The 2010s have graced and terrified the audience with the most frightening movies in the history of cinema. From supernatural tales of ghosts and witches to psychological thrillers concealing deeper social messages, it has been a golden decade for thehorror genre. Directors such as Jordan Peele andRobertEggers have been able to deliver modern horror movies, pushing boundaries and reinventing older tropes, not only scaring but also surprising their viewers, and subverting their expectations.
Meanwhile, movies likeThe ConjuringandA Quiet Placeintroduced the fans of this haunting genre to new, thrilling universes, creating franchises to explore and expand upon. With classical horror elements, inventive plots, and charming characters, these films attracted a loyal fanbase. It is hard to pick the best horrors of the 2010s, but some movies, whether critically, artistically or commercially, stood out,becoming modern horror classics.
let me in
Cast
Let Me In is a romantic horror remake of the Swedish film Let the Right One In. Directed by Matt Reeves and released in 2010, Let Me In centers on a young boy who falls in love with a vampire in 1980s New Mexico. The film starred Kodi Smit-McPhee and Chloë Grace Moretz and was praised upon release.
The remake of the Swedish filmLet the Right One In,Let Me Inis a romantic horror that received widely positive reviews from critics when it debuted in 2010.The story, set in the 1980s, focuses on a 12-year-old boy who is an outsider among his peers and develops a romantic relationship with a child vampire girl played by Chloë Grace Moretz. Stephen King called it “The best American horror film in the last 20 years” (viaAwardsDaily).
The movie was also the best-reviewed horror of 2010 on Rotten Tomatoes.
As a classic tale that toys with the line between good and evil, the movie becomes even more unsettling when viewed through the lens of its young characters' age.Chloë Moretz’s portrayal, which earned her an Austin Critics Award, of the young vampire blurs the line between an apparent vulnerability and her threatening nature, leaving a haunting impression on the viewer. The movie was also the best-reviewed horror of 2010 on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sleep Tight
Sleep Tight is a Spanish psychological thriller that follows the story of César, a Barcelona apartment building concierge who secretly harbors a sinister obsession: making the tenants' lives miserable. The film delves deep into César’s psychopathy, particularly focusing on his obsession with Clara, a cheerful and unsuspecting resident. Directed by Jaume Balagueró, the film is a chilling exploration of a man who seeks happiness through the misery of others.
Sleep Tightis a Spanish psychological thriller that delves into the mind of Cesar (Luis Tosar), an apartment concierge who, unable to find happiness in his life, sets out on a mission to make the tenants in the building as miserable as he is.According toEmpire,the movie was “simmering with Hitchcockian suspense”.
Sleep Tight’sclever exploration and portrayal of Cesar’s disturbed psyche paints a haunting portrait of obsession and control, amplified by Tosar’s performance, which earned the artist an award as Best Actor in a Leading Role.Through the insanity of its central character, the movie is able to terrify its viewers without the need for monsters under the bed or flesh-eating zombies, but simply by showing humanity at its worst. The raw authenticity of the plot and the tension-filled atmosphere makeSleep Tightthe best horror movie of 2011.
The Cabin in the Woods
The Cabin in the Woods strictly follows the traditional slasher movie dynamic: a group of teens heads to a remote location for the weekend only to find themselves beset by monsters. However, what they don’t know is that the inevitable horrors they will face have all been arranged by a mysterious team watching from a facility deep underground.
When it hit the theaters in April 2012,Cabin in the Woodsfrightened and shocked the audience with its plot twists and satirical reversal of classic slasher movie tropes.Written by Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon (famous for directing and writingBuffy The Vampire Slayer),thishorror moviefollows a group of college friendswho retire to a remote cabin only to encounter horrible monsters. The plot may seem familiar at first, but beneath the surface lies a more unsettling truth—one far more terrifying than any monster they encounter.
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Because of its surprising ability to be entertaining and terrifying at the same time while subverting any expectations the traditional horror fans might have, the movie could not go ignored.With a terrifyingly unexpected finale and a cynicism so at odds with the young age of its characters,Cabin in the Woodsis one of the best horrors of the 2010s and the ultimate winner in 2012.
The Conjuring
Based on the real-life case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring chronicles the haunting of the Perron family after moving into a Rhode Island farmhouse. The film went on to kickstart the Conjuring franchise, a series of supernatural horror films.
In 2013, whenThe Conjuringdebuted, not everyone probably suspected that the story would only be the beginning of the popular franchise centered around Ed and Lorraine Warren, a couple of two paranormal investigators based on real people.The movie, however, with its emotionally-charged acting and use of traditional horror elements from folk stories about haunted houses and malevolent spirits in an enticing and aesthetically stunning manner, captivated the viewers and grossed above $319 million around the world.
The declaration at the beginning, “Based on a true story,” contributed to its chilling impact.The eerie scenography and the charismatic nature of the main characters elevatedThe Conjuringto a cult.The movie opened the gate to afictional universe in the modern horror genrethat went on to produce equally acclaimed sequels and terrifying spin-offs.
The Babadook
The Babadook, directed by Jennifer Kent, explores the struggles of a single mother grieving her husband’s death while confronting her son’s fear of a lurking monster. As they contend with this unseen entity, the sinister presence grows increasingly pervasive in their lives.
