(DML Top 20 Lists - Supernatural Thriller Films ranked)

Honorable Mention

Dracula (1931), Director: Tod Browning, Karl Freund, rated Passed

A NIGHTMARE OF HORROR!

Starring: Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Helen Chandler, Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan, Herbert Bunston, Frances Dade

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make." - Dracula, regarding wolves

Why watch this? The elaborate sets and Lugosi's haunting, iconic performance.

Plot Summary: Count Dracula, a Transylvanian vampire, travels to England and takes up residence in Carfax Abbey. He begins to exert his influence over local society, specifically targeting the young women, including Mina Seward and her friend Lucy Weston. When Lucy falls ill with a mysterious ailment, Professor Van Helsing is called upon to investigate, soon realizing the danger posed by the Count and working to protect Mina and expose Dracula's true nature.

Dad's Preview: This classic film practically invented the "goth" classification. Lugosi's memorable role as the creepy Count spawned a slew of imitators and homages. This film's unique, Victorian atmosphere creates an eerie 17th century Europe, where all trees are dead, and it's forever dark and foggy. Though Lugosi would later portray several other Universal monsters, he only played Dracula once more, and that was in the comedy Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948).

Tod Browning, Carl Laemmle Jr.; Universal Pictures

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #20 Top

Near Dark (1987), Director: Kathryn Bigelow, rated R for language, bloody violence

They can only kill you once. But they can terrify you forever.

Starring: Adrian Pasdar, Jenny Wright, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein, Tim Thomerson, Joshua Miller

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"Caleb, those people back there, they wasn't normal. Normal folks, they don't spit out bullets when you shoot 'em, no sir." - Loy Colton

Why watch this? This ultra-violent flick is one of the most Western films in the vampire genre.

Plot Summary: Caleb Colton, a young cowboy, encounters a mysterious drifter named Mae and is drawn into her world. He soon discovers she is part of a nomadic family of vampires who roam the American Southwest. Caleb is forced to confront his humanity and navigate the dangerous lifestyle of the undead, all while grappling with his feelings for Mae and the threats posed by her ruthless companions.

Dad's Preview: My first thought while watching this was, "Why have I not heard more about this film?" Though similar in plot to The Lost Boys (1987), this is a lot grittier. Both films feature a bitten mortal struggling to turn into a vampire. This film's coven of blood-suckers is led by Hooker, portrayed by the ice cold Lance Henrickson. Bill Paxton, as Severen, is the out-of-control, sadistic killer you never want to happen upon. This flick is vampire 101, and hopefully, you'll sink your teeth into it.

F/M Entertainment; De Laurentiis Ent. Group

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #19 Top

Sleepy Hollow (1999), Director: Tim Burton, rated R for violence, gore, scary scenes

Heads Will Roll

Starring: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon, Casper Van Dien, Christopher Walken, Christopher Lee

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"The Horseman comes, and tonight he comes for you." - Lady Van Tassel

Why watch this? ... it's a masterful gothic tale of curses, betrayal, and head-lopping murder.

Plot Summary: In 1799, Constable Ichabod Crane is sent to the isolated village of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of gruesome murders where victims are found decapitated. The superstitious townspeople attribute these killings to the legendary Headless Horseman, a spectral Hessian mercenary seeking his lost head. As Crane, a man of science and logic, delves deeper into the chilling mystery, he must confront his skepticism and the possibility of supernatural forces.

Dad's Preview: This well-done, very creepy re-envisioning of the Headless Horseman of lore works on every level. Tim Burton utilizes his main man, the ever-quirky Johnny Depp, to bring this story to terrifying life. I am a Burton fan, yet I didn't expect the effort would be so damn scary. It never lets up. Once again, it is a wise choice to set a horror story at night on the foggy English moors. I can just hear the wolves howling in the background.

Mandalay Pics, Scott Rudin Prod., American
Zoetrope, Tim Burton Prod,; Paramount Pics

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #18 Top

Sinners (2025), Director: Ryan Coogler, rated R for language, sexual content, violence and gore

Dance with the devil.

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Delroy Lindo, Peter Dreimanis, Lola Kirke, Li Jun Li, Saul Williams, Yao

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You keep dancing with the devil... one day he's gonna follow you home." – Pastor Jedidiah

Why watch this? Mudbound meets From Dusk til Dawn. Hell yea!

