'The Exorcist' tops scary movie poll

DALLAS, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Blockbuster said the Hollywood horror classic "The Exorcist" topped its "Nightmare-Maker Movies" online survey.

Participants in this month's poll on blockbuster.com were asked to name the movie most likely to give them nightmares and 6,000 people responded.

"The Exorcist," a terrifying tale of demonic possession, was by far the most frequently named "Nightmare-Maker Movie," with 21 percent of movie lovers choosing it as the most haunting, Blockbuster said. "Halloween" came in second, with 11 percent of horror watchers naming the movie featuring psychotic serial killer Michael Myers.

"Nightmares are a possible side effect of all these films," Keith Leopard, director of film product for Blockbuster Inc., cautioned in a statement. "Some will take that as a warning and others as a recommendation. All we can say is: viewer discretion advised."

Coming in at No. 3 on the list was "The Ring," followed by "A Nightmare on Elm Street" at No. 4 and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" at No. 5.

Rounding out the list were "The Grudge" at No. 6, "The Shining" at No. 7, "Saw" at No. 8, "The Blair Witch Project" at No. 9 and "Pet Semetary" at No. 10.