What makes a slasher movie truly unforgettable? Is it the suspenseful chase scenes? The villains who never seem to die, no matter how many times they’re stabbed, shot, or blown up?
Or is it the sheer terror of watching a group of teenagers make the worst possible decisions (seriously, stop splitting up)?
According to Rotten Tomatoes, these five slasher films have sliced and diced their way to the top, earning the love of critics, fans, and probably the villains themselves.
1. Psycho (1960): The Shower Scene That Made Us Fear Hotels Forever
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho is the granddaddy of slasher films, and for good reason.
With its infamous shower scene, eerie Bates Motel, and Norman Bates’ unsettling “I’m just a regular guy who talks to my dead mom” energy, this film basically invented the genre.
Even six decades later, Marion Crane’s fateful encounter with Norman is still the reason we double-lock the bathroom door when staying in motels.
And let’s not forget that haunting violin score, which sounds like a swarm of angry bees is attacking your brain. Psycho isn’t just a movie—it’s a cultural reset.
2. Halloween (1978): The One That Introduced Us to the OG Masked Killer
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Before there was Jason or Freddy, there was Michael Myers—the silent, unstoppable force who made Halloween night synonymous with terror.
Directed by John Carpenter, this slasher classic features everything you could want: creepy music, a small-town setting, and Jamie Lee Curtis screaming her lungs out as Laurie Strode, the ultimate Final Girl.
Michael’s blank, expressionless mask is somehow scarier than any monster makeup could ever be, and his ability to walk slower than a grandma but still catch up to sprinting teenagers? Truly terrifying.
Plus, this movie taught us the golden rule of slasher survival: If you hear spooky music, DO NOT investigate the noise.
3. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984): Freddy Krueger, the King of Nightmares and Sass
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street isn’t just a slasher movie—it’s a slasher dream (or nightmare, if we’re being literal).
Freddy Krueger, with his razor-sharp glove and penchant for haunting dreams, brought a whole new level of creativity to the genre.
Who needs to chase victims around when you can just wait for them to fall asleep? Lazy and effective.
Freddy’s one-liners are as sharp as his claws, making him the sassiest slasher on this list. But don’t let his humor fool you—this guy is pure nightmare fuel.
If you’ve ever tried to stay awake during a scary movie marathon, you probably have Freddy to thank for that.
4. Pearl (2022): When a Slasher Movie Becomes High Art
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Who says slasher films can’t be beautiful? Pearl is proof that a movie about murder can also look like it belongs in an art gallery.
Directed by Ti West, this prequel to X introduces us to Pearl, a wannabe starlet with big dreams, a farm full of secrets, and a very questionable approach to problem-solving.
Mia Goth’s performance as Pearl is nothing short of mesmerizing. One moment, she’s wide-eyed and hopeful; the next, she’s wielding a pitchfork like it’s an Oscar.
Pearl gives us a glimpse into the mind of a killer while delivering stunning visuals, dark humor, and enough blood to fill a small swimming pool.
5. Totally Killer (2023): Time Travel Meets Teen Slasher
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
What do you get when you mix slasher thrills with time-traveling hijinks? Totally Killer, the most ’80s nostalgia-packed horror-comedy in recent memory.
This movie takes the classic slasher formula and gives it a sci-fi twist as a modern-day teen travels back to the 1980s to stop a masked killer before they strike again.
With its mix of laughs, scares, and neon-soaked aesthetics, Totally Killer feels like Back to the Future crashed into Scream, and we are here for it.
The killer’s mask is creepy, the kills are creative, and the jokes hit just as hard as the scares. Rotten Tomatoes might call it one of the best, but we call it totally awesome.