Entertainment
37 Unique Scary Movies That Every Horror Fan Must See
Lionsgate
Fall (aka Halloween season) is the perfect time to curl up in front of the television, turn on the lights, and force yourself to watch a terrifying horror movie that could very well give you nightmares. Unless that's actually your jam, in which case, it's the perfect time to curl up in front of the television, turn the lights off, and get ready to scream. If you're a person who enjoys a good scare, you're probably sick of watching the same old slasher flicks over and over come October. Well, lucky you, I've gathered 37 unique scary movies that every horror fan must see, so you can stop searching for your next horror fix.
Horror is a genre that sometimes seems like a never-ending cycle of remakes, sequels, and rip-offs. But that doesn't mean there aren't some genuinely original and unique horror films out there — you just have to know where to look. To be a real horror fan is to see all kinds of horror movies. These 37 unique scary movies are a mix of gore, suspense, found footage, sci-fi, and all the subgenres your horror-loving heart could desire. Only true horror fans need apply.
1. '[Rec]' (2007)
One of the best found footage horror movies out there, [Rec] is a Spanish horror film about a reporter and her camera crew who are quarantined in a building after a zombie-like virus outbreak.
2. 'Funny Games' (1997)
Michael Haneke's terrifying horror movie, Funny Games, about two men who take a family hostage for no reason other than their own enjoyment, inspired an American remake 10 years later. But, as with most things, the original is better.
3. 'Carrie' (1976)
Some classics are overrated. Carrie is not.
4. 'The Blair Witch Project' (1999)
The Blair Witch Project is a must for any horror fan regardless of taste. Why? Because when it was released in 1999, people in the theaters actually believed it could be real. Can you name another horror movie audiences thought was a documentary?
5. 'You're Next' (2011)
You're Next isn't particularly groundbreaking, but it somehow manages to make the old attack in the woods plot feel fresh.
6. 'The Signal' (2007)
The Signal begins as a thriller and evolves into a sort of gory, mass murder situation. Not for the faint of heart.
7. 'Live!' (2007)
Live!, a mockumentary about the perils of reality TV, is a bit more on the dark comedy side than classic horror.
8. 'Slither' (2006)
Slither is a disturbingly fun monster movie, with even more disturbing creatures.
9. 'Hush' (2016)
There's something inherently terrifying about silence, and it's that fear that is played upon in Hush, a home invasion horror flick.
10. 'Cabin In The Woods' (2012)
The Cabin in the Woods is a horror film about horror films produced and co-written by Joss Whedon. In other words, it's perfection.
11. 'The One I Love' (2014)
The One I Love isn't really a horror movie. Instead, it's a haunting, romantic drama that might actually creep you out more than some slasher movies.
12. 'Cloverfield' (2008)
Cloverfield took found footage to a whole new level when it was released in 2008, and that alone makes it worth watching.
13. '10 Cloverfield Lane' (2016)
10 Cloverfield Lane, the pseudo sequel to Cloverfield, is a terrifying slow burn of a thriller that will give hope to horror fans convinced the best days are behind us.
14. 'It Follows' (2014)
It Follows takes sexual taboo and turns it into a horror movie. Proof horror movies can be terrifying and have depth.
15. 'The Babadook' (2014)
Looking for a gorgeously scary movie that might ruin bedtime stories for you? Look no further than The Babadook.
16. 'Psycho' (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho may be the best horror movie ever made. PERIOD.
17. 'Somos lo que hay' (2010)
Somos lo que hay (We Are What We Are) is Jorge Michel Grau's creepy family thriller about certain unsavory family traditions.
18. 'The Burrowers' (2008)
The Burrowers is a little seen Western-meets-horror that bends genres in fun, new ways.
19. 'The Final Girls' (2015)
If you're a horror junkie, you've seen your fair share of Final Girls — the virginal girls who are the only survivors in slasher flicks. So, it's only fair that you see The Final Girls, a movie that grabs onto that trope and runs with it.
20. 'Oldboy' (2003)
Korean director Chan-woo Park is considered a master of thrillers and horror, and Oldboy is one of his classics.
21. 'Creep' (2015)
Creep is a weird, indie found footage film that will have you freaking out and scratching your head at the same time.
22. 'The Shining' (1980)
It's The Shining. Need I say more?
23. 'Timecrimes' (2008)
Los cronocrimenes (or Timecrimes) is a weird, disturbing Spanish horror film from director Nacho Vigalondo, known for his simmering thrillers.
24. 'Jaws' (1975)
Jaws is THE shark movie. Horror movie lovers should see it for the brilliant score alone.
25. 'The Witch' (2016)
The Witch made a splash this year with its complex story on puritan values and womanhood, as well as its stunning cinematography.
26. 'M' (1931)
Made in 1931, M is a groundbreaking sound thriller from German director Fritz Lang, largely credited with influencing probably every single horror movie you've ever seen.
27. 'Scream' (1996)
Wes Craven's Scream is a must-watch for any horror movie lover.
28. 'Green Room' (2015)
One of Anton Yelchin's final films, Green Room is a freaky, claustrophobic thriller that had people begging for more.
29. 'Alien' (1979)
Alien set the standard for badass feminist heroes with Ridley. It's also terrifying science fiction at its very best.
30. 'Enemy' (2013)
Enemy is a horror movie that sneaks up on you. You might not realize how scary it is until it's over.
31. 'Eraserhead' (1977)
David Lynch's first film, Eraserhead, isn't scary so much as it is disturbingly original.
32. 'Nosferatu' (1922)
Nosferatu set the standard for how horror films manipulate light for frights when it was released in 1922.
33. 'Audition' (1999)
A slow burn of a horror mystery, Audition is a Japanese movie about a man and a woman who spend an evening together. (It's more creepy than it sounds.)
34. 'Buried' (2010)
Only one person appears onscreen for the entirety of Buried, a terrifying movie about a man buried alive. The upside? That person is Ryan Reynolds.
35. 'A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night' (2014)
Ana Lily Amirpour's widely beloved A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night is a beautiful Iranian movie about a lonely vampire.
36. 'Rituals/The Creeper' (1977)
Rituals (also known as The Creeper) is a classic "men get stuck in the woods" story, but with Hal Holbrook.
37. 'Saw' (2004)
Of course, the original Saw should be on any self-respecting horror fan's list. Part gore, part psychological thriller, even just watching the trailer will haunt you for days.
