Horror films have always had a broad appeal (particularly this time of year!), however as new stories are written, they will always have ensure they distinguish themselves from other movies and avoid clichés. Several have overcome these obstacles and became huge box office blockbusters that go beyond all expectations, proving their value and scare factor. These are the scary films that impressed a lot of people with their excellent storytelling and are unquestionably worth seeing.
The Babadook (2014)
Described as the best horror movie of 2014, Jennifer Kent wrote and directed this psychological horror thriller. Supporters and critics praised the very well written and spoken tale of grief.
The story follows Essie Davis’s character, Amelia who is still at a loss six years after her husband’s terrible murder. Her six-year-old son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), is “out of control,” and mom finds it difficult to discipline him. There is a creature that haunts Samuel’s nightmares, and he thinks it is going to destroy them both.
After discovering a scary children’s book named ‘The Babadook’ at their home, Samuel believes that the Babadook is the monster he has been dreaming about. He grows more erratic and aggressive as his hallucinations get out of hand. Because of her son’s actions, Amelia is truly afraid and feels compelled to give him medicine.
But Amelia gradually realises that what Samuel has been warning her about could actually be true as she starts to notice ominous traces of a evil and eerie presence everywhere she looks.
It did well at the box office and got an excellent review grade of 98% from critics. You’ll probably understand why a lot of people are afraid of ‘The Babadook’ in 2014 and even now if you’ve seen the movie.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
With its well-paced plot and clever blending of suspense, mystery, and otherworldly dread, ‘The Autopsy of Jane Doe’ was indeed terrifying and kept audiences captivated the entire time.
Sheriff Sheldon and his crew investigate the murder of a family, however, the finding of a stranger’s body (Jane Doe) buried in the basement that does not match the crime scene puzzles the Sheriff and his team. In order to respond to the media the next morning, he delivers Jane Doe’s corpse to Tommy Tilden, the coroner, late at night. Tommy’s assistant and son, Austin Tilden, chooses to stay to assist his father with the autopsy and they reveal strange and spooky revelations about Jane Doe throughout the stormy dark night.
The unique mortuary setting and blending the paranormal and medical research to create an eerie and surprising story are what distinguish this film from others. Your entire experience is kept on edge by the slow, methodical pacing, which is expertly done. The suspense is further enhanced by the sparing usage of jump scares.
IT (2017)
The terrifying reimagining of Pennywise, creative jump-scares, and outstanding ensemble of the ‘Stranger Things’ cast made ‘IT’ one of the greatest successes of 2017. Even ‘IT: The Second Chapter’ turned out to be a worthy and terrifying sequel.
It is indisputable that this terrifying & dark horror movie, which was based on the renowned 1986 Stephen King novel, was one of the scariest of 2017 as well as one of the greatest. The scares were unique and terrifying and ‘IT’ was one of those rare horror movies that defied genre conventions to become a huge critical and economic hit, not to mention Bill Skarsgård, whose portrayal of the eerie and evil Pennywise is genuinely horrifying.
M3GAN (2022)
This movie paid homage to the renowned 1988 horror classic ‘Child’s Play’ while including modern elements, and it shockingly turned out rather good, even better than imagined.
Artificial intelligence at its finest, ‘M3GAN’ is a realistic doll designed to be a child’s best friend and a parent’s strongest ally. As a playmate, teacher, companion, and guardian, ‘M3GAN’ was created by the talented roboticist Gemma. It has the ability to observe, listen, and learn. Upon discovering that her 8-year-old niece needs unexpected care after learning her parents are killed in a car accident, Gemma makes the desperate choice to give the youngster an ‘M3GAN’ prototype so she doesn’t feel alone, but the technology failed in ways she never could have predicted.
Despite having a $12 million budget, the movie was a box office triumph, earning over $181 million worldwide. Critics and horror enthusiasts praised the campy mix of humour and terror, and the picture garnered excellent reviews.
The sequel, ‘M3GAN 2.0,’ is scheduled to be released on June 27, 2025.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
For devoted fans of the Alien series who were originally enthralled with the film in 1986, this instalment most certainly lived up to expectations. With its excellent production quality and engrossing atmosphere, ‘Alien: Romulus’ is the standout movie of 2024. Audiences are thrust into the ‘Alien’ universe that feels both thrillingly fresh and uncannily familiar.
