The very best of a Terrifying Bunch of Fightful Flicks!
2024 truly felt like a standout year for horror.
I might say this every year lately, but the point remains: horror is here to stay, and it’s thriving. The gorier, scarier, and creepier, the better. It’s a genre that keeps pushing boundaries and giving us more to talk about.
In this list, I’ll dive into my top 10 horror films of the year, highlight a few honorable mentions, and call out the ones that didn’t quite live up to the hype. Let me know what I may have missed!
10. Smile 2 (dir. Parker Finn)
As a fan of Smile (2022), I had decently high expectations for its sequel, and Smile 2 delivered far beyond what I imagined. The film’s cold, single-shot opening masterfully bridges the gap between the two stories, setting the stage for a thrilling and chaotic experience. Skye Riley’s possession takes center stage, and her story is gripping and electric, keeping the energy alive for the entire 2-hour, 12-minute runtime.
This is the kind of movie where you abandon all logic, stop trying to figure out what’s happening, and just let yourself enjoy the ride. Normally, I prefer stories that are explainable or grounded in some sort of logic, but the Smile universe thrives on its unapologetic madness—and that’s what makes it so much fun.
My Rating: 3.5 / 5
9. Alien: Romulus (dir. Fede Alvarez)
I wouldn’t call myself the biggest Alien franchise fan, but I always enjoy watching these movies—and I have to say, Fede Álvarez was the perfect choice to direct Romulus. While it might be a controversial opinion, I personally prefer Álvarez’s Evil Dead (2013) over The Evil Dead (1981). Alvarez’s knack for compelling visual storytelling is undeniable, and watching Romulus in theaters only reinforced this for me, as I shared “Facehugger Fries” and “Escape Hatch” queso with my boyfriend.
With just the right amount of heart, scares, and gore, the film is packed with tension that’s just as thrilling as it is genuinely terrifying. It’s an edge-of-your-seat experience with just the right amount of fun, making it perfect for a movie night. We love you, Andy!
My Rating: 4/5
8. The First Omen (dir. Arkasha Stevenson)
Yet another franchise revival that had no business being this good. Visually stunning and anchored by a powerhouse performance from Nell Tiger Free, this film grips you from start to finish. With transformative sequences that nod to Possession (1981), moments of genuine terror, and an overall chilling atmosphere, it’s impossible to look away.
It’s a shame Immaculate (2024) was released around the same time because, when it comes to nun horror, this movie is the clear champion. A film that proves revisiting a franchise can still deliver something interesting. My biggest gripe is the ending scene, a little too on the nose and not necessary in the context of the film.
My Rating: 4/5
7. Oddity (dir. Damian McCarthy)
Genuinely terrifying. I remember sitting in my living room, completely creeped out as I watched this. Missing its brief theatrical run is one of my biggest regrets because Oddity is the kind of film that begs to be experienced on a big screen with a thunderous, inescapable sound system.
From its fractured storytelling to the eerie design of the haunted objects and Carolyn Bracken’s mesmerizing lead performance, every element draws you deeper into its unsettling world. I had previously seen and appreciated Damian McCarthy’s Caveat (2020), but Oddity surpasses it in both scares and effectiveness. If this slipped under your radar, it’s absolutely worth seeking out. Would make a great group watch if you’re in the mood for a psychic revenge story.
My Rating: 4/5
6. Terrifier 3 (dir. Damien Leone)
This might just take the crown for the most shocking revelation of 2024. As someone who wasn’t overly impressed by Terrifier (2016), Terrifier 2 (2022), or even All Hallows’ Eve (2013), I walked into the theater bracing myself for the usual grotesque shock factor—expecting to be grossed out and disengaged.
Damien Leone clearly has a vision, but his storytelling has always been his weak spot. It often feels like he builds the story backwards, asking us to follow along blindly and trust that everything will eventually make cosmic sense… which, frankly, doesn’t work for me.
However, Terrifier 3 does something special that its predecessors couldn’t quite capture. David Howard Thornton delivers a hilarious, surprisingly nuanced performance as Art the Clown, finally making me appreciate the character’s twisted charm. Alongside him, Lauren LaVera brings another strong, grounded performance, and for us practical horror fans? We’re absolutely fed (ew, no pun intended) during its 2 hour 15 minute runtime.
