A Glean movie guide
Actually Terrifying: The Ultimate Scare List
Turn the lights off. If you dare.
No meta-commentary or slow-burn dramas—just high-intensity horror that won't let you sleep.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
Hereditary
A masterclass in sustained psychological dread and shocking, visceral imagery that lingers long after the credits.
Following the death of the Leigh family matriarch, Annie and her children uncover disturbing secrets about their heritage. Their daily lives are not only impacted, but they also become entangled in a chilling fate from which they cannot escape, driving them to the brink of madness.
- 02
Sinister
Often cited as one of the scariest films ever made due to its disturbing visuals and relentless jump scares.
True-crime writer Ellison Oswalt is in a slump; he hasn't had a best seller in more than 10 years and is becoming increasingly desperate for a hit. So, when he discovers the existence of a snuff film showing the deaths of a family, he vows to solve the mystery. He moves his own family into the victims' home and gets to work. However, when old film footage and other clues hint at the presence of a supernatural force, Ellison learns that living in the house may be fatal.
- 03
The Exorcist
The legendary gold standard of horror, still unmatched in its ability to create a truly disturbing atmosphere.
When a mysterious entity possesses a young girl, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.
- 04
When Evil Lurks
An uncompromising and unpredictable nightmare that subverts possession tropes with extreme, raw intensity.
Residents of a small rural town discover that a demon is about to be born among them. They desperately try to escape before the evil is born, but it may be too late.
- 05
The Conjuring
A terrifyingly effective supernatural thriller that masters the art of the slow-build and the sudden payoff.
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.
- 06
Talk to Me
A brutal and inventive modern horror that uses visceral practical effects to create a sense of genuine danger.
When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.
- 07
The Descent
A suffocating blend of extreme claustrophobia and savage creature horror that never lets up.
After a personal tragedy, Sarah joins her friends on a caving expedition in the Appalachian Mountains. But when a rockfall traps them deep underground, their adventure turns into a nightmare. As they search for a way out, the group discovers they are not alone—lurking in the darkness are savage, cave-dwelling creatures. With rising tension and dwindling trust, the women must fight to survive against both the predators and each other.
- 08
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
A relentless found-footage experience that builds to some of the most effective scare sequences in recent years.
The crew of a horror web series travels to an abandoned asylum for a live broadcast, but they encounter much more than expected as they move deeper inside the nightmarish old building.
- 09
Terrified
An aggressive Argentinian horror film packed with creative, high-impact visual scares and a fast, frightening pace.
Police commissioner Funes and three researchers of supernatural phenomena investigate inexplicable events that are occurring in the suburbs of Buenos Aires.
- 10
Insidious
A high-octane supernatural ride known for its iconic creature design and perfectly timed, heart-stopping scares.
A family discovers that dark spirits have invaded their home after their son inexplicably falls into an endless sleep. When they reach out to a professional for help, they learn things are a lot more personal than they thought.
- 11
Smile
A deeply unsettling psychological horror that weaponizes disturbing imagery and aggressive jump scares.
After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can't explain.
- 12
Barbarian
A wildly unpredictable and claustrophobic journey that shifts tones to keep you in a state of constant, high-tension.
In town for a job interview, a young woman arrives at her Airbnb late at night only to find that it has been mistakenly double-booked and a strange man is already staying there. Against her better judgement, she decides to stay the night anyway.