Top 10 Scariest Horror Films of All Time – Dead Northern's Blake Reilly

As Halloween creeps closer and the nights grow darker, it's time to revisit the films that make even the most seasoned horror fans squirm in their seats. The ones that made us sleep with the lights on, run up the stairs two at a time, and question every shadow that flickers across the wall. These are the movies that remind us why we fell in love with horror in the first place - the classics, the cult gems, and the modern nightmares that stay with us long after the credits roll. From demonic possessions to viral outbreaks, here is the Definitive Top 10 Horror Movies of All Time… so far.

Number 10: The First Omen (2024) - Dir. Arkasha Stevenson

Starting with a movie that may have gone unnoticed by some, The First Omen, featuring Nell Tiger Free, is packed with haunting visuals, intense tension, and excellent performances. Set in Rome before The Omen (1976), this prequel reintroduces the mystery of terror and elevates it to a level that even Mystery Incorporated (Scooby-Doo) would shy away from. The creepy religious imagery stands out, offering a fresh take in an oversaturated genre of religious horror. The First Omen provides a slow-building, terrifying sense of dread that keeps viewers engaged and on the edge of their seats throughout. Special recognition goes to Nell Tiger Free for that one memorable scene near the end - if you know, you know.

Number 9: Possum (2018) - Dir. Matthew Holness

A psychological horror starring Sean Harris that follows a disgraced child puppeteer returning to his old village. Possum is vague and leans into the show-not-tell style of storytelling, intentionally leaving little breadcrumbs for the audience to nibble on throughout. The film depicts trauma through the puppet, and oh boy, is that thing creepy - being a cast of Philip's (Harris) head with the body of a spider. Throughout Philip's journey, there is a foreboding sense of dread looming - something perhaps supernatural brewing, or does he have a mental illness? Possum will make you question everything, suffocate you with its dark atmosphere, and make the light seem almost snuffed out.

Number 8: Bring Her Back (2025) - Dir. The Philippou Brothers

Bring Her Back, more like Get her away from me. The Philippou Brothers not only make the lovely Sally Hawkins look like Rose West but also seem to want to destroy all hope that might exist in the audience's heads. Bring Her Back follows a brother and sister duo, Andy (Billy Barratt) and Cathy (Mischa Heywood), as they are adopted by Laura (Sally Hawkins) and welcomed into their lovely new home. What follows are body horror scenes that make you cringe so hard it's difficult to look away, alongside a shocking story about grief with a few miserable twists and turns along the way.

Number 7: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) - Dir. Tobe Hooper

The original Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a thrill ride from start to finish. Starring Marilyn Burns and Gunnar Hansen, a group of travellers stumbles across a weird town and encounters the iconic Leatherface. Leatherface is terrifying in every conceivable way—creepy, manic, and a force of nature that will stop at nothing to slay his victims. With final girl Sally (Burns) leading one of the most iconic scenes in film history, the movie encapsulates dread from beginning to end. With its bizarre family dynamics and unforgettable finale, this is pure horror history.

Number 6: As Above, So Below (2014) - Dir. John Erick Dowdle

A bone-chilling, creepy, and underrated found-footage horror flick, As Above, So Below takes us on a journey through the Parisian catacombs with a group of explorers led by Scarlett (Perdita Weeks). The twists and turns mirror the labyrinthine tunnels, keeping you on edge from the very first minute. Revealing the group's deepest, darkest fears, all while being lost in the depths of hell, it sounds a lot like parents' evening at my old secondary school, albeit without that one PSD teacher who always kicked me out. The scares are plenty, the tension steadily builds to a boiling point, and while it embraces found-footage tropes, it reinvents them in a way that feels sharp, tense, and freshly terrifying.

Number 5: Weapons (2025) - Dir. Zach Cregger

Zach Cregger's Weapons offers a mysterious and suspenseful experience that surprises viewers with both its story and presentation. With a star-studded cast delivering excellent performances, the film draws audiences in with breathtaking visuals and emotional depth. It features chilling moments, genuinely frightening scenes, and emotionally intense sequences. The cinematography is top-notch, with one standout scene that's shot to perfection. Weapons introduces an uncommon enemy type in horror, keeping the genre fresh and unsettling—cementing its place as one of the year's must-watch horrors.

Number 4: The Exorcist (1973) - Dir. William Friedkin

The Exorcist remains one of the most disturbing and brilliantly executed horror films ever made. It's exceptional in every aspect, holding up better than most modern releases. Despite the genre's oversaturation with religious horror, The Exorcist remains downright terrifying. The story follows 12-year-old Regan (Linda Blair), possessed by the demon Pazuzu, as priests perform exorcisms to free her soul. A twisted tale of horror and depravity unfolds, with disturbing scenes that make it feel cursed to watch. From the haunting opening to the infamous head-spin, The Exorcist remains a masterpiece of dread, atmosphere, and blasphemous brilliance.

Number 3: Skinamarink (2022) - Dir. Kyle Edward Ball

Skinamarink taps into that primal childhood fear of the dark. We follow Kaylee and Kevin (Dali Rose Tetreault and Lucas Paul) as they navigate their home amid strange, unseen forces. It's a slow-burning, suffocating nightmare that lingers long after the credits roll. Made on a tiny £15,000 budget, Skinamarink conjures more dread than many big-budget horrors, turning shadows and silence into pure terror. It's a landmark in experimental horror - intimate, eerie, and impossible to forget.

Number 2: Sinister (2012) - Dir. Scott Derrickson

Frightening is the only word to describe Sinister. From the opening moments, it's clear this film is going to drag you somewhere you don't want to go. Ethan Hawke stars as Ellison, a true-crime writer who discovers a box of old home videos—snuff films created by a demonic entity known as Bagul. Children are both victims and perpetrators, and the deeper Ellison digs, the worse it gets. Every aspect of Sinister is crafted to keep your pulse racing, with imagery that's genuinely hard to shake. After this film, even finding a box in the attic feels like a bad idea.

Number 1: Rec (2007) - Dir. Jaume Balagueró & Paco Plaza

Rec is the pinnacle of found-footage horror. We follow reporter Ángela Vidal (Manuela Velasco) as she covers a routine emergency call, only to be trapped inside an apartment complex during a viral outbreak. What follows is pure chaos- claustrophobic, frantic, and utterly terrifying. From demonic possession to ravenous infected, Rec blends subgenres with precision and panic. The final 30 minutes are some of the most frightening ever filmed, with an ending that remains unmatched in horror history. After watching this, you'll think twice about apartment living or ever turning off the lights again.

Honourable Mentions

The Thing (1982) - As awesome as it is scary
Scream (1996) - A Halloween classic

Host (2020) - British found footage at it's best
Lake Mungo (2008) - An intense, emotional watch
It Follows (2014) - A refreshing, modern allegory
The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014) - A deeply unsettling watch
IT (2017) - I hate clowns
Aftersun (2022) - Still sobbing on my sofa

For full reviews, interviews, and festival coverage, visit the Dead Northern Blog.

Blake Reilly