Eclectic Pop

Are you ready for Eclectic Pop's Top 25 Film Thrills and Chills? The list had been broken down into five parts and has now been compiled into one place. The only thing scarier than the movies on this list is the thought of having to click your way through five different posts.

To rewind, this is a list of unorthodox thrillers and straight-up “scary” movies that should have you on the edge of your seat. The top 25 is not composed to reflect the scariest movies of all-time, rather serve as an eclectic guide through notoriously frightening fare, as well as some of the lesser known, anxiety-riddled tales.

These are the most frightening movies yours truly has seen and nothing was left off. So why not call this list "the scariest movies of all-time?" Because there are still some scary movies yours truly has yet to see.

Some themes strike fear more than others so it was important to cover an array of factors. This list runs the gamut of suspense -- from the paranormal to the glaringly obvious psycho villains, to the more subtlety lethal threats. Prepare to be scared…

#5: An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Two Americans, backpacking through Europe get more than they bargained for when they are attacked by a werewolf. David Naughton brings an affable charm to newfound werewolf, David and his performance has you rooting for him the whole way through.

One key ingredient that puts this movie in another stratosphere is the romantic relationship that is presented. Normally, the “love story” is thrown in as an afterthought but Naughton and Jenny Agutter (Alex) have such terrific chemistry, that it escalates the romance to refreshingly authentic levels.

All these years later, the special effects of this horror classic still stand the test of time and with a superlative opening sequence that is still one of film’s most memorable moments, there’s no questioning why "An American Werewolf in London" is a horror classic.

When a man’s (Kevin Bacon) sister-in-law (Illeana Douglas) hypnotizes him at a party, it kick starts a series of strange events, and an even darker mystery. Besieged by terrifying visions of a young woman from that point on; Tom's desperate efforts to make them stop takes an unraveling toll on his life.

While figuring out why he has the ability to conjure these visions in the first place is an equally fascinating and vital aspect to the movie’s plot. Paranormal and eerie in overall tone, 1999's "Stir of Echoes" taps into the supernatural by keeping it based in a hyper reality.

#15: The Mothman Prophecies (2002)

If you are familiar with the lore behind the Mothman mythos, that of a real-life terror suffered by members of a West Virginia town, it elevates the chill quotient, considerably. Time for a little historical backstory. In the 1960’s, the town of Point Pleasant was paralyzed by a “haunting” of sorts, as denizens widely reported sightings of a paranormal figure that would become known as the Mothman.

While the actual events chronicled in the book the movie was based on would have made for a good enough story all of its own; director Mark Pellington, gives the audience some honest scares, in a more modern take that circles around a reporter (Richard Gere) inadvertently investigating the Mothman after his wife’s death. One name will haunt you afterward: Indrid Cold.

Introducing, the Top 25 Film Thrills and Chills, a list of unorthodox thrillers or “scary” movies, that should leave you on the edge of your seat. This list is not composed to reflect the all-time scariest movies, rather an eclectic guide through both the more notoriously frightening fare and some of the lesser known, anxiety-riddled tales.

It runs the gamut of suspense -- from the paranormal to the glaringly obvious psycho villains, to the more subtlety lethal threats. Prepare to be scared…

#21: Philomena

Steve Coogan stars as a journalist trying to help a woman (Judi Dench) find the son she was forced to give up for adoption many decades ago. Coogan is always a treat as both a comedian (“Alan Partridge”) and a dramatic actor (“The Look of Love”), his charisma is capable of buoying quite a bit. Fortunately, the set-up doesn’t sound like it will need to rely on that completely.

Seeing Coogan play opposite Dench is also bolstering anticipation, as they embark on a heartfelt reunion/quasi-road trip. “Philomena” posses the makings of a magical interlude.
Release Date: November 27 (Wide Release) - Read Eclectic Pop's Review, here