Although they'll always be known for movies like Frankenstein and Dracula, recent films like Jordan Peele's Nope prove that Universal Pictures is still one of cinema's prime sources for horror entertainment. The industry and its audience have undergone significant changes since the 1930s, but the desire for monsters, men, and mayhem certainly hasn't quelled.
With Halloween Horror Nights being such a famous yearly tradition for legions of fans and several timeless entries in the realms of horror cinema, Universal has scary movies down to a science and continues to produce terrifying content on a regular basis. From slashers to sci-fi, the studio has more than a healthy palate to work with.
Tremors (1990) (7.1)
Giant sandworms with a hunger for human prey might seem ludicrous for a successful horror movie, but with a series spanning over six movies, something has to be working. This horror comedy featuring the legendary Kevin Bacon surrounds a group of scientists and workers duking it out with giant subterranean creatures dwelling in the Nevada desert, and the results are certainly entertaining.
Fans of kaiju movies like Godzilla and King Kong will understandably love this '90s horror gem, and the Graboids of the Tremors movies are certainly scary. They're not quite the sandworms of Dune, but they're definitely some of the most destructive creatures to grace the big screen.
The Invisible Man (2020) (7.1)
The Invisible Man is certainly a different kind of scary. While the original featuring Claude Rains might have turned silly with age, the modern adaptation is downright chilling on all s. With an added realism element brought to life through the themes of abusive relationships and stealth technology, it's definitely the biggest the Universal Monsters series.
Quite literally, the scares in this movie come more from what the audience doesn't/can't see rather than what's right in front of them. It's a slow-burning twisted spiral that will keep viewers second guessing every second until the credits roll.
Dawn Of The Dead (2004) (7.3)
George A. Romero's sequel to the legendary Night of the Living Dead revolutionized the zombie genre, but there's certainly something to be said for 2004's remake from Zack Snyder and James Gunn. The idea of zombies in a shopping mall might seem a little silly at first, but this adaptation doesn't skip on the guts and gore.
Those expecting the stereotypical lumbering, brainless undead are in for a bit of a shock as these zombies are far more athletic and agile than the ones in the original production. Like its predecessor, its influence can certainly be felt across multiple examples of other zombie media, such as The Walking Dead.
Split (2016) (7.3)
M. Night Shyamalan's movies have been labeled with a sort of stigma in recent years, but movies like Split are what keep him in business. This psychological thriller concerns two kidnaped teenagers who fall into the hands of a man with multiple personalities, with some being deadlier than others.
The film's main selling point is the phenomenal performance from James McAvoy, who not only plays the film's captivating antagonist but eight of his 23 different personalities as well. Kevin can go from charming to chilling at the drop of the hat depending on which persona is in the driver's seat, and the results are positively chilling. It's worth noting that the movie portrays a real medical condition in unrealistic and potentially offensive ways, but there's also no denying the movie's positives.
Dracula (1931) (7.4)
There probably wouldn't even be a Universal Monster franchise if it wasn't for the original Dracula. Bela Lugosi not only pulled the iconic vampire from the page to the stage to the screen but set the bar for all adaptations and all vampire movies that followed.
As one of the most iconic monster movies in cinema, the film already comes with something of a sterling adaptation. From its castles, bats, and insane asylums to its romance elements and melodramatic performances, it's a gothic horror movie in its purest form.
Get Out (2017) (7.7)
Before Jordan Peele gave viewers Nope, Get Out was the Oscar-winning horror thriller that ushered him into the horror genre. It's a terrifying psychological thriller with subtle social commentary that took audiences by storm with its suspense, shock, and scares.
Somewhat of a slow burn, but an absolute nightmare once the illusion of normalcy is dissolved. It's not the most traditional entry in the genre, but that's not to say the thrills and chills are any less valid. Needless to say, moviegoers might never look at a teacup the same way again.
Frankenstein (1931) (7.8)
Dracula might have planted the seed that would grow into the Universal Monsters franchise, but Frankenstein solidified the studio's reputation for legendary horror movies. At the time, Universal's adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel was revolutionary simply because no one had ever seen the iconic monster outside the pages of a novel. The results were nothing short of iconic.
Boris Karloff's portrayal of the creature practically became the face of the monster-movie genre. The film was a staple of the genre for the time and continues to be viewed and reviewed even decades after.
Jaws (1975) (8.1)
Stephen Spielberg's Jaws practically invented the summer blockbuster, as well as making countless moviegoers absolutely terrified of the ocean at the same time. The iconic adaptation of Peter Benchley's novel of the same name is as frightening now as it was then, and it still holds up even with the malfunctioning shark.
Suspense is the name of the game in this legendary horror movie, and with each thrum of the sensational soundtrack by John Williams, it keeps building and building until someone gets eaten. Simply put, it has all the elements of a solid monster movie with an extra chilling flavor in its atmosphere.
The Thing (1982) (8.2)
While some might credit Halloween as John Carpenter's landmark horror movie, some would call this sci-fi monster masterpiece his scariest work. With an isolated team of scientists fending off a shapeshifting alien looking to consume the planet, this '80s classic is pact with both physical and psychological scares aplenty.
The film is a brilliant blend of sci-fi, horror, and mystery as the scientists are holed up in a base at the arctic circle with an alien with deadly appetites. In a scenario where everyone is a suspect and the fate of the planet is in jeopardy, the intensity and terror are positively palpable.
Psycho (1960) (8.5)
Horror fans wouldn't even have the slasher genre as they know it if it wasn't for this legendary film by Alfred Hitchcock. Where Jaws made viewers terrified to go back into the ocean, Psycho made them afraid of stepping into a shower. From the creepy exterior of the Bates Motel to the screaming strings of the iconic death scene, it was a triumph in horror history.
Norman Bates is one of the most freakishly fascinating characters in horror cinema, and his double identity was a twist that would forever shape the genre. Without this contribution to the genre, fans wouldn't have iconic fixtures like Halloween or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
