Mike and Sulley’s discovery of a human child (who they aptly name “Boo”) causes them to reconsider their outlook on life in a way they couldn’t have imagined, making them the heroes. Plot aside, Monsters, Inc. is hysterical, heartfelt, and a great way to spend ninety minutes.

8. The Mummy (1999)

The second Stephen Sommers film to make it on this list, The Mummy, starring Brenden Frasher as swashbuckling American adventurer Rick O’Connell and Rachel Weisz as the brilliant Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan, features one of the most memorable monsters on this list: Imhotep, the Egyptian Mummy (brought to life by Arnold Vosloo).

Although Boris Karloff’s portrayal in the original 1932 film of the same name has been held onto as the most iconic, Sommers’ take on the classic tale is beloved by audiences of all ages and is more of an action-adventure film in the same vein as Indiana Jones than a straight-horror.

Sommers’ Mummy, though frightening, is also a sympathetic character. Imhotep’s only goal is to bring back to life his lover Anck-su-namun. His point of view has been described by Arnold Vosloo himself as a “skewed version of Romeo and Juliet.” Love story aside, Imhotep is one of the most powerful monsters on this list and not a monster to be trifled with.

9. The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter’s The Thing is a classic monster movie in every sense. It has drama, suspense, interesting characters, an alien with an unknown origin, and a fantastic score to keep with the pace. With Kurt Russell and Keith David headlining as MacReady and Childs, this film was originally panned by critics (who were more welcoming to Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial due to its more optimistic tone) but found a real audience upon its home release and appearance on television.

Some of the best monster movies out there force us to question the greater good, and The Thing is no stranger to that. The film’s almost nihilistic tone ultimately reinforces this and by the film’s end, we see that there is… well, let’s not spoil it.