Top 10 Best Slasher Movies Of All Time
#10: “Prom Night” (1980)
The slasher boom was in full force when the original “Prom Night” was released back in 1980. The film’s disco-fueled soundtrack is clearly evidenced by its 1979 production; and this combination of music ‘n menace stands out from a crowded pack. Of course, the presence of Jamie Lee Curtis doesn’t hurt. The same can’t be said about the antics of a killer out for revenge on the biggest night in high school. “Prom Night” was successful enough to warrant a slew of sequels and a remake. The first of those, “Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II” is arguably better than this original, although there’s no denying the longevity of the franchise over the years.
#9: “Black Christmas” (1974)
The title of “first slasher” is one of nebulous ownership. Was it “Peeping Tom” from 1960? Maybe an Italian giallo like “Torso” or “Bay of Blood?” Perhaps, but 1974’s “Black Christmas” is often cited as codifying many of the slasher cinema tropes we know today. The mysterious killer during a holiday; the rising body count on a college campus; a final girl left to fend for her life. There are also the menacing phone calls and a certain related twist, but let’s not get into spoilers. “Black Christmas” is still as tense as ever to watch, a well-shot and atmospheric piece that’s something of a holiday tradition for many horror fans.
#8: “My Bloody Valentine” (1981)
It’s important, above all else, for horror fans to do their homework before viewing the original “My Bloody Valentine” for the first time. It’s not just the issue of taking a date to see a coal miner go on a killing spree. The film was sliced to ribbons back over its violence, which meant that many versions available on VHS and LaserDisc were severely edited. Today, however, a mostly uncut version exists; and it’s a glorious thing to behold. This isn’t just thanks to the graphically memorable set pieces, but also how well-made “My Bloody Valentine” was for its time. The characters make mostly intelligent decisions, stick together, and have reasonable, common sense motivations for their actions. And it all comes together like gangbusters.
#7: “You’re Next” (2011)
Adam Wingard’s big breakout proved that classic slasher malevolence could make a comeback in the modern day. “You’re Next” makes the most out of the simple premise of a dysfunctional family reunion being crashed by masked murderers. Wingard effectively utilizes memorable visuals, shoots it all well, and plays things straight. There’s a mean-spiritedness to “You’re Next” that’s a little retro, without a whole lot of winking or nudging the audience. Meanwhile, the presence of genre icon Barbara Crampton in the cast also lends an atmosphere of authenticity. It’s a solid and memorable example of 2010s horror done right.
#6: “Friday the 13th” (1980)
We’re entering softball territory now with this list, the sort of established classics that you expect to see referenced with regards to the slasher’s longstanding history. The “Friday the 13th” franchise has been discussed and dissected to death at this point, while multiple sequels, remakes, and even the Peacock prequel series “Crystal Lake.” It’s important to remember, however, how the original still works remarkably well as a murder-mystery, before Jason Voorhees rose from the dead to put frisky campers there instead. That said, after all the twisty storytelling and twisted slayings, that Jason jump scare at the end is STILL the stuff of legend.
#5: “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974)
This entry is a bit different, because 1974’s “Texas Chain Saw Massacre” really isn’t that bloody of a movie. Instead, the horrors reside within the mind, rendered feverish by the film’s oppressively humid atmosphere. You can actually feel the terror of a group of motorists who discover a family of bloodthirsty cannibals in the middle of nowhere. The sensation is made more vivid when you hear the cast and crew recall the challenging production aspects. This is on full display in a nightmare scenario that uses its limitations to feel more gritty and real. Leatherface became a horror icon after this classic debut, but the original “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” still possesses more power to shock than the many installments that followed.
#4: “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
Horror fans all know how the character of Freddy Krueger was softened down to puns and sight gags over the course of his franchise. The original “Nightmare on Elm Street” possesses very little humor, however, with Robert Englund’s portrayal of the dream demon staying relatively straight. This allows for Krueger’s menace to shine through, as he stalks the children of Springwood right under the eyes and ears of their parents. The “Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise would see various sequel highs and lows over the years, but this OG remains something truly special.
#3: “Scream” (1996)
They just don’t make slasher villain icons the way they used to, right? This is partly what makes the rise of Ghostface so impressive, since the costumed killer has endured through multiple generations of horror fans since 1996. The original “Scream” was a nice meta-commentary and send-up of established horror film tropes, while also being bold enough to STILL run with those same clichés. Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott may complain about slasher characters running upstairs in a panic, but what else can you do when Ghostface is chasing you down? It’s little moments like these that make watching “Scream” and its wordbuilding across many sequels so much bloody fun.
#2: “Halloween” (1978)
You know that Autumn has arrived when this masked maniac begins creeping up on our television screens. Michael Myers and the “Halloween” franchise are holiday traditions at this point, with many network and streaming services programming every movie in blocked marathons. And we’re here for it! Following the escape of a bloodthirsty behemoth on his favorite holiday, John Carpenter’s “Halloween” was a game-changer. It piggybacked on films like “Black Christmas,” while also bringing to the table a pulsing synth score and one of horror’s all-time most iconic masks. Is every “Halloween” movie great? No, not really. But who cares when the first one still goes this hard?
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions!
“Sleepaway Camp” (1983) A Gruesome Stay in the Woods with an Infamous Twist Ending
“Candyman” (1992)
A Horror Icon for the Social Issues of the ‘90s & Today
“Maniac” (1980)
A Traumatizing Look Into the Sweaty, Mother-Obsessed Mind of a Serial Killer
#1: “Psycho” (1960)
The original “Psycho,” from director Alfred Hitchcock, may not feature a heavy body count, but it still made history. The perverse rampage of the proprietor of the Bates Motel has been referenced within every annal of not only horror, but film history studies. It’s with the sequels that the more traditional slasher movie elements begin to take shape. Whatever your opinion on the films themselves, Anthony Perkins consistently astounds in his portrayal of Norman Bates and his tragic inability to control himself, or Mother. A&E’s TV reboot “Bates Motel” delves into that twisted family drama more deeply. Each “Psycho” installment has a unique edge, but the original combines all of them into a masterpiece that defined a genre.
Which sequels cut deepest for you? Let us know your favorites in the comments!
“The New York Ripper” (1982)
77 Cinematografica Quack voiced slasher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcRr6heA69U
