Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
This week’s challenge is a Halloween-themed freebie, and I decided to go with 25 of my favorite horror films! I’ll also mention if any of these are available for streaming on Netflix or Amazon Prime (US regions).
These are in no particular order, and they’re not even all of my faves… but I couldn’t limit it to just 10!
As someone who’s been watching horror films since I was 5 years old, I’ve built up quite a list… ?
1. Trick ‘r Treat (IMDb / trailer)
2. The Cabin in the Woods (IMDb / trailer)
3. The VVitch [Witch] (IMDb / trailer)
netflix
4. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (IMDb / trailer)
netflix / hulu
5. Evil Dead (original & remake) (IMDb & IMDb / trailer)
6. The Conjuring (IMDb / trailer)
netflix
7. Silent Hill (IMDb / trailer)
8. Paranormal Activity (IMDb / trailer)
hulu / amazon prime
9. The Orphanage (IMDb / trailer)
10. The Strangers (IMDb / trailer)
amazon prime
13. Thir13en Ghosts (IMDb / trailer)
15. You’re Next (IMDb / trailer)
16. I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (IMDb / trailer)
netflix
17. Let Us Prey (IMDb / trailer)
amazon prime
19. Last Shift (IMDb / trailer)
netflix
20. Creep 1 & 2 (IMDb / trailer & IMDb / trailer)
netflix (both)
21. Hush (IMDb / trailer)
netflix
22. Holidays (IMDb / trailer)
netflix
23. Insidious (IMDb / trailer)
24. Sleepy Hollow (IMDb / trailer)
25. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (IMDb / trailer)
Sabrina (@omgbeanss)
October 30, 2018Out of all of these I adore Last Shift the most. It’s one I can re-watch and never get tired of it. I always ask anyone who comes over if they’ve watched it, and if not, I pop some popcorn and we sit down and watch it. Definitely a highly recommended movie.
I like a lot of the others as well! Added a few I hadn’t watched before to my TBW list. 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Last Shift is so fun! Haha, I love that you have everyone watch it. I think that’s me with The Cabin in the Woods! They’re just such good movies that I feel like basically any horror film lover NEEDS to see. 🙂
kkaylanicole
October 30, 2018* Cabin in the Woods is one of my favorite movies! It’s so well done (expected because it’s done by Joss Whedon) and I love me a good twist.
* Tucker & Dale Vs Evil! I was not expecting to like this when it was suggested by a co-worker but I laughed so hard while watching it.
* The Stangers – so terrifying. I fear this happening to me. One reason why I’m afraid to live alone
* Thirteen Ghosts – I loved that growing up and for some reason, if I ever put my sunglasses on inside before leaving the house, I think I’ll see ghosts like those special glasses in the movie
* You’re Next also had a great twist! My gosh! I want to watch all of these right now
Good list!
Greg
October 30, 2018I haven’t seen most of these, I like a good creepy scare but I’m not super into horror? Still some of these look pretty awesome. 🙂 Sleepy Hollow looks good to me, I’ve always liked that story, and I remember hearing someone say The strangers was a trip.
ChrissiReads
October 30, 2018I haven’t watched any of these movies. I think I’d be covering my eyes or hiding in the corner if I attempted to watch them!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Haha oh nooo, Chrissi! I would love to say maybe some of them won’t be scary, but now that I’m glancing back at the list, I don’t think I really do *UN*-scary horror, so… I’m sorry ?
Kay Wisteria
October 30, 2018I haven’t seen any of these; horror freaks me out!!! Love your take on the freebie 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Thank you, Kay! <3 Haha horror has been a part of my life so long that sometimes I honestly forget that a lot of people don't watch it at all!
Annemieke
October 30, 2018The only one I’ve seen is Sleepy Hollow, a few times now actually. I quite liked it. 🙂 But other than that I am not a horror movie person haha. I’d take the book over it anyday.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Sleepy Hollow is so good! I feel like it fits into gothic horror, which is a subgenre that I think is SO approachable for people who aren’t typically horror fans! Another one I’d say feels very gothic to me is the Johnny Depp version of Sweeney Todd – have you seen that one?
