10. The Shining (1980)
The Shining was Kubrick's first real endeavour into horror and it could be said it was a risky take, but proved greatly successful nonetheless. It's pointless even telling you what its about, because by now we all should know: Jack, typewriter, Overlook Hotel, Axe, naked old woman, twin girls and that wonderful tracking shot. "Here's Johnny!" has become one of the most iconic lines in cinematic history which is accompanied by the wonderful Jack Nicholson pushing his head through a bathroom door he has just demolished with an axe. The Shining has had a profound effect on popular culture, with its astounding place as one of the all-time great horror films, if not the greatest. I believe the film was a successful horror because it relied more on the tilting insanity of the character, the suspense and not on incest-rape and revenge like is commonplace in other "horror" movies that are made simply to shock instead of entertain. The suspense could rival that of a Hitchcock film easily because of Kubrick intelligent use of camera angles and music to create an atmosphere which makes the film wonderfully enjoyable to watch but creates a still and uncomfortable atmosphere. The film's effect on popular culture is greater than any other Kubrick film having influenced or been featured in hotel adverts, Kate Bush music and of course the loved-by-Kubrick-loved-by-everyone Simpsons TV show, one of the all-time great shows. For extra analysis on this wonderful picture one should direct oneself to Room 237, a recent documentary about The Shining's hidden meanings.