The 100 Most Popular Horror/Suspense Movies of All Time

By
Mark H. Harris
    Mark H. Harris has written about cinema and horror films since 2003. His work has appeared on PopMatters.com, Vulture.com, and Ugly Planet, among other online publications.
    our editorial process
    Mark H. Harris
    Updated May 24, 2019
    01
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    #9: I Am Legend

    Will Smith battles mutants as the last man on Earth in 'I Am Legend'.
    Will Smith battles mutants as the last man on Earth in 'I Am Legend'. © Warner Bros.

    One of the biggest films of 2007, I Am Legend was the long-awaited big-budget adaptation of the Richard Matheson novel, previously shot in 1971 as The Omega Man. Will Smith's star power virtually ensured it success, but few predicted it would beat The Lord of the Rings: The Return the King for the biggest December opening weekend ever.

    Note: All figures are US domestic box office totals.

    1. : 652,270,625 (Released 6/12/2015)

    2. Jurassic Park: $357,067,947 (Released 6/11/1993)

    3. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse: $300,531,751 (Released 6/30/2010)

    4. The Twilight Saga: New Moon: $296,623,634 (Released 11/20/2009)

    5. The Sixth Sense: $293,506,292 (Released 8/6/1999)

    6. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2: $286,422,893 (Released 11/16/2012)

    7. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1: $281,287,133 (Released 11/18/2011)

    8. Jaws: $260,000,000 (Released 6/20/1975)

    9. I Am Legend: $256,386,216 (Released 12/14/2007)

    10. Ghost Busters: $238,632,124 (Released 6/8/1984)

    02
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    #15: The Exorcist

    Max von Sydow and Jason Miller play priests trying to exorcise the foul-mouthed demon inside young Linda Blair in 'The Exorcist'.
    Max von Sydow and Jason Miller play priests trying to exorcise the foul-mouthed demon inside young Linda Blair in 'The Exorcist'. © Warner Bros.

    Released the day after Christmas in 1973, The Exorcist terrified moviegoers with the intensity of its content, in which a young girl is possessed by a demonic presence. It was a smash hit both commercially and critically, becoming the first horror movie to be nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award (It lost to The Sting.) and setting the standard for all demonic possession movies to follow.

    Note: All figures are US domestic box office totals.

    11. The Lost World: Jurassic Park: $229,086,679 (Released 5/23/1997)

    12. Signs: $227,965,690 (Released 8/2/2002)

    13. King Kong: $218,080,025 (Released 12/14/2005)

    14. Ghost: $217,631,306 (Released 7/13/1990)

    15. The Exorcist: $204,632,868 (Released 12/26/1973)

    16. : $202,359,711 (Released 6/21/2013)

    17. The Mummy Returns: $202,007,640 (Released 5/4/2001)

    18. : $200,676,069 (Released 5/16/2014)

    19. : $191,465,414 (Released 11/21/2008)

    20. Jurassic Park 3: $181,166,115 (Released 7/18/2001)

    03
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    #26: Gremlins

    Zach Galligan fights a Christmas critter invasion in 'Gremlins'.
    Zach Galligan fights a Christmas critter invasion in 'Gremlins'. © Warner Bros.

    Director Joe Dante (The Howling) took a lighter route with the more family-friendly creature feature Gremlins, which benefited from the touch of executive producer Steven Spielberg, becoming a cultural touchstone of the 1980s.

    Note: All figures are US domestic box office totals.

