Brian Arrowood

Horror has been a genre that has stuck with me from my young ages to now. A good horror movie in my opinion has great kills, unsuspecting and loving characters, and a good story line. It also includes something that makes it stand out. With all this said lets begin the list. (Trigger Warning for Blood and Gore)

15- The Human Centipede

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Not exactly everyone’s cup of tea, this movie comes up on my list at the 15th place. I chose this movie not because of its writing but because of the idea and fear behind it. The Human Centipede is a movie based around two girls who are on a road trip. Their car breaks down so they get help from a man on the side of the road. Then you can probably guess what happens next because of the title. They then proceed to be drugged and wake up in a surgical room being prepared to be sewed to each other’s anuses. This leaves multiple thoughts in the watchers’ heads like how are the people behind the first person going to eat, how will the victims get out, and what happens if a person in front of someone dies. So because all this The Human Centipede gains its spot at number 15.

14- Fear Street 2

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A new up and coming horror movie at the time of writing this, Fear Street is well written and has light moments of gore that intrigue the watcher. Fear Street 2 is the second out of 3 movies about a curse given by a witch, this one is specifically about a summer camp. It being a summer camp slasher, one of the most iconic horror movie subjects, makes it have to build its reputation. It takes a while for the killer to actually start killing but all the likable summer camp counselors and campers make it worth it. It thoughtfully adds in creative kills using summer camp supplies and leaves you asking for more as it takes breaks for story purposes. The twist of magic and a witches curse only boosts this further. The area of movie where we think it ends only fuels it more when the killer is revived. Though an unpopular choice Fear Street 2 is 14th on my list.

13-Bride of Chucky

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  This movie falls on my list at 13 because it is a classic. It introduces one of the most popular horror characters (and one of my favorites) Tiffany. Chucky is also in this movie, making them one of the most well known duos in horror movie history. This slasher is not only that but it has creative ways to include kills and add them to the protagonist’s kill count. During this movie the murderous dolls are riding in the back of a car of an unsuspecting couple, later jumping them. The light comedy of the dolls arguing like a married couple entertains me more thus giving in spot 13.

12-Hush/The invisible man remake.

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These two movies share a spot due to the fact that they are very similar. These both explore the idea that even though you lose a sense, you are not useless. In hush the main character is deaf. In the invisible man remake the character does not have a disability but she can’t see her attacker, because he is invisible. These both make the characters look helpless at first but they overcome that, thus giving them character development. With that they both quickly adapt and defend themselves and defeat their attackers. These movies gain their places at 12 because they add a new feeling to horror.

11-Nightmare on Elm Street

 Shockingly this movie falls on my list at number 11. A classic movie known by many featuring the dream killer Freddy Krueger. This movie follows one of the original final girls, and how her and her friends are preyed on by the nightmare killer. This movie consists of some of the more original kills of its time. One of the most well known kills, the water bed kill, comes from this movie series. This movie expanded the genre of Horror and was well ahead of its time, thus giving it spot 11.

10-Rec/Rec3

A Spanish movie series featuring zombies and a new way of recording horror movies. Rec is a movie series that pretty much is about a virus from animals that if it comes in contact with humans it causes them to attack and attempt to eat other humans. Rec takes place in an apartment complex including a new form of recording, instead of having the expanded regular horror movie way of filming it is filmed in the POV of a cameraman with a news team, thus making the attacks seem even more real. The gore in the movie is not groundbreaking but it sure is amazing with its jump scares and huge twist at the end. Rec 3 is in a similar recording style but changes to the zoomed-out style at points. Instead of taking place in an apartment, it takes place at a wedding, thus showing character development for the groom and bride while they look for each other. It shows how they really are in love as the both attempt to find each other. It does bring a very heart breaking ending but the attempt of rescue really adds a cherry to what the movie already was. So Rec and Rec 3 claim their spot at 8.

