Top 10 Horror Movies for Halloween 2010

Here we go fancy dress fans, to start getting you into the 'spirit' of Halloween, here's a top 10 list of horror movies... If you were a teenager in the 70s or 80s, you are going to remember them all!!

1. The Exorcist

This 1973 horror film deals with the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's desperate plea to get her daughter back through the ancient exorcism rite to rid the devil, which is performed by two priests.

The most profitable horror film of all time, with 10 academy award nominations, it was one of a cycle of demonic child movies produced in the 60s and 70s. The Best Bit? The 12 year old girl shows very strange and unnatural powers including levitation, huge strength along with a strange male demonic voice spewing out obscenities. Loved the bit when her head rotates and projective vomits vile green sludge...

2. Evil Dead

A horror film many of you will remember from the 80s, made famous with its storyline of the five college students vacationing in an isolated cabin in a remote wooded area who find an audiotape that releases evil spirits. Evil Dead made headlines because of its extremely controversial and graphic terror, violence, and gore!

For its time, it was pretty radical. Stephen King called it 'the most ferociously original horror movie of the year'! Best Bits? Well... it's just a continuous pummelling of the audience with one insanely horrific shock effect after the other.

3. Nightmare on Elm Street

Nancy is having horrible nightmares. She discovers so too are her highschool chums, but they are being slaughtered in their sleep by the same hideous character of their shared dreams. Nancy, ignored by the Police has to confront the killer in his shadowy lair...

This movie was made by the master of the horror genre, legend, Wes Craven. Johnny Depp makes an appearance in his first starring role, and Nightmare on Elm Street gives birth to one of the most notorious and infamous undead villains in film history; Freddy Krueger.

Most memorable scary bit... the children singing... "One, two, Freddy's coming for you. Three, four, better lock your door. Five, six, grab your crucifix. Seven, eight, better stay awake. Nine, ten, never sleep again..."

4. Scream

Another of Wes Craven's blockbusters, the movie scream was hugely popular in the 90's for its resurrection of the teen slasher movie genre. The plot was apparently inspired by the Halloween movie series and Gainseville Ripper murders of 1990.

The plot of `Scream' is pretty simple: Halloween costumed knife-wielding psychopathic serial killer is busy stalking high school students and brutally killing them off one by one. The killer's inordinately obsessed with one of the girls, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who gets involved in the quest to unmask the insane killer Funny Bit? The wassuuuup phone conversation between the killer and three lads.

5. Carrie

The 1976 supernatural horror movie shocked millions of viewers during the 70s, based on the novel 'Carrie' by Stephen King. Carrie is the story of a socially outcast teenage girl who discovers she possesses psionic powers which are brought to life when she is angered. After humiliation by her peers, teachers and abusive mother, Carrie turns her supernatural powers on them to devastating tragedy.

Best Bits: The moment the bucket of pig's blood is tipped over Carrie, who is on stage, who has just been named prom queen... but this is eclipsed by the final moment when the only survivor of the prom, dreams of visiting the plot where Carrie's house once stood. As she places flowers on the ground, a bloody hand reaches out, grabbing Sue wrist...*shiver*

6. An American Werewolf in London

The 1981 horror-comedy film about two young American men on a backpacking holiday round England, where they eventually find themselves deep into the moors one night and they are attacked by a werewolf. Jack dies and David ends up in a London hospital and is visited in his dreams by the ghostly apparition of his friend who re-appears to tell him that he is now a werewolf and will transform at the next moon. Sure enough he does and goes on a murderous killing spree and awakens to find himself back to normal, but caged at the London zoo.

Best bits - the ever decaying and zombie like corpse Jack returning telling David to kill himself.

7. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

This horror film from 1974 introduced the spine chilling character of Leatherface and was originally presented as a true story involving the ambush and murdered of a group of friends by cannibals on a road trip across rural Texas.

The film however is completely fictional, but no less horrifying. This terrifying movie has gained a reputation as one of the most influential horror films in cinematic history, with its portrayal of the killer as a large, hulking, faceless figure whose weapon of choice is a power tool to unleash inexplicable horror on its victims... brrrrr, watch this one during daylight hours with friends...

8. The Shining

Made in 1980, The Shining based on Stephen King's novel and directed by Stanley Kubrick, is a psychological horror that has become a classic of the horror genre and it has been ranked as one of the best horror films of all time! It's intensely eerie and powerfully menacing. A writer, his wife and young son head off to care-take an isolated hotel in its off season. The son who is psychic, can see ghosts and predict things from the future or past. Following a ferocious winter storm, the family are barricaded in the hotel and the father becomes influenced by the supernatural presence in the haunted hotel, he descends into insanity and ends trying to kill wife and son.

