15 Recent Horror Movies That Elevate the Genre, Ranked (2025)

Horror films have undergone a renaissance in the past decade, with many films stretching the boundaries of the genre in ways that hadn't been seen before. It's an interesting time to be a horror fan because -- unlike previous generations where one particular archetype seemed to rule the genre for several years before becoming stale -- viewers now have a variety of stories to choose from. The advent of new platforms like streaming services -- combined with horror movies' traditionally low budgets -- have made

Whether it's slasher, supernatural, exploitation, or science fiction, the horror genre has been injected with a healthy dose of side genres to create a new experience for audiences looking for chills and thrills. While some fell by the wayside regardless of their quality, others found a way to transcend modern cinema and become staples relatively quickly. Expect many of them to become the timeless genre classics of tomorrow.

Updated on October 22 by Robert Vaux: The bumper crop of recent quality horror films numbers much more than ten, and with the genre proving its box office credentials yet again in the past few years, an update is in order. The list has been expanded to include five more fantastic horror movies, and the formatting has been adjusted to meet CBR's current guidelines.

15 I Saw the TV Glow (2024) Is an Introspective Lens for Horror

This Experimental Film Is Steeped in Metaphor

I Saw the TV Glow is the newest entry on this list and made a splash among horror fans when it was released. An extremely introspective look into two friends' psyches as their obsession with a strange television show eventually makes them question their realities. It's been discussed how I Saw the TV Glow could be an allegory for the suppression of trans feelings or one's decision of whether to transition if they feel they need to.

It's timely themes like this one that raise the bar for the horror genre and what can be done within its storytelling, as -- even with the heavy metaphorical material in the film -- one will also find a truly unsettling fantasy story on the surface. Mr. Melancholy -- described by Owen as the "big bad" -- is a visual seemingly pulled straight out of one's nightmare. Its appearance in the film makes a watch worth it all on its own.

I Saw the TV Glow

Drama

Horror

Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.

Director

Jane Schoenbrun

Release Date

May 3, 2024

Cast

Amber Benson , Justice Smith , Brigette Lundy-Paine , Danielle Deadwyler

Writers

Jane Schoenbrun

Runtime

100 minutes

Main Genre

Drama

14 Halloween (2018) Brings Back Michael Myers

This Sequel Is a Rejuvenation Of the Slasher Genre

Michael Myers made his long-awaited return to screens in 2018, with Halloween wiping the slate clean and directly following the events of the very first 1978 film. The slasher genre had been on life support for years, with few notable entries until the new Halloween dropped. Indeed, the franchise itself had very much lost its way, with Rob Zombie's two-part reboot seemingly the end of Myers' reign of terror. The new movie cuts the Gordian knot of previous sequels by treating them as in-world legends and tall tales. Jamie Lee Curtis's Laure Strode is still traumatized by the events of that night, while Myers sits silently in captivity as he waits for another October 31. Halloween sticks to basics and values clever scares over lugubrious plotting, something its two sequels could not avoid.

With Michael Myers' reemergence, the path was paved for other iconic slasher franchises to work their way back into theaters. It'd be difficult to argue that 2022's Scream didn't owe some of its pre-release goodwill to the fact that Halloween had proven to get legacy sequels right a few years prior. Curtis's elevated profile brought her plum roles as well, including her celebrated part in Everything Everywhere All at Once that landed her the Oscar.

Halloween (2018)

R

Horror

Thriller

Halloween is the first film of the David Gordon Green-directed sequel trilogy to the 1978 original horror/slasher film. Having been institutionalized for forty years after the events of the original Haddonfield murders, Michael Myers escapes during a prison transfer to pursue his original target, Laurie Strode. Having lived in fear of his shadow for years, Laurie learns of his return, setting the stage for war while trying to protect her daughter and granddaughter from her masked tormentor.

Where to Watch

• stream
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Not available

*Availability in US

Director

David Gordon Green

Release Date

October 18, 2018

Cast

Jamie Lee Curtis , Judy Greer , Andi Matichak , Will Patton , Virginia Gardner , James Jude Courtney , Nick Castle

Writers

David Gordon Green , Danny McBride , Jeff Fradley , John Carpenter , Debra Hill

Runtime

106 Minutes

Story By

John Carpenter , Debra Hill

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

13 X (2022) Begins a New Horror Franchise

X Puts Exploitation Horror Back On the Map

Exploitation films have a long history with the horror genre, with one notable early entry being the classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, released way back in 1974. X does a good job at paying homage to the genre, while not quite taking it as far as other classics. Director Ti West finds plenty of ways to put his own unique touches on the scenario.

