Top Ten 2024 Horror Movies

Was this the best year of horror in the last decade? Possibly. You certainly can't deny the powerhouse it was. Whether you craved a fresh perspective on a subgenre, a return to a classic franchise, or an intense standalone horror flick, this year had it. Listed below is our official TOP TEN, with a few honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

Longlegs

A hot topic leading up to its release, Longlegs grossed nearly $75M domestically. But hype alone will only get butts in the seat, as was the case here. It's not to say there's nothing to like. Longlegs looks and sounds great. Other aspects could be better. Nicholas Cage comes off a bit too silly to take seriously, the plot is irredeemably contrived, and the ending less impactful than hoped. All things considered; it's still a worthwhile watch.

The Coffee Table

If you want to have kids someday, I suggest avoiding The Coffee Table. Its premise alone is enough to make a man wince. There's an amusing quality of dark humor in this film, and the expression of human emotion is pleasantly gripping. Visually the film does not live up to the others on this list and feels a bit amateur.

Strange Darling

Not putting Strange Darling in the top ten hurt because I think it's fun as hell, really. The angles and shots are expertly captured, and they make for a pleasing viewing experience. There's this Tarantino quality to the film, with just enough pizzazz to make it divergent. Even though the ending is a bit abrupt it's appropriate for the character arch of the antagonist. So yes, it's good. I just couldn't get over my distaste for the film's antagonist, which took me out of the film at times.

TOP TEN

10. Azrael

Enter Azrael, a humble apocalypse movie where Children of Men (go watch it if you haven't) meets zombies. This film keeps you guessing and provides little context to the story. Even the poster art had me anticipating something totally different like medieval battles with dragons or some shit. Azrael succeeds because of those differing expectations. While visually toned down, the thematic elements are anything but, and it's safe to say my jaw was on the floor when the finale arrived.

9. Oddity

If the grading scale were solely based on spookiness, Oddity would take the cake. Just look at that creepy ass mannequin! It's all the proof you need. In addition, the film contains a cohesive story and satisfying ending. Though the pacing is a bit slow, the payoff is worth it. Please employ some patience when watching Oddity!

8. In a Violent Nature

I may get ripped for having this on here, but dang nabbit I like this film. No, it's not slow. It's also not boring. Maybe you just don't care for scenic shots? That's okay! For me though, In a Violent Nature was probably the most creative, unexpected thrill of the year. From the new take on the subgenre, to the gorgeous, static long shots, and to the wild kills. It had nearly everything I wanted. But it's not perfect. The victims were badly underdeveloped and the ending, while unique, missed the mark by a long shot.

7. Late Night with the Devil

Almost as creative as the previous movie, I present to you Late Night with the Devil. Heavy on 70's charm with a dash of sociopolitical allegory, this piece of found footage delivers. The sequential telling of the story is constantly entertaining and suspenseful until the very end. David Dastmalchian gives one of his most memorable acting performances as late-night talk-show host, Jack Delroy.

6. Alien: Romulus

The story in Alien: Romulus is well contained, and we see a return to the classic, gritty alien flick we once knew. Androids are great. Xenomorphs are better. It seems director Fede Álvarez knew this and capitalized on it. Thanks to a nice backing from Scott Free and Brandywine Productions, we received a spectacle with only the best in practical and digital effects. One thing to note though is the overuse of callbacks. Let's dial it down a bit moving forward. The future is bright, nonetheless!

5. Speak No Evil

Here's another film I'm sure will be contested by some. Sure, the original is a bit better. Yes, the American version lacks some bite. But Speak No Evil is still a tense, heart pounding "what if?" scenario. The message of the film is clear: how far would you let things escalate for the sake of being nice? Society is afraid to make waves or hurt feelings. Heck, I'm guilty of this. We all are occasionally. And it's these moments where the film really excels and puts the audience through the ringer of secondhand embarrassment. We enter a fight or flight mode with the characters and it's engaging as hell. Top it all off with James McAvoy performing his ass off. Dude plays a great psycho.

4. Smile 2

Speaking of performing one's ass off, say hello to Naomi freaking Scott. This chick crushed it in Parker Finn's Smile sequel. I'd go as far to say it's the best performance of the year in horror. As a film, Smile 2 is well rounded. It's not perfect, but it strikes the right chords and gets most things right. The camera work is stunning and there's no shortage of tense scenes, some building up to expertly timed jump scares. I will say though Parker Finn clearly has a prototype for crafting his protagonists and stories. Hopefully he doesn't overuse those tendencies. It may be best to shake things up in Smile 3.

3. Heretic

Is it just me or was Hugh Grant made to act in a horror/thriller? Here he plays the mysterious Mr. Reed, who is approached by two latter day saints spreading the word of the Mormon faith. He invites them into his home and from that point on, nothing is what it seems. There's such a simplicity in Heretic, from the locations shot at to the paired down cast. It allows us to really pay attention to what is said and done on screen. Every detail matters. There are not many negatives in Heretic. It's one the best of the year and one of A24's finest.

2. The Substance

The Substance is fueled by a strong, intense concept and high production value. It's a juiced-up machine running on pure adrenaline and body horror gone wild. It's clear to everyone how good this film is, garnering significant attention at awards shows. The horror genre has gained traction over recent years, and now it's getting the recognition it deserves because of films like The Substance. It's a game changer and a must see for the year of 2024.

1. Nosferatu

Now, let me just say I have some bias in this decision to place Nosferatu at the top spot. I've always enjoyed the story and the character of Count Orlok, and gothic horror is one of my favorite subgenres. So, I'm more inclined to like this one. Okay, and maybe I also love Robert Eggers' work. The man knows how to make a film. All that aside, this is a masterclass in cinema with exceptional cinematography. It's beautiful, it's haunting, and it's a story that endures. The message that Eggers went for absolutely resonates and it's a no brainer for me to award Nosferatu the number one spot for 2024's best horror movies.