As we enter the Halloween season, it’s time to pop some popcorn and cozy up to watch horror movies that will make you scream. Horror movies have the ability to summon fear and anxiety, often making us think about them days after. They’re the stuff of nightmares, yet we love watching them anyway. Here’s a look at five iconic scary movies that have had a lasting impact on their viewers.

5. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead is a groundbreaking film that popularized the zombie genre. It’s set on a rural farmhouse swarmed by the undead, a few survivors gather in this abandoned house to make it through the apocalypse. Its themes of survival, human conflict, and moral dilemmas in a post-apocalyptic world have influenced countless zombified movies since its release, making it a classic.

4. Scream (1996)

Wes Craven’s Scream revitalized slasher films. It combines horror cliches, yet is very clever, and of course terrifying at times. A group of teens are stalked by a masked killer, and it all comes to a head at a high-school party. Neve Campbell’s performance as Sidney Prescott, along with the film’s iconic intro, creates a higher standard for the genre. Scream is not only entertaining but also makes the world rethink the rules of horror.

3. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

This psychological thriller directed by Jonathon Demme is one of the most highly rated thrillers. It follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she attempts to catch a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill with the help of cannibalistic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Though this is counted as a thriller, it goes above and beyond in suspense that the viewer is afraid the whole time. Anthony Hopkins’ chilling performance as Hannibal creates an atmosphere of tension and psychological horror. The film’s exploration of manipulation and the dark side of human nature makes it a landmark in horror and thriller genres.

2. Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele’s Get Out blends psychological horror with harrowing social commentary. The film follows Chris, a black man who visits his white girlfriend’s family, only to uncover their disturbing secrets. Peele weaves themes of race and identity into a captivating story that keeps audiences on the edges of their seats. With its innovative storytelling, being one of the first of its kind, and thought-provoking underlying themes, Get Out has become a defining film of this century’s modern horror, showing the potential to address societal issues through horror.

1. The Conjuring (2013)

Directed by James Wan, The Conjuring is based on the real demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film goes through their attempt to help the Perron family, who are being terrorized by a dark presence in their house. Its jumpscares send you through the roof, and there is an eerie atmosphere from the beginning. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson bring strong performances, changing viewers into believers of the paranormal. The Conjuring is a never-ending bout of anxiety, and nonstop fright-fest, yet with minimal jumpscares. The genuine emotions that this movie draws out make it a standout in horror across all decades.