Horror stands as one of cinema’s oldest and most ambitious genres, and it has cultivated a passionate fan following off the back of its ability to leave viewers a terrified, trembling mess. One of its most viscerally horrifying subgenres comes in the form of paranormal movies, with films focusing on unnatural beings like ghosts, spirits, and demons which invade our nightmares and pique our superstitions and fears.
With impeccable special effects, agonizingly suspenseful storytelling, and an ingrained sense of terror that forces us to keep watching no matter how much we want to look away,great paranormal horror films have served as one of the genre’s defining pillars for decades. From timeless classics from over 50 years ago to modern masterworks that reinvent the terror for new generations, it was much more than mere jump scares that made these films the iconic hits that they are today.
20’Longlegs' (2024)
Directed by Oz Perkins
A recent horror film that has become an instant sensation,Longlegsblends paranormal and Satanic terror with police mystery to create an atmospherically intense and richly rewarding viewing experience. FBI Agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) displays exceptional intuition in the field, an asset that sees her land the decades-spanning case of the “Longlegs” killer. In each murder, a father commits murder-suicide on his family with a cryptic note signed by “Longlegs” being left at the scene.
Longlegstouches on several clichés of horror, from the creepy dolls and evil nuns to the Satan-worshipping serial killings, but it intelligently uses a police procedural narrative to offer a refreshing and eerily mystifying angle to the story.Unholy and horrifying, it offers plenty of nightmare fuelto keep horror lovers – or just admirers of great and ambitious cinematic storytelling – on edge for many nights after they watch it.
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19’Mama' (2013)
Directed by Andy Muschetti
The directorial debut of emerging horror masterAndy Muschettiwho was expanding his own short film,Mamacombines a familiar yet strong genre premise with creepy visuals to be an effective thrill-fest for horror movie lovers. After the death of their parents, two little girls disappear into the woods. When they miraculously re-emerge alive five years later, they are taken in by their uncle and aunt. However, they soon suspect the presence of a malignant force tied to the children.
For all its convoluted narrative twists that are sometimes more ambitious than brilliant,Mamaremains an effective horror film capable of leaving a lasting impression upon viewerswith the unnatural design of the titular monster. WithNikolaj Coster-WaldauandJessica Chastainoccupying the leading roles, the film is a well-acted thriller that thrives off the back of its scariest and most suspenseful moments.
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18’A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984)
Directed by Wes Craven
Not only a film that has, for decades, haunted people’s nightmares, butA Nightmare on Elm Streethas left viewers terrified of going to sleep in the first place. The ghostly horror classic focuses on Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp), a teenage girl who stands off against the dream-stalking spirit of a dead child killer who is murdering her friends in their sleep.
Wes Cravenorchestrates a chilling slasher, instilling fear in sleep to play on the audience’s most primal vulnerability, all while brilliantly utilizing a sublime villainous performance fromRobert Englundas the notorious Freddy Krueger. Also thriving with a smart and snappy screenplay, a cynical wit, and plenty of blood and gore,A Nightmare on Elm Streetis still a masterpiece of fun yet terrifying horror.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
17’It Follows' (2014)
Directed by David Robert Mitchell
Image via RADiUS-TWC
Critically acclaimed on account of its ability to mix thrills with a thematically intriguing story,It Followsis one of the more significant and enduringhorror movies of the 2010s. It focuses on Jay (Maika Monroe), a university student who, after having sex with her new boyfriend, finds herself being haunted by a malevolent entity. She bands with her friends to figure out how to rid herself of the shape-shifting, ever-nearing curse.
It Followsis a refreshing horror film on account of the originality of its narrative and its exploration of modern attitudes and anxieties towards sex and the inherent risk of transmitted diseases. Complementing its interesting story with an effective and contained minimalism and some creative camerawork,It Followsis one of the best horror films of the 21st century, armed with an ability to creep viewers out long after the credits roll.
It Follows
16’Drag Me to Hell' (2009)
Directed by Sam Raimi
Few horror filmmakers are as creative and freewheeling asSam Raimi, with his underratedcult classicDrag Me to Hellmarkingone of the better horror flicks of this century. In a bid to prove she can make difficult decisions at work, loan officer Christine (Alison Lohman) denies an elderly lady an extension on her home loan. When the lady retaliates by placing a curse on Christine’s soul, the young woman must fight to save herself from eternal damnation.
