Simple Thoughts: Shudder’s 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time Part I (101-50)

Just in time for spooky season, Shudder has resurrected the tried-and-true programming of ranking some of the all time best scares in horror movies…of all-time!

Usually you’d only get 100, but the network is upping the ante to 101 with an eight-part series which will finish up on October 26th, 2022.

I have fond memories of the 2004 lists that Bravo put together and was actually a harbinger for getting me more acquainted with J-horror like Ju-on, the splatter horror of Takishi Miike, and French Extreme horror.

While I’m enjoying the series so far, I’m fearful that the 2nd half of this list will be filled with what I hate most; (most) Blumhouse horror and the endless sequels, spin-offs, and prequels to ‘The Conjuring’ and the such.

Without any further adieu, here are my simple thoughts on what I’ve seen from the series at the halfway mark.

The series starts at 101 with ‘It Follows.’ It’s a strong start with a film I haven’t seen since the theaters.

I forgot how good ‘Salem’s Lot’ is…

’The Strangers’ is better than perhaps it really is? But it’s still not as good as ‘Who’s Next?’

Is ‘The Wolf Man’ transformation truly a “scary” moment? It’s a moment of importance, but is it scary?

I don’t like people trying to dissect David Lynch movies and whats he’s trying to ‘say’.

I guess I need to watch ‘Threads’ now.

I need to re-watch The ‘VVItch.’ Does it hold up, because Roger Eggers’ last two flicks have been…meh.

At 76 we had the ‘Dawn of the Dead’ remake. First remake on the list. Back when Zack Snyder cared.

At number 75…remember ‘Annihilation’ and the screaming mutant bear?

That arm break scene in the 1980s ‘The Fly.’ Underrated stuff.

‘The Night House’ (2020) is the most current film on the list at number 70.

‘Aliens’ is more a love letter to how good movies are made as opposed to scary.

The first ‘classic slasher’ scene shows up number 65 with ‘Friday the 13th.’

The OG ‘Dawn of the Dead’ gets its due at number 64.

I’m glad they haven’t remade ‘Peeping Tom’…yet. Also one of the first proto-slasher films to make the list.

Being Meme-able/Gif-able is more important than ever.

‘A Quiet Place’ is the 2nd scene with a kid getting killed on the list so far.

‘Black Christmas’ is the first holiday themed movie to make the list at number 57.

‘Frankenstein’ is the 2nd Classic Universal Horror Monster to make the list at number 51

‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ rounds out the first half of the list.

Be on the look out for Part II where we’ll cover the top 49 scariest horror moments of all time.