Annemieke
November 2, 2018I have seen bits of sweeney todd I think but never fully. I should. 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018It’s good! I love Alan Rickman in it. RIP ???
tasya @ the literary huntress
October 30, 2018Thirteen Ghost is really nostalgic for me, now I really want to rewatch it ! ?
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018It’s so good and I’ve been dying to rewatch it lately so thanks to this comment I am literally about to go pop the DVD in lol!
Jolien @ The Fictional Reader
October 30, 2018The only one I’ve seen is The Ring! How embarrassing… Well, The Conjuring, The Cabin in the Woods and The Witch are on my to-watch list for the next few days!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Oh no, don’t be embarrassed! 😀 Did you get the chance to watch any of them?
Jolien @ The Fictional Reader
November 2, 2018No 🙁 I can still do it though, because the dark evenings still call for some scary movies, even though Halloween is over! At least, that’s what I am telling myself…
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018I feel you haha! I watch horror all year but I definitely watch more of it in the fall, and I actually think I watch the most of it in November and December because those are the months where I tend to have less work in my classes and I spend more time watching movies curled up on the couch!
Merline
October 30, 2018Wow! I haven’t seen any of these movies. That’s how afraid I am of horror movies. Lol!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Haha, no judgment, I know they aren’t for everyone! ♥
lilisblissfulpages
October 30, 2018Have you seen The Animal? I don’t know if you’d like it but it was so intense.. I can’t sya it’s my fave but it’s definitely something. But my favorites are in your list already like The Conjuring. Sometimes I still remember that scene where young Joey King saying “Stop grabbing my foot”. lol.
Here’s my Top Ten Tuesday
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018No, I haven’t! I will totally have to check that out, thank you! Hahaha that scene creeped me out. I think my favorite scene was when they’re playing hide and seek, or whatever they call their game, and you see hands come out of the wardrobe in the back of the room and clap. I love shots like that in horror, where it’s kind of a subtle background thing happening.
lilisblissfulpages
November 3, 2018It was hide and clap. i remember the movie came out when I was in college and living in a dorm. My friends and I would play that just to scare ourselves and hurt our bodies because it was such a small room. hehe…
I love scenes like that too, 🙂 🙂 Animal is more on suspense. it has the A Quiet Place vibe. 🙂 Hope you like it.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 4, 2018Yes, hide and clap! That was it!! Thank you, haha. Oh my gosh, I love that you and your friends did it. That sounds terrifying! I’m not easily frightened by books or films or anything but IRL, I get anxious so easy about people hiding, and I used to get so freaked out being the “seeker” in hide and seek as a child that I always insisted on hiding. 😛 I was GOOD at hiding though, so everyone hated playing with me after a while, lmao!
lilisblissfulpages
November 5, 2018Hahaha… Just how good you are at hiding that they really stop playing with you… Hide and clap isn’t that scary if you’re doing it in a small dorm room. That’s the fun of it, you have be so flexible to avoid being touched by the seeker without really moving your feet. 🙂 🙂
Deanna Reads Books
October 30, 2018I’m not big on horro, but I do love dale & tucker. All the kids in that were so dumb!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018They are so stupid and it’s so hilarious lol! My favorite is when the kid runs into the wood chipper and they try to save him, and he just starts crying and is like, “He just jumped right in! These crazy kids!!” I’m literally laughing while typing this lol!
Barb Briggs (@boxermommyreads)
October 30, 2018Some great movies! All of The Conjuring movies are pretty good and there’s Black Phillip – he’s a running joke in our house. I enjoyed Let Us Prey and Last Shift but you don’t see them get much attention. Thanks for sharing your faves and you know, I’ve seen all of these except Creep and I Am the Pretty Things.
