Time has not dimmed the shock value of this seminal classic from director Tobe Hooper that's based on the same real-life case that inspired Psycho. This scream-filled chiller, which was finally granted a certificate from the British Board of Film Classification for its 25th anniversary re-release, tells the story of five unfortunate Texas teenagers who come across a demented family of murderous cannibals. Hooper masterfully uses a documentary-style realism, coupled with the horror of anticipation and suggestion, to take the terror factor into stunning and disturbing areas. Low on gore (the three sequels aren't) and made on a micro-budget that adds to the harsh, gritty and creepy tone, this razor-sharp nightmare is a must-see for fans of the genre.

Five friends head out to rural Texas to visit the grave of a grandfather. On the way, they stumble across what appears to be a deserted house, only to discover something sinister within. Something armed with a chainsaw.