I never thought Silence of the Lambs was scary at all, don't know why it makes these lists. More of a suspense movie than a horror story to me.
Exorcist is no. 1. Poltergeist is way up there. John Carpenter's version of The Thing ought to make these lists, excellent monster movie.
'Silence Of The Lambs' is scary because it makes you realize there "may" be people out there who are capable of such evil deeds. Most others are about making you jump out of your seat by surprising you and shouting "boo".
There ain't no "may" to it.
For me, as an adult and parent, the original, early '70s "B" movie, Last House on the Left, meets the, ain't no "may" criteria, as well, and was the single most disturbing movie I've ever saw and still is.
As a kid the two truly "scariest" movies I remember most were, Black Sunday - AKA - The Mask of Satan (1960), and, The Tingler (1959).
Wacking at the chick in the lake with the .38 ..was a trip ..
