Top 10 Best Silent Horror Movies for Halloween

When the first horror movies were made, there were no screeching violins, ear-shattering screams, or sounds of hearts pounding. Filmmakers had to do things a bit differently to frighten audiences during the days of early horror movies, but they are no less horrifying today. If you're looking for different horror movie fare to view for Halloween, perhaps you should try watching some of these black-and-white classic masterpieces that helped shape modern horror movies. Just turn off the lights and enjoy a Halloween night full of gray shadows and some of the creepiest imagery you'll ever see:

Nosferatu - This is perhaps the finest of the silent horror movies, and still one of the most unique takes on the story of Dracula. Max Schrek is so disturbing as Count Orlok, a vampire that looks like a living corpse, that you might begin to believe that he's the real deal. So if you don't want to spend Halloween watching pretty vampires that sparkle and fall in love, you might appreciate taking a trip back to the beginning of the bloodsuckers.

The Phantom of the Opera - This list is going to be a bit Lon Chaney-heavy, but I really can't help it; he's the king of the silent horror movies. The makeup job on the Phantom here is still disturbing even by today's standards, and you'll really get pulled into the Phantom's lonely underworld. Be sure to be sitting next to someone to hold tight while watching this creepy classic.

The Unknown - What frightens us more than the unknown? This is one of the first horror movies starring Lon Chaney that I ever saw, and I was definitely convinced of his amazing capability to make his dark and disturbing characters come to life after viewing it. He plays a knife thrower in a circus where he tosses knives with his feet, pretending that he has no arms. When a girl in the circus with him seems to be falling for him due to his lack of limbs, things start to get very shocking. I won't spoil it, but the ending of this film is pretty powerful and something I would have never expected, making it a perfect way to end Halloween on a disturbing note.

Hands of Orlac - The hands of a concert pianist are replaced with those of a murderer, so of course insanity and terror result from the pianist's new appendages. The genre of horror movies about transplanted body parts going bad would become popular with many remakes of this classic, but you've got to see the original.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari - When it comes to spooky imagery, this expressionist horror movie uses the fact that the audience is only seeing things to its advantage. There's murder, an insane asylum, and a zombie-like sleepwalker in one of the most visually stunning classic silent horror movies you'll ever see. After watching it, you'll really feel as if you've just awoken from some sort of Halloween nightmare.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Make sure you get the 1920's version of this horror movie starring John Barrymore. It's one of the many different takes on the classic tale of a man who transforms into a monster, and while it may not be the best, it's interesting to see this very animated silent version of one of the most beloved horror tales of all time.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Lon Chaney makes this classic story one of horror with his take on Quasimodo. It's another of the many classic silent horror movies here that features an amazing makeup job, and the man of a thousand faces is convincing yet again as the poor freak hiding from those that ridicule him in a bell tower and dedicating his life to the one woman that showed him a bit of humanity. He may look like the horrifying one here, but you'll soon learn that the evil in this film lurks elsewhere.

The Golem: How He Came Into the World - This is one of the lesser-known classic silent horror movies on this list, and one of the most interesting. (And no, it's not about that Gollum). It's the story of the creation of a giant clay statue meant to protect a town, but when the clay golem comes to life, it rebels and goes on a destructive and deadly rampage. I won't give away the ending, but don't expect to be too frightened by this one; it's just a fun, slightly scary movie that's good for Halloween viewing for those that don't like to be scared stiff.

The Cat and the Canary - This is one of the classic silent horror movies that had a very big influence on many haunted house movies to come. It's a gothic horror tale set in a spooky old mansion with a truly terrifying monster haunting it: an escapee from an insane asylum that believes he's a cat. In addition to being a big influence on many horror movies to come, it also has a touch of humor, which makes it stand out from the other silent movies mentioned here.

Haxan - This incredible "mockumentary" may not really be what you would consider a horror movie, but, then again, it's very hard to categorize it. It's supposed to be a look at witchcraft throughout the ages, showcasing demons, devilish acts, and, of course, witches. It's really a fascinating film to watch thanks to the bizarre imagery, and it's really one of my favorite movies for Halloween on this list, despite not being as scary as some of the others.

So whether you're looking for truly frightening classic horror movies or just something entertaining and unique to watch for Halloween, these silent movies are must-sees for those who love this spooky holiday.