Halloween is finally here. No, not he holiday, the David Gordon Green directed follow up to John Carpenter's 1978 classic. In honour of this new entry in the iconic slasher franchise, I decided to do some research (watch a shit ton of movies), and make my list for the top 10 slasher movies. Now there may be some films missing from this list for a variety of reasons; there's a lot I still haven't seen, there are some classics such as Friday the 13th and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre that I just personally don't enjoy, and the slasher sub-genre is kind of subjective, as there are many movies that some consider slashers that others don't. These are ten films that I love and I think fit into the slasher sub-genre.
I want to start off with some honourable mentions first. Scream 2 and Halloween 2 are not near as good as their predecessors, but both offer pretty solid follow ups. They don't quite make this list but I enjoy them both quite a bit. Child's Play is a really fun take on the genre, and Chucky is an awesome character, it just isn't quite good enough for the top ten. And finally, I have to shout out the first of these movies I ever saw, I Know What You Did Last Summer. This is not a good movie, but it is a ton of fun and I really need to watch it again. Now onto the best of the best.
#10- Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
How do you bring a fresh take on a tired genre, you make a film that comments on that genre. You won't find anything more meta than Wes Craven making a Nightmare on Elm Street film, about Wes Craven making a Nightmare on Elm Street film. The film's story is creative and builds really well, with some great scares throughout. I'm not a big fan of the look they gave Freddy here, and some of the effects are actually a fair bit worse than in early films, but the suspense Craven builds and his clever commentary on the franchise more than makes up for that.
#9- You're Next (2013)
The slasher genre isn't what it once was, but once in a while a new film comes a long with a fresh take on the genre. While Adam Wingard's 2013 hit could be categorized as a home invasion thriller, it shows enough slasher tropes to earn it a spot on this list. This movie is pretty ridiculous, with over the top acting and over the top kills. However, that makes for one of the most fun horror films in recent years. The energy Wingard gives this film is infectious, and will put you in a weirdly good mood by the time the credits role, despite the amount of bloodshed you just watched.
#8- A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
If you asked me as I was watching, I'd say this is in the top 3 or 4. The beginning of this film is absolutely masterful. In a lot of slasher movies I expect to have a lot of fun rather than be scared, but I find the first half hour of this film terrifying. The opening scene is up there with the best opening scenes, and I love the way the film brings up important issues like suicide. Unfortunately after the first 30-40 minutes it isn't near as good. The story gets pretty silly, and the climax of the film diverges too far into ridiculousness. That being said there is a lot to still appreciate throughout. The effects are some of the best in the franchise, and the set design works brilliantly as a playground for Freddy. I also loved how Heather Langenkamp was worked back in. This film has its issues, but its positives are very strong.
#7- Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
Here we are with another meta take on the slasher genre. This film puts us in a world where all the iconic slasher villains of old are murderous celebrities, and being a serial killer is a profession. This is a mockumentary following the blossoming career of Leslie Vernon, as he shows the documentary crew the ins and outs of being a successful killer. The takes on the genre in this film are absolutely hilarious, and they're built up through a great performance by Nathan Baesel. With this film you also get Robert Englund in a heroic role which is really cool. The film also manages to be pretty creepy and complex, and I'd say is a must watch for slasher fans.
#6- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
I'm a but surprised that this is only ending up at six. Don't worry folks I am a big fan of this film, the next five films are just a bit better. There's a reason this film is iconic though, and Freddy is one of the top tier slasher villains. Englund is great in all the films, but this is where he is at his finest. He gives Freddy a level of terror, as well as a playful madness, both of which mesh well to create a fantastic killer. The kills themselves are creative and scary, and the story is both creepy and a lot of fun. I can't quite put this higher but it's still great.
#5- Deep Red (1975)
This film is the artsy European of the slasher genre. I had some trouble following the story at times due to it being an Italian film. From the splatter of blood in the opening scene you can easily tell that this is a Dario Argento film, and while it isn't a bright and artistic as Suspiria, it still has a ton of artistic merit. It is tense and houses an intriguing story, complemented by some great kills and a strong mystery. I don't know if it was this film or just my brain, but I could not sleep the night I watched this. Consider Deep Red a must-watch.
