Now that the weather has shifted and there’s an eerie chill in the air, it’s the perfect time to stay inside with a nice cup of cocoa and watch a scary movie. Whether it be a classic like “Nightmare on Elm Street” or a rising star like “Sinners,” I think that winter is the best time to curl up on your couch with a pile of blankets and watch something bone-chilling. Here are the top five iconic horror films to keep you awake throughout the night.
#5: “Jennifer’s Body” (2009) [R]
After a human sacrifice gone wrong, teenage Jennifer Check becomes the host body for an insatiable demon with a taste for boys. Her closest friend, Needy, is determined to rid Jennifer of the demon possessing her. But as Needy’s journey progresses, she comes to several realizations about her and Jennifer’s friendship. Emotions become complicated as Needy tries to save her best friend and save people from her. This is one of my favorite movies to this day: a beautiful, yet bloody story about the love between two girls. It’s ranked lowest only because it is not very widely known, but it is still highly recommended. (Starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried)
#4: “Scream” (1996) [R]
Now, if you choose to watch until the end, you will see why “husbands of horror” was coined by this movie. Centered around adolescent Sidney Prescott and her tight-knit group of friends, this film follows a string of murders that cause chaos across their town. When Sidney begins receiving mysterious calls from someone claiming to be the killer, trust is broken, friends are betrayed, and reporters and police are running rampant everywhere as the killer leaves a trail of bloodied bodies behind. First to coin the term “husbands of horror” was this ’90s slasher. I love it especially because it’s a fun, almost comedic take on the classic slasher and a staple of queer pop culture. It’s a wonderful film, not particularly terrifying though. (Starring Neve Campbell, Matthew Lillard and Skeet Ulrich)
#3: “IT” (2017) [R]
Celebrated novelist Stephen King’s story comes to life in this gruesome adaptation of his 1986 novel, “IT.” In the sleepy town of Derry, Maine, seven unlikely friends come together, all being terrorized by a sixth-dimensional clown entity that they call ‘It.’ It feeds on the fears of children, growing more powerful with every child abducted. This outcast group of friends dives further and further into the mystery with the intent of finding and stopping ‘It’ before he can cause further harm to the children of Derry. This film is a perfect combination of horror and heart. As the main characters face increasingly terrifying odds, they also care deeply for one another, making it a highly acclaimed film in the eyes of the horror community. (Starring Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Marshall, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, Wyatt Oleff and Jeremy Ray Taylor)
#2: “American Psycho” (2000) [R]
Based on the compelling 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis, “American Psycho” is a disconcerting film about a New York City stockbroker in the 1980s, Patrick Bateman, with important themes criticizing yuppie culture and general society itself. Ironically, Bateman can control everyone around him, yet he is losing control of himself. He is so hostile and has so much unchecked rage that he begins a nefarious killing spree. He enjoyed having power over people. The only people that he murders are those that society deemed as less than: prostitutes, people of color, the homeless and more. Bateman was a glutton for power and influence, pushing him to do these unspeakable tasks. Once he started killing and mutilating various people, he could not stop. The satire throughout the movie sheds light on man’s vices perfectly. This movie is a classic staple of American horror pop culture, and I would highly recommend it. (Starring Christian Bale)
#1: “Pearl” (2022) [R]
“Pearl” is a beautifully woven prequel to the movie “X” (2022), a blood-spattered masterpiece. The film follows Pearl, a young woman living on a remote farm in Texas during World War I. Pearl has big dreams and a deep desire to leave her family farm to begin doing glamorous things in show business. Her ambitions later become futile as her mind has frayed, leading her to commit these intensely gory murders. “Pearl” is a compelling story of a lonely girl with complicated and nuanced emotions running from her fear of failure, eventually confronting it head-on. This gripping film leaves you needing to know more about Pearl, and I urge you to give this horror watch a try. Ranked number one because of its amazing plot, critics’ acclamations and the deep terror it leaves after you turn off the TV. (Starring Mia Goth and David Corenswet)
[Honorable mentions: “The Shining” (1980), “Smile 2” (2024), “Midsommar” (2019), “Saw” (2004)]
