Horror flicks were originally gothic in style and featured monsters as the antagonists. Over time, horror movies began to morph and set humans as the monster or killer. Whether you like horror movies that make you sick to your stomach, make you laugh or chill you to your bones, there’s a movie for you on this list. Most of these movies are available for purchase or rent on Amazon Instant Video, on Netflix, Hulu, Hulu Plus, YouTube, online, at the Chaminade Library and at our local state libraries.
Origins of Horror
This list includes films that started the horror genre. These movies were the first of their kind and changed the film industry. The films are ordered according to their release date, so you can see how horror movies have changed over time.
5. “Nosferatu, A Symphony of Horror” (1922) is the first movie adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula.” This is the beginning of the horror movie genre. As a warning, it’s silent black and white film. The movie is about a vampire, Count Orlok, who silently wreaks havoc on a town and attempts to take his realtor’s wife as his own. You can watch it for free on YouTube with the title “Nosferatu (1922) – Full Movie.”
4. “Frankenstein” (1931) features one of the fathers of horror, Boris Karloff, as the monster Frankenstein. The movie is about a doctor who succeeds in trying to reanimate the dead. “Frankenstein” is a black and white film. You can watch it on Veoh with the title “Frankenstein (1931).”
3. “The Wolf Man” (1941) stars the American father of horror, Lon Chaney Jr., as The Wolf Man. The movie is about a man who gets bit by werewolf and therefore turns into one each full moon. The movie is black and white and is available online through various websites. If you want to watch it free, you might need certain types of web players.
2. “Psycho” (1960) is often considered the first psychological horror movie. This film marked the beginning of when horror movies became closer to reality. “Psycho” is about a young woman, Marion, who disappears after spending the night at a motel. Her sister, lover and a private detective uncover some dangerous truths upon searching for Marion. It’s black and white and can be found on Veoh under the name “Psycho (1960).”
1. “The Night of the Living Dead” (1968) is the original zombie movie. The film is about a group of people who are trying to escape from bloodthirsty, flesh-eating zombies. It’s a black and white film, available on YouTube, called “Night of the Living Dead (HD, FULL MOVIE, 1968).”
Supernatural Horror
This list includes stories with ghosts and other worldly forces. The films are ordered according to scare-factor, so you can build yourself up to that bone-chilling feeling.
5. “Amityville Horror” (2005) is a wonderful remake of the original 1979 film. The movies are based on a true story. Ryan Reynolds does a wonderful job as the father of a family who is terrorized by demonic forces after moving into a house, which was the site of a massmurder. You can find the movie either on megashare.info or YouTube, under the name “HORROR – Full Movie watch NOW.”
4. “Rinne” or “Reincarnation” (2005) is a Japanese horror film about a hopeful actress who lands a role in a movie about a real-life massmurder more than 40 years ago. The director wants to shoot the entire movie on location of where the actual murders were committed. The actress starts to get strange visions after shooting begins and starts to believe she might be the reincarnation of one of the victims. It is available online, and like “The Wolf Man,” you may need to download certain web players for a free version.
3. “The Omen” (1976) is about a child who was brought up in a loving family, but when strange things start happening around the child, the father seeks help from a priest. It can be found on YouTube as “The Omen (1976).”
2. “Insidious” (2010) is about a family who tries to save its son from supernatural forces after he falls into a coma. The movie can be found on megashare.info, the second film is on Netflix.
1. “Ring” or “Ringu” (1998) is a Japanese movie about a series of deaths revolving around a video. Hollywood did a great job of remaking this movie in 2003. So, if you dislike reading subtitles, go for the American version, which can be found at the Chaminade Library. The American version is available online at megashare.info and the Japanese version is avaliable on Dailymotion in two parts.
Psychological Horror
This list includes movies that mess with your mind. These films keep you thinking well after the final credits roll. They are ordered by their relationship to the season.
5. “Maniac” (2012) stars Elijah Wood as a super creepy mannequin shop owner. When a young photography artist asks Wood’s character for help, his obsessive nature takes ahold of him. The movie can be found on Netflix or online on free movie sites.
4. “Oculus” (2013) is about a woman who tries to prove that her father wasn’t a murderer but that a supernatural mirror was to blame. The movie is available online through various sites.
3. “1408” (2007) is about a writer who goes to supposed haunted places, debunks the stories and writes about them in his book. When the writer, John Cusack, gets a mysterious postcard from a hotel, and he decides to take on the haunted room 1408. The movie can be seen on megashare.info.
2. “The Shining” (1980) is based on a Stephen King novel. It’s about a writer who takes the job of winter caretaker for a secluded resort and brings his family along. The seclusion starts to take a toll on all of them. Be prepared to feel anxious throughout the entire movie. Though it can be slow at times, it keeps you on the edge of your seat. The movie is available at the Chaminade Library or online.
1. “Halloween” (1978) should be watched on Halloween night due to its name. It would just be wrong to put it anywhere else. The film is about an institutionalized psychotic murderer who escapes and stalks a young woman and her friends. It features Jamie Lee Curtis and can be found on YouTube under the title “Halloween (1978) Full Movie.”
Bloody Horror
This list includes movies with blood, guts and gore.
5. “American Werewolf in London” (1981) is about two American college students in London who got attacked by a werewolf. It is available on Hulu Plus and on Vimeo under the name “an American Werewolf in London (1981) directed By John Landis.”
4. “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974) is based on actual events. It’s about a group of friends who are hunted down and terrorized by a killer with a chainsaw. It can be found online through different websites.
3. “Saw” (2004) should be watched on this date, since it’s the movie’s 10th anniversary. The film is about two men who are trapped in a serial killer’s sick deadly game of life or death. It is available online and will be shown on Oct. 30 at three Regal movie theaters, Dole, Windward and Pearl Highlands.
2. “Friday the 13th” (1980) is about camp counselors who are stalked and murdered while attempting to reopen a summer camp. It is available online on various sites.
1. “Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) is about a lynch mob killed murderer who stalks and kills his assailants’ children in their sleep. It can be found online through video streaming websites.
Satire Horror
This list includes movies that make you scream with laughter.
5. “Young Frankenstein” (1974) is a spoof on the Frankenstein story. It stars Gene Wilder as Dr. Frankenstein. It is in black and white and can be viewed online.
4. “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” (2010) is about two hillbillies, a group of preppy college kids and accidental deaths. The film take things are not as they appear to another hilarious level. It can be watched on Netflix, Hulu Plus and online.
3. “Shaun of the Dead” (2004) is a Simon Pegg and Nick Frost movie spoof on “Dawn of the Dead.” A man tries to turn his life around through a zombie apocalypse. It is available on IMDB and online.
2. “Elvira: Mistress of the Dark” (1988) is about a TV hostess who goes to visit her late great aunt’s estate. It is available on Netflix, Hulu (free), and online.
1. “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) is a musical about a couple who wander into a cross-dressing, Frankenstein-like creator.
