The Shining (1980)

The Shining transformed Jack Nicholson into one of cinema's most iconic villains, ranking #3 on this list for its psychological depth and boasting a 84% Rotten Tomatoes score as of 2023. Stanley Kubrick's meticulous direction included 127 takes of the "Here's Johnny!" scene, a data point reflecting his perfectionism that outperforms #4 Halloween's single-day shoot. The film's Steadicam corridors and hedge maze have permanently embedded themselves in popular culture, influencing 15 subsequent horror movies.