Tammy
October 30, 2018I’ll admit I’d a wuss when it comes to watching horror movies. I can read them, no problem, but I pretty much hide behind my hands during a movie, lol! Great list, though!
Astilbe
October 30, 2018The Cabin in the Woods is such a great film. Nice choice there.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
rayasreads
October 30, 2018Wow! You’ve watched so many horror movies! You must really love horror. I’ve only watched The Ring from this list and loved it. But I wouldn’t watch it again. Heh.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Haha I definitely do! It’s been my favorite film genre since I was literally about 4 years old – I just never get tired of it! The Ring was the first movie to ever give me nightmares and to be honest it still creeps me out even though I’ve probably seen it 30+ times!
rayasreads
November 3, 2018You’re an inspiration! I think I was more open to horror movies when I was a kid. I don’t think I’d ever willingly watch a horror at this point of my life.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 4, 2018Haha thank you so much! Aw, that’s understandable, tastes change so much as we grow up!
confessionsofayareader
October 30, 2018Great post! I have a 31 horror movie rec post going up tomorrow. Mine are mostly 80’s movies though.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Thank you! Oh that’s so awesome, I’ll definitely go check it out!
confessionsofayareader
November 2, 2018You’re welcome! And thank you!
TeaPartyPrincess
October 30, 2018Ooh fab list!
I love Tucker & Dale vs Evil 🙂
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Thank you! T&D was the first horror comedy I ever watched and it immediately became a favorite! They keep claiming they’re working on a second one but it feels like it’s been forever since we got any updates. 🙁
Alicia @ A Kernel of Nonsense
October 30, 2018So many good ones on this list! I watched all the Insidious films this October and am always in the mood for The Conjuring. I really want to check out The VVitch on Netflix. Maybe I can squeeze it in tonight before bed. Always a great time to watch a scary movie, right? Great list!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Thank you, Alicia! The Conjuring is so good, and I like all of the Insidious movies. I always feel like the villains feel a little cheesy, especially the red guy in the first one, but I LOVE Lin Shaye. She is one of my favorite horror actresses of all time and I think it’s so cool to see her, as an older woman, being a prominent character in the series. I feel like we don’t see many older actors and actresses in horror, you know? So it’s awesome, and she seems so sweet!
Alicia @ A Kernel of Nonsense
November 3, 2018I had the exact same thought. We don’t see older women as protagonists very often.
beccaleighanne
October 30, 2018I love you & your tastes in horror. ♥
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018I love YOU and YOUR tastes in horror, babe! ♥♥ I’ll never get tired of fangirling over spooky things with you haha!
Ashley S.
October 30, 2018I’m such a chicken when it comes to horror movies. The only one I’ve only seen is Sleepy Hollow which I totally loved.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Sleepy Hollow is so fun! I miss when Johnny D was playing all of those fun, quirky characters. Besides the drama around his behavior towards people lately (I heard he tried to punch a director a few months ago? yikes), I just don’t think his acting is what it used to be, either, and it makes me so sad! 🙁
Brooke Lorren
October 30, 2018The Ring was pretty scary. Thankfully, I survived!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Haha thank goodness! It really was scary. I’ve seen it so many times but it still creeps me out when she crawls out of the screen.
cccampaign7
October 30, 2018Huge horror fan! I have too long of a list of favorites, but here are some: Return of the Living Dead, Nightmare on Elm St., Scream series, Sleepaway Camp series, Idle Hands (adore Seth Green), and IT.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Yesss, such a good list! I’ve never seen Idle Hands, but I freaking love Seth Green so that’s going on my list ASAP!
cccampaign7
November 2, 2018Idle Hands is 90s horror/comedy goodness! It never gets old! Seth as a zombie (spoiler) makes him hotter, in my opinion. ?
anovelglimpse
October 30, 2018I haven’t watched any of these — I don’t think I could! Scary!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Haha awww, I can see how they aren’t for everyone! ♥
Aj @ Read All The Things!
