Have you seen them all?
Any Letterboxd users in the house? While the platform is great for obsessively keeping tabs on everything we’ve ever watched, it’s also a useful tool for recommendations. Like IMDb, the Letterboxd rating system depends on its user’s opinions for ranking films. This has its pros and its cons, but it’s always interesting to see how the people have spoken. Today we’ve taken a look at the top ten highest-rated horror films on the app. And honestly, there aren’t too many surprises.
Earning its keep in first place is the John Carpenter cosmic meat-grinder The Thing. An early-eighties masterclass in intimate horror, there really still is no one quite like Carpenter when it comes to close-up personal fear. While this chilly Lovecraftian cornucopia was an infamous financial flop upon release, it’s since gone on to become one of the most beloved American horror titles of all time. From the pitch-perfect casting to the out-of-this-world practical effects, it’s no shocker that The Thing managed to crawl its way into the number one spot.
The silver medal on the Letterboxd list of highest-ranking horrors goes to the Alfred Hitchcock forever classic Psycho. It would be hard to imagine what the horror landscape would look like today if this slippery spookhouse didn’t terrify audiences back in 1960. And while the cultural impact of Psycho is permanent, the franchise itself has still yet to die. With three sequels, a remake and a successful television series in the bag, I’ve got to wonder, what’s next for this property?
Here are the ten highest-rated horror films, according to Letterboxd:
- The Thing (1982) – 4.3 Rating
- Psycho (1960) – 4.3 Rating
- Alien (1979) – 4.3 Rating
- The Shining (1980) – 4.3 Rating
- Get Out (2017) – 4.2 Rating
- Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – 4.2 Rating
- Possession (1981) – 4.1 Rating
- Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) – 4.1 Rating
- Cure (1997) – 4.1 Rating
- Diabolique (1955) – 4.1 Rating
The most recent release gracing the aforementioned list is Jordan Peele’s 2017 social horror show Get Out. A turning point for Peele’s career, this astounding debut feature is full of important subtext, tightly crafted scares, and next-level performances from all involved. This low-budget Blumhouse release would go on to earn a number of Academy Award nominations and a win for Best Original Screenplay.
Lastly, what do you think? Are these ten horror films deserving of their high ratings? Let us know over on Twitter via @DreadCenteal. We’re always around to chat about all things Letterboxd horror!
