Scariest Movies of All Time That Will Give You Nightmares

When people want a good scare, they go straight for horror movies. Whether you want to be freaked out or entertained, horror movies provide an intense experience and keep you walking away in suspense. We’ve compiled a list of some of the scariest movies of all time, so get ready to curl up in your warmest blanket, cover your eyes, and put your bravery to the test.

The Shining
Released in 1980, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is highly regarded as one of the scariest movies of all time. Starring Jack Nicholson, this movie has been deemed a horror masterpiece because of its psychological horror and intense scenes. It tells the story of a family that takes up residence as the caretakers of an old hotel located in the Colorado Rockies, only to find that the hotel is haunted and has a dark history behind it.

The Exorcist
The Exorcist has been said to be one of the scariest horror movies of all time. Based on the novel by the same name and released in 1973, this movie follows the story of a young girl who is taken over by an evil spirit after playing with a Ouija board. It stars Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair and Max von Sydow and its disturbing images, intense audio, and terrifying story have made it a favorite among horror film fanatics.

Psycho
Psycho chilling 1960 classic directed by Alfred Hitchcock has been marked as one of the scariest movies in history.The plot is centered on a beautiful young woman who checks in at the Bates Motel and is terrorized by the owner, Norman Bates, a deranged killer. The movie is still studied today thanks to the pioneering works of its director: a groundbreaking musical score, inventive use of camera angles, and an intense, suspenseful plot.

The Blair Witch Project
The Blair Witch Project, released in 1999, took horror movies to a whole new level by creating a supernatural horror experience in which the viewer feels like they are part of the movie. It follows a group of students who are investigating a legendary witch in a small town in Maryland, only to realize that they are actually the ones being hunted by the witch. This movie is found footage style makes audiences feel like they are right in the middle of the action and the eerie atmosphere of the movie keeps them in suspense the entire time.

Paranormal Activity
Paranormal Activity, released in 2007, is another film that uses found footage technique to create an unsettling experience. It follows a couple who are trying to record evidence of supernatural activity in their home, only to discover that the entity they are trying to document is much more powerful than they could imagine. The intensity of this movie has caused some viewers to lose sleep due to the sheer terror it brings.

The Conjuring Universe
The Conjuring Universe has become a huge fiend for horror fans since its first installment, “The Conjuring,” was released in 2013. This franchise follows the story of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren who are dedicated to revealing the truth behind mysterious supernatural activities. With each new installment, the franchise has gotten more intense and has kept horror movie goers on the edge of their seats and terrified for what’s next.

10 Scariest Moments in Horror Movies

1. The endings of The Ring and The Grudge – Watching their victims succumb to the supernatural forces’ wrath packs a chilling punch.
2. Annabelle rising from the bed in The Conjuring – An iconic scene that still has viewers covering their eyes out of fear.
3. The crawling girl in The Exorcist – Just goes to show that nightmares come in all shapes and sizes.
4. The aftermath of the library scene in It – Nothing more terrifying than being surrounded by clowns.
5. The “Redrum” mirror in The Shining – That memorable shot remains ingrained in the minds of viewers for years.
6. The vicious attack in A Quiet Place – Seeing one of the characters get violently taken out of the picture gave viewers the creeps.
7. The staircase jump from Paranormal Activity – You can hear people scream in fear each time they watch it.
8. The zombie attack in 28 Days Later – Watching a group of unsuspecting people get mauled by a horde of zombies is enough to make anyone shudder with terror.
9. The appearance of Ghostface in Scream – His eerie white-eyed mask can still send shivers down viewers spines to this day.
10. The hospital scene in Pet Sematary – From the gory, nightmare inducing visuals to the intense music, this scene is nothing but scares.

Tips To Stay Calm When Watching a Scary Movie

1. Breathe: Whenever you start to feel overwhelmed by a scene and start to feel panicked, pause the movie and take a few deep breaths.
2. Cover your eyes: Covering your eyes can help relieve some of the tension and take the pressure off you to watch and react.
3. Turn off the lights: Dim the lights or even turn them off if you can and it helps you to focus more on the movie rather than being distracted by the world around you.
4. Don’t be embarrassed to pause or skip parts: If you feel uncomfortable or scared, don’t be embarrassed to pause or skip parts of the movie if necessary.
5. Talk to a friend: If you’re watching it with someone else, talk to your friend about the movie and make it a bonding experience while trying to calm down.
6. Remind yourself it isn’t real: Remind yourself that what you’re watching is a movie or a show and that it isn’t real.
7. Have something to do during the movie: If you’re watching it alone, have something to do during the movie such as playing games or coloring. This will help take your mind off the movie and give you something else to focus on.

No matter how brave you think you are, these spooky films will certainly give you the creeps and nightmares. If you’re brave enough to check them out, make sure to keep these tips in mind when watching to ensure that you stay calm. You can also check out some of the other movies in the franchises mentioned if you are looking for something a bit less intense.