In July of 2013, a horror movie called The Conjuring hit theaters and made away with $42 million in its first weekend — the box office record for an original R-rated horror movie opening. The movie — starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as husband-wife paranormal investigators enlisted by a family to exorcise their haunted farmhouse — was also lauded by critics. The Conjuring scored an 86% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as praise for its smart plot, cinematic beauty, and well-crafted scare-moments that harken back to classic horror films like The Exorcist.
The key to The Conjuring' s tremendous success — and the reason it got a sequel, The Conjuring 2, opening this weekend — is really pretty simple: It scared the shit out of people. And from the paranormal fright-fests and the psychological thrillers to the classics, that's what a good horror movie does. So we decided to round up the best scary movies — i.e. the ones most likely to make you shit your pants.
The Ring (2002)
You can pretend you're above this Naomi Watts adaptation of the equally-scary Japanese Ringu. But anyone who says watching Samara climb out of the TV didn't give them nightmares is full of shit. On second thought, maybe not so full.
The Shining(1980)
Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece remains the gold standard of the genre over 35 years after its release. And while by now we're all familiar with the Stephen King adaptation's scariest scenes — it's become something of a pop culture reference-point — witnessing the horrors inside the Overlook Hotel for the first time is like watching a waking nightmare.
The Babadook (2014)
This small, Aussie sleeper-hit is another modern classic. A woman and her son are relentlessly tormented by a creature born from the boy's coloring book in this restrained arthouse-horror triumph. It's more suspenseful than gory, and the scares are scream-worthy but not cheap.
Psycho (1960)
The only problem with Alfred Hitchcock's iconic psychological thriller, starring Janet Leigh? Your personal hygiene may be put in peril for days after witnessing the famous shower scene.
Paranormal Activity (2007)
The ultimate supernatural fright-fest is a downright chilling viewing experience. Who knew sleepwalking and tangled sheets could be so unsettling? The low-budget original, by the way, stands head and shoulders above its many, many sequels.
I nsidious (2010)
Modern horror master James Wan ( Saw, The Conjuring) knows how to deliver on both smart story-lines and good, old-fashioned jump-scares. There are several moments in the movie that should be flagged for their pants-ruining potential, but this one is just so unexpected.
The Exorcist (1973)
The first hit movie about exorcising the demons from a possessed child is also the best. No fancy special effects needed to spook the crap out of you here — just a disturbing puppet and good editing.
You know what they say, parents: Teenagers are hell.
It Follows (2015)
This shrewdly effective scary movie will make you afraid of, well, any other humans walking at a normal pace in your general vicinity. But the artsy Halloween -esque indie is a must-see and totally worth both the paralyzing aftermath (and the new pair of jeans).
The Conjuring (2013)
Yes, this one's on here because it's a must-see before the sequel. But even as a standalone, this tightly edited terror of a movie is full of perfect jump-cuts that, as previously discussed, may require you to conjure up some new pants.
The Strangers(2008)
Perhaps the scariest part of this movie is the fact that it was inspired by true events. Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman play a couple on vacation terrorized by three masked intruders out to get them for no apparent reason. It could double as a two-hour sales pitch for a home security system.
Rosemary's Baby(1968)
We hesitated to include a Roman Polanski film on this list, but if you've seen this macabre classic one you'll know why we did. Stay away if you happen to be A. a new mom, B. trying to get pregnant, or C. wearing your favorite jeans.
A Tale Of Two Sisters(2003)
This psychological horror gem, which inspired 2008's lesser The Uninvited, hails from South Korea. After a girl gets home from a psychiatric-hospital stay, increasingly freaky shit involving dead birds and mysterious bruises starts happening to her and her sister. Is the evil stepmom to blame?
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