Old Horror Movies That Are Still Terrifying Today

Unsurprisingly, the first film on our list is the 1960 horror movie, “Psycho”, starring Anthony Perkins. This terrifying movie still bewitches audiences today and has inspired many other films.

It was released in the United States on September 8, 1960. The film is based on the novel of the same name written by Robert Bloch.

The movie and novel were so popular that remakes, sequels, and even a TV series were produced later on.

In 1922, a scary silent film graced the big screen. “Nosferatu” is a German film that Max Schreck, Greta Schröder, and Gustav von Wangenheim. It was released on March 4 1922 in Germany.

“Nosferatu” tells the story of Thomas Hutter, a real estate agent who travels to Transylvania for a new client, the strange vampire Count Orlok. Count Orlok is frightening and eventually begins to prey on Thomas and his wife.

Another silent film makes our list. This is one of the most incredible early horror movies, alongside “Nosferatu.” The film “

The Man Who Laughs” is a movie adaptation of a novel of the same name.

“The Man Who Laughs” was released on November 4, 1928, in the United States. It starred Mary Philbin, Conrad Veidt, and Cesare Gravina.

Interestingly, this film is supposed to be a melodrama but is often characterized as a horror film for Gwynplaine’s grotesque grin. The carved smile is enough to still bring goosebumps and shivers just from a still image.

Our list of the most disturbing old horror movies wouldn’t be complete without “Eyes Without a Face”, which was released on March 2, 1960, in France. This unique horror film is disturbing to see, although has minimal to no gore. Still, a still image of the main character is enough to give you chills down your spine.

“Eyes Without a Face” starred actors like Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli, Juliette Mayniel, and Edith Scob.

“Dracula” might not be the most highly rated classic horror film, but it deserves a mention. This film was released on February 14, 1931, in the United States and has a run time of about 75 minutes.

The film stars celebrities like Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, David Manners, and Edward Van Sloan. “Dracula” tells the tale of the vampire, Count Dracula, and how he terrorizes people like Renfield and Mina with his charming nature and strange vampire powers.

Next on our list of early horror movies that are still terrifying today is “Night of the Living Dead.” This horror classic was released on October 4, 1968, in the United States. It has a run time of about 96 minutes.

“Night of the Living Dead” was one of the first popular zombie films and is sometimes classified as the first modern zombie movie. The special effects and makeup were phenomenal for its time. This low-budget film made more than 250 times its budget.

When most people think of classic horror films, they imagine movies with characters like Dracula, or better yet, “The Mummy”. This classic fantasy horror film was released by Universal Studios on December 22, 1932, in the United States. The film starred great actors like Boris Karloff, Zita Johann, Edward Van Sloan, and Noble Johnson.

“The Mummy” is about an ancient Egyptian high priest named Imhotep who was released and awakened in 1921. Ten years later he’s assimilated into modern culture and society, searching for his lover.

Released on August 21, 1963, “The Haunting” in the United States. Interestingly, this film did okay during its initial release but is now a favorite for many decades later. This terrifying film stars greats like Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, and Russ Tamblyn.

This spooky paranormal film centers around the strange and tragic Hill House. At the start of the film, viewers are told about its long history of death, starting with the owner’s first wife.

Who doesn’t know about the story behind Frankenstein? The film “Frankenstein” is based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel. This horror film is a classic and has inspired many other stories and films, garnering multiple remakes and sequels like, “The Bride of Frankenstein”.

“Frankenstein” was released on November 21, 1931, by Universal Pictures in the United States. The film stars actors like Colin Clive, Boris Karloff, Mae Clarke, and Edward van Sloan. Although known for its great storytelling, the film is also highly loved for its fantastic character design and makeup.

One of the most disturbing classic horror films has to be “The Innocents” released on December 15, 1961, in the United States. This thrilling psychological horror makes you think a lot, wondering if the home is really haunted, or if it’s something else.

The film stars actors like Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins, Michael Redgrave, Pamela Franklin, and Martin Stephens. This film is based on the novel “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry James.

Compared to other films on our list, “The Shining” isn’t that old, but it is too unforgettable to leave off this list. “The Shining” was released on May 23, 1980 in the United States. It’s based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, although there are differences.

“The Shining” is said to be one of the best horror movies of all time. It stars Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Scatman Crothers. Even if you’ve never seen this film, you’ve likely seen costumes, characters, or drawings of twin girls dressed in blue.

One of the creepiest films ever produced was “Peeping Tom” released in 1960. This strange film starred celebrities like Carl Boehm, Moira Shearer, Anna Massey, and Maxine Audley. The film was controversial when first released because of its disturbing themes and elements, but is now a highly rated and reviewed film.

“Peeping Tom”, as the film’s name suggests, focuses on a peeping Tom named Mark Lewis. He is an aspiring filmmaker, who disgustingly follows and kills women while filming the act, hoping to catch the terror on their face.

One of the scariest horror movies of all time is “Village of the Damned”, which was released on December 7, 1960, in the United States. It’s a unique and thrilling British sci-fi horror starring George Sanders, Barbara Shelley, and Michael Gwynn.

This strange movie is based on the book “The Midwich Cuckoos” by John Wyndham. One day, in the British village of Midwich, everyone loses consciousness for about four hours. Two months go by and the women and girls in the village and area of child-bearing age are pregnant.

As the children of this weird event grow up, they are cold, but intelligent and possess powers.

Have you ever heard of the horror film, “The Old Dark House?” It was released on October 20, 1932, in the United States and was directed by James Whale. “The Old Dark House” was based on the novel, “Benighted” and stars actors like Boris Karloff, Melvyn Douglas, Gloria Stuart, and Charles Laughton.

This comedy horror movie centers around a group of people taking shelter from a nasty storm in an old home owned by Horace Femm and his sister Rebecca. During the movie, the guests try to survive the night by avoiding and battling Morgan, a heavy and violent drinker, and Saul, a crazed pyromaniac.

How scary can birds really be? Well, ask that question to one of the best classic horror movies, “The Birds.” This terrifying movie was released on March 28, 1963, in the United States. The movie’s running time is 119 minutes.

In the film, “The Birds”, flocks of birds start attacking people, leaving many dead and injured, including some of the main characters. The scariest part about this movie has to be that we, the audience, never find out why the birds attack, or stop.

Want to see more great horror films? Click here for the best horror movies of all time.