The premise of a film crew attempting to film a pornographic film at an elderly couple's ranch immediately screams "exploitation film." X delivers a memorably terrifying, gory experience. Spawning two additional films -- 2022's prequel, Pearl, and the upcoming MaXXXine -- X has put the exploitation genre back on the map with all its success with horror fans.

X (2022)

R

Horror

Mystery

Thriller

In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the cast find themselves fighting for their lives.

Director

Ti West

Release Date

March 18, 2022

Cast

Mia Goth , Jenna Ortega , Brittany Snow , Kid Cudi

Writers

Ti West

Runtime

105 minutes

Main Genre

Horror

Production Company

Little Lamb

Where to watch

Showtime

12 Nope (2022) Is a Foray Into Alien Horror

Jordan Peele Provides a Truly Unique Alien Invasion Story

Nope is director Jordan Peele's most divisive movie in his short feature film career, yet it still boasts a spooky, sci-fi tale that immediately makes for a memorable watch. With visuals that linger in the viewer's mind long after the credits roll -- without depending on much gore -- Nope molds the classic "alien invasion" scenario into an entirely new experience. The somewhat angelic sight of the primary monster belongs up there with some of the best alien designs in modern cinema, despite not being what most viewers could have expected.

This film and its trailer offer a masterclass of subverting expectations through clever editing, with just about every visual cue from the trailer that hinted at Nope being an alien invasion story being something completely different in the film itself. While this may have worked against it for some viewers, Nope is unarguably a well-made film that does a lot of good for sci-fi horror in its unique telling of an alien story.

Nope

R

Science Fiction

Horror

The residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.

Director

Jordan Peele

Release Date

July 18, 2022

Cast

Daniel Kaluuya , Keke Palmer , Brandon Perea , Steven Yeun , Michael Wincott , Keith David

Writers

Jordan Peele

Runtime

2 hours 10 minutes

Main Genre

Thriller

Late Nigh With the Devil Proves There’s a Place for Lower-Budget Supernatural Stories

Late Night With the Devil opened many eyes in terms of what a small budget can accomplish in the horror genre. Given its supernatural story, many viewers may expect big-budget CGI outings like those found in the Conjuring series when it comes to this type of story,. However, Late Night With the Devil provides an unforgettable viewing experience without too many overblown effects.

Many of the film's low-budget effects may look a lot cheaper to the modern film-goer, but they end up adding to the late-1970s aesthetic that the film proudly puts on display. David Dastmalchian puts in one of his best performances as the increasingly unhinged Jack Delroy and makes the film worth seeking out for his role if nothing else. Late Night With the Devil raised the bar for low-budget, supernatural horror and should double as a mainstay in any Halloween fans' yearly rotation.

7

10

Late Night With the Devil

R

Horror

A live television broadcast in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation's living rooms.

Director

Cameron Cairnes , Colin Cairnes

Release Date

March 22, 2024

Cast

David Dastmalchian , Laura Gordon , Ian Bliss , Fayssal Bazzi , Ingrid Torelli , Rhys Auteri , Josh Quong Tart , Georgina Haig

Writers

Colin Cairnes , Cameron Cairnes

Runtime

86 Minutes

Main Genre

Horror

10 Barbarian (2022) Is a Twisty New Take on Old Horror Themes

Barbarian Is a Tense Modern Horror Classic

Barbarian was a difficult, claustrophobic viewing experience that doubled as a creature feature. While the film initially seemed to be exploring the horrors of a rental mix-up, many twists kept the audience guessing. In the film, the horrifying Mother kept Georgina Campbell's Tess and Justin Long's AJ captive in an intricate subterranean cave beneath what seemed to be an unsuspecting rental house.

Although Mother's backstory is overwhelmingly tragic, there is no argument to be made that she isn't one of the more terrifying characters in modern horror. Barbarian built tension exceptionally well, with every near-escape and attempted rescue getting increasingly uneasy to sit through. At the end of the day, the film offered a somber ending that offered closure, but the cost of said closure was huge. With Barbarian's newfound success on Netflix, this film is bound to live on forever in the minds of horror fans.

