With all the craziness of Halloween going on this week, people will be trying to decide what movies to watch. Creating a list of top five horror movies is difficult because of how many famous and appreciated ones there are. Here is a list of some of the most famous and top-rated horror movies, along with one bonus movie.
#1: “Psycho” (1960)
This may not come as a shock to you, but anyone who is a fan of horror movies will tell you that you have to see it. This movie was directed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock and is probably his most famous horror movie of all time. It received above a 90 percent from both critics and the general audiences on Rotten Tomatoes and is generally appreciated by all.
#2: “Alien” (1979)
I have heard a great deal of talk about “Alien” in the last couple weeks. People seem to really enjoy the movie and I haven’t met one person yet who doesn’t like this movie. “Alien” was directed by Ridley Scott, the same director who gave us “Blade Runner” (1982) and “Black Hawk Down (2001),” which are both good movies as well. “Alien” also received above 90 percent from both critics and general audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
#3: “Jaws” (1975)
What kind of list would this be without the movie “Jaws?” It may seem like this movie is more appropriate for Shark Week, but it has always been listed under the category of horror. It was directed by Steven Spielberg, a director every movie lover knows. He is famous for a large list of movies, which include “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), “Jurassic Park” (1993) and “Schindler’s List” (1993). “Jaws” was given over 90 percent by critics and over 80 percent by the general audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
#4: “Frankenstein” (1931)
If you enjoy the genre of horror and have never seen “Frankenstein,” you need to make it a point to see it this year. It is considered a classic and you will find very few people who have not heard of this movie. It was directed by James Whale and after the success of “Frankenstein” he went on to make the “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935). Critics gave “Frankenstein” 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, but the general audience only gave a little over 80 percent.
#5: “Nosferatu” (1922)
“Nosferatu” was the original vampire movie, no matter what anyone else says. It is considered a classic and often makes it on the list of best all-time movies. It was directed by F.W. Murnau, who went on to direct “City Girl” (1930) and “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans” (1927). “Nosferatu” was given above a 90 percent by the critics and 80 percent from general audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
Bonus: “The Blob” (1958)
“The Blob” is my bonus movie because it is a fun movie to watch. I watched it when I was a kid and have very interesting memories of it. It is worth watching at least once. However, don’t expect to be watching a masterpiece, it is not the most highly rated movie of all time. Have fun with the list and if you watch the classics, you can brag to your friends later that you are more sophisticated than they are.
Marcus Seegers may be reached at [email protected].
