Scary Films have long captivated audiences with their ability to evoke fear and terror. “The Shining,” directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1980, is a psychological horror film that has become a cultural icon, thanks to its chilling performances, haunting cinematography, and memorable moments. Wes Craven’s “The Last House on the Left,” released in 1972, is a brutal and unsettling tale of revenge that pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in cinema. George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead,” from 1968, redefined the zombie genre and became a landmark film in horror history. Together, these movies represent some of the most influential and groundbreaking horror films ever made, showcasing how the genre has evolved and pushed boundaries to create unforgettable experiences for audiences.
The Shining (1980)
Horror, psychological horror, Mystery
Jack Torrance ( Jack Nicholson ), a writer with a drinking problem, arrives with his family at a mountain lodge to care for him while he writes his next book. Everything gets complicated until the situation explodes. Masterpiece of psychological terror… and that we have understood it 40 years later .
Scariest Moment: “Here’s Jack.” Who said comedians couldn’t be terrifying?
The Last House on the Left (1972)
Horror, Indie film, Cult film
Craven was one of the few masters of horror to tap into the depths of America’s Vietnam War-era cultural divides with this dirty, artsy thriller about two teenage girls kidnapped by criminals. The revenge of her parents will be terrible.
Scariest moment: The torture and rape scenes in this movie make other films of this type seem made for the Disney Channel.
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Horror, Drama, Indie film
The most influential horror movie of all time (you just have to see the list of the best zombie movies ), not only because of its scenes of gore, more effective than those of any current movie. The film also knew how to play with racial and cultural tensions, much more terrifying than the bloody ones.
Scariest moment: The corpse of the black man is thrown into the bonfire along with the zombies.
Top 3 Scary Films That Shaped an Age on 123Movies