Being afraid is one of the strongest emotions of humankind. A good scare, the trademark of some of the best hollywood horror movies, gets you shifted to the edge of the seat, your blood rushing, and your heart coming to your mouth. Movies are one of the most popular forms of entertainment which is preferred by all kinds of people. For every mood and occasion, there are multiple movies to watch and enjoy.
The best hollywood horror movies include a fear of the unknown. Paranormal beings and activities that we cannot explain. Anything that humans cannot explain through logic or science naturally generates fear in the human mind. The fear and excitement of unexpected jump scare, plot twists, and the fearful end invoke a sense of nail-biting eagerness and an equal amount of the gut instinct to run away.
A horror movie is indeed a roller coaster ride, with a complete guarantee of enjoyment, but it still comes with an unsettling feeling at the pit of the stomach. The goosebumps and the spine-chilling scenes are a must in the recipe for a perfect horror movie. A horror movie should be such to leave you exhausted just by watching the movie and leaving you with its impressions for some time.
In this article, we shall look at some of the best hollywood horror movies that can invoke the most extraordinary levels of fear that will haunt you to unimaginable limits.
List Of The Best Hollywood Horror Movies Of All Time
The Exorcist
Released in 1973, “The Exorcist” was directed by William Friedkin and is a great example of a good horror movie. This movie is about the exorcism of a 12-year-old girl who is possessed. While a tale of possession is unnerving, the victim being a young girl adds to the horror. The eerie premise of this movie and the exorcism by the two priests term this one of the best hollywood horror movies of all time.
The Shining
Released in 1980, “The Shining” was directed by Stanley Kubrick. Based on a book by Stephen King, this scary movie revolves around the story of Jack Torrance, a writer. Jack and his family travel to see the winter in a secluded hotel. In this hotel, his son starts seeing horrifying premonitions. Thus follows a terror-filled ride in the hotel, making it one of the best hollywood horror movies of all time.
Hereditary
Released in 2018, “Hereditary” was directed by Ari Aster. The movie revolves around the story of a family surrounded by grief and shocked to the core by a series of tragedies. In these grieving times, paranormal sources push them into a frightful frenzy. The unnerving feeling of the unknown keeps you hooked to the movie throughout. The grief surrounding the premises of the film also touches the viewers’ hearts.
Halloween
Released in 1978, “Halloween” was directed by John Carpenter. This movie is about a man on a murderous hunt who escaped a mental hospital around Halloween. Horrific chaos follows as he quests for his victims in his hometown. The morbidness in this movie leaves you hanging on your seat’s edge. This movie will induce fear in you even when you reside safely.
The Conjuring
Directed by James Wan, “The Conjuring” was released in 2013. This movie brings to life the supernatural. It is loosely based on the investigations of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The hauntings of a new house set the premise of the movie. The resonating feeling of helplessness in the family coupled with jump scares, this is a classic and one of the best hollywood horror movies, making it a must-watch.
Sinister
Released in 2012, “Sinister” was directed by Scott Derrickson. The movie’s plot revolves around Ellison, an author struggling to find his next crime book hit. He moves into a new house with his family to find the right inspiration, but the house has a history of a murdered family. He then finds himself wrapped in unravelling the mystery of the murderer behind those heinous crimes.
Midsommar
They were released in 2019. “Midsommar” was directed by Ari Aster. The plot of this movie revolves around a couple and their friends who take a trip to attend a midsummer festival in Sweden. The festivities turn terrifying when the carnival turns out to be a twisted ritual. The beautiful scenery of Sweden mixed with the horror theme gives it a place in the list of best hollywood horror movies.
Paranormal Activity
Released in 2007, “Paranormal Activity” was directed by Oren Peli. This movie brings paranormal elements to the suburbs in the scariest fashion. This movie is the first film of its franchise. The plot revolves around a couple terrorized by a demonic presence in their new abode. As the movie shows its story from a third person’s perspective, it leaves the viewers scared and helpless as they cannot help the couple.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Directed by Wes Craven, “A Nightmare on Elm Street” was released in 1994. A movie where sweet dreams turn into haunting nightmares. A vengeful boogeyman, Freddy Krueger, torments a group of teenagers in their dreams, where if they die in those nightmares, they would also be dead in real life. The plot follows as the children find Freddy’s motive to kill and torment them while finding ways to stop him.
IT
Released in 2017, “It” was directed by Andy Muschietti. The movie’s plot is based on an equally horror-filled book, “It,” written by Stephen King. This movie brings your fears to the forefront in its most natural form. The film follows the story of a group of outcast kids who fight together to fight Pennywise, a demon in the disguise of a clown who feeds on the children of the town. The sinister, eerie-looking clown who is a demon with his terrifying abilities of shape shifting induces great terror in the people.
Conclusion
From this article, we can conclude that movies are an irreplaceable form of entertainment. In comparison, most movies depict different aspects of society with touches of drama, angst, romance, comedy, and horror. Horror movies are one of the most preferred genres as this factor of the unknown and paranormal is not generally felt in our day-to-day lives.
While we do not want to express fear often in everyday activities, a good scare and high-pitched screams complete a horror movie. The fear of the unexpected and elements of surprise constitute the horror in the film. With all the cries, gory details, and horrifying characters, horror movies are not for the faint-hearted but are a treat to those who wish to break the boring normalcy and venture into the unknown domains. Filled with eerie sounds, the misleading rustling of leaves and a chilly movie backdrop are enough to set jeers in the viewers.
We hope you find the horror element you desire while watching these movies and enjoy the spooky film and its aftereffects.
We hope that this article satisfies your curiosity and gives you some recommendations from the best hollywood horror movies of all time.
On Socialbuzzness, features articles on and about technology, business, lifestyle, and health. Socialbuzzness covers all kinds of news, including entertainment, technology, business, and finance.