With remarkable attention to detail in the set design, special effects, and overall visual presentation, each scene is an eye-catching treat. ‘Alien: Romulus,’ widely regarded as one of the greatest instalments in the 45-year sci-fi horror epic and surpassed $314 million globally to become the second-biggest movie in the seven-film franchise.
Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)
Despite receiving negative reviews from many critics, horror and video game enthusiasts found great enjoyment in ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’. Based on Scott Cawthon’s hugely successful video game franchise. With a global box office haul of $297.1 million, the movie outperformed Split (2016) to become Blumhouse’s highest-grossing picture that year.
The story focusses on Mike Schmidt, our primary protagonist. In an attempt to maintain employment and provide for his younger sister Abby, Mike Schmidt accepts a position as a security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a nearby restaurant.
It’s an easy task: keep an eye out for any strange behaviour on the monitors. However, Mike quickly finds out that something strange and sinister is occurring at Freddy’s, especially after learning that the spirits of the children who were killed inhabit the animatronic mascots of the company.
With easter eggs and well-liked references to the game, the movie provides fans with all they could have hoped for.
Abigail (2024)
With an average rating of 6.8/10 and an 83% favourable Rotten Tomatoes score based on 220 critic reviews, ‘Abigail’ hits a lot of the right notes with viewers. Despite not performing as well as anticipated at the box office, the picture earned $42.4 million on a $28 million production budget and garnered mostly good reviews from critics and horror fans.
The narrative focusses around a group of criminals who kidnap the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of a major underworld figure; all they have to do to collect a $50 million ransom is keep the child overnight. In a remote mansion, the captors begin to disappear one by one, and they find, to their horror, that they are trapped with no ordinary little girl.
Despite a lack of advertising for the theatrical release, which harmed the film’s sales, the picture eventually gained popularity on streaming platforms as “one of the most popular titles online” and was number one on Peacock, where it has become a hit.
Evil Dead (2013) & Evil Dead Rise (2023)
We absolutely had to include both of these re-imaginings of ‘The Evil Dead (1981)’, which were dubbed “the most terrifying film you will ever experience” during its promotions.
Both movies earned favourable reviews from critics and fans. ‘Evil Dead (2013)‘ made $97 million worldwide on a $17 million production budget, while ‘Evil Dead Rise’ performed even better, making over $147 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing movie in the franchise. It even received two nominations for the 51st Saturn Awards: Best Make-up and Best Horror Film.
Fans first reacted with some concern to the idea of a remake. Fede Álvarez, directing his debut feature picture, not only made a commendable comeback to the series, but he also accomplished it in spite of the obstacles. The 2013 and 2023 remakes increases the body horror while omitting the humour. Watching this movie can be difficult because of the graphic violence, stomach-churning devastation, and infrequent cuts. Given that Fede Álvarez wrote and directed ‘Alien: Romulus (2024)’ in addition to ‘Evil Dead (2013)’, it’s reasonable to conclude that he is talented.
Thanksgiving (2023)
With its surprising level of enjoyment, this horror movie from 2023 took everyone by surprise. Following the tragic conclusion of a Black Friday riot, Plymouth, Massachusetts, the home of the notorious holiday, is terrorised by an enigmatic attacker who draws inspiration from Thanksgiving.
A polished, campy, and invigorating slasher treasure with a lot of intrigue, suspense, intelligence, self-awareness, and gory killings. ‘Thanksgiving’ proved that Eli Roth is still a talented director who was destined for the horror genre.
The movie made $46 million worldwide and had largely excellent reviews from critics and fans. With a sequel being developed and slated for a release in 2025, we can’t wait to be seated at the dinner table, once more.
Totally Killer (2023)
A throwback to a bygone era, this movie offered slasher fans something new and exciting.
The plot centres on Jamie, who goes back in time to 1987 after her mother is killed by the same Sweet 16 Killer who went on a murderous rampage 35 years prior. There, she teams up with a younger version of her mother to apprehend the killer during his original spree and escape being permanently imprisoned in the past.
