Horror fans love to argue about remakes, about endings, about which movies are actually scary. And let’s be honest, Rotten Tomatoes has become one of the go-to battlegrounds for those debates. The site’s critic scores help separate the genre’s masterpieces from the ones that barely raise a pulse. Whether you’re hooked on vintage classics or prefer bold modern reinventions, there’s a strange joy in finding a horror film that both critics and audiences embrace. So sit back with your snacks (and perhaps leave the lights on), because here’s a reverse countdown of Rotten Tomatoes’ top-rated horror movies.
10. Psycho (1960) – 97%
Alfred Hitchcock revolutionized horror with Psycho. From the now-notorious shower scene to Norman Bates’ creepy double life, the film redefined the kind of psychological horror that could be done. More than 60 years on, it remains uncomfortably contemporary, and critics attribute it with revolutionizing the genre in favor of character-based suspense.
9. Nosferatu (1922) – 97%
Way, way before sparkly vampires and gothic romance, there was Nosferatu, presenting Count Orlok, perhaps the most haunting screen monster ever. Max Schreck’s chilling performance and the shadowy style of the film still feel like raw nightmare fuel. It’s silent cinema at its most unsettling and the template for vampire horror as we know it.
8. King Kong (1933) – 97%
Giant monsters are all thanks to King Kong. Viewers back in 1933 were awed by its innovative effects, but it was more than just spectacular; the narrative was unexpectedly tragic as well. Almost a century later, it is still earning both admiration for innovation and as a trendsetter within cinema.
7. Jaws (1975) – 97%
Steven Spielberg’s killer-shark film scared an entire generation. By withholding the complete reveal of the creature, Jaws created suspense instead of fear, and cinema-goers were too afraid to wade into the ocean. It is one of the best examples of the power of less-is-more to be absolutely frightening.
6. Bride of Frankenstein (1935) – 98%
This follow-up surpasses the original with gothic imagery and a tale that’s as heartbreaking as it is frightening. Elsa Lanchester’s iconic performance as the Bride has become legendary, and critics continue to applaud the film’s emotional resonance as much as its dark style.
5. Get Out (2017) – 98%
Jordan Peele’s directorial debut turned the horror genre on its ear. Get Out combines biting social commentary with edge-of-your-seat tension to create a movie that’s as smart as it is scary. Critics praised it as a cultural touchstone and one of the most intelligent contemporary horror films ever.
4. Let the Right One In (2008) – 98%
This Swedish vampire tale combines chilly atmosphere with an unexpectedly touching story of two isolated children, one who just so happens to be a bloodsucker. Both frightening and oddly affecting, it received rave reviews for reimagining the vampire legend with emotional depth and creativity.
3. The Wailing (2016) – 99%
South Korea provided a horror epic in The Wailing, a slow burn that blends folklore, possession, and stomach-churning terror. By the point where its destruction bursts into life, audiences are already in its grip. Critics picked out its perfectly judged tension and unforgettably taut climax.
2. One Cut of the Dead (2017) – 100%
What begins as a low-budget zombie movie soon becomes one of the most ingenious, off-the-wall horror comedies ever created. The meta masterpiece continues to pull the rug out from under you, and its comedy and creativity garnered a perfect score that is extremely rare. A cult classic and the sole found-footage horror to reach 100%.
1. His House (2020) – 100%
Number one is a modern classic. His House is a refugee couple tormented by the ghosts of their own past and supernatural horror that seems to inhabit their new home. Mixing real-world tragedy with ghostly fright, it’s both heartbreaking and frightening, showing that horror is most effective when it’s based on human reality.
The genre isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Recent near-perfect additions like Weapons (97%) and Sinners (97%) show that horror is constantly reinventing itself. Whether you’re in the mood for silent-era nightmares, monster mayhem, or razor-sharp modern thrillers, these critically adored films prove that great horror will always find new ways to keep us up at night.