10 Great Horror Movies You'll Only Watch Once

10. The Shining (1980)

For the most part, the films on this list are included because they're unbearably disturbing, but in the case of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, the reason it's here is because it's far too familiar. 

Based on Stephen King's seminal novel of the same name, Kubrick's masterwork is an expertly crafted thriller about one man's descent into madness, full to bursting with intricate set detail and skin-crawling twists that sneak up on you with startling effect. 

Despite its brilliance, though, The Shining also suffers from some serious overexposure, the beats of its story so well-known and parodied that the big moments - from "Here's Johnny!" to the typewriter - simply won't land for first-time viewers as they once did. 

It's still an absolute must-watch (despite King's misgivings about what Kubrick cut from the book), and it'll surely manage to leave a lasting impression for Jack Nicholson's performance alone. But chances are that one watch will cut it, and afterward you'll probably be content sticking with The Simpsons' Halloween spoof.