For as long as I could remember, I've loved horror. As a child, my dad would tell me scary stories on long car rides. When I grew up, I fell in love with Edgar Alan Poe and other authors alike, finding myself entrapped in their worlds of terror. Horror is perhaps one of the most underrated genres of all times. While most horror is written off as simply gory and campy, slasher is just one of the many sub-genres. What draws me most to horror is that it often offers a look at the nature of humanity, whether it be an mind-bending psychological thriller or a zombie flick with political undertones. For all of those who doubt horror, and those who already love it, here is a list of 10 horror movies that will give you an appreciation for the genre.
1. "The Shining" (1980)
A classic and one of my personal favorites, you can't go wrong with Stephen King. "The Shining" is a thriller with a psychological twist that will keep you engaged until the very end. "The Shining" introduced many motifs used in horror movies made thereafter
2. "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984)
The ruthless Fred Krueger stalks and murders teens in their sleep. The only question is, why? To find out, and see a young Johnny Depp in a crop top, check out the original "A Nightmare on Elm Street." Whatever you do, don't fall asleep!
3. "Donnie Darko" (2001)
If you're not a fan of gore, then "Donnie Darko" is for you. After escaping a near death experience, Donnie, played by a young Jake Gyllenhaal, is confronted by Frank, a life-size bunny, who tells him the date of the end of the world. The movie follows Donnie's attempt to change the events of the future, regardless of the cost. The franchise has maintained a cult following, and even gained a sequel, despite having come out over 16 years ago.
4. "Scream" (1996)
Even if you couldn't place it in the past, you no doubt recognize the ghostface mask. A year after Sidney Prescott's mother's death, a masked murderers appears, targeting the teenagers of her town. "Scream" follows Sidney and her friends as they find themselves in the middle of a twisted game of horror movie madness. As they work to unmask the villain, the gang discovers evidence that the slasher may be even be one of their own. The entire chilling, and at times hilarious, Wes Craven trilogy is available for you to binge watch on Netflix.
5. "V/H/S" (2012)
"V/H/S" is one of the most creative franchises of this current time. Over a series of videos, tales of horror are told that will keep you engaged long after the last videotape ends.
5. Jeepers Creepers (2001)
As if the song wasn't already creepy enough, the movie brings it's own thunder. Two siblings are unwittingly anger a demon during it's ritualistic killing spree. As they attempt to flee from its grasps, the creature seems to be one step ahead of them at every turn. Regardless of what you think of the movie, you'll never listen to the song the same way again.
8. Evil Dead (2013)
While I rarely recommend sequels over the originals, "Evil Dead" is the exception. Five childhood friends begin a weekend trip in the woods that ends with one of their own being possessed by a demon. "Evil Dead" is marvelously gorey and magnificently scary.
9. "Poltergeist" (1982)
One day, people will learn that building on top of burial grounds is not a good idea. However, that is not the case in "Poltergeist." After moving to a new home, the Freeling family begins to be pestered by supernatural forces that soon escalate into unbearable circumstances. When their daughter, Carol, is taken into the beyond, they must keep it together long enough to save her.
10. "The Exorcist" (1973)
Based on a true story, "The Exorcist" follows two priests's attempt to exorcise a demon from a young girl that turns out to be much more challenging than challenging than expected. Despite it's out of date special effects the movie is one of the most disturbingly terrifying horror movies of all time.
