Top 10 Best Horror Movies of 2022
#10: “Smile” (2022)
It seems that every year, a tiny horror movie comes along that just shatters expectations and sets the box office on fire. For 2022, that movie was “Smile.” This film is written and directed by Parker Finn, who adapted it from his own short movie. It was made for $17 million and was supposed to be a streaming original, but it was released to theaters and enjoyed enormous success. It’s easy to see why. “Smile” has a great premise, it’s well-acted and shot, and its near-relentless jump scares are actually effective. It’s the little horror movie that could, and we are here for it.
#9: “We’re All Going to the World's Fair” (2021)
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While this movie technically debuted at Sundance in 2021, it didn’t receive a limited release until this year. A very unique film, “We’re All Going to the World's Fair” stars Anna Cobb as a teenager named Casey. Casey takes part in a disturbing viral challenge and soon begins experiencing some severe psychological changes. The movie is undeniably independent, but it does a lot with a little. Cobb is excellent, and the story nicely blends straightforward horror with social commentary regarding adolescence and social media. Writer-director-editor Jane Schoenbrun also proves themself a magnificent and inventive filmmaker. They’re certainly one to watch going forward.
#8: “Hatching” (2022)
Body horror isn’t for everyone. But for those with a strong stomach, “Hatching” comes highly recommended. A Finnish film, “Hatching” concerns a preteen named Tinja who develops a special relationship with a mysterious egg that she finds in the woods. Needless to say, the thing that hatches from the egg is not pretty. Like all great pieces of body horror, there is art in the revulsion. This is a disgusting movie at times, but the visuals and the special effects that bring it to life must be commended. But it’s not all nastiness. “Hatching” is also a very smart movie that explores themes of identity, family, and even influencer culture. It really does have it all.
#7: “Nope” (2022)
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Jordan Peele has established himself as a masterful director of horror, and “Nope” is yet another solid entry in his consistently excellent filmography. For “Nope,” Peele reunites with “Get Out” star Daniel Kaluuya for something rather unexpected - a western, sci-fi, horror mashup. This is the director’s most ambitious film by far, complete with extravagant filmmaking that mirrors Steven Spielberg’s sense of grandiose spectacle. Peele is undeniably growing as a director, and “Nope” is gorgeously cinematic. And, like all of his movies, it’s also packed with interesting themes that could be interpreted any number of ways. Contrary to its title, we can count “Nope” as another Jordan Peele winner.
#6: “The Black Phone” (2021)
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The next Stephen King is here. And it just so happens to be his son. Joe Hill has seen increasing success in recent years, including this wonderful adaptation of his short story. Hill takes enormous stylistic influence from his father, blending great character work with the eerie supernatural. In this movie, a teenager named Finney Blake is kidnapped by a serial killer known as the Grabber. Finney then uses the titular black phone to speak to the Grabber’s past victims. Hill’s story lays solid groundwork, and the movie is bolstered by Scott Derrickson’s strong direction and a remarkable performance from Ethan Hawke.
#5: “Scream” (2022)
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It was only a matter of time before a movie came along that made fun of legacy sequels. With iconic franchises like “Jurassic Park” and “Star Wars” bringing back old fan favorites, “Scream” decided to get in on the action. Present here are the holy trinity of the franchise’s classic characters, Sidney, Gale, and Dewey. It’s fun to see them again, and the script works its satiric magic to poke fun at the entire concept. Of course, the movie is also filled with effective slasher scares - not to mention buckets upon buckets of blood. It may just be the best “Scream” movie in twenty-six years.
#4: “Hellbender” (2021)
Debuting on the horror streaming service Shudder, “Hellbender” is a tantalizing film that shows promising things for its family of filmmakers. The movie was made by married couple John Adams and Toby Poser, along with their two children, during the COVID lockdowns. Poser and Zelda Adams star as Izzy and Mother, an isolated mother-daughter metal band with connections to witchcraft. Movies like this prove that you don’t need high budgets, prior success, or even a huge team of filmmakers to make a memorable piece of work. Sometimes a movie made by a small family rivals anything put out by the major studios.
#3: “Terrifier 2” (2022)
Art the Clown has become a popular slasher villain in recent years, having starred in the 2016 cult classic “Terrifier.” However, this amazing sequel looks to place him in the upper echelons alongside Michael, Jason, and Freddy. Made largely by Damien Leone, “Terrifier 2” is a massive improvement over the original, complete with memorable characters, a good story, and strong acting - particularly from Lauren LaVera, whose Sienna Shaw proves a noteworthy final girl. The movie also contains some horrific acts of violence, and it was reported that some viewers fainted and vomited upon witnessing the brutality. Sequels are rarely better than the originals, but “Terrifier 2” proves the exception.
#2: “X” (2022)
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Writer, director, and editor Ti West released two future classics in 2022 with “X” and its prequel, “Pearl.” An old-school exploitation slasher that beautifully honors the history of the genre, “X” was another resounding success for distributor A24. A dirty-feeling film in the vein of “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” “X” follows a small group of adult movie filmmakers who are stalked and killed on a Texas farm. The film has a strong sense of style, both in its setting and cinematography, and it contains lots of thrilling kills. It also explores the unique theme of aging, which is not something you often see in horror. “X” honors the past while also trailblazing towards the future. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “You Won’t Be Alone” (2022) A Fresh & Artistic Debut From Director Goran Stolevski “Orphan: First Kill” (2022) Isabelle Fuhrman Is Once Again Brilliant as the Titular Villain “Hellraiser” (2022) A Respectable Reboot of the Iconic Franchise “Bones and All” (2022) A Different Kind of Road Film, With Taylor Russell & Timothée Chalamet Playing Cannibals “Bodies Bodies Bodies” (2022) A Fantastic Blend of Horror & Comedy That Continues A24’s Winning Streak
#1: “Barbarian” (2022)
Actor and Twitch streamer Zach Cregger made his solo directorial debut with “Barbarian,” and what a game changer it is. The script is sharp and unique, and the story goes in some wildly unexpected directions - so unexpected, in fact, that Cregger reportedly didn’t even plan it. He simply believed that the initial story was too formulaic and decided to spruce things up on the fly. The movie also contains an excellent cast, including Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long, and lead Georgina Campbell, who does an exceptional job playing Tess Marshall. A sleeper hit that found surprising success, “Barbarian” proves a wildly original horror film, and it’s helmed by a promising writer-director with a bright future.
