TV & Film Alyssa Tyra TV & Film Alyssa Tyra

History Of The Scream Queen

Scream Queen

Image Source: IMDb

The term “Scream Queen” is recognizable by everyone, even those who aren’t fans of the genre. It is a term that is as synonymous with horror as jump scares or murder, but what does it mean, and where did it originate? For the fifth and final entry in my History of series, we are going to take a look at where this term comes from and how it has evolved over the decades. 

Typically, I would kick off this article by giving you the definition of a scream queen, but when the term first came about, there wasn’t really a definition for it. The term was simply used to refer to a female character in a horror film that screamed. The very first scream queen was Fay Wray, and the title was given to her after she starred in 1933’s King Kong. After filming on the movie had been completed, she spent an entire day in the studio, just recording different variations of her scream to be used in the film. She admitted during an interview years later that she actually hated being called a scream queen because it resulted in her being typecast in Hollywood. Every time she would walk into an audition, they would ask her to scream even if the role didn’t call for it.

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Scream Queen

Image Source: IMDb

For decades, the scream queen was a damsel in distress that needed saving and spent the majority of her film simply screaming and waiting for help. It wouldn’t be until 1978 when this panicked damsel would be turned into something more. Jamie Lee Curtis’ role in Halloween showed that the scream queen could also be a fighter. In the film, we saw her screaming and running for help, but she didn’t just sit and wait for it to arrive. Curtis’ character stabbed the masked villain multiple times throughout the film and protected two children in the process. We started to see more and more of this version of the scream queen as slasher horror films became more popular throughout the 80s. Heather Langenkamp’s role in 1984’s A Nightmare on Elm Street added another layer to the scream queen when her motivations for the film weren’t simply to survive but to learn who was chasing her and why. The title of scream queen no longer resulted in actresses being typecast, and instead, many of these roles acted as launching pads for the careers of these actresses.

In 1992, a new name for these female characters was introduced, and it is the one that we use most frequently. Carol Clover introduced the term “final girl” in her book Men, Women, and Chainsaws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film. She also gave us the definition that we still use today: “the single surviving female in a horror movie who tended to be pretty and virginal but was smarter and more resourceful than her predecessors”. 

Since 1992, final girls have not only become fan favorites, but the term has become a badge of honor and not a death certificate for an actress’ career. The term scream queen has now become a label for actresses who have appeared in multiple horror films, many of whom have also aided in the evolution of female characters in the genre. The evolution of the term has continued into 2024, with many in the horror community wanting to introduce the terms “scream king” and “final guy” into the mix. This would allow for the incredible male actors and characters of the genre to get some recognition. I personally love this idea and think that the first official scream king should be Matthew Lillard!

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Source(s): Slate

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History Of The Slasher Film

Slasher movie villains

Image Source: CultureSlate

When most people think of horror films, their minds drift to characters like Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Freddy Krueger. Little do they know that those are actually only a small part of the horror genre, and they are officially classified as slashers. The slasher film is one of the most recognizable subgenres of horror, but few people know the history of the genre. For the month of October, I will be doing a five-part series about the history of the horror genre. For part one, we are going to dive into the history of the slasher film!

To start, let's talk about what a slasher film actually is. A slasher film is a film that follows a serial killer who is the, or one of, the main character(s). The killer has a backstory and a specific victim preference, kills with a specific weapon, and is typically masked. If you think of any classic slasher villain, you can check each of these boxes. The first slasher film was Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Not only was this the first film to feature explicit violence, but it was also the first horror film that featured the killer as the main character and gave the killer a backstory. This film led to countless horror films, but we didn’t see another boom in the subgenre until 1978, when John Carpenter gave us Halloween. This film did more for the slasher genre than almost any other film. It was the first film to give structure to a slasher film, but it was also the first to get an immediate sequel and the first to introduce the idea of the “unkillable killer”.

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Scream!

