The Top 500 Horror Films of All Time (2022 Edition)

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Scary DVDs! Woo!
It’s the Scariest Things Mount Rushhorror! The Top 500 Horror Films of All Time await you.


Congratulations, you have found The Top 500 Horror Films of All Time! So, have you seen a good horror movie lately? Let this be your starting point for your late-night horror marathon selections!

This is a comprehensive list of recommendations for our favorite horror films. We have expanded upon our Top 100 films from 2018, having brought in many more jurors for this effort. Several years ago, there was a fantastic website that had a master list of their greatest horror films. Mike Campbell and I used that list as a reference to make sure we were catching all the essentials. Unfortunately, that site and list is gone. So, we intended to create a proper horror movie reference guide for those looking for a good horror movie. And here we are now, with the big list ready for you to use and peruse.

When creating this list, we selected a committee of expert jurors to participate in creating this list. Our jury includes film directors, festival directors, fellow podcasters, and ride-or-die horror movie fans all contributing their top 25 lists. Finally, after all the ballots were counted, these weighted lists delivered over 500 movies for us to compile.

Check out our post that describes the voting selections to see how “The Sausage Gets Made”. In that post, we listed every voting ballot. We are a very open book here at the Scariest Things! Also, if you want to hear more about our thoughts on the big list, you have a couple of options. You can listen to our Podcast breakdowns linked below. Or, instead, you can go to your streaming browser and find these episodes.

Consider that our list spans the decades from the 1920s to Current releases up to 2022. Over a hundred year’s worth of films to pick from. There are, of course, a few movies that we wish made it into the TOP 100, but that’s just quibbling. Of course, that’s just one of the reasons why we have expanded our big list from 100 to 500 films.

I think it would be fair to guess that NOBODY has seen all 500 of these films. Odds are that very few of you have seen the full TOP 100. But that’s why we have the list. If you’re looking for something good to stream, browse the list. We are certain that there’s something here that just might scare you!

A recommendation: This list is much easier to review using a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. You may find that the phone version graphics of the list gets a little choppy looking. We broke the list into sets of 10 so it’s easier for you to browse. Let us know what you think at [email protected].

Where is your favorite horror movie ranked? What movie ranking surprises you the most? Do you have a film that for some reason is NOT on the list? Of course, the beauty of these rankings is the debate. And now, without further ado, here we go!

1-50

TitleYearFrom
1The Thing 1982USA
2The Shining 1980USA
3Alien1979UK
4Halloween1978USA
5The Exorcist1973USA
6Jaws1975USA
7The Texas Chainsaw Massacre1974USA
8An American Werewolf in London1981UK
9Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn1987USA
10A Nightmare on Elm Street1984USA
11Scream1996USA
12Dawn of the Dead1978USA
13The Blair Witch Project1999USA
14Rosemary’s Baby1968USA
15Psycho1960USA
16Get Out2017USA
17Night of the Living Dead1968USA
18The Fly1986CAN
19 Suspiria1977ITA
20The Cabin in the Woods2011USA
2128 Days Later2002UK
22Shaun of the Dead2004UK
23Poltergeist1982USA
24The Silence of the Lambs1991USA
25Hereditary2018USA
26The Witch2015USA
27Return of the Living Dead1985USA
28Let the Right One In2008SWE
29Re-Animator1985USA
30The Ring2002USA
31The Evil Dead1981USA
32It Follows2014USA
33Train to Busan2016KOR
34Hausu1977JPN
35Martyrs2008FRA
36Phantasm1979USA
37Se7en1995USA
38The Babadook2014AUS
39 Aliens1986USA
40The Conjuring2013USA
41The Lost Boys1987USA
42Hellraiser1987USA
43The Descent2005USA
44A Quiet Place2018USA
45The Exorcist III1990USA
46[REC]2007ESP
47The Omen1976USA
48Invasion of the Body Snatchers1977USA
49Tucker and Dale vs. Evil2010USA
50Fright Night1985USA

