28 of the BEST Horror Movies to Watch Right Now (If You Dare!) - 2026 Update
Hey horror fans! Looking for a truly terrifying movie night? You've come to the right place. I've compiled a list of 28 spine-chilling horror flicks that are guaranteed to keep you up at night. From classic scares to modern masterpieces, this list has something for every kind of horror lover. So grab your popcorn (and maybe a blanket to hide under), because we're about to dive into some serious terror!
Updated for 2026! I've refreshed this list with terrifying new releases from 2024 and 2025—including Nosferatu, Sinners, and more. Scroll down to find your next nightmare.
1. The Exorcist (1973)
Okay, let's start with a true classic: The Exorcist. This movie is legendary for a reason. It's not just scary; it's deeply disturbing. The story of a young girl possessed by a demonic entity is truly unsettling, and the special effects (for the time) were absolutely groundbreaking. This is a must-see for any serious horror fan. It's a masterclass in psychological and supernatural horror, and it still holds up today. Be warned: it's intense!
2. The Shining (1980)
Another absolute masterpiece, The Shining is a psychological horror film that will mess with your head. Stanley Kubrick's direction is brilliant, and Jack Nicholson's performance is iconic. The atmosphere is incredibly creepy, and the story of a family isolated in a haunted hotel is both terrifying and tragic. This one is less about jump scares and more about building a sense of dread and unease. It's a slow burn, but it's worth every minute. If you love psychological horror, this is a must-watch.
3. Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary is a modern horror masterpiece that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It's a deeply disturbing and emotionally resonant film about family trauma and the supernatural. Toni Collette's performance is absolutely incredible, and the film's atmosphere is incredibly unsettling. This isn't your typical jump-scare horror movie; it's more of a slow-burn, psychological descent into madness. If you're looking for something that will truly haunt you, this is it.
4. Nosferatu (2024)
Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse) has done it again. His Nosferatu isn't your grandfather's vampire movie—and it's definitely not the 1992 Dracula with its romantic curls and campy charm. This is something else entirely: pure, suffocating dread that wraps around you like a coffin shroud. Bill Skarsgård's Count Orlok is genuinely unsettling in ways I didn't think possible. Every frame is a Gothic painting come to life. It honors the 1922 silent classic while delivering scares that'll rattle modern audiences. Visually stunning? Absolutely. Terrifying? You have no idea.
5. Get Out (2017)
Get Out is a brilliant and terrifying social thriller that blends horror with social commentary. Jordan Peele's directorial debut is a must-see for any horror fan. The story is incredibly clever and original, and the film's themes about race and class are both timely and thought-provoking. It's not just scary; it's also incredibly smart and entertaining. This one will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
6. Sinners (2025)
Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan reunite—but this time, they're not in Wakanda. Welcome to the Jim Crow-era South, where vampires aren't just monsters; they're a metaphor. Sinners is a supernatural thriller that rips into social tension as viciously as its bloodthirsty creatures rip into flesh. It's smart, it's fresh, and it offers a perspective horror has been craving. Critics are raving—we're talking near-perfect scores. This isn't just another vampire flick; it's a cultural moment wrapped in a nightmare. Trust me, you haven't seen anything like it.
7. Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is a true cinematic masterpiece and a cornerstone of the psychological thriller genre. The shower scene is one of the most iconic moments in film history, and the film's twist ending is still shocking today. This film is a masterclass in suspense and storytelling. It's not just scary; it's also incredibly well-crafted and thought-provoking. If you haven't seen it, you absolutely must.
8. Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room—or should I say, the vampire in the castle. Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula is pure Gothic excess, and I mean that as the highest compliment. Gary Oldman transforms through centuries and styles like a nightmare you can't look away from. The costumes? Legendary. The practical effects? Mind-blowing. Yes, Keanu Reeves's accent is... a choice. But this film isn't chasing jump scares; it's chasing grandeur, romance, and tragedy. If your list honors horror's all-time greats, this cornerstone deserves its spot. Just embrace the glorious weirdness.
9. Alien (1979)
Alien is a sci-fi horror masterpiece that set the standard for creature features. Ridley Scott's film is incredibly suspenseful and genuinely terrifying. The design of the Xenomorph is iconic, and the film's atmosphere is incredibly claustrophobic and tense. This one is a must-see for any fan of horror or science fiction. It's a true classic that still holds up incredibly well today.
10. Halloween (1978)
You can't talk about horror without mentioning Halloween. John Carpenter's classic slasher film is a masterpiece of suspense and atmosphere. Michael Myers is one of the most iconic horror villains of all time, and the film's simple yet effective story is incredibly chilling. The score alone is enough to send shivers down your spine. If you're looking for a quintessential slasher experience, this is the one to watch. It set the bar for the entire slasher subgenre.
11. Weapons (2025)
Remember Barbarian? The one that had you shouting at the screen? Zach Cregger is back, and he's unhinged in the best way possible. Weapons unfolds like a twisted epic: disappearing children, a small town drowning in secrets, and multiple stories that collide in chaos. Early buzz calls it "the most terrifying movie of the year"—and for once, the hype might be real. This thing avoids every tired horror trope you're sick of. It's unpredictable, wild, and exactly what you need if you actually dare to watch something that'll haunt you afterward.
12. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Time for a slasher classic! A Nightmare on Elm Street introduced us to one of the most iconic horror villains of all time: Freddy Krueger. Wes Craven's film is incredibly creative and genuinely scary. The idea of a killer who can invade your dreams is truly terrifying, and the film's special effects (for the time) are still impressive. If you're a fan of slasher movies, this is an absolute must-see.