Memorable Bits; Jack Nicholson's descent into madness and when he turns against his family... 'Wendy? Darling? Light of my life, I'm not gonna hurt ya. You didn't let me finish my sentence. I said, I'm not gonna hurt ya. I'm just going to bash your brains in'

9. The Amityville Horror

This 1979 horror film gained huge popularity with its claim to be based on a true story of the Lutz family and the paranormal disturbances they experienced at 112 Ocean Avenue, a large Dutch colonial house in Amityville. 13 months before the family moved in, Ronald DeFeo, Jr shot and killed 6 members of his family. After only 28 days, the Lutz's flee the house, having been terrorized by a supernatural presence.

Some of their experiences included; - George waking at 3:15 every morning to inspect the boathouse (the time that Defeo murdered his family) - Kathy having vivid nightmares about the murders and a feeling of being embraced in a loving manner by an unseen person. - The red room, a room painted in blood that did show up on the houses blueprints. - The image of a demon in the fireplace, which his head half blown off - Strange smells of excrement and perfume in random rooms of the house. - Missy's imaginary friend, a demonic pig-like creature with glowing red eyes. - Slamming doors and German marching bands were heard by George. - Kathy levitating off the bed and receiving red welts on her chest. - Green slime oozing from the walls and plagues of flies - George received bite marks from a four foot high ornamental china lion.

A terrific horror film and the book is even better... don't be scared if you start waking at 3:15am...

10. Night of the living Dead

This 1968 black and white movie is the first and original zombie movie that sets the bar for all other zombie laden gore-fests. It follows the story of 7 folks who are trapped in a rural farmhouse in Pennsylvania. It's a long night of survival as the house is being attacked by mysterious ghouls, the living dead, otherwise known as zombies who swarm around the house in search of living flesh.

The story focuses on the characters weaknesses, their cowardice, their greed and stupidity and makes the drama inside the house as palatable as the danger from outside. The undead zombies are lumbering beasts, they appear unstoppable and relentless in the quest to feast on the living. Most horrifying Bit? A knife-wielding little zombie girl... zombie kids? That will keep you awake all night long.

So there you have it fancy dress fans, the top 10 best horror movies from the 20th century. It's enough to inspire you to host a horror flick marathon sleepover this Halloween. BYO pillows to scream into! Have a great Halloween!

Author; Keri Williams, Marketing Director of Fancy Dress Shack has over 15 years working internationally in sales and marketing. Fancy Dress Shack sells over 6,000 costumes and fancy dress accessories online. Super Fast Delivery, exceptional customer service and a price promise guarantee, if you Love Fancy Dress, you'll Love the Shack! Visit the website to see the full range of halloween costumes & halloween decorations.

Top 10 Horror Movies for Halloween 2010

Here we go fancy dress fans, to start getting you into the 'spirit' of Halloween, here's a top 10 list of horror movies... If you were a teenager in the 70s or 80s, you are going to remember them all!!

1. The Exorcist

This 1973 horror film deals with the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother's desperate plea to get her daughter back through the ancient exorcism rite to rid the devil, which is performed by two priests.

The most profitable horror film of all time, with 10 academy award nominations, it was one of a cycle of demonic child movies produced in the 60s and 70s. The Best Bit? The 12 year old girl shows very strange and unnatural powers including levitation, huge strength along with a strange male demonic voice spewing out obscenities. Loved the bit when her head rotates and projective vomits vile green sludge...

2. Evil Dead

A horror film many of you will remember from the 80s, made famous with its storyline of the five college students vacationing in an isolated cabin in a remote wooded area who find an audiotape that releases evil spirits. Evil Dead made headlines because of its extremely controversial and graphic terror, violence, and gore!

For its time, it was pretty radical. Stephen King called it 'the most ferociously original horror movie of the year'! Best Bits? Well... it's just a continuous pummelling of the audience with one insanely horrific shock effect after the other.

3. Nightmare on Elm Street

Nancy is having horrible nightmares. She discovers so too are her highschool chums, but they are being slaughtered in their sleep by the same hideous character of their shared dreams. Nancy, ignored by the Police has to confront the killer in his shadowy lair...

