Lists of the greatest, worst, goriest, and scariest horror movies, series, characters, scenes, and more.

Everything Horror

A closer look at the scariest, goriest, and most suspenseful films that defined the genre in the 2010s decade.

2010s Horror: Decade of Dread

Drawing attention to the most overlooked, underloved spooky & scary movies that deserve more attention.

Horrifically Underrated Horror

The Best of the 2010s

Plenty of horror movies have come out in the last decade, but not all of them get the attention that they deserve. Sure, there are tentpole blockbusters like&nbsp;It&nbsp;or&nbsp;The Conjuring, not to mention indie darlings that receive plenty of press like&nbsp;The Witch,&nbsp;It Follows, or&nbsp;Hereditary. But there have been many underrated <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-2010s-horror-movies/grayson-titan" target="_blank">scary movies of the 2010s</a> that have flown under the radar of all but the most dedicated of horror fans. Even some critically acclaimed <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-obscure-horror-movies/orrin-grey" target="_blank">horror movies</a> never got the attention&nbsp;they deserved.

Just because they aren&#39;t talked about quite as much, though, doesn&#39;t mean that these films are any less thrilling, terrifying, or thought-provoking than their more popular brethren. They may have been the victim of poor marketing or simple bad luck, but for whatever reason, these films didn&#39;t get quite the same buzz as some of their contemporaries. They&#39;re still worth checking out, though, especially for adventuresome horror fans who want some of the best and most underlooked films that the decade had to offer. For you, here are some of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-halloween-movies/jacob-shelton?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most underrated horror movies</a> of the 2010s!

The Most Underrated Horror Films Of The 2010s

Film

The Most Underrated Horror Movies Of The Last Ten Years

Orrin Grey

Lists for fans addicted to horror films (and shows) and all the jump-scarin', blood-splatterin', "b*tch, get out the house!" adrenaline that goes with them.

Do You Like Scary Movies?

Horror

Within the horror genre, a good film doesn't automatically equal box-office success. This can be attributed to many factors: Obviously, the general population's <a href="www.ranker.com/list/event-horizon-production/jim-rowley">aversion to being frightened</a> or disgusted is the first reason for this; another is that movie studios have no idea how to properly market horror to those who want to see it.Then you have incredible movies, like Jennifer's Body, that are considered failures due to marketing based on sex appeal rather than the film's actual plot. This leads to the next kiss of death for a horror film: casting. When Ashton Kutcher fans went to see The Butterfly Effect, they seemingly weren't ready for Kelso from That '70s Show to play a man who time travels to traumatic events in his childhood.Add to this entries in an endless series like Final Destination or the films people outright ignore (like Devil's Due) because of the oversaturation of found-footage films, and it's surprising any horror movie ever succeeds in theaters.Luckily, this also means there are plenty of horror films out there waiting to be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-worst-horror-movies/jodi-smith">rediscovered by the right audience</a> at the right time.

'Bad' Horror Movies That Are Secretly Awesome

"Bad" Horror Movies That Are Secretly Awesome

Jodi Smith

Let's look closely at the all spooky scary franchises, sequels, prequels, reboots, remakes, and etc. we're watching in the dark with no lights on.

Horror Marathon, Anyone?

Entertainment

No matter how successful a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/horror-franchise-sequel-quality/jacob-shelton">horror franchise</a> may be, it seems that sooner or later, at least one sequel completely bombs. In fact, there might be one that's considered the worst horror movie of all time (Exorcist II: The Heretic) or another that's completely misunderstood (Halloween III: Season of the Witch). However, longstanding franchises like Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Halloween have all been redeemed by the sequel that put the series back on track.&nbsp;In the list below, we've gathered sequels, prequels, and remakes that rebooted failing horror <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/horror-movie-failed-franchises/patrick-thornton">movie franchises</a>. Whether it's the meta Wes Craven's New Nightmare or the chillingly fresh take on Hellraiser, these films managed to captivate audiences in ways their predecessors could not.&nbsp;

Horror Movies That Redeemed Failing Franchises

Patrick Thornton

Ranking the scariest, creepiest, goriest, most traumatizing, gut-wrenching, and heartwarming scenes ever to pop up in horror movies.

