2017 Scariest Movies

Horror movies have always been a staple of cinema, offering a thrilling escape from reality. The year 2017 was no exception, delivering a slate of films that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. From psychological thrillers to supernatural chillers, the 2017 scariest movies showcased a diverse range of horror sub-genres, each with its unique twist on fear. Whether you're a seasoned horror enthusiast or a casual viewer looking for a good scare, 2017 had something for everyone. Let's dive into the most memorable and terrifying films of that year.

Table of Contents

Supernatural Horror: The Return of the Classic

Supernatural horror has always been a cornerstone of the genre, and 2017 saw a resurgence of this classic style. Films that delved into the unknown, exploring ghosts, demons, and otherworldly entities, provided a chilling experience for viewers. These movies often relied on atmospheric tension and jump scares to keep audiences engaged.

One standout film in this category was "A Dark Song." Directed by Liam Gavin, this movie follows a grieving mother who hires an occultist to perform a dangerous ritual to contact her deceased son. The film's slow burn and intense atmosphere make it a must-watch for fans of supernatural horror. The isolation of the setting and the eerie performances add to the overall creepiness, making it one of the 2017 scariest movies.

Another notable entry was "The Bye Bye Man." This film, directed by Stacy Title, tells the story of three college students who unwittingly summon a malevolent entity known as the Bye Bye Man. The movie's unique premise and creepy visuals make it a standout in the supernatural horror genre. The film's twist ending and unsettling imagery ensure that it will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

2017 scariest movies also included "The Autopsy of Jane Doe," a film that combines elements of supernatural horror with a crime thriller. Directed by André Øvredal, the movie follows two medical examiners who discover a mysterious corpse that exhibits strange phenomena. The film's claustrophobic setting and eerie atmosphere make it a chilling experience. The performances by Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch add depth to the story, making it a memorable entry in the genre.

Psychological Thrillers: Mind Games

Psychological thrillers are known for their ability to keep viewers guessing until the very end. These films often rely on complex plots and character development to create a sense of unease. In 2017, several psychological thrillers stood out for their intricate storytelling and unsettling themes.

One of the most talked-about films of the year was "Get Out." Directed by Jordan Peele, this movie is a scathing commentary on racism and social issues, disguised as a horror film. The film follows a young African-American man who visits his white girlfriend's family estate and discovers a sinister plot. "Get Out" is a masterclass in tension-building, with a twist ending that has become iconic in the genre. The film's social commentary and clever writing make it a standout in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Another psychological thriller that made waves was "Split." Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, this film tells the story of a man with multiple personalities who kidnaps three teenage girls. The movie's twist ending and intense performances make it a memorable experience. The film's exploration of mental illness and identity adds depth to the story, making it a standout in the genre.

2017 scariest movies also included "Raw," a French film directed by Julia Ducournau. This movie follows a young vegetarian woman who develops a taste for human flesh after participating in a hazing ritual at veterinary school. The film's graphic content and exploration of taboo subjects make it a controversial but compelling watch. The performances by Garance Marillier and Ella Rumpf add to the film's unsettling atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the psychological thriller genre.

Found Footage: A New Perspective

Found footage films have been a popular sub-genre of horror for years, offering a unique perspective on terrifying events. In 2017, several found footage films stood out for their innovative storytelling and chilling content. These movies often rely on the authenticity of the footage to create a sense of realism, making the horror more palpable.

One of the most notable found footage films of the year was "The Endless." Directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, this movie follows two brothers who return to a cult they escaped from years ago. The film's slow burn and atmospheric tension make it a standout in the found footage genre. The performances by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead add to the film's eerie atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Another found footage film that made waves was "Creep 2." Directed by Mark Duplass, this movie is a sequel to the 2014 film "Creep." The film follows a group of women who respond to an ad for a documentary about death and are lured into a sinister plot. The movie's twist ending and intense performances make it a memorable experience. The film's exploration of themes like death and mortality adds depth to the story, making it a standout in the found footage genre.

2017 scariest movies also included "The Devil's Candy," a film that combines elements of found footage with a traditional horror narrative. Directed by Sean Byrne, the movie follows a family that moves into a new home and discovers that it is haunted by a malevolent entity. The film's atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The performances by Ethan Embry and Pruitt Taylor Vince add depth to the story, making it a memorable entry in the found footage genre.

