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It’s a tough question to ask true horror movie fans to pick their favourites. From gritty and gore thrillers to classic haunted house or doll movies, there are many to choose from, especially during those rainy movie nights with your friends. While not everyone is a fan of horror movies, especially the weak-hearted who cannot take the jump scares and the adrenaline, there are some must-watch movies that no one should miss.

A good horror movie not only gives you a good scare but taps into your deepest fears and anxieties, then leaves you shuddering long after the movie has ended. Especially when you have to make a late-night trip to the kitchen after watching a horror movie, that’s where the real adrenaline and rush begin. From exploring the darkness of cinema to inculcating the creepiest of cults and sacrificial rituals, these are the 5 best horror movies that everyone must watch. So go ahead, and check out their trailers today.

Orphan (2011)

Source: MyGoodTimes Movie: Orphan

This 2011 psychological horror-thriller film stands at the top of our list with a storyline that will creep you for days to come. The story revolves around an adopted 9-year-old orphan girl by two parents dealing with losing a child only to have things go very wrong. Well-educated and well-behaved on the outside, Esther-the orphan, transforms into a deadly and psychologically damaged child that will go to any extreme to destroy the family.

The plot twist of the movie will leave you shocked to the core, and caution is advised for gory scenes involving blood and violence, as well as adult language and profanity. There are many jump scares in the movie, as well as references to psychiatric and mental health issues and concerns. After a huge success, a prequel to the movie was also released with the title Orphan: First Kill in 2022, which seeks to explain much of the backstory that the first movie reveals in the climax.

The Exorcist (1973)

This masterpiece was written by American writer Willian Peter Blatty and based on his 1971 novel of the same name; this horror movie is quite one of the best horror movies made in the 70s. The Exorcist follows Regan, the daughter of a movie actress who gets possessed by a demon while playing a Ouija board, which became a classic horror movie prop after the success of the Exorcist. It’s a perfect movie to rewatch on your best laptop late at night with friends or watch for the first time if you haven’t already.

Following the possession, the story revolves around the much unpredictable and creepy Exorcism. This movie is visceral and anxiety-inducing, with scares that will leave you rattled for days to come. The sheer terror of a classic good vs evil movie is excellently captured in this horrifying, authentic and disturbing movie. It is a must-have for not just horror movie lovers but all appreciators of the cinema.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

As the name suggests, this sweaty horror movie directed by Tobe Hooper is a pure work of grit and a horrifying narrative that enfolds into the terror that will leave you shivering with fright. In this movie, five young people get trapped inside a house when an endurance test begins in a span of events where their lives are under threat. It contains very gory scenes involving death and blood, so weak hearts are cautioned to proceed with care.

The iconic soundtrack and screams of pure terror add to the atmosphere in a brilliant way, especially when watched on a big screen with good quality Bluetooth speakers. This movie is a must-watch for classic horror movie lovers with plenty to get goosebumps at. On our list, this film ranks in the top 5 due to its violently honest elements and great acting by the cast.

The Shining (1980)

The Shining is Stanley Kubrick’s one of the most famous movies, with iconic lines passed down through the cinematic generations. Surrounding a haunted and mysterious hotel, this movie features a man and his family as they try to survive the Overlook Hotel. It’s a dangerously scary movie that will leave you running for safety as you watch the main character descend into murderous insanity inside the creepy hotel.

It’s a Stephen King adaptation, so there’s no saying that the storyline and the plot are enough to unhinge any horror movie critic. With lurking terror at every corner of the hotel, this movie is a must-watch for a good winter movie night scare.

28 Days Later (2002)

No horror movie list would be complete without a classic zombie movie- and what’s a better pick than Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later? This zombie movie is indeed one of the scariest ones out there, with the incredibly talented Cillian Murphy as the protagonist of the story. Jim/Cillian finds himself in an apocalyptic London full of murderous and horrifying zombies lurking everywhere after waking up in a hospital bed.

It’s a nightmarish film that will pull you in with a heart-pounding soundtrack, horrifying scenes and great cinematography, especially for a film made in the 2000s. As the story unfolds, the viewers will grow suspicious of even the survivors and the protagonist himself. This is a perfect horror movie filled with enough gore and grume to rattle any fine movie fan for days.