1. The Shining (1980)

Heeere’s Johnny!  A Stanley Kubrick masterpiece, The Shining is exceptionally thrilling and must be appreciated through Kubrick’s unique filmmaking direction. One of the most well known horrors to date, what else can I say about the film that others have not written about? Featuring the masterful Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall, Kubrick dives deep to expose notions of duality and abuse beyond a façade of ghosts and evil spirits. If you have not had the pleasure of viewing this movie, be sure to grab a bag of popcorn, flip the switches off, and watch it on a stormy night to enjoy a full cinematic experience.      

 

2. The Thing (1982)

Directed by horror icon John Carpenter, The Thing is a classic worth re-watching on numerous occasions. The movie centralizes its focus on an American Antarctic research station, which houses an expedition team of 12 male characters. Starring Kurt Russell and Keith David – who has voiced many video game characters such as the Arbiter in Halo 2 & 3 – the movie provides a blend of good acting and introduces a shocking extraterrestrial lifeform that imitates other living organisms, which in this case, is the American expedition team. From the small cozy setting to the anxiety of wondering which team member is the ‘thing’, you can never go wrong by choosing this suspenseful flick on any movie night.

 

3. The Fly (1986)

Following the life of an intelligent but eccentric scientist, Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), The Fly combines the world of science and horror that will keep viewers tight in their seats. The title speaks for itself, and you are invited on an adventure to witness the gradual transformation of man into fly as they merge together at the molecular-genetic level. If you have not seen this movie, put that fly swatter away because you might look at your frequent household pest in a different light.

 

4. Aliens (1986)

One of my favorite movies of all time, Aliens is packed with action that will keep you entertained from beginning until the end. Directed by James Cameron, the movie features protagonist Sigourney Weaver as Ripley along with a group of Colonial Marines who come face to face with our favorite long-headed fiends in a battle for their lives. The final scene is certainly an intense one, as we see the rage of the Alien queen who rips through everything in her way.

 

5. Hellraiser (1987)

A British classic based on the novella The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker (who also directed the film), Hellraiser will make the hair behind your neck stand in fright. Featuring Doug Bradley as Pinhead, along with Andrew Robinson and Clare Higgins, this movie is plastered with gruesome imagery. I first saw this film at a very young age and it definitely scared the hell out of me! Barker successfully combines elements of lust, pain, and torture to create one unique representation of horror. In other words, Hellraiser has been deemed as an “otherworldly tale of pain and torture.”

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