1Psycho (1960)
Keystone//Getty ImagesDirector Alfred Hitchcock snacks on a giant pretzel at the premiere of Psycho on September 28, 1960.
In order to keep a lid on various plot twists that occur early on in the film, the famed master of suspense announced during a press conference that the movie theaters would enforce a "daring presentation policy" that strictly forbade late admission into any of the film's screenings. If you showed up to the theater late, you'd have to wait until the next showing. Naturally, this marketing technique piqued the audience's curiosity, and the film turned out to be a smashing success.
2Scream (1996)
Tom Wargacki//Getty ImagesDrew Barrymore flashes a smile at the London red carpet premiere of Scream on January 25, 1997.
The film, which was released in the United States on December 20, 1997, marketed Barrymore as the main star, so it came to much of the moviegoer's surprise when Barrymore's character—spoiler alert—got killed in the film's opening scene. The shocking moment came at the suggestion of Barrymore herself, who was originally offered the lead but instead took the role with the opening death to derail the audience's expectations.
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3The Birds (1963)
Archive Photos//Getty ImagesActress Tippi Hedren (right) looks on as director Alfred Hitchcock strikes a pose towards the sky at the premiere of The Birds on May 11, 1963.
In a television interview on The Dick Cavett Show, Hitchcock revealed that approximately 3,200 birds were trained for the purpose of using them in the movie.
4The Shining (1980)
Tom Wargacki//Getty ImagesJack Nicholson flashes a smile at the London premiere of The Shining.
A majority of the Overlook Hotel's interiors were filmed on a soundstage in Borehamwood, England, while the hotel's exterior shots were captured at the Timberline Lodge in Oregon. In 2019, the famous ax that Nicholson used in the film was sold at an auction for over $200,000.
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5The Exorcist (1973)
Bettmann//Getty ImagesLines wrap around the block for the first showing of The Exorcist, which was released on December 26, 1973.
The film caused quite a stir upon its debut. It was reported that some people fainted during screenings of the movie, and many even left the theater early because they were too scared.
6Halloween H20 (1998)
Jim Smeal//Getty ImagesAt the 1998 premiere of Halloween H20, star Jamie Lee Curtis flashes a peace sign as she walks the red carpet alongside her mother, actress Janet Leigh of Psycho fame.
In the final cut of the film, hawk-eyed fans will be able to point out that Michael Myers dons four variations of the iconic white mask throughout the course of the film.
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7Rosemary's Baby (1968)
NOA//Getty ImagesStar Mia Farrow (L) and actress Sharon Tate (R) make an entrance at the Cannes premiere of Rosemary's Baby, 1968.
Robert Redford (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) was originally sought after to play the role of Rosemary's husband, but he was unable to accept due to prior scheduling commitments. Other actors, including Jack Nicholson, tested for the role, but it ultimately went to John Cassavetes.
8House of Wax (2005)
Michael Buckner//Getty ImagesParis Hilton arrives at a Los Angeles event honoring the release of House Of Wax on May 6, 2005.
In order to capitalize on Hilton's tabloid fame at the time of the film's release, the slasher remake used the tagline "See Paris Die" on posters, TV ads, and even T-shirts.
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9Bram Stroker's Dracula (1992)
Ron Galella, Ltd.//Getty ImagesStar Winona Ryder attends the Hollywood premiere of Bram Stroker's Dracula at Mann's Chinese Theatre on November 10, 1992.
In some of the scenes, red jelly was apparently used for blood. Because if you're going to make a movie about the most infamous bloodsucker around, at least make the "blood" taste good, right?
10The Amityville Horror (1979)
Ron Galella//Getty ImagesStar James Brolin and actor Peter Fonda pose together at the New York City premiere of The Amityville Horror on July 24, 1979.
The haunted house flick, which is based on a true story, was a smashing success at the box office, raking in over $86 million (approximately $300 million in 2020). The film ultimately spawned dozens of sequels, spin-offs, and knock-offs.
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11A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989)
Ron Galella, Ltd.//Getty ImagesStar Robert Englund and his wife, set decorator Nancy Booth, strike a silly pose at the New York City premiere after party for A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child on August 10, 1989.
The famed horror actor donned the Freddy Krueger attire for eight Nightmare on Elm Street films, as well as the short-lived television spin-off, Freddy's Nightmares.
12Scream 2 (1998)
Jeff Kravitz//Getty ImagesJada Pinkett Smith poses on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of Scream 2, 1997.
The horror sequel debuted in theaters on December 12, 1997, less than one year after the first slashed its way onto the big screen. The film celebrated a $32 million opening weekend, earning more than the first weekend of Titanic, which opened to $28 million the following week.
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13The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Ron Galella, Ltd.//Getty ImagesStar Jodie Foster rocks a black two-piece at the Los Angeles red carpet premiere of The Silence of the Lambs on February 1, 1991.
For her work in the film, Foster brought home the Academy Award for Best Actress. Lambs also scored Oscars for Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector), Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Picture. To date, only six horror films–The Exorcist (1974), Jaws (1976), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), The Sixth Sense (1999), Black Swan (2010), and Get Out (2017)–have earned a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars. The Silence of the Lambs is the only one to win the honor.
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