Classic must-see horror movies

Terror is tantalizing. From supernatural films to psychological thrillers, the horror genre has enticed, terrified and captivated viewers for decades. The classic films of the mid to late 1900s have largely influenced the horror genre of today. And although many people mostly watch contemporary horror, it is always interesting to revisit the past of this twisted genre. The following films are five diverse classics that have entertained and intrigued viewers for years.1. The OmenMade in 1976 by Richard Donner, “The Omen” is a supernatural classic centered around a demon-like child named Damien. If you are looking for a dark and unearthly film, “The Omen” is the film for you. The movie depicts a man named Robert Thorn whose wife gives birth to a baby who is said to be still-born. Robert then secretly adopts a new baby. Later, multiple perplexing deaths begin occurring around Katherina and Robert. After discovering the paranormal associations of Damien through a Priest, Robert and a photographer attempt to investigate Damien further. “The Omen” was credited as being one of the scariest movies of its time. It was also one of the highest grossing films of the late 70s, earning 60.9 million in the box office. 2. The InnocentsIn 1961, the psychological horror movie, “The Innocents” came out. Produced and directed by Jack Clayton, the film was constructed around a governess of a wealthy family with adopted children. Similar to “The Omen,” strange occurrences such as the death of a former governess surround the family. “The Innocents” has attracted devout followers and large critical attention over the years. It was also placed on a list of the top 25 horror films of all time by The Guardian. Although “The Innocents” only earned a box office of 1.2 million in North America, It boasts a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Overall, this mysterious highly acclaimed film is still as much of a must see as it was 60 years ago. 3. The Birds In 1963, Alfred Hitchcok’s suspenseful horror classic “The Birds” premiered. Set in the Californian town Bodega Bay, “The Birds” is about inexplicable bird attacks that the town faces. This horror classic feeds on plausible fears. The terrorizing factor in the film is not demons and ghosts, but birds, an animal surrounding people everyday. Although many birds used in the mysterious classic were real, the film was recognized for its advanced special effects at the Cannes Film Festival. Furthermore, Tippi Hedren, who played protagonist Melanie Daniels, was awarded a Golden Globe for the film in 1964. 4. Halloween“Halloween” is a gruesome slasher film directed by John Carpenter. Although there have been 11 movies in the “Halloween” franchise, the original came out in 1978. The film follows antagonist Michael Myers from his first vicious murder as a six-year old boy to a series of attacks in a town called Haddonfield, Illinois. Although the film was criticized for encouraging violence and sadism by some, it was very popular and engrossed an impressive US box office of 47 million dollars. 5. Invasion of the Body SnatchersWalter Wanger’s “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” is a Sci-Fi horror classic. The film is based on Capgras delusion: the irrational fear that one’s friends, family and peers have been replaced by identical imposters. In the 1956 black and white movie, alien human duplicates take over a Californian town. The National Society of Film Critics noted, “The film barely got reviewed outside the Hollywood trade papers. But it soon took on a second life on television and within a few years achieved secure status as a cult classic.”