Foreign Horror: Global Chills

Foreign horror films often offer a unique perspective on the genre, drawing from different cultural traditions and storytelling techniques. In 2017, several foreign horror films stood out for their innovative storytelling and chilling content. These movies often rely on cultural nuances to create a sense of otherness, making the horror more unsettling.

One of the most notable foreign horror films of the year was "The Orphanage," a Spanish film directed by J.A. Bayona. This movie follows a woman who returns to her childhood orphanage and discovers a dark secret. The film's atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The performances by Belén Rueda and Fernando Cayo add depth to the story, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Another foreign horror film that made waves was "The Wailing," a South Korean film directed by Na Hong-jin. This movie follows a stranger who arrives in a small village and brings with him a series of mysterious deaths. The film's slow burn and atmospheric tension make it a standout in the foreign horror genre. The performances by Kwak Do-won and Chun Woo-hee add to the film's eerie atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

2017 scariest movies also included "The Babadook," an Australian film directed by Jennifer Kent. This movie follows a single mother and her son who are terrorized by a sinister entity from a children's book. The film's exploration of themes like grief and mental illness adds depth to the story, making it a standout in the foreign horror genre. The performances by Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman add to the film's unsettling atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Horror Anthologies: A Variety of Fears

Horror anthologies offer a unique experience, presenting multiple short stories within a single film. In 2017, several horror anthologies stood out for their diverse storytelling and chilling content. These movies often rely on the variety of stories to keep viewers engaged and on the edge of their seats.

One of the most notable horror anthologies of the year was "The ABCs of Death 2." This film features 26 short horror segments, each directed by a different filmmaker. The movie's diverse storytelling and chilling content make it a standout in the horror anthology genre. The performances by a variety of actors add to the film's eerie atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Another horror anthology that made waves was "XX." This film features four short horror segments, each directed by a different female filmmaker. The movie's exploration of themes like gender and identity adds depth to the story, making it a standout in the horror anthology genre. The performances by a variety of actors add to the film's unsettling atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

2017 scariest movies also included "The Field Guide to Evil," a horror anthology that features six short segments, each directed by a different filmmaker. The movie's diverse storytelling and chilling content make it a standout in the horror anthology genre. The performances by a variety of actors add to the film's eerie atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Horror Remakes: Classic Frights Revisited

Horror remakes often offer a fresh take on classic films, updating them for modern audiences. In 2017, several horror remakes stood out for their chilling content and innovative storytelling. These movies often rely on the familiarity of the original material to create a sense of nostalgia, while also adding new twists and turns.

One of the most notable horror remakes of the year was "It." Directed by Andy Muschietti, this movie is a remake of the classic 1990 miniseries based on Stephen King's novel. The film follows a group of kids who face off against a shape-shifting entity known as Pennywise. The movie's atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The performances by Bill Skarsgård and the young cast add depth to the story, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Another horror remake that made waves was "The Mummy." Directed by Alex Kurtzman, this movie is a reboot of the classic Universal Monsters franchise. The film follows a group of explorers who unwittingly awaken an ancient mummy. The movie's action-packed sequences and eerie visuals make it a standout in the horror remake genre. The performances by Tom Cruise and Annabelle Wallis add to the film's thrilling atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

2017 scariest movies also included "Leatherface," a prequel to the classic "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" franchise. Directed by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, this movie follows a group of teenagers who encounter the infamous killer Leatherface. The film's intense violence and eerie atmosphere make it a chilling experience. The performances by Lili Taylor and Sam Strike add depth to the story, making it a memorable entry in the horror remake genre.

Horror Comedies: Laughs and Chills

Horror comedies offer a unique blend of humor and horror, providing a lighter take on the genre. In 2017, several horror comedies stood out for their chilling content and comedic timing. These movies often rely on the contrast between humor and horror to create a sense of unease, making the scares more effective.

One of the most notable horror comedies of the year was "Happy Death Day." Directed by Christopher Landon, this movie follows a college student who relives the same day over and over, trying to avoid being killed by a masked killer. The film's clever writing and comedic timing make it a standout in the horror comedy genre. The performances by Jessica Rothe and Israel Broussard add to the film's entertaining atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Another horror comedy that made waves was "Killing Gunther." Directed by Tarik Saleh, this movie follows a group of assassins who team up to take down the world's greatest hitman. The film's action-packed sequences and comedic timing make it a standout in the horror comedy genre. The performances by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bobby Moynihan add to the film's thrilling atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

2017 scariest movies also included "The Little Hours," a comedy directed by Jeff Baena. This movie is a loose adaptation of the medieval farce "The Decameron" and follows a group of nuns who deal with their repressed desires and the arrival of a new servant. The film's comedic timing and eerie atmosphere make it a chilling experience. The performances by Aubrey Plaza and Alison Brie add depth to the story, making it a memorable entry in the horror comedy genre.

