The 5 Best Horror Movies of All Time

3. Psycho (1960)

Psycho is both one of the greatest thrillers of all time and one of the greatest entries in Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary resume. A true master of suspense and tension, Hitchcock crafted a memorable horror experience with a limited cast and even more limited budget. Like so many great horror movies, Psycho’s scares far exceed its limited scale.

The film tells the story of crazy old Norman Bates and his even crazier mother. When a young woman on the run from the law arrives at the remote Bates Motel, she falls victim to a knife-wielding killer. Several more victims are claimed before the true secret of the Bates family stands revealed.

The content of Psycho isn’t as shocking as it was way back in 1960. After all, girls get stabbed in the shower all the time in modern horror cinema. However, it’s a testament to Hitchcock’s skill as a director that Psycho remains a tense and nerve-wracking experience. The killing of Janet Leigh’s character and the accompanying musical key by Bernard Herrmann is one of the most famous scenes in Hollywood history.

Psycho is such a classic of the genre that it inspired a shot-for-shot remake in 1998. It’s also had sequels and a TV show based on the tale.

Scene to watch with the lights on: What scene could we pick but the quintessential shower slaying? Coupled with that amazing music cue, it remains a horror classic almost 60 years later.