FFA Top 200 Horror Movies of All Time: #1 - Alien (6 Viewers)

[KarmaPolice]

#3 - Halloween​

Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween Night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.

John Carpenter
1978
Slasher
USA

IMDB: 78
Metacritic: 81
RottenTomatoes: 92

Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ke9IPTIJQ

Streaming:
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/halloween

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Thought this would be #1 with a bullet - or multiple bullets that didn't take down Michael.

Yeah, that was my guess as well for sure. Huh.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Halloween and The Terminator are remarkably similar in structure.

You might be on to something. I love all the flashes to the future, car chases, and epic battle scenes in Halloween.

 

[Scoresman]

I would venture to say that The Exorcist affects a person to the degree that they are spiritual in nature - specifically of course Christian/Catholic.

I'm as atheist as they come and the movie sure as hell affected me.

Mr. krista as well. Atheist and talks frequently about how this is the most terrifying movie he's ever seen.

By the way, I haven't been posting in here because I don't have the expertise of you guys, but fantastic thread! I have watched a couple from this list that I hadn't seen before and have a healthy list of more to see.

Perhaps I'm mistaken.

I just know that when I saw it during my "believer" years it affected me more than when I became agnostic. Maybe it's just because I'm older.

When you saw it in your believer years, it was also your first time seeing it. That alone would make it affect you more.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I've come to realize in this exercise, that slashers aren't really my thing. Halloween still makes my list at 23 and I did love it but none of them make my Top 10.

This was the movie I referred to the other day that has been replaced at the top, and I also have few slahers on the list. I agree with Scores above that Black Christmas hits me more now

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Halloween and The Terminator are remarkably similar in structure.

You might be on to something. I love all the flashes to the future, car chases, and epic battle scenes in Halloween.

Listen! And understand. That Terminator/Michael is out there! It/he can't be bargained with, it/he can't be reasoned with. It/he doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear! And it/he absolutely will not stop, EVER, until you are dead!

 

[KarmaPolice]

Halloween and The Terminator are remarkably similar in structure.

You might be on to something. I love all the flashes to the future, car chases, and epic battle scenes in Halloween.

Listen! And understand. That Terminator/Michael is out there! It/he can't be bargained with, it/he can't be reasoned with. It/he doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear! And it/he absolutely will not stop, EVER, until you are dead!

0% chance you convince me on this one, I just watched it for this exercise. Yes, Terminator acts like a Jason/Micheal in their killing focus. No, that doesn't make it a horror movie.

I really feel like people are watching a different movie with some of the examples on the list. That said, it's way closer than T2 to horror.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Doesn't The Exorcist have a more popular updated version that gets shown (with the spider walk down the stairs and other additions). I thought that one showed its warts more because of that extra CGI.

Mostly I am just surprised it got made at any time and often still taken aback by what comes out of Ragan's mouth - words, not green vomit. Great movie.

 

[Frostillicus]

I think I should watch The Exorcist

 

[krista4]

The movie that I predicted to KP at the beginning would be the overall #1 is still out there...

 

[Gally]

The movie that I predicted to KP at the beginning would be the overall #1 is still out there...

Deliverance?

 

[KarmaPolice]

The movie that I predicted to KP at the beginning would be the overall #1 is still out there...

I thought that director rubbed too many people the wrong way for a shot at all the lists.

My horror card is revoked!!

 

[The Gator]

The movie that I predicted to KP at the beginning would be the overall #1 is still out there...

Don't think Smile made it

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Doesn't The Exorcist have a more popular updated version that gets shown (with the spider walk down the stairs and other additions). I thought that one showed its warts more because of that extra CGI.

Mostly I am just surprised it got made at any time and often still taken aback by what comes out of Ragan's mouth - words, not green vomit. Great movie.

Yes there is. Friedkin took the spider walk scene out because you could see the wires. IIRC it was the year 2000 updated version that restored it.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Halloween and The Terminator are remarkably similar in structure.

You might be on to something. I love all the flashes to the future, car chases, and epic battle scenes in Halloween.

Listen! And understand. That Terminator/Michael is out there! It/he can't be bargained with, it/he can't be reasoned with. It/he doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear! And it/he absolutely will not stop, EVER, until you are dead!

0% chance you convince me on this one, I just watched it for this exercise. Yes, Terminator acts like a Jason/Micheal in their killing focus. No, that doesn't make it a horror movie.

I really feel like people are watching a different movie with some of the examples on the list. That said, it's way closer than T2 to horror.

