. The movie received mixed reviews upon its initial release, but has since become a cult classic. It is widely regarded as one of the scariest films ever made.

Alien (1979): Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror masterpiece follows a crew of astronauts as they battle an extraterrestrial creature that has infiltrated their spacecraft. The movie was both a critical and commercial success, and has spawned several sequels and prequels. It is often cited as one of the greatest science fiction films of all time.

The Thing (1982): John Carpenter’s remake of the 1951 classic follows a group of scientists in Antarctica who discover a shape-shifting alien organism. The movie was a box office failure upon its initial release, but has since become a cult classic. It is widely considered one of the scariest films ever made.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974): This Tobe Hooper-directed horror classic follows a group of teenagers who are hunted by a family of cannibals. The movie was a box office success and has since spawned several sequels and remakes. It is often cited as one of the most influential horror films of all time.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991): Jonathan Demme’s adaptation of Thomas Harris’ novel follows FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she attempts to track down a serial killer with the help of another incarcerated murderer (Anthony Hopkins). The movie was a critical and commercial success, and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

An American Werewolf in London (1981): Directed by John Landis, this horror comedy follows two American tourists who are attacked by a werewolf while vacationing in England. The movie was a box office success and has since become a cult classic. It is widely considered one of the greatest horror-comedies of all time.

The Omen (1976): Richard Donner’s classic horror film follows a couple who discovers that their adopted son is actually the Antichrist. The movie was a box office success and has since spawned several sequels. It is often cited as one of the scariest films ever made.

Psycho (1960): Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece follows a secretary (Janet Leigh) who is murdered by a disturbed motel owner (Anthony Perkins). The movie was a critical and commercial success, and has since become a cult classic. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.

What Makes a Perfect Scary Movie?

So what makes a perfect scary movie? According to a study conducted by the University of Westminster in 2006, successful horror films tend to share certain elements, such as suspenseful music, gory special effects, and jump scares. However, the study also found that some of the most effective horror films contain subtle hints of horror, rather than relying solely on shock value.

In addition to these elements, horror films often contain common themes, such as fear of the unknown, fascination with death, and the idea that evil can be hidden in plain sight. These themes are often explored through characters, plot points, and even the setting of the film, adding to the overall atmosphere of fear and dread.

Ranking of Popular Horror Films Based on Audience Reviews

Now that we have examined the top ten scariest movies of all time and explored what makes a perfect scary movie, let’s take a look at some of the most popular horror films according to audience reviews. The following list contains the top ten highest-rated horror films on Rotten Tomatoes, as of June 2020:

• Get Out (2017)
• Hereditary (2018)
• It Follows (2015)
• A Quiet Place (2018)
• The Witch (2016)
• The Babadook (2014)
• The Conjuring (2013)
• The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
• The Descent (2006)
• The Invitation (2015)

These movies represent a diverse range of genres, from supernatural horror (It Follows) to psychological thrillers (The Invitation). Each movie has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from audiences, making them strong contenders for the title of best scary movie.

Review of Best Horror Movies from Each Decade

Finally, let’s take a look at some of the best horror movies from each decade. Here are the top ten highest-rated horror films from the 1950s to 2000s, according to IMDb user ratings:

• Psycho (1960)
• Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
• Halloween (1978)
• The Shining (1980)
• A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
• The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
• Scream (1996)
• The Sixth Sense (1999)
• The Others (2001)

These movies represent different genres and subgenres, from slasher films (Halloween) to supernatural thrillers (The Sixth Sense). They also feature iconic performances from actors such as Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs) and Jamie Lee Curtis (Halloween). What these movies have in common is that they are all considered classics of the horror genre, and have stood the test of time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the best scary movie is a difficult task, as there are so many excellent films to choose from. However, by examining the top ten scariest movies of all time, exploring what makes a perfect scary movie, and ranking popular horror films based on audience reviews, we can get a better sense of which films deserve the title of best scary movie. From classic horror films such as Psycho and The Shining, to modern-day blockbusters like Get Out and Hereditary, there is no shortage of cinematic thrills and chills.