When it comes to the horror movie genre, that old cliche, “They just don’t make them like they used to,” really comes into play. Many of the horror film favorites were made in the 70s or 80s. Some might even say they cannot remember a movie in the past 10 years that has kept them on the edge of their seats.

This List May Be the Top 5 Horror Flicks of all Time:

5. Burnt Offering (1976):

This was a horror movie, which largely falls under the radar when talking about all time scary movies. However, for many, this one may never cease to put a chill up the spine.

Karen Black and Oliver Reed starred in this horrific tale about a couple and their son, looking for a summer house. The family stumbles upon an old mansion owned by a strange elderly brother and sister; Burgess Meridith and Eileen Heckart.

The family moves in and they discover the house is literally alive and can alter itself. This film is full of surprises and terrifying music. The ending still leaves many shivering.

4. The Omen (1976):

A high-powered political couple, played by Gregory Peck and Lee Remick have a child in London, England. Peck is informed by the priest, in charge, that his natural son died during birth. However, he offers Peck another child, but no one knows where the child came from. And no one knows he is a horrifying child.

The story centers around this young boy who is the Anti-Christ. The couple is warned many times by strange and frightening events that surround the boy, but most of the time it is ignored.

This horror movie was largely based on the book of Revelation. In the Bible, it states how in the last days, before Christ comes back, there will appear a false Christ who will deceive the world and kill many. When Peck finally realizes the boy is not human, he goes on a crusade to find out who this boy really is and who he belongs to.

The music in this movie is part of what makes the horror film work.

3. Halloween (1978):

The original, famous Michael Myers slasher horror movie that put into place a whole bevy of sequels. By far, the most emotionally jolting was the first.

A little boy turns into a crazed psychopath on Halloween night. He kills his sister while wearing a mask. Again the music in this movie is chilling.

The boy is sent far away to a psychiatric center for 15 years and is treated by Dr. Loomis. Dr. Loomis is played by Donald Pleasance. Dr. Loomis treats the boy from childhood to adulthood, noting that he has not said a word throughout this time. Also, he had the blackest eyes, in his words, “the Devil’s eyes.”

The boy escapes from the mental hospital on Halloween and heads back home where he terrorizes the small town of Haddonfield. Jamie Lee Curtis also stars as a high school student who Michael begins to stalk. Once he begins to kill people, the movie takes a turn and Curtis finds herself and the two children she is babysitting, chased from house to house. Wearing a dark mechanic’s uniform and donning the white Halloween mask with red hair. Dr. Loomis has a gun but discovers that no one can kill, The Boogeyman.

2. Rosemary’s Baby (1968):

This movie was written and directed by the famous, Roman Polanski. It was shot during the middle of summer in New York City. A couple, starring Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes, move into this old New York City apartment building, famous for odd murders. Upon entering, they hear strange voices chanting next door. An old couple, starring Ruth Gordon and Sidney Blackmer, reside in that apartment and practically adopt the young couple.

When the couple decides to have a child, the plot centers around who this child will become. In a strange sequence, Farrow dreams she is being raped by a horrifying monstrous figure. When she wakes up, she believes it was a dream. However, she discovers strange scars on her back. She realizes, as the horror continues, along that the old couple is actually witches. They want to use their unborn child in a plot to introduce Satan’s son into the world.

1. The Exorcist (1973):

This film is still horrifying. A woman, Ellen Burstyn, plays the role of a famous, middle-aged actress living in Georgetown with her pre-teen daughter Regan, played by Linda Blair.

The little girl begins to exhibit strange powers. Stopping her powers requires an exorcism. A demon named, Pazuzu, enters her body and enables her to move objects with her mind, rise into the air, and have the voice of several different people. When psychiatry does not work, the mother calls for the priest to wage war against the demon thus causing many transformations. An exorcism is required to save the girl, but there are many deaths along the way.
Opinion by Willie Legree
Sources:

Filmsite
IMDB
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Featured Image Courtesy of Elena Gatti’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License