Plot Summary: Twin brothers, World War I veterans, return to their hometown in 1932 Mississippi hoping to open a juke joint and start a new life. Their plans for a safe haven in the Jim Crow South take a dark turn when a sinister, supernatural force descends upon their community. The brothers and their community are forced to face this ageless, unexpected evil.

Dad's Preview: My prediction is that this film is going to age really well and become a cinema classic. It is helmed by a young black director, Ryan Coogler, who certainly brings the goods. It also features a rising black star in Michael B. Jordan, portraying the dual roles of twins, Smoke and Stack. That said, this genre-bender grabs its viewers with a compelling look at the 1930's American South from the standpoint of the African Americans enduring it: the field workers, the gangsters, the language and, oh man, the music. Then it jettisons itself into the blackness of dark magic and hungry denizens of the night. All that came before is shoved aside for a battle of survival. I loved every second of this film's creative vision, musical-centering and visceral action.

Proximity Media; Warner Bros. Pictures

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #17 Top

The Omen (1976), Director: Richard Donner, rated R for disturbing religious content, violence

Two thousand years ago his birth was foretold. He's now 5 years old. And his time has come.

Starring: Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, Harvey Stephens, David Warner, Billie Whitelaw, Patrick Troughton, Martin Benson, Robert Rietty, Tommy Duggan, John Stride

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"How can he know that? Maybe he's wrong. It's insane. I won't have anything to do with murdering a little boy. He's not responsible. I won't do it!" - Robert Thorn

Why watch this? The religious aspect makes it all the more terrifying.

Plot Summary: Upon discovering their newborn has died, an American diplomat secretly substitutes another baby for his wife to spare her grief. Strange events and unexplained deaths begin to plague the family as the adopted child, named Damien, grows older. The father embarks on a chilling investigation into the child's true origins, confronting the terrifying possibility that his son may be the Antichrist and could unleash the end of the world.

Dad's Preview: Three years after The Exorcist (1973), this religious horror film hit theaters. In many ways this well-done, all-star effort is simply, and brutally, the next biblical chapter. Loosely influenced by the Book of Revelation, this religious thriller give the audience a reason to ask, "Who is Damien really?" Aside from several stellar performances from its actors, the film's Oscar-winning soundtrack combines eerie strings, pulsing synthesizers and haunting Gregorian chants that will make your skin crawl. The Beast has returned (and would go on to star three film sequels).

Mace Neufeld Prod.; 20th Century Fox

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #16 Top

Dog Soldiers (2002), Director: Neil Marshall, rated R for violence, language, gore

Six soldiers. Full moon. No chance.

Starring: Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, Emma Cleasby, Liam Cunningham, Darren Morfitt, Chris Robson, Leslie Simpson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We are now up against live, hostile targets. So, if Little Red Riding Hood should show up with a bazooka and a bad attitude, I expect you to chin the bitch." - Sgt. Harry Wells

Why watch this? A company of British soldiers against a bunch of werewolves. Oh yeah!

Plot Summary: A squad of British soldiers, on a training exercise in the Scottish Highlands, stumble upon the remains of a Special Forces unit and discover they're being hunted by a pack of werewolves. The soldiers take refuge in a secluded farmhouse and must fight to survive the night against the monstrous creatures.

Dad's Preview: I love it when a film comes along, quietly, and revitalizes one of my favorite genres. This exciting romp does that and more. British soldiers on a training mission in the Scottish Highlands encounter a coven of rather vicious lycanthropes. It's frantic, exciting, and brings to life some of the most terrifying werewolves on screen to date. These nasty canines are 7-feet tall! Professional dancers were brought in to portray the monsters because the director wanted them to appear fit and move gracefully... and I gotta say, it's a cool look.

Kismet Ent. Group, The Noel Gray Motion Pic. Co.,
Victor Film Co. Carousel Picture Co.; Pathé

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #15 Top

The Evil Dead (1981), Director: Sam Raimi, rated NC-17 for scary scenes, violence and gore

They got up on the wrong side of the grave.