Spooky Scenes & Jump Scares

Movies routinely show us scary things. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/horror-movies-you-can-watch-over-and-over/ranker-film">Horror movies</a> obviously do, but thrillers, action films, and even straight dramas sometimes do, too. A major reason we watch movies is for the emotional release that comes from confronting our fears in a safe way. Whether it's Hannibal Lecter getting loose from his cage in The Silence of the Lambs, or a possessed mother terrorizing her own children in Evil Dead Rise, the sights films show us can rattle our nerves.Sometimes we don't even need to see anything to get disturbed. The following movies all contain very descriptive <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-movie-monologues/william-neckard">monologues </a>in which a character relates a ghastly story. Hearing them describe it proves more distressing than seeing the events could ever be. Part of that is due to the strong acting - another from the sharp writing. But most of all, it's because what we see in our minds as we listen to these narratives is far worse than any visual could convey.WARNING: some list items contain spoilers.

Creepy Movie Monologues That Were Scarier Than Graphic Scenes

Mike McGranaghan

Watchworthy

Horror can be a daunting cinematic space in the eyes of some audience members. Though dark subject matter is thrilling and cathartic for many, not everyone is prepared for the purposefully bleak, morbid, or brutal offerings often handed out (with glee) by many films in the beloved genre.Even seasoned horror veterans need a break from<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-gruesome-ends-in-saw-films/jodi-smith"> the relentless killings</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-jump-scares-in-horror-movies/christopher-shultz">jump-scares</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-horror-movie-twists/jodi-smith">shocking turns</a> from time-to-time. Fortunately, horror has as much variety within it as any other genre, and there are plenty of entries that mix the spooks in with humor and heart to help smooth out the experience.In that spirit, here are some excellent low-stakes horror movies that are a good hang to watch alone or with friends.

Low-Stakes Horror Movies That Are Just A Good Hang

Emmett ORegan

Is your knowledge of Jujutsu Kaisen as "limitless" as Gojo's cursed techniques? From the strongest characters to the best ships, here are the rankings of everything in the JJK universe!

Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen&nbsp;is one of the hottest shonen anime to appear in recent years. Part of that is because of the badass cursed techniques that the characters display every episode. For this list, will be giving some shine to those very moves. Some come from heroic Jujutsu Sorcerers, while others come from the Cursed Spirits they seek to defeat, but all are incredibly cool.&nbsp;

This list only focuses on the techniques that have appeared in the first season of the anime. There are a whole lot of other cool ones that are manga-only. Hopefully, we&#39;ll get to see those in animated form in future seasons.&nbsp;

Vote up the very best cursed techniques that you&#39;d want to use yourself.&nbsp;

The 22 Best Cursed Techniques From 'Jujutsu Kaisen' (So Far)

General

The 22 Strongest Cursed Techniques From 'Jujutsu Kaisen' (So Far), Ranked

Anna Lindwasser

Jujutsu Kaisen&nbsp;is one of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-modern-shonen-anime/anna-lindwasser" target="_blank">the hottest shonen</a> to hit the world of anime in the past decade. Like any great shonen, it&#39;s filled with <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-anime-fights-2021/anna-lindwasser" target="_blank">exhilarating fights</a>. For this list, we&#39;re counting down some of the best fights to appear&nbsp;in&nbsp;Jujutsu Kaisen.&nbsp;We&#39;ll only be focusing on the top&nbsp;Jujutsu Kaisen&nbsp;fights from the anime and the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-anime-prequels/anna-lindwasser" target="_blank">prequel</a> film, which means&nbsp;there are some amazing manga-only fights that won&#39;t make it in.

But there are a ton of exciting fights to celebrate. One dramatic one from the movie was Yuta Okkotsu versus&nbsp;Geto. Haven&#39;t seen the movie yet? Well, you probably remember Gojo&#39;s epic showdown with the volcanic Curse, Jogo. Which fight is your favorite?

