As such, several masterpieces over the years have come to define and re-define what horror is and what it can and should do. Several of these gems have become ingrained as an essential part of any cinephile’s required viewing list.
Whether it’s because they’re foundational horror films from cinema’s early days, or because they re-defined the genre for a new generation of filmmakers, or simply because they’re among the genre’s most iconic outings, these movies should all be considered essential viewing for movie lovers. From classics like The Shining to modern spectacles like Get Out, these are all masterpieces of fear-inducing cinema.
‘Faust’ (1926)
Whether they’re direct adaptations of the folktale and Goethe‘s classic adaptation, or simply inspired by them, adaptations of the tale of Faust are aplenty. However, none have ever even come close to the level of excellence of one of the very first horror movies ever made: 1926’s Faust, directed by legendary German filmmaker F. W. Murnau.
For those interested in seeing what horror was capable of achieving during cinema’s silent days, there’s no better introduction than Faust. This German Expressionist masterclass was Murnau’s last German film before he made the jump to Hollywood, and what a farewell it was. Visually striking, explosively performed, and surprisingly chilling for a film that’s a century old, it’s a must-watch that has aged like fine wine.
‘Get Out’ (2017)
With the Best Original Screenplay Oscar-winning Get Out, Jordan Peele proved that he wasn’t only one of the most talented and hilarious sketch comedians on the planet: He was also a powerhouse to look out for in the Hollywood horror scene going forward. Though he still hasn’t topped his debut with his subsequent films, we have to be fair here: It’s nearly impossible to top a horror movie that’s already pretty much perfect.
Get Out is essential viewing for those who would like to look at what horror can do in the 21st century. Flawlessly balancing sharp social and political commentary with a genuinely scary narrative, Get Out is one of the most perfect horror movies of the century so far. Impeccably directed by Peele and anchored by Daniel Kaluuya‘s tour-de-force lead performance, it’s everything that modern American horror should aim to be—and then some.
‘The Shining’ (1980)
In the eyes of many cinephiles, Stanley Kubrick is nothing short of the greatest filmmaker that’s ever lived. Like any great director, Kubrick experimented with several genres over the course of his career. There was one he only touched once, and that was horror—but that one time was more than enough. The Shining may not be particularly faithful to the Stephen King book it’s based on, but some may argue that it’s even better. It’s many people’s favorite horror film of all time.
For one, it’s one of those horror masterpieces with great acting, Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall delivering two of the most iconic and highly discussed horror performances of the 20th century. On top of that, the deeply atmospheric and sometimes slow-burning approach that Kubrick takes makes the story all the more disturbing, and makes the over-the-top third act feel like a mallet blow straight to the head.
‘The Thing’ (1982)
John Carpenter is an absolute legend and icon of horror, and as such, no list of the most essential horror films ever could ever be complete without mentioning at least one of his movies. And as far as John Carpenter movies go, it doesn’t get much better, more acclaimed, or more iconic than his sci-fi magnum opus, The Thing.
This alien invasion masterpiece is a remake of 1951’s The Thing from Another World, a sci-fi flick that served as a direct allegory for McCarthyism and the Red Scare. While Carpenter’s The Thing also serves similar allegorical functions, it’s also a far more universal tale of paranoia and group psychosis. That’s what has allowed it to remain so timeless, and that’s what makes it obligatory viewing for movie fans.
‘Jaws’ (1975)
If one were to imagine a hypothetical Steven Spielberg Mount Rushmore, there’s one film whose inclusion would be obligatory: His third-ever feature film and only second-ever theatrical movie, Jaws. It was this legendary creature feature that practically fathered the concept of summer blockbusters, and as such, it’s far and away one of the most historically important Hollywood pictures ever made.
It’s a masterclass in how to build terror and suspense while barely showing the monster at all. An intrepid display of how fun the genre can be when made by a crew that has no problem thinking on their feet, Jaws is a gem that’s equal parts delightful and chilling. The franchise it spawned may not be great, but the original is a must-see for cinephiles.
‘The Exorcist’ (1973)
Directed by William Friedkin and written by William Peter Blatty, based on the latter’s 1971 novel, The Exorcist has for a long time retained the title of “scariest film ever made” in many movie fans’ minds. Whether it is or isn’t #1 on that list is irrelevant; what’s absolutely undeniable is that this is one of the most perfect horror movies of the 20th century.
The Exorcist is also impeccably written, well-paced, and technically impressive.
For one, the performances are incredible, Linda Blair‘s powerhouse turn as a possessed girl standing out as one of the most memorable horror villain performances in film history. As if that weren’t enough, The Exorcist is also impeccably written, well-paced, and technically impressive. It’s a legend of the genre for a reason, and no cinephile’s film repertoire could ever be complete without it.
‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)
Whether The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror film or only one of the greatest thrillers of all time is a hotly debated topic, but in most people’s eyes, the former is true. And if that’s indeed the case, then this is undoubtedly one of the greatest, most disturbing, and most iconic horror films of all time, led by the amazing Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster.
Hopkins’ Lecter is one of the most legendary characters in cinema history—let alone horror—, but that’s not all that this masterpiece has going for it. It’s the third (and most recent) movie that’s ever won the Big Five Oscars (Picture, Directing, Screenplay, Actor, and Actress), and that’s for good reason. Psychologically profound and technically faultless, it’s a demonstration of how horrifyingly tied to reality some more modern horror movies can feel.
‘Alien’ (1979)
With Alien, Ridley Scott completely revolutionized the field of sci-fi horror. Pitched by writers Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett as “Jaws in space,” this masterpiece ended up becoming one of the greatest, most inventive, and most studied genre movies of the ’70s. It’s the kind of movie that changes how people look at horror forever.
It’s one of the best and most influential science fiction and horror films of all time, anchored by an excellent cast who all share out-of-this-world chemistry with each other. Drab and grim, the visuals are some of the best of any movie of its kind. The score? Haunting. The sound design? Flawless. The Xenomorph? Iconic. Sigourney Weaver? Beyond iconic. It’s essential horror viewing through and through.
‘Cure’ (1997)
The J-horror classic Cure may not be quite as mainstream or widely known as many of its Hollywood horror peers, but it’s nevertheless one of the greatest, darkest, and most relentlessly brutal horror films ever made. What director Kiyoshi Kurosawa made here is one of the most thought-provoking and mean-spirited studies of the dark side of human nature ever committed to celluloid.
That’s what makes Cure one of the best horror masterpieces of the ’90s, a film that every movie fan should see in order to appreciate what horror filmmakers are able to do overseas. It’s definitely not an easy watch, as its brutality makes it rather unfit for the faint of heart; but those with the stomach for it are in for an unforgettable experience.
‘Psycho’ (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock, Master of Suspense, mostly worked within the thriller genre. He was no stranger to horror, however, and he made that abundantly clear from the moment his very first horror film came out. Psycho made it clear that long-gone were the censorial days of Hays-Code-dominated Golden-Age Hollywood, and it was time for a new kind of horror cinema.
Aside from having one of the most groundbreaking plot twists in film history in the middle of its story, Psycho was also unprecedentedly dark and psychologically complex for a horror movie of its era. Nowadays, save for a finale that’s definitely excessively expository, it has aged like fine wine. It’s one of the greatest slasher movies of all time, and a must-see for all those who love classic cinema.
Psycho
- Release Date
-
September 8, 1960
- Runtime
-
109 minutes
Source link
