Shudder Curator Reveals 14 of the ‘Scariest’ Horror Movies Ever Made

The curator of horror streaming platform Shudder has revealed the 14 films he considers “the scariest.”

Shudder is a subscription-based video-on-demand service designed for horror fans. It offers over 650 movies, over 40 different series, and seven podcasts.

In addition to horror, the site also features thrillers and supernatural content, resulting in a multitude of titles. But with such a large selection, viewers may have a hard time making a choice.

Luckily, Shudder curator Samuel Zimmerman shared what he considers to be the 14 “scariest movies” with The Washington Post. Read on to find out which films he recommends, and note that the following are listed in no particular order.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

This supernatural horror film popularized the found footage genre. It follows three fictional college students who embark on a road trip to the Black Hills to film a documentary.

The local myth the students hope to uncover is that of the Blair Witch, but they never return from their trip. Their equipment and footage are found a year later, resulting in a cult horror film that still terrifies audiences today.

According to Zimmerman, The Blair Witch Project is an “absolutely irreplaceable” film that taps into “deep primal fears.” The film is even set to be rebooted, though the original cast and crew have called it “classless.”

Lake Mungo (2008)

Australian psychological mockumentary Lake Mungo features found footage elements as a family copes with the aftermath of their daughter’s drowning. However, it doesn’t take long for the grieving family to start experiencing supernatural events and set up cameras to capture any potential ghosts.

Zimmerman described the film as “very individual”, stating that it is just “you and you, marching towards death” and that it evokes feelings of “sadness and fear” in him.

Pulse (2001)

This Japanese techno-horror film features ghosts entering the world of the living via the internet, leading to a series of suicides in Tokyo. There are three distinct protagonists, and the film follows each story separately as the characters try to solve the strange phenomenon.

There is a 2006 English language remake, but Zimmerman prefers the original. He also described Pulse and Lake Mungo as “two sides of the same coin” and that watching both was “scary but exciting.”

Fear (1983)

Angst is about a “brutal and vicious” convicted murderer who is released on parole after spending 10 years behind bars. The film follows him as he breaks into a remote home to kill everyone inside.

Zimmerman called the 1980s home invasion movie “extremely disturbing” and called the titular killer “reprehensible.”

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

One of the most iconic horror films, the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre follows a group of friends who fall victim to a family of cannibals. The 1974 film spawned a series of sequels and reboots, with 10 films to date.

As with Angst, Zimmerman’s motives for choosing it boiled down to the film’s killer, calling both films “incredible works of mayhem” that show “people leaving their humanity behind.”

Scared (2017)

Another supernatural horror film, Terrified is an Argentine story about paranormal investigators investigating strange occurrences occurring in a Buenos Aires neighborhood.

The film features a “supernatural splatter” and what Zimmerman describes as a “very disturbing, long creature” as a “large, ghostly figure.”

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)

A prequel to the popular television series, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me focuses on a murder investigation and depicts the last week of Laura Palmer’s life before the events depicted in the series.

“It’s a very personal reckoning with your own mortality and death,” Zimmerman said of the film. “You know, it’s the last week of Laura Palmer’s life.”

The Ring (1998) and The Ring (2002)

Both the original Japanese film Ring and its American remake were on Zimmerman’s list. The plot of each film revolves around a mysterious, cursed video tape that promises death within seven days to anyone who listens to it.

Referring to the main ghost crawling out of the TV screen, Zimmerman called the scene “eerie” and “deeply weird.” And if you don’t know what he’s referring to, it’s definitely worth finding out for yourself.

Ghost Guard (1992)

Another supernatural mockumentary on the list, a TV crew takes on the ‘most haunted house in Britain’ in Ghostwatch in the hopes of uncovering a hoax. However, this being a horror film, things quickly spiral out of control.

While Zimmerman admits the film contains some “dated features” and “cultural artifacts,” he says the film effectively creates an “oppressive atmosphere” that is “really scary.”

Cry (2016)

In hopes of saving his daughter, The Wailing follows a police officer investigating a remote Korean village after a series of strange murders and the outbreak of a strange infection.

Zimmerman warns that the film will “wear your soul out a little,” but assures that it’s a “great feeling” after watching a good horror movie.

Medium (2021)

A newer film on this list, The Medium, features another possession as a shaman discovers that a goddess has apparently taken control of his nephew. However, he quickly learns that the person in control is not who they seem.

Connecting The Medium to The Wailing, Zimmerman states that both films revolve around “religious rapture” while also exploring the “external forces that control us” through the use of possession as a narrative device.

Recruitment (2007) and Recruitment 2 (2009)

The original Rec and its sequel have both topped Zimmerman’s list of best horror films, both Spanish films made using found footage techniques, about an infection that turns its victims into zombie-like versions of themselves.

In the first part, a group of firefighters go to an apartment building after an emergency call, only to find themselves trapped after a strict quarantine is imposed. In the sequel, a team of soldiers are assigned to protect a scientist investigating the outbreak.

Zimmerman described both films as “the world’s most perfect horror movies”, triggering “primordial” fear with their “relentless” pace and “nightmarish” imagery.

So there you have it – Zimmermann’s top picks for the “scariest” horror movies of all time. If you’re looking for more recommendations, you can also check out Dexerto’s list of the 40 best horror movies of all time or our own pick from Shudder.