The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (2023)

The success of so-called lofty horror from producers like A24 has shown that even the best-made horror films with the most exciting ideas must have a scare factor. While some love jump scares and others want more atmosphere, one thing is for sure: a horror movie that isn't scary will definitely be a boring experience. Fortunately, there are plenty of filmmakers who have figured out how to scare audiences, whether their stories are slashers or supernatural. While people may argue about the scariest movie ever made, it's safe to say that there are a few that have scared a lot of people, whether it's controversial classics likeExorcistor modern blockbusters likeKeep it.

Reddit users have shared their thoughts on the scariest horror movies. Fans looking for the best horror movies will want to hear the ones that scared Redditors the most, from classics that many fans of the genre love to some more recent movies that scared them.

Updated on March 28, 2022 by Agia Tsintziras:When movie buffs search for the best horror movies on Reddit, they want to find particularly scary stories that will captivate audiences and make it hard to look away. Reddit users suggest lots of great movie night options, whether those movies are part of the found footage or serial killer subgenres.

De exorcist (1973)

Stream on Netflix

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (1)

Exorcistit's still a scary movie and even people who don't like watching this genre know the famous scene where Regan's head spins. It says a lot that just imagining this scene can send shivers down the spine.

Reddit user TheoLuminati wrote:Exorcist, 100%” and said it is “the only movie that ever scared me.” For many people, this is the holy grail of horror movies and nothing compares.

The Thing (1982)

Stream on Tubi

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (2)

While some incredible and creative modern horror films have been made, for many people the classics are still the best way to get scared.

A Redditor said soThe thingit's the scariest movie they've ever seen and "I still can't watch it myself." The creature in this 1980s horror film is absolutely unnerving and the story of the film is what sets it apart. Since the monster can change shape, it's easy to imagine that anything could happen, adding to the fear that viewers feel when watching this movie.

The Conjuring (2013)

Stream on Netflix and HBO Max

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (3)

Some of the scariest horror movies feel like they could really happen, and it's unsettling to know that Ed and Lorraine Warren are actually investigating paranormal activity. Reddit user nenjoi says the first movie is showingKeep itThe franchise is the scariest movie they've seen because of the "soundtrack" and "spooky atmosphere."

It's no wonder audiences find these movies so scary, as there are several entries in the franchise, including spin-offs.AnnabelInAnnabelle: Creation.

(Video) Top 15 Most Scary Stories Found on Reddit

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Stream on Fubo and Tubi

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (4)

Texas Chainsaw Massacreit holds up and many horror fans definitely consider it one of the scariest movies they've ever seen.

Reddit user dayonatrain wrote:Texas Chainsaw Massacrewins for me, I can't believe it was made so long ago and it doesn't actually go blood.” The story has so many strong elements, from the creepy gas station where the gang stops to, of course, cannibals hunting the main characters.

The Strangers (2008)

Rent on AppleTV

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (5)

OneRedditordatUnknownsis the movie that scared them the most, writing, "Home invasion is one of my biggest fears."

Of all the horror films of recent years, this one is certainly realistic and unnerving. It's easy for fans to watch this story and let their minds wander, and the next time they're home alone, they might wonder if it could happen. The film captivates viewers with the relationship between James and Kristen and then becomes everyone's worst nightmare.

Annihilation (2018)

Stream op Paramount+

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (6)

For Reddit user Midgar918, the horror movieDestructionis "a horror movie done right. No jump scares from what I recall, just a great build of unsettling suspense."

It's absolutely chilling to see the main character, Lena, spend time in 'The Shimmer', an area where animals and plants change because of aliens. The Redditor makes a good point that a movie doesn't need jump scares or other tropes to seriously grab the audience and make them want to turn on the lights.

Halloween (1978)

Stream on AMC+

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (7)

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OfCarnivalThe franchise has plenty of scary moments, and one Redditor is countingCarnivalone of the scariest horror movies ever written, "it's all about the atmosphere."

It's horrifying to see Michael Myers kill his own brother, and since the film is shot so that the audience can always see where the killer is and how Annie is being pursued, it's impossible not to panic.Carnivalis one of the most intelligent films of its kind.

Sinister (2012)

Current at Peacock

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (8)

For Reddit user 0xE4-0x20-0xE6"Awfulfound footage has the scariest soundtrack I've ever heard on film."

It would have been enough if the film simply showed a family moving into a house that is clearly haunted, but the darkness within its walls is beyond what the main character, Ellison, could ever imagine. It's very intense watching him learn about the family that died tragically while living there.