#4- Psycho (1960)
I wasn't sure how I felt about categorizing this as a slasher movie, but I saw it on the big screen last night and I say it counts. In terms of film quality as a whole, this film is number one. Hitchcock shoots the film with pure brilliance, creating beyond impressive shots and building more suspense than most films can dream of. Anthony Perkins gives one of cinema's greatest performances, with a physicality that is creepy on its own, coupled with some creepy as shit line delivery. While the film utilizes slasher elements, it works more as a psychological/mystery thriller. So as a film it's one of the best, but in terms of the slasher film there are better ones.
#3- Peeping Tom (1960)
Psycho and this film mark the beginnings of the genre. Peeping Tom strays more into the realm of traditional slasher movies more than Psycho, but still shows some differences. This movie at times works as a strong character study of a filmmaker with a troubled past. The main character is a filmmaker creating a film about fear which gives the film a meta-commentary that I find very intriguing. The film is pretty tense, and despite knowing who the killer is from the beginning there is a sense of fear and mystery as to where the film will go. A genre classic.
#2- Scream (1996)
If you follow me on Letterboxd you'll know that I am obsessed with this film. I watched it for the first time in July and have since watched it three more times, one of which was at a theater. This is another clever meta-horror by Wes Craven, but goes beyond its commentary to deliver a ridiculously fun viewing experience. Each member of the cast play their roles perfectly to fit the tone of the film. Other than the opening scene there aren't too many scary moments in the film, and while some more fear may have made it better, the energy Craven creates more than makes up for it. There is one scene with poorly synced audio which is the only reason I don't consider this film a 5/5, but it is growing into one of my favourite horror films of all time, and one I can re-watch over and over.
#1- Halloween (1978)
You just can't beat this film. As I'm writing this, I have the film playing and Michael Myers looming in the background ever so creepily. While Psycho and Peeping Tom kick-started the sub-genre, Halloween is what made it what it is today. This film laid out all the formulas and manages to be terrifying even after forty years. This film was shot in less than a month for very little money and now stands as one of the most iconic horror films in history. The way Carpenter has Michael lurking in the background throughout the entire film creates an unmatched sense of unease. Jamie Lee Curtis is incredible as the final girl, and Nick Castle's physical performance as "the shape" brings new meaning to the word intimidating. I can't get over how well the background of scenes is used in this film. There is little to be said that hasn't been said already, this is an incredible film that holds up easily after decades as one of the scariest and most suspenseful films in history. There is practically no other option for the top spot.
If there's anything I missed on this list let me know. I love these movies and I'd be more than happy with some new suggestions to watch.
Written by Matt McKenzie
I want to start off with some honourable mentions first. Scream 2 and Halloween 2 are not near as good as their predecessors, but both offer pretty solid follow ups. They don't quite make this list but I enjoy them both quite a bit. Child's Play is a really fun take on the genre, and Chucky is an awesome character, it just isn't quite good enough for the top ten. And finally, I have to shout out the first of these movies I ever saw, I Know What You Did Last Summer. This is not a good movie, but it is a ton of fun and I really need to watch it again. Now onto the best of the best.
#10- Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)
How do you bring a fresh take on a tired genre, you make a film that comments on that genre. You won't find anything more meta than Wes Craven making a Nightmare on Elm Street film, about Wes Craven making a Nightmare on Elm Street film. The film's story is creative and builds really well, with some great scares throughout. I'm not a big fan of the look they gave Freddy here, and some of the effects are actually a fair bit worse than in early films, but the suspense Craven builds and his clever commentary on the franchise more than makes up for that.
#9- You're Next (2013)
The slasher genre isn't what it once was, but once in a while a new film comes a long with a fresh take on the genre. While Adam Wingard's 2013 hit could be categorized as a home invasion thriller, it shows enough slasher tropes to earn it a spot on this list. This movie is pretty ridiculous, with over the top acting and over the top kills. However, that makes for one of the most fun horror films in recent years. The energy Wingard gives this film is infectious, and will put you in a weirdly good mood by the time the credits role, despite the amount of bloodshed you just watched.
#8- A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)
If you asked me as I was watching, I'd say this is in the top 3 or 4. The beginning of this film is absolutely masterful. In a lot of slasher movies I expect to have a lot of fun rather than be scared, but I find the first half hour of this film terrifying. The opening scene is up there with the best opening scenes, and I love the way the film brings up important issues like suicide. Unfortunately after the first 30-40 minutes it isn't near as good. The story gets pretty silly, and the climax of the film diverges too far into ridiculousness. That being said there is a lot to still appreciate throughout. The effects are some of the best in the franchise, and the set design works brilliantly as a playground for Freddy. I also loved how Heather Langenkamp was worked back in. This film has its issues, but its positives are very strong.
