The Shining

My parents mistakenly thought I’d sleep through The Shining, where my 4-year-old self watched Jack Nicholson maniacally terrorize his wife and son. For most of my childhood, I freaked out upon seeing his sadistic smile and had recurring nightmares of him chasing me. I’ve grown to love the film, but it’s still a tense experience. –Mike Prevatt, nightlife editor

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

I still can’t believe my parents let me watch this made-for-TV movie. What was more disturbing? Whispered voices in a pitch-black, creepy house? Razor-wielding goblins? Or a woman being dragged by said creatures through a basement fireplace? Even writing this, I have the urge to check under my desk. –Ken Miller, associate editor

The Exorcist

My family thought it would be a great idea to watch The Exorcist on Christmas Eve—when I was 8. I spent the rest of the night hiding under my pillow, but that was probably their plan all along. Parents have to wrap presents sometime, right? –Leslie Ventura, calendar editor

28 Days Later

Yes, I was already in college when this zombies-on-speed movie hit theaters, but that didn’t stop me from being totally traumatized by its (formerly) human predators—or from literally running to my car parked in a dark Boston alley after the showing. –Sarah Feldberg, editor

Session 9

A psychological horror film set in an abandoned New England mental asylum has all the makings of a cliché-dripping, unintentional farce of a thriller, but Brad Anderson’s eerie Session 9 had me afraid of my own thoughts, nighttime or not. It’s the kind of movie you want to erase from your mind, but then end up watching again and again. –Kristen Peterson, staff writer