Hereditary (2018)

Stream on Fubo

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (9)

A redditor posted thisHeir apparent"scared me," and Reddit user p0kerpro885 said they don't scare easily but were "really crazy."

From Charlie's gruesome death to Paimon possessing Annie, it's easy to see why so many people find this movie incredibly intense. It's pretty scary to hear that this family has been through so much tragedy and it's only going to get worse from there.

Hell House LLC (2015)

Stream Amazon Prime Video

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (10)

Hell House LLCtells the story of a haunted house that people can go to on Halloween. Documentary filmmakers visit it to make a film about it, which is certainly a disturbing premise for a horror film.

Reddit user doublegreendinosaur said they've "never been so scared of a movie" and that it's a good found footage movie. This is a time when the subgenre makes it even scarier because the audience feels like they're really there.

(Video) 10 Most Intense Horror Movies, According To Reddit

Pet Sematary (1983)

Stream on Netflix

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (11)

OfPet Sematary2019The remake has callbacks to other Stephen King film adaptations that came before it, but many still believe that the 1983 film is the scariest.

A redditor found the originalPet Semataryscary movie and wrote, "I was shocked for years by the little boy and the sister." The film is dark, gruesome and hard to put down as a family discovers that their pets can die and come back to life, just like Gage.

The Ring (2002)

Stream op Paramount+

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (12)

The ringit has aged well, thanks to the care given to the main story of a journalist and her son trying to uncover Samara's sinister story.

Said one RedditorThe ringit's "one of the first movies that really scared me," but it might not have the same effect today. It's true that the videotape itself may not be as scary as technology has advanced, but this movie still has some scary moments

The Invisible Man (2020)

Rent on AppleTV

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (13)

In the 2020 horror moviethe invisible manCecilia leaves her abusive husband Adrian, then realizes he might still be there, but in a different form.

The opening scene of this film is particularly gruesome when Cecilia leaves her mansion in the middle of the night so her husband won't find out. Fans will hold their breath when they see her walking in the dark trying not to make a sound. One Redditor said this movie "made me jump more than anything I've ever seen."

Mungomeer (2008)

Stream on Tubi

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (14)

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In the mockumentaryMungomeer, Matthew investigates the death of his sister Alice and believes her ghost is still in his house. When Matthew seeks help from psychic Ray, he discovers that Alice told him something terrifying before she died.

Reddit user Artiepops101 called this one of the scariest horror movies they've seen, calling it a "slow burn, but I recommend it."

Funny Games (2007)

Rent on AppleTV

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (15)

Reddit user notasubredditFunny gamesto be a horrible movie, its editing will make you feel awful just because it's hopeless.

In this 2007 horror film, two young men named Paul and Peter show up at a family's house and start torturing them.Funny gamesnot only is it one of the scariest horror films ever made, but it's also a commentary on film violence.

NEXT: 10 Scariest Horror Movies Without Supernatural Elements

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit (16)

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FAQs

The 15 scariest horror movies, according to Reddit? ›

1. The Exorcist (1973)

What is the number 1 scariest movie? ›

1. The Exorcist (1973)

Which horror movie is banned? ›

10 Banned Horror Movies
  • Human Centipede 2 – 2011.
  • The Poughkeepsie Tapes – 2007.
  • Cannibal Holocaust – 1980.
  • Canibal Ferox – 1981.
  • Hostel 2 – 2007.
  • The Exorcist – 1973.
  • The Bunny Game – 2012.
  • I Spit On Your Grave – 1978.
Feb 23, 2023

What is the scariest horror movie ever rated? ›

  • The Exorcist. Released: 1973. Rated: R. Director: William Friedkin. There's a reason this horror classic is one of the scariest movies of all time. ...
  • The Shining. Released: 1980. Rated: R. Director: Stanley Kubrick. ...
  • Hereditary. Released: 2018. Rated: R. Director: Ari Aster.
7 days ago

What is the big 3 of horror? ›

These top three big original horror movies have been watched continuously by viewers. Halloween (1978), A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and Scream (1996) are classics that have been popular amongst people, especially during October.

Is Sinister the scariest movie ever? ›

Sinister was named the scariest movie ever made.

What horror movie did the girl crawl on the ceiling? ›

One of the best examples of quality directing is the scene where Diane Freeling, played by JoBeth Williams, is thrown onto the ceiling and thrashed around by the titular poltergeist.

What horror movie has a government warning? ›

The Purge
Original workThe Purge (2013)
OwnerUniversal Pictures
Years2013–present
Films and television
4 more rows

What movie kicked off the horror genre? ›

The Golden Age of Horror

Caligari (1920) and Nosferatu (1922), the first movies to really make an attempt to unsettle their audience.

