100 Best Horror Movies Quiz (Part 1)

[C] The Exorcist | When we talk about horror films, The Exorcist (1973) is an absolute must-see classic that many fans consider one of the most terrifying movies ever made. Director William Friedkin brought William Peter Blatty's novel to life in such a chilling way, telling the story of young Regan MacNeil possessed by a demonic entity, and the desperate attempts of two priests to perform an exorcism. Just thinking about it sends shivers down your spine.

[A] The Silence of the Lambs | The Silence of the Lambs (1991) is a seriously powerful film, not just a thriller, but a benchmark for psychological suspense. Director Jonathan Demme tells the captivating story of FBI trainee Clarice Starling, who has to consult with the incarcerated cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter to catch another serial killer, Buffalo Bill. You'll finish watching and realize how brilliantly it portrays character psychology and builds suspense.

[D] The Shining | Stanley Kubrick's The Shining (1980), based on Stephen King's novel, is a masterclass in psychological horror. It depicts a family's terrifying isolation in an old, secluded hotel during winter, where the father's sanity slowly unravels due to supernatural forces and his own inner demons. It's the kind of film that just gets under your skin.

[C] Halloween | If you're into slasher films, then you've definitely seen John Carpenter's Halloween (1978). The character Michael Myers originated here: an escaped mental patient who returns to his hometown to stalk and kill teenagers on Halloween night. The film's minimalist score is iconic, the atmosphere is incredibly tense, and it set the stage for so many horror tropes that followed.

[B] The Conjuring | The Conjuring (2013) is a supernatural horror film directed by James Wan, and it's supposedly based on real-life paranormal cases. It follows the Warrens, famous paranormal investigators, as they help a family tormented by a dark presence in their farmhouse. What makes this film great is that it doesn't rely on cheap tricks; it delivers genuine, old-school scares that are incredibly effective.

[D] A Nightmare on Elm Street | When you think of dream killers, Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) immediately comes to mind. Director Wes Craven was brilliant in creating this disfigured killer who preys on teenagers in their dreams, leading to their deaths in the real world. This film's creative kills and its blurring of reality and dreams are truly iconic.

[A] Alien | Ridley Scott's Alien (1979) is a landmark in sci-fi horror. It follows the crew of the spaceship Nostromo who encounter a terrifying extraterrestrial creature that systematically hunts them down. The film is praised for its atmospheric tension, groundbreaking creature design, and its powerful female protagonist. It's a classic for a reason.

[C] The Thing | John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) is a cult classic sci-fi horror film. Set in Antarctica, it tells the story of an American research team that encounters a parasitic extraterrestrial life-form capable of perfectly imitating its victims. The film is renowned for its incredible practical effects, bleak atmosphere, and themes of paranoia and distrust that will leave you unsettled long after it's over.

[B] Psycho | Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (1960) is a groundbreaking psychological horror-thriller. It famously tells the story of a secretary who embezzled money and ends up at the isolated Bates Motel, run by the disturbed Norman Bates. The film is celebrated for its shocking twists, relentless suspense, and that iconic shower scene that truly revolutionized horror cinema.

[A] The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) | The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), directed by Tobe Hooper, is a hugely influential independent horror film. It follows a group of friends who fall victim to a family of cannibals, including the iconic Leatherface, in rural Texas. The film is notorious for its gritty realism, raw intensity, and its terrifying portrayal of primal fear. It'll chill you to the bone.

[B] Jaws | You can't talk about summer blockbusters without mentioning Jaws (1975). Steven Spielberg's masterpiece made everyone think twice about going into the ocean. It's the story of a giant great white shark terrorizing a New England beach town, and the local sheriff, a marine biologist, and a grizzled shark hunter who set out to stop it. The suspense and the iconic score are just legendary.

[C] Poltergeist | Poltergeist (1982) is one of those classic haunted house movies that still freaks people out. Directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg, it's about a suburban family whose new home is invaded by malevolent spirits. It's got everything: creepy clowns, moving furniture, and that famous line, "They're here."

[B] Stephen King's IT | Before the recent movies, there was Stephen King's IT (1990), the miniseries that first brought Pennywise the Clown to life for many of us. It tells the sprawling story of a group of outcast kids, the Losers' Club, who confront an ancient evil entity that preys on children, only to have to face it again as adults. Tim Curry's performance as Pennywise is unforgettable.

[A] Carrie | Carrie (1976) is a heartbreaking and terrifying film directed by Brian De Palma, based on Stephen King's first published novel. It's about a shy, tormented teenage girl with telekinetic powers who unleashes havoc on her tormentors at prom. It's a powerful story about bullying and revenge that ends with one of the most iconic horror movie climaxes ever.

[D] The Ring | If you remember getting a creepy phone call after watching a strange video, then you know The Ring (2002). This American remake of the Japanese horror film *Ringu* truly popularized J-horror in the West. It follows a journalist investigating a cursed videotape that kills the viewer seven days after watching it. Samara's crawl is burned into everyone's memory!

