It’s almost that time of year.  The time where ghosts, goblins and other dark creatures come out to play.  To me, we are already in the thick of it.  So, what get’s you in the Halloween mood? Is it the scary decorations, the leaves falling, the Halloween stores filled with costumes, or is it the movies?  Nothing makes me feel this dark and spooky season more than a couple of good horror films.  And aren’t they a Halloween staple?  They give you goosebumps and make the hair on your head stand a little straighter.  They make your heart thump a little harder and cause you to pull the blanket up to your neck.  They just plain frighten you.  And isn’t that what Halloween is all about?

Here I have listed (and explained) my top 10 favorite Horror films.

 These are movies that simply scare the bejeezus out of me.  Granted, they may not be the best or even the scariest films one will encounter in their lifetime, but they sure will be in my DVD player this Halloween season.  You may not agree with my choices, but that’s okay because it’s really your decision on what makes you scream.  Speaking of screaming, I have a friend who is a die hard ‘Scream’ freak.  It makes him jump every time.  But you’ll notice it’s not on my list.  My husband also cringes at the thought of ‘The Blair Witch Project’ because he’s spent many a night in dark forests and can relate to their plight.  But again, not on the list.  So, if this list doesn’t do it for you, I also have IMDB.com’s Top 10 Horror Films of All Time, so you can see what the professional movie folks think. But I prefer to be scared by what scares me, not what scares others.

10. Pet Cemetary (1989)
When I was a child, I watched this movie on T.V. one afternoon all alone.  Where were my parents?!  All I know is that when the family cat comes back to life after being buried in a spooky cemetery, I freaked.  Little did I know, it would only get worse as the story went on.  I was frightened then and I still am today.

9. The Ring (2002)

I know, I know.  This film?  But after the first time I saw this movie, I could not sleep.  The story of the film is neither realistic nor unpredictable, however the images and television I was staring at left me paralyzed with fear.  Go into this one knowing it’s not the best horror film you’ll watch, but moments may catch you by surprise.

8. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Speaking of not being able to sleep, once you watch Nightmare on Elm Street, you just may never sleep again.  And this original – which turned to 6 – is still a must-see. A group of teenagers start having dreams about a scarred man with razor fingers and soon they are brutally murdered in their sleep. The remaining teen, Nancy, realizes that she has to stay awake to survive.  Seriously, nightmares will ensue.

7. The Shining (1980)

This was another film I saw as a child.  A friend of mine and I got up late one night and snuck it into the VCR.  This is more of an intellectually disturbing film that truly makes you think.  As a child I did not quite understand everything that occurs, but Jack Nicholson’s creepy disposition did the trick anyway.  As an adult, I now know why it is one of the greatest horror films of all time.

6. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

Just the idea of being chased by a gigantic man with a mask of decomposed faces while rumbling a chainsaw gives me the ultimate willies.  Now of course this is a remake, but I find this version to be on the more frightful end.  It is rather gory – which I’ve never been a fan of – however when you’re watching a movie with chainsaws you sort of get over that.  For me, it is the images that make for a film I can only watch once a year.

5. Child’s Play (1988)

I don’t think I have to say anything about this movie, but I will.  I hate the idea of dolls coming back to life.  I also despise clowns and Mr. Chucky here portrays them both to me.  A tiny little freaky-faced creature chasing you around with a man’s voice sends shivers up my spine.

4. The Exorcist (1973)

As much as people tend to believe that possession films are being overdone these days, this was the first of its kind and a classic.   Green vomit, spinning heads, demons and flying little girls: what more can you ask for?

3. Psycho (1960)
Another classic, this film is creepier than any I’ve ever seen.  The next time I took a shower, I checked it first and then continued to pull the curtain back to make sure someone wasn’t trying to kill me on the other side.

2. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

I know it’s another demonic possession film and a lot of people actually didn’t care for it, but I am terrified every time.  Without getting into my personal religious beliefs, to me there is nothing more scary than the demonic.  But beyond that, it is more compelling that visually horrifying.

1. Halloween (1978)

And my favorite horror movie of all time! This film is the epitome of Halloween.  Not only does it take place on October 31st, but it’s as creepy as can be.  There is gore of course, but not as much as one might expect from the horror films of the 1970′s.  This movie is more spine tingling than anything.  Just set yourself in Lori’s shoes and imagine this creepy masked man following you all over town.   And what about that music? Dunun, dunun …… get’s me every time.

Now for those of you who want a more general All-Time list, here it is:

IMDB’s Top 10 Horror Films

1. Psycho (1960)
2. Alien (1979)
3. The Shining (1980)
4. Diabolique (1955)
5. The Thing (1982)
6. King Kong (1933)
7. Rosemary’s baby (1968)
8. The Exorcist (1973)
9. The Cabinet of Dr. Ciligari (1920)
10. Frankenstein (1931)