Surprisingly, a decent number ofhorrormovies have a great rewatch value and get better with every additional viewing.Horror films are often most effective the first time they are watched, as the built-up suspense, shocking plot twists, and jump scares are exciting to the unfamiliar audience. While many of these factors aren’t as strong the second or third time around, the viewing experience of a few select films within the genre still manages to get better each time.
With every rewatch, audiences better appreciate the clever storytelling and use of scares that have stood the test of time.These films have become staples within the horror genre, leaving a lasting impact on audiences, as well as the film industry itself. Fromclassics likeNight of the Living Deadto newer horror films such asThe Conjuring, some of the best horror movies are easy to watch over and over again and get better every time.
10The Conjuring (2013)
Directed by James Wan
Despite its relatively recent release,The Conjuringis already considered to be one of the best and scariest exorcism movies, up there with films likeThe Exorcist.The Conjuringis based on the paranormal investigations of the real-life Ed and Lorraine Warren. In the film, the couple helps the Perrons, a family experiencing paranormal terror in their Rhode Island home. Though many films beforeThe Conjuringwereinspired by the Warren cases, the 2013 film is the first to highlight the pair as leading characters.
Despite its palpable chilling atmosphere,The Conjuringisn’t necessarily groundbreaking. Instead,the horror film puts to use effective jump scares and combines them with a moving human drama. This combination gets audiences invested and keeps them coming back for more viewings time and time again. Like a few other films listed,The Conjuringspawned a franchise, known asThe Conjuring Universe.
9The Cabin In The Woods (2011)
Directed by Drew Goddard
The Cabin in the Woodsis one of thebest horror movies of the 2010s. The film blends comedy and horror and follows a group of friends hunted by a variety of monsters when staying in a remote cabin.The Cabin in the Woodsearned great critical and commercial success, and it’s easy to see why. Though it starts like anyother ’80s slasher, with young characters getting killed off one by one, the film gradually unveils its sinister truth.
The Cabin in the Woods' ending includesone final twist that takes audiences by surprise and still manages to have a strong impact with every rewatch. Another reason why audiences are inclined to revisitThe Cabin in the Woodsis because of its satirical elements. The film highlights and lightly pokes fun at some of the most well-known horror tropes in a way that passionate fans of the genre can appreciate.
8The Wicker Man (1973)
Directed by Robin Hardy
Widely favored over its American remake starring Nicolas Cage, the British folk horror filmThe Wicker Manis a chilling story about a cult.The Wicker Mansees Sergeant Neil Howie visiting an isolated island in search of a missing girl. When the residents of the island deny the girl’s existence, Howie becomes increasingly suspicious and disturbed by the cultish behavior of the inhabitants.The film boosted the popularity of the wicker man figure and has influenced severalhorror films centered around cults.
Because of its influence,The Wicker Manis a film that warrants a rewatch now and then. With every rewatch, audiences are rewarded withChristopher Lee’s eerie performanceas the island’s leader, Lord Summerisle. Lee portrays the dangerous leader as a charismatic figure who knows just the way to draw people in. Lord Summerisle has become just as iconic as Lee’s other well-known horror character, Count Dracula.
Directed by George A. Romero
A widelyinfluential zombie film,Night of the Living Deadis a horror movie worthy of multiple rewatches for its enduring relevancy and influence on the zombie subgenre. The film follows the efforts of a group of people trying to survive amid a zombie, or ghoul, outbreak. As the sheltered characters are transformed into reanimated creatures and subsequently killed off,Night of the Living Deadexplores portrayals of violence and racial division that were seen as being extremely unique at the time.
Duane Jones leading the film as a Black actor wasn’t an obvious choice, and the fate of his character drives home the film’s social commentary. The film’s grim ending and its use of extreme violence were considered groundbreaking and changed the way many horror films went about telling darker stories.Night of the Living Deadis also credited with popularizing the way zombies are characterized in horror films today.
6Halloween (1978)
Directed by John Carpenter
An iconic slasher film,Halloweenhelped popularize many of the beloved elements of the horror subgenre. During the titular holiday in the film, an escaped Michael Myers stalks and torments babysitter Laurie Strode. Played by Jamie Lee Curtis, Laurie’s journey is one of the best examples ofthe horror genre’s final girl trope, which refers to the remaining girl left to confront the film’s killer. Though Laurie isn’t the first final girl in the genre,the success ofHalloweenand Laurie’s admirable determination saw several leading women follow in her footsteps.
