The films Americans think are the most iconic Halloween movies of all time

By Allie Sadlier // SWNS

NEWS COPY W/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC

Two in three Americans feel like they’re living in a horror movie in 2020, according to new research.

A study of 2,000 Americans who celebrate Halloween revealed 66% think watching a horror movie actually serves as a fun escape from the year 2020.

This year has served up enough scares and surprises that 58% of those polled want to celebrate Halloween nostalgia over genuine scares.

Nearly three-quarters of respondents (72%) with kids under 16 said they plan on watching Halloween movies with the family and 63% will introduce their children to Halloween classics this year.

The survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Tubi found plenty of movies to get viewers in the Halloween spirit.

Results found the most iconic Halloween movie of all time to be the titular “Halloween” with “The Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Scream” rounding out the top three. 

Freddy Krueger from “The Nightmare on Elm Street” and Michael Meyers from “Halloween” were also cited as the number one and two scariest horror movie villains of all time, followed closely by Norman Bates from “Psycho.” 

Respondents also confessed that there are some famous lines from horror movies that will immediately send a shiver down their spines.

“I see dead people” from “The Sixth Sense” was found to be the most iconic scary movie quote. 

“Heeeere’s Johnny!” (The Shining) and “They’re here” (Poltergeist) came in at two and three on the list.

Sometimes words aren’t even needed to inspire fear. Results found the creepiest horror movie themes songs are from “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th” and “The Exorcist.”

It doesn’t take long after pressing play for horror movie viewers to feel that building tension with the average person feeling stressed 13 minutes into the film.

Over half admitted they sit in dread from start to finish of a scary movie.

It’s no surprise then two in five have watched a horror movie that they refuse to re-watch to this day. Common movies viewers will never repeat were “Annabelle,” “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” and “The Exorcist.”

Of those who were scarred by a specific flick, the average person was 19 when they saw it, and one in five would need to be paid over $500 to sit through that same scary movie ever again. 

A spokesperson for Tubi said, “Revisiting a scary movie classic, especially around Halloween time, can be a fun form of escapism and way to celebrate the season.” 

After the credits roll on a horror movie, respondents have routines in place to make sure they fall asleep ‒ eventually.

Over a third (36%) will sleep with the lights on that night while 33% have to double-check all the locks at home.

Three in ten will leave the TV or music playing and a quarter (24%) will make sure all the closet doors are closed.

Twenty-four percent will even run and jump into bed to avoid any monsters under the bed. 

The spokesperson for Tubi added, “There’s a reason that these classic Halloween movies have stood the test of time, and why horror fans continue to revisit them each year. Whether you want to get truly spooked, or are looking for something more lighthearted to celebrate the holiday, there are plenty of options to keep your movie marathon going throughout the month of October.”

MOST ICONIC HALLOWEEN MOVIES OF ALL TIME

1. Halloween 46%
2. The Nightmare on Elm Street 24%
3. Scream 22%
4. The Exorcist 21%
5. Beetlejuice 21%
6. Friday the 13th 15%
7. Carrie 13%
8. Rocky Horror Picture Show 10%
9. Child’s Play 9%
10. The Shining 7%
11. The Conjuring 6%
12. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 5%
13. Psycho 5%
14. A Quiet Place 5%
15. Night of the Living Dead 5%
16. It 4%
17. The Blair Witch Project 4%
18. The Witch 4%
19. Saw 4%
20. Poltergeist 3%
21. Insidious 3%
22. Get Out 3%
23. Paranormal Activity 3%
24. Candyman 3%
25. The Sixth Sense 2%
26. Last House on the Left 2%
27. The Babadook 2%
28. The Ring 2%
29. It Follows 1%
30. Midsommer 1%

CREEPIEST HORROR MOVIE THEME SONGS 

1. Halloween 42%
2. Friday the 13th 35%
3. The Exorcist 31%
4. Night on Elm Street 29%
5. Psycho 26%
6. Jaws 26%
7. Saw 23%
8. The Omen 20%
9. The Shining 16%
10. Rosemary’s Baby 11%

ICONIC SCARY MOVIE QUOTES 

1. “I see dead people” (The Sixth Sense) 37%
2. “Heeere’s Johnny!” (The Shining) 34%
3. “They’re here” (Poltergeist) 27%
4. “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” (Jaws) 23%
5. “Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep” (Nightmare on Elm Street) 21%
6. “It’s alive!” (Frankenstein) 20%
7. “Do you like scary movies?” (Scream) 20%
8. “A boy’s friend is his mother” (Psycho) 19%
9. “Do you want to play a game?” (Saw) 17%
10. “The power of Christ compels you” (The Exorcist) 13%