What Are The Top 10 Scariest Movies.

Get ready to be frightened! If you’re an avid fan of spine-chilling tales and movies that see you waking up in the middle of the night with lights ablaze, then welcome. We have compiled a list of the what are the top 10 scariest movies. movies that have terrorized audiences for decades with their suspenseful tension, horrific visuals, and really disturbing themes. These are not your average jump-scare films; these are movie experiences that burrow their way under your skin and remain in your head long after the credits have finished rolling. Horror classics through modern-day terrors, this list offers the straight-up scariest films to ever grace the silver screen, guaranteed to make even the most seasoned horror fans jump.

From scares that stem from psychological horrors to supernatural terrors to adrenaline jolts, there’s something in our lineup guaranteed to satiate your deepest terrors. We examine what terrifies you about each of these films, from their iconic monsters and sinister situations to their clever mechanics of delivering their iconic scares. Grab a blankie, dim the lights (if you can handle it!), and get set to journey to the heart of fear itself with the most terrifying films of all time. But don’t say we didn’t give you a heads up: you might want to grab a nightlight after a visit there.

The Exorcist (1973)

Starring: Linda Blair, Max von Sydow, Ellen Burstyn

“The Exorcist” remains a benchmark for all horror films and a great representation of one of the most frightening films to have been produced. The film’s graphic, disturbing portrayal of demonic possession is chilling to watch and continues to shock, frighten, and terrify viewers many years after it came out. The film itself centers on demonic possession in a 12-year-old girl, Regan MacNeil, as well as her mother’s and two priests’ desperate attempts to save her soul with a horrific exorcism. The film’s gory imagery, along with its good vs. evil premise, create a feel of unbroken terror and make for a very uncomfortable viewing. The film’s classic head-turning scene along with Regan’s strained, guttural voice are imprinted in the popular consciousness of horror film viewers and make the film a legend.

What succeeds so well in “The Exorcist” is its slow-building tension and its realism, even in its supernatural plot. The acting is intense, realistic, and draws you into Regan’s terrible experience. The film isn’t a cheap-scare movie but instills a pervasive feeling of fear, of foreboding, which clings to you as you leave the movie palace. The film’s themes of vulnerability, of the unknown, of good versus evil, are ageless and still hold up today. “The Exorcist” is a more than a horror film; it’s a phenomenon that’s given rise to generations of horror films, still a chilling testament to the power of psychological and supernatural terror, solidifying it as one of the scariest films of all time.

Hereditary (2018)

Starring: Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro

Okay, let’s just get one thing straight: “Hereditary” isn’t just another scary movie—Ari Aster basically took the horror genre, chewed it up, and spat out something way more disturbing. Seriously, if you’ve got family baggage, this thing will poke at every bruise and then set the whole suitcase on fire. It kicks off with the Graham family stumbling through the aftermath of their super creepy grandma’s death, and from there? Pure chaos. Weird stuff starts happening, and not the “who left the fridge open” kind of stuff—like actually unsettling, no-thank-you kind of stuff.

And Toni Collette? Absolute legend. Half the reason I couldn’t sleep for a week was her performance as Annie—the mom who’s kind of hanging on by a thread (and maybe the thread’s on fire too). The movie juggles messed-up family drama and witchy, culty horror without missing a beat. It’s way more than jump scares; it burrows into your brain, tiptoes around, and just refuses to leave. If you’re after a haunted house ride, look elsewhere—this is more like being locked inside with your own worst nightmares. In short: watch it, but maybe leave the lights on.

Man, “Hereditary” seriously messes with your head. It isn’t about those dumb jump scares that make you spill your popcorn—it goes for the slow-burn, let’s-ruin-your-sleep kind of terror. The way it just *marinates* you in pure dread… chef’s kiss, honestly. You can almost feel the grief seeping out of the screen, like everyone’s spiraling and there’s literally nothing you can do but watch the carnage unfold. Every weird look, every shadow, every totally bonkers family meltdown just piles on this nasty, gut-twisting vibe that something’s waaay off.

And that climax? Good luck forgetting it. I swear, the ending practically grabs you by the shoulders and screams, “You’re not safe anywhere!” It’s so raw and unsettling, but also super smart—like, it’s not just one-note horror. It digs into how families fall apart and adds this supernatural “are you kidding me” punch. No wonder it’s up there with the scariest horror movies ever; it kinda ruins a chunk of your day, and yeah, maybe that’s the highest compliment.