‘Totally Killer’ provides a fantastic combination of horror and nostalgia that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The storyline presents a novel and captivating interpretation of the slasher genre with its deft twist on the time-travel idea. The characters are well-developed, particularly the interplay between Jamie and her adolescent mother, which gives the narrative complexity.
The year 1987 is masterfully brought to life, taking viewers on a nostalgic journey down memory lane and enhancing the suspenseful elements of the story. The way ‘Totally Killer’ strikes a mix between heart and terror is what makes it unique. There are poignant and real moments between the characters between the thrills and horrors, which heightens the interest in their adventure. ‘Totally Killer’ is a must-watch for horror enthusiasts seeking for something unique and interesting. This picture, with its creative storyline, superb acting, and nostalgic appeal, is a real gem that will make you want to revisit or even watch horror flicks from the 1980s.
Talk To Me (2022)
This movie, which is among the top candidates for greatest horror movie of 2022, stunned horror enthusiasts with its original and unsettling story.
Written and directed by Danny and Michael Philippou, often known as RackaRacka, the wildly successful YouTube pair. This movie showed that YouTubers can produce a terrifying and highly profitable movie.
‘Talk to Me’ creates a completely unique and spine-tingling story by fusing together a variety of inspirations from other horror films. The film creates a visceral experience that stays with you long after the credits have rolled by deftly balancing otherworldly horror with intensely human emotions.
The storyline is greatly disturbing. Best friends Mia and Jade, intrigued by the newest party trend, go to an exclusive house party to verify whether the reports about a weird trinket that may open a portal to the supernatural realm are real. Unexpectedly, the group of teenagers discovered a novel method of communicating with the deceased as an exciting new task. Following a horrific event, the conduit was distributed to other gullible teenagers. Up until a single individual searching for more due to unresolved trauma and sadness, it was all fun and games.
Both reviewers and moviegoers applauded the picture for its directing, storyline, practical effects, scary scenes, sound design, and acting. With a $4.5 million budget and a $92.2 million global total, it was a box office hit and became the highest-grossing horror picture and third-highest-grossing film overall for American distributor A24 in 2022.
Pearl (2022)
What makes ‘Pearl’ so special is that it explores the intricacies of human relationships and the profound effects of love, sorrow, and perseverance in an emotionally charged and thought-provoking way.
Serving a a prequel to ‘X’, the film’s story takes place in Texas in 1918. Pearl is an aspirational farm girl who is passionate about dance and the film business, and she can’t wait to leave the nest and establish herself decades before the events of ‘X (2022)’. Rather, Pearl finds herself imprisoned in a remote farmhouse which she shares with her wheelchair-using father and Ruth, her harsh and judgemental German mother. ‘Pearl’, however, just wants to look like the attractive females in the photos and not turn out like her mother. But as the idyllic life of a glossy film disappears, long-term resentment and aggressive impulses surface.
‘Pearl’ makes you understand the protagonist and her struggles especially with it’s breathtaking cinematography. Every image, from the expansive vistas to the personal close-ups, has been painstakingly constructed to enhance the overall narrative and evoke a powerful feeling of atmosphere. The striking beauty of the picture highlights the harsh facts of life and the eternal force of optimism, providing a poignant contrast to the protagonist’s mental anguish.
To sum up, ‘Pearl’ is a superb piece of film that enthrals from start to finish. It transports audiences on a journey of grief, resiliency, and the triumph of the human spirit with its moving screenplay, superb acting, stunning cinematography, and evocative musical accompaniment. For anyone looking for an intensely emotional and thought-provoking cinematic experience, this is a must-see movie.
Midsommar (2019)
Ari Aster is the writer and director of ‘Midsommar’, a folk horror movie that is among the greatest of 2019. Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor as an American couple who become entangled in a violent cult in rural Sweden.
In ‘Midsommar’, the film creates a menacing and memorable cinematic experience. It is a monument to the narrative power of cinema and its capacity to arouse emotion, encourage thinking, and take viewers to both beautiful and scary realms.
