If you are like me, then you like to watch horror movies all year round and not just the spooky season of Halloween. However, finding some of the best horror movies is not about browsing the internet but taking inspiration from a few of the best horror-themed novels.
Most of these novels were turned into movies, and these are some of the most iconic horror movies of all time.
So let’s get into a few of these movies to know why they are such iconic movies and remembered till now. Now without wasting any more time, let’s get into these movies.
The Exorcist (1973)
Book Adaptation – The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty.
Movie Director – William Friedkin.
Where To Watch It – Stream it on Max.
The first movie that I am gonna start with is a cult classic in the horror genre, which is The Exorcist. The film stands out from all other movies in this genre because of its ability to create an unsettling and unnerving impact on the audience to date.
The best experience of the movie is because of its superb sound effects and amazing cinematography with the stunning scenery, even for a horror movie.
The Silence Of The Lamb (1991)
Book Adaptation – The Silence of the Lamb by Thomas Harris.
Movie Director – Jonathan Demme.
Where To Watch It – Stream it on Max.
This movie is the best example to prove that you don’t need a lot of blood and gore-fest to create one of the best suspense movies of all time.
The performance of the actors, especially Anthony Hopkins, was absolutely amazing in portraying the deranged character of Dr.Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter. The character is a brutal killer who has revolting methods and habits, with a very charismatic and intelligent personality and possesses good taste as well.
Although it is a horror movie, one of the best moments of the movie was the witty and unforgettable one-liners. This made the chemistry between the two leads made the movie brilliant and unsettling.
Salem’s Lot (1979)
Book Adaptation – Salem’s Lot by Stephen King.
Movie Director – Tobe Hooper.
Where To Watch It – You can rent the movie on Google Play, Apple TV, or even on YouTube for a rent of $2.99.
One of the best things that stood out in this movie is its rich atmospheric landscape, which was achieved by strategically placing cobwebs, dry ice, and using darker and musty colors to give a mysterious tone to the whole movie.
From the cinematography itself, you will understand that the town is harboring a lot of dark secrets that will be revealed at the right time. Though this movie has a gripping storyline, it still didn’t reach that milestone among other horror movies.
The Shining (1980)
Book Adaptation – The Shining by Stephen King.
Movie Director – Stanley Kubrick. Where To Watch It – Stream it on Max.
It is impossible to read such a good novel by Stephen King. This film might scare you to go stay in a hotel or a motel, even for a single night.
The film might be actor Jack Nicholson’s finest role. He played the character of an unhinged and erratic person roaming the hotel, which is like a mystery and a labyrinth that needs exploration and mysteries to uncover.
The Shining is as psychological as horror gets, toying relentlessly and expertly with your emotions and expectations, throwing something that is completely out of the left field. Kubrick built an eerie atmosphere by exercising total control over the filmic environment, manipulating everything down to the tiniest detail to suit the needs of the movie.
Rebecca (1940)
Book Adaptation – Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Movie Director – Alfred Hitchcock.
Where To Watch It – As far as I know, this movie is not available for streaming or for renting as well. But if you can find a way to rent it, you should definitely do it.
No one does horror movies better than the man himself, Alfred Hitchcock. Though the movie is categorized as a romantic drama, in reality, it is a gothic thriller.
One might have thought that when blackmail and murder were out, Hitchcock’s feeling for quick, explosive action would show itself. Oddly enough, he seems instead to lose interest. Perhaps the exquisite silliness of the story was too much for him.
Rebecca might not be the most thrilling feature to come from Alfred Hitchcock, yet it undoubtedly is another great showcase of the filmmaker’s talents and skill.
The Haunting (1963)
Book Adaptation – The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
Movie Director – Robert Wise.
Where To Watch It – You can stream it on Max.
The movie is heavily inspired by the book The Haunting of Hill House, where there is a troubled history and death, either by suicide or by accident, that occurred there over the years.
The haunted house premise has been a staple for horror filmmakers forever. To place the viewer in a murky house alongside some characters unfortunates and then scare the tar out of them has always been the aim.
It hasn’t often worked to great effect, in fact, the number of genuine scary jaunted house movies barely trouble the fingers of both hands.
Carrie (1976)
Book Adaptation – Carrie by Stephen King.
Movie Director – Brian De Palma.
Where To Watch It – You can stream it on Max.
Carrie is not for those who just want to see people sliced up or prefer fast-paced horror, as it is presented as a heart-breaking drama with a horrifying twist. The movie is very well paced and is presented in a brutally clear fashion.
De Palma refrains from using any visual effects, with the exception of the infamous ‘Prom Night’ scene, which was incredibly well crafted and immersed the viewer in this horrifying display of rage.
American Psycho (2000)
Book Adaptation – American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis.
Movie Director – Mary Harron.
Where To Watch It – You can stream the movie on Peacock or even rent it from Amazon, YouTube, or even Google Play for $3.79.
The movie American Psycho is about a yuppie culture, the melding of identity, and the craving to stand out from a superficial homogenized society. Bateman’s interpretation of the world is skewed by his inflated ego and his evident psychosis, as well as presumably multiple mental illnesses.
Bateman is a killer, but still, he’s not the killer he thinks he is, as he goes insane, he can’t distinguish reality from fantasy.
The more significant point of the movie’s absurdity is that within his society Batemas is not a psycho at all he’s just one more normal guy amidst a horde of uncaring, detached from reality, secretly discontented American psychos.
Psycho (1960)
Book Adaptation – Psycho by Robert Bloch.
Movie Director – Alfred Hitchcock.
Where To Watch It – Stream this movie on Peacock.
The movie Psycho is a rare example of a much-ballyhooed film that is truly deserving of all the hype surrounding it. It would have been nice to have experienced the film without any knowledge of the plot twists.
The movie was adapted from a novel, so some of the original audience would have been familiar with the plot of the book. In the novel, Norman Bates is a middle-aged man; it is a stroke of brilliance to make his character in his twenties. He is a boy who grew up in a man’s body.
Interview With The Vampire (1994)
Book Adaptation – Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice.
Movie Director – Neil Jordan.
Where To Watch It – You can stream this movie on Hulu or even rent it on YouTube, Amazon, and Google Play for $3.79.
The film, Interview with the Vampire is an adaptation of one of the greatest horror novels by the American author Anne Rice. It is even more appealing when we realize that she actively collaborated with the production.
The movie has another good note; fully escaping the recent “sex symbol vampire” cliché fueled by movies like “Twilight,” this film depicts vampires as they really should be: monsters with some psychological depth.
Nevertheless, it’s not a very bloody movie. The atmosphere is dark and sinister, something largely enhanced by the cinematography, dark and misty, and the soundtrack, worthy of a good horror movie.
The special visual and sound effects are good, such as the characterization and makeup. The costumes are exceptional, portraying accurately the clothes of the several historical periods portrayed throughout the film.
Wrapping Up!
Well, there you go, if you think that I have missed any of the horror movies, then type that in the comment section and let me know.
These scary movies are perfect for a movie date, so if you wanna plan the perfect date, then you can pick the perfect scary movie. Now if you think that the list has a few great movies, then give this article a like and also comment down below.