Image Source: IMDb

Halloween led to the golden era of slashers, where we were treated to Friday the 13th, Child’s Play, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. We also got a sequel to Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. This also led to the golden era of practical effects, which were forced to improve thanks to the creativity and gore being introduced with the new films. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and as the golden era began to fade, we saw the slasher genre dying like so many of their killers’ victims. Too many sequels, remakes, and copies of the classics led to an oversaturation of the genre. Fans began begging for something new, but it would take almost two decades for that to happen. 

Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson are horror legends, and they are the saviors of the slasher genre. In 1996, they gave us Scream, which was not only a completely original slasher film but also created the idea of a self-aware slasher movie. While the characters made fun of the “rules” and stereotypes in slasher films, they also created the idea of killing for the purpose of recreating their favorite films. Now, almost three decades since the resurrection of the slasher genre, we find ourselves in another comeback. In the mid-2000s, we saw another over-saturation of slasher films, but in the last few years, we have started seeing writers and directors getting creative with the source material. Films like Fear Street and Terrifier have created entirely unique stories for audiences that were becoming bored. The slasher genre is my favorite movie genre, and I am so excited to see all the new slasher films that are expected to be released in the next few months!

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Horror Films Everyone Should See At Least Once

Horror scene

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One of the best things about the horror genre is that there is something for everyone. To be honest, though, that can also be one of the worst things about the genre. Because there are so many films that fall into hundreds of subgenres, it can get overwhelming trying to figure out what you should watch. I have compiled a list of the ten horror films that I think everyone should see at least once. I have also included where you can watch them to hopefully make it a bit easier when choosing your next movie for movie night. (Side note: After finishing this article, I watched The Autopsy of Jane Doe on Netflix, and it definitely belongs somewhere on this list. If you want to watch one of the most fascinating and unique horror films of all time, then you need to check this one out!)

10. 'The Shining' (1980)

The Shining

Image Source: IMDb

The Shining should be on everyone's list of horror movies to see in their lifetime. The film is a masterpiece of writing, directing, and cinematography. Although there is a lot of controversy around the making of the film and the treatment of Shelley Duvall, it is still a film that needs to be seen. Jack Nicholson is a genius in this film with his portrayal of a man slowly losing his mind, and the ending of the film is one of the greatest twists in horror. 

The Shining is available to rent on Amazon Prime

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9. 'The Others' (2001)

The Others

Image Source: IMDb

I feel like this is a film that most horror fans know of but many people haven’t seen. The film itself isn’t why I put it on the list. Nicole Kidman is phenomenal in this, and the cinematography is stunning, but the best thing about this film is the twist. You will never see it coming, and once you know the twist, you can’t help but want to watch it again to see what you missed. This is one of the few films where knowing the twist makes the second watch better because it completely changes the film and every shadow you see on the wall. 

The Others is available to rent on Amazon Prime. 

8. 'Poltergeist' (1982)

Poltergeist

Image Source: IMDb

Poltergeist is a classic, and for good reason. It is one of the best supernatural horror films of all time. You can watch this movie a hundred times and never get tired of it or get used to the jump-scares. The acting in this film is the best thing about it because you feel the fear that the family is feeling. The actors went above and beyond with their portrayals of the family and the scientists who came in to help. I would definitely recommend skipping the sequel, though, because it is horrible. 

Poltergeist is available to rent on Amazon Prime

7. 'Jaws' (1975)

Jaws

Image Source: IMDb

I do not consider Jaws a horror film because I love sharks, but I know that it technically is one, so I had to put it on this list. This film not only had a massive impact on the film industry by reigniting fans’ love of creature features, but it also changed the world. Unfortunately, the film led to many people becoming terrified of sharks and many sharks being murdered because of the film. However, the film also inspired many fans to become marine biologists, and it is one of the reasons that we have so many shark scientists today. The shark in this film is one of the best things about it because they chose to use an animatronic representation rather than CGI, which added to the scare factor of the film. 