9-Jennifer´s Body

Jennifers Body is a movie that expands the horror genre to more of a comedic drama. By taking this new viewpoint of horror it had me instantly hooked. The light comedy and slight romance between the characters really adds a cherry to it. The kills aren’t as bloody but they do take us by surprise. The two main protagonists drifting apart not only adds character to the story but also makes it have a sad mood when the final horror part of the movie takes place. The credits also add in a surprise which I will not spoil but it’s nice to know it’s there. So with its new approach to horror, it gains its spot at 9. 

8-Get Out

Another movie that takes a new approach to horror, Get Out also speaks on social issues. Get Out is a movie that is pretty much about organ harvesting. The main character, Chris, is going to his girlfriend’s house to meet her parents, but the parents are acting very strange. Throughout this movie we can see how the Mom is trying to pretty much take over his mind, leading to a point where he is tied up about to have his organs harvested. The actions throughout and bits of humor given by Rod Williams makes the movie even better. The climax at the end causes two endings, one which is not allowed in theaters, actually speaks on the social issues seen today. With this movie being horror but not a slasher and being this amazing it gains its spot at 8.

7-Wrong Turn

A movie series that sticks with me to this day. Wrong turn is a movie about ¨hill-billy¨ cannibals who were born due to incest. They crave the taste of human flesh and blood which increases the gore action and kills. The hopeless feeling we gain for the characters as they try their best to get away from these hungry cannibals in an area that they know by heart just increases the watchers attention. Overall this series is one of the best but the first of the movies really is a masterpiece, so due to that it gains spot number 7.

6-Us

A newer movie that instantly hooked horror fans. Us is a movie mainly focused on a single family (The Wilsons) and their evil clones trying to gain their places above ground. The role of Adelaide is beautifully played by Lupita Nyong´o which in my personal opinion makes this movie even better. The huge twist at the end leaves the watchers wanting a sequel to explain it all. In all this movie is one of the best horror movies I have ever seen so in all it gains its place at 6, and can honestly be justified to be placed higher.

5-The Evil Dead (Remake)

Probably one of the best horror remakes, ever. In my personal opinion the Evil Dead remake is better than the original. Though it is your cliche cabin horror movie it expands its territory by adding things like its well known forest scene where the creature crawls into someone and the ending scene with lots of fire. With its incredible costuming skills and lots of horror aspects it gains its spot at 5.

4-Hereditary

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One of the best known horror movies at the moment Hereditary expands the genre itself. With its dark and disturbing twists, etc it intrigued me right away. With the main evil being a child it instantly gains points, due to the fact that horror movies tend to keep away from children (so it does not receive backlash). Not only does it add children it breaks boundaries by adding more of a family aspect, which isn’t really seen in horror movies. The buildup and drama throughout the family causes many emotions which leads up to the beheading scene and even more after, causing a state of depression. Hereditary is one of the best Horror movies of our Generation, it no question gains this spot.

3-Friday the 13th

Once again another camp slasher appears on this list. One of the original slashers, Friday the 13th is also one of the best. Movies in inconvenient places usually get my attention, so a summer camp is perfect. The unsuspecting counselors and campers enhance the horror even more. It is like a campfire tale, but put into movies thus making fans feel more connected to the movie due to their childhoods being possibly full with horror stories around a campfire, etc. So this movie gains its stop at 3.

2- Saw

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My all time favorite horror movie series. Saw introduced a new form of horror and was well ahead of its time. The aspect of torture and riddles to save your life is really what makes this movie have the magic. The original saw is no question the best but the later movies introduce unforgettable traps that keep people awake at night. This would no question be number one on my list if I counted the full series but since I am not it goes at the solid silver place, 2.

1-The Descent

I know it’s a shocking choice but the British horror movie had me within the first few minutes. The shocking beginning really fuels this movie and shows the women in this movie’s desire to survive. As a person who is claustrophobic this movie hits me on a whole new level. The small caves and incredibly small passages instantly would make me want to scream but the ladies can’t scream, cave monsters are after them. Though they are blind they have enhanced hearing, which increases the thrill. This movie is my all time favorite so it gains spot number 1. 

Horror is a very hit or miss genre. Many movies cause people to form opinions that are positive or negative about them, thus causing many arguments about them. The purpose of this list is to speak on my opinion and possibly give recommendations.