Horror movies are a staple for anyone looking for something spooky to keep themselves entertained during Halloween season. However, the endless list of boring slasher films and predictable jump scares in movies nowadays leaves most displeased.

Countless movies claim to be “the scariest movie ever made,” but only a few reach the mark of true horror. As well as driving fear into their unsuspecting viewers, these three movies ensure that their audience checks under the bed and in the closet at night before going to sleep.

“The Conjuring” (2013)

“The Conjuring” is a 2013 American supernatural horror film directed by the master of horror himself, James Wan. Also known for his works in the “Insidious” series, it’s no surprise fans of the director strapped up for an intense ride during his theatrical release of “The Conjuring.” Despite numerous movies claiming to be “based on a true story,” this film truly encapsulates that well.

Despite some aspects of the case being altered for the sake of the story, the characters were all real and did experience paranormal activity. This is an element that perhaps enhanced the fear already set in the audience. What “The Conjuring” succeeds in is creating an atmosphere that fully engulfs the viewers in the reality the director created. The slow zooms, the music rising, the use of props and lighting, and the overall building of tension all contribute to a frightful experience.

The audience feels the same sense of fear and paranoia that the characters feel on screen. When a jump scare does occur it’s almost always the real deal. There’s barely any use of cheap jump scares here which give no sense of relaxation during the film. Without spoiling too much of the story I can confidently say “The Conjuring” incorporates true events into cinema perfectly. This movie is a must-watch if you want to be on the edge of your seat for the entire duration of the film.

“Hereditary” (2018)

“Hereditary” is a 2018 psychological horror film by a fairly new director Ari Aster. While this pick may come as a surprise, it’s every bit as scary as the others.

“Hereditary” painfully pulls you to the edge of your seat. With every event of the film, the expectation of a jump scare grows stronger and stronger. However, don’t be fooled—this film doesn’t use scares as a way to inflict fear in the audience.

The use of slow tension building and the building is the reason why “Hereditary” deserves a spot on this list. The finale of “Hereditary” pulls together every heartbeat in your body and gives the audience the horror movie they were expecting when they least expect it.

“The Exorcist” (1973)

The last film on this list is none other than “The Exorcist.” From start to finish, this movie creates a dark atmosphere that pulls viewers to the screen. It’s highly regarded as one of the best horror movies for a reason.

From actors receiving lifelong injuries due to the filming of this movie and the priest that had to bless the set every week, it’s no surprise this film was loaded with dark energy. The infamous scenes that were shrouded with controversy upon release have now cemented their legacy in the horror movie hall of fame.

The film casts a dark shadow over each character, creating an everlasting mist of hopelessness. The slow pans and sudden jumps littered throughout the movie only enunciate the climactic ending. From storytelling to the makeup design this movie has everything any horror fan has been waiting for.

It’s undeniably one of the most well-known horror movies. Now it’s time for a new generation of people to pass on the legacy that is “The Exorcist.”

This Halloween may be the time to rewatch some boring jump scare-filled movie. However, if you want to experience something truly horrifying, these three films are surely the way to go. Enjoy a spook-filled week, and make sure that you check whether the monster in your closet was indeed a myth or something more sinister.