This movie was made by the master of the horror genre, legend, Wes Craven. Johnny Depp makes an appearance in his first starring role, and Nightmare on Elm Street gives birth to one of the most notorious and infamous undead villains in film history; Freddy Krueger.

Most memorable scary bit... the children singing... "One, two, Freddy's coming for you. Three, four, better lock your door. Five, six, grab your crucifix. Seven, eight, better stay awake. Nine, ten, never sleep again..."

4. Scream

Another of Wes Craven's blockbusters, the movie scream was hugely popular in the 90's for its resurrection of the teen slasher movie genre. The plot was apparently inspired by the Halloween movie series and Gainseville Ripper murders of 1990.

The plot of `Scream' is pretty simple: Halloween costumed knife-wielding psychopathic serial killer is busy stalking high school students and brutally killing them off one by one. The killer's inordinately obsessed with one of the girls, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who gets involved in the quest to unmask the insane killer Funny Bit? The wassuuuup phone conversation between the killer and three lads.

5. Carrie

The 1976 supernatural horror movie shocked millions of viewers during the 70s, based on the novel 'Carrie' by Stephen King. Carrie is the story of a socially outcast teenage girl who discovers she possesses psionic powers which are brought to life when she is angered. After humiliation by her peers, teachers and abusive mother, Carrie turns her supernatural powers on them to devastating tragedy.

Best Bits: The moment the bucket of pig's blood is tipped over Carrie, who is on stage, who has just been named prom queen... but this is eclipsed by the final moment when the only survivor of the prom, dreams of visiting the plot where Carrie's house once stood. As she places flowers on the ground, a bloody hand reaches out, grabbing Sue wrist...*shiver*

6. An American Werewolf in London

The 1981 horror-comedy film about two young American men on a backpacking holiday round England, where they eventually find themselves deep into the moors one night and they are attacked by a werewolf. Jack dies and David ends up in a London hospital and is visited in his dreams by the ghostly apparition of his friend who re-appears to tell him that he is now a werewolf and will transform at the next moon. Sure enough he does and goes on a murderous killing spree and awakens to find himself back to normal, but caged at the London zoo.

Best bits - the ever decaying and zombie like corpse Jack returning telling David to kill himself.

7. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

This horror film from 1974 introduced the spine chilling character of Leatherface and was originally presented as a true story involving the ambush and murdered of a group of friends by cannibals on a road trip across rural Texas.

The film however is completely fictional, but no less horrifying. This terrifying movie has gained a reputation as one of the most influential horror films in cinematic history, with its portrayal of the killer as a large, hulking, faceless figure whose weapon of choice is a power tool to unleash inexplicable horror on its victims... brrrrr, watch this one during daylight hours with friends...

8. The Shining

Made in 1980, The Shining based on Stephen King's novel and directed by Stanley Kubrick, is a psychological horror that has become a classic of the horror genre and it has been ranked as one of the best horror films of all time! It's intensely eerie and powerfully menacing. A writer, his wife and young son head off to care-take an isolated hotel in its off season. The son who is psychic, can see ghosts and predict things from the future or past. Following a ferocious winter storm, the family are barricaded in the hotel and the father becomes influenced by the supernatural presence in the haunted hotel, he descends into insanity and ends trying to kill wife and son.

Memorable Bits; Jack Nicholson's descent into madness and when he turns against his family... 'Wendy? Darling? Light of my life, I'm not gonna hurt ya. You didn't let me finish my sentence. I said, I'm not gonna hurt ya. I'm just going to bash your brains in'

9. The Amityville Horror

This 1979 horror film gained huge popularity with its claim to be based on a true story of the Lutz family and the paranormal disturbances they experienced at 112 Ocean Avenue, a large Dutch colonial house in Amityville. 13 months before the family moved in, Ronald DeFeo, Jr shot and killed 6 members of his family. After only 28 days, the Lutz's flee the house, having been terrorized by a supernatural presence.

Some of their experiences included; - George waking at 3:15 every morning to inspect the boathouse (the time that Defeo murdered his family) - Kathy having vivid nightmares about the murders and a feeling of being embraced in a loving manner by an unseen person. - The red room, a room painted in blood that did show up on the houses blueprints. - The image of a demon in the fireplace, which his head half blown off - Strange smells of excrement and perfume in random rooms of the house. - Missy's imaginary friend, a demonic pig-like creature with glowing red eyes. - Slamming doors and German marching bands were heard by George. - Kathy levitating off the bed and receiving red welts on her chest. - Green slime oozing from the walls and plagues of flies - George received bite marks from a four foot high ornamental china lion.

