Essential Horror Movies: Part Two (100-51)
The second in a three-part list of essential horror movies, including links to trailers. Five new movies are revealed each day on Twitter via @Dave_Ferraro if you want to follow along, otherwise another fifty movies will drop here at the end of the month!
54 - Godzilla (Gojira) (1954)
Directed by Ishiro Honda
Written by Takeo Murata, Ishiro Honda and Shigeru Kayama
Starring Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata and Akira Takarada
Genre: Kaiju
Trailer
57 - Misery (1990)
Check out part one of the Essential Horror Movies list (150-101) right here.
51 - Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
A demonic force has chosen Freddy Krueger as its portal to the real world. Can Heather Langenkamp play the part of Nancy one last time and trap the evil trying to enter our world?
Directed by Wes Craven
Written by Wes Craven
Starring Heather Langenkamp and Robert Englund
Genre: Nightmares, Demons, Sequels, Horror Comedy
52 - Creepshow (1982)
An anthology which tells five terrifying tales based on the E.C. horror comic books of the 1950s.
Directed by George A. Romero
Written by Stephen King
Starring Hal Halbrook, Leslie Nielsen, Adrienne Barbeau, Ed Harris Carrie Nye, Ted Danson and Stephen King
Genre: Anthology, Zombies, Body Horror
53 - Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Following an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia S.W.A.T. team members, a traffic reporter, and his television executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.
Directed by George A. Romero
Written by George A. Romero
Starring David Emge, Ken Foree and Scott H. Reiniger
Genre: Zombies
54 - Godzilla (Gojira) (1954)
American nuclear weapons testing results in the creation of a seemingly unstoppable, dinosaur-like beast.
Written by Takeo Murata, Ishiro Honda and Shigeru Kayama
Starring Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata and Akira Takarada
Genre: Kaiju
Trailer
55 - Poltergeist (1982)
A young family are visited by ghosts in their home. At first the ghosts appear friendly, moving objects around the house to the amusement of everyone, then they turn nasty and start to terrorize the family.
Directed by Tobe Hooper
Written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais and Mark Victor
Starring JoBeth Williams, Heather O'Rourke and Craig T. Nelson
Genre: Hauntings, Ghosts, Paranormal
56 - Wolf Creek (2005)
Three backpackers stranded in the Australian outback are plunged in a hellish nightmare of insufferable torture by a sadistic psychopathic local.
Directed by Greg McLean
Written by Greg McLean
Starring Nathan Phillips, Cassandra Magrath and Kestie Morassi
Genre: Madmen, Torture
57 - Misery (1990)
After a famous author is rescued from a car crash by a fan of his novels, he comes to realize that the care he is receiving is only the beginning of a nightmare of captivity and abuse.
Directed by Rob Reiner
Written by William Goldman (from the novel by Stephen King)
Starring James Caan and Kathy Bates
Genre: Madmen, Captivity
58 - Martyrs (2008)
A young woman's quest for revenge against the people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child leads her and a friend, who is also a victim of child abuse, on a terrifying journey into a living hell of depravity.
Directed by Pascal Laugier
Written by Pascal Laugier
Starring Morjana Alaoui, Mylene Jampanoi and Catherine Begin
Genre: Torture, Home Invasion, Revenge
Trailer
59 - Under the Skin (2013)
Directed by Jonathan Glazer
Written by Walter Campbell and Jonathan Glazer (based on the novel by Michel Faber)
Starring Scarlett Johansson
Genre: Aliens
Trailer
59 - Under the Skin (2013)
A mysterious young woman seduces lonely men in the evening hours in Scotland. However, events lead her to begin a process of self-discovery.
Written by Walter Campbell and Jonathan Glazer (based on the novel by Michel Faber)
Starring Scarlett Johansson
Genre: Aliens
Trailer
60 - The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
A doctor, scientist, organist, and biblical scholar, Anton Phibes, seeks revenge on the nine doctors he considers responsible for his wife's death.
Directed by Robert Fuest
Written by James Whiton and William Goldstein
Starring Vincent Price, Joseph Cotten, Hugh Griffith and Virginia North
Genre: Mystery, Madmen, Revenge
61 - Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)
Three distinguished English gentlemen accidentally resurrect Count Dracula, killing a disciple of his in the process. The Count seeks to avenge his dead servant by making the trio die at the hands of their own children.
