I haven’t done a top 10 “insert subgenre” list in quite some time and I actually thought I had talked about this but checking through my docs and tags on the blog, nothing about a list of slashers. Here we go, slashers, a subgenre that I am not the biggest fan of but I appreciate and respect them, they are a huge part of horror as a whole and I do enjoy them. As you guys know, my favorite subgenre is supernatural followed by psychological but I would say slasher is in the top 5 for sure. Now how I calculated this list is based off of what I have seen many times, or a one time event that stuck with me and nothing that I have not seen will not be listed!
So let’s get to business.
10. My Bloody Valentine (1981) – I saw this years ago, forgot about it, re-watched this February and fell in love with this one. I love the plot, the setting, it’s very unique and does a holiday themed horror very well. 
09. Haunt (2019) – An unexpected film that seemed to have similar looking vibes to Hell Fest (haven’t seen it) but emotionally, I was invested in this film. From beginning to end, especially the ending, I really liked this film.
08. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) – It’s grainy, it’s hot, it looks like a pain in the ass to film and yet there’s barely in blood in this film but there are creepy overtones throughout the film. And when we see Leatherface for the first time, talk about impact (figuratively and literally). Wow.
07. Friday the 13th (1980) – One of the “modern” horror films that kicked off the slasher subgenre. Iconic music and score, the ending, who the killer is, how graphic it is (thanks to Tom Savini), it definitely set a standard.
06. Child’s Play (1988) – I think this is one of the best horror films of the decade and just the idea of a child’s toy possessed by a serial killer is still kind of creepy. And it sucks when you know the truth and everyone around you thinks you’re crazy until they are dead themselves or see it for themselves… and by then it can be too late.
05. Scream (1996) – Give this film its respect. However this movie didn’t save the 90s horror genre, or anything like that. I think it introduced teen horror or young adult horror. I think with Craven’s direction and the writing of Kevin Williamson and the cast, who were very likeable, how could this film really fail? It was very different and I like that it is different. 
04. Black Christmas (1974) – I am still upset by this film. I enjoyed this movie, I like the character of Jess (Olivia Hussey) and the kills are just brutal, another holiday themed horror done very well. The ending still pisses me off for various reasons!
03. A Bay of Blood (1971) – This is a newer watch (from January this year) but my goodness, slashers wouldn’t really exist if it was not for this Italian horror film. The killer’s point of view and mystery behind the killer, the deaths themselves, it’s very bloody and full of some good gore and please, please watch this. The entire time I kept thinking, wow this is like Halloween or Friday the 13th and yeah, if this movie didn’t exist, I don’t think we’d have those.
02. Alice, Sweet Alice (1976) – Underrated cult horror film, I am still slightly confused on the ending. I love the look of the killer, the family drama, religion is a huge part of this film so if you’re not bothered by that, please check this out. It also goes by Communion and Holy Terror, I believe.
01. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) – Um, we know how much I love ANOES. I would consider this more supernatural but the slasher aspect is still there. An iconic horror figure in Freddy, the dreaming aspect, the writing, directing, the memorable kills, it works. ANOES works really well and still holds up!
But before we end this, there are quite a few of HM that if I did a top 20-50 slashers, these would be included. Some are classics and some are unknowns unless you dig deep into the genre.
Honorable Mentions
Psycho (1960)
American Psycho (2000)
Halloween (1978)
Stage Fright (1989)
The Red Queen Kills Seven Times (1972)
Slashers are vast and I haven’t seen every single one but I would love to sit down and at least watch a handful this month to get a bigger range. I’ve seen The Burning, Maniac, You’re Next, When a Stranger Calls, The Prowler, Pieces, and so many more that have popped on lists and they are available to watch on streaming so I might do it. What is your favorite slasher(s)? Let me know in the comments below!
Shots of Horror 
Good list. I have always been a big fan of The Burning. Also, The Mutilator is pretty awesome as well. If you watch a lot of 80’s slasher films then it will kind of make you laugh. Especially with it’s main theme song. It’s so uplifting for a movie about slaughtering college kids.
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I’ve seen The Mutilator around on streaming, I’m intrigued by that!
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