Another adaptation of a Stephen King novel, Misery is elevated by excellent performances from James Cann and Kathy Bates, turning it into one of the most frightening and harrowing horror films of all time. It’s pure white-knuckled intensity and you’d find yourself hard pressed not to be drawn into this chilling and unnvering tale right from the very start.
Anchored by a very strong character in Annie Wilkes, played so brilliantly by Kathy Bates, Misery is a horror film that is much deserving of a spot on this list. Full of tense moments, some truly terrifying scenes and a bit of humor as well, this is horror at its creepies, most nerve-racking and claustrophobic, making for a truly effective film, which also happens to contain one of the genre’s most famous scenes.
Misery works so well because it takes its time in building the suspense. Little by little we watch as Annie progresses from sane to completely off the rails, deranged and dangerous, propelling her right up to the ranks of psychopaths like Max Cady. The pacing is perfect and Annie’s character progression and the depth to her is part of what makes the film so effective.
For decades now Misery has been held in high regard by many critics, it is also beloved by fans. Watch it once and you’ll see why.
[h2]49) Re-Animator[/h2]
H.P. Lovecraft gets plenty of mention around the horror genre, having written so many tales of bizarre terror, but Stuart Gordon’s Re-Animator may be one of the best tales of Lovecraftian horror ever told. Haven’t had your fill of naked corpses, glowing green goo, and undead felines for the day? Well golly gee, do I have the movie for you!
All kidding aside, Re-Animator is a perfect blend of slapstick horror comedy and dementedly entertaining storytelling that just screams Lovecraft’s name. Call it body horror, undead horror, or torture horror – it’s just bloody good horror.
David Gale’s evil Dr. Hill proves to be the most memorable of villains, feeling the full benefits of the mystery serum which brings back his decapitated corpse and head, but Jeffrey Combs also deserves recognition for his portrayal of mad scientist Herbert West. These two genre characters alone are enough to recommend Gordon’s movie, but with so much silly carnage and guilty pleasure horror to witness, Re-Animator is a true classic that every genre fan absolutely must watch.
[h2]48) Videodrome[/h2]
What would a top 100 horror list be without David Cronenberg’s Videodrome? Though I’ve never been a huge fan myself, there’s no denying the influence that Cronenberg’s movie had on the genre.
James Woods is brilliant in the film, the visuals are certainly something and the surrealism of it all made Videodrome really stand out as its own beast. Despite things getting a bit silly at times, Videodrome remains fairly gripping throughout, with its mysterious story and disturbing imagery. It’s a weird film, a very weird film, but then again, this is David Cronenberg we’re talking about.
There is also an underlying message that Cronenberg is trying to get out, predictions that he is making about our future, some of which have come true. The film gets a lot of things dead on, that’s for sure. It’s a very smart movie and will definitely leave you thinking, but it’s a disturbing and unsettling watch, so be warned.
[h2]47) Shaun of the Dead[/h2]
Shaun of the Dead is an excellent film. Though it’s part comedy, and has a lot of very, very funny scenes, it definitely deserves a place on this list. The amount of references and nods to the genre here will have any horror fan grinning from ear to ear and you can tell that the film was made not by filmmakrs, but by true fans of the genre. There is no cheap parody here, the scenes we see before us have been crafted by people who have a genuine love for horror, and that’s part of what makes it so appealing.
Shaun of the Dead works as both a zombie film and a straight comedy, with physical gags and witty banter that will have you in stitches. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are excellent in the lead roles, offering interplay and dialogue that is just music to the ears. It’s not all laughs though. There are some great gore effects here and a couple frightening moments tossed in for good measure. The film does revolve around zombies too, so the horror elements are definitely there.
Plus, the master of zombie films himself, George Romero, gave his backing to the film. If that’s not enough to get you to watch it then I don’t know what is.
[h2]46) Martyrs[/h2]
This movie is perhaps one of the most disturbing I’ve ever had to watch. Once was enough to solidify its hold on my mind, and I can still recall most scenes clearly today simply because of how messed up they are. Director Pascal Laugier used some stunning imagery throughout Martyrs that is officially tattooed to the back of my eyes.
To explain the story would be both difficult and a pretty big spoiler, so look it up at your own risk, but just know that it will shake you up like nothing else has. The two halves of the film are complete opposites, yet both are played perfectly. As part of the rising French extreme horror movement, Martyrs is a perfect example of how to craft a visceral work of art. Word on the street is that there is an American remake on the way, and the director looks to inject some hope into this version. Martyrs is far too nihilistic for a concept such as hope, but too damn amazing to be ignored.
[h2]45) Dead Alive[/h2]
Dear Peter Jackson, please come back to the horror genre! I know directing the epic Lord of the Rings adaptations for billions of dollars in profit is fun and all, but why not throw us Dead Alive fans a bone here!