Jaws is available to stream on Netflix. 

6. 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' (1984)

A Nightmare On Elm Street

Image Source: IMDb

A Nightmare on Elm Street is a classic for a reason. This film has everything you could want in a horror film and more. Robert Englund is a master at his craft, and when you put him and Wes Craven together, you are guaranteed to have a good time. Freddy is a terrifying villain, but the best thing about him is his one-liners. They always hit at just the right moment, and they add dark humor to the otherwise horrifying scene. 

A Nightmare on Elm Street is available to rent on Amazon Prime. 

5. 'Trick ‘r Treat' (2007)

Trick 'r Treat

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Trick ‘r Treat is one of the best horror films I have ever seen! It is structured like an anthology but strays away from that structure at the end of the film when it shows you how every single story is connected. The main character, Sam, is so cute and terrifying, but what makes him so great is that he never speaks! You form a bond with this character without ever hearing a word from him. The casting for this film is also spectacular, and it has just the right amount of jump scares and gore without going too far. 

Trick ‘r Treat is available to stream on Max. 

4. 'The Grudge' (2004)

The Grudge

Image Source: IMDb

This is an American reimagining of the hugely popular Japanese film Ju-on: The Grudge. I have seen both the American and Japanese versions, and for once, the American version is better than the original film. This is a great introduction to foreign horror because while it was made in the US, it kept the Japanese actress for Kayako from the original film, is set in Japan, and has a writing and directing style that is more reflective of the Japanese style than the American horror genre we are accustomed to. The film is also great if you are looking for something with very little gore that is more unsettling than horrifying. This film explores domestic violence in a very real way, so I wanted to add a quick trigger warning for that. 

The Grudge is available to stream on Peacock

3. 'Creature From The Black Lagoon' (1954)

Creature From The Black Lagoon

Image Source: IMDb

This is not only my favorite classic horror film; it is my favorite classic film. I love classic movies, and this one has everything you could possibly want. The Creature’s costume in this film is mind-blowingly beautiful and realistic, especially taking into consideration when it was made. This film is smart, which is one of my favorite things about it. The characters are mostly scientists with decisions that are well thought out, and everything they do moves the plot forward. There is also no gore, so it is great for younger horror fans or anyone who just wants a good horror movie without the blood. 

Creature from the Black Lagoon is available to rent on Amazon Prime. 

2. 'Scream' (1996)

Scream

Image Source: IMDb

If you have read many of my articles, then you know how much I love the Scream franchise! I feel like every film in the franchise, except for five, should be on this list, but if you are only going to watch one film from the franchise, it has to be the original. Yes, it is cheesy and goofy, but it is all done on purpose. This film was so important to the slasher genre and the horror genre as a whole because it came at a time when the genre was dying out. Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven created the perfect slasher film that made fun of the stupid rules woven into every slasher up to 1996 while also respecting the genre and creating the second-best slasher of all time. I could spend hours talking about why I love these movies so much!

Scream is available to stream on Max. 

1. 'Halloween' (1978)

Halloween

Image Source: IMDb

The ultimate must-watch horror film for me is, of course, the original Halloween. This film is the definition of perfection. It has jump scares, unsettling atmosphere, humor, a little sex, and plenty of kills. Jamie Lee Curtis is not only introduced to us as an actress, but she also becomes the definition of what a modern-day scream queen should be. This film changed the horror genre forever, and it was done with a small budget and as a way for John Carpenter to show his skill set. This movie was made to act as a visual resume, and instead, it became the blueprint for the perfect slasher film. This is another film and franchise that I could spend hours talking about!

Halloween is available to rent on Amazon Prime.

