Jack Wagner, Editor

Spirits, spooks, shrieks and screams, the Halloween season is upon us. But not one type of scare is perfect for everyone. Here is a list of some classic horror movies, along with a rating of how scary they are and what type of scary they are, so you can pick the right fright for you.

A quick note on the rating system used: a score of 0 would indicate the movie is not scary at all, while a score of 10 would indicate it was too scary for me to finish. Some of the movies on the list are rated lower than others, but all these films are at least somewhat scary. 

Nosferatu (1922)

“Nosferatu” has a checkered history. Based on the classic gothic novel Dracula, the filmmakers were unable to get the rights to the property and just changed the names of characters. Bram Stoker’s wife sued the filmmakers over copyright infringement, and a judge ordered all copies be destroyed. Unfortunately for them and fortunately for future viewers, too many copies were in circulation already to eliminate. As for the scares?

“Nosferatu” is about as scary as a silent film from that era can be. That is, often campy and with somewhat clunky dialogue, but also with some genuinely creepy scenes and a growing feeling of dread throughout the film. I was initially bothered by the score, which has to do a great deal of heavy lifting for a film with no other sound, but it developed into a very dramatic and foreboding piece.

As is typical of silent films, the actors have some very exaggerated expressions and reactions that can feel goofy and detract from the frightening nature of the film. The vampire, Count Orlok, has a similar issue, sometimes looking more confused than creepy. The dated style of production takes its toll, but “Nosferatu” remains an enjoyably chilling film. If you are interested in classic vampires or are looking for a film as campy as it is creepy, “Nosferatu” would be a great pick.

Scare rating: 3.5/10

Scare Type: Campy vampire dread

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1958)

This film is a very unique one to rate because of the specific nature of its horror. “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” released in 1956 (not to be confused with the 1978 remake with the same name, which I have not watched, so don’t expect this guide to be helpful for it) stands out as an early classic in sci-fi horror. As for the scares?

The primary fear from this movie arises from the premise: anyone can be replaced in their sleep without anyone else knowing. There are no jump scares or gore in the movie at all, which works to its benefit. There are not supposed to be any obvious signs of what’s going on. The fear comes from the main characters being unable to trust anyone, and moreover attempting to escape when everything and everyone is against them.

However, the way some things are depicted in the film does do some harm to the scare factor, for me at least. The body snatchers are sinister, but not especially smart. I am not a big fan of romance which is fairly central to the plot, and there are a few times where characters will say things in a quintessentially goofy 50s way. And the framing narrative placed around the story negatively impacts the film. The reason I have the scare rating so low is because I think the depiction of the premise was less scary than it could have been, but if this is something that really scares you, it might not reflect accurately. Regardless, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is a solid sci-fi horror movie and a good Halloween pick. 

Scare rating: 3/10

Scare type: Campy alien replacement

Psycho (1960)

As a fun fact, “Psycho” was the first American film to show a toilet on screen. The sight of it shocked viewers almost as much as some of the murders in the film. As for the scares?

“Psycho” is as much of a mystery film as it is a horror film. The film is full of twists and surprises that keep the tension and suspense very high. The audience does not get the whole story until the very end of the film, yet always know just enough to be worried for all of the characters. This is not to say the film is not scary. The violence may be tame by today’s standards, but it is very effective and compelling when it is used. Paired with an excellent performance by Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, “Psycho” is a rather scary film.

There are some aspects that cause harm to the movie’s scare factor, such as an in-depth explanation that one character gives at the end of the film that ruins some of the mystique. However, “Psycho” is exactly as scary as it wants to be. If you enjoy some mystery in your horror, and you don’t mind being a bit more scared, “Psycho” is a great pick.

Scare rating: 5/10

Scare type: Suspenseful mystery

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

This is the final black and white film on the list. “Night of the Living Dead,” directed by George Romero, is widely considered the origin of the modern zombie movie. But as for the scares? 

As good of a movie as this is, and it is a very good movie, it is not the most frightening. The zombies themselves are not that creepy (very limited makeup, many are just people making weird faces and stumbling), though they are slightly more intelligent than in many similar films. The gore is light by modern standards, and in some spots even feels campy. 

What this film thrives on is the sense of tension that builds throughout its duration. The characters feel human, their mistakes believable but no less damning. Every scene builds the tension up to an intense climax and a gut punch ending. If you are interested in zombies or want a horror film to put on for Halloween that is a good watch without keeping you up at night, this is a great pick.

Scare rating: 3.5/10

Scare type: Tense zombie thriller

Halloween (1978)

This film is very timely, being the only movie on the list that actually takes place on Halloween. “Halloween” was the first true slasher film, being the movie that set the tropes for following films in the genre. As for the scares?

“Halloween” is surprisingly light on blood and gore for a film genre known for over-the-top special effects. This in no way detracts from how scary the film is. Michael Myers is a fantastically creepy villain. The whole film does a great job building the tension and dread surrounding the way he stalks the protagonist and her friends. He is in the background watching for so much of the movie that by the end you’re looking for him in every bit of empty space in a scene, which adds a wonderful bit of tension.

The score is also a standout contributor to the horror of the film. Some films suffer from having overbearing music, but the “Halloween” theme is simple yet eerie, lending a great atmosphere to the picture. “Halloween” is a scary film. If you enjoy slasher films or want to watch a horror movie with a bit more bite, this is a great pick.

Scare rating: 7/10

Scare type: Ominous atmospheric slasher

The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter’s “The Thing” was critically panned when it was first released, partially for being a bleak remake of a popular film “Thing from Another World” (1951). Now it is regarded as a horror classic in its own right. As for the scares?

“The Thing” is a terrifying movie. It has its fair share of gore and body horror that are made even more effective through the use of remarkably good practical effects. But the core of the fear this movie creates is paranoia. It goes out of its way to make sure that you cannot trust a single member of the cast. Anyone could be anything. The characters can’t trust each other, and the tension and dread rise with every new obstacle they face. The setting of an isolated Antarctic station at the start of winter is incredible for making every mistake even more harrowing.

The one flaw with this movie is that it spends relatively little time on character development. The characters are still likable, but several are not especially distinguishable from each other. In some ways this only adds to how scary it is, because you do not know any of them well enough to know when they are acting wrong. If you are looking to watch a scary movie, one that very well might give you some nightmares, this is a great pick.

Scare rating: 8.5/10

Scare Type: Paranoid body horror

There are horror movies out there to fit every taste and terror. This is just a list of some classics that you might consider watching for the Halloween season. I hope you take this into account while picking your next scary movie. Happy hauntings!