ROTTEN TOMATOES: RT Top 20 Halloween Movie Countdown, Part Two

RT Top 20 Halloween Movie Countdown, Part Two

by RT Staff | October 27, 2006

Yesterday we kicked off our Top 20 Halloween movie list, and today we bring you the next five titles...did your favorite scary movie make the list of best-reviewed frighteners?

Author: Christina Troup

We searched the site for the top 20 horror/suspense movies to reveal the numero uno cinematic scare just in time for a frightful Halloween film fest.**

Remember, check in every day 'til October 31 as we serve up the best reviewed frightening flicks for your Halloween viewing pleasure!

Oh, and be afraid. Be very afraid.

Top Horror/Suspense Films by Tomatometer, #15-10

15) Dawn of the Dead (2004) 77%

There's nothing like the threat of the living dead to promote consumerism. Okay, so maybe the survivors of zombie mania in Zack Snyder's remake of "Dawn of the Dead" aren't visiting the mega mall to charge up the plastic, but who's to say a plague of flesh-eating walking carcasses doesn't become a new marketing ploy? While the revamp of Romero's original is less commentary and more comedy, it still manages to deliver hearty helpings of unabashed carnage to satisfy even the most blood-thirsty of gore horror enthusiasts.

Directed by: Zack Snyder
Starring: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames

14) Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) 79%

It just wouldn't be a top 20 list of horror movies without mention of Bruce Campbell. And, for good measure, let's throw in the king of rock 'n' roll too. The two forces combine in the B-movie gem "Bubba Ho-Tep," which stars Campbell as an aging Elvis living in a nursing home. Suspicious of just what is causing his geriatric neighbors to drop like flies, Elvis and his newfound cohort John F. Kennedy, played by Ossie Davis, seek out the true cause of the recent rash of elder expirations. The decrepit seniors soon find that their foe is even older than they are.

Starring: Bruce Campbell, Ossie Davis
Directed by: Don Coscarelli

13) The Others (2001) 81%

"The Others" is as classy as ghost stories come. No brutal monster showdowns. No excessive gore. No over-budget special effects. That said, this stylish tale of an overprotective mother, played by Nicole Kidman, who keeps a close eye on her two photosensitive children, is anything but a bore. Set in an exceptionally eerie, yet equally beautiful mansion, "The Others" is a visually stunning psychological thriller that leaves viewers as perplexed about what transpires as Kidman's character is. The twist ending is sure to evoke a gasp.

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan
Directed by: Alejandro Amenabar

12) Scream 2 (1997) 81%

"There are certain rules that one must abide by in order to successfully survive a horror movie," explains cinema dork Randy in the original "Scream." Thankfully, Wes Craven takes those rules to heart in "Scream 2" with a replenished cast and a new knife-wielding maniac who slices and dices ill-fated college co-eds. Sure, there is no ground-breaking slasher mayhem in this sequel, but the combination of laughs and carefully calculated scares prove just as effective the second time around.

Starring: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox
Directed by: Wes Craven

11) The Descent (2006) 83%

Creepy, claustrophobia-inducing caves are hardly an ideal locale for most vacationers, but apparently they are for the six thrill-seeking gals in "The Descent." A seemingly innocent caving exploration goes completely awry when the spelunkers become trapped. Finding an escape, of course, becomes top priority; however, the deterioration of relationships, not to mention a race of blood-thirsty cave dwellers, threatens everyone's survival. It'll make you think twice about entering any sort of dark, unexplored territory, be it a bedroom closet or mountainous cavern.

Starring: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid
Directed by: Neil Marshall

Did you miss Part One of the countdown? Click here for numbers 20-16.

Tune in Monday for the next five titles, in our four-day countdown to Halloween's #1 rated horror flick!

**These are our top-Tomatometer picks with at least 40 reviews counted, which is why some of the classics of spooky cinema aren't included."

Related Items

Movie:	Scream 2
	The Others
	Dawn of the Dead
	The Descent
Celeb:	Don Coscarelli
	Alejandro Amen�bar
	Neil Marshall
	Zack Snyder

(1-20 of 21 posts) | Reply

matt878 writes:
on Oct 27 2006 12:19 PM

[b]eh....[/b]
considering this list is based on the reviews these movie got i would rank the 2 above in my top 25 horror movies of all-time. Those 2 are "Dawn of The Dead" (remake, which is possibly the best remake of any horror movie, or any movie period). The 2nd is "The Descent"...this is one of the best movies so far this year and horror movies in last 20 years. I did like "Bubba Ho-Tep" but i wouldnt consider for list for best horror/suspense films. "Scream 2" was also good but the first and third one were in better in my opinion.