The Conjuring (2013)

Starring: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston

James Wan really knocked it out of the park with “The Conjuring.” I mean, seriously—rarely do you find a horror flick that makes you double check the corners of your room after it ends. It’s not just some cheap jump scare fest (although, don’t get me wrong, there are some moments that’ll have your popcorn flying). The tense, creepy vibe? Absolutely top-tier. And Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as Ed and Lorraine Warren? Total power couple, bringing exactly the right level of spooky-believability and big heart to the chaos.

The Perron family’s nightmare in that farmhouse gets under your skin fast. You keep thinking, “Would I even last a night in that house? Probably not.” The whole thing just builds and builds—slow burn, then boom, your heart’s pounding, and you’re clutching a pillow for dear life. For my money, if you call yourself a horror fan and you haven’t seen this, what are you even doing? It’s legit one of the creepiest movies out there—no exaggeration.

What really freaks me out about “The Conjuring” isn’t just the creepy ghosts or the jump scares (though, seriously, those got me good), but how the movie just nails that old-school horror vibe while slapping you with all the fancy modern tricks. James Wan, man, that dude knows exactly how to mess with your nerves—creaky floorboard sound here, slow pan there, and BOOM, you’re practically in the next seat after a jump scare.

And it’s not just cheap thrills, either. The whole “based on a true story” angle? Come on. That will have you double-checking your closet before bed—don’t even try to pretend otherwise. The evil thing haunting the Perrons is nightmare fuel, but it’s the Warrens doing their ghostbuster routine that pulls you in and actually makes you root for someone to survive. Honestly, “The Conjuring” doesn’t just dust off the haunted house flick—nah, it takes the genre, shakes it up, and makes you remember why you leave the lights on after horror movies. Top-tier scary flick for sure, no question.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Starring: Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger

Man, Tobe Hooper really went off the deep end with “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.” This thing isn’t just a movie—it’s like someone bottled pure anxiety and dumped it straight onto the screen. And, wild thing is, there’s not even that much blood, right? People always remember it as a gore-fest, but it’s all about the nasty vibes and that guttural panic attack it gives you. Leatherface just bumbling around with his mask and that godawful chainsaw… honestly, nightmare fuel for days.

Plot’s basic enough: a bunch of friends are road-tripping through the middle of nowhere Texas and crash into what has to be the sketchiest family barbecue you could possibly imagine. Cannibal fam, meat hooks, screams echoing through the sweaty countryside—it’s not exactly Martha Stewart Living. The way Hooper shoots everything, all shaky camera and weird noises, just traps you in this sticky, claustrophobic mess that doesn’t let up.

And look, most horror flicks throw buckets of blood at you ’cause they got nothing else, but this one? All it needs is that old grainy look and the way it makes Texas feel like hell on earth. Scares you right down to the bones. Leatherface himself? Basically the blueprint for every slasher villain after. Dude’s a big, lumbering, human meat grinder in a mask someone probably shouldn’t have worn to Grandma’s.

Real talk: if you’re into horror at all, you gotta give this one its props. It broke the rules and set new ones everyone else tried to copy. Pure, sweaty-palmed, don’t-look-away terror. Even if you think modern stuff is gnarlier, trust me, this one’s still gonna mess you up.

Alien (1979)

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright

Man, Ridley Scott’s “Alien” just *oozes* dread—like, straight-up panic attack in space. You’ve got this big, empty universe, but somehow you feel like the walls are caving in? That’s talent. And let’s be real: that Xenomorph isn’t just scary, it’s actual nightmare fuel. Shout out to H.R. Giger for designing something so messed up it probably haunts his own dreams. One minute you’re rooting for the Nostromo crew, next thing you know, it’s a full-on bloodbath.

And Sigourney Weaver as Ripley—what a badass. She’s not just another scream queen; she’s smart, tough, and you actually *believe* she’s going to throw down with this space demon. When the tension ramps up, you feel it in your bones, like waiting for a jump scare that doesn’t happen, just this slow, choking anxiety.

