Top 25 Horror Movies of the Past 10 Years

You could argue Horror is in a renaissance in recent years…or you could argue it’s in a second or third renaissance…whatever.

Though no one can deny the past 10 years have given rise to many spectacular horror films that are going to be classics for years to come. This Halloween Eve I shall list 25 in order of release year.

We’ve got a lot of films to get through so here we go:

25. Black Swan (2010)
This is more of a psychological thriller, but there are some crazy horror-like moments. Therefore, it ABSOLUTELY belongs on this list. Who knew the world of ballet could be so brutal? Actual ballerinas knew…that’s who.

24. Insidious (2010)
The commercials for this movie were scary. Like legit scary. So you knew this was gonna be a good one. And if you had any doubts, they were scared away when red man appeared behind Patrick Wilson…if that didn’t make you piss yourself…then you’re an adult and I’m a baby.

23. Cabin in the Woods (2011)
Not since Scream had a meta horror film really garner as much critical and popular praise. You knew this was going to be a wild ride during that opening scene…especially when the title card ended up being the first jump scare.

22. Kill List (2011)
All I have to say is…that ending. But since I should say more, this British psychological horror keeps you guessing at what the hell is going the whole movie…and then that ending hits you across the head with a club.

21. Sinister (2012)
To be fair, there are parts of this film that aren’t that great. But I’d argue everyone leapt out of their skin when that lawn mower was on the screen…even if in retrospect it was a bit of a cop out jump scare.

20. The Conjuring (2013)
Another Patrick Wilson horror film? Yes, please! Portraying a “real” life ghost hunter? SURE!! Though this was the film that started the Conjuring Universe (Annabelle, Nun, etc.), it was a brilliant entry into a new era of horror.

19. The Babadook (2014)
A creepy man in a black coat and hat? Spooky. Crippling depression that could actually be the true form of the creepy man in a black coat and hat? Terrifying. Add a splash of annoying child? Perfection.

18. What We Do In The Shadows (2014)
The Office meets Dracula. Sign me up! This is the brainchild of Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement and if you don’t know who those two are…I…I don’t think we can be friends…JUST KIDDING!! We’ll just have to watch this mockumentary about vampires living in modern day Wellington.

17. It Follows (2014)
A sexually transmitted demon that hunts you down and kills you…I’m listening. But really, this film is actually very well written and the characters are interesting…though I’m still not a fan of the girl in the opening who put on stilettos first thing in the morning…do you…do you not have flip flops? Tennis shoes? SLIPPERS?! No? Only stilettos….weird.

16. As Above, So Below (2014)
The catacombs below Paris is one of those places that’s a PERFECT setting for a horror movie. Thousands of bones, darkness, the chance of the walls caving in at any moment…perfect! Add in an entrance to Hell and you get this found footage style film that has you questioning everything.

15. The Witch (2015)
A slow burn that rewards those willing to hang in until the end. A brilliant period piece that shows a family breaking down and struggling to find God’s purpose for them. And then there’s a witch causing a little trouble. You may not understand what the characters are saying…but you don’t need to once the screams start.

14. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
I knew John Goodman could be scary…if you’ve ever seen him in O, Brother Where Art Thou? (not a horror movie, I know) you know he can be a real terrifying presence. And this film definitely amplified it by turning him into a more reserved conspirator who “saves” a young man and woman from an apocalypse…or DID he?

13. Train to Busan (2016)
If you’re sick of zombie movies….you should still see this one. Korean horror films are still some of the most chilling movies. Maybe it’s because they’re not afraid to go where American studios hesitate. But also, it takes place mostly on a train and I don’t think I’ve ever looked at the subway the same again.

12. Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
This is a movie I stumbled upon on Netflix one night and immediately fell in love with. I don’t know what it is about morgues that naturally make them great settings for horror films…I’M KIDDING!! I know it’s because of the whole dead bodies thing…but what if one of those bodies…was a witch?

11. The Babysitter (2017)
The humor of this movie is its defining feature. Who knew selling your soul for immortality could be such a fun time? Oh yeah, when a scaredy cat kid catches you in the act and you have to kill him…

10. IT (2017)
I was a fan of the original TV movie with Tim Curry playing the killer clown. Was it cheesy? Yes. But we expect that from most Stephen King adaptations….but the 2017 IT film (and its subsequent part II) were definitely a major improvement. Though the first film was the stronger of the two.

9. The Ritual (2017)
Another film I found late at night on Netflix…and I was pleasantly surprised. The acting is superb and the design of the monster/forest god is one of my favorite in the past decade.

8. Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s film debut! AND HE KILLED IT!! This is such an intelligently written horror film with some of the most terrifying sequences I’ve ever seen. And the messaging hidden in every scene still blows me away.

7. A Quiet Place (2018)
Creatures that attack anything that makes a sound…speaking as a naturally clumsy human being…that’s the scariest thing in the world. Of course, the John Krasinski directed film is also filled to the brim with tense scares and brilliant sound design. Horror films are really showing they deserve more recognition than they get.

6. Hereditary (2018)
This was my pick for scariest horror film of 2018. If I was prone to nightmares after watching scary movies this one would have kept me up for weeks…instead I got scared by every shadow and every time I heard anyone click their tongue…seriously…

5. Us (2019)
Jordan Peele knocks it out of the park AGAIN!! This film really makes you question…are your really you? And I think red jumpsuits are now terrifying…and kids…kids are still terrifying…

4. Parasite (2019)
Okay, this is more thriller/comedy, but there are horror elements so I’m including it because we need to acknowledge Korean films…especially in the horror genre (and if I could I’d include A Tale of Two Sisters, but that came out in 2003…though I guess I kind of just did include it…). Parasite deserves all the praise it received including the Oscar win.

3. Midsommar (2019)
Horror in the daylight…hard to do, but Ari Aster knows how to get it done. The sound design and setting work in perfect tandem to keep you on the edge of horrified and invested in the story. Balancing a line you didn’t even know could be balanced.

2. Underwater (2020)
I don’t think enough people gave this one a chance…the timing of its release also didn’t do it any favors. BUT! I actually really enjoyed this film. There are some pretty gnarly kills in it and…I’ll say it: Kristen Stewart was fantastic. I recommend this film especially if there are any other humans who liked Sphere…they’re not similar story-wise, but I’m a sucker for bottom of the ocean horror.

1. Invisible Man (2020)
This ain’t the classic invisible man…this man is technological advanced and a vengeful son of a bitch. Giving any woman who’s been in an abusive relationship something to worry about, this film is paranoia personified. With some pretty good scares and an interesting story, this is definitely a worthwhile watch.

Of course there are far more horror films from the past ten years I couldn’t include on this list…but here are 6 more.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

6. Oculus (2013)
A killer mirror and no clue what’s real or not…this film is a mind bend in the best kind of way.

5. Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
If art could kill…plus Jake Gyllenhaal being a snooty art critic is worth the watch alone.

4. Bird Box (2018)
The best decision made in regards to this movie? Not showing the evil things causing the shenanigans…seriously look up what they were going to look like.

3. Veronica (2017)
Deemed the scariest movie of all time…debatable. But it is a well made possession film.

2. Raw (2016)
There were rumors people couldn’t get through this movie…okay. I had no trouble…what does that say about me?

1. You’re Next (2011)
A female lead who is the most dangerous thing in the movie…like really…scream queen she is not.