Horror movies, for a long time, have had their special place in the media worldwide, keeping audiences on the edge of their seat for decades. From the camera crew to the directors to the actors involved, all have played a part in creating the suspense and adrenaline rush that many seek during October.

Old-school successes such as “Halloween,” “Nightmare on Elm Street,” and “The Exorcist” built the foundation that is still used today by modern hits such as “A Quiet Place,” “M3GAN,” and “The Conjuring.”

For every box office failure, there are only a few successes that have truly become generational and have cemented their spot in pop culture. From timeless classics to current-day thrillers, now is the time to decide which one of them is the best of them all.

5. “Psycho” (1960)

The list begins with a horror movie that has served as a blueprint for the genre for many years. “Psycho,” the 1960 film starring Janet Leigh and John Garvin, was a screenplay based upon the novel of the same title written one year earlier by Robert Bloch. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the plot centers on secretary Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), who is on the run after embezzling $40,000 from her job. Crane’s motive is so she can flee her hometown with her boyfriend, Sam Loomis (John Garvin). The film was controversial for its time, as many criticized its depiction and portrayal of sex and violence. While such content is common in today’s world, it was groundbreaking during that time period. Simply due to its influence on countless films that followed, the movie is viewed as a trailblazing work of art and more than worthy of a spot on the list.

4. “Scream” (1996)

Over three decades later, another classic slasher film would hit theaters with the release of the 1996 film, “Scream.” Starring Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Drew Barrymore, Matthew Lillard, Neve Campbell, Rose McGowan, and Skeet Ulrich, the movie is set in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California. The plot follows high school student, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), and her friends, who’ve become targets of a masked killer known as Ghostface. With its all-star cast, the movie received great reviews for the time period. The Wes Craven-directed film was praised for its clever meta commentary on previous horror films, as well as its self-parody used throughout. Due to its innovative approach to the genre, Scream has surely secured its spot in Halloween media.

3. “The Shining” (1980)

Shifting gears to another all-time great, “The Shining’s” unique take on the genre has proven difficult for many to replicate. Starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, the 1980 film based on Stephen King’s famous 1977 novel was a quick success. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, the plot is about an author and recovering alcoholic (Jack Nicholson), who gradually spirals into insanity during the course of the movie. Since its release, “The Shining” has been praised for its storytelling and symbolism, which has cemented it in the favorites list of many. While not as gruesome as the typical slasher film of 2025, its revolutionary approach has cemented its status as a timeless classic.

2. “Friday the 13th” (1980)

“The Shining” was not the only legendary horror movie to come out in 1980, as later that year, the Sean Cunningham-directed movie “Friday the 13th” was released. Starring an all-star cast of the ’80s up-and-coming actors, the film follows a group of camp counselors at Camp Crystal Lake who are killed one by one by an unknown killer later revealed to be Jason Vorges (Ari Lehman). From its debut, “Friday the 13th” was a smashing success. This would continue as in the years that followed, 12 different sequels would be released, including a collaboration with “Nightmare on Elm Street’s” Freddy Krueger. Despite the reception of the movies that succeeded the original, the original remains a beloved favorite of many today.

1. “Halloween” (1978)

With the past four classics taken into account, it becomes clear that it is difficult for any film to compete with “Halloween.” Released in 1978 and directed by John Carpenter, a movie that began as an independent thriller has now turned into a multi-million dollar franchise. The initial movie centers around a mental patient, Michael Myers (Nick Castle), who murdered his family on Halloween night during his childhood, and escaped from his sanitarium. Notably, “Halloween” marked the film debut of Laurie Strode’s actor, Jamie Lee Curtis, who would go on to have a legendary career. Many were impressed by the movie’s success due to the limited advertising it received, mostly being discussed through word-of-mouth. Following 1978, 13 more iterations were released, with the latest being in 2022. However, for many, nothing surpasses the impact that the original had on their childhood.