The Nostromo itself feels less like a spaceship and more like a haunted house with malfunctioning doors. Every dark corner practically begs you to yell at the screen, “Don’t go in there!” But they always do, right? And that first chestburster scene? I don’t care how tough you think you are, that’s just pure, gross-out, WHAT THE HELL horror. Hands down, still one of the most shocking movie moments ever.

So why’s “Alien” still so terrifying? It’s got everything—suspense, gore, claustrophobia, legit sci-fi, and perfect pacing. A real classic. Watch it alone at night and just try to sleep easy. Good luck.

The Shining (1980)

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd

Look, “The Shining” isn’t just some run-of-the-mill haunted hotel flick—it’s the sort of movie that chews you up, spits you out, and then winks at you. Seriously, Kubrick goes way past jump scares. You’re dropped into this enormous, echoey hotel during winter, and yeah, it’s gorgeous…until you realize it’s basically a labyrinth built to unravel human sanity. Poor Jack (Nicholson, totally unhinged in the best possible way) is supposed to look after the place, but instead, we get a masterclass in how cabin fever can melt your brain. He loses it, his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall, who deserved better honestly) is left scrambling, and their son Danny? Don’t get me started on the kid and his creepy “redrum” stuff. Yikes.

The hotel itself feels alive—like, genuinely, it’s a villain. Those hallways never end, the carpet looks like a fever dream, and the walls may actually whisper if you listen close enough. And yeah, the Grady twins? Nope. Hard pass. Those shots just stick with you forever. Then there’s the river of blood from the elevator—who comes up with this stuff? Kubrick does, apparently. He slaps you with all this weirdness, and you’re just left to stew in it, wondering what’s real and what’s just Jack going nuts.

Honestly, the scariest thing isn’t even the ghosts. It’s how isolation makes people snap, and the way the movie never really tells you what’s real. Are there actual spirits? Is this just Jack’s brain crumbling under pressure? The ambiguity’s half the terror. No wonder people are still picking this movie apart, frame by frame, decades later. It’s iconic—case closed. If this isn’t on your “most terrifying movies ever” list, you’re just wrong, my friend.

Psycho (1960)

Starring: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles

Alright, here’s the real talk on “Psycho.” Forget everything you thought you knew about old-school thrillers—this one basically drop-kicked the genre into a whole new era. Hitchcock just went, “Oh, you think you know suspense? Hold my camera.” I mean, the man gave us that shower scene, the one that probably made a generation check behind the curtain before hopping in (still do, honestly).

So the plot: Marion Crane grabs some cash and tries to do a runner, then stumbles into Bates Motel, where Norman—played by Anthony Perkins with this kind of twitchy, what’s-he-hiding vibe—welcomes her. Oh, and let’s not skip over his “mother.” If you know, you know. The movie just slithers under your skin. Seriously, Perkins’ Norman is the kind of unsettling that sticks with you like a bad dream after a midnight cheese binge.

But here’s the wild part: Hitchcock rips up the rulebook. The big shocker in the middle? Audiences in the ‘60s must’ve dropped their popcorn. He takes what everyone expects—hero, villain, outcome—and scrambles it like breakfast eggs. It’s devious. And the way he builds tension? It’s all suggestion, weird angles, shadows that play tricks with your mind. Basically, you’re sweating for half the movie because you know something’s off, but you can’t pin it down.

“Psycho” totally messed with filmmakers that came after, too. Horror, thrillers—pretty much any flick where you’re nervously peeking through your fingers—owe this film big time. Plus, Norman Bates is proof you never really know what’s going on behind someone’s polite smile. It’s not just scary because of jump scares—it’s scary because it just feels disturbingly possible.

Honestly? “Psycho” isn’t just one of the scariest movies ever. It’s the blueprint. It’s that movie everyone tries to top, but…they kind of never do.

Ringu (1998) (The Ring)

Starring: Nanako Matsushima, Miki Nakatani, Hiroyuki Sanada

Hideo Nakata’s “Ringu“—man, this movie messed me up for weeks when I first saw it. Forget your jump scares and cheap thrills, this is the real nightmare fuel. You’ve got Reiko, a journalist who stumbles onto this cursed VHS tape (yeah, VHS—remember those? Good times), and anyone who dares to watch it is basically served a death sentence in seven days. No ifs, ands, or buts.

