Best Horror Movies Of All Time
2. 2. The Shining (1980)
Famous scenes from The Shining, like Jack Nicholson's "Here's Johnny" line, are emblematic of horror. Despite the prevalence of parodies, Stanley Kubrick's expert blend of suspense and claustrophobia still chills viewers. Nicholson's portrayal of Jack Torrance, the caretaker of an isolated Colorado hotel, remains iconic.
Author Stephen King didn't approve of The Shining's adaptation, finding its real-world focus on protagonist Jack Torrance's internal struggles and alcoholism too distant from his supernatural novel. Yet, this shift towards exploring human frailty and madness contributes to the film's chilling impact, as many critics and viewers find.