    21. Hannibal: $165,092,266 (Released 2/9/2001)

    22. Scary Movie: $157,019,771 (Released 7/7/2000)

    23. Fatal Attraction: $156,645,693 (Released 9/18/1987)

    24. What Lies Beneath: $155,464,351 (Released 7/21/2000)

    25. The Mummy: $155,385,488 (Released 5/7/1999)

    26. Gremlins: $148,168,459 (Released 6/8/1984)

    27. The Blair Witch Project: $140,539,099 (Released 7/14/1999)

    28. : $137,400,141 (Released 7/19/2013)

    29. Godzilla: $136,314,294 (Released 5/20/1998)

    30. The Silence of the Lambs: $130,726,716 (Released 2/14/1991)

    04
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    #31: The Ring

    Naomi Watts stars in 'The Ring' as a woman who tries to break a supernatural curse inflicted by a mysterious video tape.
    Naomi Watts stars in 'The Ring' as a woman who tries to break a supernatural curse inflicted by a mysterious video tape. © DreamWorks

    The success of The Ring, a remake of the Japanese film Ringu, not only launched Naomi Watts into A-list stardom, but it also led to a slew of American remakes of Asian horror movies in the early 21st century.

    Note: All figures are US domestic box office totals.

    31. The Ring: $129,094,024 (Released 10/18/2002)

    32.  : $127,004,179 (Released 6/10/2011)

    33.  : $126,477,084 (Released 6/8/2012)

    34. Van Helsing : $120,150,546 (Released 5/7/2004)

    35. Basic Instinct : $117,727,224 (Released 3/20/1992)

    36. Ghost Rider : $115,802,596 (Released 2/16/2007)

    37. The Village : $114,197,520 (Released 7/30/2004)

    38. Ghostbusters II : $112,494,738 (Released 6/16/1989)

    39. The Grudge : $110,359,362 (Released 10/22/2004)

    40. Scary Movie 3 : $110,000,082 (Released 10/24/2003)

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    #41: Paranormal Activity

    Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat encounter an evil presence in their home in 'Paranormal Activity'.
    Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat encounter an evil presence in their home in 'Paranormal Activity'. © Paramount

    This low-budget haunted house "found footage" film became the surprise hit of 2009, pulling off a Blair Witch-like feat not only in format but also in popularity.

    Note: All figures are US domestic box office totals.

    41. : $107,854,596 (Released 9/25/2009)

    42. Black Swan: $106,954,678 (Released 12/3/2010)

    43. Interview with the Vampire : $105,264,608 (Released 11/11/1994)

    44.  : $103,971,383 (Released 10/21/2011)

    45. Scream : $103,046,663 (Released 12/20/1996)

    46. Jaws 2 : $102,922,376  (Released 6/16/1978)

    47. : $102,515,793  (Released 12/21/2011)

    48. : $101,802,906 (Released 7/12/2013)

    49. Sleeping with the Enemy : $101,599,005 (Released 2/8/1991)

    50. Scream 2 : $101,363,301 (Released 12/12/1997)

    06
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    #55: Red Dragon

    Ralph Fiennes stars as serial killer The Tooth Fairy in 'Red Dragon'.
    Ralph Fiennes stars as serial killer The Tooth Fairy in 'Red Dragon'. © Universal

    Red Dragon was the fourth film to feature cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter, and its success proved that the public's "appetite" for the antihero was as strong as ever.

    Note: All figures are US domestic box office totals.

    51. Sleepy Hollow : $101,068,340 (Released 11/19/1999)

    52. Se7en : $100,125,643 (Released 9/22/1995)

    53. The Others : $96,522,687 (Released 8/10/2001)

    54. Unbreakable : $94,999,143 (Released 11/22/2000)

    55. Red Dragon : $92,955,420 (Released 10/4/2002)

    56. : $102,277,510 (Released 8/1/08)

    57. The Haunting : $91,188,905 (Released 7/23/1999)

    58. Scary Movie 4 : $90,710,620 (Released 4/14/2006)

    59. Scream 3 : $89,138,076 (Released 2/4/2000)

    60. The Hand That Rocks the Cradle : $88,036,683 (Released 1/10/1992)

    07
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    #64: Annabelle

    Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton in 'Annabelle'.
    Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton in 'Annabelle'. © Warner Bros.

    A spinoff of The Conjuring, Annabelle revolved around the titular possessed doll that was a B-story in the haunted house hit.

    Note: All figures are US domestic box office totals.