51-100

51 Creepshow1982USA
52Day of the Dead1985USA
53Gremlins1984USA
54Army of Darkness1992USA
55Audition1999JPN
56The Wicker Man1975UK
57Bride of Frankenstein1935USA
58Trick R’ Treat2007USA
59Ringu1998JPN
60Friday the 13th VI: Jason Lives1986USA
61Godzilla1954JPN
62Friday the 13th1981USA
63What We do in the Shadows2014NZL
64Saint Maud2019UK
65Saw2004USA
66In the Mouth of Madness1994USA
67The Amityville Horror1979USA
68Insidious2010USA
69Event Horizon1997USA
70The Monster Squad1987USA
71The Changeling1980USA
72Creature from the Black Lagoon1954USA
73Candyman1992USA
74The Autopsy of Jane Doe2016USA
75Paranormal Activity2007USA
76The Sixth Sense1999USA
77Misery1990USA
78Carrie1976USA
79Bram Stoker’s Dracula1992USA
80The Burbs1989USA
81Blue Velvet1986USA
82Curse of the Demon1957UK
83Halloween 3: Season of the Witch 1982USA
84Eraserhead1977USA
85The Fog1980USA
86Ju-On (The Grudge)2002JPN
87Under the Skin2013UK
88Nosferatu1922GER
89Zombieland2009USA
90Inside2007FRA
91House of the Devil2009USA
92Pet Semetary1989USA
93Hellraiser 2: Hellbound1988USA
94Session 92001USA
95The Mist2007USA
96Frailty2001USA
97The Haunting1963UK
98Midsommar2019USA
99Noroi (The Curse)2005JPN
100Eyes Without a Face1960USA

101-150

101You’re NextUSA
102Beetlejuice1988USA
103Behind the Mask: Rise of Leslie Vernon2006USA
104Santa Sangre2000MEX
105Ginger Snaps2000CAN
106King Kong1933USA
107Don’t Look Now1973UK
108Raw2016FRA
109The Birds1963USA
110Zombi 2 (Zombie)1979ITA
111Burnt Offerings1976USA
112Goodnight Mommy2014AUT
113Friday the 13th IV: The Final Chapter1984USA
114The Invitation2015USA
115Bride of Chucky1998USA
116Dracula1931USA
117Hostel2006USA
118Black Christmas1974USA
119Pan’s Labyrinth2007MEX
120Twins of Evil2009UK
121Drag Me to Hell2009USA
122It2017USA
123Profondo Rosso (Deep Red)1975ITA
124Annihilation2018USA
125The Brood1979CAN
126Sinister2012USA
127Final Destination2000USA
128Coraline2009USA
129A Tale of Two Sisters2003KOR
130Hell Night1981USA
131The Strangers2008USA
132The Legend of Hell House1973USA
133Videodrome1983CAN
134Altered States1980USA
135Green Room2016USA
136The Innocents1961UK
137Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me1992USA
138Kill List2011UK
139Troll Hunter2010SWE
140Let’s Scare Jessica to Death1971USA
141Salem’s Lot1979USA
142Dead Alive (Braindead)1993NZL
143Frankenstein1931USA
144Repulsion1965UK
145The Wailing2016KOR
146Dead Ringers1988CAN
147Baskin2016TUR
148Child’s Play1988USA
149The Blob1988USA
150The Frighteners1996NZL

