Nearly every cinematic genre conceivable features a minimum of one essential movie that everyone should see at once in their lifetime, and greatest horror movies ever made, the genre has played host to a number of indispensable cinematic classics over the years, leveraging a diverse array of terrifying subject matter to maximum effect.

From best horror movies about groups of friends, the genre's must-see entries have gone on to form an integral thread of cinema's wider tapestry. Boasting some of the most iconic moments, characters, and one-liners in movie history, the lasting impact and significance of these essential horror films on popular culture cannot be overstated.

12 Saw (2004)

Directed By James Wan

As deviously nasty as it is horrifically gruesome, James Wan's Saw is decidedly not Citizen Kane in of quality. With that being said, the wider cultural footprint of the 2004 original means that the movie still constitutes essential viewing for horror fans. Saw's success led to a multi-movie franchise, with the 11th installment Saw XI also announced to be on the way.

Boasting a wickedly intricate plot to complement the movie's visceral sense of intensity, Saw boasts some of modern horror's most memorable sequences. From Gordon sawing off his own foot to the devious plot twist revealing the killer was in the room with both men all along, Wan's offering remains a twisted and brilliant must-see to this day.

11 A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Directed By Wes Craven

Introducing horror to one of its most iconic slasher villains, Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street retains status as the franchise's greatest entry, despite a horde of sequels and crossovers. Earning rave reviews on release, a thing unheard of for horror movies at the time, Craven's acclaimed original 1984 slasher has held up to this day and inspired a host of imitators.

Boasting some of the most widely imitated and parodied scenes in horror history, A Nightmare on Elm Street constitutes imperative cinematic viewing. The dated nature of Craven's film has robbed it of some of its original sense of visceral terror, but don't be surprised if you still find your hair standing up on end as this seminal slasher entry unfolds.

10 Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Directed By Roman Polanski

Featuring one of the scariest movie scenes ever brought to life onscreen, it speaks volumes to the blood-curdling nature of Rosemary's Baby that Roman Polanski's horror remains one of the genre's most terrifying, disturbing, and indispensable entries, more than half a century after it was initially released.

...the 1968 picture is widely agreed to be one of the greatest horror movies of all time.

Chronicling the plight of the eponymous mother as she begins to suspect the involvement of a Satanic cult in her pregnancy, the 1968 picture is widely agreed to be one of the greatest horror movies of all time. Forgoing jump scares and bloodshed in favor of some of cinema's most unsettling moments, this acclaimed outing retains status as crucial viewing for all movie fans to this day.

9 Scream (1996)

Directed By Wes Craven

Breathing fresh life into the flagging sub-genre, popular culture had never seen anything quite like Wes Craven's meta-slasher Scream before. Depicting a twisted series of murders perpetrated by a masked killer known as Ghostface, the 1996 horror was as self-aware as it was terrifying, a relentlessly entertaining and crowd-pleasing blend of satire and savagery.

It's a state of affairs that persists to this day. Spawning a multi-film franchise that is set to continue with the Scream 7, the Scream movies have received a consistent degree of positive reception over the years. However, the original still remains the gold standard, and the first entry that any new viewers should sink their teeth into first.

8 The Evil Dead (1981)

Directed By Sam Raimi

Cinema's preeminent blend of horror and comedy, Evil Dead is one of the genre's most beloved franchises, an affair that began with 1981's fan-favorite original, The Evil Dead. Sam Raimi's depraved directorial debut is just as chaotically entertaining in 2025 as it was on initial release, chronicling the tribulations of five friends who are set upon by demonic forces at an isolated cabin in the woods.

Spawning a host of sequels and a spin-off television series, The Evil Dead retains status as one of cinema's most significant and beloved cult classics to this day. The movie's lasting reputation and cultural impact is even more impressive in light of the paltry budget that Raimi had to work with, underlining The Evil Dead's status as one of horror's most essential viewing experiences.

7 The Shining (1980)

Directed By Stanley Kubrick

While The Shining's wider reputation has suffered somewhat in response to Stanley Kubrick's abhorrent treatment of Shelley Duvall during filming, the 1980 take on Stephen King's classic novel still represents crucial horror viewing for any self-respecting cinema fan. King might famously hate this adaptation, but Kubrick's film is still regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made, chronicling Jack Torrance's insidious descent into madness at the Overlook Hotel.

The Shining's iconic "Here's Johnny!" soundbite was not scripted; Jack Nicholson improvised the legendary line himself.

Loaded with unforgettable scenes and instantly quotable pieces of dialogue, the movie's notorious "Here's Johnny!" sequence in particular numbers among cinema's most immortal onscreen moments. The greatest Stephen King movie of all time, no cinematic conoisseur's repertoire would be complete without having seen The Shining at least once.

6 The Thing (1982)

Directed By John Carpenter

Initially released to a mixed critical reception in 1982, John Carpenter's The Thing has subsequently gone on to attain cult classic status. Now viewed as one of the greatest sci-fi horror movies of all time, Carpenter's revered outing follows a group of researchers as they are hunted by a mysterious camouflaging predatory entity, one capable of assuming its victims' appearances.

Featuring some of the most haunting scenes that sci-fi horror has to offer, Carpenter's masterpiece bears the enviable distinction of being a must-see offering across two separate genres. Speaking volumes to the movie's technical brilliance, The Thing's spectacular practical effects hold up in of fear and shock factor to this day, a jaw-dropping achievement given their purportedly dated nature.

5 Get Out (2017)

Directed By Jordan Peele

The movie that introduced modern horror directorial virtuoso Jordan Peele to global audiences, 2017's Get Out has been acclaimed as one of the most ambitious and impressive entries the genre has ever witnessed. Led by Daniel Kaluuya, the psychological horror follows Chris, a young black man who discovers he has been chosen for a horrifying purpose when meeting his girlfriend's family.

...Get Out is an absolute must-see for movie fans of all ilk.

Boasting a near-flawless Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer Score of 98%, Get Out is an absolute must-see for movie fans of all ilk. Peele's thought-provoking blend of cutting social commentary, wickedly dark humor, and fully-fledged nightmare fuel make for what is arguably the finest horror film of the 21st century to date.

4 Jaws (1975)

Directed By Steven Spielberg

Chronicling the terrifying rampage of a man-eating great white shark, Steven Spielberg's Jaws left an entire generation afraid to go swimming. A triumphant case study in the art of building suspense to near-intolerable levels, the 1975 movie maintains a white-knuckle viewing experience through the mere implication of the great white's presence, long before the shark actually arrives on the scene.

Representing indispensable viewing, many of Jaws' most iconic moments number among the most memorable scenes in movie history, from Chrissie's fateful swim to the explosive final showdown with the shark. Spearheaded by a trio of knockout performances from Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss, this is one of cinema's finest numbers, regardless of genre.

3 Alien (1979)

Directed By Ridley Scott

Widely regarded as the best sci-fi horror movie of all time, Ridley Scott's Alien kick-started one of the most successful franchises the two genres had ever witnessed. Chronicling the nightmarish first encounter with the series' iconic Xenomorphs, Scott's picture received mixed reviews at the time, but is now widely regarded as one of the most impressive and influential movies of all time.

Alien's exemplary pacing and jaw-dropping practical effects mean that this acclaimed 1979 entry has aged like a fine wine, a glorious blend of sci-fi and horror that holds up seamlessly to this day. Simply put, it's a near-perfect movie that every movie fan should experience at least once in their lifetime.