Top 11 horror womens

"Carrie" by Stephen King

"Carrie" is a horror novel written by Stephen King and published in 1974. The story follows Carrie White, a high school outcast who discovers she has telekinetic powers. As she struggles with her newfound abilities and the bullying she endures at school, her classmates plan a cruel prank on her at the prom. But Carrie's powers prove to be a force to be reckoned with and the prank turns into a nightmare. The novel explores themes of bullying, isolation, and the consequences of pushing someone to their limits.

King's writing creates a sense of tension and unease throughout the novel as the reader is taken on a journey of horror and supernatural terror. The novel was a commercial success and it was later adapted into a film in 1976, directed by Brian De Palma, which was also a commercial and critical success, and has since become a cult classic. It was followed by a sequel in 1999 and a remake in 2013. The novel is considered a classic of the horror genre and it has had a significant impact on popular culture.

"The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris

"The Silence of the Lambs" is a psychological thriller novel written by Thomas Harris and published in 1988. The story follows FBI agent Clarice Starling as she tries to track down a serial killer known as "Buffalo Bill." The killer has been abducting and murdering young women, and Agent Starling is tasked with finding him before he strikes again.

To help her with the case, she turns to the assistance of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant but cannibalistic serial killer who is currently incarcerated in a high-security prison. Dr. Lecter agrees to help Agent Starling, but only if she shares personal information with him in return. The novel explores themes of obsession, power, and the blurred line between good and evil.

Harris' writing creates an intense and suspenseful atmosphere that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The novel was a commercial and critical success and it went on to win the Bram Stoker Award and the Anthony Award for Best Novel. It was later adapted into a film in 1991, directed by Jonathan Demme, which went on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of Dr. Lecter. The film is considered a classic of the crime-thriller genre and has had a significant impact on popular culture.

"The Exorcist" by William Peter Blatty

"The Exorcist" is a horror novel written by William Peter Blatty and published in 1971. The story is set in Washington D.C. and follows the possession of a young girl named Regan MacNeil and the two Catholic priests who attempt to exorcise the demon possessing her, Father Karras and Father Merrin. The novel is a terrifying and suspenseful account of the exorcism, which is based on a real-life exorcism case that occurred in 1949.

The novel explores themes of faith, evil, and the battle between good and evil. Blatty's writing creates an intense atmosphere of dread, suspense, and horror that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The novel was an immediate commercial and critical success and it was later adapted into a film in 1973, directed by William Friedkin, which went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of all time and a cultural phenomenon. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won two, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Blatty himself. The novel and the film are considered classics of the horror genre and have had a significant impact on popular culture.

"The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson

"The Haunting of Hill House" is a psychological horror novel written by Shirley Jackson and published in 1959. The story follows a group of people who spend a summer in a haunted mansion called Hill House, which has a reputation for being one of the most haunted houses in America. The characters are there to investigate the supernatural occurrences and the main character is Eleanor Vance, a shy young woman who is invited to participate in the investigation by Dr. Montague, a paranormal investigator. Eleanor is joined by Luke Sanderson, the heir to Hill House, and Theodora, a bohemian artist.

As the characters spend time in the house, they begin to experience strange and terrifying occurrences, including ghostly visions and unexplained noises. The novel explores themes of fear, isolation, and the power of the past to haunt the present. Jackson masterfully creates a sense of unease and dread throughout the novel as the reader is taken on a journey of psychological horror.

The novel was a commercial and critical success and it was later adapted into a film in 1963 directed by Robert Wise, and a Netflix series in 2018 directed by Mike Flanagan, both adaptations were well-received by the audiences. It is considered a classic of the horror genre and is widely considered one of the greatest ghost stories of the 20th century.

"Annihilation" by Jeff Vandermeer

"Annihilation" is a science fiction horror novel written by Jeff Vandermeer and published in 2014. The story follows a team of scientists as they venture into a mysterious, deadly environmental disaster zone known as "Area X." The area is cut off from the rest of the world and is being studied by the government agency known as "The Southern Reach."

As the team delves deeper into Area X, they begin to experience strange and terrifying occurrences, including hallucinations and mutations. The novel explores themes of the unknown, the power of nature, and the dangers of obsession. Vandermeer creates a sense of unease and dread throughout the novel as the reader is taken on a journey of uncertainty and horror.

The novel was well-received by critics and readers alike, and it was followed by two sequels, "Authority" and "Acceptance" in 2014 and 2014 respectively. The book was later adapted into a film in 2018, directed by Alex Garland and starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac. The film received positive reviews for its performances, atmosphere and its ability to convey the dread and terror of the novel.

"Pet Sematary" by Stephen King

"Pet Sematary" is a horror novel written by Stephen King and published in 1983. The story follows a family who moves to a small town in Maine and discovers a burial ground for pets that has the power to bring the dead back to life. The father, Louis Creed, becomes obsessed with the idea of using the cemetery to bring his deceased son, Gage, back to life, but soon realizes that the consequences of his actions may be far more terrifying than he ever imagined.

