Graveyard Shift

Film

According to a Pew Research Center survey from 2021, 23% of American adults <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/09/21/who-doesnt-read-books-in-america/">didn't read a single book</a> in the previous year. Maybe they were all scared away by the movies on this list. The books below can raise the dead, transport you to evil worlds, or may even lead to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/misery-behind-the-scenes-annie-wilkes-paul-sheldon/eric-vega">some mild hobbling</a>. Whatever the outcome, it's bad news. When was the last time the TV hurt you?Vote up the books you would rather Dewey-decimate than crack open their spines.

Movies That Unintentionally Convince Their Audience That Reading Is Bad

Movies That Unintentionally Convince Us That Reading Is Bad

Josh Buono

Whoa Facts

The Great Lakes have been a popular destination for families&nbsp;and nature lovers ever since families and nature lovers could venture out and about. Often, they are seen as the gentle, small cousins to the ocean, which offers a bounty of dangers and dismaying situations. But alas, the Great Lakes offer just as <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/polluted-lake-michigan-dangerous/erin-mccann" target="_blank">many dangers</a>, if not more.

From tornadoes to blood-sucking fish that swim just below the surface, here is a small selection of scary facts regarding the Great Lakes.

14 Scary Facts About The Great Lakes

General

Erin Maxwell

Zombies are coming after your sweet, delicious brain meat.

Braaaaaaaaaains!

Zombies

Horror fans can credit the birth of the zombie genre as we know to George Romero and his 1968 film Night of the Living Dead. Not only did Romero introduce shambling, flesh-eating undead to audiences, but he also infused it with relevant social commentary.As decades of zombie movies wore on, some imitated while others elevated, adding speed and cunning to the undead's weaponry.The movies on this list continue the tradition of innovation by mixing their undead antagonists with comedies, love stories, and <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/which-era-would-you-want-to-live-in/jacob-shelton?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">different eras in history</a>. Some even made a zombie <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hollyood-leading-man-year-you-were-born/anncasano?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">a leading man</a> instead of an outside force in someone else's account, looking for love and redemption instead of a way into someone's brain.

Unconventional Zombie Stories That Breathe New Life Into The Dead Genre

Jodi Smith

Are you the "horror person" on your virtual trivia team? Meet your new secret weapon: lists about everything even you don't know about movies scarier than the sound of a child's laughter in a cemetery after dark.

Horror Buff Stuff

Film Characters

Scream made the “rules” of the horror film famous; Cabin in the Woods saw archetypes stretching back to the beginning of storytelling. The fact is that genre stories have always traded heavily in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/horror-movie-trope-origins/orrin-grey">stereotypes and tropes</a> as shorthand, and in some ways, the “self-aware” horror that has followed on the heels of films like Scream has made these tropes even more ingrained. However, even a good cliché <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/cheap-jump-scare-horror-movie-tropes/jacob-shelton">can become overused</a>.&nbsp;These stock <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-most-utterly-terrifying-figures-in-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">horror movie characters</a> are ones who may have worn out their welcome, are in need of being reimagined for a more discerning audience, or should be retired altogether. Vote up the stereotypes you're most tired of seeing.

The Most Overused Character Stereotypes In Horror Movies, Ranked

The Most Overused Horror Movie Character Stereotypes

Orrin Grey

Ranking the scariest, creepiest, goriest, most traumatizing, gut-wrenching, and heartwarming scenes ever to pop up in horror movies.

Spooky Scenes & Jump Scares

Horror

While almost every horror movie relies on the dark to assist in its scares, some take on the challenge of presenting their spooky scenes in broad daylight. When done well, this can create a much more disconcerting environment.One factor that makes<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/disturbing-weird-horror-movies/orrin-grey"> horror movies scary </a>is the notion that what's happening on screen could happen in real life, and when the events take place in the middle of the day, it’s much easier to imagine them happening to you.Horror movies may traditionally take place at night, but disarming the audience with daylight, then <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/elevated-2010s-horror-movies/orrin-grey">horrifying them to their core</a> with an unexpected scare can be too good of an opportunity to pass up. These sunny scenes that cause nightmarish dreams pop up in both classic and modern horror flicks, and the films below contain some of the best examples.

Disturbing Horror Movie Scenes Set In Broad Daylight

Griffin Peters

Lists about great entertainment that took chances and strayed from that same boring formula.

