But with so many classics to choose from, the average consumer might get confused, so here’s my list of the cream of the crop of horror movie classics, the sinister six.

To start at number six is everyone’s favorite hockey goalie mask wearing psycho, Jason. Jason, the star of the “Friday the 13th” franchise, has become a horror movie icon. Ironically, the first and best movie in the franchise, “Friday the 13th”, has Jason’s mother doing the slashing, not Jason. It’s a terrifying movie that features one of the better twist endings in horror. It’s worth a watch.

At number five is “Night of the Living Dead”, the movie that invented the modern zombie film. The film is surprisingly graphic for a ‘60s movie, and was one of the first movies to feature an African-American in a leading role. It’s tame by today’s standards, but still surprisingly scary.

“Evil Dead” comes in at number four. It’s a film about an evil book which resurrects demons who possess the souls of the living. It’s probably the bloodiest film on the list. It’s a roller coaster ride that doesn’t stop. The end of the film is where it gets really good though, featuring some gruesome scenes that will scare the pants off even the bravest viewer. It’s scary, different, and intense.

At number three is “Silence of the Lambs”. Hannibal Lecter is one of the scariest characters ever to grace the screen, and in “Silence of the Lambs” he’s at his best. The movie is about Clarice Starling, a rookie FBI agent, who has to work with Lecter in order to capture a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. The film works well as a drama, a thriller and a slasher. It has moments that will have you holding your breath and moments that will have you hiding under the covers.

“Halloween” is number two. The movie is about a killer named Michael Myers who has returned home to slaughter babysitters and cause terror. The movie has created many horror cliches. Michael works well as the villain and is so scary because he’s a blank slate. He’s like one big killing machine with no emotion or feelings. It’s one of the best horror films of all time and an American classic.

The winner of the title of the scariest horror film is “Psycho.” The Alfred Hitchcock classic invented the slasher genre. The film is about Norman Bates, the nice manager of the Bates Motel. Bates is controlled by his overbearing mother, who may be involved with the killing of a young girl who stayed at the motel earlier. The film has quite possibly the greatest twist in horror history. The infamous shower scene will have you nervously checking behind your shower curtain for a knife-wielding killer. It’s not only a great horror movie but a great movie overall. It has an excellent cast and a great score. Everything about this film is amazing, it could be the definition of perfection when it comes to movies.

Check out one of these horror classics and you’ll be sleeping with the lights on.