KEY POINTS:
The Exorcist has been voted the scariest film of all time in a poll of 5000 movie watchers, but we here at the Herald disagree.
We have compiled our own list of the top ten most frightening films, with the 1987 Brit horror Hellraiser coming in first place.
Based on Clive Barker's novel The Hellbound Heart, the film explored sadomasochism and kept many movie-goers awake for days.
Many have never been able to look at Jack Nicholson the same, following his turn as Jack Torrance in Stephen King's The Shining, which claims the number two spot on our list.
Who forget the demonic look in Jack's eye as he stuck his head through the broken door frame? Truly the stuff of nightmares.
In third place, 2002 horror The Ring takes the cake for it's haunting ending. Relying on good old-fashioned tension, the film was a refreshing change from the bloody splatterfest films of the 90s.
Top Ten Most Frightening Films:
1. Hellraiser (1987)
2. The Shining (1980)
3. The Ring (2002)
4. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
It caused controversy and outrage across the globe - and wasn't released in Australia until 1982. Named "the most purely horrifying horror movie ever made," by Empire Magazine, we defy anyone to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre without raising a goosebump or two.
5. Thir13en Ghosts (2001)
Ghost stories have a propensity to be a little bit lame, which is why Steve Beck's remake of Thir13en Ghosts makes the cut for being truly haunting.
6. Saw (2004)
It redefined the horror genre. Both visually and psychologically disturbing, Saw made viewers question their own morals and just how far they would go to save themselves.
7. Friday the 13th (1980)
To be fair, most of us watched this film when we were still at primary school so it's not surprising it scared the bejeezus out of us. But this original slasher flick went on to become one of the most successful horror films of all time and gave the world the ultimate monster - Jason Voorhees.
8. The Birds (1963)
Perhaps not scary so much as severly disturbing, this classic Hitchcock film was responsible for a mass increase in ornithophobia around the world.
9. Hostel (2005)
Okay, we'll be honest, none of us have actually seen this film because we're all too scared to. Which surely means it rates a mention.
10. Wolf Creek (2005)
Drawing inspiration from several real-life outback murders, including the abduction of British tourist Peter Falconio, Wolf Creek gave us one more reason not to cross the Ditch.
- NZHERALD STAFF