Barbarian

R

Horror

Thriller

A woman arrives in Detroit for a job interview only to discover her scheduled Airbnb is already being occupied. Somehow, the two have been booked on the same night, and Tess decides to stay due to a lack of other options. After a restless night and her interview, Tess accidentally stumbles upon a secret basement door and discovers that the Airbnb she's occupying has some buried secrets of a dark nature.

Director

Zach Cregger

Release Date

September 9, 2022

Cast

Bill Skarsgard , Georgina Campbell , Justin Long , Richard Brake , Kurt Braunohler , Matthew Patrick Davis

Writers

Zach Cregger

Runtime

102 minutes

9 Malignant (2021) Seems Like a Stalker Film, But The Ending Changes Everything

James Wan Gives the Wildest Twist in Years

James Wan is one of the most successful horror directors of the 21st century, but his work has become so institutionalized that it’s hard to remember how wildly creative he can be with the right project. The Saw and Conjuring franchises have set the pace for the genre for decades, and with the bulk of his work in the writer’s and/or producer’s role, it was easy for supporters and detractors alike to take him for granted.

Consequently, 2021’s Malignant seems to come out of nowhere, a wildly original horror movie that cheerfully embraces gonzo tactics of a kind rarely seen in mainstream movies. Annabelle Wallis plays a woman with a mysterious past, who appears to be menaced by a crazed stalker who murders her abusive boyfriend. The killer possesses supernatural powers, all of which is par for the course for too many horror movies to count. The twist changes everything, and launches into an over-the-top third act that will shock even veteran horror lovers.

Malignant

R

Crime

Horror

Drama

This horror film centers on a woman who begins to experience terrifying visions of brutal murders. As these visions intensify, she discovers that they are actually terrifying realities. She must uncover the connection between her traumatic past and the gruesome realities before it's too late, leading to shocking revelations.

Director

James Wan

Release Date

September 10, 2021

Cast

Maddie Hasson , Annabelle Wallis , Jacqueline McKenzie , Ingrid Bisu , Michole Briana White , Jake Abel , Mckenna Grace , George Young

Writers

James Wan , Ingrid Bisu , Akela Cooper

Runtime

111 minutes

Main Genre

Horror

Budget

$2.4 million

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Franchise(s)

The Conjuring

8 The Invisible Man (2020) Reimagines the Classic Through a Modern Sci-fi Lens

The Invisible Man Salvages a Disastrous Dark World

There is no greater testament to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe than other studios’ efforts to emulate it, often with less than spectacular results. Universal is probably the most egregious example, launching an ambitious “Dark World” to resurrect its classic line of monsters as a new multi-property franchise, only to crash and burn upon lift-off with the disastrous Mummy reboot starring Tom Cruise. The ambitious plans were abandoned soon thereafter.

The Invisible Man provides a real silver lining to what would otherwise be a Hollywood cautionary tale for the ages. It reimagines the classic story as dark modern sci-fi, as Elizabeth Moss’s heroine is threatened by her crazed ex-boyfriend in an invisible suit. The film was a surprise hit, and may have salvaged some remnants of Universal’s Dark World. A similarly themed reboot of The Wolf Man is planned for 2025, with Invisible Man director Lee Whannell at the helm.

The Invisible Man

R

Horror

Science Fiction

When Cecilia's abusive ex dies by suicide and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.

Director

Leigh Whannell

Release Date

February 28, 2020

Studio

Universal Pictures

Cast

Elisabeth Moss , Oliver Jackson-Cohen , Storm Reid , Aldis Hodge

Runtime

124 minutes

7 The Menu (2022) Has a Horrific Dinner Planned

The Menu Is a Smart Story of Eating the Rich

The Menu is as much social satire as horror movie, and another case of a not-so-subtle social message cloaked in the auspices of thrills and chills. Ralph Fiennes plays a celebrity chef who runs an ultra-high-end restaurant on an isolated island. What begins as another night serving wealthy customers soon turns into a slow-burn revenge, as the chef and his staff have assembled various people they feel have wronged them for a meal they’ll never forget.