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Top 5 Final Girls

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The best thing to come out of the horror genre is the final girl. In more modern horror films, we have started getting more final guys as well, but, for this list, I am only going to be looking at final girls. The final girl is not only the last character standing, but she is also the hero of the film. She has defeated the villain and is going to save as many as she can along the way. She may also be either the first person to die in the sequel or she will be the mentor for the next wave of victims. Let’s take a look at five of the best final girls in horror!WARNING!! This article contains spoilers!!

5. The Carpenter Sisters – 'Scream VI'  (2023)

Carpenter Sisters

Image Source: IMDb

I absolutely love the Scream franchise, and I was pretty nervous about the idea of there being new final girls, but the Carpenter Sisters are great! I hated Scream (2022), so I am only going to be talking about Scream VI. In the newest film, the girls are not only dealing with the trauma of the events from the previous film, but they are also having to deal with the online backlash which is something that we don’t see most final girls having to deal with. It is rare for the final girl(s) to have to deal with the backlash from saving the day, but that is exactly what these sisters are dealing with. I think that adding the social media element helps to move the idea of the final girl into the new generation. 

Scream VI  is available to stream on Paramount+. 

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4. Julie – 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' (1997)

Julie

Image Source: IMDb

This film doesn’t get nearly enough attention, and neither does Julie. I feel like when most people talk about final girls they talk about everyone, but Julie which is crazy because she is one of the smartest final girls in the genre. When her friends kill a man and want to cover it up she is the when trying to talk sense into them. She doesn’t go along with them because she thinks it is a good idea, but because she is worried about her own safety when they threaten her. She is also the person making most of the smart decisions when the killer comes after them. I am really excited to see Jennifer Love Hewitt return to this role in the reboot that is rumored to currently be in the works. 

I Know What You Did Last Summer is available to rent on Prime Video. 

3. Sidney – 'Scream' (1996)

Image Source: IMDb

I feel like Sidney is one of every horror fan’s favorite final girls. Like Julie, she is smart and makes smart decisions for the majority of the film. While I love Scream 1-4 they did do her character dirty after the first film because she starts making some of the dumbest choices that ultimately get multiple people killed. In the first film, she makes all of the right decisions, her character is one of the reasons that the film did so well. I am excited to see where her character goes in Scream VII because in Scream (2022) she is more of an annoyance than anything. 

Scream is available to stream on Max. 

2. Nancy – 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (1984)

Nancy

Image Source: IMDb

Nancy is another character that I feel is on every horror fan’s list because she is just a great character. Unlike Sidney, her character stays smart in movies one and three even though she does end up getting killed. My favorite film with her though is Wes Craven’s New Nightmare because she not only has to be Nancy, but she also has to make the right decisions in the real world when dealing with a villain that should be just in the films. Heather Langenkamp is one of the best horror actresses of all time.

A Nightmare on Elm Street is available to rent on Prime Video. 

1. Laurie – 'Halloween' (1978)

Laurie

Image Source: IMDb

Laurie is an amazing final girl in Halloween 1 and 2, but also in Halloween (2018) and Halloween Kills. She appears in many of the other films in the franchise, but since those are not canon for the main timeline I am leaving them out. Like the other final girls on this list, Laurie is smart, which is something that you don’t get very often in horror films, and especially not in slasher films. She makes the right decisions, but she also doesn’t worry about saving herself. She is more than willing to sacrifice herself to save other people which is one of the reasons that she is my number one choice for this list. I am still furious with the way they did her character in Halloween Ends, but Laurie and Jamie Lee Curtis will forever be my favorite final girl in the genre.  

Halloween is available to rent on Prime Video.

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Top 10 Horror Movie Deaths

Scared eye

Image Source: IMDb

While it might seem weird to many to create a list of the best deaths, horror fans know that the deaths and gore are the best part of the film! You might be wondering what makes a horror film death good or bad, so let me break down my criteria. First, the death has to be well placed within the film. I hate any deaths that are simply there to catch the audience off guard (I’m looking at you Scream 2022). Second, the death must fit within the flow of the film. If it is a slasher film then most of the deaths will fall into this, but if it is a slower burn then the placement of the death is vital. Lastly, there must be gore. I love classic horror films that have little to no gore but for this list, these deaths are bloody and sometimes pretty nasty, I have included pictures, so please take this as a trigger warning. So, let’s take a look at 10 of the best horror movie deaths. Oh, and this should go without saying, but SPOILER WARNING!!!! 

