World Most Horror Movie 2024
THE 10 SCARIEST HORROR MOVIES EVER
If you were poking around RT a week and a half or so ago, you might have come across a little poll we were taking on the site to try and determine the Scariest Movie Ever. Based on other lists and suggestions from the RT staff, we pulled together 40 of the scariest movies ever made and asked you to vote for the one that terrified you the most. As it happens, a British broadband service comparison website decided to conduct a science experiment to determine the same thing, and their results were… surprising, to say the least. Did Rotten Tomatoes readers agree with the findings? Read on to find out what our fans determined were the 10 Scariest Horror Movies Ever.
You may not agree that The Exorcist is the scariest movie ever, but it probably also isn’t much of a surprise to see it at the top of our list — with a whopping 19% of all the votes cast. William Friedkin’s adaptation of the eponymous novel about a demon-possessed child and the attempts to banish said demon became the highest-grossing R-rated horror film ever and the first to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars (it earned nine other nominations and took home two trophies). But outside of its critical and commercial bona fides, the film is well-known for the mass hysteria it inspired across the country, from protests over its controversial subject matter to widespread reports of nausea and fainting in the audience. Its dramatic pacing and somewhat dated effects may seem quaint compared to some contemporary horror, but there’s no denying the power the film continues to have over those who see it for the first time.
Writer-director Ari Aster made a huge splash with his feature directorial debut, a dark family drama about the nature of grief couched within a supernatural horror film. Toni Collette earned a spot in the pantheon of great Oscar snubs with her slowly-ratcheted-up-to-11 performance as bedeviled mother Annie, but the movie’s biggest shock came courtesy of… Well, we won’t spoil that here. Suffice it to say Hereditary struck such a nerve with moviegoers that it instantly turned Aster into a director to watch and shot up to second place on our list.
Which horror movie was banned?
The iconic 1973 horror film The Exorcist is notorious for its frightening portrayal of demonic possession. 50 years later, it still holds up as the scariest movie in the world, and of course, it was banned.16 May 2024
Is Exorcist scary?
We feel shock, horror, nausea, fear, and some small measure of dogged hope." This imagery remains strong, and few movies have come to top it: it's what makes The Exorcist one of the most disturbing horror movies ever.1 Dec 2023
Was Evil Dead banned?
When the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984, the video version was banned. In 1990, an additional 66 seconds were cut from the already censored version, earning the film an 18 certificate for home video release. Finally, in 2000, the uncut version received an 18 certificate for both cinema and home video.
Characters: Featuring protagonists and antagonists that are compelling and evoke empathy or fear.
Cinematography: Using visual techniques, such as lighting and camera angles, to heighten the sense of dread.
Sound Design: Employing eerie sound effects and music to amplify the horror experience.
Special Effects: Utilizing practical and digital effects to create convincing and horrifying visuals.
Cultural Impact: Leaving a lasting impression on audiences and often influencing the genre and pop culture.
Examples of films often cited as some of the scariest or most horrifying include:
"The Exorcist" (1973): Known for its intense scenes of demonic possession and exorcism.
"Hereditary" (2018): Praised for its psychological depth and disturbing imagery.
"The Shining" (1980): Famous for its eerie atmosphere and psychological horror.
"The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974): Notorious for its graphic violence and relentless terror.
"Paranormal Activity" (2007): Recognized for its effective use of found footage and supernatural scares.
These films are benchmarks in the horror genre, often referenced for their ability to terrify and disturb audiences on a profound level.
A horror movie is a film genre designed to elicit fear, terror, and anxiety in its audience. These films often explore themes and scenarios that evoke a primal response of fright and dread, using various techniques to engage and scare viewers. Here are the key elements that define a horror movie:
Fear-Inducing Plot: The central narrative typically involves scenarios that are frightening or disturbing. This could include supernatural events, monsters, serial killers, or psychological horror.
Atmosphere: Horror movies often create an eerie and unsettling atmosphere through setting, lighting, and visual composition. Dark, isolated, and claustrophobic environments are common.
Suspense and Tension: Building suspense is crucial in horror films. Directors use pacing, music, and cinematography to create a sense of anticipation and dread.
Characters: Protagonists are often everyday people who find themselves in terrifying situations. Antagonists can range from supernatural entities to deranged humans.
Gore and Shock: Many horror films include graphic violence and disturbing imagery to shock and horrify the audience. However, some rely more on psychological horror and less on visual gore.
Themes: Common themes include death, the supernatural, the unknown, madness, and the macabre. These themes tap into deep-seated human fears and anxieties.
Sound Design: Music and sound effects play a vital role in creating a horror movie’s mood. Eerie sounds, sudden loud noises, and unsettling scores heighten the tension.
Cultural and Social Commentary: Some horror films reflect societal fears and anxieties, offering commentary on issues such as technology, disease, and social decay.
Subgenres: Horror encompasses various subgenres, including psychological horror, supernatural horror, slasher films, body horror, and found footage.
Overall, a horror movie is characterized by its ability to scare, unsettle, and provoke a visceral emotional reaction from its audience through its story, atmosphere, and visual and auditory elements.
