Horror-slasher movies are definitely one of the most successful genres, till date. Slasher movies are known to be gruesome, creepy, intense and brutal. It taps into the basic fear of being murdered by someone. So, if you love watching slasher-horror movies, here are 12 of the best films that you can watch because we all love cheap thrills, right? 

Psycho is based on Robert Bloch’s novel of the same name. The novel was originally inspired by serial killer named Ed Gein. This movie was Alfred Hitchcock’s last true masterpiece that you just can’t afford to miss out on. Psycho was one of the first movies in this genre that paved the way for not only slasher movies, but it also introduced us to a different genre of horror. It scared the living hell out of everyone who watched it in 1960. And, the infamous shower scene in which Janet Leigh is brutally murdered half-way through the film still remains a game-changing moment in cinematic history. 

Friday the 13th was one of horror’s most successful franchises of all time. The film revolves around a group of camp counselors who are working together to re-open a summer camp years after a child’s drowning. Their work comes to a standstill when they start getting picked off, one by one, by an unseen foe. This film is bloody, gruesome and shocking so, watch it only if you can handle violence. The plot is innovative, the killer’s identity reveal is a fun icing-on-the-top twist and the final cliffhanger jump scare is truly an epic cinematic moment. 

A Nightmare on Elm Street is one of the most inventive slashers of all time. The film follows the story of a young girl who realizes that she needs to stay awake at any cost, if she wants to save herself from the clawed killer who is butchering her friends in their dreams. This groundbreaking slasher classic definitely had an innovative concept. 

The slasher craze had died by the 90s but, with the release of Scream in 1996, this genre came back into the lime light. This film was the ultimate slasher which was smartly built upon the tradition that its predecessors had established in the past. The makers had taken bits from here and there and they fused it with a clever, snappy plot and a self-conscious script that pokes fun at the genre. This film created a wave of 90s teen horror and inspired a number of meta-approaches to the genre.

Interestingly, this movie was written as a parody but, it was filmed as a legitimate slasher movie. It was one of the first films that was directed by a woman in this genre. This film has everything that one can expect from a slasher but, it also has a good deal of humor, that makes this film more watchable. The Slumber Party Massacre is a combination of comedy and horror that comes with a plot line that is ridiculous, funny, scary and horrifying, all at the same time. So, watch this film if you want to watch a classic slasher with a twist of comedy. 

There were quite a few slashers that were released before Halloween but, none came close to having a lasting impact that was created by this classic film. The success of Halloween opened doors for other slasher movies that were released during the 80s. The story of this film revolves around a mental patient who murders his sister and wrecks havoc after escaping a mental hospital. Halloween was one of the first movies that made virginal heroines, masked, unstoppable killers and open-ended conclusions possible and popular. The story is well executed and the creepy score that this film has still remains a legend. 

Deep Red still remains one of the finest giallo-genred films of all time. The story revolves around a psychic medium who is brutally murdered, and a musician named Marcus Daly  who takes it upon himself to solve the murder mystery, along with his reporter friend. There is an awful lot of slashing in this film by an unknown killer who is seen wearing black gloves so, be well prepared to see grim scenes. It is a fast-paced film that offers one brilliant assault on the senses after another. 

Black Christmas was a ground breaking movie which was also one of the first legit slashers. It followed the story of a group of sorority sisters who are hunted and murdered by a psychotic killer. The story line of this film is uber creepy and the terrifying scenes are enough to make your skin crawl. This film proved that Holiday-themed horror movies could work as long as the story made some sense. This is a fast-paced film that has a few jump scares and an unsettling ending. Watch this film if you like horror movies that can keep you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning. 

My Bloody Valentine is a classic slasher movie that created the best atmosphere of dread and doom. The story of this film, revolves around the residents of a small mining town called Valentine Bluffs who are being targeted and murdered, one by one, by a masked murderer who uses sharp objects to kill his victims. This film is quite unsettling but, the plot is strong, creative and captivating. There are quite a few horrifying slaughter scenes that you’ll want to look away from so, be mentally prepared.

Child’s Play is a cult classic slasher-horror film that features a homicidal maniac named Chucky (a doll) who goes on a murdering spree and who will stop at nothing. This is the original movie that is the most serious-minded and grounded movies till date. This was the first ever killer doll movie that popularized the killer doll genre. Chucky is an iconic character who enjoys humour before killing his victims. It is a classic movie that you just can’t afford to miss. 

I Know What You Did Last Summer is a mystery-slasher that follows the story of four high school teenagers who try to cover up a hit-and-run case. Each one of them is attacked by a mysterious man who knows their deep, dark secret. This is a fantastic film that will grab your attention from the very beginning. It has crime, wit, blood, gore and mystery. The plot is interesting and as the film progresses, you’ll come across some terrifying scenes that will make your heart skip a beat. This film is definitely not for the faint-hearted so, watch it only if you think you can handle the violence.

This thriller-slasher film surely doesn’t feature a butcher knife but it features a swinging chainsaw that is just as deadly. The story of this film revolves around Sally and Frankiln and three other friends, who run out of gas while driving to their grandfather’s house. On their way, they are tormented and killed by a chainsaw-wielding killer and his mental family. This film is brutal, terrifying, violent and unsettling, even by today’s standards. What makes this film a classic is the high-tension it builds and the discomfort it creates from the very start.