Psycho

If Psycho was released today, it would be classified as a thriller not a horror. By today’s standards, there aren’t make-up and cuts that make you jump in your seat to justify the “horror” label. Yet, Hitchcock managed to create a scary atmosphere in the movie, mainly because of Anthony Perkins’ disturbing portrayal of Norman Bates, but more so because the events could unfold as depicted in Psycho, and it could happen to anyone. This is the main differentiator to more modern horror movies set in an unrealistic realm—you walk away thinking, “it’s just a movie.” That’s not the case with Psycho.