The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The top 50
Horror novels of all time
50 standout choices selected for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
What earns a placeFear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power. Every pick combines lasting value with current availability.
Why It Ranks →
The Shining
The Shining by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Dracula
Dracula by Bram Stoker is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Beloved
Beloved by Toni Morrison is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Shining (The Shining, #1)
The Shining (The Shining, #1) by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
It
It by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
’Salem’s Lot
’Salem’s Lot by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Pet Sematary
Pet Sematary by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Misery
Misery by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Exorcist (The Exorcist, #1)
The Exorcist (The Exorcist, #1) by William Peter Blatty is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Carrie
Carrie by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Silence of the Lambs (Hannibal Lecter, #2)
The Silence of the Lambs (Hannibal Lecter, #2) by Thomas Harris is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Interview with the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles, #1)
Interview with the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles, #1) by Anne Rice is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Rosemary’s Baby (Rosemary's Baby, #1)
Rosemary’s Baby (Rosemary's Baby, #1) by Ira Levin is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Ghost Story
Ghost Story by Peter Straub is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
House of Leaves
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Heart-Shaped Box
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter, #1)
Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter, #1) by Thomas Harris is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Stand
The Stand by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Needful Things
Needful Things by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Swan Song
Swan Song by Robert McCammon is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
American Psycho
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Green Mile
The Green Mile by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Let the Right One In
Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Amityville Horror
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Cujo
Cujo by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Hell House
Hell House by Richard Matheson is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Christine
Christine by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Watchers
Watchers by Dean Koontz is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Jaws (Jaws, #1)
Jaws (Jaws, #1) by Peter Benchley is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Desperation
Desperation by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Long Walk
The Long Walk by Richard Bachman is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Vampire Lestat (The Vampire Chronicles, #2)
The Vampire Lestat (The Vampire Chronicles, #2) by Anne Rice is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Dead Zone
The Dead Zone by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Psycho (Psycho, #1)
Psycho (Psycho, #1) by Robert Bloch is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Talisman (The Talisman, #1)
The Talisman (The Talisman, #1) by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Ruins
The Ruins by Scott Smith is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Terror
The Terror by Dan Simmons is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Flowers in the Attic (Dollanganger, #1)
Flowers in the Attic (Dollanganger, #1) by V.C. Andrews is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Rebecca
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Bag of Bones
Bag of Bones by Stephen King is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
The Witching Hour (Lives of the Mayfair Witches, #1)
The Witching Hour (Lives of the Mayfair Witches, #1) by Anne Rice is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Horns
Horns by Joe Hill is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.
Coraline
Coraline by Neil Gaiman is a durable novel choice, recognized for fear, atmosphere, influence and lasting literary power.