Iconic Horror Movies That Terrified Us

Every few years, a new horror movie generates buzz as a classic. However, it’s been a while since one truly lived up to the hype. For many horror enthusiasts, there’s a special place in our hearts for those films that linger long after the credits roll. You know the ones — the films that, upon seeing them available for streaming or while channel surfing, you briefly pause and consider rewatching, only to decide against it. Here are some of the terrifying titles that have stuck with us:

“Jaws” (1975)

I can’t even watch “Shark Week.” Ever since I was a little girl and saw this now-iconic 1975 movie, I have been terrified of sharks. My mother tried to allay my fears by assuring me that the waters around my hometown of Baltimore would never be suitable for sharks. However, years later, I had to call her out on her lie after a whale washed up in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor with shark bites. As a teen, a friend suggested I attempt to watch “Jaws” to confront my fears. Not a good idea. The vastness of the water, coupled with the size of the (obviously fake) shark, was just what my nightmares were made of. Once I heard that menacing music signaling the Great White’s arrival, I literally had to stop myself from running away screaming. Now, I can’t even visit a shark tank at an aquarium. I know my limits. — Lisa Respers France

“Alien” (1979)

Ridley Scott’s horror masterpiece seared itself into my mind when I saw it on an early cable TV provider in 1980. From Ian Holm’s android malfunctioning to the legendary Xenomorph birth scene — and Veronica Cartwright’s terrified screams as John Hurt’s entrails exploded — it was a bit more than I could handle at that age. It didn’t give me nightmares, yet for weeks afterward, just walking outdoors at night made shadows seem scarier, and my wild imagination would lead me to believe a Facehugger or Chestburster would leap out at me. — Rick Damigella

“The Shining” (1980)

This movie is unsettlingly linked to my childhood. The little boy in the film, who exhibits a special sensitivity called the “shining,” is named Danny, a name I was called throughout my youth. Moreover, the actor portraying him, Danny Lloyd, looked a lot like me and had floppy brown hair. The movie also premiered in my birth year. I remember being drawn to “The Shining” mostly because my father loved Stephen King novels and shared thrilling tales of them. I viewed “The Shining” way too young, and this macabre masterpiece continues to haunt me. Those twins in the hallway, and their monotonous call to “come and play with us, Danny…” still send chills down my spine. — Dan Heching

“Pet Sematary” (1989)

My parents never censored our TV content, but in this case, I wish they had. This Stephen King adaptation made me fear cemeteries, animals, large trucks, and non-consensual resurrection all at once. That’s a lot for an 8-year-old to carry. It’s taken me nearly three decades to think of this movie again, and as a new parent, the premise horrifies me indescribably. — Sandra Gonzalez

“The Blair Witch Project” (1999)

This film could not have come out at a better time. In 1999, the internet was still relatively new, and I recall walking into this movie without a clear understanding of its premise. The movie’s ability to blend found-footage documentary style with occult horror was groundbreaking at the time. My college friend and I clutched each other tightly throughout the film, especially during moments when the sun began to set for the campers. The last image remains indelibly imprinted in my mind, refusing to fade. — Dan Heching

“The Grudge” (2004)

While I was already 23 when this movie came out, it still terrified me to my core. Living in Paris at the time influenced my viewing experience. After returning from a trip to the US, I went to work a shift at an English pub and later decided to see “The Grudge.” Unprepared for the sheer horror of the film, I found myself unable to sleep that night, haunted by the sounds of an undead girl with broken bones crawling around, moaning in a way I can still hear clearly. — Dan Heching

“The Fourth Kind” (2009)

I usually leave a scary movie laughing, finding it all in good fun. However, “The Fourth Kind” genuinely terrified me. The film’s spliced footage of purportedly real archive recordings of Dr. Abigail Tyler hypnotizing her patients about alleged alien abductions was chilling. Watching it in a somewhat creepy theater in LA only heightened my fear. I’ll never look at owls the same way again. — Alli Rosenbloom