Essential Slasher Films: The Ultimate Guide

HALLOWEEN (1978)

The film follows Michael Myers, a killer who murdered his sister as a child, escapes from a psychiatric hospital, returns to his old house, and stalks a young girl named Laurie Strode. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis (Laurie) and Donald Pleasence (Dr. Loomis), the film was directed by John Carpenter—a filmmaker whose hand I would kiss, whose character I’d sacrifice my own for, and for whom I’d literally lay my coat on muddy ground so he wouldn’t dirty his feet. Halloween is considered one of the pioneers of the slasher genre and has spawned numerous sequels and remakes.

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984)

The story centers on Freddy Krueger, a child killer turned monster who returns in dreams to hunt teenagers after being killed. Starring Heather Langenkamp (Nancy), Johnny Depp (Glen), and Robert Englund (Freddy), the film is famous for blurring the line between dreams and reality, as well as Freddy’s iconic appearance and dark humor. Directed by another filmmaker I deeply admire, Wes Craven. May he rest in peace.

SCREAM (1996)

Another Wes Craven masterpiece. This is what leaving your mark on a genre looks like. The late master has many more stone-cold classics that aren’t even on this list yet. Released in 1996, this slasher film follows a masked killer targeting high school student Sidney Prescott and her friends. Starring Neve Campbell (Sidney), Courteney Cox (Gale), David Arquette (Dewey), and Drew Barrymore (Casey), the film revitalized the slasher genre with an approach that both critiqued and honored it. If you’re new to the genre, watch a few films from this list first, then watch this one—you’ll appreciate it even more. It has five sequels and a TV series adaptation.

FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980)

And here we are at my absolute favorite film on the list. Released in 1980, the film follows a group of young people working at a summer camp on the shores of Crystal Lake who are killed off one by one by a mysterious murderer. In other words, this is the film that inspired Cem Yılmaz’s joke about teenagers going to camp and dying one by one. Starring Betsy Palmer (Mrs. Voorhees), Adrienne King (Alice), and Kevin Bacon (Jack), the film capitalized on Halloween‘s success and witnessed the birth of the infamous killer character Jason Voorhees. Actually, the Jason part is a bit complicated, but I can’t explain—it would be a spoiler. CH CH CH AH AH AH!

SLEEPAWAY CAMP (1983)

Released in 1983, this is a film that would cause problems if made today. Unfortunately, I can’t explain why here either—spoilers again. The film follows the silent and shy Angela Baker as she attends summer camp and the events that unfold. Starring Felissa Rose (Angela), Jonathan Tiersten (Ricky), and Karen Fields (Judy), while the film may seem like an ordinary slasher, it’s remembered for the shocking secret revealed at the end.

MY BLOODY VALENTINE (1981)

The film follows a killer dressed in mining gear who murders young people in a small town on Valentine’s Day. Starring Paul Kelman (T.J.), Lori Hallier (Sarah), and Neil Affleck (Axel), the film drew attention with its bloody scenes and was subjected to censorship. It’s one of the most gripping slashers. A remake was made in 2009, but I recommend watching the original instead.

THE PROWLER (1981)

The film tells the story of a soldier who returns from World War II, is dumped by his girlfriend, and seeks revenge by killing young people. Starring Vicky Dawson (Pam), Christopher Goutman (Mark), and Farley Granger (Sheriff), this Joseph Zito-directed film is famous for Tom Savini’s makeup effects.

THE SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE (1982)

The film follows a group of girls having a slumber party who are attacked by a killer wielding a power drill. Starring Michelle Michaels (Trish), Robin Stille (Valerie), and Michael Villella (Russ), the film has a feminist perspective. Director Amy Holden Jones and writer Rita Mae Brown satirize the sexist aspects of the slasher genre.

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (1997)

The film follows four friends and what happens to them after they run over a man with their car on graduation night. Starring Jennifer Love Hewitt (Julie), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Helen), Ryan Phillippe (Barry), and Freddie Prinze Jr. (Ray), the film was written by the same writer as Scream. There’s an absolutely absurd trunk scene. But we love slashers for their absurdities. It has a sequel, and Amazon also made a series adaptation—which, well, exists in the void.

PROM NIGHT (1980)

The film follows four friends who caused their sister’s death as children and are killed by a murderer at their graduation prom. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis (Kim), Leslie Nielsen (Mr. Hammond), and Casey Stevens (Nick), the film enhanced the reputation of the so-called “Scream Queen” Jamie Lee Curtis in slasher films. The white-haired brother from The Naked Gun, Leslie Nielsen, is in a serious role here.