Horror Documentaries: Real-Life Frights

Horror documentaries offer a unique perspective on the genre, exploring real-life events and phenomena that are often more terrifying than fiction. In 2017, several horror documentaries stood out for their chilling content and insightful storytelling. These movies often rely on the authenticity of the events to create a sense of realism, making the horror more palpable.

One of the most notable horror documentaries of the year was "The Keepers." This Netflix series follows the unsolved murder of a nun and the subsequent investigation by her former students. The film's atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The performances by the real-life subjects add depth to the story, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Another horror documentary that made waves was "The Devil's Candy." This film follows a family that moves into a new home and discovers that it is haunted by a malevolent entity. The film's exploration of themes like death and mortality adds depth to the story, making it a standout in the horror documentary genre. The performances by the real-life subjects add to the film's unsettling atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

2017 scariest movies also included "The Amityville Horror," a documentary that explores the infamous Amityville house and the events that took place there. The film's atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The performances by the real-life subjects add depth to the story, making it a memorable entry in the horror documentary genre.

Horror Short Films: Quick Scares

Horror short films offer a unique experience, providing a quick scare in a short amount of time. In 2017, several horror short films stood out for their chilling content and innovative storytelling. These movies often rely on the brevity of the format to create a sense of urgency, making the scares more effective.

One of the most notable horror short films of the year was "Lights Out." Directed by David F. Sandberg, this short film follows a woman who is haunted by a creature that only appears in the dark. The film's atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The performance by Maria Bello adds depth to the story, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Another horror short film that made waves was "The Babadook." Directed by Jennifer Kent, this short film follows a single mother and her son who are terrorized by a sinister entity from a children's book. The film's exploration of themes like grief and mental illness adds depth to the story, making it a standout in the horror short film genre. The performances by Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman add to the film's unsettling atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

2017 scariest movies also included "The Exorcist." This short film is a remake of the classic 1973 film and follows a young girl who is possessed by a demon. The film's atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The performances by Linda Blair and Max von Sydow add depth to the story, making it a memorable entry in the horror short film genre.

Horror Video Games: Interactive Frights

Horror video games offer a unique experience, allowing players to interact with the story and make choices that affect the outcome. In 2017, several horror video games stood out for their chilling content and innovative gameplay. These games often rely on the immersion of the player to create a sense of realism, making the horror more palpable.

One of the most notable horror video games of the year was "Outlast 2." This game follows a journalist who investigates a mysterious cult and uncovers a dark secret. The game's atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The gameplay mechanics, which involve the player using a night vision camera to navigate the dark environments, add to the game's unsettling atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Another horror video game that made waves was "Resident Evil 7: Biohazard." This game follows a man who searches for his missing wife and uncovers a sinister plot involving a family of cannibals. The game's atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The gameplay mechanics, which involve the player using a first-person perspective to navigate the environments, add to the game's unsettling atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

2017 scariest movies also included "Alien: Isolation." This game is a prequel to the classic "Alien" franchise and follows a woman who must survive on a space station infested with an alien. The game's atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The gameplay mechanics, which involve the player using stealth and strategy to avoid the alien, add to the game's unsettling atmosphere, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Horror TV Shows: Binge-Worthy Frights

Horror TV shows offer a unique experience, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in a world of terror over multiple episodes. In 2017, several horror TV shows stood out for their chilling content and compelling storytelling. These shows often rely on the serial nature of the format to build tension and suspense, making the scares more effective.

One of the most notable horror TV shows of the year was "Stranger Things." This Netflix series follows a group of kids who uncover a series of supernatural events in their small town. The show's atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The performances by the young cast add depth to the story, making it a memorable entry in the 2017 scariest movies list.

Another horror TV show that made waves was “The Walking Dead.” This AMC series follows a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. The show’s atmospheric tension and eerie visuals make it a chilling experience. The performances by the cast add depth to the story, making it

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