Top 20 Best Horror Movies of the 2010s
#20: “Oculus” (2013)
Today, Mike Flanagan is considered one of the best horror filmmakers in the game. He’s given us such excellent films as “Gerald’s Game”, “Ouija: Origin of Evil” and “Hush”. He’s best known, however, for his breathtaking and emotional Netflix horror anthology series, “The Haunting of Hill House”. Before all of this, however, horror fans first really took note of his talents with his sophomore feature film, “Oculus”. The supernatural horror film stars Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites as siblings trying to prove their father’s innocence after a deadly tragedy in their childhood. “Oculus” film deftly navigates themes of supernatural possession, family, and loss that reoccur in Flanagan’s future work. At the same time, it serves up plenty of scares.
#19: “Don't Breathe” (2016)
Top 20 Best Horror Movies of the Century So Far
The world of horror cinema is full of larger-than-life monsters, supernatural forces and knife-wielding slashers. What Fede Álvarez does in “Don’t Breathe”, however, proves that one man can be scarier than all of the above. In a fascinating inversion of the home invasion narrative, this horror-thriller centers on a group of friends attempting to rob the home of a blind man. As they soon discover, however, he is anything but an easy target. It becomes a fight for their lives as they attempt to escape the home of the deadly individual they tried to steal from. The plot might seem simple on paper, but it has some great twists and turns. Álvarez proves himself to be a true master of tension and claustrophobia.
#18: “Halloween” (2018)
Top 10 Horror Movies to Watch This Halloween
John Carpenter’s original “Halloween” film, released in 1978, is one of the greatest horror films ever made. It helped define the slasher genre and laid the foundation for countless films to follow. Sadly, the numerous sequels were an exercise in diminishing returns. That is… until they decided to wipe the slate clean and take the franchise back to its roots. Ignoring everything after the original film, 2018’s“Halloween” returns the focus to Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode. Along for the scary ride are her daughter and granddaughter. Michael Myers is back as the mysterious enigma of a killing machine. And as this film proves, that’s all you need! It was a bold retcon, but one that resulted in a true franchise return to form.
#17: “Evil Dead” (2013)
Top 10 Times Evil Dead Characters STUPIDLY Read the Necronomicon
Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” films are untouchable. Completely unhinged masterpieces of horror comedy, they have inspired countless filmmakers with their violent mayhem and remarkable practical effects. As such, the news of a remake was met with much trepidation from fans. Despite the odds, Fede Álvarez delivered a worthy return to the franchise—and he did it as a first time feature film director no less. This 2013 remake skips the laughs and doubles down on the body horror. This is often a tough film to watch; the violence is brutal, the carnage is downright stomach churning, and the filmmaker rarely cuts away. While “Don’t Breathe” proved that Álvarez can achieve results with minimal gore, “Evil Dead” makes an even more lasting impression.
#16: “Green Room” (2015)
Another Worst Blue/Green Screen Effects in Movies
Is there anything scarier than Nazis? Based on this film, we’d say they rank pretty high on the list of horror monsters. “Green Room” stars Anton Yelchin, and centers on a down-on-their-luck punk band. After a show falls through, they manage to book a new gig…at a neo-Nazi bar. We don’t want to spoil too much, but let’s just say things turn ugly fast. Like any good punk song, the film delivers razor sharp tension and explosive violence. It’s also a fascinating experience getting to see Sir Patrick Stewart play against type. We’re used to him playing fatherly roles like Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier. But in “Green Room”, the talented thespian reminds us that he can also play a formidable villain.
#15: “The Cabin in the Woods” (2011)
Top 10 Cabin in the Woods Horror Movies
Yes… this film, at times, feels more comedic than overtly horrific, but we’d like to remind you that it’s still got some solid scary moments. What really earns this movie a spot on this list however, is how deftly it manages to subvert expectations. And really, isn’t that the hallmark of a great horror film? “The Cabin in the Woods” initially comes across like any old supernatural or slasher teen horror flick. But below this so-called “cabin” lies an elaborate government conspiracy - one that makes the whole thing not only feel like a brilliant love letter to the horror genre, but a few dozen different movies fighting one another for screen time. It’s chaotic, brilliantly crafted and just a whole lot of fun.
#14: “Raw” (2017)
Top 10 Paranormal Horror Movies of the Decade
If you’re here… you probably watch a lot of horror movies. But if you haven’t seen “Raw” before, we’re willing to bet that you’ve never watched anything quite like it. It’s intimate and uncomfortable in a completely unique way. A coming-of-age film, “Raw” centers on a young woman, Justine, who is studying to become a veterinarian. Despite being a vegetarian, Justine suddenly finds herself craving flesh. And a well-cooked hamburger seemingly won’t cut it. Blurring the lines between violence and sex in ways that are at once captivating and deeply disturbing, “Raw” is a thematically rich movie. But it also requires a strong stomach. Consider yourself warned.