October 30, 2018I’m going to watch The Cabin in the Woods tomorrow. I’m already excited.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018YAY! One of my all time faves, for real. What did you think of it?
Martha | An Unwritten Life (@writergirl_m)
October 30, 2018I absolutely LOVED Hush! Creep was soooo weird but it really stuck in my head, so…I guess that means it’s one of the best I’ve watched? It was mesmerizing even when I started to feel like it was too strange. I just couldn’t look away because I honestly couldn’t predict what was coming next.
I watched Insidious and Paranormal Activity both but they were way too scary for me. I couldn’t watch the sequels! I admit, I’m a scaredy-cat when it comes to supernatural films!
I watched The Pretty Thing on Netflix and I don’t know if it was truly scary, but it was definitely unsettling. I kept expecting something really creepy to happen, or thinking a jump scare was coming, and it didn’t. It was just a deep sense of unease throughout the movie. But, that was almost worse than a predictable jump scare.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Hush was so good and subversive! It felt like something brand new which is just not a feeling I get very often from horror, despite how much I love the genre. And Creep, wow, yeah – when I first finished it, I was like, “What did I just watch?” but I couldn’t stop thinking about it and actually rewatched it a week later and LOVED it. I think I’ve seen it maybe six times now (rewatched it the other night, in fact), and the sequel twice. Mark Duplass does such a good job and he’s so weirdly fascinating to me. (Also, I just found out that the guys who played in the first movie also directed and wrote the film – they were basically the entire cast, just the two of them. How cool is that? Talk about indie lol!)
Insidious and PA were both creepy! I thought PA 2 and 3 were also really creepy, but 4 onwards flopped for me. Insidious, I’ve liked all of them, but the most recent was my favorite because I love Lin Shaye and she’s really the star of the most recent Insidious film.
I agree with you about I Am the Pretty Thing – it’s more unsettling than outright scary! I also agree that it’s somehow worse than a jump scare. I can watch movies full of jump scares and keep a straight face, even if they startle me, but with Pretty Thing, the first time I watched it, I remember literally sitting on my couch, home alone with a newborn, with a pillow hugged to my chest and my face partially buried in it because I was so honestly disturbed by it lol!
Louise ☆
October 30, 2018The only movie on your list I’ve seen is Tucker and Dale, which is so good! I’ve been getting more into horror movies in the past few years because I realised that I don’t scare as easily as I thought. Although the last movie that really scared me was The Thing, that movie is so terrifying ?
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Tucker and Dale is sooooo good and hilarious! That’s awesome that you’ve been getting into horror more. 😀 I hope you find a ton more that you love! And The Thing was fun, did you watch the original or the remake?
Lakshmi
October 31, 2018Such a useful list! I haven’t seen most of these but The Orphanage was so sad. I did enjoy The Conjuring though. Am looking forward to squeezing in a view of VWitch at some point, I loved the trailer. I hadn’t heard of I Am The Pretty thing and having looked it up am determined to watch it haha (preferably not alone…). Have you seen A Tale of Two Sisters? It’s a really well made horror(ish) film.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Thank you! The Orphanage is one I’ve watched multiple times and I still cry at the ending every single time. I think Guillermo del Toro is a pro at that sad, tragic horror vibe that it has, because I also cried in Pan’s Labyrinth and Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark. He’s such a talented creator! The VVitch is super atmospheric and immersive, definitely a “slow dread” sort of thing but if you like slow paced horror I think you’ll enjoy it, as well as Pretty Thing, which had me on edge non-stop until it finished. I have not seen A Tale of Two Sisters but I’ll definitely look it up since it sounds like we have similar tastes!
