This is my latest contribution to The Big Picture, the internationally recognised magazine and website that shows film in a wider context. The Big Picture has been running a series of horror-related features and reviews, while its contributors have also provided their Top 10 horror movies. The nature of these lists is such that you invariably change your mind every five minutes but, for now, this is my list (The Shining doesn’t make it I’m afraid – sorry).
Horror has been a staple part of my movie watching since I was a teenager. I can remember getting collywobbles the first time I watched Psycho at 3am on my own; being genuinely freaked out by the end of Ringu; and sitting through The Texas Chainsaw Massacre thinking it was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. However, no other horror film has stayed with me like George A Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. It was a game changer, not only for cinema in general, but also for my appreciation of what an often derided genre can be capable of.
10. The Exorcist (1973)
9. [Rec] (2007)
8. The Haunting (1963)
7. Psycho (1960)
6. Ringu (1998)
5. Halloween (1978)
4. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
3. Alien (1978)
2. The Thing (1982)
1. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
three rows back 
um…. “collywobbles”?
Great word; not used nearly enough in everyday conversation.
THE THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It HAD to be on there!!
Damn straight! 😀
Nice list! So glad to see ‘The Haunting’ on it.
Of course! It’s a classic mate!
You got that right on The Exorcist, man I’m still trying to un-see that even though I saw it years ago. THAT face haunts me like no tomorrow.
Not my favourite horror but the demon image certainly stays in the mind! Cheers Ruth.
I’m so glad that Alien is so high! It doesn’t get the respect it deserves from Aliens fans. Boo! Scott’s masterpiece topples what Cameron did with the series. Nice list overall. I still haven’t seen The Exorcist. I’m kind of…scared to.
Cheers! Ah, The Exorcist isn’t *that* scary! See it! Alien still freaks me out even though I’ve seen it a ton of times.
Very nice list. Cool to see [REC] on there.
Thanks my friend. It shit me up when I first saw it and it’s just as effective on subsequent viewings.
So many brilliant films up there.
Cheers bud. Hard to pick just 10!
O.5. American Werewolf In London
Yeah, I really wrestled with whether to include that one. That and the 2007 French horror Inside which is frickin bonkers.
Inside is indeed insane innit.
Brilliant list. I shamefully must admit I’ve never seen Night of the Living Dead, I need to amend that. Glad to see The Thing on this list!
It just had to be on there didn’t it? You need to remedy that particular omission mate! Cheers for the feedback.
Great to see The Haunting on your list. The Exorcist scared me as a girl. No Freddy Kruger?
Thanks for the comment Cindy. The Haunting is a classic that’s for sure. Only ever seen the first Elm Street movie and, while it’s good it’s not Top 10 in my book.
Nice list! I love seeing Ringu on here. I loved The Ring, so that’s why I looked for the original, and it was SO creepy.
Scared the wee out of me!
Great to see REC on any horror list. Although the absence of The Shining makes this list null and void 😉
Sorry Tyson, never rated The Shining that highly!
I’ve only ever said good things about you but this might be the end of this relationship 😉
Say it ain’t so Tyson!
Alien & The Thing = SF/Horror Classics on every List.
Working on Horror in SF Movies for a future Post.
In th meantime, you might like to try this:
http://bradscribe.wordpress.com/2014/08/29/moonage-daydream/
Cheers!
Cheers. Will check it out.
Nice list, though I have to agree with Tyson on the absence on The Shining, it’s my absolute favorite horror picture, along with Psycho, Eraserhead, and Rosemary’s Baby. Good to see Alien up pretty high and Night of the Living Dead still retains its terror today, even though the special effects haven’t aged well.
I know I’m in the minority when it comes to The Shining; I just have never rated it that highly for whatever reason. Eraserhead almost made it in there. Thanks for the feedback mate.
Excellent choices man, glad to see Alien on it.
Of course! You know it!