#13: “Train to Busan” (2016)
Top 10 How to Train Your Dragon Franchise Moments
If you’re not paying attention to the films coming out of South Korea, you’re missing out on some of the best cinema of the last decade. As far as horror is concerned, “Train to Busan” should absolutely be on your watchlist. An action horror film released in 2016, it follows a zombie outbreak in South Korea that stems from an accident at a biotech company. As if that doesn’t sound stressful enough, the events of the film play out on a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan, where the epidemic is quickly spreading. Like the train that serves as its setting, the film is wonderfully fast-paced. But it also manages to be nuanced in terms of character development and social commentary.
#12: “Sinister” (2012)
Top 10 Sinister Six Members in Marvel Comics
What could director Scott Derrickson have done with a “Doctor Strange” horror movie? Now that he’s left “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, we’ll sadly never know. But if it delivered even a fraction of the scares seen in “Sinister,” it would have been quite the departure from the MCU formula. Starring Ethan Hawke,“ Sinister” follows a true crime writer on his quest to uncover the horrific crimes that occured in his new home. After discovering Super 8 home movies in the attic, he’s plagued by malevolent forces that would scare away any new home buyer who didn’t have a book to write. Delivering jump scares, moments of genuine horror, and plenty of devilish plot twists, “Sinister” is just an all-around great haunted house movie.
#11: “The Wailing” (2016)
Top 10 Worst Horror Movies of the Last Decade
As we mentioned before, the 2010’s were a good decade for South Korean cinema—horror in particular! First shown at the Cannes film festival, where it was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, “The Wailing” follows the outbreak of a mysterious illness in the small town of Gokseong. Seemingly brought by a mysterious outsider, the illness rapidly spreads, causing the locals to behave erratically and in an extremely violent manner. This movie offers a little bit of everything: a compelling mystery, exorcisms, a heavy atmosphere and unsettling rituals. Most importantly, it offers all of the above in a meticulously-crafted and downright beautiful package. Yes, this is a solid horror film, but it’s also working with complex themes and clear artistic vision from writer-director Na Hong-jin.
#10: “The Autopsy of Jane Doe” (2016)
Top 20 Best Horror Movies of the Last Decade
This horror movie is cut from a different cloth. If you go into it expecting a teen slasher full of violence and sex, you might find it boring. Approached with an open mind, however, “The Autopsy of Jane Doe” is a brilliant exercise in minimalist horror. It’s a rare gem and one of the decade's best horror flicks. The movie stars Emile Hirsch and Brian Cox as father-and-son coroners who are charged with performing an autopsy on the body of a mysterious young woman. The further their investigation progresses however, the more strange and disturbing their findings become. The darkness and sinister happenings soon extend beyond the coroner’s office into their lives, creating an oppressive sense of dread. This is a must-watch for horror buffs.
#9: “Insidious” (2010)
Top 10 Scariest Moments in the Insidious Franchise
Few filmmakers have made a bigger impact on the modern horror landscape than James Wan. Of course, he also gave us “Aquaman” and “Furious 7”, so what can’t this guy do? In 2010, James Wan unleashed his second major horror franchise upon the world with the release of “Insidious”. A supernatural horror film, the story centers around a young couple who, after moving into their new home, find that their son has mysteriously become comatose. What follows is a twisted story involving demonic forces, the astral plane and many, many things going bump in the night. It’s a creative and extremely effective haunted house story that leaves a lasting impression.
#8: “It” (2017)
Top 10 Best Horror Movies of the Last Decade
Adapting the works of Stephen King is no small feat, but with 2017’s “It”, filmmaker Andy Muschietti did the source material proud. Bill Skarsgård was perfectly horrifying as Pennywise, bringing the infamous dancing clown to life with a sinister flair and manic energy to great effect. Though it relied on jumpscares, the film delivered on the horror front without compromise, in no small part thanks to the looming sense of dread that Pennywise brings to the town of Derry. However, this horror film is also elevated by the excellent performances of its young ensemble cast. And that’s what really earns this film a spot on our list. Seriously though, clowns are still the stuff of nightmares...
#7: “It Follows” (2014)
Top 10 Hilarious Horror Parody Movies
This past decade has felt like a renaissance for horror movies - especially those centering on the misadventures of teens. Rather than exploitative slashers with paper-thin plots, we’ve been treated to some carefully crafted and effective entries like “It Follows”. There’s still plenty of teenage lovemaking, sure, but there’s also deeper questions about the anxieties of teen sexuality and STIs. “It Follows” is an impressively-shot film featuring some creative wide-angle cinematography and a clear homage to horror filmmakers like John Carpenter. The movie is further amplified by Maika Monroe’s performance in the lead role. Ultimately, “It Follows” is just a really compelling horror film that operates on both a supernatural and psychological level. Plus, it has a great score.
