Some Of The Most Popular Horror Movies July 15, 2010

Human beings enjoy being scared, under controlled circumstances. There is a certain thrill in experiencing fear, yet knowing that we are in no real danger. We ride roller coasters and engage in extreme sports, all for the thrill of the fear. One of the most popular ways of thrilling ourselves is through horror movies, a thriving industry rich in history and fear.

The movie industry is a huge, thriving beast providing us with countless hours of entertainment. One of the largest, most popular genres is the horror niche, which contains many sub-genres that all take different paths to the same goal. Obviously, everyone’s taste in films are going to differ, however, there are several classic films that have formed the basis for the horror movies that we watch today.

Popular for his mastery of the horror novel, author Stephen King has spawned many films based on his books and ideas. Perhaps the most popular is the film based on the novel “The Shining”. This psychological thriller, directed by Stanley Kubrick, provides the viewer with an atmosphere full of tension and suspense. The focus of the movie revolves around a failed novelist who spends a long winter managing a vacant, but haunted, hotel.

A faithful exploration of the 1971, best selling novel by William Peter Blatty, “The Exorcist” has been a pinnacle of fear since its release. The film follows the story of a young girl who has been possessed by demons. Directed by William Friedkin, the film offers some of the most sensational and frightening scenes in the history of cinema.

One of the most popular directors of all time, Steven Spielberg crafted a terrifying psychological thriller in the form of his classic film titled “Jaws.” In this film, a large shark terrorizes a beach, supplying the movie industry with some of the most iconic scenes of all time. This movie has stood the test of time, producing many irrational fears of water through this underwater leviathan.

Director John Carpenter gave birth to the American “slasher” genre with the release of the movie “Halloween”. Spawning countless imitators and sequels, the film focuses on the traumatic relationship between a brother and sister, to put it mildly. The brother, a mysterious, unexplored murderer, rampages through a small town, butchering everyone in sight in an effort to kill his estranged sister.

“A Nightmare on Elm Street” is also a frightening pillar of the horror genre. Director Wes Craven crafted this intense horror film around a nightmare-stalking psychopath by the name of Freddy Krueger. The film takes on a new premise in the horror industry, as the protagonist attacks his victims when they are the most vulnerable, while they sleep. Krueger become a pop culture icon in the 80′s, and continues to inspire imitations and sequels.

So, what makes a horror film great? Opinions will differ, however, two key aspects include a film’s ability to scare its audience, and its ability to stand the test of time. These classic horror movies have formed the basis for a thriving industry that is still going strong.

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