6. Cannibal Holocaust (1980)
It’s no secret that Cannibal Holocaust is a controversial film. It may be a cult classic, but it has been polarizing critics and audiences alike for over four decades. That said, it’s hard to argue against it ranking among the scariest horror films ever made, owing to the extreme nature of its subject matter.
The film follows an anthropologist named Harold Monroe (Robert Kerman) who leads a rescue team into the Amazon rainforest to locate a lost crew of filmmakers who were making a documentary on local cannibal tribes. After locating the crew’s remains and recovering their footage, Monroe reviews it and uncovers a string of horrific violent crimes they committed against the local tribe. The film’s found footage style and realism led many to believe its violence was real, and its extreme nature saw it banned in many countries.
What makes Cannibal Holocaust so scary is the unspeakably evil acts it depicts. Depending on who you ask, it’s either a powerful piece of cinema or disgustingly exploitative, but either way, it’s considered horrifying. It’s a dark entry into horror movie history, but an undeniably fascinating one.