What is that one cursed horror movie? ›

Perhaps the most famous “cursed” movie of all time, the original 1982 Poltergeist, about a suburban family terrorized by a supernatural presence, climaxed with a scene in which the mom (JoBeth Williams) is dragged into a partially dug-out pool and is surrounded by skeletons – the reveal being that the housing ...

What is the least scariest horror? ›

Here are our picks for the best streaming horror movies for folks who don't like horror movies — or so they think!
  • Hocus Pocus. Credit: Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock. ...
  • Monster House. ...
  • Beetlejuice. ...
  • ParaNorman. ...
  • House on Haunted Hill. ...
  • The Old Dark House. ...
  • Little Shop of Horrors. ...
  • Young Frankenstein.
Oct 22, 2022

Why aren t horror movies scary anymore? ›

Desire for Legitimacy. The most salient reason that horror likely transitioned to be less scary is due to the politics of the film industry, and the desire to become more respected within the community.

Why Scary Movie is rated R? ›

Frequent extreme profanity, with the majority of it sexually-themed. Every character acts questionably, from the sometimes drunk and stoned killer to Cindy's drug-dealing criminal father. Drug use is prevalent. Countless references to oral sex.

What are the 3 rules of horror? ›

The Rules to Surviving a Horror Movie
  • Rule #1: Never have sex.
  • Rule #2: Never drink or do drugs.
  • Rule #3: Never ever say, “I'll be right back”
Feb 27, 2023

What are the 3 B's of horror movies? ›

For those not in the grade-Z movie know, the items in question are “beasts, blood, and breasts”, a cavalcade of craven film facets that turn an otherwise routine piece of genre trash into a high flying horror/humor treat.

Who came first Jason or Michael Myers? ›

We transition now from Jason Voorhees to Michael Myers, the star and main villain of the Halloween series. The first actor to portray this masked menace is Nick Castle in 1978's Halloween. The original story tells the tale of Michael Myers, who is locked away for murdering his sister when he was only six years old.

Is Sinister ok for a 13 year old? ›

This film is very disturbing though and if is definitely not for young children. There is hanging, drowning, etc. But it's ok for mature 13 year olds.

How disturbing is Sinister? ›

"Sinister" is bloody terrifying. So if your looking for one of those sorts off genuinely scary movies (which don't come along that often) look no further. Its creepy, will make you jump a mile high, and is genuinely disturbing (in a good way) with an ending that'll stick with you for days afterwards.

Why is insidious scary? ›

Insidious takes the concept of astral projection and stretches it to its limits to create a horrifying reality of being taken from your own body. Even if you don't believe in astral projection, the lifeless bodies of the comatose are inherently sad and disturbing, especially if it's a child.

What is the stuck in bathroom horror movie? ›

We Need to Do Something is a 2021 American psychological horror film directed by Sean King O'Grady and starring Sierra McCormick, Vinessa Shaw, Lisette Alexis, Pat Healy, and Ozzy Osbourne. Based on the novella of the same name, the film centers on a family trapped in their bathroom during a tornado.

What horror movie is stuck in an elevator with the devil? ›

The screenplay by Brian Nelson was from a story by M. Night Shyamalan. Starring Chris Messina, Logan Marshall-Green, Geoffrey Arend, Bojana Novakovic, Jenny O'Hara, and Bokeem Woodbine, the film revolves around five strangers who become trapped in an elevator. Devil was released on September 17, 2010.

What movie is 13 Floors Haunted House? ›

Nightmare on the 13th Floor is a 1990 American made-for-television thriller film which was originally shown on the USA Network on Halloween 1990. It stars Michele Greene as the travel writer Elaine Kalisher, James Brolin as Dr. Alan Lanier and Louise Fletcher as Letti Gordon.

What are the deadliest states according to horror movies? ›

New York and Pennsylvania are deadliest states in horror movies, analysis finds. (WETM) – If you find yourself in a horror movie, living in New York or Pennsylvania, you might want to consider moving.

What are good horror movies not rated R? ›

90 Scary Movies That Aren't Rated R
  • Tommyknockers (1993) ...
  • Watcher in the Woods (1980) ...
  • What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) ...
  • Cat's Eye (1985) ...
  • Flowers in the Attic (1987) ...
  • Rear Window (1954) ...
  • The Haunting (1963) ...
  • Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Why are some movies banned by the government? ›

For nearly the entire history of film production, certain films have been banned by film censorship or review organizations for political or moral reasons or for controversial content, such as homosexuality.

