Fall is here and that means movies that are great for Halloween such as Pearl hitting theaters, gaining a chance to be placed in the pantheon of horror movies. Everyone has their favorite scary movie, but all classic horror films have one thing in common, and that is scary movie posters.
Some of these films are classics, including installments in major horror franchises and films stemming as far back as the 1920s. These posters range from all different types of horrors, like slasher films and psychological thrillers will make any viewer's skin crawl, but also entice them to see the film.
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
A Nightmare On Elm Street is one of the most iconic horror movies to date, so it's only fitting that the poster is just as memorable. The scene on the poster features a young woman looking in horror at the infamous claws of Freddy Krueger.
The poster features the first look at Freddy's claws about to strike, which alone is scary enough. To further add to the horror are the ghostly deformed face and bulging eyes. Additionally, the victim looking right at the viewer gives them a sense of uneasiness as if they might be next.
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Rosemary's Baby follows a young couple who move into a new apartment building with some very sinister neighbors. Its poster is considered one of the best horror film posters of all time as it provides fright but in a slow burn.
The poster for this classic psychological horror-thriller is subtle but is very ominous. The stark green color mirrors the baby's otherworldliness, as green is commonly associated with monsters. To add to the baby's alien nature, it is shown alone atop a hill. All of these subtle, creepy hints in the poster amplify the reveal at the end, even though they do not actually show the baby.
The Evil Dead (1981)
This Fall will see another installment to the classic Evil Dead franchise being released, proving its iconic status as one of the best horror franchises. The first and original movie, The Evil Dead, still remains a classic, as partially demonstrated by its terrifying poster.
The film follows a group of friends who accidentally awaken the dead and have to survive the night, which is encapsulated perfectly in the poster. The look on the woman's face is extremely frightening. Her expression articulates that she is in great trouble and there is nothing she can do. Her right hand reaches out for help, while her left desperately tries to keep herself above ground. The scene as a whole is simple but shakes the viewer to their core.
Poltergeist (1982)
Poltergeist revolves around a California family that starts to experience strange things. The poster is a minimalist scene, with a little girl in her now-famous position in front of the television static.
The dark image spooks the viewer while the tagline "They're here" draws them in. The rest of the image is blacked out, conjuring up the fear of the unknown, which matches the mystery of what the movie could be about. The text "It knows what scares you" also invokes a feeling of dread, making this poster certifiably scary.
The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari (1920)
Silent picture The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari is sometimes referred to as the first horror film ever. Its twisted Expressionist imagery and use of shadows continue to inspire some of the most renown horror directors today.
The poster for the movie is a bold Expressionist rendering of the film, which, alone, is eye-catching. The face of the main figure in the image is unsettling with his pale skill, sharp yellow eyes, unnaturally long arm, and thin and bony hands. He gives an uncanny feeling since he is not quite humanlike, which makes the poster extremely chilling. The orange in the background and abstract shapes also help complete the eerie feeling of this avant-grade poster.
Possessor (2020)
The sci-fi horror hit Possessor is about an assassin who is able to take control of other people's bodies. The poster is rather simple yet effective, featuring the main character in a mask from the film.
What makes the poster of Possessor scary is the features of the face. It has pale, lifeless, skin and the eyes and mouth look like gaping holes which gives the viewer an uncanny feeling that one would get looking at a wax figure. It also conceals the identity of the figure, which only further adds to the chills
The Strangers (2008)
The Strangers was a surprise hit film in the late 2010s. Starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, the film is centered around a couple whose relaxing vacation goes awry when masked intruders break in.
The big draw for this poster is the main character in the foreground, while there is a masked figure in the dark. The hidden figure lurking in the background will frighten any viewer and make them look over their own shoulder. What is also scary is the masked figure appears to be looking at the viewer, and not the woman in the front.
The Human Centipede (2009)
The Human Centipede is one of the most notorious horror movies to date, which is about a mad scientist who kidnaps three people and performs disgusting surgery on them.
The poster leaves a lot to the imagination, which makes it even scarier. The horror also comes from the six hands pressed against the glass wall making it seem like they are begging for help. Finally, the only face that is visible is dark and appears to be in intense pain. The dark and hollow eyes and mouth make it even more alarming.
The Purge (2013)
The Purge was the first horror movie of its kind, which spawned a whole universe of horror films. The Purge follows a family as they try to survive a night where murder is legal.
The poster does not try to do too much as it is only a close-up of a mask, something which is a key element of The Purge movies, yet every single aspect of the mask is terrifying. The hollow eyes look as if they can look right through the viewer's soul. The big smile gives the impression that they are enjoying their debauchery. The addition that the face is tilted downward slightly makes the face even more sinister.
Terrifier (2016)
Terrifier is a film about Art the Clown, who stalks and tries to kill a group of girls on Halloween night. He is the sole focus of the film's poster as his face is alone on black background.
Art's presence alone makes this poster terrifying, as his blood-stained teeth and satanic smile are fearful. He is one of the scariest clowns in the history of the horror genre. Any person that is afraid of clowns or hates clown horror would shield their eyes from this image.