In 2016 horror is recognized as a certified money making machine of a subgenre, but this hasn’t always been the case. In fact, over the decades, horror has often struggled while trying to find its footing. Yet through all of the downs, we eventually receive an up – one of those movies that strikes us all as so special we’ve got no choice but to tune in. And it’s those movies that serve as defining moments for horror.

We haven’t seen an earth shattering amount of game changing horror pictures over the last century, but there are 15 of them out there that have helped to ensure that horror not only sticks around for good, it thrives. This is a look at the 15 features that have guaranteed horror sticks around for centuries to come.

Begin the countdown of the 15 films that defined the horror genre on the next page!