My 10 Favourite Slasher Movies of All Time – 100th List Special

Welcome to Ranking Horror. Today we are marking our 100th list by taking a look at My 10 Favourite Slasher Movies of All Time.

The slasher genre has been going through something of a revival over the past few years. Movies like 2023’s Thanksgiving and the recent sequels to Scream have really given the genre a shot in the arm… or a knife in the arm, as would be more apt here. The movies here are my personal favourite slashers of all time.

Some of these movies might not be what you immediately think of when it comes to the slasher genre. A couple, in fact, could better be classed as proto-slashers. They all feature the slasher tag on IMDb, so that’s good enough for me. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best the sub-genre has to offer.

10. In a Violent Nature (2024) – A Slasher through the Killer’s Lens

Why it Ranked: In a Violent Nature breathed life into the slasher genre by flipping the narrative on its head. Instead of travelling along with the victims, we are walking buddies with our demented killer. While the format is refreshing, it really stands out for how horrifying its kills are. The log splitter scene is one of the nastiest I ever remember in horror. Excellent stuff and rather meta in its presentation.

Synopsis: Told almost entirely from the perspective of the antagonist, the film follows the resurrected spirit of a vengeful man named Johnny. He methodically stalks a group of teenagers through the wilderness who disturbed his grave and stole a pendant belonging to his mother.

Where to Watch: Shudder, AMC+, Hulu

9. Pearl (2022) – Ambition Bleeds in Technicolor

Why it Ranked: Pearl over X? There’s no debate for me. Pearl is the far superior movie. Mia Goth is so damn good and Pearl is such an entertaining character that I found it hard not to absolutely adore this film. It isn’t the most obvious slasher – it’s actually pretty restrained compared to its predecessor – but it’s insanely gorgeous to look at. Just a fantastic movie from Ti West.

Synopsis: Trapped on her family’s isolated farm while her husband is away at war, Pearl longs for a glamorous life in the movies. As her mother’s overbearing nature and her own repressed desires collide, Pearl’s ambition curdles into a violent rage that results in a bloody rampage for “freedom”.

Where to Watch: Hulu, A24+, Amazon (Rent/Buy)

8. Sweeney Todd (2007) – Quirky Musical Goresplatter

Why it Ranked: This one might be a little controversial. Can a musical really be a slasher? Well, it has a maniacal character cutting throats and an absolute ton of gore, so I think it counts. It features everything that makes Tim Burton’s films iconic, plus more laughs than you might expect. The soundtrack roots into your brain and refuses to leave. It’s definitely the most unique entry on this list.

Synopsis: After being unjustly imprisoned for years, a barber returns to 19th-century London seeking revenge on the corrupt judge who ruined his life. Opening a barbershop above Mrs Lovett’s pie shop, he begins a grizzly partnership that turns his victims into the city’s most popular pastries.

Where to Watch: Paramount+, Hulu

7. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) – Dreams that Kill

Why it Ranked: This was one of the first horror movies I ever watched and it left a massive impression. Freddy Krueger was an icon even for kids too young to watch the films – I still remember replica razor gloves worn by kids on Halloween. The supernatural element made it feel vastly different from other slashers doing the rounds. It’s no surprise it became a foundational pillar of the genre.

Synopsis: Suburban teenagers are stalked in their sleep by Freddy Krueger, a vengeful, burned killer who murders them in their dreams. To survive, protagonist Nancy must find a way to pull the monster into the waking world where he can finally be stopped.

Where to Watch: Max, Amazon (Rent/Buy)

6. American Psycho (2000) – The Narcissism of a Serial Killer

Why it Ranked: American Psycho is not your usual slasher, and that’s what makes it so damn compelling. We are accustomed to seeing villains from a distance, but here you spend the entire film up close and personal with Christian Bale’s Patrick Bateman. The furiously unreliable narration and self-aggrandising commentary give a fascinating hint of what it’s like to be inside such a twisted mind.

Synopsis: A wealthy New York investment banker in the 1980s hides his psychopathic ego from his shallow social circle. As his obsessions with status and material perfection intensify, he descends into a gruesome killing spree that blurs the line between high-society reality and blood-soaked hallucination.

