Best Terror Movies
Terror films focus on creating a sense of dread and fear, often through psychological means rather than graphic violence.
1. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
This found-footage film follows three student filmmakers investigating the legend of the Blair Witch in the Black Hills Forest.
Why it’s great:
- Pioneering use of found-footage technique
- Builds terror through suggestion and unseen threats
- Effective marketing campaign blurred lines between fiction and reality
2. The Babadook (2014)
This Australian horror film follows a single mother and her son as they are terrorized by a mysterious creature from a children’s book.
Why it’s great:
- Essie Davis’ intense performance as the mother
- Exploration of grief and maternal ambivalence
- Clever monster design and use of practical effects
3. It Comes at Night (2017)
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, this psychological thriller follows a family isolated in the woods as they face an unknown threat.
Why it’s great:
- Tense, claustrophobic atmosphere
- Ambiguous narrative that keeps viewers guessing
- Exploration of paranoia and human nature
4. The Witch (2015)
Robert Eggers‘ period horror follows a Puritan family in 1630s New England as they face a malevolent presence in the woods.
Why it’s great:
- Authentic period dialogue and setting
- Slow-burning tension and unsettling atmosphere
- Exploration of religious fanaticism and family dynamics
5. Don’t Look Now (1973)
Nicolas Roeg‘s psychological thriller follows a couple in Venice dealing with the loss of their daughter and encountering mysterious figures.
Why it’s great:
- Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie’s powerful performances
- Innovative editing and use of symbolism
- Builds a sense of impending doom.