The film was a critical and commercial success upon release, largely thanks to its ability to conjure up genuine thrills while still maintaining a relatively light and, at times, even comedic approach to its story. Still,Drag Me to Hellis undeniably defined by its most terrifying sequences, making for a movie sure to haunt viewers’ dreams from its opening to its shocking conclusion.
Drag Me To Hell
15’The Others' (2001)
Directed by Alejandro Amenábar
A twisty, winding psychological horror,The Othersexcelled as a subversive haunted house horror movie that coasted onNicole Kidman’s compelling central performance. Taking place in 1945, it follows a devoted Catholic who moves to the English coast with her two young children who suffer from a rare photosensitivity disease while waiting for word on her husband in the war. As odd occurrences start to transpire around the house, Grace (Kidman) starts to believe something paranormal could be at work.
With an elegance that isn’t necessarily characteristic of horror, not to mention an intelligent and engrossing screenplay to boot,The Othersexcelled with its narrativenous alone. However,withThe Othersalso boasting a magnetic, atmospheric chill that can have an immersive effect, it is shocking as it is tight and tidy to be an impressive and underrated horror flick.
The Others
14’Suspiria' (1977)
Directed by Dario Argento
One of thegreatest horror movies of the 1970swhich distinguished itself with a rich sense of style,Suspiriahas become a true classic of the genre. It follows Suzy Bannion (Jessica Harper), an aspiring ballerina from America who travels to Germany to attend a prestigious dance academy, where her stay becomes plagued as a mysterious and malevolent entity haunts the establishment, sparking an idea that a supernatural conspiracy could be at play.
While the film has some genuinely unnerving scenes,what truly made it stick in the viewers’ minds was its breathtaking visual display, with Dario Argento using color to striking effect, creating a surreal atmosphere of gripping intensity. The end result is a strangely beautiful horror film that excels as an aesthetically entrancing masterpiece with a solid horror story to boot.
13’Poltergeist' (1982)
Directed by Tobe Hooper
Poltergeistmade television a thing to be feared. When the youngest of the Freeling family, Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke) begins chatting with the static on the TV, there is something wrong. Eventually, the rest of the house becomes a horror show as well and it is overrun by malevolent ghosts who want to abduct Carol Anne.
Released in 1982,Poltergeisthas become a timeless horror classicwith its consistently terrifying tone which remains just as scary today as it was the day it was released.In addition to being a terrific paranormal horror film,Poltergeistis also one of the all-time great haunted house movies, one that not only gave viewers nightmares, but left them in a cold sweat when their television sets went to static as well.
Poltergeist
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12’Smile' (2022)
Directed by Parker Finn
The directorial debut ofParker Finn, adapting his 2020 short filmLaura Hasn’t Sleptinto a feature-length horror hit,Smileproved to be incredibly effective as an unnerving, creepy demon possession flick. It follows Rose (Sosie Bacon), a psychiatrist who believes she is being haunted by a supernatural threat after she witnesses the bizarre and harrowing suicide of one of her patients.
Smile’s use of jump scares, mounting suspense, and eerily off-putting performancesoffered more than enough horror to keep audiences awake at night for fear of what they would see in their dreams. As a fresh entry into the world of horror cinema,Smilewas a landmark box office success,making well over $200 millionworldwide, and has asequel scheduled to be released in October.
11’Last Night in Soho' (2021)
Directed by Edgar Wright
While it isn’t classified as a horror film,Edgar Wright’s ghost story draws clear inspiration from the genre while creeping under audiences' skin with much more than just evil spirits.Last Night in Sohofollows Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie) a clairvoyant girl who moves to London to attend a fashion course at an illustrious arts school where her connection to the area’s ugly past threatens to drive her mad as she begins experiencing the life of an aspiring singer who had her room in the 1960s.
While the film’s ghoulish, faceless ghosts can certainly garner a fright, it’sLast Night in Soho’s thematic focus on misogyny and abuse that made it particularly striking. It also didn’t hurt that the film had aspectacular soundtrack of ’60s hits, flaunted Wright’s trademark dedication to style, and served as a wonderful testament to classic horror which fans could both adore and fear.