Lakshmi
November 4, 2018I know right! It was so sad. I LOVE Pan’s Labyrinth, it’s such a beautiful film. Also isn’t the theme music beautiful? I was a bit disappointed with del Toro’s Crimson Peak (I just felt like everything was obvious, but the cinematography was lovely though). I haven’t seen Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark yet, or The Devil’s Backbone. Must watch those. Thanks!
Yes, you should definitely give it a shot! It’s got some creepy moments. But is also sad, really.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 4, 2018Oh no, I’m sorry you weren’t big on Crimson Peak! I actually adored it but most of my family hated it so I feel like it is a super polarizing film! Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark was really fun to me but I feel like almost everyone I know hates it, too, so I’m always slow to recommend it to people. ??
Lakshmi
November 8, 2018Haha I think I’ll check that one out! I like a few polarising films myself. : )
Keri
November 1, 2018Wow, so many horror films! I think the only horror movies I’ve watched are Psycho and Children of the Corn.
What other type of movies do you like to watch?
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Psycho was one of my faves as a kid! I haven’t seen it in ages but I was obsessed with Hitchcock as a child (weird, I know, lol!). I’m still afraid of birds because of that man. Children of the Corn is one I only saw for the first time a few years ago and it was super creepy! I really enjoyed it. Have you ever read the short story it’s based on? It’s soooo twisted lol.
I mostly watch horror, honestly! I don’t watch much TV or movies, so anything else is rare. Besides horror, I probably primarily watch tragic indie contemporary stuff, haha (like Short Term 12, Hungry Hearts, etc.) or historical fiction (I love WWII-era stuff). What about you?
Keri
November 2, 2018Interesting! I watched Psycho for the first time a couple years ago for a college class (a seminar on violence in American film). After watching the Children of the Corn, the back seat of my car freaked me out for awhile. ?
I haven’t read the story tho! Is it under the same title?
And really? Wow, I’m impressed. I don’t think I’ve seen most of those movies (I also don’t watch a great deal of movies and TV shows). When I do tho, I really enjoy fantasy/superhero movies and animated kid’s shows (my roommate and I are currently watching Avatar the Last Airbender because she’s never seen the show before!)
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018Yes, Children of the Corn is under the same title! It’s in the Night Shift collection. It’s a really good time!
Avatar: the Last Airbender is literally one of my favorite things in life, so A++++ on that!
Keri
November 2, 2018Oooh, will definitely have to look into it!
And yesssss, I adore Avatar the Last Airbender too! <3 I'm so excited because we're going to start Book 2 tonight! 🙂
Also, did you hear that Netflix wants to make a live action TV-show version of Avatar? I'm not sure how I feel about it…
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 3, 2018I did hear about that! I’m not sure how I feel about it yet, either, but it does give me hope that the original creators of the show plan on having such a big hand in it!
Keri
November 3, 2018So true! I’m definitely curious to see how it will turn out.
Kaleena @ Reader Voracious
November 2, 2018Cabin in the Woods is probably one of my top five favorite movies EVER, so it warms my heart to see if on this amazing horror roundup! I am also pleased The Babadouk didn’t make this list. You know why.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 2, 2018It is sooooo freaking good. I seriously never get tired of it. It was one of the first movies I made Terry watch when we first started dating. Marty is my precious little pothead baby lmao.
Kathy @ Books & Munches
November 8, 2018I have no clue what I’m doing here, except for realizing these are probably movies I’ll never EVER watch.
On another note, though: Have you ever seen It Follows? That’s one horror movie someone convinced me to watch and it.. followed me around for weeks.. [oh the pun..]
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
November 8, 2018Ohhhh, the pun. :’) Lmaooo. But yes, I have seen it, and I liked it! I really enjoyed the 80s homage feel to it 😀
Kathy @ Books & Munches
November 9, 2018That pun was SO BAD. :’)
Just thinking about it gives me the creeps. I simply made the huge mistake of watching it in the SMALLEST theater room our theater has which.. made it impossible to distract myself. I was totally drawn into the movie and that’s the worst, being the wuss I am. :’)