In addition to its storytelling influence,Halloweenalso had a notable impact on the use of scenes filmed from the killer’s perspective, adding an increased amount of tension to an already chilling film. Michael Myers is also undeniably one ofthe best slasher villains, who has been given the chance to evolve asHalloween’s franchise has expanded over the years.
5Scream (1996)
Directed by Wes Craven
While there is plenty of suspense built up inScream, the beloved slasher film never takes itself too seriously, making it easy to come back to.Screamimplements a unique meta-humor that compliments its traditional horror elements. The film follows its protagonist, Sidney Prescott, as she’s targeted by the serial killer Ghostface. The success ofScreamhas allowed the story of Ghostface to continue over a series of films, andthough there have been strong installments in recent years,it’s the originalScreamthat’s considered the scariestand greatest.
From the memorable phone call at the beginning of the film toGhostface’s iconic quotes,Screamhas been referenced throughout pop culture, including the parody filmScary Movie, and extending beyond the horror genre.Scream’s cast was also given a boost in popularity and fans often return to the film to see early performances by actors like Matthew Lillard and Neve Campbell.
4Carrie (1976)
Directed by Brian De Palma
Based on Stephen King’s debut novel of the same name,Carrieis a horror film that continues to be rewatched for its relatable themes andSissy Spacek’s leading performance. The film centers around Spacek’s character, Carrie White, who is relentlessly teased by students at her school. Carrie’s experiences with being an outcast can be understood easily by audiences to some extent. Though the telekinetic powers gained by Carrie in the film aren’t necessarily used for good, Spacek’s grounded performance makes the protagonist someone audiences can empathize with.
While there are bouts of horrific scenes throughout the film,Carrieisn’t overly concerned with scares and ensures audiences aren’t exhausted by such scenes by its potent ending. Because of the film’s balanced depiction of a human and horror story,Carrie’s impact and rewatch value have remained strong throughout the years.Carrieis beloved as a horror film and is often regarded as one ofthe best films based on King’s work.
3The Host (2006)
Directed by Bong Joon-ho
Considered to be one ofthe best Korean horror movies, it takes little convincing to get audiences to regularly rewatchThe Host. The monster horror flick details the kidnapping of a vendor’s daughter by an eel-like creature that emerges from the Han River.The Hosthas a masterful blend of comedy, satire, and horror. On top of the impressive performances given by actors like Song Kang-ho and Byun Hee-bong,much ofThe Host’s rewatch factor comes from its social commentary.
In line with much of Bong Joon-ho’s filmography, the social commentary inThe Hostis sensibly interwoven with its horror elements. Through the actions of figures within the United States Forces Korea, as well as the character Park Nam-il, criticisms are made about both the U.S. military and South Korean politics. The issues addressed in the film become increasingly relevant as the years go by and make every rewatch more interesting than the one before.
2The Thing (1982)
Initially opening to negative critical reviews disapproving of the film’s graphic special effects and cynical tone,The Thingbecame a cult classic and is regarded as one ofJohn Carpenter’s best films. The film follows a group of researchers in Antarctica who come across the titular antagonist — an extraterrestrial creature with the ability to shapeshift. What occurs as a result is an increased paranoia felt by the research team, as any one of them could be the Thing.
The special effects within the film have consistently impressed critics and audiences and were one of the few aspects of the film that received praise when it was first released. However, retrospective reviews ofThe Thinghave been overwhelmingly positive. The special effects continue to be lauded, in addition to the film’s commitment to its gory elements.The Thing’s well-crafted suspense and unapologetic use of grotesque imagery make for an exciting viewing experience every time.
1Alien (1979)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Highly influential in both the sci-fi and horror genres isAlien. The film follows a crew aboard a spaceship who are hunted by a deadly creature known as the xenomorph. Since its 1979 release,Alienhas spawned a popular franchise, which has provided the opportunity for a fresh expansion of the fictional world. Yet, the original film doesn’t feel dated, and it’s often the one from the franchise that audiences are likely to revisit the most.Several elements of the film hold up and get better with each rewatch.
The performances, namely that of Sigourney Weaver, special effects, and an effective sense of claustrophobia and suspense, have stood the test of time, and it’s fascinating to see their influence on the sci-fihorrormovies that followed. In the years after its release,severalAliencopycats were made. These films are heavily influenced by the spaceship setting and the extraterrestrial species that made Ridley Scott’s film so unique.