I’m thankful that Leone kept this one a bit more concise than the 2 hour 18 minute ordeal of the previous film (which admittedly felt more like its runtime than this installment). Still, Terrifier 3 could’ve benefited from more judicious editing—while I’m not someone who thinks every horror movie needs to be 90 minutes to be effective, the Terrifier films don’t require that much exposition. But at the end of the day, I’m not here for the story or the plot. I’m here for Art and whatever depraved stunt he’s going to pull next. And in that regard, Terrifier 3 is easily the strongest entry, delivering exactly what I’ve been craving all along.
My Rating: 4/5
5. Nosferatu (dir. Robert Eggers)
In another unexpected twist, Nosferatu lands comfortably in the middle of my Top 10 Horror of 2024 list. I had high hopes for this one, but after seeing so many iterations of the story, I couldn’t help but feel a bit let down that Robert Eggers didn’t bring more individuality to the narrative.
Yes, the film is beautiful, captivating, cinematically poetic, and undeniably dark. All of that worked for me.
But what didn’t quite hit the mark? A lack of originality in the storytelling, the design of Nosferatu’s character, and the visual consistency—while the first half was visually mesmerizing, the second half didn’t hold up to the same standard.
I don’t expect everyone to agree with these qualms, as they’re small in the grand scheme of the film. And despite these reservations, I still loved it. As evidenced by its ranking on my list and my overall rating, Nosferatu is still a near-perfect film for me. Eggers did manage to add some of his signature spice, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wanted more. As a fan of his work, this is my least favorite of his films to date—but that’s not a knock when the rest of his movies are 5/5 stars for me. He’s undeniably one of our contemporary greats.
My Robert Eggers Ranked:
- The Witch (5/5)
- The Lighthouse (5/5)
- The Northman (5/5)
- Nosferatu (4.5/5)
4. The Devil’s Bath (dir. Veronika Franz, Severin Fiala)
The Devil’s Bath was an unexpected experience—dark, upsetting, and historically grounded in a way that left me rattled. It wasn’t terrifying in an overt, jump-scare kind of way, but unsettling in a deeply subtle, emotional sense. The sadness of being a woman, the oppressive weight of the story, and the raw truth of the phenomenon depicted in the film made for a heavy viewing. I had no prior knowledge of the real events it explored, and I found myself both gutted and creeped out by what I learned.
Anja Plaschg delivers one of the year’s most powerful horror performances. Her portrayal of pain felt so real it was like my own, and I couldn’t help but yearn to pull Agnes out of her overwhelming melancholy.
This film definitely flew under the radar for many, but I stumbled upon it thanks to my Shudder subscription and watched it in the tub (no pun intended). As a certified fan of Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, with The Lodge (2019) being one of my top recommendations for anyone who claims to have outgrown being scared by horror movies, The Devil’s Bath was a haunting, emotional journey I won’t soon forget.
My Rating: 4.5/5
3. Les chambres rouges (Red Rooms) (dir. Pascal Plante)
I genuinely believe this is a perfect horror film. I have no notes when it comes to the acting, writing, or production—everything was pitch-perfect. I walked in expecting one thing, but what I experienced was something entirely different, and that’s part of what makes it so impactful.
At its core, the film explores true crime, delving into the uncomfortable gray area between morbid curiosity and the unintended (or intended) disrespect it can bring to the families and victims involved. These heavy themes are explored through a standout performance from Juliette Gariepy.
There are scenes in this film I won’t soon forget—most notably, a courtroom sequence and a chilling dark web exploration that will haunt you long after they’re over.
While this movie is undeniably terrifying, it also offers a rich exploration of humanity through Kelly-Anne, whose profound loneliness and the consequences of those feelings are woven into the narrative in a deeply compelling way.
Although it technically released in 2023, it was widely available in the US in 2024, so I’m absolutely counting it for my list. If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and seek it out. It will stick with you, long after the credits roll.
My Rating: 5/5
2. The Substance (dir. Coralie Fargeat)
I don’t know what more I could add to this conversation that hasn’t already been said.
Being a woman is hard. Aging is hard. Feeling un-beautiful is hard.
This film delves into these struggles with a rawness that feels both universal and deeply personal. There are countless ways this story could have been told, but Coralie Fargeat chose a path that aligns perfectly with French extremity. It’s gory, disgusting, and visceral—especially in moments where you wouldn’t expect it, elevating the horror beyond just physical violence.