Who was the first horror movie killer? ›

There's no consensus on when slasher movies actually began, since the development of the subgenre is a continuum of sorts, but Tobe Hooper's 1974 classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is the first movie to introduce a long-running slasher character (chainsaw-wielding hillbilly killer Leatherface).

Who was the first slasher? ›

Most importantly for filmmaking in general, Psycho is considered by many to be the first slasher movie, and the success of this film spurred a whole series of slasher films in the near future, ultimately opening the door for the subgenre's golden era, the extremely blood eighties.

What was the first color horror movie? ›

The resulting film, The Curse of Frankenstein (d. Terence Fisher, 1957), was the most important horror film since Universal 's Dracula (US, d. Tod Browning, 1931). Its contemporary impact was immense; it was the first horror film in colour, and its critical reception was savage.

What horror movie makes the audience faint and vomit? ›

'Terrifier 2' : All About the Clown Horror Movie That's Causing People to Pass Out and Vomit.

What's the cursed movie on Netflix? ›

A truth-chasing journalist goes up against the demonic CEO of an IT conglomerate with the help of a teenager with the ability to cast deadly curses.

What horror movie has no sound? ›

A Quiet Place is a 2018 American post-apocalyptic science fiction horror film directed by John Krasinski and written by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and Krasinski, from a story conceived by Woods and Beck.

What horror movie has the least jump scares? ›

From slow-burn psychological thrillers to atmospheric ghost stories, these movies prove that there's more to the horror genre than just cheap thrills and jump scares.
  1. 1 Midsommar (2019)
  2. 2 The Lighthouse (2019) ...
  3. 3 The Witch (2015) ...
  4. 4 Suspiria (2018) ...
  5. 5 Under The Skin (2013) ...
  6. 6 Silence Of The Lambs (1998) ...
Mar 7, 2023

Is scary movies bad for Mental Health? ›

Watching horrific images can trigger unwanted thoughts and feelings and increased levels of anxiety or panic, and even increase our sensitivity to startle-eliciting stimuli, making those of us who are anxious more likely to respond negatively and misinterpret the sensations as real threats.

How do you not let horror movies affect you? ›

Here's what to do if you're feeling anxious while watching a horror movie
  • Know your limits and set boundaries for yourself. As with anything, you must find and define your limits with horror movies. ...
  • Replace the movie with something positive. ...
  • Use grounding techniques. ...
  • Connect with others. ...
  • Turn on the lights.
Oct 28, 2022

Why do people not like horror? ›

Some people avoid horror movies because of genre prejudice. Some people avoid horror movies because they dislike the stimulation. There may be individual variation in “the sweet spot of fear,” but more research is needed on this topic.

What is worse that Rated R? ›

Rated PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned – Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. Rated R: Restricted – Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Rated X: No one under 17 admitted.

Should I let my 12 year old watch horror movies? ›

While there is no absolute age at which scary movies are appropriate, Dr. Dry recommends not introducing them to very young children because of the potential to create long-term anxiety.

What Movie makes fun of Scream? ›

Scary Movie's main parodies are of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, with elements of The Sixth Sense, The Matrix, and The Usual Suspects.

What is the paradox of horror? ›

The paradox of horror relies on a traditional conception of emotions according to which negative emotions are intrinsically unpleasant to the extent that they contain unpleasant physiological symptoms.

What is the most basic fear in a horror story? ›

Fear of the unknown” can be splintered and reskinned in many, many ways to give horror stories their specificity. People are afraid of death, because they can only guess at what comes afterward. They're afraid of the dark, because it has the potential to hide just about anything they could imagine.

What are the two types of horror? ›

Horror is a protean genre, spawning numerous subgenres and hybrid variants: gothic horror, supernatural horror, monster movies, psychological horror, splatter films, slasher films, body horror, comedy horror, and postmodern horror.

What is considered the scariest movie? ›

15 Scariest Horror Movies That Are Too Disturbing To Re-Watch
  • 8 'Mother!'
  • 9 'The Innocents' (2021) ...
  • 10 'Goodnight Mommy' (2014) ...
  • 11 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' (1974) ...
  • 12 'Hereditary' (2018) ...
  • 13 'The Witch' (2015) ...
  • 14 'Sinister' (2012) ...
  • 15 'Host' (2020) ...
2 days ago

What has been rated the scariest movie? ›

  • The Exorcist. Released: 1973. Rated: R. Director: William Friedkin. There's a reason this horror classic is one of the scariest movies of all time. ...
  • The Shining. Released: 1980. Rated: R. Director: Stanley Kubrick. ...
  • Hereditary. Released: 2018. Rated: R. Director: Ari Aster.
7 days ago

