With over 38,000 horror titles on IMDb, it can be difficult to choose which horror movies to watch. However, IMDb has made it easier by compiling the highest-rated horror films by user rating. These movies all have at least 25,000 user votes on the platform, making them among some of the most popular horror films ever made, according to IMDb users. From great psychological thrillers to slasher classics, here are the top 21 highest-rated horror movies by users on IMDb.
Updated on October 29, 2024: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new horror films.
21 Talk to Me (2022)
IMDb Rating: 7.1
- Release Date
- July 28, 2023
- Director
- Danny Philippou , Michael Philippou
- Cast
- Sophie Wilde , Joe Bird , Alexandra Jensen , Otis Dhanji , Miranda Otto , Marcus Johnson
One of the newer entries on this list, Talk to Me is an Australian horror film that became a box office hit in 2023, thanks to its original premise, practical effects, and terrifying sound design. A group of teens discovers they can communicate with the dead using an embalmed hand, but one of them breaks the rules, allowing a malevolent force to torment them.
Talk to Me Dominates the Awards Season
This creepy movie currently has a 7.2 rating on IMBd's list of top horror movies and holds a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was the recipient of numerous accolades like the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film and eight AACTA Awards Best Direction and Best Film. Plus, the movie already has both a prequel and a sequel in the works, with sibling duo Danny and Michael Philippou set to return as co-directors. Stream on Paramount+
20 I Am Legend (2007)
IMDb Rating: 7.2
- Release Date
- December 12, 2007
Let's all agree on one thing — I Am Legend contains one of the most heart-wrenching and traumatizing scenes in cinema if you love animals. Whether that's the reason it ranks high on IMDb's horror movies list is unclear, but regardless, this Will Smith-led post-apocalyptic thriller is set to get a sequel nearly 20 years after its initial release, with the Oscar-winner joining force with Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan.
A Powerful & Thrilling Literary Adaptation
Following a virus outbreak that turned most survivors into cannibalistic mutants, Smith played a loner trying to find a cure for the disease while he also searched for other survivors in the desolate New York City landscape. I Am Legend blends genres, including science fiction and action, but IMDb users give it high marks for its horror elements. It holds a 7.2 rating from more than 830,000 votes on the site. Rent/Buy on Prime Video
19 It (2017)
IMDb Rating: 7.3
- Release Date
- September 6, 2017
- Director
- Andres Muschietti
The second adaptation of the chilling Stephen King classic novel, It features the chameleon-like Bill Skarsgård as the frightening killer clown Pennywise, who terrorizes a group of outcast adolescents in the late '80s in the fictional town of Derry, Maine. The shape-shifting ancient evil resurfaces every 27 years to feed on children before hibernating once again, prompting the members of The Losers' Club to fight back against the menacing creature.
Skarsgård's Unparalleled Performance
Both a box office knockout and critical hit, It grossed over $704 million and was lauded for Skarsgård nightmare-worthy portrayal of the demented demon clown, with many declaring it Oscar-worthy and one of the finest page-to-screen interpretations of all time. 636,000 people voted an awarded It and impressive 7.3 IMDb rating, with fans feeling the adaptation was both haunting and relentless in its depiction of horror and trauma. Stream on Max
18 A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
IMDb Rating: 7.4
- Release Date
- November 9, 1984
- Cast
- Heather Langenkamp , John Saxon , Ronee Blakley , Amanda Wyss , Jsu Garcia , Johnny Depp , Robert Englund , Charles Fleischer , Joseph Whipp , Lin Shaye , Joe Unger , Mimi Craven , Jack Shea , Ed Call , Sandy Lipton , David Andrews , Jeff Levine , Donna Woodrum , Shashawnee Hall , Carol Pritikin , Brian Reise , Ash Adams , Don Hannah , Leslie Hoffman , Paul Grenier
Robert Englund delivered a truly iconic performance when he appeared as the grotesquely disfigured, metal-clawed child killer Freddy Krueger in Wes Craven's '80s horror masterpiece A Nightmare on Elm Street, wreaking havoc on both unsuspecting teenagers and audiences all across the world as the malevolent spirit brutally stalked and murdered his targets by invading their dreams.
Englund Becomes a Horror Legend
A Nightmare on Elm Street helped establish a lucrative and enduring slasher franchise and introduced moviegoers to one of Hollywood's most unforgettable villains, and has been celebrated as one of the greatest horror films of all time. Forty years later, the Craven classic remains a touchstone for the hair-raising genre and fans on IMDb continue to acknowledge its massive impact on the industry and its timeless terror, awarding it a 7.4 rating. Stream on Max
17 Scream (1996)
IMDb Rating: 7.4
- Release Date
- December 20, 1996
Wes Craven continued establishing himself as one of Hollywood's most gifted horror maestros when he helmed the '90s staple Scream, which follows high school student Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she and her close friends are relentlessly terrorized by a masked serial killer known as Ghostface. Haunted by the death of her mother, Sidney is forced to face her fears and battle against the homicidal maniac plaguing her small town.
