Many people who read this post will say, “These aren’t that scary!” And that’s fine with me, because I scare easily, and I am pretty okay with that. I have a very overactive imagination and always have, and scaring easily is part of what helps me write good fiction. And these movies may not necessarily be the scariest, but the ones I found most enjoyable. So here is my list of must-see scares; if you have your own list, be sure to post it!

10. The Sixth Sense

I know what you are thinking, but I actually love the hell out of this movie. I acted a scene out of it for a cheap, local haunted house in high school and had so much fun with it! The kitchen scene—the one I acted out, actually—always makes me cringe.

9. Troll

Though it makes you jump a little, Troll also makes you laugh; it’s probably the only horror with humor that I’ve ever enjoyed. (That doesn’t include Zombieland, which I consider more humor than horror!) Of course, I first saw it when I was five, which likely scarred me for life…

8. I Am Legend

Though this movie is marketed as a sci-fi rather than a horror, it scares the pee out of me because I could see it happening—and due to several scenes that bother me to the core, I can’t watch it again.

7. 28 Days Later

Speaking of movies that make me scared about what could happen tomorrow, this one really knocked my socks off when I saw it. There are scenes that still stick with me after seeing it so many years ago.

6. Darkness Falls

This gruesome tooth fairy movie always makes me shudder when I think about it.

5. Gothika

I didn’t think I’d like this one as much as I did, and maybe it’s not the best movie ever made, but it’s got such a great dark, mysterious tone to it, and it’s a very scary thing to watch unfold, making it a wonderful supernatural escape.

4. Let Me In

This remake of Let the Right One In (another great, must-see movie) is intensely scary as well as sweet, a combination that is very rarely ever made. If you love real vampire movies without the glitter and teen drama, be sure to check this one out.

3. The Others

If you haven’t seen this eerie Nicole Kidman creep fest, you must; it’s the kind of haunting, chilly film that I love, without the gore but with plenty of goose bumps. I think most of the best scary films are good ghost stories, and this is one of them.

2. What Lies Beneath

Speaking of good, creep-up-on-you ghost stories, this is my ultimate favorite. It’s scary, it makes you jump, and it really sticks with you. It has every good element of a superb scary film without going over the top, and with a satisfying ending.

1. The Grudge

My sisters think this movie is stupid, but I always get scared thinking about it. And it’s midnight, and I’m up alone… so I’m going to stop thinking about it!