A terrific horror film and the book is even better... don't be scared if you start waking at 3:15am...

10. Night of the living Dead

This 1968 black and white movie is the first and original zombie movie that sets the bar for all other zombie laden gore-fests. It follows the story of 7 folks who are trapped in a rural farmhouse in Pennsylvania. It's a long night of survival as the house is being attacked by mysterious ghouls, the living dead, otherwise known as zombies who swarm around the house in search of living flesh.

The story focuses on the characters weaknesses, their cowardice, their greed and stupidity and makes the drama inside the house as palatable as the danger from outside. The undead zombies are lumbering beasts, they appear unstoppable and relentless in the quest to feast on the living. Most horrifying Bit? A knife-wielding little zombie girl... zombie kids? That will keep you awake all night long.

So there you have it fancy dress fans, the top 10 best horror movies from the 20th century. It's enough to inspire you to host a horror flick marathon sleepover this Halloween. BYO pillows to scream into! Have a great Halloween!

Author; Keri Williams, Marketing Director of Fancy Dress Shack has over 15 years working internationally in sales and marketing. Fancy Dress Shack sells over 6,000 costumes and fancy dress accessories online. Super Fast Delivery, exceptional customer service and a price promise guarantee, if you Love Fancy Dress, you'll Love the Shack! Visit the website to see the full range of halloween costumes & halloween decorations.

New and Classic Horror Movie Costumes For Halloween

Halloween is here again- have you got your costumes sorted out for the big night yet? While many people will be turning  to the traditional ghosts and ghouls, there is a whole universe of movie related Halloween costumes out there that would  be perfect for every taste! Horror movies are the perfect place to look for inspiration for Halloween costumes this  year, and there are a wide range of horror themed Halloween costumes from the classics of horror cinema as well as the  latest gore fests.

But which would be the right one for you? You must keep in mind your build, and what would be comfortable and practical  for you to wear throughout the night of your Halloween fun. Also keep in mind the fact that other people may be going  along in similar Halloween costumes, so be sure that the outfit you choose is better than the rest!

In the realm of classic horror movie Halloween costumes, there are few finer than those based on the classic Universal  monsters. Universal Monsters is that bunch of famous monsters as they appeared in the legendary Universal films of the  black and white era. Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Wolf Man and so on are all  instantly recognizable characters that would make great costumes. A number of versions of each of these hugely popular  characters are available from costume retailers online and in physical stores.

For fans of the modern era of horror film icons, there are even more choices available. Characters such as Freddy  Krueger from the Nightmare on Elm Street films, Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th, Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw  Massacre, Jigsaw from SAW, Pinhead from Hellraiser and many, many more. The characters are available in full costumes or  as standalone masks and accessories, which you can add to garments that you already own.

There are horror movie Halloween costumes for men and women, boys and girls, in a variety of sizes and designs. How  about Ghostface from Scream, or Hannibal Lecter from the films based on the novels of Thomas Harris? Then there are also  the characters from the famous Tim Burton related movies such as Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse  Bride! Whatever your favourite scary movie is, there's a great horror movie Halloween costume out there for you. Perhaps  under your bed...

Andrew is a widely-read popular culture blogger and music journalist for print media. Are you looking for more horror movie Halloween costumes? Trick or Treat!!!

Halloween Horror Movie Night - Universal Monsters Recommendations

A Universal Monsters movie marathon should be more than just a once a year event! These are some of the movies that started it all and have been cited as movies that inspired many of the great horror writers and directors of today and yesterday working in the film industry. The franchise actually started with a silent era in the 1920's but the Golden Age of the 30's and 40's is where the most popular and best movies are. Here are my favorites:

Frankenstein

A classic that is still cited today as one of the best horror movies of all time. Originally released in 1931 and based on the book by Mary Shelly it stars Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's Monster in the role that launched his career and made him an icon of horror. This is a must see for any horror fan and while you're at it check out "Mary Shelly's Frankenstein" starring Robert DeNiro as The Monster as well as Bride of Frankenstein.

The Wolf Man

The Wolf Man is a beautiful movie that has remained timeless. This movie, the second to last of the original Universal Monster movies starring the great Lon Chaney, has inspired virtually every werewolf themed horror film including modern day classics like An American Werewolf in London and The Howling. It should also be noted that The Wolf Man was the most successful movie released in the 1940's under the Universal Monsters moniker. That decade was dominated by spin-offs of previously successful monster movies from the 20's and 30's with a few original ideas thrown in.

