Horror is one of the most readily dismissed genres from critics and film buffs, yet is, arguably, the genre with the most avid and steadfast niche following and remains popular with the general public. With horror films aiming to terrify, spook, shock, disturb, repulse, amuse, entertain and more, it's no wonder the genre is so varied, divisive and controversial.
With so many people ignoring or simply not understanding horror, many great films slip under the radar and are relatively unknown to an audience outside of hardcore horror fans. In order to counteract this and bring awareness to the greatness of the genre, this list was created.
Compiled using 2,614 lists taken from various critics/polls/magazines/books/websites/forums/horror fans, They Shoot Zombies, Don't They? is intended to be the ultimate canonical top 1000 horror list. Spanning several decades, countries and sub-genres, and using lists from a wide range of people and publications, the resulting list is quite a diverse spread and representation of the best of horror.
Source: http://theyshootzombies.com/
Not for those with heart conditions. You might get dirty looks if you mention these films. Welcome aboard fellow traveller. Remember it's only a movie...
The Criterion Collection is a video distribution company which specializes in licensing and selling "important classic and contemporary films" in "editions that offer the highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements."
This is a list of all films (main feature, extra featurette, making of, box-set meta entry, etc if it has a separate entry on trakt) released under Criterion Collection catalog, Essential Art House, Eclipse, Merchant Ivory collections etc. as DVD/BluRay. So far LaserDisc releases have not been included.
Notes to self:
Reviewed/cross-checked entries till Criterion Collection #200.
Last entry: Criterion Collection Spine #845 / Eclipse Series #44.
Since 1984, the Criterion Collection has been dedicated to publishing important classic and contemporary films from around the world in editions that offer the highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements. No matter the medium—from laserdisc to DVD and Blu-ray to streaming—Criterion has maintained its pioneering commitment to presenting each film as its maker would want it seen, in state-of-the-art restorations with special features designed to encourage repeated watching and deepen the viewer’s appreciation of the art of film.
Films listed in order of spine numbers. Releases with multiple films are listed as individual items where appropiate.
Last Update: Releases up to July 2024 (Spine #1228)
Source: https://www.criterion.com/shop/browse/list?sort=spine_number
A selection of films, famed for their decision to throw convention out of the window. This list pays homage to the great surrealist films from the history of cinema.
Source: IMDB
Filter: Votes >= 10000
Order: Votes Descending
Date: 2014-08-23
Since 1984, the Criterion Collection, has been dedicated to gathering the greatest films from around the world and publishing them in editions that offer the highest technical quality and award-winning, original supplements for a wider and wider audience. The foundation of the collection is the work of such masters of cinema as Kurosawa, Fellini, Bergman, Tarkovsky, Hitchcock, and Kubrick. Each film is presented uncut, in its original aspect ratio, as its maker intended it to be seen. To date, more than 150 filmmakers have made it into the collection.
Source: https://www.criterion.com/library/list_view?b=Criterion&m=dvd&s=spine
Trashy cult cinema from the fringes of good taste.
Based on the book by Jennifer Eiss
These are films that Quentin has mentioned in best-of lists, end of the year top films lists, QT Film Fests, podcasts, off-hand remarks in interviews, etc.
These have been sourced from many lists online, and made available here, in one spot, for your enjoyment.
Sources:
https://screenrant.com/quentin-tarantinos-favorite-movies-time-ranked/
https://mubi.com/lists/quentin-tarantinos-favorite-movies
https://imdb.com/list/ls043093231/
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/quentin-tarantino-favourite-11-films-handwritten-list/
https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/quentin-tarantino-favorite-movies/
https://wiki.tarantino.info/index.php/Tarantino's_favorite_films
https://www.pulpfiction.com/quentin-tarantinos-top-20-films-1992-to-2009
Please comment on any that I may have missed.
In his Guide for the Film Fanatic (1986), Danny Peary provides short reviews for over 1600 “Must See” films.
104 movies missing. Imported from external source.
A list originally mirrored from Letterboxd.
All credits go to IMDb user: RDLongoria
From the book by Jennifer Eiss. The list is arranged by chapter. Each chapter starts with a top 10 (in alphabetical order), followed by the "best of the rest" (in alphabetical order).
#1-83: Dramatic Situatons
#84-133: Gripping Tales
#134-165: Lights, Camera…!
#166-228: Visionary Universes
#229-280: Criminal Underworlds
#281-360: Tales of Terror
#361-432: Cult Humor
#433-453: The Wild Wild West
#454-502: Film Lab
Source: https://www.amazon.com/500-Essential-Cult-Movies-Ultimate/dp/1402774869
Updated through Season 3. Included movies discussed and movies where clips are shown.
Science Fiction Movies
Movies within the genre of horror, sci fi, fantasy or mystery.
Mostly low budget or at least not very well known.
Not all of them are necessarily good, but interesting in their own way if you approach with the right mindset.
Canuxploitation is a film genre that encompasses B-movies made in Canada, especially those produced throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s to take advantage of government tax incentives. Often derided or outright ignored by Canadian critics and cultural historians, these horror, science fiction, comedy, action and exploitation fims present viewers with a film legacy that challenges a traditional understanding of Canadian movies as either languid art films or happy tales of Prairie life.
Horror Movies
Since the 2015 TSPDT has released a companion to their greatest 1000 films, consisting of the films ranked 1001-2000. This list contains the most recent version of this list, with all the previous lists in the history.
Source: http://www.theyshootpictures.com/gf1000_films1001-2000.htm
The decade of slow burners, atmosphere and maybe even a little bit of the occult.
500 Essential Cult Movies: The Ultimate Guide By Jennifer Eiss
by listr