If you are looking for some spooky and thrilling movies to watch this Halloween, you might want to check out the recommendations of the master of horror himself, Stephen King. The famous horror writer and fan has shared his opinions on many horror movies on his social media or in interviews, and we have compiled a list of his top 10 picks for you.
The list includes some classic horror movies that have influenced and inspired King, such as The Exorcist, Psycho, and The Shining. King has praised these films for their impact and suspense, as well as their technical and artistic merits. For example, he said about The Exorcist: “The Exorcist (1973) scared the hell out of me when I saw it in 1974, and I think it still holds up. It combines horror and dread in a way that few films have been able to duplicate.” He also said about Psycho: “Psycho (1960) is one of those movies where you can feel the director’s joy in making it. Hitchcock was having fun, and he invites us to join him. It’s a masterpiece of misdirection and suspense.”
The list also features some modern horror movies that have impressed King with their originality and creativity, such as Barbarian, No One Will Save You, and The Invisible Man. King has enjoyed these films for their twists and turns, as well as their social and psychological themes. For instance, he said about Barbarian: “Barbarian (2021) is a brutal and bloody revenge thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.” He also said about No One Will Save You: “No One Will Save You (2020) is a smart and scary home invasion movie that twists and turns in unexpected ways. It’s like Funny Games meets The Strangers, but better.”
King has also written or co-written the screenplays for some of his own adaptations, such as Carrie, The Stand, and Doctor Sleep. These movies are based on his novels or stories, and they showcase his talent and vision as a storyteller. Some of them are faithful to the source material, while others are more creative and divergent. King has expressed his satisfaction or dissatisfaction with some of these adaptations, depending on how well they capture his original intentions.
King’s favorite horror movie of all time is The Haunting, a 1963 film based on Shirley Jackson’s novel The Haunting of Hill House. King has called it “the most frightening film ever made”, and he has cited it as an influence for his own works, such as The Shining and Rose Red. The film is about a group of people who investigate a haunted house, and it relies on atmosphere and suggestion rather than gore and jump scares.
Here is the full list of Stephen King’s top 10 horror movies to watch this Halloween:
– The Haunting (1963)
– The Exorcist (1973)
– Psycho (1960)
– The Shining (1980)
– Barbarian (2021)
– No One Will Save You (2020)
– The Invisible Man (2020)
– Carrie (1976)
– The Stand (1994)
– Doctor Sleep (2019)
So grab some popcorn and a blanket, and get ready for a night of terror and excitement with these horror movies recommended by Stephen King. You might not sleep well afterwards, but you will surely have a memorable Halloween experience.
Relevant articles:
– 10 Great Horror Movies Recommended By Stephen King, Screen Rant, October 22, 2023
– Stephen King’s 22 Favorite Horror Movies, IMDb, October 23, 2023
– The Best Stephen King Movies: 19 Stellar Stories from the King of Horror, Yahoo Entertainment, October 20, 2023
– The Scariest Stephen King Movies, Ranked, Collider, September 2, 2022