Directed by Peter Sasdy
Written by Anthony Hinds
Starring Christopher Lee, Geoffrey Keen and Gwen Watford
Genre: Vampires, Sequel
62 - Let the Right One In (2008)
Oskar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl.
Directed by Tomas Alfredson,
Written by John Ajvide Lindqvist (from the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist)
Starring Kare Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson and Per Ragnar
Genre: Vampires
63 - Audition (1999)
A widower takes an offer to screen girls at a special audition, arranged for him by a friend to find him a new wife. The one he fancies is not who she appears to be after all.
Directed by Takashi Miike
Written by Daisuke Tengan (from the novel by Ryu Murakami)
Starring Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina and Tetsu Sawaki
Genre: Madmen, Mystery, Torture
64 - Black Sabbath (1963)
Boris Karloff hosts a trio of horror stories concerning a stalked call girl, a patriarch who has become a vampire-like monster, and a nurse who is haunted by her ring's rightful owner.
Directed by Mario Bava
Written by Marcello Fondato, Alberto Bevilacqua and Mario Bava (from the stories by Anton Chekhov, Aleksei Tolstoy and Guy de Maupassant)
Starring Michele Mercier, Lidia Alfonsi and Vincent Price
Genre: Anthology, Vampires, Ghosts, Hauntings
65 - Repulsion (1965)
A sex-repulsed woman who disapproves of her sister's boyfriend sinks into depression and has horrific visions of rape and violence.
Directed by Roman Polanski
Written by Roman Polanski, Gerard Brach and David Stone
Starring Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry and John Fraser
Genre: Psychological Horror
66 - A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
In the Iranian ghost-town Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, the townspeople are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire.
Directed by Ana Lily Amirpour
Written by Ana Lily Amirpour
Starring Sheila Vand and Arash Marandi
Genre: Vampires
67 - Daughters of Darkness (1971)
A newlywed couple are passing through a vacation resort. Their paths cross with a mysterious, strikingly beautiful countess and her aide.
Directed by Harry Kumel
Written by Pierre Drouot, Harry Kumel and Jean Ferry
Starring Delphine Seyrig, John Karlen, Danielle Ouimet and Andrea Rau
Genre: Mystery, Vampires
68 - The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
A young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims.
Directed by Jonathan Demme
Written by Ted Tally (from the novel by Thomas Harris)
Starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins
Genre: Serial Killer, Cannibalism, Madmen
70 - 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
After getting in a car accident, a woman is held in a shelter with two men, who claim the outside world is affected by a widespread chemical attack.
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg
Written by Josh Campbell, Matthew Struecken and Damien Chazelle
Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman and John Gallagher Jr.
Genre: Psychological Horror, Captivity, Plague, Aliens
71 - Cabin In the Woods (1998)
Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin, where they get more than they bargained for, discovering the truth behind the cabin in the woods.
Directed by Drew Goddard
Written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard
Starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison and Fran Kranz
Genre: Horror Comedy, Creatures, Woods
72 - Inside (2007)
Four months after the death of her husband, a woman on the brink of motherhood is tormented in her home by a strange woman who wants her unborn baby.
Directed by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury
Written by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury
Starring Alysson Paradis, Jean-Baptiste Tabourin and Claude Lule
Genre: Home Invasion, Madmen
73 - Friday the 13th (2009)
A group of young adults discover a boarded up Camp Crystal Lake, where they soon encounter Jason Voorhees and his deadly intentions.
Directed by Marcus Nispel
Written by Damian Shannon, Mark Swift and Mark Wheaton
Starring Jared Padalecki, Amanda Righetti and Derek Mears
Genre: Slasher, Remake
74 - Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
A New York City doctor, who is married to an art curator, pushes himself on a harrowing and dangerous night-long odyssey of sexual and moral discovery after his wife admits that she once almost cheated on him.
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Written by Stanley Kubrick and Frederic Raphael (from the novel by Arthur Schnitzler)
Starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman
Genre: Psychological Horror, Cult
75 - The Neon Demon (2016)
An aspiring model, Jesse, is new to Los Angeles. However, her beauty and youth, which generate intense fascination and jealousy within the fashion industry, may prove themselves sinister.