(Reply to this)

245_trioxin writes:
on Oct 27 2006 01:26 PM

bubba ho-tep wasn't scary but it was fun

thomas of the living dead

(Reply to this)

alsanali writes:
on Oct 27 2006 02:30 PM

Haha I posted the full list on the Part 1 article and it got deleted.

(Reply to this)

normydreads writes:
on Oct 27 2006 03:13 PM

Long Live the Descent!!!!!!!

(Reply to this)

dagreenman18 writes:
on Oct 27 2006 03:45 PM

nothing to argueable yet, i just hope that Shaun of the Dead is on the list since Bubba Ho-Tep is.

(Reply to this)

cardow writes:
on Oct 27 2006 03:46 PM

almost as bad as yesterday, but The Descent makes up for it.

(Reply to this)

bsideleau writes:
on Oct 27 2006 05:52 PM

the new Dawn was an ACTION movie and it wasn't the least bit scary. It was definitely a good remake but Land of The Dead was better......although still definitely NOT great.

(Reply to this)

lucidslumber writes:
on Oct 27 2006 06:17 PM

[b]look....[/b]
its not a list of scariEST movies,its a list of the highest rated (RT) movies in a loosly defined genre.Quit bitching about movies being on the list,when,under this criterea,they belong there........

(Reply to this)

omelette writes:
on Oct 27 2006 07:33 PM

Cool! I'm glad The Others made the list, I think it's a great thriller that deserves more attention than it gets.

(Reply to this)

darcko writes:
on Oct 27 2006 11:25 PM

I can't wait til people start bitching about The Blair Witch Project making the Top 10.

Anyway, I'm not a big (modern) horror fan but I've liked the movies featured so far (or at least the ones I've seen). They might not all win in the scary/creepy category but I look at style and substance more than lack thereof anyway.

(Reply to this)

Count_Vertigo writes:
on Oct 28 2006 01:44 AM

The bitching should really start if The Blair Witch Project hits the top 5, though I would be in total agreement since it stills creeps me out. So far the list is pretty good. Just hoping a classic like Poltergeist doesn't get left off the list.

(Reply to this)

mikeyh writes:
on Oct 28 2006 08:28 AM

In reply to this comment (#847520)
I wouldnt get your hopes up.

**These are our top-Tomatometer picks with at least 40 reviews counted, which is why some of the classics of spooky cinema aren't included.""

(Reply to this)

Kudos Mooney writes:
on Oct 28 2006 10:55 AM

Poltergeist was flat-out genius, and Blair Witch belongs in the Top 5. That movie still creeps me out. I know it doesn't to most people, but I tend to really get wrapped up in a movie. And that one kept me awake for quite some time. I'm sick of movies like Saw III and Hostel coming in calling themselves scary movies or whatever. If I want to be grossed out, I'll watch Discovery Health or Full House. Thanks.

(Reply to this)

enchantyr writes:
on Oct 29 2006 08:05 AM

Halloween #1 Gotta give it up to Michael Myers. Shaun of the Dead was awesome. My 3 teenagers would choose Wolf Creek. The Descent was best this year.

(Reply to this)

filmmaker45 writes:
on Oct 29 2006 10:10 AM

Well most of those are pretty good. Although I hated most of Dawn of the Dead.

(Reply to this)

Akira762 writes:
on Oct 29 2006 02:01 PM

Evil Dead will make top 5.

As will the first Scream

(Reply to this)

slickshoes writes:
on Oct 29 2006 04:57 PM

1. Halloween
2. The Descent
3. Sixth Sense
4. Scream
5. Aliens

(Reply to this)

frogleg writes:
on Oct 30 2006 06:32 AM

In reply to this comment (#847525)
No, it won't. It only has 29 reviews. Has to have at least 40 to make the list.

(Reply to this)

Cinemaniac21 writes:
on Oct 30 2006 11:27 AM

[b]SCREAM 2??[/b]
Seriously?

Total respect if you wanna put part one in, but 2? Horrible! It's a risky move to put in a inferior horror sequel in, let alone Scream 2! Saw 2 would be a much better choice if we are putting sequels in or how bout TCSM 2? But Scream 2? Nothing but rehashed filth, just godawful!

(Reply to this)

lucidslumber writes:
on Oct 30 2006 01:51 PM

In reply to this comment (#847528)
[b]okay man.........[/b]
one more time......veiwers opinion has nothing to do with this list.IF scream 2 were to make this list(it wont,rest assured)it would need 40+ positive reviews on this site,and a really good tomatoe rating.this isnt about whats scary,or original or even good necessarally.And to every one else.......STOP WHINING AND READ THE CRITEREA!!!!!

(Reply to this)

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