Starring: Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly, Sam Raimi, Robert G. Tapert

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"I'm all right now, Ashley! Come unlock this chain and let me out! I'm all right now! It's your sister Cheryl!" - Cheryl, possessed and attacking Ash

Why watch this? Raimi's bold film debut was scary, gory and sometimes a little funny.

Plot Summary: Five friends on a trip to a remote cabin in the woods discover an ancient text and audiotape in the basement. Unwittingly, they play the tape, which unleashes a demonic force that begins to possess them one by one. The sole survivor, Ash Williams, must then fight for his life against his now-monstrous friends as the evil presence besieges the cabin.

Dad's Preview: Sam Raimi had to basically beg, borrow and steal to get his first film made. Thank goodness for his dogged determination, and a little positive championing by horror writer Stephen King, who first saw the film at the Cannes Film Festival. This flick has become a modern horror classic, thanks to its impressive effects (on a very meager budget), unique camera angles and tons of creative ways to allow evil to torture, maim and possess some college students. Did I say it was graphically gory? Well, it is. Still today, it is banned in several countries. This horror film certainly made its mark, resulting in two direct sequels, a film reboot, and a television series. Director Raimi went on to direct three Spider-man films, and Bruce Campbell is a horror icon.

Renaissance Pictures; New Line Cinema

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #14 Top

Cat People (1982), Director: Paul Schrader, rated R for language, violence, gore, nudity

An erotic fantasy about the animal in us all.

Starring: Nastassja Kinski, John Heard, Malcolm McDowell, Annette O'Toole, Ruby Dee, Ed Begley Jr., Scott Paulin, Frankie Faison, Lynn Lowry, John Larroquette

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"We are a incestuous race. We can only make love with our own, otherwise we transform. And before we can become human again, we must kill." - Irena Gallier

Why watch this? This film is as beautiful as it is horrifying.

Plot Summary: Irina, an orphaned young woman, travels to New Orleans to reunite with her estranged brother, Paul. Shortly after her arrival, she discovers a terrifying family secret: she is descended from an ancient line of "Cat People," beings who transform into deadly panthers when sexually aroused. As she navigates this dark truth, Irina finds herself torn between her attraction to a human man and the dangerous, incestuous nature of her family legacy.

Dad's Preview: I read that David Bowie did the soundtrack, so I gave this film look. I am very glad I did. This remake of the classic Cat People (1942) centers on individuals who are linked to felines and can transform into black panthers. They are doomed to kill mortals, because they can only breed outside of their race. Natassja Kinski captivates in the role of Irena, which perfectly fits her. The plot follows the original film, but adds new dimensions that enhance the story, namely the relationship between Irena, and her brother, Paul (expertly portrayed by Malcolm McDowell). There are some gorgeous scenes featuring the large cats. That said, some scenes are graphically terrifying and will make you flinch.

RKO Pictures; Universal Pictures

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #13 Top

Salem's Lot (1979), Director: Tobe Hooper, rated PG

Salem's Lot... where no one rests in peace...

Starring: David Soul, James Mason, Lance Kerwin, Bonnie Bedelia, Lew Ayres, Julie Cobb, Elisha Cook Jr., George Dzundza, Ed Flanders

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You'll enjoy Mr. Barlow. And he'll enjoy you." - Straker

Why watch this? This is the scariest film I ever watched on network TV. It traumatized me.

Plot Summary: Novelist Ben Mears returns to his childhood hometown of Salem's Lot, Maine, hoping to write about the ominous Marsten House that looms over the town. However, his arrival coincides with the arrival of a mysterious antique dealer and his unseen business partner. Soon, unexplained disappearances and strange deaths begin to plague the residents of the seemingly quiet community.

Dad's Preview: Made-for-TV horror movies were usually not very good. The scariest thing on TV was Kolchak the Night Stalker. This effort exceeded everyone's expectations. Based on the Stephen King novel, we are transported to the sleepy town of Salem's Lot, Maine. An old, creepy house is purchased by a Mr. Straker, and immediately townsfolk start to disappear. Kudos to David Soul (from TV's Starsky & Hutch) and the great James Mason, as the mercilessly evil Straker.