151-200

151The Ritual2018UK
152Us2019USA
153Nightmare on Elm Street3:Dream Warriors1987USA
154Kairo (Pulse)2001JPN
155Vargtimmen (Hour of the Wolf)1968SWE
156Near Dark1987USA
157Dr. Caligari1989USA
158The Mummy1932USA
159From Dusk Til Dawn1996USA
160Thi13en Ghosts2001USA
161Demons1985ITA
162Interview with the Vampire1994USA
163Spooky Encounters1980HK
164Pieces1983ESP
165The Exorcism of Emily Rose2005USA
166The Haunting of Julia1976CAN
167The Stepfather1987USA
168Dr. Sleep2019USA
169Lord of Illusions1995USA
170Lovely Molly2112USA
171Quatermass and the Pit1968UK
172Slugs1988USA
173The Convent2000USA
174The Ninth Gate2000FRA
175Who Could Kill a Child?1976ITA
176The Devils1971UK
177Ghostbusters1984USA
178The Rocky Horror Picture Show1975USA
179Alice, Sweet Alice1976USA
180As Above, So Below2014FRA
181Mandy2018USA
182The Gate1987USA
183The Pact1977USA
184Cure1997JPN
185Amityville 2: The Possession1982USA
186Split2017USA
187Ravenous1999USA
188Starry Eyes2014USA
189City of the Living Dead1983ITA
190House of Wax2005USA
191Buffy the Vampire Slayer1992USA
192Tarantula1956USA
193Host2020USA
194Horror Of Dracula1958UK
195Poltergeist 21986USA
196The Devil’s Backbone2001MEX
197The Hitcher1986USA
198The People Under the Stairs1991USA
199 Carnival of Souls1962USA
200My Bloody Valentine1981USA

201-250

201The Abominable Doctor Phibes1971UK
202Night of the Comet1984USA
20314082007USA
204Black Sunday1960ITA
205Black Swan2010USA
206The Company of Wolves1984UK
207Invasion of the Body Snatchers1956USA
208 Scream 21997USA
209Death Proof2007USA
210Silent Hill2006USA
211Return of Godzilla1984JPN
212Tremors1990USA
213Wes Craven’s New Nightmare1994USA
214The Dunwich Horror1970USA
215Valerie and her Week of Wonders 1970CZE
216Scarecrows1980USA
217Hounds of Love2017AUS
218Wake in Fright1971AUS
219Welcome to Mercy2018USA
220The Crawling Eye1956UK
221Ready or Not2019USA
222The Skin I Live In2011ESP
223It1990USA
224Killer Klowns from Outer Space1988USA
225Phantasm II1988USA
226The Happiness of the Katakuris2001JPN
227White Coffin2016ARG
228Undocumented2010USA
229Kill Baby Kill1983ITA
230Sole Survivor1984USA
231Shivers1975CAN
232The Broken2008UK
233Psycho Goreman2020USA
234The Stepfather 21989USA
235The Legend of Boggy Creek1972USA
236Possession1981FRA
237Sleepy Hollow1999USA
238Kwaidan1964JPN
239Bloody Hell2020AUS
240Christine1983USA
241Children of the Corn1984USA
242The Phantom of the Paradise1974USA
243Piranha1978USA
244Creepshow 21987USA
245The Fearless Vampire Killers1967UK
246Pumpkinhead1988USA
247A Mata Negra (The Black Forest)2018BRA
248Night of the Demons1988USA
249Wolf Cop2014CAN
250The Prowler2014USA

251-300

251Prometheus2012USA
252The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 21986USA
253Oculus2006USA
254Climax2018FRA
255Suspiria2018ITA
256Battle Royale2000JPN
257Basket Case1982USA
258X2022USA
259The Others2001ESP
260V/H/S 22013USA
261Ichi The Killer2001JPN
262Arachnophobia1990USA
263World War Z2013USA
264Frontiere(s)2007FRA
265Mother!2017USA
266Madman1981USA
267The Monster that Challenged the World 1957USA
268The Last House on the Left1972USA
269Hocus Pocus1993USA
270Incident in a Ghost Land2018CAN
271The Tenant1976FRA
272Bone Tomahawk2015USA
273Veronica2017ESP
274Wind Chill2007USA
275Blood of the Vampire1958UK
276The Conjuring 22016USA
277Ms. 451981USA
278Terror Creatures from the Grave1965ITA
279Mimesis2011USA
280Suicide Club2001JPN
281Funny Games1996AUT
282Messiah of Evil1973USA
283The Vanishing1988NED
284Tales from the Crypt1972USA
285Angel Heart1987USA
286She Who Must Burn2015CAN
287Young Frankenstein1975USA
288War of the Gargantuas1964JPN
289Maniac2012USA
290Cube1997CAN
291Apostle2018UK
292Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale2010SWE
293The Borderlands2013UK
294From Beyond1986USA
295Halloween H2O1998USA
296Sweetie, You Won’t Believe It2020KAZ
297First Born2016UK
298Curse of the Crying Woman1963MEX
299The Night Stalker1972USA
300Take Shelter2011USA