What really twists the knife, though, is how Nakata turns the volume up on dread one awkward, crawling notch at a time. The whole vibe is pure anxiety—grainy footage, weird silences, Sadako with her hair in her face coming out of TVs… Honestly, you’re never safe, not even in your living room. It’s the sort of horror that doesn’t shout—just lingers in the back of your mind like an unanswered phone call at 3 a.m.

You wanna see why people still talk about this one decades later? Simple. It didn’t just scare folks—it rewired the whole horror scene, kicked off the J-horror craze, and made Western directors realize ghosts could be way, WAY creepier than they’d thought. That whole cursed tape idea? Chef’s kiss. It sunk its teeth into pop culture and never let go. I dare you to watch it and not glare at your TV after. Hell, I still get twitchy around static.

Insidious (2010)

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins

So, James Wan coming back to horror with “Insidious”? Yeah, that’s kind of a big deal. He basically grabbed the haunted house formula, shook it up like a snow globe, and dumped us right in the middle of some of the creepiest stuff I’ve seen on screen in ages. Trust me, this movie is not for the faint of heart. You think you’ve seen it all, but nope—Wan just pulls the rug out from under you.

The Lamberts—poor folks—think they’re just dealing with a haunted house, right? Classic rookie mistake. Turns out, their kid Dalton’s in a coma and some real nasty spirit has him on lockdown. Fun! Enter Lin Shaye as Elise, who’s basically Ghostbusters in a cardigan, and suddenly we’re deep-diving into this shadowy hellscape called “The Further.” Not exactly somewhere you want to book a vacation, honestly.

What really gets under your skin about “Insidious” isn’t just the jump scares (though, man, there are plenty). It’s the lingering dread, the kind that makes you want to turn on all the lights, double-check behind the shower curtain, maybe even call your mom. That red-faced demon? Yeah, try erasing that thing from your dreams. Good luck.

But Lin Shaye? Total legend. She brings this no-nonsense energy that grounds the whole bonkers story, so you’re not just rolling your eyes at the supernatural stuff. Bottom line: “Insidious” isn’t just another “boo!” movie—it actually sticks with you, poking at the back of your brain long after the credits. Easily one of the best horror flicks we’ve gotten in ages, hands down.

The Babadook (2014)

Starring: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Hayley McElhinney

Okay, let’s be real for a second: “The Babadook” will absolutely mess you up if you let it. Jennifer Kent managed to take the good ol’ haunted house setup and crank the dread up to eleven. Instead of cheap jump scares or blood gushing everywhere, you get this slow, gnawing anxiety—like someone breathing down your neck for 90 minutes.

At the core, you’ve got Amelia (Essie Davis absolutely killing it), a mom who’s basically hanging by a thread after losing her husband. Her son Samuel? Utter handful. Imagine dealing with your grief and your kid summoning evil spirits from a creepy pop-up book. Yeah. “Mister Babadook” just shows up one night and suddenly, all bets are off—the whole house turns into a battleground between Amelia, her kid, and this shadowy monster that may or may not be totally real.

Honestly, what gets under your skin isn’t just the Babadook’s look (although, seriously, who designed that thing? Nightmare fuel!), but what it stands for. This thing is basically a walking, stuttering metaphor for grief and all the ugly stuff people bottle up. Kent never gives you a clear answer—is the Babadook an actual ghost, or just Amelia losing her grip? That’s the genius part: you’re just not sure, which makes it way creepier.

Essie Davis, by the way, deserves like twenty awards for this performance. You feel every bit of her exhaustion and fear. The film really leans into how messed up it can get inside someone’s head, especially when you throw unprocessed trauma into the mix.

So yeah, if you’re looking for a by-the-numbers horror flick, look elsewhere. This one messes with your mind more than your reflexes. Easily one of the best horror movies of the last decade—no contest. The Babadook? Unforgettable, mate.

---

If you’re searching for What Are The Top 10 Scariest Movies, this guide brings you the ultimate collection of terrifying films that have shocked audiences worldwide. From supernatural horrors to psychological thrillers, these movies are not for the faint of heart. You can also check out our full list of Top Horror Movies for more spine-chilling recommendations. For more details on the history of horror films, visit the Horror Film Wikipedia page.