His plans are spoiled when Anna Sophia Robb’s date arrives with one of the guests unexpectedly, triggering a conflict between the pair over the course of the blood-soaked evening. The high-concept script never misses a step, delivering sharp suspense and shocking violence along with some very sly humor. Beneath it all runs a smart message about class inequities, and what happens to people when they trade passion for fame.

3

10

The Menu

R

Comedy

Horror

Thriller

A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.

Director

Mark Mylod

Release Date

November 18, 2022

Cast

Ralph Fiennes , Anya Taylor-Joy , Nicholas Hoult , Hong Chau , Janet McTeer , Reed Birney , Judith Light , John Leguizamo

Writers

Seth Reiss , Will Tracy

Runtime

106 minutes

Main Genre

Thriller

Cinematographer

Peter Deming

Producer

Adam McKay, Betsy Koch, Will Ferrell

Production Company

Hyperobject Industries, Gary Sanchez Productions, Alienworx Productions, TSG Entertainment

6 Doctor Sleep (2019) Is a Sequel That Stands On Its Own

Mike Flangan Creates a Superior Stephen King Adaptation

Author Stephen King infamously disapproved of Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation of The Shining, arguing that it lost too much of the book’s essence to the director’s very different vision. Mike Flanagan made Doctor Sleep – an official adaptation of King’s sequel to The Shining – in part as a way to reconcile those two visions. It returns to Danny Torrance as a grown man, who encounters a young girl who shines, as well as a group of vampiric predators who want to consume them both. Their path leads them straight back to the Overlook Hotel, where the ghosts are still waiting.

Flanagan finds the humanity in the characters that King claims was lost in the first film, anchored by another terrific performance from Ewan McGregor as the now-adult Dan. Henry Thomas has a scene-stealing cameo as his father Jack, now tending bar at the Overlook. The actor effortlessly reaches through the pop-culture detritus built up around Jack Nicholson’s iconic performance in the 1980 version, and finds the lost soul King first wrote about.

The results feel like they could be the proper sequel to either King's or Kubrick's version of The Shining. While he takes his visual cues from the movie -- actively emulating Kubrick's look and feel -- Flanagan imbues plenty of King's compassion for figures like Wendy Torrance. Doctor Sleep struggled at the box office, but it might easily be the best thing Flanagan has ever done.

Doctor Sleep

Years following the events of The Shining (1980), a now-adult Dan Torrance must protect a young girl with similar powers from a cult known as The True Knot, who prey on children with powers to remain immortal.

5 The Witch (2015) Is Atmospheric Historical Horror

The Witch Made Witches Scary Again

Robert Eggers' The Witch started a string of unsettling horror outings from the director that continues to this day, as Nosferatu nears its release. This surreal tale of a 1600s Puritan family in New England being haunted by the devil himself redefined what horror was capable of when it was released back in 2015.

The Witch depended far more on atmosphere and the fear of the unknown than it did gore or jump scares, which wasn't necessarily commonplace for the horror genre in the early 2010s. The Witch also marked the first theatrical appearance of Anya Taylor-Joy and the Hollywood landscape is all the better for it, as the actor has gone on to put in timeless performances, one after the other. The Witch is no different, as she is truly haunting in her unforgettable role as Thomasin. The Witch brought atmospheric supernatural horror back into the spotlight effectively, launching the genre to greater heights.

The Witch

Horror

A family in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft, black magic and possession.

Director

Robert Eggers

Release Date

February 19, 2016

Cast

Kate Dickie , Wahab Chaudhry , Ellie Grainger , Ralph Ineson , Sarah Stephens , Lucas Dawson , Anya Taylor-Joy , Bathsheba Garnett , Harvey Scrimshaw , Julian Richings

Runtime

92minutes

Distributor(s)

A24 , Universal Pictures

4 Talk To Me (2022) Delves Into Grief

Talk to Me Is an Incredibly Unique Ghost Story

Talk To Me introduces a unique, fresh gimmick to the ghost story genre with the inclusion of an ancient hand that allows people to communicate with the spirits of deceased people. With how surprised some of the horrifying ghosts of the departed come across, it almost feels like the living are the ones haunting the dead this time around -- which is something not often seen in horror films.

This is a very effective take on the ghost story genre and, with stunning direction from Danny and Michael Philippou -- who were making their feature-length directorial debut -- it left quite an impression on horror fans. A Talk To Me sequel has been confirmed, which is exciting to an extent -- but it's also difficult to imagine a better take on this concept than this one.

