American Cinemateque

Sometimes a horror movie goes above and beyond the call of duty. It doesn't just scare its viewers, it leaves them a sobbing-in-the-corner mess. From "Suspiria" to "The Human Centipede" these 11 films will give you a permanent case of "WTF."

'Shivers' (1975)

The original shooting title for film was "Orgy of the Blood Pirates," which tells you everything you need to know right there. The critical backlash didn't do David Cronenberg's burgeoning career any favors, but this is one body horror movie that stands the test of time.

'Suspiria' (1977)

"Suspiria" easily ranks among the most gory horror movies ever made, which is pretty darned impressive considering it's now 40-years-old. It can be tough to figure out the film's storyline, but between the violence, psychedelic colors and that killer soundtrack, it certainly makes a strong visceral impression.

'The Brood' (1979)

Honestly, we could probably stock this entire list with David Cronenberg films and call it a day. The filmmaker once again proved his ability to shock and unnerve viewers with this squirm-inducing tale of mutant children on a bloody warpath.

'In My Skin' (2002)

Normally, horror movies revolve around an innocent protagonist being tormented by an outside force. But what about when that protagonist is their own worst enemy? "In My Skin" offers a disturbing look at a woman driven mad by her desire to literally consume her own flesh. Eww...

'High Tension' (2003)

This French entry is another strong contender for being the most violent horror film ever made. But it's not just about the gore, as the thriller also delivers a steady stream of Hitchcockian suspense as it builds toward a holy-sh** twist ending.

'The Hills Have Eyes' (2006)

Wes Craven's original film is bad enough, but the 2006 remake recreated the terrifying story of an innocent family being attacked by hillbilly cannibals and piled on even more gore for good measure.

'Hostel' (2006)

Plenty of people will tell you that international travel helps build character and expand your horizons. But after watching "Hostel" we think we'll just stay home for the rest of our lives. We don't want to wind up like these poor, mutilated, American tourists.

'Inside' (2007)

Few films are so skilled at capturing the sheer helplessness and terror of being a victim of home invasion. This bloodfest isn't just hyper-violent, it's one of the most genuinely scary horror films ever.

'Antichrist' (2009)

Few horror films are harder to watch than "Antichrist." Part of it is the fact that it's more about human suffering than actual scares. But then there's also that one scene with the scissors...

'The Human Centipede' (2010)

What else needs to be said about "The Human Centipede" at this point? It's become one of the more infamous horror entries of the 21st Century, with a truly repulsive premise worthy of a young David Cronenberg.

'The Babadook' (2014)

The titular monster in this Australian horror film now haunts our dreams instead of veterans like Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. But what really makes "The Babadook" so unsettling is the fact that it's really a movie about a parent wrestling with the latent desire to kill their own child. That's dark stuff.