301-350

301Apostle2018UK
302The Borderlands (Final Prayer)2013UK
303She Who Must Burn2015CAN
304The Lighthouse2019USA
305Maniac1980USA
306House on Haunted Hill1959USA
307Paranorman2012USA
308The Black Cat1934USA
309 Contracted2013USA
310The Nightmare Before Christmas1993USA
311Plague of the Zombies1966UK
312The Uninvited1944USA
313The Night Strangler1973USA
314Hellbender2021USA
315Antichrist2009DEN
316The Sentinel2006USA
317High Tension2001FRA
318The Blackcoat’s Daughter 2015CAN
319Dog Soldiers2002UK
320The House on Haunted Hill1999USA
321The Masque of Red Death1964USA
322Inferno1980ITA
323Lake Mungo2008AUS
324Predator1987USA
325Overlord2018USA
326The Orphanage2007ESP
327The Thing From Another World1951USA
328They Live1988USA
329Jacob’s Ladder1990USA
330Shock Waves1977USA
331Tigers Are Not Afraid2019MEX
332Lair of the White Worm1988UK
333Cat O’ Nine Tales1971ITA
334Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer1986USA
335The Void2016CAN
336The Hunger1983UK
337The Witchfinder General1968UK
338Silent Night, Deadly Night1984USA
339Hell House LLC2015USA
340Crimson Peak2015USA
341Bliss2019USA
342Curse of the Doll People1961MEX
343Tetsuo, The Iron Man1989JPN
344The Spine of Night2021USA
345The Girl With All the Gifts2016UK
346Anna and the Apocalypse2017USA
347Little Shop of Horrors1986USA
348The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari1922GER
349The Feast2021UK
350Tenebrae1982ITA

351-400

351Triangle2009AUS
352The Shrine2010CAN
353Child’s Play 21990USA
354Stagefright1987ITA
355The Boxer’s Omen1983HNK
356The Howling1981USA
357The Transfiguration2016USA
358Flesh for Frankenstein in 3D1973USA
359The Evil Dead2013USA
360The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh2012CAN
361Child’s Play 31991USA
362The Handmaiden2016KOR
363The Wicker Tree2011UK
364Trouble Every Day2001FRA
365Tesis1996ESP
366Gargoyles1972USA
367Cabin Fever2002USA
368Diabolique1955FRA
369REPO: The Genetic Opera2008USA
370Attack the Block2011UK
371Absentia2011USA
372Puppet Master1989USA
373C.H.U.D.1984USA
374Mayhem2017USA
375Alucarda1977USA
376Blood Rage1987USA
377The Loved Ones2009AUS
378Fiend Without a Face1957UK
379Dead Silence2007USA
380The Wolf Man1941USA
381I’ll Drink Your Blood1971USA
382A Quiet Place Part 22021USA
383Open Water2003USA
384Pontypool2008CAN
385The Screw Fly Solution (Masters of Horror)2002USA
386Anthropophagus1980ITA
387Ab-Normal Beauty2004HNK
388Excision2012USA
389The Burning1981USA
390It Comes at Night2017USA
391Maneater of Hydra (Island of the Doomed)1967GER
392Dead End2003FRA
393Vampire’s Kiss1988USA
394Duel1971USA
395Mars Attacks!1996USA
396Antlers2022USA
397Cloverfield2008USA
398Deathgasm2015NZL
399Day of the Triffids1963UK
400Happy Death Day2017USA

