When discussing great horror movies over the last 40 years, many iconic titles inevitably get disqualified, so we must say goodbye to them. Psycho, Alien, The Shining, two versions of Nosferatu, Godzilla (1954), and all the original Universal Monster movies… sorry, everyone. This isn’t your time to shine. Go collect some more cobwebs (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since cobwebs are spooky).
However, focusing on the past 40 years, specifically everything released post-1985? There are numerous iconic titles, some of which are old enough to be considered classics (particularly those over 25 or 30 years old). And the others will likely become classics once enough time has passed for them to be recognized as such. Regardless, all of these films are excellent and well worth watching if you’re in the mood for something scary, whether it’s Halloween or not.
10
‘Get Out’ (2017)
Image via Universal Pictures
Seemingly without warning, Jordan Peele decided he wanted to transition into horror, stepping away from the comedic projects he was known for prior to 2017, and he hasn’t really looked back since. While Us and Nope may blend genres more than his first horror film, Get Out, it’s Get Out that remains the best of the bunch and will likely continue to stand as an impressive directorial debut for Peele.
Essentially, Get Out follows a Black man meeting the parents of his white girlfriend, where things initially feel off. However, awkwardness soon gives way to genuine malice and threat, leading to an escalation that is best experienced without spoilers. Get Out is remarkable because it feels original and tackles heavy themes while never losing its emotional engagement, intensity, excitement, and occasionally dark humor.
9
‘The Sixth Sense’ (1999)
Among horror films from the 1990s, few are as iconic as The Sixth Sense. However, it is more than just a horror movie. It serves as a psychological drama/thriller with supernatural elements, focusing on a young boy who claims he can see ghosts and his interactions with a child psychologist attempting to understand what’s happening in his mind.
Additionally, it’s difficult to discuss The Sixth Sense without mentioning its surprising twist. While everyone knows it, if you somehow don’t, make it an ASAP watch and enjoy the experience. If you do know it or have seen the film before, there’s also something rewarding about rewatching it and appreciating how it might have tricked you (or others) initially.
8
‘Godzilla Minus One’ (2023)
Image via Toho
If you frequently read articles on Collider, you might be tired of hearing about Godzilla Minus One, as there’s one writer who seems intent on including it in every ranking possible. Best World War II movies? It’s a stretch but maybe? Best Monster Movies? Best Recent Movies? Best Any Movie? Look, Godzilla Minus One is there. It’s as inevitable as dying while doing your taxes.
However, it is that good and ranks among the scariest giant monster movies made in recent memory. You might be new to the franchise or indifferent toward some earlier films you’ve seen, but Godzilla Minus One is still worth checking out and serves as an excellent gateway film to the series.
7
‘Black Swan’ (2010)
Black Swan is a psychological thriller/horror film about a young ballerina striving for perfection while finding that pursuit driving her mad due to personal choices and negative influences in her life. Some elements may feel familiar and could be viewed as a modernized horror version of The Red Shoes, but it surprisingly works well.
The definition of what is scary varies from person to person, yet there’s a strong argument that Black Swan is one of the scariest horror films of recent decades. It immerses viewers into its central character’s psyche, making her world unravel from that perspective truly disorienting, even for those who can usually disconnect from what happens on screen. With Black Swan, that barrier feels less stable than usual.
6
‘Scream’ (1996)
By 1996, slasher movies had kind of worn out their welcome after peaking in popularity during the late ’70s and throughout most of the ’80s. Recognizing this trend, director Wes Craven, who previously directed the first installment ofA Nightmare on Elm Street , sought to revitalize the slasher subgenre withScream , making it more meta.
The key aspect was creating a self-aware narrative without treating everything like a joke. WhileScream can be quite funny and clever at times, it also functions effectively as a horror/mystery film for those seeking that experience. You get both elements while maintaining a decent balance throughout.. Some conventions remain intact while others are tossed out entirely, resulting in an undeniably fun ride.
5
‘Sinners’ (2025)
This film is quite recent at the time of writing but already feels special and likely to endure likeGodzilla Minus One long after this decade concludes. The film excels for numerous reasons but perhaps most notably due to its confident execution with deliberate pacing that keeps viewers engaged without rushing through its narrative.
This could be Ryan Coogler’s best directorial work yet (which says quite a bit), remixing familiar horror conventions into something unique. It has so much going for it that it’s hard to find fault withSinners ; it’s undoubtedly sinema.
4
‘Misery’ (1990)