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Written by Nicolas Winding Refn, Mary Laws and Polly Stenham
Starring Elle Fanning, Karl Glusman, Christina Hendricks and Keanu Reeves
Genre: Psychological Horror
76 - The Bird With the Crystal Plumage (1970)
In Italy, the American writer Sam Dalmas witnesses an attempt of murder of the owner of an art gallery, Monica Ranieri, a couple of days before returning home. Inspector Morosini, who is in charge of investigating the three previous murderers of the serial-killer, asks Dalmas for help.
Directed by Dario Argento
Written by Dario Argento
Starring Tony Musante, Suzy Kendall and Enrico Maria Salerno
Genre: Giallo, Slasher, Mystery, Serial Killer
77 - Get Out (2017)
A young African-American visits his white girlfriend's parents for the weekend, where his simmering uneasiness about their reception of him eventually reaches a boiling point.
Directed by Jordan Peele
Written by Jordan Peele
Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener
Genre: Conspiracies, Psychological Horror, Madmen
78 - Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)
Loosely based on serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, the film follows Henry and his roommate Otis who Henry introduces to murdering randomly selected people.
Directed by John McNaughton
Written by Richard Fire and John McNaughton
Starring Michael Rooker, Tracy Arnold and Tom Towles
Genre: Serial Killers
79 - Don't Breathe (2016)
Hoping to walk away with a massive fortune, a trio of thieves break into the house of a blind man who isn't as helpless as he seems.
Directed by Fede Alvarez
Written by Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues
Starring Stephen Lang, Jane Levy and Dylan Minnette
Genre: Home Invasion, Madmen
80 - 28 Weeks Later (2007)
Six months after the rage virus was inflicted on the population of Great Britain, the US Army helps to secure a small area of London for the survivors to repopulate and start again. But not everything goes to plan.
Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Written by Rowan Joffe, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Enrique Lopez Lavigne and Jesus Olmo
Starring Jeremy Renner, Rose Byrne, Robert Carlyle and Idris Elba
Genre: Zombies, Plague, Sequel
81 - The Birds (1963)
A wealthy San Francisco socialite pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people.
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Written by Evan Hunter (from the story by Daphne Du Maurier)
Starring Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren and Jessica Tandy
Genre: Nature, Creatures
82 - Gremlins (1984)
A boy inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.
Directed by Joe Dante
Written by Chris Columbus
Starring Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates and Hoyt Axton
Genre: Horror Comedy, Creatures
83 - The Most Dangerous Game (1932)
An insane hunter arranges for a ship to be wrecked on an island where he can indulge in some sort of hunting and killing of the passengers.
Directed by Irving Pichel and Ernest B. Schoedsack
Written by James Ashmore Creelman (from the story by Richard Connell)
Starring Joel McCrea, Fay Wray and Leslie Banks
Genre: Madmen
84 - Scream 4 (2011)
Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.
Directed by Wes Craven
Written by Kevin Williamson
Starring Neve Campbell, Couteney Cox, David Arquette and Emma Roberts
Genre: Horror Comedy, Slasher, Sequel
85 - 30 Days of Night (2007)
After an Alaskan town is plunged into darkness for a month, it is attacked by a bloodthirsty gang of vampires.
Directed by David Slade
Written by Steve Niles, Stuart Beattie and Brian Nelson (from the graphic novel by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith)
Starring Josh Hartnett, Melissa George and Danny Huston
Genre: Vampires
86 - The Strangers (2008)
A young couple staying in an isolated vacation home are terrorized by three unknown assailants.
Directed by Brian Bertino
Written by Brian Bertino
Starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman
Genre: Home Invasion
87 - The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
A suburban American family is being stalked by a group of psychotic people who live in the desert, far away from civilization.
Directed by Alexandre Aja
Written by Alexandre Aja and Gregory Levasseur (from the film by Wes Craven)
Starring Ted Levine, Kathleen Quinlan and Dan Byrd
Genre: Madmen, Cannibalism, Remake
88 - The Girl Who Knew Too Much (The Evil Eye) (1963)
A tourist witnesses a murder and finds herself caught up in a series of bloody killings.
