Released in 1980, Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is a must-watch for anyone who can handle it. The hypnotic masterpiece is a film adaptation of Stephen King’s equally unsettling novel of the same name. Featuring careering defining performances from Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Scatman Crothers, as well as incredible production value, The Shining never ceases to disturb its viewers.

Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and their son Danny (Danny Lloyd) spend their winter together in isolation watching over the empty Overlook Hotel. The film follows each character as they slowly descend into different states of madness revealed in a series of increasingly unnerving scenes.

The Shining, originally received poorly, has since become a contentious topic of debate due to its puzzlingly unclear meaning. This has spawned numerous theories regarding its meaning, and even a feature length documentary Room 237. The film ranks 52nd on Empire Magazine’s 500 Greatest Movies of All Time list, and is on Roger Ebert’s prestigious “Great Movies” list.