I wasn't really trying to use it to prop up the "Terminator is horror" argument. It was just a random observation.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I was never a big Halloween fan. It’s fine but Michael was always a distant 3rd to Freddy and Jason for me growing up

 

[KarmaPolice]

I was never a big Halloween fan. It’s fine but Michael was always a distant 3rd to Freddy and Jason for me growing up

My retort is Micheal has the worst personality of the 3, the least creative kills, but Halloween is the best movie of them all.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Halloween and The Terminator are remarkably similar in structure.

You might be on to something. I love all the flashes to the future, car chases, and epic battle scenes in Halloween.

Listen! And understand. That Terminator/Michael is out there! It/he can't be bargained with, it/he can't be reasoned with. It/he doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear! And it/he absolutely will not stop, EVER, until you are dead!

0% chance you convince me on this one, I just watched it for this exercise. Yes, Terminator acts like a Jason/Micheal in their killing focus. No, that doesn't make it a horror movie.

I really feel like people are watching a different movie with some of the examples on the list. That said, it's way closer than T2 to horror.

I wasn't really trying to use it to prop up the "Terminator is horror" argument. It was just a random observation.

Noted. I will ease off the gas.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Doesn't The Exorcist have a more popular updated version that gets shown (with the spider walk down the stairs and other additions). I thought that one showed its warts more because of that extra CGI.

Mostly I am just surprised it got made at any time and often still taken aback by what comes out of Ragan's mouth - words, not green vomit. Great movie.

Yes there is. Friedkin took the spider walk scene out because you could see the wires. IIRC it was the year 2000 updated version that restored it.

Huh, I thought that was added later, George Lucas-style.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Doesn't The Exorcist have a more popular updated version that gets shown (with the spider walk down the stairs and other additions). I thought that one showed its warts more because of that extra CGI.

Mostly I am just surprised it got made at any time and often still taken aback by what comes out of Ragan's mouth - words, not green vomit. Great movie.

Yes there is. Friedkin took the spider walk scene out because you could see the wires. IIRC it was the year 2000 updated version that restored it.

Huh, I thought that was added later, George Lucas-style.

Lots of fun trivia for this title on IMDB

The Exorcist (1973)

The contortionist Ann Miles was hired to perform the famous "spiderwalk" scene, which was filmed in November 1972. Ms. Miles was able to perform the scene by use of a harness and flying wires hung above the staircase used on the set; she would advise William Friedkin when she was just barely touching the stairs with her hands and feet; and then she maintained that light touch as she was moved down the staircase by the harness and wires. William Friedkin deleted the scene before the film's December release. He felt it was "too much" of an effect because it appeared so early in the film. He later admitted that another reason for omitting the scene was that there was no way to hide the wires from view at the time. Almost 30 years later, Friedkin changed his mind and added the scene back for the extended 2000 version, with the wires digitally removed.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Doesn't The Exorcist have a more popular updated version that gets shown (with the spider walk down the stairs and other additions). I thought that one showed its warts more because of that extra CGI.

Mostly I am just surprised it got made at any time and often still taken aback by what comes out of Ragan's mouth - words, not green vomit. Great movie.

Yes there is. Friedkin took the spider walk scene out because you could see the wires. IIRC it was the year 2000 updated version that restored it.

Huh, I thought that was added later, George Lucas-style.

Lots of fun trivia for this title on IMDB

The Exorcist (1973)

The contortionist Ann Miles was hired to perform the famous "spiderwalk" scene, which was filmed in November 1972. Ms. Miles was able to perform the scene by use of a harness and flying wires hung above the staircase used on the set; she would advise William Friedkin when she was just barely touching the stairs with her hands and feet; and then she maintained that light touch as she was moved down the staircase by the harness and wires. William Friedkin deleted the scene before the film's December release. He felt it was "too much" of an effect because it appeared so early in the film. He later admitted that another reason for omitting the scene was that there was no way to hide the wires from view at the time. Almost 30 years later, Friedkin changed his mind and added the scene back for the extended 2000 version, with the wires digitally removed.

I had no idea that was ever taken out. Of course I remember the spider-walk vividly, so it's strange that I have no recollection of ever having seen a version of the film without it. But obviously I did.

 

[zamboni]

#3 - Halloween​

Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween Night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.

John Carpenter
1978
Slasher
USA

IMDB: 78
Metacritic: 81
RottenTomatoes: 92

Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ke9IPTIJQ

Streaming:
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/halloween

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This is my version of the "My parents unwisely let me watch this movie at a young, impressionable age and it will always be part of my identity" story that others have shared about other films. I'm not sure that it is my most-rewatched movie ever, but it is definitely on such a list. I consider it not just the best horror movie ever made, but also the best suspense movie ever made, and I know that's saying something.