The 21 Best 'Jujutsu Kaisen' Fights (So Far), Ranked

Are you the "horror person" on your virtual trivia team? Meet your new secret weapon: lists about everything even you don't know about movies scarier than the sound of a child's laughter in a cemetery after dark.

Horror Buff Stuff

Film Characters

Scream made the “rules” of the horror film famous; Cabin in the Woods saw archetypes stretching back to the beginning of storytelling. The fact is that genre stories have always traded heavily in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/horror-movie-trope-origins/orrin-grey">stereotypes and tropes</a> as shorthand, and in some ways, the “self-aware” horror that has followed on the heels of films like Scream has made these tropes even more ingrained. However, even a good cliché <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/cheap-jump-scare-horror-movie-tropes/jacob-shelton">can become overused</a>.&nbsp;These stock <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-most-utterly-terrifying-figures-in-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">horror movie characters</a> are ones who may have worn out their welcome, are in need of being reimagined for a more discerning audience, or should be retired altogether. Vote up the stereotypes you're most tired of seeing.

The Most Overused Character Stereotypes In Horror Movies, Ranked

The Most Overused Horror Movie Character Stereotypes

Looking through our fingers and ranking the best, scariest, dumbest, etc. characters in classic, creative, and totally forgettable horror movies.

Night Terrors

Villains

Film has a unique ability to bring our deepest fears to life, and nothing exemplifies this better than the iconic villains of yesteryears. These characters have haunted our dreams, made us peek through our fingers in the cinema, and left an indelible mark on pop culture. Yet, despite the passing of time, they continue to instill fear with their mere mention.These throwback movie villains range from monstrous creatures to human psychopaths, each more terrifying than the last. They've chilled us with their sinister plots, eerie appearances, and haunting performances by some of Hollywood's finest actors. Their exploits are etched in cinematic history, serving as benchmarks for all future evildoers.And yet, even after decades have passed since their first appearance on screen, these villains continue to give us nightmares. Their brand of terror transcends generations and resonates with audiences even today - a testament to their enduring power.Are you ready to revisit these nightmare-inducing characters? Brace yourself as we delve <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-episodes-of-into-the-dark/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">into the dark</a> corners of cinema's past. Find seventeen scary movie villains that still terrify us in the list below. And remember - don't be afraid to check under your bed tonight!Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of AI tools and edited by a human.

17 Scary Movie Villains We're Still Afraid Of

Fictional Character

Olivia Peterman

Lists about the sick and twisted anthology horror series, created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, airing on FX since 2011. 

American Horror Story

Even after a decade of horrifying small-screen fanatics with its deranged content, American Horror Story is still finding new ways of freaking out folks with its unique tales of terror. And longtime watchers appreciate the effort.&nbsp;Over on Tumblr, fans have used images, quotes, and characters to make unhinged memes, jokes, and comments to share with other AHS fans and create some of the most chaotic content on the internet. Here is a small sampling of their work. Please enjoy.&nbsp;

20 Tumblr Posts About 'American Horror Story' That Are Almost As Unhinged As The Show Itself

Damon Davis

Celebrating the iconic actresses and actors who keep us coming back for more horror.

Scream Queens & Kings

Unscripted

The horror genre spans from intense, blood-soaked thrillers to eerie ghost tales, but the recurring themes that often tie these films together are the survivors, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/scream-queen-moments/loren-o_connell">the final girls and scream queens</a>. These resilient female characters endure harrowing ordeals and come out alive, though not without emotional scars.Jaime Lee Curtis continues to set the standard for scream queens since the first Halloween, while <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jenna-ortega-scream-queen/ian-carlos-crawford">Jenna Ortega makes her mark in Scream</a> and X for a new generation of final girls. Take a look below and vote up the best interview moments with horror's leading ladies.

Interview Moments With Our Favorite Final Girls And Scream Queens

Raelyn Giansanti

Nothing's better than a good horror movie or a well-told thriller, and the best of both are generally chock-full of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-horror-movie-twists/jodi-smith">startling revelations</a>, shocking visuals, or <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/shocking-horror-deaths-2022/ian-carlos-crawford">brutal knock-offs </a>in some form or another. One particularly popular (and re-occurring) trope? The good, old-fashioned car crash. Impossible to look away, but never pleasant to see. In that spirit, here are 16 of the most brutal car crashes in movies.

