Opened: February 14, 1991

Directed by: Jonathan Demme

Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Diane Baker, Kasi Lemmons, Frankie Faison, Tracey Walter & Charles Napier

The only horror film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, The Silence of the Lambs holds up as a truly terrifying psychological thriller.

As serial killer Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine) continues taking victims, the FBI sends student Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) to interview convicted cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to gain more knowledge. Their relationship is intense, but she must get through to him to help take down Buffalo Bill.

Hopkins and Foster star in the best roles of their lives. The former is the ultimate movie villain and plays him so perfectly. From the moment he appears on the screen, you’ll have chills. Instead of being over-the-top, Hannibal Lecter is calm and brilliant, which makes him all the scarier.

Final say: Silence gets into your head. ★★★★★