Directed by Mario Bava
Written by Ennio De Concini, Sergio Corbucci, Eliana De Sabata, Mino Guerrini, Franco Prosperi and Mario Bava
Starring Leticia Roman, John Saxon and Valentina Cortese
Genre: Giallo, Serial Killers, Mystery
89 - The Blood Lands (White Settlers) (2014)
It's Ed and Sarah's first night at their new home - an isolated farmhouse on the Scottish borders. This should be a new beginning away from their stressful London lives. And at first it is; come sunset they fall in love all over again on a wander in the woods. But as darkness falls, Sarah suspects they're not alone, Ed goes to investigate and quickly, the evening becomes a nightmare. It suddenly dawns on them; they do not belong here. And they certainly aren't welcome either....
Directed by Simeon Halligan
Written by Ian Fenton
Starring Pollyanna McIntosh and Lee Williams
Genre: Home Invasion
90 - Pet Sematary (1989)
Behind a young family's home in Maine is a terrible secret that holds the power of life after death. When tragedy strikes, the threat of that power soon becomes undeniable.
Directed by Mary Lambert
Written by Stephen King (from the novel by Stephen King)
Starring Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby and Fred Gwynne
Genre: Zombies, Paranormal
91 - Visiting Hours (1982)
A deranged, misogynistic killer assaults a journalist. When he discovers that she survived the attack, he follows her to the hospital to finish her off.
Directed by Jean-Claude Lord
Written by Brian Taggert
Starring Lee Grant, Michael Ironside, Linda Purl and William Shatner
Genre: Madmen, Home Invasion
92 - Lost Highway (1997)
After a bizarre encounter at a party, a jazz saxophonist is framed for the murder of his wife and sent to prison, where he inexplicably morphs into a young mechanic and begins leading a new life.
Directed by David Lynch
Written by David Lynch and Barry Gifford
Starring Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette and
Genre: Paranormal, Mystery, Doppelgangers
93 - Insidious (2010)
A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.
Directed by James Wan
Written by Leigh Whannell
Starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne and Ty Simpkins
Genre: Hauntings, Possession, Ghosts
94 - Paranormal Activity (2007)
After moving into a suburban home, a couple becomes increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence.
Directed by Oren Peli
Written by Oren Peli
Starring Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat and Mark Fredrichs
Genre: Hauntings, Handheld, Paranormal, Possession
95 - The Conjuring (2013)
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.
Directed by James Wan
Written by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes
Starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston
Genre: Paranormal, Hauntings, Possession, Demons
96 - The Broken (2008)
On a busy street in London, Gina, a successful radiologist, thinks she sees herself drive past in her own car. Stunned by this strange event, Gina follows the mystery woman up to her apartment.
Directed by Sean Ellis
Written by Sean Ellis
Starring Lena Headey, Ulrich Thomsen and Melvil Poupaud
Genre: Doppelgangers, Mystery, Paranormal
97 - The Awakening (2011)
In 1921, England is overwhelmed by the loss and grief of World War I. Hoax exposer Florence Cathcart visits a boarding school to explain sightings of a child ghost. Everything she believes unravels as the 'missing' begin to show themselves.
Directed by Nick Murphy
Written by Stephen Volk and Nick Murphy
Starring Rebecca Hall, Dominic West and Imelda Staunton
Genre: Hauntings, Ghosts, Paranormal
98 - Pumpkinhead (1988)
After a tragic accident, a man conjures up a towering, vengeful demon called Pumpkinhead to destroy a group of unsuspecting teenagers.
Directed by Stan Winston
Written by Mark Patrick Carducci, Gary Gerani, Stan Winston and Richard Weinman (from the poem by Ed Justin)
Starring Lance Henriksen, Jeff East, Kimberly Ross and John D'Aquino
Genre: Creatures, Witchcraft, Revenge
99 - Hereditary (2018)
After the family matriarch passes away, a grieving family is haunted by tragic and disturbing occurrences, and begin to unravel dark secrets.
Directed by Ari Aster
Written by Ari Aster
Starring Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne and Alex Wolff
Genre: Conspiracy Theories, Witchcraft
100 - Carrie (1976)
Carrie White, a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom.
Directed by Brian De Palmo
Written by Lawrence D. Cohen (from the novel by Stephen King)
Starring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie and Amy Irving
Genre: Revenge, Paranormal
Check out part one of the Essential Horror Movies list (150-101) right here.
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