# Top 3 favorite horror movies of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 26, 2019, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302 "2019-10-26T03:28:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/41 "2019-10-27T14:31:35Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > I see a lot of people mentioning The Thing. I’ve only seen it once, when it first came out, and really need to see it again. I watch it every first snow on the winter. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/42 "2019-10-27T14:35:49Z")
The Haunting The Old Dark House The Shining ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/43 "2019-10-27T14:37:06Z")
Prince of Darkness - John Carpenter classic. The Devil’s Rejects - I like that it flips the script and the killers are the protagonists. Hellraiser - iconic imagery throughout. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/44 "2019-10-27T18:47:27Z")
_The Black Cat_ (1934) _Curse of the Demon_ (1957) _Dawn of the Dead_ (1978) or _Evil Dead II_ (1987) Anthology - _Black Sabbath_ (1963) ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/45 "2019-10-27T22:35:12Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I’m rather partial to the 1932 version of “The Old Dark House.” (points for anyone who knows why). It is seminal for that genre, which was even named after it. > > “The Haunting” 1963, although I don’t think it scores so high on re-watchability, once you know who keeps popping up in odd places and I have to confess the explanation of that was a bit of a let-down. > > The 1959 version of “House on Haunted Hill,” because I was 10 when I saw it in the theater and I didn’t notice any of the corn, it scared me out of my wits. So, nostalgia. I’m a big fan of **The Old Dark House,** and have always enjoyed your screen name. “My sister was on the point of arranging these…” (drops huge bouquet of wildflowers into the blazing fireplace) “Have a POTATO.” I’ve been racking my brain for a more recent film to cite, so here’s a call out to **Pulse,** a J horror flick from 2001, where dead people are getting back into our world through the Internet. One of the creepiest damn things I’ve ever seen, especially the last 15 minutes, where people in backgrounds are spontaneously suiciding and airplanes just decide to crash. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2019, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/46 "2019-10-27T22:46:24Z")
1. [The Attic](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078806/?ref_=nv_sr_7?ref_=nv_sr_7) for the creepiest sleepy sneaks-up-on-you mood movie 2. [Miracle Mile](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097889/?ref_=nv_sr_1?ref_=nv_sr_1), the genre-bending romantic-comedy apocalyptic flick 3. [Get Out](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5052448/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), which shoulda come home with a Best Picture Oscar. ---
**Author:** ![divemaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/divemaster/32/78_2.png) [@divemaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/divemaster)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/47 "2019-10-28T01:29:31Z")
My all-time favorite horror movie; in fact, one of my all-time favorite movies of _any_ genre is [**A Tale of Two Sisters**](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365376/?ref_=fn_tt_tt_1) (2003). Chilling and creepy psychological horror with a real emotional core. And makes you pay attention and think. Also vote for **The Thing** (1982) and the original **A Nightmare on Elm Street** (1984), before it became a self-parody franchise. (And I love that **Biotop** mentioned **Re-Animator** ; what a fun horror movie!) ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/48 "2019-10-28T03:19:37Z")
My 3 favorite the have no _paranormal_ or _science fiction_ aspects **The Nanny The Hills Have Eyes Silence of the Lambs** ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/49 "2019-10-28T12:38:33Z")
_The Ring_ \*Session 9 \* _A Tale of Two Sisters_ I’m calling these my top three because I rewatch all of them more often then the other films in my collection. But there are so many good horror films(even if they’re far outnumbered by bad ones)that it’s hard to pick a favorite. _Angel Heart_ deserves a mention. I could watch it over and over but I have sadly misplaced my dvd. \*Hereditary \* is outstanding but it’s not one I can rewatch often. it really takes an emotional toll. _The Grudge_is fascinating, once you understand the mixed up presentation of the time line. _The Skeleton Key_ didn’t get much attention, IIRC, and it is a great, _truly interesting_ and engaging story. _Burnt Offerings_is a 1970s masterpiece. Going further back, _Hush Hush, Sweet Charlotte_ is a creepy little gem with Bette Davis at her neurotic, delusional best. Sorry to ramble, I know the OP only asked for three :o ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/50 "2019-10-28T13:19:59Z")
_The Fly_ (1958) “Help me!! HELP ME!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/51 "2019-10-28T13:57:00Z")
Am I the first to say “_Poltergeist_”? Love that movie! _From Dusk till Dawn_ _Cabin in the Woods_. I’ve only seen it once but loved it. For repeated viewings…sure, I’ll watch _The Shining_ anytime it’s on. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/52 "2019-10-28T14:26:34Z")
