Ever since the beginning of the history of cinema, scary movies have been one genre that easily draws the audience in, immersing them into a world of fear, suspense, and the supernatural. The genre has evolved, from early silent films to contemporary psychological thrillers, in response to society’s fears and anxieties. In this guide, we will go through the historical background, the constituent elements, and some super scary movies that have left their names in the history of the genre.
Super Scary Movies Origins
Traces of horror cinema began as early as the late 19th century. The first instances date back to 1896 with Georges Méliès’s Le Manoir du Diable, commonly claimed as the world’s first horror film. The short film included fantasy themes using ghosts and devils, which was a template for supernatural horror coming in the future. Silent masterpieces like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and Nosferatu (1922) helped cement the genre in the 1920s and 1930s. These films brought forth psychological horror and the idea of monsters, which would then become a trope in horror storytelling.
The period between the 1930s-1950s is deemed the Golden Age of Horror. During this time, studios that became staples in the genre, like Universal Pictures, created enduring classics of monster cinema with films like Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), and The Wolf Man (1941). Terrifying to audiences, these films dealt with isolation, the darker side of humanity, and moral dilemmas. These monsters became metaphorical representations of social fears, reacting to worries over science, sex, and the unknown.
The Rise of Slasher Films and Psychological Horror
The slasher genre was born in the 1970s, from movies like Psycho (1960) and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). These films brought forth a new breed of horror that was marked by graphic violence and an unstinting killer. Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is especially famous for its naked intensity and a realism that makes the family tormented by the chainsaw-wielding maniac known as Leatherface. That would be a template for many sequels to come, not to mention contemporary imitators.
As horror progressed, filmmakers delved much deeper into psychological horror. Films such as Rosemary’s Baby (1968) and The Shining (1980) shifted focus to the protagonists’ own mental collapse instead of simply using outside forces as the threatening element. They explore themes such as paranoia, isolation, and the tenuous nature of sanity. The Shining by Stephen King is one of those films that most effectively create the atmosphere of dread through haunting images, images of a more sinister effect, and great performances.
21 Super Scary Movies
So, here are some super scary movies that are incredibly frightening.
The Exorcist (1973)
Regarded as one of the scariest movies ever created, this supernatural horror film tells the story of a mother who seeks assistance for her possessed daughter. The film horrified audiences when it was released for its disturbing portrayal of demonic possession and still haunts them today.
Hereditary (2018)
A psychological horror film about family trauma presented with disturbing imagery and unnerving performances. With its slow-burn pacing, it reaches its climax in a shocking ending that will leave audiences wondering what just hit them.
Sinister (2012)
One study found that this film induced one of the highest physiological responses from viewers, with heart rates increasing significantly during key moments. Its eerie story of a true-crime writer who finds cursed home videos sets off primal fears.
The Babadook (2014)
An Australian psychological horror film exploring grief and motherhood around a mother and son troubled by an ominous presence. This movie digs deep when it comes to mental illness.
Jaws (1975)
Steven Spielberg’s classic revolutionized summer blockbusters and instilled a lasting fear of sharks in audiences worldwide. The suspenseful buildup before revealing the titular creature creates an unforgettable cinematic experience.
The Conjuring Series
Based on real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, this franchise has delivered several spine-chilling entries that blend supernatural elements with family drama.
Get Out (2017)
A genius premise that highlights and satirizes reality in America, Get Out uses horror tropes to convey systemic racism and blood boiling scares that speak to modern day viewers.
It Follows (2014)
In the slasher realm, this movie is about an entity that will chase you down after you have sex. With a haunting score and unnerving premise, it recreates a sense of dread.
A Quiet Place (2018)
Melding tension with originality, this movie imagines a world where sound-sensitive monsters hunt humans. The silence heightens tension as the characters traverse a deadly environment.
Midsommar (2019)
A daylight horror film that subverts traditional expectations by placing its terrifying events in broad daylight during a seemingly idyllic festival in Sweden.
The Ring (2002)
An American adaptation of the Japanese film Ringu, this stars a journalist working to discover the origins of a cursed videotape that kills anyone who watches it in seven days. The film is recognized for its menacing mood and disturbing visuals, especially the infamous Samara character.
The Grudge (2004)
Based on the Japanese film Ju-on, The Grudge is about a curse that is born when someone dies full of rage. This movie finds a way to tell the story in nonlinear fashion, using haunting images to evoke a looming feeling of doom.
