Halloween Films - Top 10 Scary Movies of All Time

The 10 Scariest Films of All Time make for a great Halloween affair. It's not just about the screams - plenty of movies can give a cheap thrill. The 10 scariest films of all time are all about establishing a haunting, terrifying atmosphere that will linger in your dreams for years to come. Not for the weak of heart, here are our 10 scariest films of all time.

1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - More realist than many of the movies in this list, The Silence of the Lambs delves into the crime genre with more flair than has been seen since. One of the many films on this list that was originally considered a box office failure, but it's popularity grew exponentially from its pure excellence.


2. The Shining (1980) - If you're a horror fan, and you haven't seen The Shining, see it now. The Shining is better known for the Steven King book, but the movie tackles horror in its own uniquely terrifying way.


3. Alien (1979) - The movie that spawned an entire franchise. Before the Alien vs Predator prequels, Alien was a landmark horror film that stunned both critics and audiences with its sci-fi undertones and terrifying horror scenes. It was a tremendous success in sales, but its popularity has died off after so many sequels.


4. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) - An all-time horror classic, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre is still embedded in popular consciousness. It's 2003 remake failed to capture the same audience, and this remains a landmark film in many ways.


5. Paranormal Activity (2007) - Paranormal Activity is one of the most uniquely horrifying films ever released. The fact that it was produced for such a low budget (less than $200,000 USD) just makes the movie even more impressive. Quiet and brilliantly timed horror.


6. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) - One of the landmark slasher films, Nightmare on Elm Street can be hard to watch. It's scary, yes, but it's also bloody and gory. It has only gained in reputation since it was released.


7. The Exorcist (1973) - One of the most famous horror movies ever, The Exorcist is based in paranormal activity gone very wrong. Science and modern thought pale in comparison to the paranormal in this movie, and even the exorcist is unable to control the evil.


8. Poltergeist (1982) - This movie is so cursed, even the people who starred became effected by it. Poltergeist was a great movie that remains edgy and terrifying to this day, and the sudden deaths of many of its cast members only adds to its mystique.


9. Friday the 13th (1980) - Another classic, the original Friday the 13th was easily the best movie out of its series, and continues to be a landmark movie in pop culture. One of the major reasons why people know better than to go out in the woods by themselves.


10. Nosferatu (1922) - To be honest, many modern movie watchers will have a tough time being scared during this movie. But while Nosferatu wasn't the first horror movie, it set the standard for horror for an entire era of films.