13. The Babadook (2014)
The Babadook is a unique and chilling horror film that blends psychological horror with elements of a children's story. The film's monster is truly creepy, and the story about a grieving mother and her troubled son is both heartbreaking and terrifying. This one is more about atmosphere and psychological tension than jump scares, making it a truly effective and memorable horror experience.
14. 28 Years Later (2025)
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland finally returned to the franchise that reinvented zombies—and wow, was it worth the wait. 28 Years Later isn't just more of the same infected mayhem. It's a coming-of-age story wrapped in survival horror, grounded and surprisingly emotional. You'll care about these characters before the chaos erupts. The franchise revitalization we didn't know we needed. High-octane? Absolutely. But there's actual heart beating beneath all that tension. If you loved the original, prepare yourself. This one hits different—and hits hard.
15. It Follows (2014)
It Follows is a unique and genuinely creepy modern horror film. The film's premise – a supernatural entity that relentlessly pursues its victims – is incredibly unsettling. The film's atmosphere is incredibly tense, and the synth-heavy soundtrack adds to the overall sense of dread. This one is a must-see for fans of atmospheric and suspenseful horror. It's a fresh take on the classic horror formula.
16. The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring is a modern classic of the supernatural horror subgenre. Based on the real-life cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film is filled with jump scares, creepy atmosphere, and genuinely frightening moments. If you're a fan of haunted house movies and demonic possession stories, this one is sure to deliver the chills. It's a well-crafted and effective horror film that will have you jumping out of your seat.
See also: Conjuring Universe: All 10 Movies Explained & Ranked
17. Midsommar (2019)
From the director of Hereditary, Midsommar is a folk horror film that's both beautiful and deeply disturbing. The film's bright, sunny setting contrasts sharply with its dark and unsettling themes. The story of a group of friends who travel to Sweden for a midsummer festival is both fascinating and terrifying. This one is a slow burn, but it's incredibly effective in creating a sense of unease and dread. It's a unique and unforgettable horror experience.
18. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller that's both terrifying and incredibly compelling. Anthony Hopkins's portrayal of Hannibal Lecter is iconic, and the film's cat-and-mouse game between him and FBI trainee Clarice Starling is gripping from beginning to end. This film is a masterclass in suspense and character development. It's not just a horror film; it's also a brilliant thriller.
19. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a raw and brutal horror film that's considered one of the most influential horror movies of all time. The film's gritty realism and disturbing imagery are incredibly effective in creating a sense of dread and terror. Leatherface is one of the most iconic horror villains of all time. This one is not for the faint of heart, but it's a must-see for any serious horror fan.
20. The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter's The Thing is a sci-fi horror masterpiece that's both terrifying and incredibly suspenseful. The film's practical effects are still impressive today, and the story of a group of researchers in Antarctica who are hunted by a shape-shifting alien is incredibly chilling. The paranoia and distrust among the characters add to the film's overall sense of dread. This one is a must-see for fans of creature features and suspenseful horror.
21. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Rosemary's Baby is a classic psychological horror film that builds a sense of dread and paranoia masterfully. The story of a young woman who suspects her neighbors are involved in a satanic cult is both unsettling and deeply disturbing. Mia Farrow's performance is excellent, and Roman Polanski's direction creates an atmosphere of constant unease. This one is a must-see for fans of slow-burn, psychological horror. It's a truly chilling and thought-provoking film.
22. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The Blair Witch Project is a groundbreaking found-footage horror film that revolutionized the genre. The film's shaky camera work and realistic performances create a sense of genuine terror and disorientation. The story of a group of film students who venture into the woods to investigate a local legend is incredibly effective in creating a sense of dread and suspense. This one is a must-see for fans of found-footage horror and atmospheric scares.
23. The Ring (2002)
The Ring is a chilling supernatural horror film that introduced many Western audiences to J-horror. The story of a cursed videotape that kills its viewers seven days after watching it is incredibly creepy and suspenseful. The film's visuals are striking, and the atmosphere is consistently unsettling. This one is a must-see for fans of supernatural horror and creepy imagery. It's a truly effective and memorable horror experience.
24. Let the Right One In (2008)
Let the Right One In is a Swedish vampire film that's both beautiful and haunting. The story of a bullied young boy who befriends a young vampire is both touching and terrifying. The film's atmosphere is incredibly atmospheric, and the performances are excellent. This one is a must-see for fans of vampire films and atmospheric horror. It's a unique and unforgettable take on the vampire myth.
25. Paranormal Activity (2007)
Paranormal Activity is another found-footage horror film that proved incredibly effective in creating scares with a minimal budget. The film's simple premise – a couple who are haunted by a demonic presence in their home – is incredibly effective in creating a sense of dread and suspense. The film's use of found-footage techniques makes the scares feel incredibly real and immediate. This one is a must-see for fans of found-footage horror and jump scares.
26. The Others (2001)
The Others is a gothic horror film that's both atmospheric and suspenseful. Nicole Kidman gives a fantastic performance as a mother living in a darkened house with her two photosensitive children. The film's twist ending is both surprising and effective. This one is a must-see for fans of gothic horror and atmospheric scares. It's a chilling and well-crafted ghost story.
27. The Descent (2005)
The Descent is a claustrophobic and terrifying horror film that takes place entirely underground in a cave system. The story of a group of female cavers who encounter monstrous creatures is incredibly suspenseful and genuinely frightening. The film's dark and claustrophobic setting adds to the overall sense of dread. This one is a must-see for fans of creature features and intense, suspenseful horror.
28. Saw (2004)
Saw is a gory and suspenseful horror film that launched a successful franchise. The film's intricate traps and twisted games are both disturbing and fascinating. The story of two men who are trapped in a room and forced to play a deadly game is incredibly suspenseful. This one is a must-see for fans of gore and suspenseful thrillers. It's a truly twisted and unforgettable horror experience.