Craven Resuscitates the Slasher
Scream is widely credited with causing a resurgence in popularity within the horror genre, which was waning during the decade but came back with a vengeance as a result of Craven's epic serial killer villain and meta commentary. IMDb users all agree that Scream is clever, refreshing, and downright freaky, and commended Craven for reinventing the horror genre and serving up plenty of blood and gore (and an epic villain to boot) along the way. Stream on Max
16 The Conjuring (2013)
IMDb Rating: 7.5
- Release Date
- March 20, 2013
The Conjuring universe has spawned several top-rated horror films, and it's all thanks to the 2013 movie that kick-started the franchise. Starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, this terrifying horror film from director James Wan drew inspiration from the supposed real-life haunting of a family terrorized by an unknown presence in their farmhouse.
A Hair-Raising Franchise Is Born
Using old-school scares and visceral storytelling, Wan managed to create an entertaining and creepy movie in the vein of classics such as The Amityville Horror. IMDb users have also deemed The Conjuring to be one of the best horror movies on the site, ranking it within the top 15 horror movies. With even more entries in the franchise planned it'll be interesting to see if any future franchise entries can top the original. Stream on Max
15 The Substance (2024)
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Elisabeth Sparkle, renowned for an aerobics show, faces a devastating blow on her 50th birthday as her boss fires her. Amid her distress, a laboratory offers her a substance which promises to transform her into an enhanced version of herself.
- Release Date
- September 20, 2024
- Director
- Coralie Fargeat
- Cast
- Demi Moore , Margaret Qualley , Dennis Quaid , Gore Abrams , Hugo Diego Garcia , Olivier Raynal , Tiffany Hofstetter , Tom Morton , Jiselle Burkhalter , Axel Baille , Oscar Lesage , Matthew Géczy , Philip Schurer
The most recent addition to the list and the satirical body horror hit taking the world by storm, Coralie Fargeat's The Substance centers on fading movie star Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) who in a desperate attempt to stay relevant in Hollywood decides to take an experimental drug that creates a younger, more perfect version of the actress (Margaret Qualley). Naturally, tensions mount and the two fight for dominance as their bodies begin to revolt against the experimental serum.
A Future Body Horror Cult Classic
Though it was just released in September 2024, The Substance has already captivated audiences with its scathing social commentary, disturbing visuals, and powerhouse performance by Moore, becoming both a critical and commercial success. It currently holds a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score and 7.6 IMDb rating based on 83,000 votes, with viewers in agreement that The Substance will be a future horror cult classic and brilliantly pays homage to the works of the great David Cronenberg. Available on Mubi on October 31
14 Halloween (1978)
IMDb Rating: 7.7
- Release Date
- October 27, 1978
An undisputed horror classic and endlessly influential piece of cinema, John Carpenter's masterpiece Halloween featured the first Hollywood appearance of the silent killing machine Michael Myers (Nick Castle), who escapes from an insane asylum after viciously murdering his sister 15 years prior and returns to his town of Haddonfield to terrorize teenage babysitter Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and wreak havoc.
Carpenter's Masterclass in Horror
Shot on a budget of just $300,000, Halloween became one of the most profitable independent films of all time, grossing $70 million and being celebrated for Carpenter's expert direction, electrifying score, and chillingly unstoppable antagonist. Its phenomenal performance led to countless sequels and reboots and Myers becoming one of the most distinct faces of horror, with IMDb users deeming it the greatest slasher movie ever made and a masterclass in the thrilling genre. Stream on Shudder
13 Get Out (2017)
IMDb Rating: 7.8
- Release Date
- February 24, 2017
A modern entry for this list, the critically acclaimed horror hit Get Out proved that social issues can be terrifying when presented under the guise of entertainment. When a Black man accompanies his white girlfriend to meet her family, he discovers a conspiracy in which middle-class white liberals transplant people's brains into others' bodies. While some consider this movie to be more thought-provoking than scary, many critics felt its layered themes of racism created an unsettling atmosphere.
A Modern-Day Horror Masterpiece
Get Out wasn't only a box office success in 2017, but remains one of the best-rated horror movies of the last decade. It earned four Academy Award nominations and has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with numerous reviews calling it funny, scary, and thought-provoking. With an IMDb rating of 7.8 from approximately 731,000 users, this one proves that original horror can still have a deep impact on viewers. Stream on Peacock
19 Oscar-Winning Horror Movies That Shocked and Surprised
Horror movies don't often get honored with acclaim and awards, but these scary films which actually won an Academy Award stand out as exceptions.
