12 Classic Horror Films That Remain Frightening Even Now

      Some classic horror films just don’t seem as frightening anymore. However, these movies have remained impactful through the years.

      The Exorcist (1973)

      Warner Bros. – Credit: Warner Bros.

      Deeply unnerving even before Linda Blair's head begins to rotate, The Exorcist uncovered ancient demons in a way similar to what Jaws did for ocean fears.

      The franchise saw a revival last year with David Gordon Green’s Exorcist: Believer, which marked Ellen Burstyn's return as Chris MacNeil after a 50-year hiatus.

      Jaws (1975)

      Universal – Credit: Universal Pictures

      A flawlessly crafted film that masterfully utilizes its memorable villain, Jaws left a lasting impression on anyone who experienced it—prompting thoughts of sharks at the beach for the rest of their lives.

      It continues to be just as terrifying now as it was nearly half a century ago, also sparking a wave of other horror movies featuring menacing animals, some of which utilized real creatures.

      Carrie (1976)

      United Artists – Credit: C/O

      The most recent entry on this list, based on Stephen King's debut novel, remains anxiety-provoking not solely due to the infamous bucket of blood but because of the high school cruelty that resonates with anyone who has experienced it.

      The everyday bullying, which was far more tolerated back then, is just as distressing to witness now.

      Night of the Living Dead (1968)

      Continental Distributing – Credit: C/O

      This low-budget gem from George Romero preserves a haunting, straightforward power that makes it more terrifying than modern zombie tales like The Last of Us and The Walking Dead.

      It is also one of the highest-grossing films ever, earning more than 100 times its initial budget.

      Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

      Paramount – Credit: C/O

      While gaslighting is a common topic today, Rosemary’s Baby immerses us in a Manhattan building that has perfected this tactic to horrifying levels.

      As Rosemary (Mia Farrow) experiences pregnancy, those around her dismiss her valid fears as mere hormonal swings and paranoia. Yet, as the saying goes, being paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t after you—or your child.

      Psycho (1960)

      Paramount – Credit: Paramount Pictures

      Alfred Hitchcock’s classic suggested much more than it revealed, yet did so effectively.

      Psycho pioneered the slasher genre, elevated horror as a genre, and made many feel unsafe in the shower.

      It also boasts at least one of cinema's most memorable plot twists.

      Suspiria (1977)

      Produzioni Atlas Consorziate – Credit: C/O

      A dazzling giallo masterpiece that’s worth a watch solely for its vivid visuals, Dario Argento’s striking and haunting narrative follows an American (Jessica Harper, above) at a prestigious German ballet academy who discovers, through some uniquely depicted murders, that the institution is a nexus of witchcraft.

      The confusing sequel, Inferno, released in 1980, is also worth watching. Don’t attempt to piece together the plot—just succumb to the hypnotic blend of blood, color, and fire.

      Argento's films, whether one appreciates them or not, are undeniably visually captivating in the horror genre.

      The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

      Bryanston Distributing Company – Credit: C/O

      Just reading the title is unsettling. The film's unyieldingly oppressive ambiance—characterized by buzzing flies and animal noises—renders it one of the most disturbing films ever made. The chainsaw scenes propel it even further into horror territory, but Tobe Hooper's astute direction elevates it above its many imitators.

      Despite its ominous name, the film suggests more than it shows—much like the best horror films.

      What Have You Done to Solange? (1972)

      Italian International Film – Credit: C/O

      This giallo thriller has a simple premise: a private school teacher becomes a murder suspect due to his inability to provide an alibi for a killing—because he was with one of his students. The death's brutality remains shocking even today.

      It’s crucial to note that all the other horror films on this list pale in comparison to the next two.

      Last House on the Left (1972)

      Hallmark Releasing – Credit: C/O

      The directorial debut of Wes Craven, known for later hits Scream and Nightmare on Elm Street, Last House on the Left is a difficult watch about two young women terrorized by escaped convicts.

      Eventually, their parents seek revenge. However, viewers must endure a deeply distressing sequence where the convicts maltreat the women, leading one to walk into the water to escape the horror.

      It is loosely inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s The Virgin Spring and featured the notorious tagline, “To avoid fainting, keep repeating, ‘It’s only a movie … Only a movie … Only a movie …'”