Top 10 Best Horror Movies of 2024

The first two “Quiet Place” movies were about survival. So is this prequel, but it’s more about closure for our protagonist. Before aliens fell from the sky, Lupita Nyong’o[a]’s Sam was already in hospice. She’s accepted fate, but Sam wants a slice from her favorite pizza joint first. A terminal illness won’t stop her and neither will an invasion. Although her motivation sounds simple, the emotional stakes remain high, as do the physical ones. The heavily populated urban backdrop adds another layer of intensity to a premise where the slightest sound equals death. While the setting is grander, there’s a personal story at the film’s core. Even if you sense where some journeys will end, we fear for the characters every step of the way.

2022’s “Smile” performed better than anyone could’ve expected. While it would’ve been easy for the inevitable sequel to rehash the same formula, “Smile 2” elaborates on the original’s creepy concepts. Where the first film explored trauma, “Smile 2” adds substance dependency and the price of fame to the mix. These elements flow together naturally, but the film’s secret weapon is Naomi Scott[b]’s arresting performance. Scott makes us feel every ounce of paranoia as a pop star who can’t escape the spotlight or the eerie smiles following her. For all the gore and jump scares, the film also gets under our skin with more universal fears. Let’s just say that if you were afraid of public speaking before, one scene will completely take your breath away.

Carolyn Bracken is fairly new to the silver screen, but she demonstrates limitless screen presence with her dual role here. Bracken plays twins, one of whom is blindsided. The other is literally blind, convinced that her sister’s untimely demise was more than meets the eye. The main character in “Oddity” may lack the ability to see. Yet, she possesses another sense telling her that danger is hiding in plain sight. She isn’t the only one who may be in danger. Another threat rests at the crime scene that others fail to recognize. Although Damian McCarthy’s film is a slow burn, “Oddity” leaves you on constant edge with its gothic atmosphere. The results balance the power of suggestion and what’s right in front of us.

We’ve all heard of body horror. “I Saw the TV Glow” is what we’d describe as out-of-body horror. This surreal experience doesn’t fall back on the tropes we typically associate with the genre. From start to finish, Jane Schoenbrun[c]’s film carries an uncomfortable sentiment. Everything seems purposely a little off, most notably protagonist Owen, played by Justice Smith. A TV show awakens something inside the meek Owen. He isn’t entirely sure what that something is, however. As Owen undergoes a lifelong identity crisis, his reality begins to collapse. While there are many ways to interpret the film’s meaning, “I Saw the TV Glow” will resonate with anyone who’s ever been forced to repress the person on the inside, screaming to get out.

“Speak No Evil” is a textbook example of how to remake a horror film largely dependent on twists and turns. If you’ve seen the original Danish thriller from 2022, you know this vacation will go down a dark path. James Watkins’ adaptation doesn’t try to replicate its predecessor beat for beat, though. The remake goes in a different direction while preserving the first film’s central themes. It doesn’t hurt having James McAvoy, who effortlessly shifts between being a charismatic host and possessive captor. As unhinged as this getaway gets, we identify with the pressure to remain gracious guests before finally being pushed to your limits. This is a tense, at times darkly comedic nail-biter that’ll convince every viewer to just take a staycation next holiday.

Imagine if “The Twilight Zone” invaded an old episode of “The Tonight Show.” You’d get “Late Night with the Devil.” The film could also be described as a cross between “The Exorcist” and “Network.” Those two aren’t as far removed as you might think. To make a killing in the ratings, sometimes you need to make a deal with the devil. Just when you thought the found footage genre had been done to death, siblings Colin and Cameron Cairnes[d] took an innovative approach with this “lost episode” of a '70s late-night talk show. The period production design and cinematography engross us in the era. The whole cast is utterly believable, especially David Dastmalchian as a host who’ll give anything to be #1, his soul included.