Warner Bros. Television; CBS

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #12 Top

The Wolfman (2010), Director: Joe Johnston, rated R for violence, scary scenes

When the moon is full the legend comes to life.

Starring: Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Geraldine Chaplin, Art Malik, Antony Sher

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"As I don't know where the lunatic will strike, it seems the practical thing to do is to stay as near as possible to the potential victims." - Dr. Aberline

Why watch this? This lycanthrope is true to Lon Chaney Jr., but a lot more lethal.

Plot Summary: Nobleman Lawrence Talbot returns to his estranged father's estate in Victorian-era England after his brother's brutal murder. A suspicious Scotland Yard inspector investigates as a creature terrorizes the village, rumored to be connected to an ancient curse. During his search for the killer, Talbot himself is attacked and falls victim to the very curse he is investigating.

Dad's Preview: After several modern films tried to recreate, and re-franchise, Universal Studio's monsters, my hopes were in the dumpster for this one. I could not have been more wrong. This is a great remake of the original Wolf Man (1941). Benicio del Toro rekindles the pitiful Larry Talbot: an innocent man, cursed to walk the world, becoming a vicious murderer when the moon is full. This dark, scary gothic treasure rings true, and has quite a surprising reveal at its climax. The superb CGI work mightily enhances everything, and here it is used wisely. An all-star cast, including del Toro, Hopkins, Weaving and Emily Blunt, adds richness to this convincing period piece. The transformation scene in the asylum is as disturbing, as it is thrilling. I recommend, well, that you give this one a bite.

Relativity Media, Stuber Pictures;
Universal Pictures

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #11 Top

Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), Director: Werner Herzog, rated PG

...He who is doomed to wander alone in darkness.
...He who is condemned to destroy even those whom he loves.

Starring: Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz, Roland Topor, Walter Ladengast, Dan van Husen, Jan Groth, Carsten Bodinus, Martje Grohmann, Rijk de Gooyer, Clemens Scheitz

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"Death is not the worst. There are things more horrible than death." - Count Dracula

Why watch this? This version of the Nosferatu legend is a true work of gothic art.

Plot Summary: Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to finalize a real estate deal with the mysterious Count Dracula. Dracula, captivated by a photograph of Harker's wife Lucy, purchases a property in Harker's hometown of Wismar and journeys there, bringing with him a plague of rats and death. Lucy becomes aware of the sinister nature of Dracula and strives to end the reign of terror he unleashes upon Wismar.

Dad's Preview: Where the original Nosferatu (1922) presented the vampire as an emotionless creature, director Herzog gives us a man wracked by the torture of eternal life, ever searching for anything that can make him feel again. As in previous collaborations with Herzog, Kinski gives a masterful performance. He emanates weariness. When vampire brings the plague rats to London, the terrified townsfolk easily give up, hosting a banquet of madness, harkening back to the days of the ravaging Black Death. It's glooming, visually stunning, and oddly romantic. Again, we see that Bram Stoker's original vampiric vision is an excellent metaphorical vessel for art.

Werner Herzog Filmprod., Gaumont, Zweites
Deutsches Fernsehen; 20th Century Fox

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #10 Top

The Crow (1994), Director: Alex Proyas, rated R for violence, drug use

Believe In Angels

Starring: Brandon Lee, Ernie Hudson, Michael Wincott, Rochelle Davis, Bai Ling, Sofia Shinas, Anna Thomson, Tony Todd

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"People once believed that, when someone dies, a crow carries their soul to the land of the dead. But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible sadness is carried with it and the soul can't rest." - Sarah

Why watch this? It's dark and gothic, yet shining through is Jason Lee's charismatic light.

Plot Summary: Eric Draven, a musician, is brutally murdered along with his fiancée the night before their wedding. A year later, Eric is resurrected by a mystical crow, gaining supernatural powers. Guided by the crow, he seeks vengeance on the criminals who killed him and his fiancée. His only tether to humanity is his young friend, Sarah.

Dad's Preview: This anti-hero film just grabbed me and wedged itself into my soul. The story originated in The Crow comics by James O. Barr. There is such a sadness to this origin story. Things get violent as vengeance is extracted, but the film never loses its tenderness. Lead actor Jason Lee, the son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, was accidentally killed during filming. Thank goodness they were able to finish this treasure.