#7- Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
Here we are with another meta take on the slasher genre. This film puts us in a world where all the iconic slasher villains of old are murderous celebrities, and being a serial killer is a profession. This is a mockumentary following the blossoming career of Leslie Vernon, as he shows the documentary crew the ins and outs of being a successful killer. The takes on the genre in this film are absolutely hilarious, and they're built up through a great performance by Nathan Baesel. With this film you also get Robert Englund in a heroic role which is really cool. The film also manages to be pretty creepy and complex, and I'd say is a must watch for slasher fans.
#6- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
I'm a but surprised that this is only ending up at six. Don't worry folks I am a big fan of this film, the next five films are just a bit better. There's a reason this film is iconic though, and Freddy is one of the top tier slasher villains. Englund is great in all the films, but this is where he is at his finest. He gives Freddy a level of terror, as well as a playful madness, both of which mesh well to create a fantastic killer. The kills themselves are creative and scary, and the story is both creepy and a lot of fun. I can't quite put this higher but it's still great.
#5- Deep Red (1975)
This film is the artsy European of the slasher genre. I had some trouble following the story at times due to it being an Italian film. From the splatter of blood in the opening scene you can easily tell that this is a Dario Argento film, and while it isn't a bright and artistic as Suspiria, it still has a ton of artistic merit. It is tense and houses an intriguing story, complemented by some great kills and a strong mystery. I don't know if it was this film or just my brain, but I could not sleep the night I watched this. Consider Deep Red a must-watch.
#4- Psycho (1960)
I wasn't sure how I felt about categorizing this as a slasher movie, but I saw it on the big screen last night and I say it counts. In terms of film quality as a whole, this film is number one. Hitchcock shoots the film with pure brilliance, creating beyond impressive shots and building more suspense than most films can dream of. Anthony Perkins gives one of cinema's greatest performances, with a physicality that is creepy on its own, coupled with some creepy as shit line delivery. While the film utilizes slasher elements, it works more as a psychological/mystery thriller. So as a film it's one of the best, but in terms of the slasher film there are better ones.
#3- Peeping Tom (1960)
Psycho and this film mark the beginnings of the genre. Peeping Tom strays more into the realm of traditional slasher movies more than Psycho, but still shows some differences. This movie at times works as a strong character study of a filmmaker with a troubled past. The main character is a filmmaker creating a film about fear which gives the film a meta-commentary that I find very intriguing. The film is pretty tense, and despite knowing who the killer is from the beginning there is a sense of fear and mystery as to where the film will go. A genre classic.
#2- Scream (1996)
If you follow me on Letterboxd you'll know that I am obsessed with this film. I watched it for the first time in July and have since watched it three more times, one of which was at a theater. This is another clever meta-horror by Wes Craven, but goes beyond its commentary to deliver a ridiculously fun viewing experience. Each member of the cast play their roles perfectly to fit the tone of the film. Other than the opening scene there aren't too many scary moments in the film, and while some more fear may have made it better, the energy Craven creates more than makes up for it. There is one scene with poorly synced audio which is the only reason I don't consider this film a 5/5, but it is growing into one of my favourite horror films of all time, and one I can re-watch over and over.
#1- Halloween (1978)
You just can't beat this film. As I'm writing this, I have the film playing and Michael Myers looming in the background ever so creepily. While Psycho and Peeping Tom kick-started the sub-genre, Halloween is what made it what it is today. This film laid out all the formulas and manages to be terrifying even after forty years. This film was shot in less than a month for very little money and now stands as one of the most iconic horror films in history. The way Carpenter has Michael lurking in the background throughout the entire film creates an unmatched sense of unease. Jamie Lee Curtis is incredible as the final girl, and Nick Castle's physical performance as "the shape" brings new meaning to the word intimidating. I can't get over how well the background of scenes is used in this film. There is little to be said that hasn't been said already, this is an incredible film that holds up easily after decades as one of the scariest and most suspenseful films in history. There is practically no other option for the top spot.
Written by Matt McKenzie
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