Alien (1979)
Ridley Scott’s masterpiece is a must for newcomers to the genre. The dark and gloomy atmosphere helps to create an eerie tone and mystery to the entire film. And the clever tag line alone “In Space No One Can Hear You Scream” should be enough to make anyone watch it.
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
From the mind of the late great, Wes Craven comes this 1980’s horror classic. In response to the success of Halloween and Friday the 13th ,Wes Craven gave birth to one of the most iconic horror villains of all time, “Freddy Krueger”. The creepy and strong tone, along with the mystery behind it’s antagonist and an interesting concept, is a must watch for newcomers and even veterans of the genre.
Friday The 13th (1980)
If someone asks you who the killer is in Friday The 13th ,than most likely they would say Jason Vorhees, however, they would be wrong. There’s no doubt that Jason is the main attraction of the Friday series, but some might forget that he didn’t make his debut until the sequel. No, I’m not talking about the original killer in order to avoid spoilers. So go and watch it!
Halloween (1978)
Arguably one of the greatest and influential horror films ever made, 1978’s Halloween is a blast from start to finish. Directed by John Carpenter, this film will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its star-studded cast, creepy atmosphere and scary antagonist, this is a definite must watch.
The Thing (1982)
Another iconic blend of Sci-fi and Horror, 1982’s The Thing (also directed by John Carpenter) was originally a major flop both critically and financially. However, as soon as it was released on home video it became a cult classic. It had some of the best practical effects at the time, with some still holding up today. It’s smart storytelling which keeps you guessing who can you trust and makes you wonder if anyone is safe. Bone chilling and gruesome fun, this is a must watch.
The Shining (1980)
Based on the book of the same name by Horror legend Stephen King, The Shining is another one of the greats from the genre. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, it is mainly set in a hotel and is unnerving from start to finish. The cinematography is beautiful, combined with spine chilling sounds and amazing editing, this is definitely one of the greats and 100% worth a watch.
The Exorcist (1973)
Considered by some to be the best of the Horror genre, The Exorcist is a “dead” good time. Just like many horror films, it was controversial when released as many people were completely terrified to watch it and there were even some reports of people fainting in the cinemas. However, despite this, it was a massive hit and got a good critical response and over time it has become a cult classic. It also was the first horror film to be considered for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Many, including me, would recommend this film to be one of the first to watch for newcomers to the Horror genre.
Scream (1996)
Another film from the mind of the late great Wes Craven comes Scream. Released in 1996, Scream is one of those films that had a major impact, it reignited the genre, especially the slasher sub-genre. It felt fresh and brought something new to the table. With its perfect setting, amazing cast and great mise-en-scene, this is a must watch for anyone no matter what and the opening scene alone is the perfect example of this.
SAW (2004)
Heading into the 2000’s is one of the best horror films of the modern era, SAW. Directed by James Wan, this film was originally based on a short made by Wan a year previous, which is sometimes referred to as Saw 0.5. Some people say this film is what kicked of the “Torture Porn” sub-genre, however this film is not as gory as it’s countless sequels, instead it’s more psychological. With its clever storytelling and shocking twist, this is certainly one of the best modern era horror films and a no brainer must watch.
Dog Soldiers (2002)
One of the lesser-known horrors, Dog Soldiers is a British horror released in 2002 and directed by Neil Marshall. It follows a group of soldiers who are sent to Scotland on a training mission. Everything seems to be ok until they get attacked by an unknown enemy and they must work together to survive the night. With amazing cinematography to give it a gritty feel, likeable characters who you can grow attached to, and great performances from all the actors, this is definitely an underrated gem of the horror genre.
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