25 Essential Slasher Movies

Slashers — that gloriously grubby, stabby subsection of horror — were first unsheathed in the early 1970s, 8️⃣ when Mario Bava stalked his cavorting, frequently disrobed victims around in A Bay of Blood. The movie set up mood 8️⃣ of the slasher: Sexually charged, with a degree of mystery, where the ample cast of characters one-by-one take a sharp 8️⃣ turn into doom. Slashers can be stylish (Opera, Dressed to Kill), carnal (Torso, Friday the 13th), grimly violent (The Prowler, 8️⃣ The Burning), trashy (Pieces, The Slumber Party Massacre) and even supernatural (Halloween, Child’s Play). We’re studying all sides of the 8️⃣ blade as we assemble movies that best represent this killer genre in the 25 Essential Slasher Movies. —Alex Vo

#24 Switchblade 8️⃣ Romance (2003) 41% #24 Adjusted Score: 45205% Critics Consensus: There is indeed a good amount of tension in this French 8️⃣ slasher, but the dubbing is bad and the end twist unbelievable. Synopsis: A beautiful young Frenchwoman, Alex (Maïwenn Le Besco), 8️⃣ travels out to the country to visit her family and brings along... A beautiful young Frenchwoman, Alex (Maïwenn Le Besco), 8️⃣ travels out to the country to visit her family and brings along... [More] Starring: Cécile De France, Maïwenn, Philippe Nahon, 8️⃣ Franck Khalfoun Directed By: Alexandre Aja

#17 Candyman (1992) 79% #17 Adjusted Score: 86269% Critics Consensus: Though it ultimately sacrifices some 8️⃣ mystery in the name of gory thrills, Candyman is a nuanced, effectively chilling tale that benefits from an interesting premise 8️⃣ and some fine performances. Synopsis: Skeptical graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) befriends Anne-Marie McCoy (Vanessa Williams) while researching superstitions 8️⃣ in a housing project on... Skeptical graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) befriends Anne-Marie McCoy (Vanessa Williams) while researching superstitions 8️⃣ in a housing project on... [More] Starring: Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Xander Berkeley, Kasi Lemmons Directed By: Bernard Rose

#13 Child's 8️⃣ Play (1988) 74% #13 Adjusted Score: 78331% Critics Consensus: Child's Play occasionally stumbles across its tonal tightrope of comedy and 8️⃣ horror, but its genuinely creepy monster and some deft direction by Tom Holland makes this chiller stand out on the 8️⃣ shelf. Synopsis: Gunned down by Detective Mike Norris (Chris Sarandon), dying murderer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) uses black magic 8️⃣ to put... Gunned down by Detective Mike Norris (Chris Sarandon), dying murderer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) uses black magic 8️⃣ to put... [More] Starring: Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Vincent, Brad Dourif Directed By: Tom Holland