The scariest horror performances ever

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Chris Donnait Mon, Feb 4, 2008 at 12:27 AM EST

Pennywise the clown for "It" I have walked through a grave yard at night on a dare and still wasn't remotely as scared as when i saw this thing on TV. At 7pm no less.

CJM Tue, Nov 1, 2005 at 02:49 PM EST

In terms of serial killers making the list, I would definitely have to go with Anthony Perkins in "Psycho". His characterization was so completely unlike anything else that came before it. A truly seminal performance, considering the many similar characters which have dotted the horror genre landscape in the years since.

EP Sato Mon, Oct 31, 2005 at 03:57 PM EST

Although I liked the concept of Nightmare on Elm Street, it stole it's main plot device from Dreamscape, which was IMHO, a much better movie. As for Freddie, I found him more funny than scary. On the other hand, the Alien, Leatherface, Hockey Mask and Wiliam Shatner mask wearing dudes were really spooky, plus, they didn't say any snappy lines after they killed their victims.

I'm with Drew Barrymore from "Scream" on this one. The first nightmare on elm street was scary, but the rest were cheesy psuedo horror comedies that failed to scare, even if they did make us laugh.

Nessa Mon, Oct 31, 2005 at 03:09 PM EST

I say anything with Jennifer Lopez qualifies as a horro movie.

Mac Thomason Mon, Oct 31, 2005 at 02:33 PM EST

Norman Bates, for sure, and probably Hannibal Lecter, belong. They're basically "monsters" of a horror-movie type, even if they're supposedly real-world humans. Frank Booth, on the other hand, has more human (but sick) motives.

David Mon, Oct 31, 2005 at 02:28 PM EST

I'll tell you why Freddy Krueger got a higher rating than Jason, Myers, Leatherface and the rest of the bunch: He's F-ING SCARY!

I was terrified of him when I was younger because of the whole gettin-you-while-you-sleep factor. If you're young and have issues with going to bed alone, Freddy will scare the pants off of you.

The other horror movie villains lack that psychological element. I always found it comforting to know that I could at least hide or run from Jason and Myers. But you can't stay awake forever. And that's what makes Freddy terrifying.

I'll say I do agree that some performances, like Jamie Lee Curtis's in the original Halloween and Christian Bale's in American Psycho, are better acted. But Freddy's the one you remember.

EP Sato Mon, Oct 31, 2005 at 02:00 PM EST

How does Freddie Krueger get a higher rating than Jason (who beat Freddie Krueger in a man to man fight not long ago), Mike Myers, the Chainsaw guy from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the dude from American Psycho,Ash, Jamie Lee in Halloween or Kurt Russel's role from Carpenter's "the Thing"? Come to think of it, the little girl from Poltergeist was a lot scarier than Freddie.

Most of my faves made this list, credit where it's due, but where is Shaun of the Dead? That flick at least deserved "honorable mention"

Jordan Mon, Oct 31, 2005 at 02:00 PM EST

Sure it's horror. It's just psychological horror. EW had no trouble putting Henry in it's list of the scarriest movies, so why should serial-killer movies be excluded from Retro Crush's list? I think Eli Roth puts it well on the Cabin Fever DVD when he says (and i paraphrase) that whenever a really great horror movie like Silence of the Lambs comes out, and it's Oscar worthy, it's no longer acceptable to say "That was a really great horror movie." You have to say "That was a really great thriller." in order for it to be taken seriously.