The novel explores themes of grief, loss, and the blurred line between life and death. King masterfully creates a sense of unease and dread throughout the novel as the reader is taken on a journey of horror and supernatural terror.

The novel was a commercial success and it was later adapted into a film in 1989, directed by Mary Lambert and starring Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby, and Fred Gwynne. The film was a box office success and it was followed by a sequel in 1992. A new adaptation of the film was released in 2019, directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, starring Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz and John Lithgow.

"The Girl Next Door" by Jack Ketchum

"The Girl Next Door" is a horror novel written by Jack Ketchum and published in 1989. The novel is based on a true story of the abuse and murder of a young girl named Sylvia Likens in 1960s Indianapolis. The story follows the Likens family, who are struggling financially and decide to leave their teenage daughter, Sylvia, and her sister Jenny in the care of a woman named Gertrude Baniszewski while they travel to earn money. Gertrude and her children start to abuse, tortured and killed Sylvia in the most horrific ways.

The novel is a brutal and deeply disturbing account of the true events that took place and it's a powerful and emotional story of abuse, neglect, and ultimately murder. It's not for the faint-hearted and it will leave a deep impact on the reader. The novel explores themes of abuse, power, and the consequences of neglecting the most vulnerable in society.

The novel was later adapted into a film in 2007, directed by Gregory M. Wilson and starring Ellen Page, Catherine Keener, and Harrison Gilbertson. The film received mixed reviews, with some praising its performances and its ability to convey the horror of the story, while others criticized it for being too graphic and disturbing.

"The Witch" by Ronald Malfi

"The Witch" is a horror novel written by Ronald Malfi and published in 2014. The story follows a family who moves to a remote island off the coast of Massachusetts, and soon after strange and terrifying occurrences begin to happen. The father, Paul, becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid as he starts to suspect that the island is cursed and that a malevolent force is after his family.

As the story unfolds, the reader is taken on a journey of fear, paranoia, and supernatural terror as the family struggles to survive against the malevolent force that is hunting them. The novel explores themes of isolation, family, and the power of fear to manipulate and control.

The novel received positive reviews from critics and readers alike, with many praising the author's ability to create a sense of suspense and unease throughout the story. The novel was later adapted into a film in 2016, directed by Robert Eggers and starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, and Harvey Scrimshaw. The film received positive reviews for its atmosphere, performances and its ability to convey the dread and terror of the novel.

"The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" by Rebecca Wells

"The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" is a psychological thriller novel written by Rebecca Wells and published in 1992. The story follows a young mother named Claire who has just suffered a miscarriage and is left feeling emotionally vulnerable. She hires a new nanny, named Peyton, who appears to be the perfect candidate to take care of her two young children. However, as Claire begins to trust and rely on Peyton more, she starts to uncover a dark past and sinister motivations behind Peyton's actions.

The novel explores themes of maternal guilt, obsession, and the danger of trusting the wrong person. As the story unfolds, the reader is left to question whether Peyton's actions are due to a genuine desire to help Claire and her children or if there's something more sinister behind her intentions.

The book was later adapted into a film in 1992, directed by Curtis Hanson and starring Rebecca De Mornay, Annabella Sciorra, and Matt McCoy. The film was a box office success, grossing over $88 million worldwide. The book was also a New York Times bestseller.

"The Little Stranger" by Sarah Waters

"The Little Stranger" is a gothic novel written by Sarah Waters, published in 2009. The story is set in a decrepit country house in rural Warwickshire, England, in the aftermath of World War II. The novel follows the story of Dr. Faraday, a country doctor who is called to the house, called Hundreds Hall, to attend to a patient. He becomes fascinated with the house and its inhabitants, the Ayres family, who are struggling to keep their home and way of life from falling apart.

As Dr. Faraday becomes more and more involved with the Ayres family, strange and unexplained occurrences begin to happen in the house, leading him to suspect that the house may be haunted. The novel explores themes of class, the decline of the aristocracy, and the psychological impact of trauma and loss.

"The Little Stranger" received positive reviews from critics and readers alike, with many praising the author's ability to create a sense of tension and unease throughout the novel. The novel was later adapted into a film in 2018 directed by Lenny Abrahamson and starring Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson, Will Poulter, and Charlotte Rampling.

"The Woman in Black" by Susan Hill

"The Woman in Black" is a horror novel by Susan Hill, published in 1983. The story follows a young lawyer named Arthur Kipps, who is sent to a remote village to settle the affairs of a deceased client. While there, he begins to experience strange and terrifying occurrences, including sightings of a ghostly woman dressed in black. The woman seems to be connected to the death of a young boy and the tragic history of the village.

As Kipps delves deeper into the mystery, he becomes increasingly haunted by the woman in black and her connection to the village's dark past. The novel explores themes of grief, loss, and the power of the past to haunt the present.

"The Woman in Black" has been adapted into a number of different forms of media, including a 1989 film, a 2012 stage play, and a 2012 BBC television series. The stage play is still performed today and is considered one of the most successful and longest-running ghost stories in the West End of London and on Broadway. The novel's success also led to two sequel novels, "The Woman in Black: Angels of Death" (2012) and "The Woman in Black: The Angel of Death" (2019)