The movie’s use of visual effects really makes what the characters are seeing and experiencing come to life. Nothing in this film is accidental; everything was well planned, from the paintings to the walls and trees, and everything has a purpose and a connection to the larger narrative.
The plot moves slowly, allowing its many levels to be revealed layer by layer even while it progresses at a methodical pace. ‘Midsommar’ challenges viewers to solve the mystery of the protagonist’s journey into an initially peaceful but eventually malevolent community with its devious narrative structure. It’s an engaging experience to watch, constantly questioning norms and exceeding expectations.
Hereditary (2018)
This movie was really gut-wrenchingly scary, making it a truly horrific cinematic experience for horror enthusiasts in 2018.
Following a bereaved family plagued by eerie happenings following the passing of their reclusive grandmother, the story delves into the intergenerational consequences of a family curse, involving both the outward summoning of a demonic force and dramatic manipulation of emotions among family members.
With its language and tension, it’s still quite powerful even without jump-scares that are obvious or confusing. Every moment has perfect intensity, leaving viewers with shivers and chills. Themes of family, bereavement, and trauma are particularly prominent. The film’s photography thereafter conveys such concepts in a dismal and agonising manner.
Up to the release of ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ in 2022, the movie was A24’s highest-grossing picture. It earned favourable reviews, grossed over $87 million, and had success at the box office.
Prey (2022)
In 2022, the renowned monster made a terrifying and captivating return.
Set on the Northern Great Plains in 1719, ‘Prey (2022)’ acts as a precursor to earlier motion pictures. The protagonist of the tale is Naru, a young Comanche lady who is attempting to establish her prowess as a hunter. In addition to French fur dealers depleting the buffalo her people depend on for livelihood, she finds herself having to defend her people from a cruel, humanoid extraterrestrial race that hunts humans for amusement.
Easily one of the best horror sci-fi films of the generation, if not the greatest. With none of the clichéd dialogue or standard tropes, this is the most enjoyable Predator sequel to date. With a straightforward plot that focusses on a Comanche tribe’s daily existence, the Predator makes a considerably more devastating introduction.
The spirit of those who prey on the ultimate predator, who hunts the hunter, is one of the hunt, of studying the enemy carefully and not rushing in with reckless arrogance. The story’s overarching arc is new and distinct from the other parts, however there are several well-loved nods to the earlier books.
The Black Phone (2021)
The supernatural horror movie ‘The Black Phone’ is engrossing and terrifying, taking audiences on an exciting journey through its unsettling plot. Based on a short tale by Joe Hill and directed by Scott Derrickson, this film captivated us right away.
In this story, a quiet but intelligent 13-year-old boy named Finney Blake is kidnapped by a vicious murderer, called The Grabber, and finds himself imprisoned in a soundproof cellar where he cannot escape by shouting. When a disconnected phone on the wall starts ringing, Finney hears the voices of the killer’s past victims who want to prevent Finney from experiencing what happened to them.
It delivered a distinct and thrilling story that had our attention the entire time. The film’s Denver, Colorado, setting was a welcome change of pace, and it was fascinating to watch a narrative take place in a place that isn’t often featured in movies.
The movie did a fantastic job of creating suspense and a sense of dread from the very beginning. We were gripped by the eerie atmosphere it skilfully created by fusing real-world atrocities with mystical aspects. The whole atmosphere is enhanced by the music and photography, which made for a really engaging viewing experience.
It made an effect that lasted, from its distinctive Colorado scenery to its masterfully written plot and superb acting. Horror fans and everyone else seeking a compelling and atmospheric cinematic experience should definitely check out this movie.
Happy Death Day (2017)
Do you ever have a sense of déjà vu? Because this movie will definitely allow you to experience it.
The story revolves around Tree Gelbman, a teenage girl who tries to celebrate her birthday but quickly learns that it is her last. If she can identify her murderer, that is. She is forced to repeatedly relive that day, dying in a unique way each time, while she desperatly tries solve the murder of herself.
‘Happy Death Day’ has a unique and entertaining premise. The two stars, played by Jessica Rothe as Tree Gelbman and Israel Broussard as Carter Davis, are outstanding. They make us cheer for them because of their great chemistry. Happy Death Day makes sure you have fun along the road and leads you in a lot of different directions. It even makes fun of Groundhog Day, which is obviously a source of inspiration.