The Others (2001)
This psychological horror set in a semi-mansion isolated from the rest of the world – a frequent theme in these films – starring Nicole Kidman as a woman with two light-sensitive children. The film racks up tension through its atmospheric set pieces and unexpected twists as she starts to believe that her home might be haunted.
Audition (1999)
In this creepy Japanese horror film by director Takashi Miike, a widowed man holds auditions to find a new wife, only to learn that one of the candidates has a dark and twisted history. Slow-burning to a visceral climax, it is deeply disturbing in its explorations of obsession and manipulation.
Candyman (1992)
Based on Clive Barker’s short story, Candyman tells the tale of a graduate student who investigates urban legends surrounding a hook-handed killer summoned by saying his name five times in front of a mirror. The film explores themes of race and gentrification while delivering chilling scares.
The Descent (2005)
Trapped alone underground, a group of female spelunkers are hunted by horrific creatures in this Neil Marshall-directed claustrophobic horror feature. Combining psychological horror with physical thrills makes the movie an intense watch.
The Haunting (1963)
From Robert Wise, this classic horror film, based on Shirley Jackson’s novel The Haunting of Hill House, gives us a group of people investigating a purportedly haunted mansion. Using sound design and shadowy cinematography, it creates an atmosphere of suspense and fear.
The Witch (2015)
Robert Eggers’ film follows a Puritan family that encounters evil in the woods surrounding their farm in 1630s New England. Its meticulous attention to period detail and psychological tension renders it deeply disturbing.
Funny Games (1997)
Michael Haneke directs this Austrian psychological thriller about two young men who take a family hostage in their vacation home and subject them to sadistic games. The way the film lays its brutally honest examination of violence and media consumption gets consumers out of their comfort zones.
Let the Right One In (2008)
A Swedish vampire film about a bullied boy who meets a strange girl who turns out to be a vampire. This movie is one of the best known for exploring themes of isolation, romance, and morality.
The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
Though it seems like a straightforward slasher flick on the surface, The Cabin in the Woods subverts expectations with its self-referential commentary on the tropes of horror and that of the viewer. A blend of humor and real scares directed by Drew Goddard, it’s entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time.
Essentials To Scare You in A Horror Movie
There are a number of key elements that contribute to the fear factor in horror films:
- Suspense: Establishing a nervous atmosphere is key to creating tension. The cinematography, sound design, and lighting all contribute heavily to setting an ominous tone.
- Character Development: The creation of characters with personalities and backgrounds allows the audience to see them as real people and invest in the fate of the characters. When the audience cares about characters, the stakes are higher.
- Themes: A lot of super scary movies play with universal themes like the fear of death, losing control, or other anxieties related to society. These themes hit home with audiences in a very real way.
- Pacing: This is the thing that keeps the audience on their toes. A blend of rising fear and jump scares can provide a roller-coaster effect that intensifies fear.
Modern Horror: A Blend of Genres
In recent years, horror has seen a resurgence with innovative storytelling techniques and diverse subgenres. Films like Get Out (2017) and Hereditary (2018) have redefined what it means to be scared by incorporating social commentary and complex characters. Jordan Peele’s Get Out, for instance, addresses issues of race and identity within a horror framework. At the same time, Ari Aster’s Hereditary explores family trauma through supernatural elements.
Why Are We Drawn to Super Scary Movies?
Super scary movies are not just about scares; they are a cathartic representation of fear in a relatively safe space. It allows audiences to face their fears without real-life repercussions while providing what can only be described as thrill-seeking rushes.
Studies have shown that horror provides catharsis — the idea that pent-up emotions can be released and worked through by safely gazing upon that which we fear. Also, the shared scares provide a bonding experience for people watching together.
Super Scary Movies: Takeaways
Super scary movies have changed dramatically since they first appeared over a century ago, shifting along with culture but not losing that gut-punch thrill. As both early silent reels and modern day psychological thrillers, these films have continued to bewitch audiences around the globe with inventive storytelling techniques that reveal our most intrinsic fears.
Whether it’s through supernatural elements or psychological tension, horror films challenge us to confront our fears head-on while providing an exhilarating escape from reality. As filmmakers continue to push boundaries within this genre, we can expect even more terrifying experiences that will haunt us long after the credits roll.
If you have kids and you want to share a scary experience, check these awesome scary movies for kids. And make sure you follow us on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for more scary stories.
Sources:
- https://www.mensjournal.com/news/scariest-movies-of-all-time-heart-rate-study
- https://sites.bu.edu/daniellerousseau/2024/08/09/using-horror-as-a-therapeutic-tool-for-trauma-and-trauma-disorders/
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