Entertainment Media Investment Corp.,
Pressman Film, Jeff Most Prod.;
Dimension Films, Miramax Films

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #9 Top

The Horror of Dracula (1958, original title Dracula), Director: Terence Fisher, rated Approved

The Terrifying Lover Who Died - Yet Lived!

Starring: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Michael Gough, Melissa Stribling, Carol Marsh, John Van Eyssen, Valerie Gaunt

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"To liberate her soul and give her peace we must destroy that shell for all time. Believe me there is no other way." - Dr. Van Helsing

Why watch this? Christopher Lee is the best Dracula on film. Sorry, Bela.

Plot Summary: Posing as a librarian, Jonathan Harker travels to the castle of Count Dracula with the secret intention of destroying the vampire. After Harker falls victim to the Count, his friend and fellow vampirologist, Dr. Van Helsing, investigates his disappearance. Van Helsing soon discovers Dracula has relocated and is preying on Harker's loved ones, forcing the doctor to relentlessly pursue the villain to stop his reign of terror.

Dad's Preview: This is Lee's (and Hammer film's) first go at the cape-donning, blood-thirsty Count. Opposite him is Peter Cushing as the determined Van Helsing. This pair would go on to two star in over a dozen films together. This quasi-remake exudes a lot more sexuality than the 1931 classic from Universal. It's brooding Victorian atmosphere and creepy setting perfectly fits the genre. Hammer would make seven more Dracula films, most of them with Mr. Lee.

Hammer Film Prod.; Universal-International

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #8 Top

The Fog (1980), Director: John Carpenter, rated R for frightening scenes, gore, language

Bolt your doors. Lock your windows There's something in The Fog!

Starring: Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins, Jamie Lee Curtis, Hal Holbrook, Janet Leigh, Nancy Loomis, Ty Mitchell, Charles Cyphers

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"We were aided by an unearthly fog that rolled in, as if Heaven sent, although God had no part in our actions tonight." – Father Malone

Why watch this? This is one film I cannot watch with the lights off.

Plot Summary: On the eve of its centennial, the small coastal California town of Antonio Bay becomes shrouded in a mysterious, glowing fog. This fog brings with it supernatural occurrences and the vengeful spirits of shipwrecked sailors seeking retribution for their deaths, which were caused by the town's founders a century earlier. As the fog rolls inland, a diverse group of residents, including a radio DJ, a priest, and a hitchhiker, must fight for their lives against the mist.

Dad's Preview: The idea of the vengeful undead rising to exact revenge on the ancestors of their betrayers is freaking wicked! And add some thick fog into the night's setting and you will be creeped out. Director John Carpenter made a great decision to not show the long-rotting pirates up close (well, he did once). This makes them that much more terrifying. Of course, the eerie mood is enhanced by Carpenter's self-crafted soundtrack.

Debra Hill Prod.; AVCO Embassy Pictures

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #7 Top

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), Director: Francis Ford Coppola rated R for strong violence, nudity, scary scenes

LOVE NEVER DIES

Starring: Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, Richard E. Grant, Cary Elwes, Tom Waits

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You will, I trust, excuse me if I do not join you. But, I have already dined, and I never drink... wine." - Dracula

Why watch this? Gary Oldman's portrayal of Dracula is singularly unique... and terrifying!

Plot Summary: In 1897, a young solicitor, Jonathan Harker, travels to Transylvania to handle a real estate transaction for the mysterious Count Dracula. Upon seeing a photograph of Harker's fiancée, Mina, Dracula believes she is the reincarnation of his deceased wife. Imprisoning Harker, the Count travels to London to find Mina, unleashing a reign of terror and seduction upon those seek to protect the girl.

Dad's Preview: Universal Studio's Dracula (1931), starring the iconic Bela Lugosi, is certainly beloved, but I grew to love this rendition more. This is a masterpiece of film art. It's visually stunning, using state of the art make-up and special effects, vivid imagery, lighting, shadows, and creative scene transitions. It creates a creepy mood and suffocating tone, aligned with Jonathan Harker's descent into the clutches of the Count and his sirens. How good is this film? Good enough to negate Keanu Reeves' not-so-realistic British accent. Also good is Gary Oldman as the Count - he's both menacing and sophisticated.