And Now: Something Different

Horror is one of the most unique film genres in its potential for both controversy and profitability. In terms of controversy, horror films often deal in the most shocking and boundary-pushing subject matter in film; as for profitability, horror films can be shot on generally low budgets with small casts who haven't yet had any breakout roles. As such, if a particular horror movie can rise above the rest and become a hit, it can earn back its own budget many, many times over.So, how does a horror movie elevate itself? A well-executed horror movie has a compelling script with fresh ideas and a strong grasp of horror filmmaking. Movies fitting this description often become staples in the horror genre. Occasionally, however, one of these horror movies elevates itself even beyond the horror genre as a whole and becomes a genuine film classic.Here are a few horror movies that turned out to be surprise hits.

Unexpected Horror Movie Hits That Came Out Of Nowhere

Unexpected Horror Movie Hits

Jim Rowley

Interesting

The term “Stockholm syndrome” has been thrown around in popular culture for years, but what does it really mean? As it turns out, Stockholm syndrome, and many other syndromes named after major cities across the globe, originated from a real event that left both experts and the public baffled.Although Stockholm syndrome can happen anywhere, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-is-havana-syndrome-fbi-investigates-strange-illness/patrick-thornton">other syndromes</a> such as Jerusalem syndrome and Florence syndrome only occur in their respective city. Individuals can experience intense emotional reactions to art, have a religious experience, or enter into a state of psychosis all because of the city they're visiting.In the list below, we'll go into the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/us-cities-renamed/tracey-graham"> history and theories </a>surrounding the most well-known city-named syndromes of all time and the theories surrounding them.

Syndromes Named After Cities From Around The World

City Named Syndromes

Patrick Thornton

Lists of great, unforgettable, and weird scenes in film and TV - and how they got made.

And... Scene

Sematary Shift

The right ending can really make a movie - but that doesn't always mean the conclusion audiences get is the one the filmmakers originally envisioned. Sometimes, movies had<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-depressing-horror-movies-ever-made/patrick-thornton"> much bleaker</a> endings before studios or test audiences got a hold of them - or simply before the filmmaker thought better of it.Some of these endings would have changed the tone of their whole film, while others would have made more minor alterations. Regardless, all of them probably would have left audiences walking home a little <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movie-characters-who-survived-thanks-to-script-change/ashley-reign">more bummed out</a>. A few of them even made it onto film, only to be changed after the movie was previewed - or, in one or two cases, after it was already released. Still other endings were scrapped at the script stage.Regardless of how the changes happened, vote up the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-unsettling-ending-scenes-horror-movies/ezra-hendren">bleak endings</a> that you think we're happier not knowing.

Movies You Never Realized Originally Had Super Bleak Endings

Movies With Super Bleak Original Endings

Halloween

It's that time of year again. Get out the costumes, carve up the pumpkins, and stock up on candy - it's Halloween!&nbsp;Every year, shelves and Amazon vans alike are stuffed with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-halloween-candy">America's favorite candies</a> - from Reese's to Skittles to Sour Patch Kids. So which candy will you stock up on this year?&nbsp;Whether you're shopping in person or online,&nbsp;you'll want to make sure you know what candy is most popular in the state you live in. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.candystore.com/blog/facts-trivia/halloween-candy-map-popular/">Candystore.com</a> does an excellent job rounding up which candies sold the best in all 50 states (plus Washington, DC). For more than 14 years, the website has crunched the numbers&nbsp;and compiled a list of each state's favorite candy.The "favorite" candy is defined as the candy that sold the most, in pounds, in the months leading up to Halloween. Here you'll find a list of the favorite Halloween candy by&nbsp;state in an easy-to-follow alphabetical format.

What Halloween Candy Sells The Most In Every State?

Chrissy Rose

Some trilogies save the best movie for last: <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/behind-the-scenes-of-movie-fantasy-creatures/thomas-west?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Lord of the Rings</a>, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars are just a few examples. Yet, for every successful third movie in a trilogy, there are a dozen that aren't nearly as strong.The reasons for poor third films are all over the place - a change in characters, a lack of storyline, or in some cases, the film is nothing but a transparent cash grab from the studio.From superhero movies like Spider-Man to comedies like The Hangover - with thrillers, sci-fi flicks, and animated movies in between - we've compiled some of the worst finales of both trilogies and movie series we could find. Is your least favorite on the list?

Trilogies With The Weakest Third Movies

Franchises We Were On Board With Until The Third Movie

Emily Mast

Are we the only intelligent lifeforms in the entire universe? Probably not. Exploring the unknown worlds, motives, and visits of extraterrestrial life and UFOs.

Aliens.

