10) The Silence Of The Lambs
Release Date: 31st May 1991
Director: Jonathan Demme
Cast: Jodie Foster - Anthony Hoppkins - Ted Levine - Scott Glenn
Gross: $204,000,000
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'Silence Of The Lambs' was released in 1991 and became one the most acclaimed thrillers of all time. It won a total of 5 Oscars, including best picture, best actor and actress and best director. The film, based upon a novel of the same name, is about an FBI agent who seeks help from incarcerated cannibal Dr Hannibal Lecter, in catching a serial killer called 'Buffalo Bill', a transsexual man who skins his victims.
The film became so acclaimed due to its 'chill' factor, mainly because of the excellent performance from Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter. Coming up to twenty years from its original release date, 'Silence Of The Lambs' remains one of the most popular thrillers in history.
9) Alien
Release Date: 6th September 1979
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Sigourney Weaver - John Hurt - Tom Skerritt
Gross: $206,000,000
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'Alien' was a very unique film when it was first released - it was the first film to portray Aliens in the way it did, incorporating both Sci-Fi and horror in its gripping narrative. The film follows a team of humans who land on a planet to investigate an SOS distress call, they quickly find out they are not alone on the planet as they are forced to fight the highly aggressive alien race that has killed the previous human inhabitants.
Alien quickly became very popular - when it was originally released, its violence and gore was considered to be very shocking, and thus generated a high level of interest. It won an Oscar for visual effects and has stood the test of time, known now as one of the greatest horror and Sci-Fi films in history.
8) The Amityville Horror
Release Date: 27th July 1979
Director: Stuart Rosenberg
Cast: James Brolin - Margot kidder - Rod Steiger
Gross: $226,000,000
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'The Amityville Horror' owes its success to a very successful advertising campaign. Like with 'Silence Of The Lambs' it was based on an acclaimed novel that generated a debate: was the story based on fact?
The films narrative is simple; a newly married couple move into a house where a murder was committed, and quickly discover the house has supernatural elements. It is a classic example of a psychological horror that became so popular it was remade in 2005.
7) Jaws 2
Release Date: 6th June 1978
Director: Jeannot Szwarc
Cast: Lorraine Gary - Roy Scheider - Murray Hamilton
Gross: $228,000,000
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'Jaws 2' simply became so successful of the back of its world famous prequel 'Jaws'. The film is about a second large shark that terrorizes waters around Amity, a narrative that is similar to the first 'Jaws' film.
Jaws 2 was not as popular as its prequel, but still remains a very famous horror film. The lead actor; Roy Scheider, remained for the second installment, but supporting actors and director changed from Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Steven Spielberg to Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton and Jeannot Szwarc.
6) Signs
Release Date: 13th September 2002
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Mel Gibson - Joaquin Phoenix - Rory Culkin
Gross: $258,000,000
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'Signs', released in 2002, became a successful motion picture due to a large advertising campaign and the reputation of M. Night Shyamalan after his 1999 picture 'The Sixth Sense'. Signs is about a family living on a farm who find unexplained crop circles in their fields, a indication of alien presence.
In terms of awards and response, 'Signs' was actually received negatively. It had no major award nominations and was criticized by a range of different film personalities, it seem that 'The Sixth Sense' was an impossible act to follow.
5) Psycho
Release Date: 25th August 1960
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Anthony Perkins - Vera Miles - John Gavin
Gross: $280,000,000
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'Psycho' is arguably the most famous horror film in history. Released in 1960, its famous scenes and soundtrack are still recognizable to all generations. The film follows a young woman after stealing $40,000. She is forced to stay in a small motel, only to encounter Norman Bates, a psychotic man doing the bidding of his possessive mother.
'Psycho' was a huge success and is the perfect example of a film that has stood the test of time. Alfred Hitchcock's unique style was already popular prior to the films release, resulting in 'Psycho' being a very anticipated film. It became one of the landmark films from which most other horror films find their inspiration.
4) House Of Wax
Release Date: 25th April 1953
Director: Andre De Toth
Cast: Vincent Price - Frank Lovejoy - Phyllis Kirk
Gross: $332,000,000
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'House Of Wax' owes its success to it's advertising. It became very anticipated, as it was one of the first 3D horror films ever released. The film is about a wax museum's sculptor using human bodies to create his pieces of ‘art’ - the sculptor's assistant starts to get suspicious resulting in him discovering all kinds of horrors.
Though 'House Of Wax' was successful at the box office, like with 'Signs' it was critically slated. Many felt that the 3D effects used where unsuccessful and that the narrative of the film was weak.
3) The Sixth Sense
Release Date: 5th November 1999
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Bruce Willis - Haley Joel Osment - Toni Collette
Gross: $378,000,000
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'The Sixth Sense' became a very successful film for many reasons. The film has a unique narrative about a young boy who has the ability to see ghosts - he seeks help with his condition from a therapist who slowly starts to realize the boy is telling the truth.
'The Sixth Sense' was nominated for six Oscars including best supporting actor, best picture and best director. It has the reputation of being one of the most chilling films ever made, appearing in may 'top ten' horror film lists by different film enterprises.
2) The Exorcist
Release Date: 16th March 1974
Director: William Friedkin
Cast: Ellen Burstyn - Max Von Sydow - Linda Blair - Lee J. Cobb
Gross: $727,000,000
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Along with 'Psycho', 'The Exorcist' is arguably one of the most famous horror films in history. This film became so successful because it was the first film of its kind. Turning over $727,000,000 in gross, 'The Exorcist' is about a young girl who is possessed by a demon. In her desperation, the girl’s mother turns to a priest to banish the entity from her innocent daughter.
'The Exorcist' created a high level of controversy after its release, many people where so scared by it they had to leave the cinema - there where even stories of people committing suicide as a result of the film. Today, 'The Exorcist' is considered to be the first psychological thriller ever made, and continues to hold a very feared reputation.
1) Jaws
Release Date: 1st January 1975
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Roy Scheider - Robert Shaw - Richard Dreyfuss
Gross: $842,000,000
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'Jaws' is the most successful horror film in history. Its success was down to a famous cast, effective advertising, and of course the reputation of Steven Spielberg. The films narrative is simple; it is about a large great white shark that is terrorizing the waters around the small island of Amity.
'Jaws' won three Oscars; best sound, music and editing, and was further nominated for best picture. Its famous sound effects are still recognizable now and it remains one of the world’s most popular films.
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