2.10. The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin, adapted from the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. The book, inspired by the 1949 exorcism of Roland Doe, tells the story of a 12-year-old girl, Regan MacNeil, who is possessed by a demon and must be exorcised by two priests in order to save her life.
The Exorcist was released theatrically in the United States on December 26, 1973, by Warner Bros. Although its release was overshadowed by the deaths of several cast members during production, the film became one of the highest-grossing films of all time, grossing $441 million worldwide. It was the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and won two Oscars for Best Sound Mixing and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The film has had a significant impact on popular culture. It was named the scariest film of all time by Entertainment Weekly in 1999 and was ranked number one on Bravo’s 100 Scariest Movie Moments in 2006. In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the film to be preserved in the National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.
The Exorcist is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential horror films of all time. Here are the top 10 reasons why:
1. The Exorcist is one of the most suspenseful and scary movies ever made. From the opening scene with Linda Blair’s character Regan playing with a Ouija board, to the demon’s first appearance, to the famous scene where Regan’s head spins around 360 degrees – the Exorcist is a masterclass in how to keep an audience on the edge of their seats.
2. The Exorcist features some of the best acting performances in any horror movie. Linda Blair is perfectly believable as the young girl possessed by a demon, while Max von Sydow is superb as the priest who is called in to perform the exorcism.
3. The Exorcist has an iconic soundtrack that is as scary as the movie itself. The music, composed by Oscar-winner Jerry Goldsmith, includes the unforgettable main theme – which is guaranteed to send a chill down your spine.
4. The special effects in The Exorcist are still impressive today, almost 50 years after the movie was first released. The head-spinning scene is particularly effective, and was achieved using a combination of puppetry and rotoscoping – a technique which involves filming live action footage and then tracing over it frame by frame.
5. The Exorcist is based on a true story, which makes it all the more chilling. The possession of Roland Doe was one of the most famous cases of demonic possession in history, and it’s easy to see why it inspired William Peter Blatty to write his novel.
6. The Exorcist was directed by William Friedkin, who also directed The French Connection – another classic movie which is widely considered to be one of the best films ever made.
7. The Exorcist was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture – a remarkable achievement for a horror movie. It went on to win two Oscars, for Best Sound Mixing and Best Adapted Screenplay.
8. The Exorcist has a memorable ending that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. Spoiler alert: Regan’s mother Chris (played by Ellen Burstyn) finally manages to get her daughter back after the demon is exorcised – but at what cost?
9. The Exorcist spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs, but none of them come close to matching the quality of the original. If you’re looking for a classic horror movie to watch this Halloween, there’s only one choice.
10. Last but not least, The Exorcist is simply the greatest horror movie ever made. It’s scary, suspenseful, well-acted, excellently directed, and based on a true story. What more could you ask for?
3.9. The Shining (1980)
The Shining is a 1980 American horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name. The film’s story revolves around Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts a position as the off-season caretaker at the isolate Overlook Hotel in Colorado. His young son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), possesses “the shining”, an ability to see into the hotel’s horrific past using the power of the Torrance family’s overlaid spirits. Wendy Torrance (Shelley Duvall), Jack’s wife, struggles to deal with Jack’s alcoholism and Danny’s visions.
The Shining is widely considered to be one of the greatest horror films ever made, and is based on one of the most popular horror novels of all time. Here are my top 10 favorite things about this classic film:
1. The Overlook Hotel – The Shining takes place in the beautiful but eerie Overlook Hotel, which is the perfect setting for a horror movie. The hotel is isolated and cut off from the outside world, which makes it all the more creepy.
2. Jack Nicholson – Jack Nicholson gives one of his best performances as Jack Torrance, the caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. He is absolutely terrifying as he slowly descends into madness, and his performance is one of the main reasons why The Shining is such a great horror movie.
3. Danny Lloyd – Danny Lloyd also does a great job as Danny Torrance, Jack’s young son who has “the shining”. He is very believable as a child who is seeing terrifying things that no one else can see.
4. The Opening Sequence – The Shining has one of the best opening sequences of any movie. It sets the tone for the whole film and introduces the viewer to the Overlook Hotel and its eerie atmosphere.
5. The hedge maze scene – The hedge maze scene is one of the most iconic scenes in The Shining. It is suspenseful, scary, and perfectly executed.
