Back In The Day: The 10 Best Horror Movies From The 90s

If the ’90s taught us anything, it’s that Tamagotchis were way harder to keep alive than we first anticipated, Edward Furlong’s bangs were cooler than a liquid-metal shape-shifting cucumber and those slap bracelets could severely reduce circulation to your fingers if left on for too long (it was totally worth it, though). The ’90s ruled. Not only did they introduce us to Pogs, rollerblades, Ring Pops and Angelica’s spine-chilling nightmare sequences from Rugrats (oh god, no), but they also introduced us to a multitude of wicked and wonderful horror flicks, too. So, for your reading pleasure, we’ve separated the weak from the chaff and hand-picked a selection of the best horror movies that went on to define a decade. Before we kick off though, we’d just like to touch on a few honourable mentions. We really wanted to include Stephen King’s It, however, it’s actually a two-part TV miniseries which disqualifies it from this movie-centric list. Nevertheless, we do implore you to check it out in anticipation of Andrés Muschietti’s promising looking interpretation later this year — the 1990 version is still bloodcurdlingly terrifying stuff, even to this day. Furthermore, small town monster picture Tremors and road movie-cum-vampire caper From Dusk ’Till Dawn are both tremendous, though they both feel a wee too action-oriented to break into a top ten horror-focused list. And don’t forget David Fincher’s depressingly gloomy Alien 3, John Carpenter’s frightening Lovecraftian tale In The Mouth of Madness, Adrian Lyne’s mind-bending suspense-driven Jacob’s Ladder and Martin Scorsese’s dread-inducing Cape Fear remake, which are all super effective slices of horror but just missed out from top ten places by a werewolf hair’s breadth. So, with that out of the way, come join us as we dive into the ten most memorable horror movies from the ’90s. Just don’t forget to bring your shiniest pair of Dr. Martens and your coolest flannel shirt for the ride… 10) Arachnophobia (1990) Ok, so this one’s a PG-13 horror flick, however, before you reach for your pitchforks we’d just like to say our piece: we genuinely think that working within the confines of a more palatable PG-13 rating while crafting an authentically creepy creature-feature is an art-form in itself. By virtue of that alone, Frank Marshall’s directorial debut, which focuses on a deadly spider infestation within a small North American rural town, is an absolute doozie. Add in an awesome opening sequence shot in the isolated mountains of Venezuela, Trevor Jones’ magnificent sweeping score, a terrifically memorable turn from John Goodman as a cocky pest exterminator and an endearingly affable Jeff Daniels as a newly-appointed arachnophobic doctor and you have one of the finest PG-13 horror movies ever created. Period. Those - like me - who have a fear of those pesky eight-legged beasties may want to pick up a fresh batch of bug-spray before settling in and checking this sleek little chiller out. 9) Audition (1999) Takashi Miike’s deeply disturbing Japanese lo-fi horror opus takes no prisoners. A recent widower, played by Ryo Ishibashi, is encouraged by his son to find a new wife. The father agrees, and with help from a close friend they set up a fake audition in an attempt to discover the new love of his life. Unfortunately for him, the lady in question turns out to be something a lot more than he bargained for. The majority of the film plays out like a fairly jovial romantic drama, however, it’s within its final third where the movie truly shows its full, bloody and shocking hand. For some, the closing act may well be so horrific it could prove to be unwatchable — you’ve been warned! 8) Cube (1997) Canadian sci-fi horror film Cube has a deceptively simple premise: six strangers awaken from their daily lives to find themselves imprisoned in a deadly labyrinth from which they must escape. Sounds familiar, right? Well, back in the ’90s, this was a pretty refreshing concept. Vincenzo Natali’s full-length directorial debut went on to become a cult-hit with its claustrophobic, nerve-racking atmosphere, intense set-pieces and mysterious, intriguing narrative. Though Cube’s horrific template has been refined in modern movies like Saw, it deserves praise for its captivatingly focused delivery, B-movie charm and surprisingly smart, tense Twilight Zone-esque narrative that both grips and shocks you in equal measure. 7) Ringu (1998) This psychological tale of terror is a marvellously memorable fusion of Japanese folklore and modern teen-culture. The movie sharply focuses on a cursed videotape; when an unsuspecting viewer watches it, they are destined to die within seven days at the hands of a sinister girl who crawls straight out from their TV screen in eerie and terrifying fashion. The Japanese version was so well-received it spawned a trio of Western remakes that never quite topped Hideo Takata's original vision. The Guardian’s film critic Peter Bradshaw even went on record as calling the original Ring “the most terrifying film of all-time.” In all seriousness, we strongly recommend brown pants while watching this one. You’ll never look at your TV the same way again. 