The Thing (1982)
One of the scariest movies because: It’s impossible to know whom to trust in this film about an alien parasite that imitates humans.
What the critics say: “The Thing is a peerless masterpiece of relentless suspense, retina-wrecking visual excess and outright, nihilistic terror.”—Adam Smith, Empire
28 Days Later (2002)
One of the scariest movies because: These zombies are faster than you, plus their brain-eating disease is transmitted via blood. Which flows in excess here, naturally.
What the critics say: “28 Days Later is loaded with terrific images and extraordinary little moments… even as it inexorably deteriorates into Scooby-Doo terrain.”—Andrew O’Hehir, Salon
Carrie (1976)
One of the scariest movies because: Thanks to inspired directing from Brian De Palma, every moment in this film is filled with dread as the story inches toward its big, bloody finish.
What the critics say: “Brian De Palma’s Carrie is an absolutely spellbinding horror movie, with a shock at the end that’s the best thing along those lines since the shark leaped aboard in Jaws.“—Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