What you have to do with Halloween is just try to forget that they made any sequels. Forget the thing about Laurie and Michael being related. Forget any supernatural stuff involving Michael's backstory. Just go with what's on screen and nothing else. It's just a homicidal force of nature, and a bunch of random babysitters, and a few adults who aren't really prepared for this.

If we're just going with what's on screen, I'll go to my grave saying Black Christmas is the better pure slasher movie.

But there's no doubt Halloween is way more iconic.

I’ve always found it strange that Halloween is termed a “slasher” movie, even though that’s the beginning premise. There’s actually very little blood/gore in it, being much more based on suspense.

 

[Scoresman]

#2 - The Shining​

Jack Torrance accepts a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel, where he, along with his wife Wendy and their son Danny, must live isolated from the rest of the world for the winter. But they aren't prepared for the madness that lurks within.

Stanley Kubrick
1980
Haunted House, Psychological
USA

IMDB: 84
Metacritic: 63
RottenTomatoes: 88

Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S014oGZiSdI

Streaming:
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-shining

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The Gator 3
Todem 3
UncleZen 12
WVU Alum 42
Yambag 5

 

[KarmaPolice]

Doesn't The Exorcist have a more popular updated version that gets shown (with the spider walk down the stairs and other additions). I thought that one showed its warts more because of that extra CGI.

Mostly I am just surprised it got made at any time and often still taken aback by what comes out of Ragan's mouth - words, not green vomit. Great movie.

Yes there is. Friedkin took the spider walk scene out because you could see the wires. IIRC it was the year 2000 updated version that restored it.

Huh, I thought that was added later, George Lucas-style.

Lots of fun trivia for this title on IMDB

The Exorcist (1973)

The contortionist Ann Miles was hired to perform the famous "spiderwalk" scene, which was filmed in November 1972. Ms. Miles was able to perform the scene by use of a harness and flying wires hung above the staircase used on the set; she would advise William Friedkin when she was just barely touching the stairs with her hands and feet; and then she maintained that light touch as she was moved down the staircase by the harness and wires. William Friedkin deleted the scene before the film's December release. He felt it was "too much" of an effect because it appeared so early in the film. He later admitted that another reason for omitting the scene was that there was no way to hide the wires from view at the time. Almost 30 years later, Friedkin changed his mind and added the scene back for the extended 2000 version, with the wires digitally removed.

I had no idea that was ever taken out. Of course I remember the spider-walk vividly, so it's strange that I have no recollection of ever having seen a version of the film without it. But obviously I did.

This is blowing my mind because I don't remember seeing that the first few times I watched, but saw it later. I thought it was added for a re-release this whole time.

 

[jamny]

and then there was one

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I have a complicated relationship with Stephen King. I like the fact that one of his movies ended up toward the top of our list, and I like the fact that it's the one he hates.

 

[The Gator]

#2 - The Shining​

Jack Torrance accepts a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel, where he, along with his wife Wendy and their son Danny, must live isolated from the rest of the world for the winter. But they aren't prepared for the madness that lurks within.

Stanley Kubrick
1980
Haunted House, Psychological
USA

IMDB: 84
Metacritic: 63
RottenTomatoes: 88

Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S014oGZiSdI

Streaming:
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-shining

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Already saved the date for this airing on the big screen locally in October.

 

[zamboni]

If your significant other has never seen The Shining and too freaked out to watch it, show him/her this.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I love The Shining - a lot - but after the first watch the stuff with Halloran is completely unnecessary. It bogs the film down quite a bit.

 

[Yambag]

and then there was one

I guess Faces of Death isn't making it either.

 

[zamboni]

I love The Shining - a lot - but after the first watch the stuff with Halloran is completely unnecessary. It bogs the film down quite a bit.

Him getting the axe was one of the scariest film moments for me as a kid.

 

[foxco]

and then there was one

Special place in my heart for that film.

 

[zamboni]

and then there was one

Special place in my heart for that film.

Don’t monkey around.

 

[Scoresman]

That leaves one movie you all can probably guess. I think it is well deserved.

It was the only movie on all of your lists.

And half of you don't even think it's direct sequel belongs on a horror list.

 

[The Gator]

Let’s see the rankings of it!

 

[Scoresman]

#1 - Alien​

During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.