10. Father Maddox – 'The Exorcist: Believer' (2023)

Father Maddox

Image Source: IMDb

I will never understand the hate that this movie got. It was way better than the original Exorcist film, and it had some legitimately terrifying jump scenes. While there were plenty of memorable deaths, the one that sticks out to me the most is the death of Father Maddox. After he refuses to help the families perform the exorcists things go from bad to worse inside the home. When it seems like everything is crashing down he enters the home and things immediately seem to get better, and we begin to hope that the little girls can be saved. Then out of nowhere, the demon Lamashtu that is possessing the girls snaps his neck. It is one of the most jarring scenes in the film. 

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9. Tatum – 'Scream' (1996)

tatum

Image Source: IMDb

This is one of the most iconic deaths in the Scream franchise. While everyone is enjoying the house party Stu sends his girlfriend Tatum to get more beers from the garage fridge. While out there the door is shut and locked from the outside so she has no way to get into the house except to raise the garage door. Ghostface appears and blocks her escape. At first, she rolls her eyes and thinks that it is Randy trying to play a prank on her. Unfortunately, she quickly learns that she is wrong and when she tries to escape through the dog door in the garage door Ghostface raises the door, breaking her neck against the roof. What is even more sinister is that he leaves her body hanging there and both Sydney and Dewey are forced to see her like that later in the film. 

8. Bob Simms – 'Halloween' (1978)

Rob Simms

Image Source: IMDb

This is one of Michael’s most iconic kills in the Halloween franchise. After Bob and Lynda have sex upstairs in the Wallace house, he goes downstairs to get them both a beer. The kitchen is dark except for the moonlight shining in through the french doors and when all seems calm Michael bursts out scaring both the viewer and poor Bob. Michael then stabs him so hard that it pins his body to the wall. Rather than leave, Michael stands there doing his iconic head tilt as he watches Bob die. This also leads to one of the funnier moments in the film when Michael puts on a sheet and Bob’s glasses to make himself look like a ghost, and then enters the bedroom where Lynda is waiting. 

7. Jennifer Caulfield– 'A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors' (1987)

Jennifer Caulfield

Image Source: IMDb

This is easily one of the most iconic kills in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Jennifer is a young patient in the psychiatric ward who dreams of being a movie star. One night while watching TV and doing her best to stay awake she drifts off for a few moments. Unfortunately, that is long enough for Freddy to enter her dream and when she gets close enough to the scream his head pops out of the top, arms pop out of the sides, he grabs her, lifts her in the air, and delivers one his most iconic lines; “Welcome to primetime bitch”. Freddy then slams her head into the TV, killing her. 

6. Opening Of 'Ghost Ship' (2002)

Ghost Ship

Image Source: IMDb

This is one of the worst horror films I have ever seen, but no kill list would be complete without the opening of this film. I don’t think any other horror film has this many kills in one scene. The film opens with pink cursive writing telling you the name of the film while beautiful music plays. As the camera gets closer to the ship we see crew members and guests mingling around the ship and dancing under the stars. The captain begins dancing with a little girl and you are wondering if you put in the wrong movie. Then, a hand moves a lever and the music begins to change as a steel wire begins quickly moving along a wheel. We see that the wire is lining the dance floor and the music continues to get more imposing. The wire snaps and slices through the crowd, but instead of chaos everything gets eerily quiet before body parts begin to drop to the floor. The only person that survived was the young girl who was too short for the wire to reach. This scene is jarring and perfectly sets the scene for the rest of the film. 

