What do movies like “Halloween”, “Scream”, “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, and “The Shining” all have in common? They’re classic horror; timeless films that we always catch ourselves watching, especially during this time of the year. These are the best types of horror movies, ranking superior in comparison to those that are produced today.

The genre of horror we know nowadays will never measure to the classics. The impact these movies have had on the film industry and the Halloween culture is unmatched. A year hasn’t gone by since 1978 when there isn’t a Michael Myers mask in the Halloween store. The popularity of this film, and many others like it, will always be relevant during October.

Take “The Shining”, for instance. Although it was released 30 years ago, even if you haven’t seen it, you know the scene where Jack Nicholson puts his head through the broken door and, in a sinister tone, says “Here’s Johnny!”

These movies are practically the blueprint for modern horror films and television shows. Stephen King’s “It” was originally seen on the big screen in 1990, inspiring and following the storyline of Pennywise, a clown who is known to come out of the sewer every 27 years, for its remake in 2017 and later in 2019.

Almost every original blockbuster horror movie is followed by a sequel, that eventually becomes a whole series. No matter how much people want to remake and recast the film to ‘modernize’ the story, their attempts will never work.

Nothing can compare to the original cast of these movies, especially with them being filmed in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The fashion, script, actors, and even quality of the film is what gives them a ‘homey’ and comforting feel that makes them so special.

Watching these movies ‘screams’ nostalgia to me, even though I never saw them when I was younger. The nostalgia isn’t part of my childhood, but more so of the simpler times before cell phones existed and these types of movies were the scariest things people had ever seen. These films don’t have to rely on the common theme of gore and psychological terror that are present in modern films. They’re just authentic thrillers that gained so much popularity for being something never done before.

The classic chase scenes are so much more “realistic”, in a sense, than the possessions and crazy plotlines of the films we see now. Especially from the standpoint of a girl, the common theme in authentic horror of weird, older men following/stalking young women isn’t the most far fetched assumption. Just watch “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, for example, and you’ll see what I mean.

I think one of the best parts of these films, and most underrated, are their soundtracks. Really good music in the background of scenes can literally make or break a movie. “Halloween” wouldn’t be the same without it’s suspenseful and iconic soundtrack. It would always start playing at the right times to put you on the edge of your seat building suspense and fear.

Next time you’re deciding on which horror film to watch on a spooky night, go for the classics. You definitely won’t be disappointed.