The 16 Most Brutal Car Crashes in Movies

Graveyard Shift

While most horror movies and thrillers take place in multiple locations in order to move the plot along and build tension, some movies do <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/disturbing-daylight-horror-scenes/griffin-peters">the exact opposite</a> to achieve that same level of suspense. This list unpacks horror and thriller movies that are purposely <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-single-location-movies/tyler-mitchell">set in one location</a>, or at least close to one. Included in this list are modern classics such as Panic Room, 10 Cloverfield Lane, and Buried. Alongside them are underrated gems that use a single location such as Devil, Frozen, and Phone Booth.&nbsp;Whether you know them or not, all of these films are worth a watch. Vote for your favorite as you read through the list.

Underrated Horror And Thriller Movies That (Mostly) Take Place In One Location

Underrated Horror And Thriller Movies Set In One Location

Lists that rank the best horror, gore, zombie, vampire, and creepy anime and manga you need to check out.

Anime to Creep You Out

Anime Underground

Some people celebrate Halloween with haunted houses and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-12-most-convincing-real-life-ghost-stories/wavy-gravey">chilling ghost stories</a>, but not everyone who wants to celebrate loves to be terrified by hardcore horror. If you'd rather keep the scares to a minimum, don't worry - here's a list of some fun, light-hearted horror anime.If you're looking for some laughs, you should check out horror comedy anime like The Vampire Dies in No Time or Blood Lad. There's also the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-iyashikei-anime/anna-lindwasser">iyashikei</a> route - Flying Witch is a cute supernatural anime for those who want to relax. Want to watch something more recent? Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is one of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-popular-anime-today/ranker-anime">the most popular anime right now</a>.So, get out your candy and pumpkins and enjoy these not-too-creepy horror anime.

15 Spooky Anime For Non-Horror Fans

anime

Let's face it: remakes and reboots aren't always the most incredible movies around. Sure, sometimes they'll surprise you with an <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-horror-remakes/michelle-nati">underrated gem</a>, but more often than not, they just feel like a tired cash grab or an ill-conceived attempt to “modernize” something that was fine as-is.&nbsp;Even the worst remakes can sometimes feature some great moments, as demonstrated by these surprising, rousing, compelling, or just plain funny scenes in otherwise disappointing horror movie remakes. From reimaginings of old classics to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/american-horror-movies-based-on-asian-films/katia-kleyman">American adaptations of Asian horror films</a>, vote up your favorite scenes in these otherwise lackluster movies.

20 Great Moments In Disappointing Horror Remakes And Reboots

Great Moments In Disappointing Horror Remakes And Reboots

Lists that rank some of cinema's most delightful productions: musicals.

Music on the Big Screen

When I was a kid, I fell in love with film scores - specifically horror film scores. I loved squirreling myself away in my room to bathe in their orchestral bombast (or shrieking synths, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/john-carpenter-best-movie-scores-not-halloween/chris-cullari_0">if John Carpenter was in charge</a>). It was a way to relive all the excitement, thrills, and scares of the films they were written for.As I got older and started seeking out more <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/creepy-horror-movie-scores/kelly-carlin">modern horror scores</a>, I found myself frustrated by the existence of soundtracks that barely featured any score at all. Instead, they were a collection of needle drops “From and Inspired By” the movie they accompanied.To be honest, most of these songs didn't sound inspired by anything. And that's because in the entertainment heyday of the '90s, these soundtracks were really just ephemera. They existed as advertisements for the movie and the (usually lesser-known) bands the studio could afford to feature.&nbsp;But that wasn't always the case! This list features strong '90s horror soundtrack offerings - everything from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-non-godzilla-kaiju-movies/kevin-leicinger">giant monster movies</a> to forgotten slasher films - that will take you back in time and put a smile on your face. Be sure to vote and let us know which collections top the charts and which ones belong at the bottom of the discount bin!

