There was a time when horror was synonymous with monsters and zombies, blood and gore. But the 2010s gave birth to a new crop of films that redefined what makes a film truly horrific. Now, expertly written supernatural and psychological thrillers have managed to dig into our darkest fears, custom-tailored to those we experience in the 21st century.
These 13 films prove that you don’t need to be a “horror fan” to leave the theater feeling entirely creeped out. There’s truly something for everyone.
13. Black Swan (2010)
Natalie Portman stars as Nina, a young ballerina who is given the lead role in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. The innocence of the White Swan comes naturally to her, but its seductive alter-ego Black Swan eludes her to the point of madness. Black Swan challenges the notion of what a horror film can be. There are no ghosts, zombies or serial killers, simply a young ballerina who pushes herself too far in the quest for a “perfect” performance.
12. Midsommar (2019)
Remember how cool you thought it would be to study abroad in Europe? Think again. While horror films typically favor the foreboding nighttime, the monstrosities in Ari Aster’s Midsommar are bathed in sunlight. The most fascinating part of Midsommar is in its final scene, which will have you wondering, “Wait… Is this a happy ending?”
11. The Witch (2015)
If you liked The Crucible but couldn’t help but think, “Gee, I wish this was a hundred times more disturbing,” this is the movie for you. Robert Egger’s debut period horror drama The Witch is one hell of a slowburner. It drips with suspense throughout its course, culminating in a chilling finale that will make you grateful that you were born centuries after the 1600s.
10. A Quiet Place (2018)
In a world where making any sound means imminent death by vicious man-eating aliens, the Abbot family has figured out how to lead a semi-peaceful existence… almost. What really elevates A Quiet Place is the dynamic onscreen relationship between real-life couple John Krasinski and Emily Blunt. Pretty sure it’s impossible to not hold your breath during this movie.
9. The Conjuring (2013)
Any time a horror movie boasts that it’s based on a true story, the scariness automatically doubles. The Conjuring is inspired by real life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren who probe a haunted farmhouse in Rhode Island. The most traditional horror film on this list, The Conjuring serves up old-school scares in a way that’s refreshing and sufficiently creepy.
8. It Follows (2014)
A few film critics have suggested this movie is a metaphor for STDs while others claim it’s the story of a sexual assault survivor. No matter how you look at it, it’s downright nightmarish to feel like someone is following you regardless of how hard you try to escape. Slick and stylish, David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows is pleasant on the eyes but unsettling for the soul.
7. It Comes at Night (2017)
There’s nothing to fear but fear itself. Right? It Comes At Night takes that concept to the extreme, pushing its characters (and its viewers) to their wits’ end. When a mysterious contagion breaks out, two families find themselves under one roof to fend off the evils that lurk outside their house. They soon learn that the most frightening villains are the ones within themselves.
6. mother! (2017)
With Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream under his belt, Darren Aronofsky clearly knows how to freak us out. In this unassumingly terrifying story of a young woman (Jennifer Lawrence) unraveling in her peaceful country home, mother! taps into our actual deepest fear — random strangers coming into our homes and touching our stuff.
5. It (2017)
It is an example of a remake and literary adaptation that comes up with more than the sum of its parts. Stephen King’s source material is done justice here — It captures the innocence of youth in its child leads just as much as it aims to scare you. And scare you it will. Bill Skarsgård delivers a show-stopping performance as Pennywise, totally rekindling your childhood fear of clowns.
4. The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
If you think that horror films can’t be funny, think again. The Cabin in the Woods is in on its own joke. Writers Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon specifically intended for the movie to steer away from slasher film clichés, despite its beginning feeling exactly like one. Five college students spend the weekend in a deserted cabin in the middle of the woods. C’mon, what on earth could possibly go wrong? Said no one ever.
3. Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster’s feature directorial debut Hereditary is filled with shocking twists that sneak up on you. Besides being utterly hard to watch at points, the movie is a well-crafted portrait of a family coming apart at the seams. Plus, former Naked Brothers Band member Alex Wolff gives a strong performance that completely sheds him of his Nickelodeon past.
3. Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster’s feature directorial debut Hereditary is filled with shocking twists that sneak up on you. Besides being utterly hard to watch at points, the movie is a well-crafted portrait of a family coming apart at the seams. Plus, former Naked Brothers Band member Alex Wolff gives a strong performance that completely sheds him of his Nickelodeon past.
1. The Babadook (2014)
After her husband dies unexpectedly, Amelia is left to raise their son, Samuel, on her own. By the age of 6, Samuel begins showing some pretty freaky behavior, including wielding weapons to defend them against a storybook character known as The Babadook. Warning: The Babadook ain’t no Cat in the Hat. Many have speculated that The Babadook is actually manifestation of Amelia’s grief toward her late husband. That’s not just scary, that’s sad and scary.
