via Unsplash
I sent out a poll to find the top 5 rated horror movies in the eyes of Dee-Mack High School students.
Starting at number 5 is the Movie IT, which is a series having IT as the first movie, and IT Ends as the second. The movie was originally produced in 1988 tells the story of a group of children who live in a small town called Derry, Maine. They are terrorized by Pennywise the dancing clown, a malevolent entity who awakens every 27 years to prey on the town children, feeding on their fears. This group of children, named the “Losers Club,” first confront the creature as kids, only to reunite 27 years later as adults when the killings begin again. They are forced to face their traumatic past and face the monster who never really disappeared.
In 4th place is Friday the 13th. Old beliefs that have been rooted in for centuries believe that the number 13 is unlucky and Fridays are historically associated with misfortune, the date has become a symbol of bad luck. It’s been amplified by the Friday The 13th horror franchise. The story follows a group of camp counselors who visit the seemingly haunted Crystal Lake. The counselors are trying to re-open the camp but the downfall begins when they realize they are being stalked and killed one by one, creating a very suspenseful setting. The shocking truth reveals the murderer Pamela Voorhees, a grieving mother searching for revenge for the death of her son Jason. He was neglected by the camp staff years earlier and drowned. The movie’s success launched a long franchise, escalating the suspicions around the date, Friday the 13th.
Halloween is the 3rd most popular horror film. Six year old Michael Myers brutally killed his 17 year old sister on Halloween night. He was locked away for 15 years until one day, when he was being transferred for a court date, he escapes and steals a car to return back to his hometown, Haddonfield IL, to start his killings again. Myers wears an iconic mask and intends to kill a group of teenagers and anyone who tries to get in his way. This film’s appeal lies in its suspense, minimalistic horror, and an eerie atmosphere, making it the perfect movie for Halloween night.
In second place is The Conjuring, a supernatural horror film inspired by true events and real investigators Loraine and Ed Warren. It follows a family that moves into an old farmhouse in Rhode Island and shortly after begins to experience unsettling occurrences, strange noises, and violent disturbances. As the hauntings get worse the Warrens discover a demonic presence in the house threatening the family. During the Warrens’ investigation they discover the spirit is connected to a woman accused of witchcraft in the 1800s, who was hung on the property. The demon represents an ancient malevolent force that lives off fear, possession, and destruction of families.
The top rated horror movie at Dee-Mack is Scream, a slasher film produced in 1990’s. The film combines genuine scare with self-awareness making it unsettling and entertaining. It is the story of a masked Ghostface who kills and terrorizes high school students. Sydney Prescott, a teenager dealing with the loss of her mother, becomes the main target of the masked killer. She receives disturbing phone calls asking her questions, and the wrong answer may or may not cost her her life. Scream stands out because of its shocking twists and attentive kills, keeping tension high throughout the movie. Decades after being produced, Scream is still a staple in the horror genre and has now expanded its own six-movie sequel, so if you love the first one I highly recommend the rest.
It’s October… get into the spooky spirit with a marathon of Dee-Mack’s favorites!