Horror Movie Soundtracks From The '90s That Were Way Better Than They Had Any Right To Be

These horror movie soundtracks were packed with hits and surprisingly great.

Chris Cullari

Horror lists at Ranker - The ultimate source for hundreds of horror lists and rankings

Horror lists on Ranker

WTF Pics You've Gotta See

Photos

These are the scariest GIFs in internet history. Some of them are scenes from movies, while others are pictures that have been manipulated, while others are just imagery from the minds of horrible sickos, but around this time of year they all start coming out to play a little more often than you're used to and they end up making you turn on the lights and falling asleep to a loud, monster-sound-drowning episode of Arrested Development. From the sick people over at reddit.com/r/creepy, to 4Chan's /x/ board, to sites like creepypasta.com, they're busy spreading the scary all over the internet, so if you run into any of these creepy GIFs, after going through this list, you'll be prepared.These should fill all of your scary GIF needs, and you can copy/paste them onto your desktop directly from here to start your very own creepy GIF collection to freak out your friends during the non-Halloween holiday season.

GIFs So Terrifying, They Will Keep You Up All Night

Scary GIFs | 29 Creepy GIFs That Will Terrify You

Brian Gilmore

Creepy, terrifying, and nausea-inducing pics and vids that will skeeve you out and give you nightmares.

Warning: Look Away

You remember them (even if you don&#39;t want to): the scariest characters and images from your childhood. These sometimes unassuming things haunted your dreams and thoughts within minutes of being introduced to them.

If you&#39;ve ever blocked some frightening image from your conscious or subconscious because you just couldn&#39;t bear the thought of it coming back to haunt your dreams for yet another night, ready the plastic bedsheets because this list of scary memories from your childhood is bringing all the best of the worst characters right back at you (with pictures!). From a seemingly innocuous toilet that grows fangs whenever you try to take a leak to Pennywise the Clown, a character that single-handedly ended the careers of hundreds of birthday clowns in the 1990s.

These scary childhood horrors include some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/creepiest-characters-on-television">creepiest characters on TV</a> and the <a href="/list/the-13-scariest-internet-memes-of-all-time/danielle-dauenhauer">scariest memes on the internet</a>. Carry on if you dare.

Jason Voorhees

60+ of Your Greatest Childhood Fears

These are the most popular Horror movies&nbsp;ranked by adrenaline junkies worldwide. Anyone can vote on this CrowdRanked list of these famous horror movies. Ghosts, zombies, monsters, or maybe just the quiet guy down the street who straps on a hockey mask for kicks; these are the films that scare the pants off you will be the highest rated horror movie?&nbsp;What are the greatest horror films ever made? And how many of these popular horror movies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/horror-movies-you-havent-seen-everyone-knows/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">have you actually seen</a>? No matter the answer, you'll find that this list goes way beyond the top 100 horror films of all time.Great horror films have a long and storied history in cinema. From the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-old-horror-movies" target="_blank">earliest horror movies</a> like 1922's Nosferatu,&nbsp;to modern favorites like the Saw&nbsp;series, scary movies have always had a special place in the collective, twisted hearts of moviegoers. Each year, new good&nbsp;horror movies come out that are designed to terrify, with evil characters bent on death and destruction. Will they all wind up on a list of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-scariest-horror-movies-ever-made/zachranks" target="_blank">the scariest horror movies ever made</a>? Probably not, but not for a lack of trying.Many of the best horror films are <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-haunted-house-movies/all-genre-movies-lists" target="_blank">haunted house movies</a>, relying on the setting as a huge, spooky selling factor. Other excellent horror films rely on <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-most-nausea-inducing-great-films/randolph" target="_blank">nausea-inducing tactics</a>, making us recoil in terror, totally disturbed by whatever we're watching on screen.&nbsp;Start with all of the ones on this list, and of course, feel free to add any top horror movies that might be missing.Enjoy this list of great horror films, and remember: You can rerank this list in any order you like. Boo!