American Zoetrope, Osiris Films;
Columbia Pictures

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #6 Top

Fright Night (1985), Director: Tom Holland, rated R for language, scary violence

There are some very good reasons to be afraid...of the dark.

Starring: Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Stephen Geoffreys, Roddy McDowall, Jonathan Stark, Dorothy Fielding

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆ - near perfect

"You deserve to die, boy. Of course... I could give you something I don't have. A choice. Forget about me, Charley. Forget about me, and I'll forget about you." - Jerry Dandrige

Why watch this? One of the best vampire films ever - scary, gross, and sporting a nice sense of humor.

Plot Summary: This creepy story follows a teenage horror fan named Charley Brewster who discovers his new, charming next-door neighbor is actually a vampire responsible for a string of recent murders. When no one believes his warnings, Charley enlists the help of Peter Vincent, a washed-up actor who hosts a late-night horror movie show and played a vampire hunter in films. Despite Vincent's initial skepticism, they must work together to combat the seductive undead threat lurking in the suburban shadows.

Dad's Preview: Just when it appeared that the vampire genre was completely worn out, this little gem appears. When a vampire moves in next door, a teen, Charley, seeks the help of Peter Vincent, who portrays a vampire killer on his late night show Fright Night. The vampire, Mr. Dandrige, takes an interest in Charley's girlfriend, Amy. Dandrige kidnaps her, and it's up to Charley and Vincent fight through the vampire's human minions and drive a stake into him. The effects are amazing, as is the story. Kudos to veteran actor Roddy McDowall as Vincent, and Chris Sarandon, as the best vampire since Bela Lugosi.

Vistar Films; Columbia Pictures

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #5 Top

The Sixth Sense (1999), Director: M. Night Shyamalan, rated PG-13

Not every gift is a blessing.

Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, Trevor Morgan, Donnie Wahlberg

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"I don't wanna be scared anymore." - Cole Sear

Why watch this? This is a very chilling, sophisticated and creepy film, from a promising new director.

Plot Summary: Child psychologist Malcolm Crowe takes on a new patient, a young boy named Cole Sear, who is isolated and troubled. Cole confides in Malcolm that he can see and communicate with deceased individuals who are unaware of their own deaths. As Malcolm works to understand and help Cole with his unusual ability, he also grapples with personal issues, including a strained relationship with his wife.

Dad's Preview: Director M. Night Shyamalan burst on the movie scene with this story of a child psychologist who is working with a boy who can see ghosts, you know, dead people. We are graced by a wonderful performance from young Haley Joel Osment. Also, if you are watching for the first time, you probably will not see the plot twist at the end. Trust me, you don't want to know. And don't say that you knew, like my pal David! There is just no way you'll see it coming.

Hollywood Pictures, Spyglass Ent., The
Kennedy/Marshall Co., Barry Mendel Prod.;
Buena Vista Pictures Dist.

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #4 Top

The Wolf Man (1941), Director: George Waggner, rated Approved

IS HE A MAN... OR UNHOLY BEAST?

Starring: Claude Rains, Lon Chaney Jr., Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Maria Ouspenskaya, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Even a man who is pure in heart, and says his prayers by night, May become a wolf when the wolf's bane blooms, and the autumn moon is bright." - Maleva, the gypsy

Why watch this? This timeless classic still remains my favorite werewolf movie.

Plot Summary: Returning to his ancestral home in Wales, Larry Talbot becomes entangled with a gypsy carnival and the local folklore surrounding werewolves after a fateful encounter in the woods. A gypsy woman informs Larry that he was bitten by a werewolf, implying that he will transform into one himself. The film then follows Larry's tragic descent as he grapples with the terrifying possibility of becoming a monster.

Dad's Preview: Set in the Universal Studio monster universe, this big screen tale introduced the world to Lon Chaney Jr., son of silent-film film legend Lon Chaney (known as the "Man of a Thousand Faces" for his incredible feats using make-up). Lon Jr. would go on to portray the Wolf Man four more times. Chaney has donned the make-up for all four of Universal's marquee monsters: Wolf Man, Dracula, Mummy, and Frankenstein's monster. This is by far his best, most enduring effort. To his character, the tragic Larry Talbot, he brings a sense of helpless dread, and viewers feel pity for him - a man who cannot control his lycanthropic transformations. When he is the wolf, he will kill anyone near him, even loved ones. For that, he seeks death for himself, which is a noble gesture indeed.

