The best of Tobe Hooper: five movies every fan of horror movies should see this Halloween -.

Tobe Hooper, one of the most influential directors in the horror genre, has left an indelible mark on cinema with his unique approach to creating suspense and terror. Hooper, born in Texas in 1943, became known for making films that delved deep into the dark corners of the human psyche, with an often fearless exploration of fear and the grotesque. Unlike many horror directors of his time, Hooper did not rely solely on jumpscares or conventional horror tropes; instead, he built his reputation by creating eerie atmospheres, persistent fear and characters trapped in nightmare scenarios that pushed the boundaries of psychological horror.

Today we want to talk about five of Hooper’s best films, ranked from fifth to first, that showcase the director’s skill and versatility in delivering chilling cinematic experiences. So let’s waste no more time. This is what we consider the best of Tobe Hooper.

5. The Funhouse (1981)

The Funhouse follows a group of teenagers who decide to spend the night at a carnival house for some innocent fun. However, things take a deadly turn when they witness a murder and are pursued by a deformed, monstrous killer.

The Funhouse plays on a primal fear: the disturbing underbelly of carnival life. Hooper takes a seemingly innocuous setting – a traveling carnival – and transforms it into a claustrophobic, nightmarish maze. The film is a slow burn, using the vivid and grotesque carnival imagery to build tension. Beneath its slasher exterior, The Funhouse plays with the idea of voyeurism and the dangerous thrill of peering into worlds we do not fully understand. The film’s atmosphere of dread and nightmarish setting are a testament to Hooper’s ability to transform even the most mundane environments into terrifying death traps.

4. Life Force (1985)

Lifeforce tells the story of a space mission that discovers a mysterious alien craft with human-like figures in mock death. When they are brought back to Earth, one of the creatures – a seductive female vampire – begins to drain the life energy of humans, threatening to wipe out the planet.

Lifeforce is a sci-fi horror film that combines vampiric mythology with alien invasion themes, creating a uniquely apocalyptic tale. Although it did not receive much acclaim upon its release, the film has since gained cult status for its bold visual style and unconventional take on the horror genre. Hooper deftly balances science fiction with body horror, presenting a world where humanity’s deepest fears – of death, sexuality and the unknown – are magnified through the lens of an alien invasion. Lifeforce demonstrates Hooper’s ambition to push the boundaries of genre films and his fascination with the convergence of beauty and horror.

3. The Fate of Salem (1979)

Based on the bestseller by Stephen King, Salem’s Lot is a two-part television miniseries that revolves around a writer, Ben Mears (David Soul), who returns to his hometown of Salem’s Lot, only to discover that a terrifying vampire has taken up residence in a sinister mansion, slowly turning the town’s inhabitants into undead creatures.

As a self-proclaimed fan of Stephen King, I consider Salem’s Lot to be one of Hooper’s most compelling works. Hooper masterfully brings King’s chilling story to life, transforming a sleepy town into a nightmarish battleground between the living and the undead. The film’s strength lies in its atmosphere: Hooper creates a palpable sense of dread as the evil in Salem’s Lot slowly consumes the town. The eerie tension builds steadily, culminating in moments of pure horror, such as the terrifying image of the vampire child floating outside a window, one of the most iconic scenes in the history of horror television. Salem’s Lot underscores Hooper’s ability to adapt complex stories into visually and emotionally haunting experiences, cementing his place as a master of psychological horror.

2. Poltergeist (1982)

In Poltergeist, the Freeling family’s peaceful life in the suburbs is shattered when their home becomes the scene of terrifying supernatural events. As the disturbances intensify, they discover that their home is built on an old cemetery, unleashing evil spirits, especially when their youngest daughter, Carol Anne, is abducted by these entities.

Although there has been debate about how much of Poltergeist was directed by Hooper versus producer Steven Spielberg, there is no denying the film’s lasting impact on the horror genre. Poltergeist combines classic ghost story elements with a suburban setting, making the horror feel deeply personal and relatable. The film’s ability to juxtapose the safety of domestic life with supernatural mayhem lifted the haunted house subgenre to new heights. At its core, Poltergeist explores the fragility of family and the fear of losing those we love to forces beyond our control. Hooper brings his signature atmosphere of creeping terror, while Spielberg’s influence on special effects and emotional storytelling offers a perfect balance between heartbreaking fears and family drama. Poltergeist remains one of the most iconic horror films of the 1980s, combining Hooper’s gift for suspense with Spielberg’s blockbuster sensibility.

1. Chainsaw Massacre in Texas (1974).

For me, this will always be the best horror film of all time. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre tells the story of five friends who on a road trip through rural Texas stumble upon a family of cannibals, led by the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface. What begins as a journey of discovery soon turns into a terrifying struggle for survival as the group is systematically hunted by the deranged family.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is not only Tobe Hooper’s magnum opus, but also one of the most influential horror films ever made. The film’s raw, relentless depiction of terror revolutionized the horror genre, moving away from gothic or supernatural stylistic figures to something far more visceral and disturbing. Filmed on a small budget, Hooper relied on minimalist but brutally effective techniques to create an atmosphere of suffocating dread. The film plays on primal fears of isolation, helplessness and the unknown, with Leatherface and his family embodying the monstrous “other” lurking in the shadows of the rural American landscape.

Hooper’s genius lies in how much he leaves to the imagination – much of the violence is implied rather than shown, but the film feels more terrifying as a result. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre also plays on themes of social breakdown, contrasting urban youth with the decaying and lawless world of the Texas hinterlands. The film’s depiction of a family gone mad serves as a distorted mirror for traditional American family values, suggesting that beneath the veneer of normality lies potential for unspeakable horror. The legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre continues to influence modern horror, from slasher films to explorations of psychological terror.

And that’s all for today! Tobe Hooper’s contributions to the horror genre remain monumental. From the relentless terror of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre to the supernatural spectacle of Poltergeist, Hooper’s films are more than just horror – they are studies in fear, atmosphere and the fragility of the human condition. His ability to tap into deep-seated fears, whether through the lens of slasher, supernatural or psychological horror, sets him apart as one of the true pioneers of the genre.

Now we’d love to hear about your experiences with Tobe Hooper’s work! Which of his films do you think are the best? Would you rearrange the list or add others? We can’t wait to read your opinions in the comments!