Angie Ambos
Amongst the confines of the horror movie genre, the 1990s were a standout decade for scare-inducing films. There were so many horrors to choose from that many creative and innovative films are often forgotten. What are the best 90s horror films to keep you up at night? We’ve pitted our top picks against each other to determine the scariest 90s horror films.
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The most iconic film in the history of horror, “The Silence of the Lambs,” directed by the visionary Jonathan Demme and released in 1991, opens the list. It is a psychological horror masterpiece inspired by Thomas Harris’s writing. This cinematic marvel, which won numerous coveted Academy Awards, including the coveted Best Picture award, unfolds the story of Clarice Starling, a prospective FBI agent who enters into an unsettling alliance with Hannibal Lecter, a notorious serial predator, to apprehend yet another enigmatic murderer. This masterwork promises to fascinate viewers with its cryptic scenes and the powerful performances of Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins.
The next film on our list is “The Blair Witch Project,” helmed by Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick and released in 1999. This horror film made from found footage follows three film students as they attempt to chronicle the Blair Witch, a legendary being said to stalk the woods close to Burkittsville, Maryland. Little do they know that this creature is real, whom they must hunt down to prove its existence. This film capitalized on its “based on a true story” facade, which gave it a unique edge and scared audience members into believing the creature was real.
The 1996 slasher movie “Scream” was helmed by the now-famous Wes Craven. This film is widely recognized as reinventing and revitalizing the sub-genre of horror, much like those mentioned above in “The Blair Witch Project.” It follows a group of high schoolers as their town of Woodsboro is racked with multiple murders, seemingly linked to a certain type of killer with a knack for horror movies. As mystery and chaos ensue, the protagonists must stay alive and defeat the masked killer.
Another classic of 90s horror is “Interview With The Vampire, ” released in 1994 and directed by Neil Jordan. Starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, this horror-drama showcases a centuries-old vampire (Pitt) recounting his story to a young interviewer (Cruise). He recounts his experiences as a centuries-old immortal being, which includes drinking human blood and watching those he loves die. This unique and powerful performance by Pitt and Cruise makes this movie a must-watch for all genre fans.
Concluding our compilation is “The Sixth Sense,” unveiled in 1999 under the guidance of director M. Night Shyamalan. This ethereal horror opus weaves a narrative around a young lad (Haley Joel Osment) who shares an uncanny connection with the departed. Enveloped in exceptional performances by Osment and Bruce Willis, the film delivers an enigmatic and emotionally charged saga destined to linger in the minds of its audience far beyond its final frame.
In premier 1990s horror cinema, many exceptional films grace the stage. From pulse-quickening psychological enigmas to entrancing supernatural narratives, this era bore witness to a tapestry of unparalleled horror creations. Within this milieu, the subsequent quintet exemplifies the genre’s pinnacle, poised to snare your attention and hold you in a state of gripping anticipation.
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