#6: “The Witch” (2015)
Top 10 R-Rated Horror Movies That Aren't Scary
Period piece horror films are hard to pull off. In order to really get under a viewer’s skin, we need to somehow relate to the setting and the experiences of the characters on screen. It’s safe to say that most cinemagoers aren’t a farming family living in New England in the 1630s.Yet filmmaker Robert Eggers managed to craft a deeply unnerving film - one that scares with ambience, psychological dread, and off-screen threats rather than cheap scares. Simply put: “The Witch” is terrifying, captivating and impressive all at once. And with Eggers’ follow up film, “The Lighthouse”, similarly blowing critics away, this director seems poised to bring us quality horror films for decades to come.
#5: “A Quiet Place” (2018)
Is A Quiet Place Another Cloverfield? Spoiler Free Review! Mojo @ The Movies
Who knew John Krasinski had it in him? Best known as the lovable Jim Halpert from “The Office”, Krasinski has proven himself to be quite versatile in the years since, but no move has been more surprising than his foray into directing horror. “A Quiet Place” takes a solid premise - a world overrun by blind monsters who hunt via heightened sense of hearing - and mines it for all it’s worth. The sound design is used masterfully, drawing you into the world of the film and making you fear the slightest pin drop. Krasinski and his cast, including his spouse Emily Blunt, all deliver committed performances that serve as the film’s beating heart. You grow attached to the Abbott family, and this attachment creates real and terrifying stakes.
#4: “The Babadook” (2014)
Top 20 Best Indie Horror Movies
Parenting can be a scary thing, especially when you’re doing it alone. But when trying to raise a child while simultaneously navigating the grief of losing a partner... well, that must be downright maddening. These are the core themes at work in this remarkable horror film written and directed by filmmaker Jennifer Kent. As single mother Amelia Vanek, Essie Davis does an incredible job conveying the deep exhaustion felt by her character. This is a thoughtful, provocative and thoroughly human horror film that also has one of the most original and unconventionally scary movie monsters in recent memory. Director William Friedkin, director of “The Exorcist” went so far as to say that he had (quote) “never seen a more terrifying film”.
#3: “Get Out” (2017)
Top 10 Road Trip Horror Movies of All Time
We’re definitely witnessing a new generation of horror auteurs leaving their mark on the genre. But arguably no horror filmmaker working today is more exciting than Jordan Peele. His highly-anticipated second feature “Us” solidified his status as one of the most influential voices in the genre. But it’s his directorial debut, “Get Out”, that really blew audiences away. Wholly original, and terrifying in the most unexpected ways,“Get Out” delivers scathing yet profound social critiques; it’s particularly effective at highlighting liberal racism. Not only that, but “Get Out” is also a tightly-crafted film - expertly shot and well-paced. Add to that a uniquely unnerving ambience, and great performances all around, and you’ve got a modern horror masterpiece.
#2: “The Conjuring” (2013)
Top 10 Horror Movies Where No One Dies
After unleashing not one but two horror major franchises upon the world with “Saw” and “Insidious”, filmmaker James Wan delivered one of the greatest haunted house films in decades. Unlike most of the movies on our list, “The Conjuring” doesn’t necessarily feel like it pushes the boundaries of the genre. In fact, it’s decidedly old-school. What makes it so worthwhile, however, is its attention to detail. It’s an incredibly well-crafted and expertly paced film with well-developed characters that we really care about. Wan’s knack for building tension and breaking it with terrifying scares is a testament to his horror movie experience. In short, it’s the perfect supernatural horror film, one with superb scares and a whole lot of replay value.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Let Me In” (2010)
An English Language Adaptation That Does the Swedish Original Proud
“Split” (2016)
M. Night Shyamalan Really Delivers the Goods in This Horror Thriller With Many Faces
“The Golem” (2019)
This Israeli Supernatural Horror Film Mines Jewish Legend to Spectacular Effect
“V/H/S/2” (2013)
Sequels Rarely Recapture the Magic of the First Film, But This Anthology Movie Succeeds
“Doctor Sleep”(2019)
Mike Flanagan Delivered a Solid Adaptation of This Sequel to “The Shining”
#1: “Hereditary” (2018)
The Ending Of Hereditary EXPLAINED
Ari Aster’s supernatural horror film is the sort of movie that people were praising and warning each other about in the same breath. A deeply disturbing supernatural and psychological horror film, “Hereditary” follows a family haunted by the death of their grandmother; but it’s so much more than that. Not only is it extremely unsettling to watch, it’s also chock full of unforgettable moments that will most likely give you nightmares. Buoyed in particular by Toni Collette’s performance, it’s a true work of art, both narratively and visually. Aster’s 2019 follow-up “Midsommar” was similarly effective, and deserves a nod for managing to be so deeply unnerving despite its more colorful setting.
