At Ranking Horror, we have some strict rules that we stick by. This is to guarantee that every list is unique, high quality, and written by an actual person who has watched the movies.
I’m not just hitting up a search engine and looking for films that fit the quota. I am recommending movies I have sat down and watched from start to finish. If that isn’t the case, I can assure you that I will make that abundantly clear.
The Human Element
In an era of AI-generated content and listicles scraped from IMDb databases, Ranking Horror is committed to the actual real lived human experience of horror cinema. Whether that is good or bad; I’m looking at you Tubi’s low-budget horror section.
Every movie featured on our lists has been watched, analysed, and (frequently) endured by our editor, Richie Ranks. We do not use algorithms to determine quality, nor do we copy-paste random plot breakdowns from third-party databases.
Our rankings come from years of genuine engagement with the horror genre, ranging from obscure 80s slashers to modern elevated horror. It’s the only genre I watch! This means that every list is authentic. Sometimes, that’s probably a bad thing because I don’t always love the horror movies other people love but at least you are getting an honest opinion.
How We Rank
Horror is subjective, but our rankings are not random. When compiling a list, we adhere to the specific “brief” of the title rather than just general cinematic quality.
- Context Matters: If we are ranking the “Goriest Slasher Movies,” a film with terrible acting but world-class special effects will rank higher than a critically acclaimed psychological thriller with no blood.
- The “Scare” Factor: While technical proficiency is, obviously, important, effective horror must evoke a reaction. A polished movie that is boring will always rank lower than a rough diamond that terrifies the audience.
It all makes sense when you get into the meat of the lists but don’t expect my rankings to match that of other websites.
Independence & Integrity
Ranking Horror maintains strict editorial independence.
- No Paid Rankings: Production studios, distributors, and PR agencies cannot pay to be included in a list or to influence a specific ranking position. This will never change.
- Review Copies: Thanks to our sister website, Knockout Horror, being a popular genre site, I occasionally receive screener copies of films for review purposes. This never guarantees a positive placement or coverage on Ranking Horror, though. Our loyalty is to the reader, not the studio.
AI Transparency
We utilise AI tools to assist with minor coding, schema markup generation, and spell-checking to ensure our site runs smoothly. However, all opinions, rankings, analysis, and critiques are written and curated 100% by humans. You cannot automate the feeling of dread you get from watching The Descent for the first time or the utter repulsion that comes from seeing that one particular scene in Tubi’s Match (2025).
Corrections & Updates
The horror genre moves fast. We regularly update our lists to include new releases that deserve a spot. If you spot a factual error (e.g. an incorrect release date or director credit), please contact us, and we will verify and correct it immediately.