Dawn of the Dead

The Best Horror Movies Of All Time

The Greatest Horror Films Of All Time

Ranker Community

Our collection of lists ranking anime of every genre.

Anime Genre Rankings!

There are plenty of scary movies and horror films for film lovers to choose from, but what about anime fans? Don't worry, there's lots of popular dark anime and good horror anime for fans to watch! This list of horror anime has been ranked from best to worst by fans of the genre. When it comes to scary, creepy,&nbsp;and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-zombie-anime/ranker-anime">zombie anime</a>, if you want only the best, this list of top horror anime will help you find it! Don't forget about our list of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-horror-manga/ranker-anime">best horror manga</a> too if you're a reader or the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-gore-anime/ranker-anime">goriest anime</a>&nbsp;if you like blood and guts.If you're not a fan of anime, you might think it's all about school girls and giant robots. However, the top 10+ shows below can be downright terrifying, as they're some of the scariest anime of all time. Some are psychological horror like Paranoia Agent, while others involve fun action, zombies, and creatures, like High School of The Dead.Either way these spooky Japanese&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/my-favorite-cartoons-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">animated shows</a> are all guaranteed to creep you out, make you scared, and make you want to lock your door. Vote up the creepiest anime series!&nbsp;We also have lists for things like the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-vampire-anime/ranker-anime" target="_blank">best vampire anime</a>, the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-mystery-anime/anna-lindwasser" target="_blank">best mystery anime</a>, and the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-gore-anime/ranker-anime">best gore anime</a>, so check those out as well!If you enjoy horror anime check out the best <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-blood-anime-quotes/ranker-anime" target="_blank">Blood+ quotes</a> and the best <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-serial-experiments-lain-quotes/ranker-anime" target="_blank">Serial Experiments Lain quotes</a>.

Parasyte: The Maxim

The Top Horror Anime Of All Time, Ranked

The 50+ Best Horror Anime Of All Time, Ranked

Ranker Anime

The Shining

The Stand

Freddy Krueger

Pennywise the Dancing Clown

Michael Myers

Dean Winchester

Bobby Singer

Charlie Bradbury

H. P. Lovecraft

Edgar Allan Poe

Stephen King

Lists about novelists, poets, short story authors, journalists, essayists, and playwrights, from simple rankings to fun facts about the men and women behind the pens.

People Who Write

All about the spooky, thrilling worlds of Edgar Allan Poe—including The Fall of the House of Usher, now playing on Netflix.

Nevermore

The best horror novelists include some great authors who manage to weave fantastical tales of horror that leave readers scared out of their wits. The horror fiction authors on this list write novels that can strike fear into the heart of virtually any reader, using elements of horror and dark fantasy. Whether it's a classic ghost novel or a book that features real-life evil (like serial killers), these horror novelists are some of the best in the horror genre. Be sure to vote for your favorite horror writers, and add your own personal favorite horror novelist if you don't see them on this list!Some of the best horror writers on this list will be instantly recognizable. Horror authors like Stephen King and Dean Koontz, for example, are very well-known, popular modern horror fiction writers. I've also included some of the original, classic horror novelists, including the incomparable H.P. Lovecraft and the master, Edgar Allan Poe. Gothic horror writers like Maurice Level are included, as well. You'll notice that some of the top horror writers on the list are also known as <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/notable-science-fiction-writer_s)/reference">science fiction writers</a> and/or <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-fantasy-authors">fantasy authors</a>, including Ray Bradbury. There is some overlap, and I feel it's important to include these horror and dark fantasy writers as well. In addition, some of the best horror novelists on this list are winners of the prestigious Bram Stoker Award (Richard Matheson, Clive Barker and King, among them) for outstanding achievement in horror writing. The hope is that with you, the reader, will help to contribute the names of your favorite horror writers and this list of the best horror novelists of all-time will continue to grow - serving as a great, comprehensive guide for anyone who wants to find a new horror fiction author to read! From the famous horror writers who everyone should read at least once, to the lesser known, but still super scary authors that horror buffs should give a try, you'll find it all on this list!

