55 Best Classic Horror Movies of All Time
From new horror films to those with a decades-long cult following.
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Science shows that there are benefits to being scared, including a feeling of euphoria and a sense of resilience. Fans of scary movies know this first-hand. For some, nothing measures up to the catharsis you get when you've faced your fears head on — on the screen, at least — and come out the other side unscathed. And Hollywood knows this, too, inventing scary movies pretty much right from the moment they realized that pictures could move. (One of the first films ever to use special effects, for example, used them to show a beheading — the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots.)
And while there's pleasure in unearthing an obscure horror film from the depths and going into it without any expectations, the classics — well, they're classics for a reason. They've stood the test of time because they have that extra something special about them, be it a performance by a cinema great like Boris Karloff or Bela Lugosi's, an unforgettable special effect, a music sting that stays with you long after the movie is over or something so gnarly and gruesome you have to cover your face with your hands when you watch. The best, all-time classic horror movies on this list have one or a combination of these things, starting franchises, pioneering new genres and generally living on in the lives of horror fans.
Looking for more great, scary movies? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:
Best Ghost Movies | Best Witch Movies | Best Vampire Movies | Best Werewolf Movies | Best Scary Movies for Kids
Nosferatu (1922)
There's just something about Dracula stories: They've been captivating audiences since movies were first made, and are still being made today. (See: This year's The Last Voyage of the Demeter and Renfield.) F.W. Murnau's offers a silent, German Expressionist take on the vampire tale that still sends shivers down the spine.
Psycho (1960)
While several of Alfred Hitchcock's movies really ratchet up the suspense, Psycho is the most horrific. It follows a young woman who goes on the run after stealing some money — and happens to stop at the exact wrong motel. The classic strings in the Bernard Herrmann musical score are still shorthand for "something scary is happening" today.
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
For those who aren't fans of gore or jump scares, Rosemary's Baby goes for more of a slow-burn, unsettling dread that gets more intense as the movie goes on. It follows a young, pregnant woman, played by Mia Farrow, who gradually realizes that forces are conspiring behind her back about her unborn baby's future.
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A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Freddy Krueger, Wes Craven's signature horror creation, is the stuff of nightmares to be sure, with his scarred face and bladed glove. But, as the franchise goes on, Freddy almost becomes the hero of the series — or at least he's a character audiences love to see again and again. Which is a lucky thing, because after this first film, he goes on to be in seven other movies, a reboot and a TV series.
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Night of the Living Dead (1968)
There would be no zombie-movie genre if it were not for the great George A. Romero, who used zombies as a subtle commentary on mass culture. After this first feature, Romero went on to direct Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Land of the Dead, Diary of the Dead, Survival of the Dead and the upcoming Twilight of the Dead.
Dracula (1931)
With respect to Nosferatu, when people think of Dracula, they think of the inimitable Bela Lugosi's turn as the Universal monster. And, after watching this film, it's easy to see why he made such an impression.
Suspiria (1977)
In this Dario Argento film, an American is invited to study at a prestigious German academy, only to find that there's nefarious doings behind-the-scenes. The movie isn't dark and shadowy like most horror films, but the bright colors don't save audiences from the big frights.
The Witch (2015)
Robert Eggers heightened, highly stylized movie follows a Puritan family who is banished from their community. Forced to struggle against nature on their own, the members of the family start to suspect supernatural forces for their downfall. It's an example of what's being called "A24ror," or horror films from the studio A24, which favor slower paces and more arthouse styles. (See also: Ari Aster's Hereditary and Midsommar.)
Eyes Without a Face (1960)
If you think that older movies don't have the power to shock, disturb or scare the way new ones do, Eyes Without a Face (also known as Les Yeux Sans Visage) proves they absolutely do. The French film follows a doctor who, guilt-ridden after causing an accident that disfigured his daughter, lures women to his home to try to graft their faces onto hers.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
This movie is worth it for the werewolf transformation alone — it won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Makeup, which was done by the legendary Rick Baker.
The Mummy (1932)
What would a list of classic horror movies be without a mummy? While most recent mummy movies go for action or adventure, this one — starring Boris Karloff again — goes deeper, with Imhotep seeking the reincarnated soul of his true love.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Three film students are intrigued by the Blair Witch legend and head into a Maryland forest to film a documentary about it. They never return, but their terrifying video was unearthed. This movie kicked off the "found footage" craze in horror movies, inspiring many imitators that followed.
The Birds (1963)
Another Hitchcock great: When Melanie meets Mitch at a pet store in San Francisco, she decides to buy him the birds that he was looking for in an effort to gain his interest. When she arrives to deliver the gift, birds of all kinds become enraged and begin to attack.
The Exorcist (1973)
When a young girl becomes possessed and starts to behave in disturbing ways, her mother seeks out help from a local priest, but things take a deadly turn as soon as he arrives. Can his faith save him? A new Exorcist movie, The Exorcist: Believer from director David Gordon Green, comes out this year.
Halloween (1978)
John Carpenter, another master of the horror genre, directs this movie, about the unstoppable Michael Myers and the lengths he will go through to get revenge on his family. Even though this came out in 1978, the Halloween franchise is still ongoing: Halloween Ends came out in 2022.
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RELATED: Here Is How to Watch Every 'Halloween' Movies with Michael Myers in Order
Ganja & Hess (1973)
Dr. Hess Green, an anthropologist, goes to do research with his assistant on the Myrthians, an ancient African nation that has a thirst for blood. One night, his unstable assistant attacks Green and stabs him with a Myrthian dagger, ultimately turning him into a vampire.
Scream (1996)
A serial killer targets a group of teenagers by making them play along in his wicked games, throwing the whole town into a frenzy. Also created by Wes Craven, this movie is almost an anti-horror movie, since it calls out the conventions and tropes of the genre as it goes along. And it's still running them down: Scream VI came out this year; another is on the way.
Frankenstein (1931)
It's Boris Karloff in his signature role, taking on another larger-than-life Universal monster. Four years later, Karloff and director James Whale reunited for the sequel, The Bride of Frankenstein.
The Haunting (1963)
A group of investigators stays at the 90-year-old Hill House that is supposedly haunted. As they learn about the house’s history and the people that have died within it, they start to witness paranormal activity that haunts them throughout the night. Hill House has a hold on people: There was a remake in 1999 with Owen Wilson and Lili Taylor, along with The Haunting of Hill House series on Netflix.
The Shining (1980)
After newly sober writer Jack Torrance goes to an isolated hotel with his family to help with his writer’s block, his son begins to see horrific forebodings. Soon after, Jack becomes manic, leading the family into heightened fright. Pay attention to the pattern on the carpet in the hotel: Once you notice it, you'll recognize it everywhere, from rugs to pillows to purses.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
Katarina Avendaño (she/her) is the senior SEO editor for Good Housekeeping, where she writes and edits lifestyle content and contributes to SEO strategy. Before joining GH in 2021, she was the digital editor at New York Family, where she was responsible for the website’s content and strategy. Katarina received her bachelor's degree in communications and Spanish from the University of Washington.
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