40. Carrie (1976)
A movie for everyone that hated high school. Brian DePalmas adaptation of Stephen Kings first novel is a film that understands the natural horrors of growing adolescence; the strange maturing of the body, feeling outcast by cruel schoolmates, not relating to anyone. Of course, all those things are worse if your mother is a religious zealot, two classmates pull the ultimate prank of cruelty on you on prom night, and youre secretly telekinetic. But such is life. Carrie is a sad horror film in many ways, because even once the blood starts running and the fires bursting, we cant help but feel bad for the girl at the center of it all. By then, of course, she cant feel anything except rage.
39. Dead Alive aka Braindead (1992)
Peter Jacksons zombie romp is a serious contender for the goriest film of all time. Here we get pus shooting into custard, a pair of cognizant innards that chase our hero, and a priest who declares I kick ass for the Lord! before doing battle with the undead. Surprisingly, its not hard to believe that were watching the same guy who later went on to make the Lord of the Rings trilogy and re-imagine King Kong. Even here, working on the smallest of budgets, Jackson finds a way to use practical special effects and creative situations to create a roller coaster ride of bloody entertainment. Its shocking, its hilarious, its horrifying and unforgettable. And if nothing else, it shows you a new way to use your lawnmower.
38. Poltergeist (1982)
Theres always been a debate over who really had control over this film, director Tobe Hooper or producer Steven Spielberg (who many think took the reigns away from Hooper). We may never know the answer, but the film is better for it. Poltergeist succeeds by blending the suburban discontent and magic that are trademarks of Spielbergs films with the hard edge of Hoopers work. I doubt if Spielberg himself couldve made an effective horror film alone, or if Hooper couldve created a family like the Freelings without Spielbergs touch. The union of their styles is what makes Poltergiest not only a great haunted house film but also great film about a family in crisis, full of magic and wonder with a frightening darkside.
37. Suspiria (1977)
Ill admit off the bat that Ive never been as taken with Argentos films as many others. But Suspiria is an exception to the rule. A legendary film about a dancer who finds herself among a coven of witches, the film combines an eerie, dread filled atmosphere with bursts of the bloody violence that Argento made his name with. A stylistic masterwork, Suspiria is a great example of style influencing a film without dominating or overpowering the narrative.
36. Hellraiser (1987)
Many horror films explore and exploit fears of sexuality, but few do it as directly as Clive Barkers Hellraiser. Pinhead, leader of the S&M styled cenobites, is one of the most quietly commanding villains in horror history, and the films ideas about infidelity, lust and the dangers of always seeking a greater pleasure remain potent to this day. Some of the special effects may seem dated now, but the film as a whole remains a disturbing, occasionally uncomfortable watch. Considering that it was Clive Barkers first film, made for only $1 million, thats quite an accomplishment.