The Babadook

If you like disturbing screeches, menacing top hats, and/or slightly confusing twist endings, you’ll love this movie. The story of a grieving widow and her hyperactive son, The Babadook is one of Netflix’s many hidden gems. The 2013 Australian film is equal parts psychological thriller, speculation on the nature of depression, and convincing case against ever having children. The titular monster seeps from the pages of a storybook into the real world, terrorizes the movie’s main characters, and paralyzes the audience in total fear. The Babadook is not for the faint of heart, and whatever you do, don’t answer that knock at the door. ✰✰✰

The Ring

The original chain email: watching a haunted VHS tape, getting a creepy phone call, and mysteriously dying seven days later. The Ring, inspired by Japanese film Ringu, instantly became a fundamental member of horror movie canon after its 2002 debut made it the highest-grossing horror remake in history. Samara, the film’s chief antagonist, has become an iconic movie monster akin Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Chucky the Doll. The unnerving images and creative premise captivated audiences, and for good reason. After a tumble down a well, Samara has come back to terrorize anyone she comes into contact with. Simple yet effective, The Ring is a perfect blend of every subconscious fear you never knew you had. ✰✰✰✰

Children of the Corn

In all of its campy glory, 1984 film Children of the Corn is everything the horror genre should be: bloody, suspenseful, and utterly ridiculous. In a small Nebraska town run by a religious cult of murderous children, the twelve-year-old Isaac leads his followers to abduct and terrorize a young couple that stumbled upon their supernatural activities. In true horror fashion, the movie’s heroes battle the league of bloodthirsty pre-teens seeking to sacrifice them to a mysterious corn-related monster/demon. Absolutely absurd and thoroughly entertaining, Children of the Corn is an essential part of any horror movie fan’s repertoire. ✰✰✰

The Shining

No list of disturbing films is complete without this classic Steven King adaptation. The Shining, one of Stanley Kubrick’s finest accomplishments, is so iconic that no other film has yet to earn the same praise or cult following (literally and figuratively). The unique direction and intense performances from Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall make this psychological thriller inimitable. From “Here’s Johnny” to “Redrum,” The Shining has reached such permanency in the American lexicon that it is almost certain this film will be remembered for as long as people can be terrified by hedge mazes and ax-wielding novelists. ✰✰✰✰✰