It’s the kind of film that’s made for the theatre, where you can hear gasps and spontaneous exclamations from the audience (we had someone in front of us saying ‘Oh my God’ repeatedly… completely valid). It’s unsettling yet compelling, and the movie ends on such a high crescendo that you’ll be left wondering, “What the hell did I just watch?”
Sidenote: My mom and her friend rented this to watch together, and afterward she texted me asking why the ending had to be so bloody.
My Rating: 4.5/5
1. Longlegs (dir. Osgood Perkins)
This movie is my kind of film, plain and simple, and that’s exactly why it’s sitting at the top of my 2024 horror list.
With echoes of Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Se7en (1995)—two of my all-time favorites—it would’ve taken a lot for me to leave the theater anything less than thrilled. But this film absolutely delivered.
Incredible performances from Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood, and Alicia Witt elevate the film, while Osgood Perkins’s direction kept me riveted from start to finish. The writing hit all the right notes for me and the lore that goes along with the movie made each subsequent rewatch (I’ve seen it thrice now) so much more entertaining. I know it won’t resonate with everyone when the big twist comes, but for me, it worked. I put my hands up, leaned into the ride, and let Perkins take me wherever he wanted.
One thing that bugs me about the film’s reception is how people are hesitant to go along with the explanation. Look, just trust it. Surrender to the story. Let yourself go with it—it’s way more fun that way. You may not want to believe the devil could be real, but Dale Ferdinand Kobble would like a word or two.
My Rating: 4.5 / 5
And quickly, honorable mentions:
- MadS (dir. David Moreau) – Technically impressive and original in its storytelling, this film stands out as an innovation within its subgenre (without giving too much away). However, despite its creativity, I found myself wishing it had been trimmed by 15-20 minutes—an important note, especially considering its relatively short runtime of just 1 hour and 26 minutes.
- Cuckoo (dir. Tilman Singer) – Original and intriguing, this film had a lot of potential, but I believe it spent too much time in post-production. It feels like it got chopped up in a way that disrupted the natural flow of the story. I really wish we could have seen it when it was originally slated—there’s no telling how much more impactful it might’ve been in its original form.
- Heretic (dir. Scott Beck, Bryan Woods) – This movie turned out to be much better than I anticipated. It was unfortunately mismarketed as a labyrinthian escape film, which doesn’t quite capture its true essence. Hugh Grant delivers a stellar performance, keeping me laughing multiple times throughout. However, I do wish it had been a bit creepier—there was definitely potential for more tension and atmosphere.
Also quickly, the worst of the year:
- The Strangers: Chapter 1 (dir. Renny Harlin) – Why? Literally just why. The Strangers (2008) is such a perfected, home invasion movie filled with tension, twists, and heart. This felt like a waste of a movie and thank goodness we get two more installments!
- Tarot (dir. Anna Halberg, Spenser Cohen) – A great multi-creature feature is something I so desperately crave. The premise of Tarot is right up my alley but it does not deliver and feels like a waste of a Netflix stream. Notably, I had similar feelings to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (dir. André Øvredal) which I liked marginally more. It’s a subgenre with a lot of potential, and it feels like we have very few good installments.
- Abigail (dir. Tyler Gillett, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin) – This isn’t so much a “I hate this movie” take as it is a “Why the hell did they market it like that?” kind of frustration. If you go in blindly, you’ll likely have fun, get caught up in the reveal, and follow along with the events that unfold. But if you’ve seen the trailer, you’re already spoiled—so there’s really no point in watching. Imagine how stellar it could’ve been if it had been marketed with a teaser, leaving more mystery and allowing that reveal to hit hard halfway through the film. What a terrible missed opportunity.
Now that I’ve said my piece, I hope you’re able to add some films to your watchlist (or maybe cross a few off). If you have differing opinions than me, that’s what makes movies so fun! I’ve had people tell me that Abigail and Late Night with the Devil were their favorite horror films from last year, and I genuinely love hearing their reasons why. That’s the beauty of horror—it’s such a subjective genre. What tickles my fancy might not be your thing, but we’ll all have fun regardless. Here’s to what’s coming in 2025… I can’t wait to see what the genre has in store!