Where to Watch: Hulu, Peacock

5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) – Unsettling Americana

Why it Ranked: The strange thing about this movie is that it isn’t actually all that gory. Despite that, I still think it is one of the most disturbing movies the genre has to offer. That scene of Leatherface clubbing a character while they convulse on the floor has always stuck with me. The cast and crew suffered immensely to make this masterpiece; they really don’t come much better than this.

Synopsis: A group of friends on a road trip through rural Texas fall victim to a family of cannibals. Their nightmare deepens as they are hunted through an old homestead by a chainsaw-wielding killer known as Leatherface, leading to a relentless and sweaty struggle for survival.

Where to Watch: Peacock, Tubi, Freevee

4. Halloween (1978) – The Shape of Pure Evil

Why it Ranked: Is there a more recognisable villain than Michael Myers? Amidst a list of extremely mediocre copycats, John Carpenter’s original still stands as the best slasher of its era. Myers is genuinely terrifying, Laurie is easy to root for, and the kills never feel excessively silly. It has that perfect “October 31st vibe” that makes it an easy inclusion in my top 5.

Synopsis: Fifteen years after murdering his sister, Michael Myers escapes a psychiatric hospital and returns to Haddonfield. He begins a methodical stalking of babysitter Laurie Strode and her friends, while his doctor desperately tries to track him down before the body count rises.

Where to Watch: AMC+, Shudder, Crackle

3. Candyman (1992) – Urban Legends and Hooks

Why it Ranked: Candyman continues my theme of atypical slasher movies. The late Tony Todd’s performance, the presentation of complex social issues, and the tragic origin story make this feel so much deeper than its genre compatriots. Everything about it resonated with a 13-year-old version of me; it’s fascinating, scary, and uniquely haunting.

Synopsis: A graduate student investigating urban legends learns of a hook-handed ghost who appears if you say his name five times into a mirror. Her research in a Chicago housing project summons the vengeful spirit, who intends to turn her into his latest legend through a wave of horrific violence.

Where to Watch: AMC+, Peacock

2. Black Christmas (1974) – The Blueprint of Dread

Why it Ranked: I absolutely love Christmas, and few movies capture the seasonal vibe like this one. It shows a tremendous amount of restraint – the killer remains faceless and most of the gore is off-screen. It’s a movie that boils you with tension and atmosphere. Black Christmas is the definitive proto-slasher that set the blueprint for the entire genre, and it’s one of my all-time favourite horror movies.

Synopsis: During their Christmas break, a group of sorority sisters are tormented by obscene and threatening phone calls from a disturbed stranger. What begins as a vulgar prank quickly turns into a nightmare as a killer lurking in their attic begins picking them off one by one.

Where to Watch: Tubi, Peacock, Shudder

1. Psycho (1960) – Where the Knife Began

Why it Ranked: This isn’t just my favourite slasher; it’s my favourite horror movie of all time. You could argue it isn’t a “slasher” in the modern sense, but this is where it all began. Hitchcock established the demented killer and the shocking revelations right here. It’s a timeless story. I recently took my fiancée to see the 4K remaster and the twist still knocked her off her feet. Incredible stuff.

Synopsis: A secretary on the run after embezzling funds makes the fatal mistake of checking into the remote Bates Motel. There, she meets the shy proprietor Norman Bates, triggering a series of events involving a shadowy maternal figure and a shower scene that changed cinema forever.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy), Apple TV (Rent/Buy)

100 Lists and Counting

There we have it – my 10 personal favourite slashers of all time to mark our 100th list. From the black-and-white origins of the genre to the modern, meta-commentary of the 2020s, the slasher has proven to be an indestructible force in horror.

It’s a sub-genre that reflects our deepest fears of being followed, watched, and caught. Whether you prefer a silent, masked stalker or a singing barber, these films represent the absolute peak of the craft. If you are wondering what my favourite found footage horror movies of all time are, check out my 50th list special. Stay spooky.

🔪 Quick Picks: Slashers for Your Vibe

• 🏆 The Undisputed Masterpiece: Psycho (1960)
• 🎄 The Best Atmosphere: Black Christmas (1974)
• 💭 The Surreal Nightmare: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
• 🎭 The Character Study: American Psycho (2000) or Pearl (2022)
• 🪓 The Modern Goreshow: In a Violent Nature (2024)