I think it says something about the rich depth of this genre that, even in what is regarded as one of its lesser decades, there are enough titles that one could easily imagine a top ten list that was completely different from this one. I mean, not to disparage any of your choices (except maybe Event Horizon; that movie did nothing for me), but my list probably wouldn’t even share half of the titles you listed. A few more for consideration: Tales from the Darkside (1990), Candyman (1992), Alien 3 (1992, and, yes, I’ll stand by this movie to my grave), Dead A;ive (1992), Cronos (1993)Cemetery Man (1994), The Frighteners (1996), Cube (1997), Blade (1998), and Ring (1998).
Very true. I actually whittled this list down from over 20, so there are even more good ones in addition to this list and the ones you mentioned including Pet Sematary and Idel Hands…
You know, I thought about mentioning Idle Hands, but I really don’t have any idea how well it’s regarded by other horror fans.
I don’t care what other horror fans think, I think IH is fucking brilliant. Epic stoner horror comedy! But hey, how could you possibly not like Event Horizon? To me, it’s Alien meets Hellraiser. I heard that the first cut of the film was almost 3 hours long, so I’ve been dreaming of a Director’s Cut for years!
Y’know, it’s been so long since I saw Event Horizon (about 15 years), I don’t remember that clearly what my problems with it were. My wife also hasn’t seen it in about that long, and she remembers liking it at the time, so we’ve been talking about giving it another look/re-evaluation (we probably agree on movies about 99% of the time, so it’s always interesting to see when/why we don’t). I vaguely remember finding the characters and concepts under-developed, I guess.
Well, I will admit that it’s not as good as Alien or Hellraiser, but I think you’ll see its assets if you give it another viewing. Plus, in the context of the dreary 1990’s, Event Horizon is a stand out–if problematic.
Great picks! I also would have included Stir of Echoes, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Candyman, Blair Witch Project & The Faculty. I love Even Horizon by the way.. fantastically creepy.
Oh, yeah, Stir of Echoes is a darned good flick! Haven’t watched that one in a long time, but it does pop into my head from time to time! Another one that just popped into my head is The Stendhal Syndrome.
I’d put In The Mouth of Madness and Candyman at the top of the list of 90’s Horror. Otherwise great list. Also to the guy that can’t remember – Event Horizon is fantastic. My favorite one out of everything in this top ten list.
Oh, In the Mouth of Madness is fantastic! I think what we’re really learning here is that, no, the 90s actually wasn’t a bad decade for horror at all. 🙂 Whenever I do get around to re-watching Event Horizon (which may be soon, as it’s on instant streaming), I’ll write an article about my thoughts. Hopefully I’ll re-evaluate it more favorably. We shall see.
I’m bookmarking this so I can have a nostalgia horror marathon soon. Thanks for all the reminders (in the comments too)!
Great list – i’m gonna rattle through these over the Christmas holidays! Been years since i’ve seen many of them on the list. Nice one. For me though gotta have Seven and Silence of the Lambs on a 90’s list.
I forgot about The Prophecy. I loved the hell out of that movie. Angels as movie monsters is such a novel concept. I don’t think it’s ever been done before that.
Possibly one of the best horror lists I’ve seen, maybe a couple I would take out and a couple I would add (but thats all down to taste) but still all the movies in list are dam good. Am a huge fan of Ravenous and not many people has seen it even on some of the horror sites I visit, the sound track is also amazing written by Damon Albarn from Blur and Michael Nyman the composer from such movies as The Piano and Gattaca. Nightbreed I love, is like the X-men of horror movies. Event Horizon and Jacob’s Ladder are genuinely scary, they put the fear inside me big time, the first time I watched Jacob’s Ladder I wish I hadnt watched it on my own. Misery is one of these movies that makes you thank god that’s not me in Paul the victim shoes. Scream revitalised the teen slasher movies, actually like all 4 of them but 1 and 2 are the best by far, of course they used old concepts but they felt new and fresh at the time. And the other movies on list are all great. As a vampire movie fan I would have possibly have added Bram Stokers Dracula, Interview with a Vampire, Blade and debating wither it is a movie or a 2 part mini series I would have Stephen King’s IT in there, I think most people nowadays consider it as a movie as it viewed as whole on either dvd, blu-ray or whatever. Still good list though.
Alright, re-watched Event Horizon and posted a review. http://www.theblood-shed.com/event-horizon-revisited/ Be prepared, it is not a favorable review.
I’ve never gotten the measure of esteem some people afford to it, but that’s an awfully harsh assessment! Care to expand on just what about the movie didn’t work for you?
I disagree. It may have been a little ludicrous, but that was the charm of the movie. Sort of like “Botched” where you’re smiling and saying to yourself woah what the hell are they going to throw at us next.
[…] my first article about 90’s Nostalgia I stated that the decade didn’t have a lot to be proud of when it comes to horror movies—and I […]
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