TERROR TRAIN (1980)

A 1980 slasher film following a group of friends boarding a train for a graduation party who are stalked and killed by a mysterious, relentless killer seeking revenge for a prank they played in the past. Once again starring Jamie Lee Curtis (Alana), alongside Ben Johnson (Carne) and David Copperfield (Ken), the film makes excellent use of the train’s narrow and dark setting. It’s one of the films with an iconic mask.

APRIL FOOL’S DAY (1986)

The film follows a group of friends who go to a wealthy friend’s island home on April 1st and start disappearing one by one. Starring Deborah Foreman (Muffy), Amy Steel (Kit), and Thomas F. Wilson (Arch), the film has an ending that subverts slasher genre clichés. It would be pretty absurd to say it’s one of my favorite slashers since this is already my list. But it does hold a special place—you know what I mean.

THE FINAL GIRLS (2015)

The film follows Max, whose mother was a former slasher film star, as she and her friends get transported into her mother’s film and try to escape the killer. Starring Taissa Farmiga (Max), Malin Akerman (Nancy/Amanda), and Alexander Ludwig (Chris), the film offers both an emotional look at slasher films and the mother-daughter relationship. It’s also famous for being one of my cousin Furkan’s favorite slashers.

X (2022)

The film follows a group of people working in the adult film industry who are attacked while filming at an abandoned farmhouse in the desert. Starring our darling, our sweetheart, our beloved new Scream Queen Mia Goth (Margot), alongside Kid Cudi (Duke) and Jenna Ortega (Ruby), the film addresses themes of sexuality and violence. Directed by Ti West, the director of many incomplete films who finally got it right this time.

A BAY OF BLOOD (1971)

The film follows a chain of murders that begins after the killing of an elderly woman who owns valuable land. Starring Claudine Auger (Renata), Luigi Pistilli (Albert), and Claudio Camaso (Simon), this is the first slasher film directed by Mario Bava and is considered one of the genre’s pioneers. Mario Bava is one of those rare directors who thoroughly deserves to be remembered with respect.

THE BURNING (1981)

The story follows Cropsy, a killer who was burned as the result of a prank by teenagers and returns for revenge. Starring Brian Matthews (Todd), Leah Ayres (Michelle), and Jason Alexander (Dave), this film is also famous for Tom Savini’s makeup effects. Horror cinema owes a great deal to Tom Savini, folks. If you don’t know him, please look him up.

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE (1974)

The film follows five friends on a road trip through Texas who are hunted by a cannibalistic family. Starring Marilyn Burns (Sally), Gunnar Hansen (Leatherface), and Edwin Neal (Hitchhiker), the film was inspired by true events and achieved great success despite its low budget. It’s an extremely famous film. Even people who say “I have nothing to do with horror” know this one. Very Important Note: Stay away from the recent Netflix adaptation.

BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974)

The film follows a group of sorority girls staying at their house during Christmas vacation who are harassed and killed by a mysterious killer. Starring Olivia Hussey (Jess), Margot Kidder (Barb), and John Saxon (Lt. Fuller), the film is considered one of the pioneers of the slasher genre and inspired Halloween.

URBAN LEGEND (1998)

The film follows a group of college students killed by a murderer whose crimes are based on urban legends. Starring Alicia Witt (Natalie), Jared Leto (Paul), and Rebecca Gayheart (Brenda), the film was made following the success of Scream and follows the same style. There’s a sequel but it’s not as good. The film is etched in memory for its hand-waving-through-glass scene.

FINAL DESTINATION (2000)

The film follows a young man named Alex who has a premonition of a plane crash, gets himself and his friends off the plane, and then finds that death follows them. Starring Devon Sawa (Alex), Ali Larter (Clear), and Tony Todd (Bludworth), the film reinterpreted the slasher genre in a different way and spawned numerous sequels. It features death scenes that push the boundaries of creativity. And they’re equally entertaining.

ESSENTIAL BONUS: THE MOVIES THAT MADE US (NETFLIX)

How did Friday the 13th, born from impossible circumstances, become a cult classic? How was Freddy Krueger, one of horror’s most iconic villains, born? Which Star Trek character was the legendary Michael Myers mask originally based on? You can find the answers to these questions in this fantastic documentary. Each episode reveals the inside story of filmmaking and how producers, directors, and actors dealt with challenges. For cinema enthusiasts, this documentary series sheds light on a fascinating behind-the-scenes world. Note: The films from this list are featured in Season 3.

Watch on Netflix