’90s horror movies often get a bad rap. Considering the huge revolutions the genre went through during the ’70s and ’80s, most folks look at ’90s horror movies as lesser fare. Not so! There are plenty of flicks from that decade that will still send a shiver down your spine.
We’ve picked out seven films that are guaranteed to make you think twice about that shadow in your hallway…
The Exorcist III (1990)
The Exorcist is often cited as one of the scariest movies of all time. Unfortunately, Exorcist II: The Heretic is infamously bad and that sequel nearly doomed the franchise. Thankfully, original author William Peter Blatty returned and directed The Exorcist III. This third installment brings back the atmospheric dread of the original while also adding a new level of surreality. It centers around a minor character from the original film and offers up an interesting twist to how the events of the first film ended. No spoilers here as it’s something you should seek out.
The Exorcist III might also feature the greatest jump scare in horror history. No joke. If nothing else, that jump scare will stay in your mind forever.
Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
When people think about war movies, they don’t typically associate them with the horror genre. That’s surprising since war is one of the most horrifying of human experiences. Jacob’s Ladder actually explores this from the perspective of a Vietnam veteran who begins to have intense hallucinations involving monsters and demons. It’s a stark and depressing film that uses its vicious imagery to explore the lasting effects of war.
Jacob’s Ladder was also a huge influence on the video game Silent Hill. If you watch the above trailer, you can see the similarities with the eerie atmosphere and imaginative creatures. Just like Silent Hill, Jacob’s Ladder is a nightmarish ordeal that will make you look at the cost of war in a whole new light.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
When you ask people what the best horror film of the ’90s is, The Silence of the Lambs is bound to be thrown into the competition. The story of FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling is a harrowing and grisly tale about her tireless hunt for serial killer Buffalo Bill. Her only way of getting into Bill’s head is to pick the brain of notorious cannibal Hannibal Lecter. This leads to some of the most chilling exchanges in film history. Thanks to the excellent performances of Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins, these two characters have become pop culture icons.
The Silence of the Lambs is a powerful and thrilling investigation into the minds of monsters. If you don’t mind seeing just how evil human beings can be, this is one that is essential viewing.
Candyman (1992)
When Scream hit the scene in 1996, it caused a huge wave of meta-horror films that often leaned into self-parody. This led a lot of fans to believe that most ’90s horror movies were like this. That’s a shame because if you look at the early ’90s, you can discover some of the best horror movies ever made. And Candyman might be the best of the bunch. It’s an urban fairy tale about a murderous spirit who appears when you call his name in a mirror. Actor Tony Todd brings an incredible amount of regality, pathos, and dread to the character of Candyman, and every appearance he makes on screen is memorable.
Candyman is an unrelenting assault of creepiness. It’s a simplistic idea that gets taken to frightening extremes and gives you that same scared feeling from when you a child. Maybe those spooky games you play could actually make something evil come after you…
In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
John Carpenter is a legend in the horror genre, but most fans only point to a few of his films when they want to praise him. You’ll hear lots of people extol the virtues of Halloween and The Thing, but other movies in Carpenter’s filmography don’t get the same prestige. One of those that definitely deserves the spotlight is In the Mouth of Madness. It’s a spooky homage to H.P. Lovecraft that has the world literally going mad over the writings of horror novelist Sutter Cane. One man is hired to find the elusive author and it leads him into a ghoulish town that will be the epicenter for the end of the world.
In the Mouth of Madness is an underappreciated horror extravaganza. It’s bizarre, gruesome, and should definitely be brought up whenever John Carpenter is mentioned as a master of the genre.
Audition (1999)
The extreme cinema of the early-to-mid ’00s kicked off with this cult favorite from legendary director Takeshi Miike. Audition is a simple story: a man sets up a fake casting call in order to search for the woman of his dreams. He meets the shy Asami and decides to try and spark up a relationship. But, when things go sour, Asami is revealed to be one of the scariest and sickest horror villains in film history.
Audition is an endurance test of a movie, but it will assuredly stick with you long after you’ve watched it. You’ll have a visceral response if anyone ever says, “Kiri kiri kiri,” to you.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
This film might seem quaint by today’s standards, but The Blair Witch Project was revolutionary in its use of marketing and no-budget filmmaking. It’s that simplicity and commitment to tone that keeps the film’s terrifying power alive today. The story revolves around three young adults going into the Maryland woods to investigate the paranormal entity known as the Blair Witch. As you can guess, things get stranger and scarier really quick.
Though many “found footage” films have tried to recapture the eerie atmosphere of The Blair Witch Project, none have come close to this landmark achievement in horror storytelling. Put away your phones and laptops and watch this film in a dark room. Its evil magic will still work.
Need some more crazy horror movies? Check out these films from the ’80s that are just as scary as they were then!