I guess I need to watch “The Thing” - never seen it but it seems to be the most popular one listed. My top 3: It Follows : not the norm, loved the unique story line. Angel Heart : saw it in the theater back in the day and it left quite an impression on me. Nightmare on Elm Street : I was 14 (I think) and watched this alone while babysitting…_shudder_ Honorable mention : The Shining, Poltergeist, Blair Witch Project ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/53 "2019-10-28T16:36:05Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > _The Ring_ > \*Session 9 \* > _A Tale of Two Sisters_ > > I’m calling these my top three because I rewatch all of them more often then the other films in my collection. But there are so many good horror films(even if they’re far outnumbered by bad ones)that it’s hard to pick a favorite. > > _Angel Heart_ deserves a mention. I could watch it over and over but I have sadly misplaced my dvd. > > \*Hereditary \* is outstanding but it’s not one I can rewatch often. it really takes an emotional toll. > > _The Grudge_is fascinating, once you understand the mixed up presentation of the time line. > > _The Skeleton Key_ didn’t get much attention, IIRC, and it is a great, _truly interesting_ and engaging story. > > _Burnt Offerings_is a 1970s masterpiece. > > Going further back, _Hush Hush, Sweet Charlotte_ is a creepy little gem with Bette Davis at her neurotic, delusional best. > > Sorry to ramble, I know the OP only asked for three :o I sure don’t mind more than 3. I just thought asking for “a top 10 horror” list might yield limited results. I’m checking all these out. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/54 "2019-10-28T16:43:22Z")
It’s not a movie, though the episodes are kind of long…the just-out Creepshow series seems promising after the first pair of stories. Each episode is two 45 minute long stories (so we’re getting into movie-level run-time between the two). The animated intro looks really great–kind of like a VR drawing type thing. The first episode is free on Prime. The others are available on Shudder. The opening episode, Grey Matter is not bad, starring Gus Fring from Breaking Bad. But the second story, about a little girl’s dollhouse, is rather clever. Using a dollhouse as the point of intrigue is a unique and interesting plot vehicle. And there are tons of little throw-backs to the original Creepshow, as well as an appearance of the cigar store carved Indian from Creepshow 2. And these aren’t even the best reviewed episodes from the series, so I’m going to have to watch the rest. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/55 "2019-10-28T16:52:44Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I’m rather partial to the 1932 version of “The Old Dark House.” (points for anyone who knows why). You mean the part played by the actor in drag? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/56 "2019-10-28T16:55:43Z")
Rosemary’s Baby The Exorcist Wait Until Dark (though technically not a horror movie, one of the scariest movies ever made) ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/57 "2019-10-28T18:30:05Z")
> [@Dr.Colossus](#): > > I sure don’t mind more than 3. I just thought asking for “a top 10 horror” list might yield limited results. > > I’m checking all these out. Tale of Two Sisters will snap yer stix. J horror is da creepiest. ---
**Author:** ![Kovitlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/2bfe46/32.png) [@Kovitlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kovitlac)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/58 "2019-10-28T19:18:26Z")
It’s not a movie, but my current favorite horror ANYTHING is Netflix’s “The Haunting of Hill House”, which came out last year. As for actual movies, my favorites would have to be, in no particular order: The Ring Paranormal Activity (hate me all you want - I found it FAR scarier than Blair Witch) I dunno…Silent Hill? Actually a pretty good adaptation of a video game I also loved a particular scene in Fourth Kind where the main character, a psychologist, is listening to a dictation she recorded the night before. As she listens, she hears herself start to doze. Then the door creaking open. Steps taken. And her start in with a series of loud, guttural screams. It gives me chills just thinking back to it. Okay, while I’m here I also want to recommend the Crypt TV channel on YouTube. Excellent horror short films (like, 6-14 minutes most of the time), with originally designed monsters. I’ve been binge-watching episodes for the past two days. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/59 "2019-10-28T19:52:11Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > I guess I need to watch “The Thing” - never seen it but it seems to be the most popular one listed. > > . . . I watched it for the first time while I was at home sick, a couple of years ago. It was a dark, rainy dismal day. It took me all the rest of the day to stop shuddering and calm down enough to go to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302/60 "2019-10-29T00:35:58Z")
“Favorite” is an interesting concept when it comes to horror movies. With one exception, I don’t feel very motivated to watch these over and over again. But on the basis of which movies scared me the most: - Night of the Living Dead - The Exorcist - Jaws [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-3-favorite-horror-movies-of-all-time/842302.md?page=4)