Robert Louis Stevenson

The All-Time Greatest Horror Writers

Writer

Supernatural (TV)

Supernatural long ago turned into one of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-the-cw-television-network-tv-shows/voteable">best shows on the CW</a> thanks to its taut story lines and the superb acting of the (generally hot) cast, and now there are enough characters after eight seasons on the air to compile this list of the best Supernatural characters ever to appear on the series. From Supernatural series regulars like Hollywood actors&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/hot-jared-padalecki-photos/christiebuckner">Jared Padalecki</a> and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/hot-jensen-ackles-photos/christiebuckner">Jensen Ackles</a> (who play the supernatural creature hunting Winchester brothers) to recurring characters like Bobby Singer and Jo Harvelle, this is a list of the of the greatest and most memorable characters on the CW's Supernatural.If you don't see your favorite Supernatural character on this list of the top Supernatural characters, make sure to add them and vote for them to make it to the top. This list has the Supernatural characters ranked, for fans to debate.

The Best Supernatural Characters

TV Character

Supernatural Characters | Supernatural TV Characters List

This is a list of the most chillingly terrifying figures in film, as ranked and voted on by horror fans. There are a lot of scary movies out there, some that stick with you in your nightmares and others you just love to peek through your fingers at while shrieking in glee - or maybe even <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-horror-movie-halloween-costumes/ranker-shopping" target="_blank">dress up as for Halloween</a>. But then there are the ones that have <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/scariest-villain-performances/williamsbrianjake" target="_blank">a particular figure in them</a>, a monster or a man or a pale child... that really makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up - or makes you immediately <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/horror-villains-you-think-you-could-outrun/eric-vega" target="_blank">break out into a sprint</a>. Which is the scariest? Which one is the one you would LEAST like to EVER meet? Vote for your favorite <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/slasher-movie-antagonist-motivations/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">horror movie villains, killers, and otherwise freaky figures</a> and&nbsp;add any you see missing. Be&nbsp;sure to rank your own version if you really want to impact this list!Check out more lists like <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/the-creepiest-kids-in-horror-movies/ron-mexico">Terrifying Children in Horror Films</a>, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/dumbest-moves-made-by-every-horror-movie-victim/ranker-horror">stupid things victims do in every horror films</a>&nbsp;and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/scariest-animal-movies-ever-made/ranker-horror">horror films based on animals</a>.&nbsp;

The Most Utterly Terrifying Figures In Horror Films

Film character

Scariest Horror Movie Characters | List of Creepy Film Characters

Ranking the best novels and non-fiction books of every genre.

Bibliophilia

Lists about the King of Horror and ranking his greatest works.

The Dark World of Stephen King

He's one of the most recognizable names in fiction and easily one of the most prolific American authors. With so many great works, this list of books by Stephen King, voted on by the Ranker community, attempts to rank his top novels and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-books-of-all-time-_fiction_?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best books ever</a>. This list of King's writings is the definitive ranking of his body of work. King's stories range from thick novels to short stories and collections, and include some of the most popular horror novels of our time. Many Stephen King books and stories have been adapted into <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-based-on-stephen-king-books/lons">popular horror movies</a> as well, including The Shining, Misery, Carrie, and The Shawshank Redemption.&nbsp;What are Stephen King's best books? This list is focused only on Stephen King's published work, not the resulting movies or TV shows. Enjoy this list of Stephen King books ranked, and vote for the novels you think are the best Stephen King books of all time. Then, <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-stephen-king-audiobooks/ranker-books" target="_blank">see if they're available on audiobook</a>.Ranking Stephen King books isn't easy, with so many to choose from, so help us out and vote! His works cover many genres, primarily horror, fantasy, supernatural fiction, and dark fantasy. He has written memorable series such as The Dark Tower series, as well as stand-alone horror novels, like The Stand. King has also branched out from horror writing during his career, such as with the time-travel novel, 11/22/63, about the assassination of John F. Kennedy.The best Stephen King novels on this list have combined to sell over 350 million copies, and King himself has received numerous writing and literature awards throughout his career. So vote for the best among his many top works below, or rerank the list if you don't agree with the order.