[B] Friday the 13th (1980) | No list of horror icons is complete without Jason Voorhees, and it all started with Friday the 13th (1980). This slasher classic takes place at Camp Crystal Lake, where a mysterious killer begins to pick off a group of teenage counselors. It's pure, bloody fun and kicked off one of the most famous horror franchises ever.

[C] Misery | Not all horror needs monsters; sometimes, a deranged fan is enough. Misery (1990), based on Stephen King's novel and directed by Rob Reiner, is a nail-biting psychological thriller. It stars James Caan as a famous author rescued from a car crash by his "number one fan," Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates in an Oscar-winning role), who turns out to be terrifyingly possessive.

[B] It (2017) | The more recent adaptation of Stephen King's epic novel, It (2017) brought Pennywise back to the big screen for a new generation. This film focuses on the Losers' Club as kids, facing off against the terrifying clown in Derry, Maine. It perfectly blends coming-of-age drama with genuinely terrifying scares.

[C] Insidious | If you like your scares with a healthy dose of atmosphere and jump scares, Insidious (2010) is a great pick. Directed by James Wan (who also did *The Conjuring*), it's about a family whose comatose son becomes a vessel for demons in an astral dimension known as "The Further." That red-faced demon is truly unnerving.

[D] The Omen | For a dose of demonic dread and chilling prophecies, check out The Omen (1976). It tells the story of an American diplomat who secretly replaces his dead newborn with an orphaned child, only to discover years later that the boy, Damien, might be the Antichrist. The eerie coincidences and terrifying "accidents" make this a truly unsettling watch.

[C] Halloween | You can't have a horror list without another shout-out to Halloween (1978). It truly set the standard for slasher films, introducing the relentless Michael Myers. John Carpenter's direction, the suspenseful score, and Jamie Lee Curtis's iconic performance as Laurie Strode make it a timeless classic that still sends shivers down your spine.

[A] The Evil Dead (1981) | For a raw, cabin-in-the-woods horror experience, The Evil Dead (1981) is a must-watch. Directed by Sam Raimi and starring Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams, this low-budget, high-impact film unleashes demonic forces on a group of college students. It's gory, intense, and surprisingly influential, kicking off a beloved franchise.

[C] 28 Days Later | If you're looking for a fresh take on the zombie genre, 28 Days Later (2002) is a game-changer. Directed by Danny Boyle, this film redefined "fast zombies" and presented a bleak, post-apocalyptic Britain. It follows a man who wakes from a coma to find the world overrun by rage-infected humans. It's intense, thought-provoking, and genuinely terrifying.

[B] Pet Sematary | Stephen King adaptations often hit hard, and Pet Sematary (1989) is no exception. Based on his chilling novel, it tells the story of a family who discovers a mysterious burial ground behind their new home that can bring the dead back to life—but with horrifying consequences. It's a truly dark and tragic tale about grief and what happens when you try to cheat death.

[D] Saw | If intricate traps and psychological torture are your thing, then Saw (2004) is the film for you. Directed by James Wan, this movie kicked off a massive horror franchise by introducing Jigsaw, a serial killer who puts his victims through gruesome "games" to test their will to live. It's a twisted, intense ride that keeps you guessing.

[D] The Amityville Horror | Based on supposed real events, The Amityville Horror (1979) capitalized on the haunted house craze. It follows the Lutz family as they move into a house where a mass murder occurred, only to be terrorized by malevolent supernatural forces. It's a classic haunted house story with some truly unsettling moments.

[B] Aliens | James Cameron's Aliens (1986) is a fantastic follow-up to the original, shifting from pure horror to a more action-packed sci-fi thriller. Sigourney Weaver returns as Ripley, who goes back to the planet LV-426 with a squad of Colonial Marines to confront the xenomorphs. It's a relentless, high-octane ride with incredible creature effects and a strong emphasis on Ripley's maternal instincts.

[B] Night of the Living Dead | A true genre-defining film, George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead (1968) is arguably the foundation of modern zombie cinema. This black-and-white masterpiece set the rules for the undead apocalypse, trapping a group of strangers in a farmhouse as flesh-eating ghouls lay siege. It's gritty, claustrophobic, and surprisingly poignant.

[D] The Sixth Sense | M. Night Shyamalan's The Sixth Sense (1999) isn't just a horror film; it's a profound supernatural thriller with one of the most famous twists in movie history. It tells the story of a child psychologist (Bruce Willis) trying to help a young boy (Haley Joel Osment) who claims to "see dead people." It's chilling, emotional, and expertly crafted.

[B] Sinister | For a truly unsettling and genuinely scary experience, Sinister (2012) delivers. It follows a true-crime writer (Ethan Hawke) who moves his family into a house where a gruesome murder occurred, only to discover disturbing home videos that reveal a supernatural entity called Bughuul. It's got an oppressive atmosphere and some seriously effective scares.