As spooky season comes to a close on this Halloween night, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Scariest Movies.
Each writer ranks his or her top 15 films in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five.
5. IT FOLLOWS
Writer-director David Robert Mitchell created a terrifyingly original idea with It Follows, which is a rarity in horror these days. Who would have thought a film about a supernatural entity that essentially takes the form of an STD would be so frightening? It Follows is so chilling that it will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up; however, it’s so much more than that. It’s also wicked stylish, featuring great performances, stunning cinematography, and a killer score. It may be hard to rewatch, but it deserves all the love this spooky season! - Paige
4. THE DESCENT
It's been more than 15 years, and I can still remember the tension, thrills, scares, and claustrophobia I felt watching this little British horror film for the first time in theaters. To this day, it sticks with me as one of the scariest, and overall best, horror movies I’ve ever seen because of its unrelenting suspense and visceral frights (both physical and psychological), not to mention the fully developed collection of characters portrayed flawlessly by virtually unknown actresses who manage to make the film feel more real due to their lack of stardom. - Quentin
3. THE SHINING
What is there to say about Stanley Kubrick's The Shining that hasn't already been said, analyzed, or praised? The reason this film is one of the scariest I've ever seen is the fact that its atmosphere and unnerving tone stay with you long after the credits have rolled. Kubrick's film enters your psyche to plant seeds of dread that can't easily be shaken. While most films use noises in the dark or jump scares to entice fear, Kubrick works on a level few in horror can match today. - JTE
2. THE EXORCIST
Few films compare to The Exorcist with regards to scares, longevity, and cultural impact. To this day, nearly 50 years later, it is still a right of passage for kids at sleepovers, while some adults continue to avoid it altogether. Overall, The Exorcist is just a remarkably well-made film that highlights the best in horror. - Joseph
1. HEREDITARY
Hereditary is the kind of movie that leaves me, a legal adult, staying up at night. The film is constantly unsettling, featuring horrifying visuals, disturbing imagery, and unnerving terror at nearly every corner, and it keeps me consistently turning away and freaking out. - Adriano
HONORABLE MENTIONS
SINISTER
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
POLTERGEIST (1982)
THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE (1974)
Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Mongrel Media; Photo 2 - Pathé Distribution; Photo 3, 4 - Warner Bros; Photo 5 - A24