15 Horror movies that are sure to haunt your dreams

One of the most impressionable genres is that of horror and psychological thrillers. These movies have the power to get into one’s psyche and leave an impact even after the film ends. Hollywood has many well-made movies from these genres that have become classics. From the 1990s The Silence of the Lambs to modern horror movies like Hereditary—here is a list of movies that have such unnerving scenes that force one to sleep with the lights on.

1. The Descent (2005)

This movie is all about a thrill-seeking adventure going horribly wrong. Six women decide to explore an uncharted cave and soon encounter an ancient group of cannibals that will stop at nothing. Directed by Neil Marshall, the movie is claustrophobic as it is but gets worse when the deformed creatures of the cave are introduced. This movie about a frenetic fight for survival within a cave is enough to make one’s skin crawl.

2. The Lighthouse (2019)

Directed by Robert Eggers, The Lighthouse, is a movie that defies genres. It is part horror, part psychological thriller, and is shot entirely in black and white. Starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, it is a movie about two lighthouse keepers in the 19th century who slowly go insane after being isolated at a New England outpost. The movie is not gory or has jump scares but that is what makes it ominous. A must-watch.

3. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

The psychological horror thriller that became the first movie to win an Oscar in the category is an impressive film even after all these years. Based on a book by Thomas Harris, the movie is about an FBI trainee (Jodie Foster), who investigates a serial killer that likes to skin its victims. She tries to understand her murderer’s mind by questioning a cannibalistic psychiatrist (played brilliantly by Anthony Hopkins). The climax scene will make one keep the lights on.

4. Paranormal Activity (2007)

The movie that brought back found footage horror, this classic supernatural movie from the 2000s is a must-watch. Directed by Oren Peli, no one expected that the movie would become a culture-defining smash hit. The film takes place from the vantage point of a security camera that is installed by a couple that is shaken by paranormal incidents at their home. The film spawned a franchise but the original movie is enough to make one terrified.

5. The Conjuring (2013)

The movie that scared an entire generation of movie-goers. This iconic movie now has a whole franchise but nothing gets better than the original. Directed by James Wan, the movie is about a family settling into a new house, only to be tormented by its ghosts. There are many scenes in the movie that will have one covering their eyes. Some of the famous ones include the clap scene, the one where the mother is dragged, and more.

6. Skinamarink (2022)

A movie that belongs to the lo-fi horror category that is steadily growing in demand, this Canadian experimental horror movie has an unsettling and grainy cinematography that adds to the horror. The movie revolves around a sibling duo that wakes up every night and begins to notice that their house is slowly disappearing and their father is nowhere to be found. This modern horror will surely make one keep the lights on.

7. The Witch (2015)

Directed by Robert Eggers, this folk horror tale has a sense of mystery, drama, and horror that will keep one glued. The movie is set in 17th-century New England, where witchcraft is on the rise. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, the movie is about the disappearance of the young boy of a family and how it makes the family members turn to each other. Folk horror movies are especially scary due to their rustic setting and this one is a must-watch.

8. Hereditary (2018)

Aris Aster proved himself to be the director of modern horror when he debuted with this popular psychological horror drama. The movie is not only terrifying but is also a complex look at family dynamics. Toni Collette stars as the bereaved daughter of a mother who has recently died and is now causing supernatural occurrences in her home. The film meditates upon themes of family legacy, grief, fate, and inescapability. The film’s iconic scenes make it a must-watch.

9. The Wailing (2016)

For those who are in the mood for some Korean horror should check this horror film undoubtedly. A successful movie, it centers around a small Korean village where the people are going insane due to mysterious causes and killing their family. At the center of this mayhem, a police officer tries to solve the mystery and must rush against time as his own daughter becomes affected. Directed by Na Hong-jin, the movie’s climax is terrifying.

10. Midsommar (2019)

Another folk horror movie on this list is directed by the expert on horror movies, Ari Aster. The movie begins with a group of American friends visiting the rural heartland of Sweden during the Midsommar season. But their vacation soon turns horrific when they find themselves within a deadly cult. Florence Pugh gives a masterful performance and some of the scenes like the impregnation scene will leave one traumatized.

11. Us (2019)

Jordan Peele is another director who has made a name for himself as a horror director to watch out for. The psychological horror movie starring Lupita Nyong’o is about a family that encounters their menacing doppelgangers and must fight against them to survive. The movie also has themes of childhood trauma and is a layered movie with a twisted ending that will keep one thinking even after the film ends.

12. Shutter Island (2010)

This Martin Scorsese directorial keeps the audience hooked till the ending—which is also a twist. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the movie is about a deputy US marshal who investigates a psychiatric facility after a patient disappears. The psychological thriller was a success and is still ranked high on many viewers’ lists. Its unsettling atmosphere makes this a movie that will force the viewers to keep the light on.

13. Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele’s directorial debut psychological horror movie is a disturbing look at racism and cultism. Starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, and others, the movie is about a black man who meets the family of his white girlfriend and finds out about their disturbing behavior. The movie is handled uniquely and is unnerving. Some of its scenes are terrifying, especially the climax where the protagonist must run for his life. An unmissable watch.

14. The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick’s pathbreaking psychological horror movie stars Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. Based on Stephen King’s novel, the movie is about an author who becomes an off-season caretaker of an isolated hotel and brings his family with him. As the mysterious hotel begins to affect his psyche, he slides into insanity and risks his family’s life. The movie’s unsettling background score, well-crafted direction, and memorable performances have made this a pop culture classic.

15. Cure (1997)

This list would be incomplete without the mention of Japanese horror or J-horror. Directed by the revered Kiyoshi Kurosawa, this neo-noir psychological movie is not just terrifying but also includes meditations on life. When a string of murders takes place with the murderer found nearby but unable to recollect any memories, a detective is tasked with investigating the strange occurrences. The movie has the unsettling feel of a Japanese horror movie and is highly influential.