Talk to Me

R

Horror

Thriller

When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.

Director

Danny Philippou , Michael Philippou

Release Date

July 28, 2023

Cast

Sophie Wilde , Joe Bird , Alexandra Jensen , Otis Dhanji

Runtime

94 minutes

Main Genre

Horror

3 IT (2017) Updates the Horror Classic for a New Generation

The It Duology Is a Return-to-Form For Horror Adaptations

IT managed to make clowns scary again -- after years of shoddy clown horror films over-saturated the genre to nearly irreparable levels. The original 1990 miniseries was groundbreaking in its day -- wisely turning the movie into a two-part TV miniseries, which was the only format that could do the story justice at the time -- but was hampered by censorship standards which limited how much it could explore.

The two live-action movies from Andy Muschietti are under no such constraints, and the advent of mega-franchises means that larger stories can often be broken down into multiple movies if demand is high enough. IT proved how effective a novel adaptation can be when it does justice to the source material, sensationally bringing Pennywise and the town of Derry to life. Compared to the earlier adaptation, it's almost a different story entirely.

Speaking of Pennywise, Bill Skarsgård put in a haunting performance that rivals the best on-screen horror villains. Many felt Tim Curry's performance in the 1990 miniseries was unbeatable -- he was the best part of that particular adaptation -- but Skarsgård almost made it look easy. At the end of the day, IT remains one of the best Stephen King adaptations that horror fans have the pleasure of watching.

It (2017)

R

Supernatural

Horror

In the summer of 1989, a group of bullied kids band together to destroy a shape-shifting monster, which disguises itself as a clown and preys on the children of Derry, their small Maine town.

Director

Andy Muschietti

Release Date

September 8, 2017

Studio

Warner Bros.

Cast

Bill Skarsgard , Jaeden Lieberher , Jeremy Ray Taylor , Sophia Lillis , FInn Wolfhard , Wyatt Oleff , Chosen Jacobs , Jack Dylan Grazer

Runtime

135 minutes

2 Get Out (2017)

Combining Horror with Social Commentary

Horror movies have always been a way to slip social commentary past studio watchdogs without raising alarm. Topics such as abortion, race, and gender rights can reach the screens under the guise of monsters and mayhem. The horror movies of a given era are a far better reflection of the fears and anxieties of the time than many of their more socially minded contemporaries.

With Get Out writer-director Jordan Peele perfects the equation, centering the most important movie about race relations in the past decade around a mad scientist who performs unlicensed brain surgery in his basement. Daniel Kaluuka plays a nice young man dating the scientist’s daughter, only to realize he’s being groomed for something monstrous. Peele won the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award, and the film itself remains no less pertinent today than the year it was released.

Get Out

R

A young African-American man visits his white girlfriend's parents for the weekend, where his simmering uneasiness about their reception of him eventually reaches a boiling point.

Director

Jordan Peele

Release Date

February 4, 2017

Studio

Blumhouse Productions

Cast

Daniel Kaluuya , Allison Williams , Catherine Keener , Bradley Whitford

Runtime

104 minutes

1 Hereditary (2018) Is a Slow-Burn Look at Grief and Horror

Hereditary Is One Of The Best Horror Films Ever

Hereditary not only established a new bar for the supernatural horror genre but also cemented Ari Aster as a director with a dedicated vision of what should be considered terrifying. With standout performances from Toni Collette, Alex Wulff and Milly Shapiro, Hereditary became one of the most talked-about films of 2019. The film still remains one of the best horror movies of the past decade.

Aster takes his time with Hereditary, never giving away too much or relying on jump scares to get audiences unsettled. Instead, he weaves a complex story about how tradition can often lead to many problems in life. Hereditary features some of the most horrifying visuals in horror history -- both subtle and extremely graphic. Hereditary has a little bit of everything for fans of horror and will go down as one of the best of its era.

Hereditary

R

Horror

Documentary

Mystery

Thriller

A grieving family is haunted by tragic and disturbing occurrences.

Director

Ari Aster

Release Date

June 8, 2018

Studio

Cast

Toni Collette , Milly Shapiro , Zachary Arthur , Gabriel Byrne , Mallory Bechtel , Alex Wolff , Ann Dowd

Writers

Ari Aster

Runtime

2h 7m

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