401-450

401Race with the Devil1975USA
402House1985USA
403The Dead Zone1983CAN
404When a Stranger Calls1979USA
405Incident on and off a Mountain Road2005USA
406The Fearless Vampire Killers1967UK
407House of 1000 Corpses2003USA
408Red State2011USA
409This House Possessed1981USA
410Dead Birds2004USA
411Parents1989USA
412The Funhouse1981USA
413Michael Jackson’s Thriller1983USA
414Cannibal Holocaust1980ITA
415Hatchet2006USA
416Bad Taste1987NZL
417Night of the Hunter1955USA
418Frozen2010USA
419Splinter2008USA
420One Cut of the Dead2019JPN
421The Blood on Satan’s Claw1971UK
422The Love Witch2016USA
423The Toxic Avenger1984USA
424The Curse of Frankenstein1957UK
425The Burrowers2008USA
426Friday the 13th Part III in 3D1982USA
427The Hand that Rocks the Cradle1992USA
428The Invisible Man2020USA
429The Host2006KOR
430Uzumaki (Spiral)2000JPN
431The Final Girls2015USA
432St John’s Wort2001JPN
433The Human Centipede: First Sequence2009USA
434Mill of the Stone Woman1960ITA
435Hiruko the Goblin1991JPN
436Slither2006USA
437The Ruins2008USA
438The Purge2013USA
439Ghost Story1981UK
440NightBreed1990USA
441The Tingler1959USA
442Love and Monsters2020USA
443Rawhead Rex1986USA
444The Fourth Kind2009USA
445The Village2004USA
446The Woman in Black2012UK
447[REC] 3: Genesis2003ESP
448Cat’s Eye1985USA
449Dracula Has Risen from the Grave1968UK
450Krampus2015USA

451-500

Note: Selections 472-500 are additions that were not voted in. There were a number of non-horror movies that were in some cases close but not quite qualifying as horror films (Particularly the David Lynch Catalog) and some were obviously NOT horror: (Forrest Gump and Apocalypse Now). IMDB is a handy resource in identifying whether a movie could be considered horror, and they are pretty generous. Consider the last 28 films in the list as honorable mentions. Films that probably should have been included, and were added in by the Scariest Things Editorial selection… plus Zombeavers, because we couldn’t resist.

451Vacancy2007USA
452Dagon2001ESP
453The Church1989ITA
454V/H/S2112USA
455Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein1948USA
456Frankenhooker1990USA
457Kong: Skull Island2018USA
458Promising Young Woman2021USA
459The Call of Cthulhu2005USA
460Turistas2006USA
461Friday the 13th Part 21981USA
462Mama2013CAN
463Pandora’s Box1929GER
464All Monsters Attack1969JPN
465Baxter1989FRA
466The Nameless1999ESP
467Doctor Blood’s Coffin1961UK
468Father’s Day2011USA
469Fear Inc.2016USA
470Doomsday1008UK
471Willy’s Wonderland2021USA
472*Freaks1932USA
473*Contagion2011USA
474*Wait Until Dark1967USA
475*Motel Hell1980USA
476*Cujo1983USA
477*Peeping Tom1960UK
478*The Hills Have Eyes1977USA
479*Dawn of the Dead2004USA
480*The Island of Lost Souls1932USA
481*Mothra1961JPN
482*Aterrados (Terrified)2017ARG
483*Monkey Shines1988USA
484*Cat People1984USA
485*Spider Baby1967USA
486*The Relic1997USA
487*Revenge2019FRA
488*It’s Alive1974USA
489*Straw Dogs1971UK
490*Wolf Creek2005AUS
491*Satan’s Slaves2018IDO
492*Bay of Blood (Twitch of the Death Nerve)1971ITA
493*The Platform2019ESP
494*Scanners1981CAN
495*Terrifier2016USA
496*Hush2016USA
497*The Lodge2019USA
498*The Stuff1985USA
499*Barbarian2022USA
500*Zombeavers2014USA
Richard Jenkins at the Big Board in Cabin in the Woods (Almost like how wed made this list…)

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