The History of Horror/Slasher Movies: A Blood-Curdling Journey Through Time & The Top 50 Frightening Flicks

Horror movies have been terrifying audiences for over a century. From the silent era to modern-day, horror movies have captured our imaginations, sent shivers down our spines, and kept us up at night. So let's take a blood-curdling journey through time and explore the history of horror/slasher movies. 

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Early Horror Movies

The horror genre can be traced back to the silent era, with classics like Nosferatu (1922) and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) setting the stage for what was to come. These early horror movies relied on atmosphere, suspense, and innovative visuals to create a sense of dread and terror in audiences.

The Golden Age of Horror

The 1930s and 1940s were the golden age of horror, with iconic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolf Man becoming household names. These movies were often made on a shoestring budget, but they had a charm and sense of fun that still resonates with audiences today.

The Slasher Boom

The 1970s and 1980s saw the rise of the slasher movie, with films like Halloween (1978), Friday the 13th (1980), and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) becoming cultural touchstones. These movies were known for their graphic violence, suspenseful chase scenes, and often over-the-top storylines.

The Modern Era

Today, horror movies are more diverse than ever, with films like Get Out (2017) and Hereditary (2018) challenging audiences' expectations and pushing the genre in new directions. But even as the horror genre evolves, there's still a place for classic slasher movies, with recent films like Halloween (2018) and Child's Play (2019) bringing new life to old franchises.

here are the top 50 horror/slasher movies in the United States based on a 2021 survey by The Numbers:

1. Psycho (1960)
2. The Shining (1980)
3. Halloween (1978)
4. The Exorcist (1973)
5. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
6. The Conjuring (2013)
7. Get Out (2017)
8. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
9. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
10. Alien (1979)
11. Friday the 13th (1980)
12. Scream (1996)
13. Jaws (1975)
14. Don't Breathe (2016)
15. It (2017)
16. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
17. The Thing (1982)
18. Hereditary (2018)
19. Suspiria (1977)
20. The Witch (2015)
21. The Omen (1976)
22. Hellraiser (1987)
23. The Babadook (2014)
24. The Ring (2002)
25. The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
26. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
27. The Descent (2005)
28. Carrie (1976)
29. The Evil Dead (1981)
30. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
31. The Fly (1986)
32. Poltergeist (1982)
33. Black Christmas (1974)
34. Let the Right One In (2008)
35. The Amityville Horror (1979)
36. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
37. The Invisible Man (2020)
38. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
39. The Haunting (1963)
40. Don't Look Now (1973)
41. Midsommar (2019)
42. Candyman (1992)
43. The Birds (1963)
44. The Wicker Man (1973)
45. 28 Days Later (2002)
46. The Mist (2007)
47. The House of the Devil (2009)
48. Saw (2004)
49. The Host (2006)
50. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)