“Longlegs” became a surprise box office hit for Neon even if some viewers walked away conflicted. Those anticipating a modern “Silence of the Lambs” only kind of got that. Maika Monroe’s Lee Harker is a female FBI agent worthy of Clarice Starling. Like Hannibal Lecter, an unrecognizable Nicolas Cage isn’t on screen for long. Whenever his Longlegs killer surfaces, the audience is immobilized with fear. Even when off-screen, Longlegs looms over the film, creeping up our necks like a spider. While the film blends crime procedural and psychological horror, there’s a supernatural element many won’t be prepared for. Whether or not you vibe with the outcome, director Osgood Perkins undeniably creates an unsettling ambiance, making the audience feel as if they’re the ones being watched.

There have been numerous adaptations of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” but 1922’s “Nosferatu” has cast a wide shadow for more than a century. While no remake can surpass its impact, Robert Eggers is perhaps the only living director who could deliver a worthy successor. It’s a hellish match made in heaven as Eggers brings his signature chilling atmosphere to a classic story. In terms of sheer scale, “Nosferatu” might be the year’s most beautifully crafted horror film with cinematographer Jarin Blaschke[e] draping every shot in blood-curdling dread. It also showcases two of the year’s most transformative performances from Bill Skarsgård and Lily-Rose Depp. Whether you’ve heard this tale before or not, “Nosferatu” washes over you like a plague you strangely can’t resist.

Hugh Grant has played villains before, but “Heretic” pushes the actor to uncharted places that make us wonder why he didn’t tackle the horror genre sooner. At first, Grant seems like his usual charming self. What starts as a friendly conversation about religion snowballs into a more heated debate and possibly a hostage crisis. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East are equally excellent as two Mormon missionaries who try to remain polite, initially out of courtesy and eventually for survival. The film plays like an escape room. In addition to challenging the characters’ wits, faith is put to the test with both sides making compelling arguments. “Heretic” doesn’t align with one person’s philosophy per se, although one thing is for certain: the pie is a lie.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Alisha Weir[f] Creates a Horror Comedy Icon

Puppets Somehow Just Got Even More Sinister

Fede Álvarez[g] Brings the Franchise Back to Its Horror Roots

Mia Goth Is EXXXceptional As Always

An Instant Christmas Classic?

Despite seemingly being set in modern day, “The Substance” submerges us into a retro world where aerobics TV shows still exist. When Coralie Fargeat[i]’s film takes place doesn’t matter. Whether this is the 80s or the 2020s, one standard remains: beauty reigns supreme and every It girl is eventually replaced with a shiny new model. Demi Moore gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Elisabeth Sparkle, a fading star who will sacrifice anything to regain her fame. What ensues is an exercise in body horror that speaks to this industry’s unforgiving nature. Margaret Qualley also provides a relatable perspective as a young starlet who fails to realize that actions have consequences. Between her recklessness and Elisabeth’s desperation, a monster is created that could only emanate from Hollywood.

What’s your favorite horror movie of 2024? Let us know in the comments.

[b]nay-oh-me https://youtu.be/-aq1n8MSk8c?si=xK9xJvI7Jf3JwPJ9&t=3
[c]SHOW-IN-brunn / SHOWIN-brunn / SHOWN-brunn https://youtu.be/Q0iOBmGQKQ8?si=m3hcVEN6_9LzpS-0
[d]cairns https://youtu.be/XAjjtLMHLKY?si=DfFHMeu7fI3NfKP7&t=40
dasst-MAWL-chin https://youtu.be/gzIJhZKxw7s?t=8
[e]JARE-in BLASH-kee https://youtu.be/OLqyVwZQa3w?si=yhgG6DgeGTczJq2w&t=442
[f]ah-LEE-shuh weer https://youtu.be/cj5ZcYTvqI4?si=admo_1LNu7OjcHnc&t=3
[g]FED-ay ALVA-rezz https://youtu.be/0C7Vq31eXho?si=qNYeC_rzynavG5ea
[h]maxine / mack-SEEN
MEE-uh goth https://youtu.be/tqSKMLXcgJo?si=UbNs9FVJ1yLQcMeZ&t=6
[i]core-ah-lee far-ZSHAH / CORA-lee far-JJJAH (french) https://youtu.be/ftOcGyJtNXU?si=S1Nmn2IxXoftW6I-&t=49
duh-MEE (not DEM-mee/demmy) https://youtu.be/42RB3biBCz0?t=1m3s
KWAW-lee https://youtu.be/mwUy6FhKVDo?t=10