Aliens

The figure of the alien is one that has haunted the American imagination for much of the 20th and the 21st centuries. There is something both <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-alien-movies/tyler-mitchell">terrifying and enticing</a> about the idea of beings living out in the reaches of space, far beyond human understanding. Thus, it’s unsurprising to find aliens appearing in a wide range of films, from big-budget sci-fi spectaculars to comedies. While some alien films have become major cultural touchstones – Alien&nbsp;and&nbsp;E.T.&nbsp;come to mind – others have flown a bit under the radar. Despite their relative lack of popularity, however, these films are worth a watch for how they demonstrate the enduring <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/things-movies-get-wrong-about-aliens/alexandra-meyering">fascination of the alien</a>.

The Most Underrated Alien Movies

Underrated Alien Movies

Thomas West

Looking back at underrated scenes and clever details in our favorite 2000s movies of every genre.

Rewatching the 2000s

Underrated

Sometimes as a cinephile, all you want is a good cry. A film that really lets you wallow in some well-earned sadness.Sure, you could rewatch<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/saddest-terminal-romance-movie-losses/christian-cintron"> your favorite wistful romance again</a>, or revisit<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-depressing-horror-movies-ever-made/patrick-thornton"> the standard list of tearjerkers</a> to get the waterworks and deep sighs flowing. But you could instead seek out some of these underrated movies from 2000-present that have been kicking off melancholy “main character moments” over the past two (and change) decades by leaving their audiences depressed.

Underrated Movies From 2000-Present That Left Audiences Depressed

Underrated Films (2000-Present) That Depressed Audiences

Emmett ORegan

Let's look closely at the all spooky scary franchises, sequels, prequels, reboots, remakes, and etc. we're watching in the dark with no lights on.

Horror Marathon, Anyone?

Anytime there's a popular horror movie, it's bound to get a sequel - or two, or three, or nine. With so many franchise installments, many of them produced on the cheap, horror movies aren't exactly known for their rigid continuity. In fact, later movies in a series will often outright contradict earlier ones, while some installments specifically ignoring their predecessors altogether.As a result, keeping track of just what the heck is going on in your favorite horror franchise can be - frankly put - murder, especially in the age of remakes, reboots, and late-era sequels. Fortunately, we've pulled apart the timelines of some of the most confounding franchises to help walk you through which movies “count” in continuity, which don't, and in what order you need to watch them in to get the whole story - or all the different stories, as the case may be.Vote up the tangled timelines that left you scratching your head long after you left the theater (or turned off the TV).

The Most Confusing Horror Franchise Timelines, Explained

The Most Confusing Horror Franchise Timelines Explained

Ranking the best movies of the decade that brought us everything from Fight Club to Titanic to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.

'90s Movie Nostalgia

Thrillers

In an era defined by grunge, the rise of digital technology, and memorable cultural milestones, the 1990s also gifted us with a treasure trove of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/1990s-thriller-movies-behind-the-scenes/anncasano">underrated thrillers</a>. These films are not your typical Hollywood blockbusters; they're unique gems that have amassed cult followings over time. From their blend of genres to their clever social commentary and innovative storytelling techniques,<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-thrillers-with-bad-protagonists/olivia-peterman"> these thrillers </a>deserve more recognition than they initially received. So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and prepare for a cinematic journey into the underappreciated world of '90s thrillers.Disclaimer: This article was assembled with the help of generative AI tools and edited by a human.

Underrated Thrillers From The 1990s

Allen Irving

Celebrating the iconic actresses and actors who keep us coming back for more horror.

Scream Queens & Kings

When deciding which horror movie to watch next, you might want to learn which films <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/horror-actors-in-and-out-of-makeup/erin-mccann?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">famous horror actors</a> and directors cite as their favorites. For instance, Scream star <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/jenna-ortega-fun-facts-trivia/linda-meyers">Jenna Ortega</a> loves '80s classics like Prom Night and Possession, while filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has taken to Twitter over the years to recommend newer releases, such as Midsommar and Watcher.With <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/underrated-horror-movie-year-you-were-born/griffin-peters">horror films</a> ranging from classic to contemporary and domestic to foreign, the 14 actors, screenwriters, and directors on this list provide plenty of insight into what they think are the best horror movies ever made.

Horror Icons Share Their Personal Horror Movie Recommendations

Lists about the zany little things we believe anyway.

Very Superstitious

Any activity, after a period of time, will develop folklore, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-13-origins-of-the-most-common-superstitions/ariel-kana">superstitions</a>, or nervous traditions, but few mediums have such a long list of mystical failsafes than theater. Perhaps it’s simply a product of how long theater has been an art form - originating in Greece in the 6th century BCE - or perhaps there’s something about stage performance that invites the attention of… others.Ghosts, demons, spirits of misfortune - the world of theater plays host to all sorts of phenomena and portents of ruin. But where do all these weirdly specific rules, rituals, and<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/old-wives-tales-that-are-true/carlycarano"> folktales</a> come from? Let’s dive into the strange, sometimes paranoid world of theater superstitions.