Creature From the Black Lagoon

Released in 1954 this was the last of the original Universal Monster movies that came out thirteen years after The Wolf Man. This was also the only new monster released during the 1950's "Monster Revival" period. The others were "Creature" sequels an "Abbot and Costello Meet (insert monster here)" movie. This isn't really a horror movie but more of a Science Fiction film and even a love story. However it is one of the most brilliant movies ever made.

Dracula

Dracula was the first monster of the 1930's "Golden Age" of Universal Monsters movies unleashed on the world. Released in 1931 and based on the book by Bram Stoker this movie made Bela Lugosi a horror icon. A Spanish version of Dracula was also released the same year. It wasn't unlikely for studios to release foreign language versions of their films in this era, however, most of these no longer exist with Dracula being the exception. It's almost impossible to find someone who hasn't seen Dracula in one form or another so I doubt I can really say much of anything else. I would also recommend checking out "Nosferatu."

There are several other films to note, mainly The Invisible Man, The Mummy and Werewolf of London. For a full list of Universal Monsters films check out the Wikipedia entry on it here.

And if you're a horror fan check out my two favorite horror sites (I am not affiliated with either) Dread Central and Shock Till You Drop

The Best of the Best For Halloween - Top Five Monsters of Horror

In light of the recent Nightmare on Elm Street movie reload, it seems like a great time to re-cap some of the scariest creatures the horror genre has to offer. Behold, the top five horror monster flicks ever. If this gets you watching horror films, creating your own top five list, or planning your look for a Halloween costume in advance of October, so be it! Brace yourselves, for what follows may hit near your panic button, chill your blood, or make you regret the chili dog you ate for lunch yesterday.

Disclaimer: Nightmare induced stress-related disorders are NOT the things superheroes are made of - so if the following jogs some buried and traumatizing images from your youth, please... don't be a hero - seek therapy.

5. Signs (2002) If you saw this film in the theater, you went home with a sore throat. The "no-see" style of alien is the best because it builds suspense. If I could find an alien mask that was half as scary, I'd buy it, but really - what would it look like? By the time you do get a glimpse of the Earth invaders, you've already wet your chair. Add a little girl with a strange water-hoarding condition and you've got all of the ingredients for an anxiety attack.

4. Halloween (1978; 2007) It's not so much the dialogue or slasher scenes that earned this film a spot on my list, but the chase scenes - they're priceless. The killer mute is always a signal of impending doom, and a creepy guy with a bloody knife, a pasty white face, and a bad toupee is kind of the definition of serial killer. And as a teenage girl, nothing kills a good time like an older brother who tries to murder you as an irrational and unconventional birth control method.

3. Dawn of the Dead (1978; 2004) Zombies? Bikers? Shopping Mall? Are there better ingredients for a horror film than these seemingly unrelated items? I mean, seriously, zombies. Zombies! They're like ninjas - you just don't mess around. Do yourself a favor. Conquer the zombie night terrors by watching Zombieland (2009), then go back and watch Dawn of the Dead again. You'll be prepared for the imminent zombie apocalypse. Unless you've already settled for a healthy daily helping of brains in your diet.

2. Silence of the Lambs (1991) So, I always wanted to name my first born child "Clarice" - it's such a pretty name. Then I was introduced to Hannibal Lecter. It was like watching every redundant Jeffrey Dahmer joke I'd ever heard play out on the screen, over and over again. "Hellooo, Clarice." Those first-timer goose-bumps just don't fade. Maybe it was the scary half-mask. Regardless, I'm rather sure it was this film that took away all dreams of ever having children. Because, well, you know - Hannibal Lecter would just eat them.

1. The Exorcist (1973) Now, if a potty-mouthed and demon possessed, vomiting, back-wards walking, head-spinning little girl isn't a red-flag for you, I'm not sure how I can help. Perhaps the best of this classic film surrounds the special effects. It must be considered that this was the 70's. The precursor to the slightly campy, yet still real enough to make your heart pound special effects found in Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It doesn't matter how fake you think these special effects look now - just get a reaction from someone who hasn't yet seen it. Then watch their faces. They may even try to say the possession looks phony, but they'll check their back seats and say a few Hail Mary's before making sleep a top priority.

Want more without waiting? Try watching all of the Halloween movies in one sitting. Make your own top monsters or movies list. Or create your own super scary look with a monster costume mask. http://www.halloweenmasks.com is a good place to start your search.