Top 10 Scary Movies of the Year (2009)

Just when you thought modern scary movies weren't scary.

Here are the top ten scary movies (not necessarily your typical horror genre films) of the year (so far). I fully expected Scorsese and DiCaprio's Shutter Island to be number one on this list by year's end, but it's been postponed until February 2010. However the relatively unknown and unmarketed film on top of the list is not only worthy of this top ten roundup, but also the all-top ten list:

1.  Paranormal Activity - This film about a "real" haunted house might be a month too early, but hopefully that will give it time find a more wide release, because you HAVE to see this before Halloween. Paranormal Activity is an absolutely terrifying faux-documentary (think Blair Witch Project) that will having finally believing that horror movies can scare the living sh*t out of you again.

2.  Orphan - The ending truly is the most shocking twist since The Sixth Sense, and the kid is just as creepy as Samara from The Ring.

3.  My Bloody Valentine 3D - A gory three-dimensional assault on your eyes with thrills and kills that will leave you watching out from under your 3-D glasses.

4.  Drag Me To Hell - Scary as hell and full of fun, Sam Raimi’s Drag Me to Hell is a must-see, campy (not to be confused with Cabin Fever campy) and gory masterpiece.

5.  A Perfect Getaway - A Perfect Getaway is a perfect campy b-movie horror film with an unpredictable act 3 twist and red herrings galore.

6.  Passengers - Rent-it - This suspenseful drama about love and life starring Anne Hathaway will have your blanket pulled up just below your eyes.

7.  Sorority Row - If you haven't seen the trailer (in other words, if you live in a log cabin with no TV or internet - but then how are you reading this?), this film might be worth catching in theaters - otherwise, wait for DVD. But either way, you'll be playing horror-movie he said, she said ("she's the killer... no he's the killer") the whole time and still never get it right.

8.  Halloween II - While the film is not as good as Rob Zombie's first in the series, the violence is relentlessly brutal and will definitely have you jumping out of your seat. Ladies, prepare to scream.

9.  Friday the 13th - This sequel remake is right in line with every other Friday the 13th and better than most of the new slasher/horror films.

10.  Surveillance - An extremely gory thriller that does exactly as it intends to do, gives you chills and stirs your stomach to near nausea. It will leave you thinking the worst about people, fearing strangers, especially cops and authoritative figures.

Other scary movies that just missed the top ten:

Last House on the Left - The unrated version is as terrifying as it is nauseating in parts, but if you're on of the rare few looking for just that, it's as good as it gets.

The Collector - Fans of Saw (especially the original) will be more than pleasantly surprised with what they've done with this new suspenseful plot and horrifying story.

Jennifer's Body - A topless Megan Fox and R-rating will draw far too many movie-goers to this horror comedy with zero laughs and screams.