"Frankenstein"
There is a reason this movie is a classic. The production design is incredible, Boris Karloff is fantastic, and the journey of Dr. Frankenstein is enjoyable.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021884/
"The Thing from Another World"
There is so much in this movie that reminds me of John Carpenter's "The Thing" which is one of my all-time favorite films. For this reason I really liked this movie and allowed me to overlook what I did not like. But, if push comes to shove and you have to choose one or the other, choose the 1982 "The Thing." Since I'm sure you have time to see both in your life, watch both.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044121/
"House on Haunted Hill"
This movie is fantastic. I love Vincent Price. I love the over-dramatic, drunk guest. I love the cheesy ending. I don't care about how dated this movie is, it's just a great watch.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051744/
"The Haunting"
I'll admit that I watched this movie over two days because I fell asleep the first night I watched it. So, I'm not sure if I was really just tired or if the first half was really just boring. Either way, the second half of this movie is absolutely incredible and the practical effects in this movie are often times amazing. For what it's worth, I hear this is Martin Scorcese's favorite horror film, but don't quote me on that.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057129/
"Bloody Pit of Horror"
This is Italian horror cinema at its finest. Make no mistake, this is terrible filmmaking, but you are unable to tear yourself away from it. You are unable to not appreciate its horribleness.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058983/
"Night of the Living Dead"
Considering the small budget this movie had and the effect it had on horror movie history in catapulting the zombie sub-genre, you can't help but appreciate it. Setting that aside, you see great human interaction in the face of catastrophe, feel tension in the ever-approaching threat, and see the great beginning that modern zombie films sprouted from.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063350/
"Halloween"
Michael Myers makes for a great, menacing antagonist. This start of the slasher genre is an amazing beginning. There are drawbacks to this film (an under-developed origin of Michael Myers and a prolonged stalking by Michael Myers), but when you first arrive at the mental institution and see the first gowned patient escaped in the dark, rainy night, you realize you're in an unsafe environment and the tension grows from there. Despite it being literally the only musical score in the entire movie, you realize why this movie and its theme is so iconic.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077651/
"Poltergeist"
The single greatest element of "Poltergeist" is the increasing and progressive nature of the film. We start with a rather thunderous event, but after that we start small, increase subtly, and climax with a full on creature feature from the 80s which is nothing short of terrific. This movie is borderline 5-stars, and I would not be surprised if with further viewing it became that.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084516/
"The Monster Squad"
You know how I mentioned that there are other movies in the same vein as "The Gate" that are good, silly, cheesy, fun times but that I like better? "Monster Squad" is one of them. You know how "Van Helsing," starring Hugh Jackman, tried to make a movie that combined the classic Universal Monsters but failed miserably? This is the movie that did that concept right.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093560/
"Scream"
Holy crap! Where did this movie come from? I remember seeing it when it came out, and yes, it was scary enough. But watching this time around, this was borderline brilliant. From the opening, tense scene, you are taken on a ride of constant tension, genuine scares, and a smart play on horror movie cliches. Wes Craven made this movie as almost a tribute to horror, what he himself made his name on. It's unfortunate that the sequels slowly descended into stereotypical cliche whereas this first one's brilliance is found on its deliberate, homage cliches.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117571/
"Sleepy Hollow"
I don't care what anyone says about this movie. I don't care if this movie really is bad. I really like this movie. It's true that the production design vaults this movie despite its campy acting and story, but how can you not like a movie about a headless horseman with the tagline, "Heads will roll?"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162661/
"What Lies Beneath"
This movie has absolutely nothing new in it. However, all the cliches and stereotypes of horror/thriller movies that are in "What Lies Beneath" are done so incredibly well, that you can't help but enjoy it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0161081/
"28 Days Later"
As much as I like to see Scarecrow naked on a hospital bed, the true beauty of this movie is how it changed the zombie genre. Danny Boyle's zombie apocalypse movie moved us from the slow, ever-present, ever-approaching zombie to the fast, unexpected, sudden-approaching zombie. This shift was handled beautifully by Mr. Boyle and made for an exciting, enjoyable, tense movie watching experience.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289043/
"1408"
John Cusack was serviceable enough. Sam Jackson was great. And the best part of this supernatural themed movie is the control they exercise in the use of that supernatural. They don't go overboard in doing whatever they want just because they can because all things are possible when the supernatural is present. They used it within the confines of the hotel room and the events that happened there.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450385/
"The Orphanage"
Knock on the wall game. That's all I have to say.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464141/
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