    61. Saw II : $87,025,093 (Released 10/28/2005)

    62. The Amityville Horror : $86,432,520 (Released 7/27/1979)

    63. Aliens : $85,160,248 (Released 7/18/1986)

    64. : $84,273,813 (Released 10/3/2014)

    65. The X Files: Fight the Future : $83,898,313 (Released 6/19/1998)

    66. : $83,586,447 (Released 9/13/2013)

    67. Freddy vs. Jason : $82,622,655 (Released 8/15/2003)

    68. Bram Stoker's Dracula : $82,522,790 (Released 11/13/1992)

    69. Blade 2 : $81,645,152 (Released 3/22/2002)

    70. Congo : $81,022,333 (Released 6/9/1995)

    08
    of 10

    #72: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

    Jessica Biel and friends run afoul of a cannibal clan in 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' remake.
    Jessica Biel and friends run afoul of a cannibal clan in 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' remake. © Lionsgate

    One of the early 21st century successes that helped spread the trend of remaking horror classics, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre found an audience beyond the typical horror crowd.

    Note: All figures are US domestic box office totals.

    71. Alien : $80,930,630 (Released 5/25/1979)

    72. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: $80,571,655 (Released 10/17/2003)

    73. Alien vs. Predator: $80,281,096 (Released 8/13/2004)

    74. Saw III: $80,238,724 (Released 10/27/2006)

    75. Disturbia : $80,209,692 (Released 4/13/2007)

    76. : $80,048,433 (Released 1/18/2008)

    77. : $79,727,149 (Released 5/11/2012)

    78. Goosebumps: $79,370,088 (Released 10/16/2015)

    79. Cape Fear : $79,091,969 (Released 11/15/1991)

    80. Constantine : $75,976,178 (Released 2/18/2005)

    09
    of 10

    #84: Zombieland

    L-R: Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Abigail Breslin in 'Zombieland'.
    L-R: Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Abigail Breslin battle the undead in 'Zombieland'. © Sony

    Featuring a cast with an unusually high pedigree for a genre film (four Academy Award nominees and a Golden Globe nominee), the horror-comedy Zombieland crossed over into mainstream awareness and became a surprise hit of 2009.

    Note: All figures are US domestic box office totals.

    81. The Ring Two : $75,941,727 (Released 3/18/2005)

    82. : $75,791,785 (Released 7/11/2008)

    83. : $75,658,097 (Released 9/9/2011)

    84. : $75,590,286 (Released 10/2/2009)

    85. The Exorcism of Emily Rose : $75,072,454 (Released 9/9/2005)

    86. Poltergeist : $74,706,019 (Released 6/4/1982)

    87. Deep Blue Sea : $73,648,228 (Released 7/28/1999)

    88. Hollow Man : $73,209,340  (Released  8/4/2000)

    89. I Know What You Did Last Summer : $72,250,091 (Released 10/17/1997)

    90. 1408: $71,985,628 (Released 6/22/2007)

    10
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    #94: Blade

    Wesley Snipes as the vampire slayer super hero Blade.
    Wesley Snipes as the vampire slayer super hero Blade. Photo: Everett Collection/REX © New Line

    While not as big in scope or budget as other comic book adaptations, Blade proved so successful that it spawned two sequels and a TV show.

    Note: All figures are US domestic box office totals.

    91. : $71,962,800 (Released 7/18/2014)

    92. : $71,628,180 (Released 1/18/2013)

    93. Scary Movie 2: $71,277,420 (Released 7/4/2001)

    94. Blade: $70,141,876 (Released 8/21/1998)

    95. : $68,261,644 (Released 4/24/2009)

    96. The Forgotten: $66,711,892 (Released 9/24/2004)

    97. The Bone Collector: $66,488,090 (Released 11/5/1999)

    98. The Final Destination: $66,477,700 (Released 8/28/2009)

    99. : $66,380,662 (Released 2/1/2013)

    100. Anaconda: $65,598,907 (Released 4/11/1997)