What are the scariest things in horror movies? ›

The Top Ten Things That Make Horror Movies Scary
  • Fear of death. This is the ultimate fear, both existentially and psychologically. ...
  • The dark. ...
  • Creepy, crawly things. ...
  • Scary places. ...
  • Disfigurement. ...
  • Dismemberment. ...
  • Suspense (anticipation and expectations). ...
  • Spooky music.
Oct 21, 2014

Who can beat Michael Myers? ›

Verdict: Jason Voorhees Is Stronger Than Michael Myers

Jason's immense strength and ability to keep killing no matter the circumstances show that he can withstand a full-on assault from Michael. Considering his one weakness depends on location, he also has a greater chance of coming out on top.

Who was the first person Michael Myers killed? ›

Films. Michael Myers made his first appearance in the 1978 film Halloween. At the beginning of Halloween, a six-year-old Michael murders his teenage sister Judith on Halloween night in 1963.

Who could beat Jason Voorhees? ›

Pinhead from Hellraiser

Physically imposing and hideously evil, Pinhead would utilize every evil trick in the book, ripping into Jason with chains, siccing his fellow cenobites on him, and just tearing Jason Voorhees a new one before dragging him into his realm.

Was Human Centipede 2 banned? ›

The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) received substantial attention and controversy for its graphic depictions of violence, sexual violence and body horror. It was subject to heavy censorship throughout the world, where it was sometimes edited to remove objectionable content or banned altogether.

Why is The Exorcist banned? ›

The subject matter – a little girl possessed by a demon – prompted outrage from religious circles and calls for censorship. The film's producers actively leaned into that to help generate interest, and in the process got their movie banned in certain parts of the U.K.

What 80s horror film was banned? ›

The Evil Dead (1981)

The U.K. was especially critical of the film to where it was illegal to even distribute it. Other European countries refused to show it as well, citing the particularly gratuitous violence and one scene involving a woman being sexually assaulted by a demonically possessed tree.

Why did Chucky get banned? ›

Technically, Child's Play wasn't banned, but its viewing was restricted by the United Kingdom, which refused to carry copies of the film in video stores. This happened in 1993 when the murder of James Bulger, a 2-year-old boy in Britain, was allegedly linked to Child's Play 3.

Is there a movie worse than the human centipede? ›

Now though, horror fans are raving about a film that's reportedly worse than Human Centipede, Tusk.

Did anyone survive the human centipede? ›

Lindsay is the only major character who appears in First Sequence that is still alive by its immediate end.

Is Human Centipede based on a true story? ›

The inspiration for the film's plot came from a joke that writer/director Tom Six once made to his friends about punishing a child molester they saw on TV by stitching his mouth to the anus of an overweight truck driver. Six saw this as the concept for a great horror film, and he began to develop the idea.

Why is The Exorcist 1973 so scary? ›

The director's use of realism, underpinned by the premise that what happens to the 12-year-old Regan could happen to anyone, is what makes the movie truly unsettling. For example, the question about whether the Ouija board Regan uses was the cause of her possession is never answered.

Was there a serial killer in The Exorcist? ›

Paul Bateson (born August 24, 1940) is an American convicted murderer and former radiographer. He appeared as a radiologic technologist in a scene from the 1973 horror film The Exorcist, which was inspired when the film's director, William Friedkin, watched him perform a cerebral angiography the previous year.

Which Exorcist is the scariest? ›

While The Exorcist has the better horror of these top two movies, Exorcist II does a better job of balancing its scares with a more coherent exploration of the Pazuzu lore and its thematic contemplations.

What was the worst decade for horror? ›

The '90s have been notoriously known for being the worst decade for horror films to many horror enthusiasts. The things that entertained audiences in the '80s didn't amuse them to the same extent anymore.

What disorder does Chucky have? ›

One of the subplots of the show follows Chuck's obsessive compulsive order (OCD), a mental illness where people suffer from intrusive thoughts and compulsions.

What crimes did Chucky commit? ›

He kidnapped and abused Sarah Pierce after murdering her husband and stabbed her pregnant stomach for calling the police on him (though the one who called was actually a jealous Tiffany), which led to her daughter Nica being paralyzed from the waist down upon her birth.

How many has Chucky killed? ›

The Child's Play franchise is known for its brutal, high kill counts. Racking up the kills together from all seven movies, Chucky has killed a total of 67 people. For Chucky being a pint-sized killer doll, he has enough expertise and weapons to kill more people in Chucky season 2.

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