Based on a $4.8 million budget, the movie was a global box office hit, earning $125 million. On February 13, 2019, the sequel called ‘Happy Death Day 2U’ was released. It was highly received by horror enthusiasts and performed well at the box office.
It Follows (2014)
This horror movie truly made an impression; Jay finds out very quickly after having sex with a dashing stranger that she has inherited a rather peculiar curse: lumbering, half-naked phantoms follow her around, and their only objective is to kill her. Jay, in a desperate situation, seeks support from her devoted group of friends and her younger sister. Eventually Jay finds out that sleeping with someone else and passing on the curse is her only chance to survive. Jay’s pals can’t see the phantoms chasing her, though, and it quickly becomes clear that her time is running out. As death approaches, the young woman filled with fear must now make a difficult choice if she is to escape her horrible ordeal.
‘It Follows’ is actually suspenseful and has a completely unique and novel tale, whilst being not predictable and cliché than you might assume. Critics commended It Follows for its creativity, acting and also the soundtrack, and it earned positive reviews. Against a $1.3 million budget, it brought in $23.3 million globally. Since then, it has developed a cult following, with many considering it to be among the greatest horror films of the 2010s and a modern horror classic.
Unexpectedly, a sequel titled ‘They Follow’ was revealed to be in development as of October 2023, with filming scheduled to start in 2025.
The Invisible Man (2020)
‘The Invisible Man’, widely regarded as the best horror movie of 2020, was terrifying and depicted an almost genuine nightmare.
The movie centres on Cecilia when she learns of her violent ex-boyfriend’s suicide. She starts to make positive changes to her life. Her perception of reality is called into doubt, though, as she starts to believe her departed boyfriend is still alive.
Not the soundtrack, acting, screenplay, or photography is what makes this film so eerie and thought-provoking. The fact that this kind of tale is based on actual events is what makes it so terrifying. How many people encounter someone similar to the monster in this story and experience the same fear, vulnerability, hopelessness, dread, and despair all too frequently, those who are well-groomed, wealthy, well-connected, and friendly are given the benefit of the doubt by society, while the “real” victim is seen as the bad apple.
The film’s opening sequence, atmosphere, musical soundtrack, and topics on domestic abuse garnered very good reviews from critics. Despite having a $7 million budget, the movie made $145 million worldwide, proving to be a financial triumph.
Smile (2022)
With his debut as a filmmaker, Parker Finn truly frightened horror enthusiasts. ‘Smile’ is a 2022 psychological supernatural horror film which is now regarded as one of the scariest films in the 2020’s. Written and directed by Parker Finn in his feature directorial debut, following the success of his short film ‘Laura Hasn’t Slept’ (2020), which acts as a prequel.
Dr. Rose Cotter is a caring psychiatrist who has treated the most wounded and vulnerable people in society. She worked herself to the bone for years to escape her own childhood trauma. That’s not the case with Laura’s perplexing situation, though. Hair-raising experiences with the inexplicable prompt the therapist to reevaluate as an unwary Dr. Cotter tries to justify the horrifying delusions of the very disturbed young woman. Rose starts to believe she is being threatened by an eerie creature after seeing a strange, tragic event involving Laura.
The film hit many of the right notes, with some really smart story twists, well-written performances, and dramatic sequences with Dredged. The scares are unexpected and it is really disturbing.
Distribution Paramount Pictures decided to distribute the movie in theatres following successful test screenings, even though it was originally scheduled to debut on the streaming service Paramount+. At a budget of $17 million, the movie made over $217 million worldwide on its way to becoming a box office blockbuster and a global sensation for horror enthusiasts.
On October 18, 2024, ‘Smile 2,’ the follow-up, is slated for release due to its success. In the movie, Naomi Scott plays a pop singer who, just before going on tour, starts to encounter a number of progressively unsettling incidents. It also features Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Peter Jacobson, Raúl Castillo, Dylan Gelula, and Ray Nicholson, as well as Kyle Gallner returning his role from the previous film.
