In the spirit of the coming Halloween, Manila Bulletin Entertainment Online lists some of the most memorable horror films from year 2000 onwards.

“What Lies Beneath” (2000)

A perfect husband like Norman Spencer can only be too good to be true. He and Claire were living a happy, quiet life when, one day, she begins hearing strange sounds and seeing horrific images of a woman.

It is later revealed that Spencer is a not-so perfect husband after all, having cheated on Claire a year ago. But what about his wife’s senseless delusions---are they what he deems it to be?

Michelle Pfeiffer’s bathroom scene in the film has been regarded as reminiscent of the epic shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.”

And although “What Lies Beneath” hardly reached the classic thriller status, it did reap $155 million in the box-office.

“The Others” (2001)

The title, although short, gives viewers an idea of what the film is about. But the question remains: Who are “the others?”

Set in post-World War II, a mother (played by award-winning actress Nicole Kidman) hires three new servants – a nanny, a gardener, and a mute girl - to help fend for her two children who both have a rare disease that makes them extra-sensitive to sun exposure.

Soon, the helpers realize that not only did they find employment, but they stumbled upon the peculiar that could only be resolved through a shocking discovery.

“The Others” proves that using gore or special effects is not the only way to scare viewers. Sometimes, a lot of fog and a bit of snooping are enough.        

“The Ring” (2002)

A long-haired, pale little girl creeping out of a TV screen.

An eerie, husky voice on the phone, whispering, “Seven days…” 

You think of both and you think of only one thing: “The Ring.”

In the Hollywood version of Japan’s highest grossing horror film, Naomi Watts is Rachel Keller, a newspaper reporter who picks up the story of a mysterious videotape that is said to carry a curse. That is, anyone who views the tape dies within seven days.

Keller’s journalistic passions lead her to a series of terrifying pursuits. Worse, it puts her loved ones’ lives on the line when they come face-to-face with “that girl on TV,” Samara.

“Freddy vs. Jason” (2003)

It’s evil versus evil in this slasher film by Ronny Yu.

Thinking that his gruesomeness had been forgotten by the people of Springwood, Freddy Krueger enjoins Jason Voorhees to perform a series of murders in order to jog people’s memory about his [Krueger] “legacy.”

And so more than ably did Jason brutally kill teenager after teenager---until the dead body count makes Freddy jealous who then challenges him to a face-off.

The horror icons from “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Friday the 13th” provide double gore for the moviegoer. If either tries to penetrate your dream, you, just like their victims, will definitely (and desperately) fight for reality.

“Ju-on” (2003)

Beware of ordinary-looking houses---you don’t know what secret they hold.

In “Ju-on,” the horrendous murder of a mother, child, and black cat puts a curse on a house in that anyone who inhabits it would be inviting death. The residents would also be haunted by vengeful spirits with pitch-black, bulging eyes that won’t seem to leave.

This Japanese film garnered so much rave that Columbia Pictures tapped its writer and director Takashi Shimizu for the U.S. version known as “The Grudge” which starred Sarah Michelle “Buffy” Gellar.

“Shutter” (2004)

Photographs are usually taken to preserve good memories, but sometimes, mysterious, paranormal creatures get in the picture both literally and figuratively.

This Thai thriller follows the story of Tun (Ananda Everingham), a photographer who discovers strange images in his pictures. His girlfriend, Natre (Achita Sikamana), probes into the mystery and finds that the images are of his ex-girlfriend who committed suicide.

Avid fans of Asian horror films can surely expect the film to go beyond the typical revenge plot for its gripping---or shall we say, “neck-twisting”---turn of events.

“One Missed Call” (2004)

While some movies present premonitions of death through the sense of sight, “One Missed Call” gives its characters premonitions through sound.

A teenager named Yoko gets a call from herself from two days in the future. Starting off as a fun conversation, it is abruptly halted by a loud scream from Yoko herself.

Yoko’s impending, if not foretold, death forces her friend Yumi -- together with Hiroshi whose sister was a victim of the same fate -- to seek the source of the terror.

This film became so memorable during its run that its signature “ringtone of death” became a favorite call/text alert everywhere.

Two more “One Missed Call” films were released in 2005 and 2006.

In 2008, Warner Bros. Pictures acquired a franchise to produce a U.S. version starring Edward Burns and Shannyn Sossamon.

“The Exorcism of Emily Rose” (2005)

Based on true accounts, “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” presents a gripping debate on faith versus science. Teenage girl Emily Rose (Jennifer Carpenter) gets possessed, not by one demon, but by six!

This, however, was not enough to convince the cynical minds of medical experts who believe everything can be explained through science.

Most of the scenes take place in the court room. However, it’s in the flashback scenes of Emily Rose’s possession and exorcism that really raise hair.

And oh, those scenes where the lead character wakes up at three in the morning?  That will make anyone wish they’d have peaceful, uninterrupted slumber every night.

“Saw II” (2005)

In terms of box-office success, “Saw II” tops the rest of the “Saw” films.

Jigsaw, the killer, takes hostage of eight people and engages them in lethal games, winning which would mean their freedom.

The killer takes the games to a higher level when he dares even the police to save the hostages who are in danger of being poisoned if not rescued on time.

Although it failed to impress critics, the second installment of this “torture porn” film received positive feedback from the public, raking in $87 million at the box-office.

“Drag Me To Hell” (2009)

This critically acclaimed film has been described as “the most crazy, fun, and terrifying horror movie in years.”

Sam Raimi unshackled himself from the webs of “Spiderman” to direct a gritty horror flick about a loan officer who refused to give an old lady a home loan extension just so she could impress her boss that she is capable of making “tough decisions.”

However, the tough decision resulted into a tough consequence when the old lady cursed Christine to eternal damnation.

Movies, in general, lure viewers to sweet escape.

And although horror films may not be sweet, the catharsis may be a means for the viewer to look fear in the face in order to overcome it, or even to cheat death either vicariously or as soon as they press “Stop.”