MovieChat Forums > The House of the Devil (2009) Discussion > Can anyone suggest some genuinely scary ...

Can anyone suggest some genuinely scary horror movies?

posted 14 years ago by fatattack91
91 replies | jump to latest

I'm a big horror film fan, just watched this recently and it's the first film in a while to genuinely give me the chills. Now I'm left with a craving for some more really scary films. Just wondering if anyone can suggest some to me, I'm a really big fan of subtle horror, such as that found in Paranormal Activity and Blair Witch Project which are my 2 favourite horror films. I know of all the big name horror films such as The Shining and The Ring (which I actually found quite boring, not scary). So can anyone suggest some subtle scary horror films which are not as well known?
Or just post what you think is the scariest film of all time and I'll look it up.

Thanks to anyone who helps.

[–] EmmanKiddo 14 years ago

REC
REC 2
INSIDE(2007)
MARTYRS
HIIGH TENSION
THE DESCENT
A TALE OF TWO SISTERS
EDEN LAKE
THE STRANGERS
THEM(ILS)
HOME MOVIE
ORPHAN
TRICK R TREAT
THE ABANDONED
APARECIDOS
SILENT HILL
FRONTIERS
WOLF CREEK
THE CHILDREN

[–] latileo 13 years ago

Of all the cleanest and make-more-sense-one is @EmmanKiddo
the best (for my taste*) r:MARTYRS that is a must and then the rest in any order

[–] sudduthm 13 years ago

100% agree with all these! martyrs is one of the most disturbing movies i have ever seen!

[–] lyndsay_lane 13 years ago

Good list! I've seen all of these and they are all great. Except I haven't seen Aparecidos, but I'm gonna watch it now because we have the same horror taste. Have you seen Stakeland? I really liked it.

[–] Ma-jako 10 years ago

I agree with all your movies!!! Exactly my taste :D need more movies like these.

[–] hell-cat-1 9 years ago

REC
REC 2
INSIDE(2007)
MARTYRS
HIIGH TENSION
THE DESCENT
A TALE OF TWO SISTERS
EDEN LAKE
THE STRANGERS
THEM(ILS)
HOME MOVIE
ORPHAN
TRICK R TREAT
THE ABANDONED
APARECIDOS
SILENT HILL
FRONTIERS
WOLF CREEK
THE CHILDREN

LMAO! He said subtle. Your list is good but Eden Lake is one of the most disturbing & brutal things I have ever seen!

[–] npudlich 14 years ago

try the saw films, switchblade romance, texas chainsaw massacre (the remake), gothika..............everyones idea of a scary film is different so its kinda hard:)

[–] skyboy3 14 years ago

Every Halloween I watch A Nightmare On Elm Street(1984),Night Of The Living Dead(1968),Halloween(1978),Hellraiser(1987),Children Of The Corn(1984) and since last year I've added Trick R Treat(2008) to the mix,so those are my six favorites.I recently watched The Entity(1981) and found it quite creepy also maybe try The Reaping(2007),Jeepers,Creepers(2001)and Babysitter Wanted(2008).

[–] cracked_machine 14 years ago

Errr....What?!?!?

Those are some truly god awful films you've just recommended npudlich.

Texas Chain Saw Massacre remake was terrible. So was Gothika.
The first Saw is worth watching (it descends into sequel hell after that) and the the original Chainsaw Massacre will make your jaw drop. I cannot recommend that enough.

And skyboy3, Jeepers Creepers is just plain bad. After the first 10 minutes it becomes laughable.

Inside is one of the most shocking films I've seen in many years. I imagine women find it actually scarier than most guys do. Hopefully, for obvious reasons.

The original Ring (Ringu) is amazing. Really creepy atmosphere that the remakes didn't quite capture.

And of course the Wickerman is one of the most distinctive "horror" movies ever. The build up is similar to this film. Actually it's much better.

All of this is assuming you find that 70's film style creepy (and strangely appealing)

[–] centipedeattack 11 years ago

this is a troll.

[–] msyndergaard 11 years ago

I don't think so. Night of the Living Dead and Hellraiser are decent films.

[–] gregoryhuffman 10 years ago

I don't think he's trolling, but I don't agree that Ringu or the original Wicker Man were either good or scary. This movie had better build-up than Wicker Man, but it blew it. The Wicker Man was just pure boring the whole way through. To not just be a critical douche, I'll recommend Phantasm. That movie is swell. Other than that, I mostly prefer cheesy 80's slashers. Ohh, and Final Destination. I *beep* hope they do a 6 and 7.

[–] suz-mal 13 years ago

--try the saw films, switchblade romance, texas chainsaw massacre (the remake), gothika..............everyones idea of a scary film is different so its kinda hard:)--

...what a terrible list...

[–] scum_stache 14 years ago

There's no such thing.

Paranormal Activity is such a unique and great movie because you never see anything. And in my opinion, that's how great horror movies should be. Does that make PA a "good" movie, however? If a movie stays with you after you watch it, that is great. In other words, cerebral, and not momentary. Most anything with "jump" scenes probably won't stay with you long after you leave the theater. But this is my opinion, you see.

There is a definite difference between entertaining and good. Any good movie, and the horror genre is not excluded, should attempt to change your perception of the world around you. Entertaining movies are not that, they are for entertainment. They both have a time and a place. One is only better than the other when they are called upon to be viewed in the right frame of mind.