The Babadookis an Australian psychological horror that stands out for its moving themes.Through the frightening tale of a widowed mother and her son, the movie explores grief in an unsettling yet touching way. Since its debut, the story has gathered international attention and praise, becoming a classic of the genre. The Exorcist’s director, William Friedkin, tweeted he had never seen a more terrifying film (viaThe Guardian.)
On Rotten Tomatoes,The Babadookis ranked as the 21st-best horror film of all time, while also being the best-reviewed film of the genre in 2014.
The monster appears as a metaphor for the trauma shared by the two characters, giving this unsettling story an authenticity that makes the film even scarier.This tale of monsters is amodern horror movie that sensitively examines griefthrough suspense and fear.
The Witch
The Witch follows a 1630s family that relocates to a remote New England farm. Strange, unsettling events transpire, causing mounting suspicion and paranoia. This testing environment challenges the family’s faith, loyalty, and love amid isolation and tension as they confront the unknown forces lurking beyond their new home.
Set in the 17th century,The Witchis the story of a Puritan family who encounters unspeakable forces of evil near their new home, where they have been banished.The film is aslow-building horror movie that unsettles the audiencethrough disturbing themes such as religious extremism and temptations, as well as an expressionist atmosphere.
The eerie performance of Anya Taylor-Joy, which earned her an Empire Award as Best Female Newcomer, paired with a gradually rising tension within an oppressive atmosphere effortlessly integrates with the historical setting, crafting a chilling and immersive experience The movie does not rely on the presence of jump scares to frighten the public, but on its psychological depth and hopeless narrative, cementing its status as a horror classic and one of the best movies of 2010s for the genre. Stephen King praisedThe Witchforbeing thought-provoking and petrifying (ViaMovieWeb).
Train to Busan
Train to Busan is a South Korean action-horror film released in 2016. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, it centers on passengers aboard an express train from Seoul to Busan during a sudden zombie outbreak. As the virus spreads, the survivors must navigate the chaotic and dangerous environment to reach safety.
Zombie movies are most of the time a guaranteed scare.Nevertheless, they do not all work as successfully asTrain to Busan,the South Korean action-horror.The depth and intensity of its characters encourage the audience to create an emotional attachment with them, amplifying the apprehension as viewers become invested in their survival. The film earned a score of 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. Edgar Wright, the director ofShaun of The Dead,calledTrain to Busanthe “best zombie movie I’ve seen in forever” (viaMovieWeb)
The unusual approach to setting does its part: the story takes place on a high-speed train ride from Seoul to Busan during a zombie apocalypse, making the movie not only a suspense-driven horror, but also an anxiety-ridden, claustrophobic experience. In August 2016,Train to Busanbecame the first Korean film of the year to break the audience record of over 10 million viewers. Asone of the best zombie horror movies of all time,Train to Busandeserves a spot as the most frightening film of 2016.
Get Out
Jordan Peele made his directorial Horror debut with Get Out, a terrifying Psychological Horror film starring Daniel Kaluuya. In the 2017 release, Chris Washington heads to Upstate New York to meet the family of his girlfriend, Rose. What follows is a horrifying ordeal for the anxious photographer.
BetweenGet OutandIt, 2017 is not an easy year to pick the best horror movie. In the end, however, with its inventive plot and underlying social critique, not often explored in this genre,Get Outhad to win. Jordan Peele, in his directorial debut, surprised the audience with this chilling masterpiece, which was both critically acclaimed and a commercial success. The movie earned four nominations at The Academy Awards (including Best Picture), with Peele winning for Best Screenplay, and is often cited as one of the best films of the 21st century.
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A Quiet Place
A Quiet Place, directed by John Krasinski, follows a family navigating a post-apocalyptic world where they must live in silence to evade deadly creatures that hunt by sound.
As a horror about a family struggling to “silently” survive in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by alien creatures with extremely acute hearing,A Quiet Placeironically made a lot of noise when it hit the theaters in 2018.John Krasinski’s work received critical acclaim due to its ability to explore heartfelt themes of family and what it means to be a parent fighting for the survival of your kids in an abnormally dangerous situation. It also earned a nomination at the Oscars for Best Sound Editing.
In a world where even saying a word became dangerous, the actors were forced to convey a wide range of emotions and dread simply through their facial expressions, and they did it extremely well.
Aside from the heart-stopping start and the ever-present and silent tension, this2010s horror movie stands out for the excellent performancesof the cast.In a world where even saying a word became dangerous, the actors were forced to convey a wide range of emotions and dread simply through their facial expressions, and they did it extremely well. The characters' relatable, traditional family dynamic makes their situation even scarier, allowing the audience to see themselves in their shoes. Stephen King called the movie “an extraordinary piece of work” and praised the “terrific acting” in it (viaDeadline).
Us (2019)
AfterGet Out, Jordan Peele successfully managed to terrify the audience again in 2019.Slantcited it as one of the best horrors of the 21st century.Usexplores the trope of the “evil twin” (or, in this case, the evil doppelgängers), taking it to the next level. Peele, through the haunting story of an unfortunate family, seizes the opportunity to both scare the audience and send a more profound political message, in this case exploring themes related to the concept of “other”, social exclusion, and classism.
With a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes,Usborrows elements from terrifying classics that defined the history of the cinema, such asJaws,The Shining, andFunny Games,while subtly establishing itself as another cult. As one of the mostterrifying home invasion horror movies ever,Usdeserves the golden medal for the best horror of 2019.
