Stephen King Shares His All-Time Favorite Horror Movie And The ‘Helpless Terror’ It Gave Him

If anyone knows horror, it’s Stephen King. So when he says one movie left him feeling “helpless terror,” it’s a big deal. Sure, this is the man who brought us It, The Shining, and Carrie. But one horror flick out there actually managed to make the King of Horror himself break a sweat.

Now, you might assume that someone like Stephen King would be pretty much unshakeable when it comes to scary movies.

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This guy has spent decades building a fortress of horrors. But the truth is, even King has a top pick that made him feel that delicious, goosebumpy fear we crave from the horror genre. And, just in time for Halloween, he’s decided to reveal his personal favorite.

Of course, he’s no stranger to giving out film recommendations — he’s even suggested a list of must-watch horror movies on Netflix.

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Still, his latest admission digs a little deeper than “scary” and edges on “I might need to leave the lights on.” So, what could it be? King says he put serious thought into this question, really digging through his lifetime of horror-viewing experience.

But let’s start at the beginning.

According to King, the first movie that ever chilled him to the core was The Haunting — the 1963 black-and-white classic directed by Robert Wise. At age 16, King found this supernatural tale of a haunted mansion horrifyingly effective.

After all, The Haunting didn’t need CGI or jump scares; its dread was built on pure atmosphere, and it worked on young King like a charm.

But tastes change. As he got older, King admits his scariest film evolved from haunted house to found footage.

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He says The Blair Witch Project was the film that, in adulthood, freaked him out the most.

For anyone who’s seen that final scene, it’s understandable

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The whole movie builds up a slow, creeping dread that explodes in those last 35 seconds. It’s simple, sure, but those shaky camera shots in the woods are deeply unsettling.

Then, at 77, King made a surprise pick.

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His ultimate horror favorite? Drumroll… George A. Romero’s 1968 Night of the Living Dead. King says this low-budget classic is the only one that managed to keep him up at night, and even decades later, it still sends shivers down his spine.

Now, Night of the Living Dead isn’t just a zombie movie. It practically invented the zombie genre as we know it today.

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The story follows seven strangers trapped in a farmhouse, surrounded by the undead — a scenario that Romero turns into an intense mix of claustrophobia and doom. This wasn’t just about ghouls banging on windows; it was about survival, fear, and the collapse of humanity.

As for why this particular film still holds the top spot, King doesn’t mince words.

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Romero’s low-budget production hit all the right notes for terror without needing bells and whistles. King says that horror doesn’t need much — just a good story and real fear. And when it comes to real fear, Romero had him by the throat.

So, there you have it. King’s all-time favorite horror movie is Night of the Living Dead.

Whether you’re a seasoned horror buff or a newbie looking for a place to start, the King of Horror himself has spoken. And honestly, if it’s scary enough to keep him up at night, it’s probably worth a watch.