12 The Blue Elephant (2014)
IMDb Rating: 8.0
The Blue Elephant was first released in 2014 and hit audiences with its unique approach to the horror genre. It is an Egyptian film that follows a psychiatrist who is trying to transition back to work after a personal tragedy. Dealing with his own inner demons, finding out one of his friends is a patient in the criminal mental institution where he works sets off a series of events that viewers need to watch to get the full experience of The Blue Elephant.
A Winning Blend of Mystery & Horror
Also holding an 8.0 user rating on IMDb, this movie is a visually stunning adaptation of the 2012 novel of the same name. It's a perfect balance of suspense and intrigue and an excellent addition to the highest-rated horror movies. Its massive success and popularity led to a 2019 sequel, which brought in a whopping E£100 million at the box office and becoming the highest-grossing Egyptian film of all time. Currently unavailable for streaming
11 What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
IMDb Rating: 8.0
- Release Date
- October 12, 1962
- Director
- Robert Aldrich
- Cast
- Bette Davis , Joan Crawford , Victor Buono , Wesley Addy , Julie Allred , Anne Barton
This 1962 classic starring Joan Crawford and Bette Davis tells the story of two aging sisters who live together. "Baby" Jane Hudson (Davis) is a former child star slowly spiraling into madness while her sister Blanche (Crawford) is confined to a wheelchair after an accident. The two are terrorized by each other in a gripping rivalry that touches on themes of jealousy, loneliness, and mental illness.
An Unforgettable Hollywood Rivalry
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane holds an 8.0 rating on IMDb and was nominated for numerous awards and even competed for the Palme d'Or at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, with the cinema classic crossing over from the horror genre and into the mainstream thanks to the film's major stars. Overall, the picture has become one of the most iconic psychological thrillers in film history. Stream on Tubi
10 The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
IMDb Rating: 8.0
Widely regarded as the first true horror film in history, the 1920 German silent horror picture The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari tells the chilling tale of the titular unhinged hypnotist (Werner Krauss) who manipulates the somnambulist Cesare (Conrad Veidt) to carry out a series of gruesome murders. The groundbreaking movie helped pave the way for German cinema and also served as a stepping stone for arthouse films, and was noteworthy for its dramatic and gothic aesthetic and revolutionary and chaotic cinematography.
A Trailblazing Horror Triumph
The highly influential and then-controversial picture currently has an 8.0 IMDb rating and during its worldwide release, women in the audience reportedly screamed and even fainted when Cesare made his spine-tingling reveal. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is considered a classic picture and one of the most lauded and famous German pictures of the silent era. Stream on Crackle
9 Rosemary's Baby (1968)
IMDb Rating: 8.0
- Release Date
- June 12, 1968
Another psychological horror film on the list is the 1968 Roman Polanski classic Rosemary's Baby. The movie follows a young pregnant woman, Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), who moves into a New York City apartment building with her husband, Guy (John Cassavetes). It's clear that the other occupants of the building are not exactly normal, but that's just the beginning of the horror Rosemary will face.
Polanski's Supernatural Staple
With an 8.0 user rating and several awards like both an Academy Award and Golden Globe, this thriller is an excellent example of how danger can lurk in the most unexpected places. If you're looking for a subtle, suspenseful horror movie with an unnerving and escalating atmosphere, this is the one to watch and is sure to deliver plenty of thrills and chills. Stream on Paramount+
8 Les Diaboliques (1955)
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Henri-Georges Clouzot's Les Diaboliques, also referred to as Diabolique, is a 1955 French horror film that has influenced thrillers in countless ways. The film follows two women, Christina Delasalle (Véra Clouzot) and Nicole Horner (Simone Signoret), who conspire to murder their mutual lover, Michel Delasalle (Paul Meurisse).
An Influential French Hit
They try to plan the perfect crime, but they find that things are not as easy as they had planned when Michel's body mysteriously disappears. This classic thriller has an 8.1 user rating on IMDb and is one that viewers need to watch until the very end. If you're looking for a suspenseful, dramatic horror movie with unexpected twists and turns, this is a must-watch. Stream on Max
Modern Horror Classics That Are Great for Any Time of Year
Modern Horror films, especially those from the late 2010s and 2020s, have been just as groundbreaking as some of the classics.
7 The Exorcist (1973)
IMDb Rating: 8.1
- Release Date
- December 26, 1973
The Exorcist is one of the most well-known and highly-regarded horror films of all time. The 1973 classic follows a young girl, Regan (Linda Blair), who becomes possessed by the devil after playing with an Ouija board. Her mother (Ellen Burstyn) and two priests, Father Karras (Jason Miller) and Father Merrin (Max von Sydow), are determined to save Regan from the evil forces that have taken over her body.
