Top 10 Greatest Haunted House Horror Movies
#10: “The Others” (2001)
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Boasting a great turn by Nicole Kidman and atmosphere to spare, "The Others" is a stylish thriller with a gripping central mystery. Building tension through a well-paced but methodical storyline and a consistent sense of foreboding, "The Others'" makes splendid use of its isolated French country setting and horror staples like an eerie cemetery to craft a hair-raising experience. Rather than jump scares or special effects, "The Others" relies on its environments, direction, and performances to deliver its scares. The result is a haunted house movie that leaves a long-lasting impression.
#9: “The Haunting” (1963)
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Based on Shirley Jackson's “The Haunting of Hill House,” 1963’s “The Haunting” has aged splendidly over the years, primarily due to Robert Wise’s brilliant direction and the effective sets. With an expressionist design and presented through uncomfortable angles, "The Haunting's" Hill House is the stuff nightmares are made of, and that is before taking into account the many inhuman dangers that wait within. The film's capacity for horror is further elevated by its characters, especially the psychologically distraught Eleanor who gradually unravels after becoming the house's main target. While the scares are plentiful, "The Haunting" is generally quite subtle.
#8: “A Tale of Two Sisters” (2003)
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A South Korean horror masterpiece that does not skimp out on the twists, "A Tale of Two Sisters" is the complete package. The narrative, which sees the teenaged Su-mi (soo-mee) return to her family's estate after being released from a mental hospital, goes to some truly unexpected places while touching upon complex themes such as sexuality and guilt. The main house is a gothic work of art that comes alive through brilliant lighting and bone-chilling sound design. While scary enough to instill the fear of sinks into just about anyone, "A Tale of Two Sisters'" greatest asset is its ambiguity.
#7: “Ghostwatch” (1992)
A mockumentary crafted to resemble a live broadcast, "Ghostwatch" was mistakenly believed to be real by some viewers, prompting BBC to never air it again. Following a trio of BBC presenters as they investigate a supposedly haunted house, "Ghostwatch's" commitment to realism is by far its most admirable trait, with the movie even including fake viewer calls. The house itself is fittingly ordinary and familiar, but the movie is peppered with hidden horrors that transform each scene into a stressful experience. Even outside of its original airing, "Ghostwatch" holds up as a truly terrifying film.
#6: “The Changeling” (1980)
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In many ways, "The Changeling" is the archetypal haunted house movie. Interestingly, the 1980 classic does not necessarily do anything all that unique. It mostly tells a straightforward tale about a vengeful spirit, but the film gets by on confident direction and a central mansion that exudes Victorian class and unsettling otherworldliness in equal measure. The fact it is headlined by an older and more competent protagonist adds gravitas to sequences that might have felt too by-the-numbers otherwise. While a ball or a wheelchair might not sound all that scary, "The Changeling" presents a solid case for the contrary.
#5: “Hausu” (1977)
In a subgenre known for adhering to convention, "Hausu" stands out as a bizarre fever dream of a movie. A group of teen girls decide to spend the summer at a house that happens to be all types of insane, where even watermelons and pianos cannot be trusted. "Hausu" pays no mind to logic, opting to prioritize surreal imagery fueled by primal and childish fears. Flip-flopping between absurdist humor and spine-tingling horror, "Hausu" sheds any traces of reality as it explores a world where nothing makes sense and everything is hungry.
#4: “The Amityville Horror” (1979)
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Successful enough to spawn a franchise spanning almost forty years, "The Amityville Horror" is an exhausting look into a dysfunctional family that moves into a house that really wants to remain vacant. Every character gets put through the wringer as "The Amityville Horror" unleashes flies, pig creatures, disembodied eyes, and blood-soaked walls to ensure there is something for everyone. Despite some of the more outlandish moments, "The Amityville Horror" is an effectively dry flick, which helps ground the characters and events. The fact it was supposedly based on real events might have helped make it a hit, but this 1979 classic does hold up on its own.
#3: “The Conjuring” (2013)
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Directed by James Wan (won) and based on the investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, "The Conjuring" is a tour de force of jump scares, costume design, and acting. Although it does take a page or two from classics like "The Exorcist," "The Conjuring" stands on its own due to its earnest acceptance of the supernatural, two genuinely likable leads, an abrasive score, and excellent practical effects. While things do eventually go completely bonkers during the third act, "The Conjuring" is at its best when the monsters are kept just out of sight.
#2: “Poltergeist” (1982)
All the macabre visuals in the world cannot save a horror movie with boring or hateable characters. On the surface, "Poltergeist" might just seem like another haunted house movie about an unlucky family, but an able cast and some stellar writing bring to life a group of characters who are genuinely likable. The horror is amplified because it features characters that many people want to see survive, rather than just fodder to be taken out. "Poltergeist" is also packed with stunning and unsettling special effects that complement the horror elements rather than overshadow them. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Hell House LLC” (2015) Because, When Used Correctly, Found Footage Can Be Really Effective “House on Haunted Hill” (1959) Because It Is a Haunted House Classic “The Innocents” (1961) Because Children Are Terrifying “The Innkeepers” (2011) Because When It Does Finally Get Scary, It Gets Really Scary “13 Ghosts” (1960) Because Sometimes Quantity Is Not at the Expense of Quality
#1: “The Shining” (1980)
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Despite initially garnering a few Razzie nominations, Stanley Kubrick's loose adaptation of Stephen King's novel has only seen its reputation grow over the decades. Driven by an unhinged performance by Jack Nicholson and a sympathetic turn by Shelley Duvall, "The Shining" fills the Overlook Hotel with ghostly apparitions that might or might not just be extensions of the characters' psyches. This uncertainty permeates the entire story, turning even quiet moments into unbearably tense powderkegs. "The Shining" is one of those rare movies where every creative decision blends seamlessly to craft a terrifying journey that lasts from the first to the very last scene.