George Waggner; Universal Pictures

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #3 Top

Poltergeist (1982), Director: Tobe Hooper, rated PG for scary scenes, mild gore

From a dimension beyond the living, a terror to scare you to death.

Starring: JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Beatrice Straight, Dominique Dunne, Heather O’Rourke, Zelda Rubinstein

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"It lies to her, it tells her things only a child could understand. It has been using her to restrain the others. To her, it simply is another child. To us, it is the Beast." - Tangina

Why watch this? Nightmares come to life in this disturbing, apparition-filled experience.

Plot Summary: The Freeling family's seemingly normal suburban home becomes the site of increasingly strange and frightening supernatural occurrences. These manifestations initially seem playful, but they quickly turn menacing, eventually leading to the disappearance of the youngest daughter, Carol Anne. Desperate to rescue her, the family enlists the help of paranormal investigators and a spiritual medium to confront the malevolent forces that have invaded their home.

Dad's Preview: Everyone loves a good ghost story. This is Spielberg's version and it is full of spooky moments: a creepy clown doll, a little girl kidnapped, corpses in the swimming pool, a terrifying demon. One strength of the film is the family being besieged. With all the crazy and unnatural things happening around them, they stick together. A great reveal at the end explains why the spirits are so angry. This is certainly one to watch... with the lights on.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, SLM Prod. Gp.,
Mist Ent., Amblin Ent.; MGM/UA Ent. Co.

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #2 Top

The Exorcist (1973), Director: William Friedkin, rated R for language, shocking scenes

Something beyond comprehension is happening to a girl on this street, in this house . . .
a man has been sent for as a last resort. That man is The Exorcist.

Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowran, Father William O'Malley

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"The demon is a liar. He will lie to confuse us. But he will also mix lies with the truth to attack us. The attack is psychological, Damien, and powerful. So don't listen to him. Remember that - do not listen." – Father Merrin

Why watch this? The actual exorcism scenes are terrifying.

Plot Summary: When a young girl begins to exhibit disturbing and violent behavior, her mother seeks both medical and psychiatric help without success. As the girl's condition worsens, manifesting in bizarre and terrifying ways, the desperate mother turns to the Catholic Church. Ultimately, two priests, one older and experienced and the other facing a crisis of faith, are called upon to confront the mysterious entity possessing the child.

Dad's Preview: This film is not for children, and perhaps not even for people of strong faith. It is disturbing on so many levels. That said, it's still one of my top films. Here we see the battle of good versus evil, as played out for the soul of a young, innocent girl. When the possession fully manifests, you will be shaken to your very core, as the devil himself would want it.

Hoya Productions; Warner Bros.

Top 20 Supernatural Thriller Films #1 Top

An American Werewolf in London (1981), Director: John Landis, rated R for language, nudity, sex, violence, gore and scary scenes

BEWARE THE MOON

Starring: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine, Brian Glover, David Schofield, Frank Oz

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #32 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of An American Werewolf in London

"On the moors, we were attacked by a lycanthrope, a werewolf. I was murdered, an unnatural death, and now I walk the earth in limbo until the werewolf's curse is lifted.” – Jack

Why watch this? The first transformation scene is worth the price of admission.

Plot Summary: Two American backpackers, David and Jack, are attacked by a creature on the English moors. One is killed, while the survivor, recovering in London, experiences terrifying nightmares and hallucinations. Soon, he discovers the horrifying truth about his attack and faces the potential of his own monstrous transformation.

Dad's Preview: This cinema classic is a different kind of horror movie. It has this almost tongue-in-cheek humor to it. This serves to relax the audience, makes them feel safe... then it literally bites your arm off! However, it is more than that, too. It has great performances and a brilliant soundtrack. The star of the film is Rick Baker's incredible makeup effects (which won an Academy Award). David's first transformation is a horrifying work of cinematic art.

PolyGram Pictures, Lycanthrope Films Limited;
Universal Pictures