Though the boundaries of what might be considered a horror film are somewhat subjective these days, there is one type of movie that is unquestionably placed at the center of the genre: the Haunted House.
[customfont1]Grave Encounters (2011, Netflix Instant & Amazon Prime)[/customfont1]
Ok, so this one is kind of found footage as well. This one surprised the hell out of me – the acting is not amazing, but also not bad enough to detract from some of the scariest moments I have ever seen in a horror film.
[customfont1]House on Haunted Hill (1959, Amazon Prime, Hulu[/customfont1]
IMPORTANT – do not watch the 1990s remake by accident – your IQ might suffer as a result. However, the original, starring horror god Vincent Price, is a fantastic classic haunted house flick that has been borrowed from and recycled countless times in the last 55 years. Though not streaming for free anywhere currently, this would make an excellent double feature with the original ‘The Haunting’.
[customfont1]Oculus (2013, Netflix Instant)[/customfont1]
More of a haunted mirror than a haunted house, I suppose, but close enough. An interesting story with plenty of jump scares and some
[customfont1]The Awakening (2011, Netflix Instant)[/customfont1]
This is a visually stunning and subtle ghost story set in England during the 1920s. The acting by lead Rebecca Hall (from ‘The Prestige’ and the new film ‘The Gift’) is quite good, and the quiet creepiness of the movie is very effective.
[customfont1]The Shining (1980, Amazon Prime)[/customfont1]
Not only one of the best horror films, but one of the best films, period, of all time. There is never a bad time to watch or re-watch this classic – unless, of course, there are children in the room.
[customfont1]The Quiet Ones (2014, Amazon Prime)[/customfont1]
A professor and some students perform a series of terrifying experiments in an attempt to cure a patient, but instead find themselves in over their heads with a very malevolent force. Even more fun – based on real experiments!
[customfont1]The Woman in Black (2012, Amazon Prime)[/customfont1]
With the upcoming “Crimson Peak”, it’s a great time to brush up on your period piece haunted house flicks. This one has everything you need: Daniel Radcliffe, a creepy old house in the middle of nowhere, and a terrifying female spectre.
[customfont1]The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death (2014, Netflix Instant)[/customfont1]
Not quite as fantastic as the original, but worth a watch. This one is set in World War II era, and departs from the original a bit, but still packs some fabulously frightening moments.
[customfont1]Insidious: Chapter 2 (Netflix, 2013)[/customfont1]
Prepare to be terrified, again, while a creepy-as-hell version of ‘Tiptoe Through the Tulips’ plays on repeat in your head, again. Pretty damn good sequel.
[customfont1]The Babadook (2014, Netflix Instant)[/customfont1]
Arguably, the best horror film of 2014. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch it now. If you have seen it, watch it again. Now.
[customfont1]The Exorcist (1973, Netflix Instant)[/customfont1]
One of the most critically acclaimed horror flicks of all time, this is on my annual watch list, and it should be on yours as well. Though possession probably doesn’t technically qualify as a haunted house movie, it’s close enough.
[customfont1]Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (2014, Netflix Instant)[/customfont1]
This is an interesting side story to the main “Paranormal Activity” storyline. Not the best in the series, but you need to be fully caught up before the next installment comes out in October.