Ridley Scott
1979
Sci-Fi, Body
USA

IMDB: 85
Metacritic: 83
RottenTomatoes: 97

Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5lPt9edzQ

Streaming:
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/alien

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shuke 8
The Gator 1
Tick 2
Todem 9
UncleZen 44
WVU Alum 1
Yambag 10

 

[Dan Lambskin]

That leaves one movie you all can probably guess. I think it is well deserved.

It was the only movie on all of your lists.

And half of you don't even think it's direct sequel belongs on a horror list.

Femalien!

 

[The Gator]

Sci-fi and horror? Yes please

 

[Scoresman]

And that's all she wrote!

I have some cleanup to do before updating the google sheet. I will add everyone's list but feel free to just post your lists anyway and spotlight your glaring omissions.

Will also have the pure horror filtered list, and revised 200 upcoming.

 

[WVU Alum]

#1 - Alien​

During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.

Ridley Scott
1979
Sci-Fi, Body
USA

IMDB: 85
Metacritic: 83
RottenTomatoes: 97

Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5lPt9edzQ

Streaming:
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/alien

Voter Ranks
BroncoFreak_2k3 4
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IvanKaramazov 6
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Scoresman 13
shuke 8
The Gator 1
Tick 2
Todem 9
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WVU Alum 1
Yambag 10

Probably top 5 movie for me.

 

[zamboni]

While a terrible movie, I thought Sleepaway Camp was going to make the list - if only for that memorable twist at the end.

 

[Scoresman]

While a terrible movie, I thought Sleepaway Camp was going to make the list - if only for that memorable twist at the end.

51st on my list. Really sad it didnt make it.

 

[Yambag]

While a terrible movie, I thought Sleepaway Camp was going to make the list - if only for that memorable twist at the end.

I thought for sure X would make the top 200, especially with some newer movies placing pretty high. My highest ranked not making it was Creepshow 2, got a soft spot for that one, especially The Raft, I hate lakes.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

That leaves one movie you all can probably guess. I think it is well deserved.

It was the only movie on all of your lists.

And half of you don't even think it's direct sequel belongs on a horror list.

Femalien!

I believe we had this in horror but maybe had a separate sci-fi section at blockbuster. I never rented it or the sequel but one of my co-workers did and get kept telling me how “detailed” it was for soft core

 

[Keith R]

I love The Shining - a lot - but after the first watch the stuff with Halloran is completely unnecessary. It bogs the film down quite a bit.

I like it. It sells the idea that the savior is on his way, and then BAM! Not as shocking if the time spent on him had been reduced. Plus he's a likeable character with great taste in art

 

[Dan Lambskin]

While a terrible movie, I thought Sleepaway Camp was going to make the list - if only for that memorable twist at the end.

I thought for sure X would make the top 200, especially with some newer movies placing pretty high. My highest ranked not making it was Creepshow 2, got a soft spot for that one, especially The Raft, I hate lakes.

Yeah that raft one really stuck with me, I’ve been to a few lakes that had a similar setup and i was always creeped out

 

[The Gator]

Mine that missed the list-

• 45 You’re Next - Adam Wingard - 2011
• 46 Smile - Parker Finn - 2022
• 50 No One Will Save You - Brian Duffiled - 2023
• 59 Cobweb - Samuel Bodin - 2023
• 67 The Invisible Man -Leigh Whanell - 2020
• 68 Jeepers Creepers - Victor Salva - 2001
• 72 Don’t Breath - Fede Alvarez - 2020

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I’ve got a a pretty decent list of omissions, I can either do a top 50 or just start tossing them out

 

[jamny]

The ones that missed from my list:

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
The Crazies (2010)
Children Shouldn’t Play Dead Things (1972)
Motel Hell
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
The Last Man on Earth (1964)
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane
The Night Eats the World
Basket Case (1982)
I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
It’s Alive (1974)

 

[KarmaPolice]

I will be honest- #1 was a bit of a surprise. Especially when scores said there was only 1 movie on all the list, I for sure thought that meant Halloween.

Thanks for the great thread, discussion, and list of 188 horror movies!

 

[dickey moe]

#1 - Alien​

During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.

Ridley Scott
1979
Sci-Fi, Body
USA

IMDB: 85
Metacritic: 83
RottenTomatoes: 97

Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5lPt9edzQ

Streaming:
https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/alien

Voter Ranks
BroncoFreak_2k3 4
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IvanKaramazov 6
jamny 7
Keith R 26
Scoresman 13
shuke 8
The Gator 1
Tick 2
Todem 9
UncleZen 44
WVU Alum 1
Yambag 10

Respect!