The Exorcist has an 8.1 user rating on IMDb and won two Academy Awards, as well as four Golden Globes. It has been praised for its iconic '70s soundtrack, phenomenal acting, and special effects, helping to make it one of the most iconic horror films ever made while also establishing an enduring and downright hair-raising horror franchise that continues to terrify audiences over fifty years later. Stream on Max
6 Tumbbad (2018)
IMDb Rating: 8.2
Another fairly recent horror movie, Tumbbad is an Indian horror-fantasy film released in 2018. It follows Vinayak (Sohum Shah), a man who is obsessed with discovering the source of wealth said to be hidden in an ancestral home. He ends up traveling to the home with his son, Pandurang, and together they become entangled in a web of deceit, greed, and danger as they try to uncover the mythological secrets of the property.
A Hindu Horror Cult Classic
The cinematography and atmosphere of Tumbbad make it truly unique. It has an 8.2 user rating on IMDb, holding 17 awards and over 22 nominations. It's a fantastic movie for anyone who loves international horror and fantasy, and its disturbing and creepy atmosphere and visuals will leave audiences breathless. Tumbbad has developed a passionate cult following and is now considered one of the finest Hindi horror films of all time. Currently unavailable for streaming
5 The Thing (1982)
IMDb Rating: 8.2
- Release Date
- June 25, 1982
Horror icon John Carpenter directed the 1982 classic The Thing, a loose remake that follows a group of scientists in Antarctica who discover an alien life form that can take the shape and form of its victims. The alien is able to spread rapidly, and the group must figure out how to fight it before it's too late.
A Taut & Terrifying '80s Knockout
The tension and suspense in this movie will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the grotesque special effects are nothing short of amazing for the 80s. The Thing has an 8.2 user rating and has incredible performances from Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, and Keith David. It's a great example of how horror remakes can be done right, and is considered to be a masterpiece by fans of science fiction and horror. Stream on Prime Video
4 The Shining (1980)
IMDb Rating: 8.4
- Release Date
- May 23, 1980
The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1980, is a horror movie that follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) and his family as they move into an isolated hotel in the Colorado Rockies. Jack is responsible for the Overlook Hotel as the winter caretaker, but his sanity begins to slip away the longer he is there. On the surface, The Shining looks like a standard thriller, but the deeper themes of evil and family tragedy (not to mention the many conspiracy theories about the film) make it a classic.
Kubrick Tackles a Stephen King Classic
The Shining has an outstanding 8.4 user rating (based on 1.1 million votes) on IMDb and has earned awards and nominations from both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes, with Nicholson's wonderfully unhinged performance garnering rave reviews from audiences. It's another horror movie that is guaranteed to linger in the back of your mind long after you've finished watching it and one that has stuck in the cultural lexicon for nearly half a century. Stream on Max
3 Psycho (1960)
IMDb Rating: 8.5
- Release Date
- June 22, 1960
- Cast
- Anthony Perkins , Vera Miles , John Gavin , Martin Balsam , John McIntire , Simon Oakland
One of Alfred Hitchcock's most iconic films, Psycho is a 1960 classic that follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) as she steals money and flees town, eventually ending up at the Bates Motel. She is greeted by the creepy owner of the motel (Anthony Perkins), who is hiding a dark secret. It doesn't take long for things to take a dark turn for both Marion and her sister (Vera Miles), who also finds herself in danger.
Hitchcock's Legendary Horror Hit
Psycho is a thrilling horror movie that can still hold up today, thanks to how revolutionary and ahead of its time the filmmaking was. It has an 8.5 user rating on IMDb and also won the Best Motion Picture award at the 1961 Edgar Allan Poe Awards. It is full of suspense and great performances, making it clear why it's often referred to as the blueprint for modern horror. Stream on Netflix
2 Alien (1979)
IMDb Rating: 8.5
- Release Date
- June 22, 1979
Ridley Scott's 1979 classic, Alien, lands close to the top of IMDb's list of horror movies by user rating with an 8.5. It follows the crew of a spaceship who are sent to explore an unknown planet, only to be attacked by a terrifying alien creature. Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is one of the few survivors and must battle against a creature that is relentless in its pursuit.
An Iconic Silver Screen Heroine
Alien has since become a classic sci-fi horror movie, and it's no surprise as to why. The combination of suspense and special effects creates a fantastic environment, and the performances of Weaver and her fellow crew members keep you invested throughout. Ripley has become an iconic female character, making this a movie that any fan of horror and feminism alike should watch at least once. Stream on Hulu
Comments
Post a Comment