The Most Bizarre Theater Superstitions You May Have Never Heard Of

Bizarre Theater Superstitions

Amanda Boisen

Graveyard Shift lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories

Graveyard Shift lists on Ranker

Graveyard Shift lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for hundreds of Graveyard Shift lists and rankings.

28 Days Later

Dawn of the Dead

Night of the Living Dead

Pennywise the Dancing Clown

Herbert

Hannibal Lecter

Thalassophobia

Arachnophobia

Acrophobia

Lists about phobias: the things we're scared of and why we are afraid of them.

What Are You So Afraid Of?

Lifestyle

This is a list of the most common phobias, ranked by people who find these things incapacitating. These popular fears can paralyze you or are incontrollable - no matter what logic tells you. Do you have any of these? Common phobias include aracnophobia (fear of spiders), acrophobia (fear of heights), and aviophobia (fear of flying), though there is no end to the number of things people can be afraid of. If your phobia isn't listed, add it, or press rerank to make your own list of the things you find most threatening. Let's find out the most common phobia. Vote and add! If you just want to vote on things that scare you, but aren't phobias, check out this list.

Emetophobia

What's Your Phobia?

Disease or medical condition

Most Common Phobias & Fears | List of Scariest Things

Desertrat89

After spending so very many hours watching a TV show, we form strong attachments - and revulsions - to certain characters. Let's rank 'em.

TV Characters We Love & Hate

Best TV

The creepiest characters on television mess with our heads, leave us wondering and stick in our heads for a long time after their respective TV shows air. These are the fictional TV characters we love to hate for one reason or another. They might not be the scariest TV characters in a traditional sense but these are the creepiest characters on our <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-best-tv-shows-of-recent-memory" target="_blank">favorite recent TV shows</a>.Creepy television characters come in all types with each taking creepy to a new and different level. Some don't hide their creepiness, such as Herbert, the suspected pedophile from &quot;Family Guy,&quot; or Dexter Morgan, the serial killer/forensic blood splatter analyst from the Showtime series &quot;Dexter.&quot; Fans know what to expect from that type of creepy character but often it's the creepers who leave you guessing that are the creepiest TV characters of all.Take Walter White, the main character in the Emmy Award-winning drama &quot;Breaking Bad.&quot; Mr. White was a seemingly harmless family man and high school teacher who &quot;broke bad&quot; and took on an alter ego capable of unspeakable crimes. The uncertainty of the realm of possibility for the character makes him incredibly fascinating and beyond creepy.The same goes for characters that are highly secretive or not completely explained which opens the doors for all types of creepy. &quot;LOST&quot; fans didn't know what the elusive Smoke Monster was for nearly all six seasons the show aired but it was well established that it was definitely a threat to take seriously.Whether these creepy TV characters put all their cards on the table and embrace their creepy tendencies or leave fans guessing what they will do next, each offer plenty of food for thought on some of our favorite television shows. Everyone is creeped out by something or other so if we missed your favorite creepy TV character, add him, her or it below.

Glenn Quagmire

The Creepiest Characters in TV History

TV Character

Ranker Community

Here is a list of the best zombie movies ever, including popular blockbusters like Zombieland, 28 Days Later,&nbsp;and Dawn of the Dead; classic zombie flicks like 1968's&nbsp;Night of the Living Dead and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-best-zombie-comedies/ranker-film" target="_blank">Comedy/Zombie crossovers</a> like Braindead and Shaun of the Dead.&nbsp;The best zombie movies of all time are certainly up for debate and this is where you come in! Purist zombie fans can argue forever over what really constitutes a good zombie movie--does it have to be a drama or horror film or can it be a <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/who-says-zombies-aren_t-funny-10-zombie-comedies/pt_tesla">zombie comedy</a>? What is the dictionary definition of &quot;zombie&quot;? Do the creatures have to be completely brainless and incapable of conversation? Can zombies feast on anything or only brains? etc., etc. But most of the world's zombie cult following will find the famous zombie films that they most love on this list.What are the best zombie movies ever? This is a list of the best zombie movies of all time, as ranked by YOU, you Primitive Screwheads! From older classics to new zombie movies, the top zombie movies are listed here for you to vote, rerank, and even add to. Whether you're a fan of slow shamble zombies or plague infected runners, one thing that we can all agree on is our love of zombie movies. So get in there and get ranking. If you think a <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/fast-moving-zombie-movies/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">new zombie movie</a> deserves to make the list, be sure to add it!