5. Emma – 'Trick ‘r Treat' (2007)

Emma

Image Source: IMDb

Trick ‘r Treat is one of my favorite horror films, and there are so many great kills! I had to go with Sam’s very first kill in the film though because it perfectly sets up the rest of the film. After returning home from a Halloween Party Emma begins blowing out the jack-o-lanterns and taking down the decorations. Her husband warns her not to because it breaks the rules of Halloween, but scoffs at him and starts taking them down anyways. After a few minutes Sam launches out of the decorations at her, and we see blood spatter the white sheet ghosts. A little while later her husband comes outside looking for her only to find that her body has been chopped apart and hung like decorations on their trees. Her head has been turned into a jack-o-lantern and put under one of the sheets.  

4. The Route 23 Logging Disaster – 'Final Destination 2' (2003)

Logging Disaster

Image Source: IMDb

If you are a millennial then you know this scene all too well, and you still refuse to drive behind a logging truck. While on her way to Florida with her friends for spring break our main character has a premonition about a catastrophic logging disaster that takes the lives of many people. In a panic, she stalls her car on the entrance ramp resulting in many of the people she saw dying being unable to enter the road. While talking to a police officer the pile-up occurs just as she saw it except for the people who were stuck behind her on the ramp. Her car is hit by a car carrier killing her friends, but the officer is able to save her at the last minute. This scene is not only terrifying, but it also scarred an entire generation of people. 

3. Lewis Romero – 'Final Destination 3' (2006)

Lewis Romero

Image Source: IMDb

The Final Destination films have some of the craziest deaths of any horror franchise, but this one may take the cake! After surviving a roller coaster derailment at the beginning of the film Lewis is training harder than ever to ensure that his football career continues exactly as it should. While working out and declaring the death fears him a domino effect occurs in the weight room resulting in two swords falling and cutting the cords on his weight machine. He isn’t harmed so he believes that death can’t get to him, and he lifts the weights only for them to swing down and crush his head. After seeing this movie it took me a long time before I was willing to touch another weight machine. 

2. Karen Nelson – 'Halloween Kills' (2021)

Karen Nelson

Image Source: IMDb

This is one of the most flawlessly filmed and expertly written deaths in any horror film. The only reason it isn’t number one is because nothing can compete with the number one pick. At the end of the film, many believe that they have finally destroyed Michael. Karen, Laurie Strode’s daughter, had led the trap that “captured” Michael, and she had been the one to remove his mask and tauntingly hold it up to him. While in Judith Myer’s old room, Michael appears behind Karen and kills her in a shot-for-shot replica of how he killed his sister in the same room at the beginning of the original Halloween film.

1. Glen Lantz – 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' (1984)

Glen Lantz

Image Source: IMDb

This is the most iconic horror death of all time, and it is not even close. After the deaths of their friends at the hands of Freddy Krueger, Glen and his girlfriend Nancy are doing everything they can to stay awake and form a plan to stop the killer. Unfortunately, Glen falls asleep and Freddy is more than happy to make him his next victim. Glen’s waterbed opens up and Freddy pulls him creating a geyser of blood that Glen’s mom then walks in and sees. This death was ahead of its time and had some of the best graphics of the 80s.

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10 Horror Films That Are Worth The Hype

oh the horror

Image Source: IMDb

We have already discussed horror films that are over and under-hyped, but that doesn’t mean that every horror film falls into one of these groups. There are plenty of fantastic horror films that get all the hype they truly deserve! For the finale of this series, let’s take a look at 10 horror films that are worth 100% of the hype that they get. 

10. 'The Shining' (1980)

The Shining

Image Source: IMDb

This is one of the best horror films of all time, and it deserves all of the hype that it gets. While the making of this film had some serious issues, it does not take away from how outstanding the directing and acting are. This also has one of the best and most satisfying endings in any film ever. 