6. Wendy Torrance – Shelley Duvall does a great job as Wendy Torrance, Jack’s wife. She is able to convey the terror and helplessness that Wendy feels as she watches her husband slowly lose his mind.
7. The music – The Shining has an excellent score that helps to create a tense and scary atmosphere. It is one of the reasons why the hedge maze scene is so effective.
8. The ending – The ending of The Shining is Perfect. It is unexpected, unpredictable, and horrifying. It is a fitting end to an excellent film.
9. The influence – The Shining is one of the most influential horror movies of all time. It has inspired many other films and has become a classic in the genre.
10. It’s just a great movie – The Shining is simply a great movie. It is well-made, well-acted, and genuinely scary. It is a must-watch for any fan of horror movies.
4.8. Halloween (1978)
It’s that time of year again! Time to curl up with a good horror movie and some popcorn. If you’re looking for a good scare, check out our list of the top 10 horror movies. Halloween is a classic horror movie from 1978 that is sure to give you nightmares. The movie follows the story of Michael Myers, a killer who escapes from a mental hospital and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again. He is stalking and murdering teenage babysitters on the night before Halloween. If you’re looking for a suspenseful and scary movie, this is the one for you!
5.7. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
5.7. A Nightmare on Elm Street is a classic horror movie that was released in 1984. The movie is about a group of teenagers who are terrorized by a serial killer who kills them in their dreams. The movie was directed by Wes Craven and starred Robert Englund as the killer, Freddy Krueger. The movie was a huge hit with audiences and critics alike, and it spawned a franchise that includes several sequels and a remake.
The movie is often cited as one of the best horror movies of all time, and it is certainly one of the most influential. It popularized the concept of the “slasher” movie, and it introduced many of the tropes that would become associated with the genre. It is also notable for its use of special effects, which were groundbreaking at the time.
If you’re a fan of horror movies, then you need to check out A Nightmare on Elm Street. It’s a classic that is sure to send chills down your spine.
6.6. The Ring (2002)
When it comes to the best horror movies, there are a lot of great ones out there. But if we’re talking about the top 10 horror movies, then the 2002 remake of The Ring has to be on that list.
The Ring is a masterpiece of horror. It’s creepy, suspenseful, and full of scares. It’s the kind of movie that will keep you up at night, thinking about all the ways you could die.
The story follows a group of friends who discover a video tape that is said to kill whoever watches it seven days later. Of course, they all watch it, and the race is on to figure out how to break the curse before it’s too late.
The Ring is full of chilling moments, great acting, and a story that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. If you’re looking for a horror movie that will really scare you, then The Ring is a must-watch.
7.5. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is considered one of the most influential horror films of all time. It created a new wave of horror films that emphasized more gore and violence. The film follows a group of friends who are traveling through Texas and end up being terrorized by a family of cannibals. The film was controversial at the time of its release due to its graphic content. It was banned in several countries and was not released in the United States until 1979. Despite its controversy, the film was a box office success and has since spawned numerous sequels and remakes.
8.4. Alien (1979)
The top 10 horror movies are, in my opinion:
1. The Exorcist
2. The Shining
3. The Omen
4. The Amityville Horror
5. The Ring
6. The Grudge
7. The Conjuring
8. Alien
9. The Silence of the Lambs
10. Jaws
There are many great horror movies that didn’t make my top 10 list, but these are the ones that I feel are the best of the best. Alien is a classic horror movie that has terrified audiences for generations. The story of a group of astronauts who are terrorized by a deadly creature is one that is still relevant today. The movie is suspenseful, scary, and unforgettable. If you haven’t seen Alien, I highly recommend it. It is a true classic in the horror genre.
9.3. The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring is one of the most terrifying and well-made horror movies in recent years. The story is based on the true story of the Warrens, a husband and wife team of paranormal investigators who were called to help a family being terrorized by a dark force in their home.
The Conjuring is directed by James Wan, who also directed the first Saw movie, and it shows in the way that the movie is both scary and suspenseful. The acting is also top-notch, with Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as the Warrens, and Lili Taylor as the mother of the family being terrorized.
The Conjuring is a must-see for any horror fan, and is one of the best horror movies of the past few years.
