10 Scariest Movies Ever (Global Rank!) — If You Watched 6+, You’re a Horror God

How many of these 10 scariest horror movies ever have you seen? Word on the street is most people can only stomach 3—if you’ve watched 6+, you’re a total legend!
#10 The Last House on the Left

Directed by Wes Craven and starring Garret Dillahunt and Michael Bowen, The Last House on the Left is straight-up nightmare fuel—no cap! Four total psychos kidnap two teen girls from regular middle-class families, torture ’em brutally, and then kill ’em. But here’s the twisted twist: they end up hiding out in one of the victim’s homes. Spoiler: The girl’s parents flip out and take revenge that’s way more violent than you’d ever imagine. Fair warning—this one’s NOT for scaredy-cats! 💀

#9 Hostel


Dropping back in 2005, Hostel is a total horror classic from director Eli Roth, with Jana Kaderabkova, Jay Hernandez, and Derek Richardson leading the cast. Two American backpackers are bouncing around Europe when they fall for a sketchy rumor and check into a super shady hostel. Let’s cut to the chase: They never make it out—their last moments go down in a Slovakia torture chamber. Pro tip: The vibe shifts HARD. Before one of the guys (Oli) vanishes, it’s all party vibes; after that? Pure, unfiltered terror takes over. 🔪

#8 Ring (Ringu)


Hitting theaters on January 31, 1998, Ring (aka Ringu in Japan) is the OG Japanese suspense-horror flick. It’s based on Koji Suzuki’s sci-fi thriller novel Ring, but fair warning—book vs. movie? Big differences. Directed by Hideo Nakata and starring Nanako Matsushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Miki Nakatani, it follows a reporter named Asakawa who’s dying to figure out why a bunch of high school girls dropped dead… all right after watching a creepy mystery videotape. Trust us—this movie will make you side-eye your TV forever! 👻

#7 Saw


Produced by Lionsgate, Saw is a crime-horror banger from director James Wan. Starring Leigh Whannell, Cary Elwes, and Danny Glover, it’s an endless, messed-up killing game. Two strangers wake up locked in a gross bathroom and get forced to endure some next-level tortures—think cutting off legs, sawing arms, and gouging out eyes. It’s *super* gory and violent (you’ve been WARNED!) and hit theaters on October 29, 2004. Only watch if you’ve got a strong stomach! ⚙️

#6 The Silence of the Lambs


Winner of Best Picture at the 64th Academy Awards, The Silence of the Lambs dropped in 1991—and it’s still a bop. Based on Thomas Harris’ novel of the same name, this thriller is directed by Jonathan Demme, with Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins absolutely stealing the show. It follows Clarice Starling, a trainee FBI agent who’s on the hunt for a serial killer called Buffalo Bill. To get clues, she hits up Hannibal Lecter—a total genius but totally twisted psychiatrist locked up in prison. Hannibal helps her, but their convos? Pure chills down your spine. 🦷

#5 Ju-On: The Grudge


Released on January 25, 2003, Ju-On: The Grudge is a legendary Japanese horror franchise—seriously, it’s iconic. Written and directed by Takashi Shimizu, it stars Megumi Okina, Misaki Ito, and Misa Uehara. The whole series revolves around a deadly curse from Kayako and Toshio, and here’s the terrifying part: ANYONE who steps foot in their house gets haunted by the curse. New resident? Cop? Reporter? Actor filming there? Doesn’t matter—touch the curse, and you’re done for. No escapes, no loopholes—just pure terror! 👹

#4 4bia (Phobia)


Also known as Phobia, 4bia is a Thai horror anthology that dropped on April 24, 2008—and it’s a banger. Directed by four of Thailand’s top horror legends—Banjong Pisanthanakun, Parkpoom Wongpoom, and more—and starring Laila Boonyasak, it’s split into four separate scary stories. Each one has its own vibe, but one thing’s for sure: All of ’em will make you sleep with the lights on… for weeks! 😱

#3 Shutter


Directed by Masayuki Ochiai and starring Joshua Jackson,Shutter is a spine-chiller that’ll make you jump. Ben, a pro photographer, gets sent to Japan for a big shoot, so he brings his girlfriend Jane along to turn the trip into a mini honeymoon. They’re hyped—until they hit a young Japanese girl standing right in the middle of the road while driving to a cabin near Mount Fuji. And the creepiest part? When they stop, the girl’s gone… poof! Vanished into thin air. It hit theaters on March 20, 2008—watch if you love slow-burn terror. 📸

#2 Midnight Beating


Directed by Zhang Jiabei, written by Zhao Ben and Yu Chuansong, and starring Simon Yam, Francis Ng, Yao Di, Li Nian, and Yang Yuyu,Midnight Beating is packed with eerie surprises. Dr. Gu Zhensheng is totally crushed by his wife’s death, and his distraction leads to a patient’s death. After that, Room 314 in the hospital becomes a hotbed of weird, terrifying stuff—think ghostly happenings and spooky vibes. Rumors that the room is haunted spread like wildfire. As the horror ramps up, an old story of betrayal and loyalty comes to light… and it’s just as messed up as the hauntings! 🏥

#1 One Missed Call 2


Directed by Renpei Tsukamoto, One Missed Call 2 is a Japanese horror sequel starring Mimula and Yusuke Izawa. It’s July in Tokyo, and the rain just won’t let up—total bummer vibes. A full year has passed since the first One Missed Call mess, and things seem calm… or so everyone thinks. Anzu, a hardworking daycare teacher, is swamped with work and studying in her free time, so she hasn’t seen her boyfriend Naoto (an aspiring photographer) in ages. Spoiler: Their quiet little lives are about to get turned upside down—big time. 📱