The Shining is available to rent on Amazon Prime. 

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9. 'Dracula' (1931)

Dracula

Image Source: IMDb

This is a timeless classic for a reason. While I prefer the 1992 film with Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder, there is no denying how influential this film was in the creation of the horror genre we have today. Bela Lugosi is a legend for a reason, and the swagger and charm that he brings to the film is why this character has stayed with fans for so long. 

Dracula is available to rent on Amazon Prime. 

8. 'The Blair Witch Project' (1999)

Blair Witch

Image Source: IMDb

This film deserves all of the hype that it gets and more. It not only had one of the best marketing campaigns of all time, but it also created the found footage horror genre that we know today. It wasn’t exactly ethical how they got such great performances from the actors, but it still gave us some of the best horror acting we have ever seen and gave us the best directing in a found-footage horror film. 

The Blair Witch Project is available to stream on Amazon Prime. 

7. 'IT' (2017)

IT

Image Source: IMDb

I mean absolutely no disrespect to Tim Curry and the original made-for-TV IT, but this film far exceeds the original. The young actors in this film are spectacular, the directing is amazing, and the atmosphere is perfect. This is one of my favorite horror films because of how terrifying it is even when you have seen it a hundred times. 

IT is available to rent on Amazon Prime.

6. 'Late Night With The Devil' (2023)

Late Night With The Devil

Image Source: IMDb

This film doesn’t get a ton of hype from mainstream horror fans, but it does get a ton from indie horror fans. It is ridiculous how little marketing this film got because if more people knew about it, it would be one of the most popular horror films of the last decade. The ending of this movie is terrible, but even that can’t take away from how amazing the rest of the film is. It feels like you are watching a documentary and a found footage film all in one which is not something I have ever seen before. The acting is amazing, and it has some of the best directing we have gotten in a long time. 

Late Night with the Devil is available to rent on Apple TV. 

5. 'Fear Street' Trilogy (2021)

Fear Street

Image Source: IMDb

I grew up with these books, so I was ecstatic when it was announced that we were getting a trilogy. These films don’t only get hype from horror fans, but also from fans of the original novels. The decision to use the entire series of books as inspiration rather than focusing on just one book was pure genius. The writing and directing of these films are incredible, but it is really the acting of the young actors that makes them so great!

The Fear Street Trilogy is available to stream on Netflix.

4. 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' (1984)

A Nightmare On Elm Street

Image Source: IMDb

This film is a classic for a reason. Robert Englund created a character that is not only larger than life but one that will never be able to be portrayed by any other actor. The film itself is a masterclass of acting, writing, and directing, but it is Englund’s character that truly makes this film so great. 

A Nightmare on Elm Street is available to rent on Amazon Prime. 

3. 'A Quiet Place' (2018)

A Quiet Place

Image Source: IMDb

It took me six years to watch this movie because I did not believe that it could possibly live up to all of the hype that it was getting online. I was so wrong! This film is absolutely spectacular and easily one of the best horror films of all time. It is a completely original idea which is rare in the horror genre these days, and the acting is spectacular. One of the best things though is the atmosphere and how it plays a vital role throughout the film. 

A Quiet Place is available to stream on Paramount +. 

2. 'Halloween' (1978)

Halloween

Image Source: IMDb

This is one of the best horror franchises of all time, and I am so glad that social media has helped it get even more hype than it already had. The acting and atmosphere of this film are really what make it so great, but you would be hard-pressed to find anything wrong with the film. 

Halloween is available to rent on Amazon Prime. 

1. 'Scream' (1996)

Scream

Image Source: IMDb

This is not only the best horror franchise of all time, but it is also one of the best horror films. Not only did this film breathe new life into the dying slasher genre, but it also created an entirely new subgenre of slasher comedies. There is not enough space for me to list all of the things that I love about this film, but it is definitely worth all of the hype that it gets. 

Scream is available to stream on Max.

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