10.2. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly 30 years since The Silence of the Lambs first hit theaters. The Oscar-winning movie, based on Thomas Harris’ novel of the same name, cemented itself as a classic of the horror genre, and its impact is still felt today. Here are 10 things you might not know about The Silence of the Lambs.
1. JODIE FOSTER WASN’T THE FIRST CHOICE TO PLAY CLARICE STARLING.
First in line for the role of intrepid FBI trainee Clarice Starling was Michelle Pfeiffer, who turned it down. A young Julia Roberts was also considered, but it was Foster who ultimately won out—and she earned her first Oscar for the role.
2. HANNIBAL LECTER WAS BASED ON A REAL-LIFE SERIAL KILLER.
Dr. Hannibal Lecter, one of cinema’s most iconic villains, was based on a real-life killer: American psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial murderer Ted Bundy. Like Lecter, Bundy was charming and intelligent, making him all the more terrifying.
3. ANTHONY HOPKINS REFUSED TO SHAKE JODIE FOSTER’S HAND UNTIL AFTER THEY FINISHED FILMING.
In order to stay in character as the sociopathic Dr. Lecter, Hopkins refused to break character and shake Foster’s hand during filming. He finally shook her hand after they wrapped, telling her, “You’re a good kid, Starling.”
4. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS WAS INSPIRED BY A SERIES OF REAL-LIFE MURDERS.
The film was based on Harris’s 1988 novel of the same name, which was itself inspired by the real-life case of Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein, who also inspired Psycho’s Norman Bates. Gein skinned his victims and made furniture and clothing out of their remains; he also had a penchant for keeping body parts in jars around his farmhouse.
5. THE FILM WAS SHOT IN ONLY FOUR AND A HALF WEEKS.
Despite its complexity, The Silence of the Lambs was shot in a relatively short amount of time—just four and a half weeks.
6. ANTHONY HOPKINS IMPROVISED ONE OF LECTER’S MOST MEMORABLE LINES.
In the scene where Dr. Lecter is eating a census taker’s brain, he says, “I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.” The line was not in the original script, but rather was improvised by Hopkins in the moment.
7. HANNIBAL LECTER WASN’T THE ONLY PSYCHOPATH IN THE FILM.
While Dr. Lecter is certainly the most famous psychopath in The Silence of the Lambs, he’s not the only one. Buffalo Bill, the serial killer Lecter is helping Starling track down, is also a psychopath—though of a different variety. While Lecter is a narcissistic psychopath, Bill is a sociopath.
8. JODIE FOSTER HAD TO WEAR A PROSTHETIC NOSE FOR THE ROLE.
Foster has famously said that she had to wear a prosthetic nose for the role of Clarice Starling, as her own nose is too “distinctive.” She has also said that she was grateful for the nose, as it helped her to disappear into the character.
9. THE MOVIE WASN’T AN INSTANT HIT WITH CRITICS.
While The Silence of the Lambs has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed films of all time, it wasn’t an instant hit with critics. In fact, some critics were quite unimpressed with the film when it first came out. Time magazine’s Richard Corliss called it “a parody of a thriller,” while The New York Times’ Janet Maslin said it was “more manipulative than suspenseful.”
10. IT’S ONE OF ONLY THREE HORROR MOVIES TO WIN BEST PICTURE AT THE OSCARS.
The Silence of the Lambs made history at the 1992 Academy Awards, becoming only the third horror movie to win Best Picture (after The Exorcist in 1973 and Jaws in 1975). It also won Oscars for Best Actor (Hopkins), Best Actress (Foster), Best Adapted Screenplay (Ted Tally), and Best Director (Jonathan Demme).
11.1. Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho is one of the most influential horror films of all time. It was released in 1960 and stars Anthony Perkins as the iconic killer, Norman Bates. The movie follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), a woman who steals $40,000 from her employer and goes on the run. She ends up at the Bates Motel, where she meets Norman. From there, the film takes a truly terrifying turn.
Psycho has been praised for its innovative camera work, its use of soundtrack, and its ability to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. It’s also been credited with popularizing the “shower scene” trope. If you’re a fan of horror movies, Psycho is a must-watch.
Here are 10 other horror films that are worth checking out:
1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
2. The Exorcist (1973)
3. The Shining (1980)
4. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
5. Halloween (1978)
6.Friday the 13th (1980)
7. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
9. Scream (1996)
10. Saw (2004)
