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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Deset Gled" data-source="post: 9481172" data-attributes="member: 7808">This thread is inspired by this post in the Pineapple thread:I could argue either way whether The Sixth Sense is a horror movie or thriller (or if there's any distinction between the two).  But the bottom line is that you need to stop putting it on lists of "Best Horror Movies" because it simply isn't that scary.  I'll give you that it's pretty good; it's entertaining and well made.  But it would struggle to get on my list of Top 100 Scary Movies of All Time.So having said that, let's talk about the actual Best Horror Movies of All Time.Here are the rules:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Must be "horror".  That means scary; inducing feelings of terror, fright, fear, and panic.  You decide what that means, whether it's gore, suspense, psychological, etc.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Must be "horror".  Yeah, I'm using Fight Club rules for emphasis.  We're talking about something actually scary.  If you want to go non-traditional by arguing that The Lego Movie is a terrifying depiction of Lovecraftian horror, you need to be able to back it up with serious discussion about why is actually scares you, not just academic posturing.  If you want to say "When Harry Met Sally" is #1 because there's nothing scarier than commitment, kindly go make your own thread.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Must be the "best".  You judge by your own standards.  But the important thing is we're talking about horror based in some measure of quality. This is not just a discussion of your personal phobias presented in schlock movies; if you're coulrophobic, the expectation is "It" not "Killer Klowns from Outer Space".</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Must be a movie.  No shorts, no TV shows, no books.  Child's Play the movie, yes; Chucky the TV show, no. Pretty straightforward, right?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">10 items or less, please.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Single movies, not a series.  If you want to have Nightmare on Elm Street 1-6, that's six movies, not a single entry, and please put them in an order.  "Best Horror Franchise" is another thread for another time.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">No limits on language, time, or anything else.</li> </ul>With those rules in place, here's the definitive list.10. Dead of Night (1945)Okay, I'm going to admit that I'm starting with a little bit of a cop out.  I love anthology horror movies.  And there are just so many good ones.  From Kwaidan to Creepshow to VHS, with everything from Cat's Eye to Trick'r'Treat in between.  But Dead of Night, being both amazingly good and an early codifier, is the iconic "best" that I have chosen to represent the peak of the genre.9. GhostbustersComedy and horror have gone together since the earliest days of film, but Ghostbusters stands out (and earns a place on this list) because it's a truly great horror movie, even without the funny bits.  It's a unique blend that may never be matched.8. The Cabinet of Dr. CaligariStill holds up as a unique horror experience over a hundred years later.  If you want to give credit to the original masters but don't enjoy the German Expressionist vibe as much as I do, I recommend the The Phantom Carriage (a major influence on The Shining) or the 1920 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as alternatives.7. Night of the Living DeadPure excellence in low budget terror.  So good it redefined the word "zombie" and created an entire genre.6. HalloweenI'll admit I'm not the biggest fan of "slasher" movies.  They're a little bit basic, as horror goes.  But this movie is absolute perfection of the art form.  From the soundtrack to the shot composition to the editing, this is a masterclass in horror film making.5. The OrphanageNot just scary, but also emotional and beautiful. Criminally obscure to American audiences.  Yeah, I love Pan's Labyrinth too. But that's fantasy and this is horror.4. The RingA visual masterpiece in horror.  The fact that this movie didn't get an Oscar nomination for Cinematography is proof that the Academy is a bunch of prudes who don't give the horror genre its due. Having re-watched both the US and Japanese versions recently, I'm going to confidently say that the US version is better. The minor improvements to pacing and just a little more polish make a notable difference.3. The ThingBody horror, suspense, and special effects that many have tried to copy, but none have managed to even approach.  Also, proof that remakes can be good (even if the original was high quality).2. AlienOkay, we've argued about the Alien films enough on the boards recently.  If you want to discuss this, revive one of those threads.  Or just accept that it belongs here.1. HereditaryJust barely making it into the #1 spot is this modern masterpiece.  DO NOT READ ABOUT THIS MOVIE BEFORE WATCHING.  Go and experience it for yourself.  It is more than just a horror movie, it's a journey.  No un-hidden spoilers in this thread, please.Honorable Mentions:The ShiningHellraiserIt (1 and 2)Get OutTroll HunterUnfriendedEvent HorizonDreamcatcherParanormal ActivityThe StrangersNow that all that's settled, what are your Best Horror Movies of All Time?  If your answer is The Exorcist, Jacob's Ladder, or Lake Mungo, I'm sorry to inform you that those movies are a good but  vastly overrated.  And if your answer is mother! you just have bad taste in movies.</blockquote>

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