Supernatural / Ghost Horror
1. The Ring (2002) – US remake of Japanese classic

When a mysterious videotape surfaces, those who watch it are cursed to die within seven days. Investigative journalist Rachel Keller dives into the chilling mystery after the sudden death of her niece, uncovering a terrifying legend tied to a vengeful spirit named Samara. As Rachel races against time to unravel the tape’s dark secrets, she is drawn deeper into a nightmarish world where every clue leads closer to a fate she cannot escape. The Ring is a haunting psychological horror film that redefined fear for a new generation.

2. The Others (2001)

In a remote, fog-shrouded mansion, Grace Stewart lives with her two children who suffer from a rare pH๏τosensitivity, enforcing strict rules to keep them safe from the light. As mysterious occurrences and unsettling phenomena begin to plague the household, Grace’s grip on reality starts to unravel. Driven by fear and a desperate need for answers, she uncovers a shocking truth that changes everything she believes about life, death, and the unseen world. The Others is a chilling, atmospheric ghost story that blurs the line between the living and the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ.

3. The Conjuring (2013)

Based on the real-life case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring tells the terrifying story of a family who moves into a secluded farmhouse, only to discover it’s haunted by a dark and malevolent force. As supernatural events escalate, the Warrens must confront one of the most chilling cases of their careers. Battling an ancient evil, they risk their lives to protect the innocent and uncover the tragic history behind the haunting. The Conjuring delivers relentless suspense, bone-chilling horror, and set a new standard for modern supernatural thrillers.

4. Insidious (2010)

When their young son Dalton inexplicably falls into a coma, a family is plagued by disturbing supernatural events that reveal a terrifying secret: Dalton’s consciousness has journeyed into a dark, otherworldly realm known as The Further. As malevolent spirits close in, the desperate parents enlist the help of paranormal experts to rescue their son before it’s too late. Insidious is a spine-chilling tale of astral projection, haunted dimensions, and unseen horrors, redefining fear with its suspenseful storytelling and atmospheric dread.

5. Sinister (2012)

True-crime writer Ellison Oswalt moves his family into a new home, unaware that a series of gruesome murders took place there. When he discovers a box of mysterious home videos in the attic, he unknowingly unleashes a malevolent enтιтy known as Bughuul, a pagan deity who consumes the souls of children. As Ellison’s obsession with the footage deepens, the line between reality and nightmare blurs, plunging his family into unimaginable terror. Sinister is a chilling descent into darkness, blending psychological horror with supernatural dread.

6. The Babadook (2014)

Widowed mother Amelia struggles to raise her troubled son Samuel, who becomes convinced that a sinister presence from a mysterious children’s book, Mister Babadook, is stalking them. As Amelia’s grip on reality begins to slip under the strain of grief, isolation, and fear, the terrifying enтιтy grows stronger, feeding on their darkest emotions. The Babadook is a masterful psychological horror story that explores trauma, loss, and the monsters we carry within, delivering a haunting and unforgettable experience.

7. The Haunting of Hill House (2018) (series, but cinematic-level horror)

Told through shifting timelines, The Haunting of Hill House follows the Crain family as they confront haunting memories of their old home and the terrifying events that drove them away. As tragedy strikes in the present, they are forced to return to the infamous Hill House, where the past and present collide and unspeakable horrors await. Blending psychological trauma with chilling supernatural encounters, the series is a deeply emotional and terrifying exploration of grief, family bonds, and the ghosts that never let go.

8. The Medium (2021) – Thailand/South Korea
9. Talk to Me (2022) – Australia
10. Smile (2022)
Slasher / Killer Horror
11. Scream 4 (2011) & Scream (2022)
12. You’re Next (2011)
13. Hush (2016)
14. The Strangers (2008)
15. Happy Death Day (2017)
16. Freaky (2020)
17. Terrifier (2016) & Terrifier 2 (2022)
18. The Black Phone (2021)
Psychological / Elevated Horror
19. Get Out (2017)
20. Us (2019)
21. Hereditary (2018)
22. Midsommar (2019)
23. The Witch (2015)
24. The Lighthouse (2019)
25. Mother! (2017)
26. Saint Maud (2019)
27. Run (2020)
28. Barbarian (2022)
29. The Night House (2020)
Zombie / Infection Horror
30. 28 Days Later (2002)
31. 28 Weeks Later (2007)
32. Train to Busan (2016)
33. World War Z (2013)
34. REC (2007)
35. Cargo (2017)
36. The Sadness (2021) – Taiwan
37. Alive (2020) – South Korea
38. #Alive (2020) – South Korea
39. The Crazies (2010)
International Horror Masterpieces
40. Audition (1999)* (honorary spot – close to 2000)
41. The Wailing (2016) – South Korea
42. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003) – South Korea
43. Martyrs (2008) – France
44. Noroi: The Curse (2005) – Japan
45. Goodnight Mommy (2014) – Austria
46. Under the Shadow (2016) – Iran/UK
47. Terrified (2017) – Argentina
48. Let the Right One In (2008) – Sweden
49. His House (2020) – UK
50. Run Rabbit Run (2023) – Australia

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

---

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.