6) Misery (1990) “I’m your number one fan.” These handful of words were given such chilling, horrific weight that it’s difficult to watch Kathy Bates in any other film after witnessing her psychopathic, Academy Award-winning turn as an uber crazy fan in Misery. Directed by Rob Reiner, this adaptation of Stephen King’s famous novel is a taught, tense thriller with a pitch black comedy bite. Writer Paul Sheldon (played brilliantly by James Caan) is rescued from a car crash by the aforementioned crazed fan and is physically forced to write new books to satisfy her own personal whims. That scene with a sledgehammer (you know the one, *shivers*), still haunts my dreams to this day. Caan's and Bates’ chemistry is on-point and the tension throughout is palpable. Don’t be an ol’ dirty birdy. Instead, check this psychological thriller out — we double dare you. 5) The Sixth Sense (1999) Let’s face it, M. Night Shyamalan is one of Hollywood’s most inconsistent writers and directors, however, we can all agree that The Sixth Sense was a brilliantly executed masterstroke of writing, directing and acting. This supernatural horror-thriller delves into themes of sorrow, regret and loss via a beguiling story centred around a troubled young boy, played exquisitely by Haley Joel Osment, who can see and talk to the ghosts of dead people. Bruce Willis’ portrayal of a child psychiatrist who attempts to help the young boy is also a terrific highlight in this superbly written and expertly directed chiller. Shyamalan’s first true magnum opus went on to have a huge impact on popular culture. I mean, who can forget that twist? Or the endless echo of “I see dead people,” from their annoying classmates in school, too? Though the director’s trajectory has been as up-and-down as a perpendicular rollercoaster, The Sixth Sense will always live on as one of film’s modern directorial and storytelling classics. 4) The Blair Witch Project (1999) Famously shot on a shoe-string budget of around $60,000, The Blair Witch Project was a pretty groundbreaking lo-fi found-footage horror from the relatively inexperienced filmmakers Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez. I say pretty groundbreaking because it wasn’t actually the first found-footage movie ever released like many believe it to be. Instead, that honour goes to the 1980’s horror “documentary” Cannibal Holocaust. That said, The Blair Witch Project’s use of recovered camera footage felt incredibly fresh in the late ’90s and its mysterious mythos and savvy marketing led many to believe it to be authentically “real.” The movie focuses on three student filmmakers who hike out into the remote Black Hills in Maryland to shoot a documentary about a local legend known as the Blair Witch. Inexplicably, only their camera footage is what’s left after the three disappear on their travels. This is a raw, cunningly crafted horror flick that gives way to a hauntingly panic-inducing finale. Much of its horrific impact stems from what you don’t see, which is always the sign of a strong horror film. Its success sent shockwaves throughout Hollywood and spawned a myriad of found-footage copycats, but arguably none have hit home quite like The Blair Witch Project. 3) The Silence Of The Lambs (1991) This is one of those super rare instances where a horror movie scored big at the Academy Awards, taking home Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay, respectively. And they were all deserved, as Jonathan Demme’s horror-thriller is unforgettable for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the movie introduced us to one of the most iconic psycho-villains of all-time: Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played perfectly by Anthony Hopkins. Secondly, Lecter is surprisingly not the scariest character in the movie, but instead that honour goes to bat-shit crazy serial killer Buffalo Bill. The performances across the board are stellar, the direction exquisite and the sense of tension is built up marvellously. The Silence of the Lambs is an intelligent slice of horror that zigs and zags between a bounty of truly expertly crafted dialogue and wonderfully realized characterization. Sss-sss-sss-sss-sss… 2) Seven (1995) David Fincher’s neo-noir chiller-thriller pits homicide detectives Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman against a diabolical serial killer who murders his victims in grisly fashions that mirror the seven deadly sins. Looking back, the bleak, rainy unnamed New York City-like setting is one of this movie’s most oppressive stylistic draws, along with a bevy of clever cinematography that helps to bring its gritty, grimy world to life. The dark and disturbing tale is masterfully woven together with stark realism — the performances and chemistry between the whole cast glistens with understated brilliance. It’s impossible to watch this film without the final scene being permanently burned into your mind’s eye — it really is a splendidly crafted, gut-wrenching horror with some of the most harrowing cinematic imagery Fincher, and indeed Hollywood, has ever produced. What’s in the box?! 1) Scream (1996) So, Wes Craven’s Scream is the best horror movie to come out of the ’90s? You’re damn right. This landmark horror flick singlehandedly catapulted the ailing slasher genre back into the public eye with aplomb. Pop culture and horror movie references abound, fourth-wall breaking self-aware gags come thick and fast, while the constant whodunit murder mystery zips along at a breakneck pace keeping every horror aficionado guessing as to who the murderer’s true identity really is. The cast and performances are also excellent; David Arquette’s bumbling but loveable cop Dewey Riley is an undisputed highlight, Courtney Cox’s unlikeable, conniving news reporter Gale Weathers is a love-to-hate kind of character but in the best way possible, and Neve Campbell’s understated, amiable turn as central protagonist Sidney Prescott is also top-notch. That’s without even mentioning an ensemble cast that all slot into their respective roles perfectly. The great thing about Scream is that it understands the ins and outs of horror films, and it plays with these assumptions constantly, while subverting genre expectations on the fly. The stellar writing and smartly executed script, from the mind of the supremely talented Kevin Williamson, builds to a blood-splatteringly memorable crescendo that'll stick with you long after the credits have rolled. Plus, we can’t close this list out without mentioning Ghostface, a slasher villain who would go on to become one of the most iconic faces (read: masks) of ’90s horror. Scream is not only one of the finest, smartest and most subversive horror flicks from the ’90s, but also one of the best horror movies to ever come out of Hollywood.