But then again, art is subjective to the person viewing it, and their retained experiences. So I say to you, don't ask others for what they think. research it yourself. While one person says 'Wolf Creek' is a good horror movie, another may say 'Audition' is. Each person is right in their own mind, and that's that.

So if you want good horror movies, look no further than yourself. That's the only person who will be able to tell you whether or not a movie is good.

Good luck, and happy hunting.

[–] DemonGate 14 years ago

Try these:

Night of the Creeps (1986)
The Gate (1986)
House (1985)
The Thing (1982)
Tremors (1989)
Trick or Treat (1986)
The Monster Squad (1987)
Pulse (1988)
Pumpkinhead (1988)
Trick 'r Treat (2008)

Whilst it is hard to pin down a horror film that is "genuinely" scary (different tastes make that virtually impossible to do) you should have fun with the ones I've posted here. Keep in mind that some of these films are family oriented and do not really fall into the "extremely scary" category. Enjoy!

"This is appointment television, baby!" - Bruce Campbell (Burn Notice)

[–] VWstarwars 14 years ago

Try "The Changeling" not the Angelina Jolie movie, but the one from 1980 with George C. Scott. Awesome ghost story. Try "The Ninth Gate," "The Tenant," "Curtains," the original "Black Christmas"(1974) "When a Stranger Calls"(1979) . . . That's all I can think of right now. Some people are naming out movies that are anything but subtle scary . . . These really are! I'm not saying that nothing happens in them; they are just great slow builds and creepy! Serious movies that crank up the eerie factor! I also love "One Dark Night"(1983)

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] SofaOnWheels 14 years ago

I'm sorry, you thought The House of the Devil was scary, but thought The Shining was boring?! And you think that's boring, yet Paranormal Activity and Blair Witch are your two favorites?? Don't sulley the name of horror by asking for genuinely scary horror movies and then bashing The Shining. Amateurs.

ANYWAYS! While I'm here I might as well contribute, these are some of my favorites, not all terrifying, but good, creepy, and effective. Like someone else said, it's all relative, what one finds scary another might not.

The Shining
The Thing
The Exorcist
28 Days Later
Halloween
Evil Dead
Evil Dead II

[–] SofaOnWheels 14 years ago

Oh and Black Christmas! How could I forget that!!! (the original, obviously...)

[–] dipsetald 14 years ago

Halloween
The Changeling
Session 9

[–] EmmanKiddo 12 years ago

The Shinning is an overrated snoozefest.

[–] eddiehellstrom 12 years ago

One word: The Shining.

Ok thats two words but still. A masterpiece. Also The Strangers.

[–] magic_rem 13 years ago

The Last Exorcism was terrible.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mboyer-4 14 years ago

As 'dipsetald' suggested in an earlier post, try 'The Changeling' if you haven't seen it yet. Not the recent 'Changeling' with Angelina Jolie, but rather the 1980 movie 'The Changeling' with George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere. One of the better ghost stories / spooky old house movies ever made.

[–] wallyslims 14 years ago

The more subtle horror films turn out to be far more lasting than those of blood & guts, shock value, or predictable suspense build up. It is the films that rely on a more deeper fear within ourselves that provide the most thrills for myself. I didn't like the ring either and I think that so many newer horror movies miss the mark. We need a horror renaissance!
Here is a list of my favorite horror films. I feel that you have to look at horror as an adult, and not judge a film based on what made you piss your pants when you were 12 years old. The film has to have a lasting impact and span across different generations to be great.

Rosemary's Baby

Silence of the Lambs

Psycho

Candyman

28 Days Later

The Descent

Seven

The Others

An American Werewolf in London

Eraserhead

i really wish Kubrick would have done a few more horror movies, and I think Tarantino could do a good one( you can't count From Dusk Till Dawn) So could Robert Rodriguez but he's too busy making spy kids...
some great directors need to step it up, i mean it's not like any of them are just sticking to one genre. I think we need a new generation of directors that grew up appreciating great horror films, and can apply filmmaking talent to reveal new horrors that are happening in our society

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] chevymangreg1989 13 years ago

Check out Madison County. I know the guy who wrote/directed it and I can tell you that he is one who really does appreciate the classic horror and slasher films.

[–] bedlam75 14 years ago

The Changeling (1980)
Let's Scare Jessica to Death

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Valentina84 14 years ago

watch 'the vanishing' (1988 version of course!)

one of the best real horror(in my opinion) in history.
but if you like slasher movies do not watch this because this psychologically frightens you not visually

Tonight's the night

[–] blacklore 14 years ago

The best example of a scary movie to me is one that reaches you on a psychological level. Genuine suspense, fear and horror often comes from things unseen. I think some of the more scary films I have seen are classified under thriller rather than horror. I agree with one user on The Entity. That film scared the hell out of me as a kid and an adult. Another good one that I am surprised nobody mentioned was "The Haunting" 1963 by Robert Wise. In my opinion that is one of the most frighting movies ever put to film. Another good one you should check out is Susperia by Dario Argento.

Also, The Twilight Zone episodes like "Terror at 22,000 Feet" "The Fear" and "Night Call " all offer some serious chills. The outer limits, while a little more 'silly' then Twilight Zone also had some very good chiller episodes.

A few noteworthy films to check out:

Seven (1995)
The Evil Dead (1981)
Pet Sematary (1989)
The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)
The Fly (1986 and 1958)
Hellraiser (1987)
Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
The Watcher in the Woods (1980)

My only claim to fame was a commercial shoot with robin leach.