Seriously, Dead Alive is a piece of art, and by art, I really mean gorgeous horror created through overwhelming gore and wave after wave of infected zombie types.
Main character Lionel Cosgrove (Timothy Balme) can be found in the zombie slaying hall of fame for his gratuitously pulpy lawnmower defense scene, and not to mention the few “boss” like zombies he has to face, being a testament to how intensely ferocious Jackson’s zom-com actually is. With a film so bright and vivid with imagination, really being a horror achievement of sorts, it’s no wonder he’s been trusted with J.R.R. Tolkien’s book franchise. But, you know Peter, if you ever DO want to come back to horror, us fans will be waiting with open arms!
[h2]44) Let The Right One In[/h2]
Ah, vampire movies. They’ve become so ubiquitous – and toothless – lately that one almost despairs of them ever being scary again. Leave it to the Swedes to put the horror and the pathos back into vampires.
Let The Right One In gives us two lonely children, one of them a bloodsucking serial killer. But that’s all right, because they’re there for each other. Half the film plays out like an adolescent romance, as Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) develops his friendship with Eli (Lina Leandersson) in the dark Swedish winter. Up until Eli actually begins murdering people and drinking their blood, it’s a very sweet story.
But it really remains sweet. Oskar’s friendship with Eli gives him the strength to begin fighting back against his bullies. Set against the backdrop of Sweden in the winter, it’s a story imbued with darkness that ultimately comes to the conclusion that sometimes darkness is OK. If you’re a vampire, in fact, it’s preferable to the light. There are scenes of some pretty extreme gore – the best being the closing scene in the swimming pool, which is just amazing – but you forever feel sympathy with the children. It’s them against the world of light, and damn if you don’t want the darkness to win.
[h2]43) The Orphanage[/h2]
Did I mention that Guillermo del Toro is awesome? No? Well I’m saying it now. Although he did not direct The Orphanage (El Orfanato) – the credit should go to J.A. Bayona – the film is nevertheless very much in keeping with his filmography. I still find it difficult not to think of this one as a del Toro film.
Whoever is responsible for it, The Orphanage ranks right up there as one of the best haunted house movies I’ve ever seen. The plot follows Laura (Belen Rueda), who returns home with her husband (Fernando Cayo) and son Simon (Roger Princep) to re-open the orphanage that she grew up in. Weird things begin to happen, including the appearance of the boy Tomas in a sack-cloth mask, all leading up to the disappearance of the terminally-ill Simon after a fight with his mother.
The Orphanage is much creepier than scary – the random appearances of Tomas, the strange sounds in the house, etc. – and punctuates its horror with quiet, sad moments. Simon is wise beyond his years, the orphanage haunted – literally and figuratively – by the ghosts of the motherless children. It’s one of the few haunted house movies that will frighten you and move you in equal measure. Forget ranking it up there with horror films – The Orphanage is a great film period.
[h2]42) Child’s Play[/h2]
As if being a kid isn’t hard enough, what are you to do when horror movies start targeting your worst fears? Sure, Child’s Play was rated R and meant for adults, but how many children were shown a new nightmare after “accidentally” watching this classic? Brad Dourif’s turn as Chucky the killer doll is one of the most famed in horror history, and Chucky himself has become an icon. The pint-sized killer monster was a vicious little guy, and his use of a hammer in the first film still creates a phantom headache in fans.
More inventive than the slashers before him, and much funnier at times, Chucky’s legacy continued through the sequels, both good and terrible. But it all started in Child’s Play, and children across the world have never looked at stuffed animals the same way since. A film able to cause eternal mistrust in one of the most comforting items a child could have is truly diabolical, and Child’s Play perfectly fits the bill.
[h2]41) Return of the Living Dead[/h2]
There are some zombie movies which treat the topic the the utmost seriousness, and then there are films like The Return of the Living Dead which have an uncanny sense of humor about the subject. I’m not sure which I prefer when done 100% perfectly, but Dan O’Bannon makes a steadfast argument for humor in this 80s throwback classic. Why can’t all horror movies just have been made in the 80s?
O’Bannon’s film isn’t the flashiest of horror movies either, despite the atrocious clothing styles of the 80s, and has a real low-budget feel that works perfectly with the schlocky material. The zombies are also cut from a different cloth, moving around like people and talking, which offers an interesting take on the tired walking zombies we’re so used to.
Oh, and there’s plenty of cheese-tastic 80s ridiculousness like a hot naked chick dancing naked in a graveyard, awesome costumes that use no CGI to show the zombies, and downright hilarious acting at times from some of the cast. In the end though, it’s nothing but good, clean, genre fun – well, not too clean actually, but it’s damn good fun nonetheless.
Continue reading on the next page…