Top 10 Horror Movies of 2024

The year 2024 has been a remarkable one for the horror genre, delivering a diverse slate of films that have shocked, unnerved, and captivated audiences. From cerebral slow-burns to visceral body horror, this year has proven that the genre is not only thriving but also pushing its boundaries in new and creative ways. Whether you're a fan of psychological dread or pure, unadulterated gore, there's a film on this list that's guaranteed to get under your skin.

We've compiled a list of the 10 best horror movies of 2024, each selected for its critical acclaim, innovation, or sheer terrifying power. These films represent the pinnacle of modern horror filmmaking, showcasing a new generation of talent and reminding us why we love to be scared.

Click this pin to save for later.

1. The Substance

Directed by Coralie Fargeat, The Substance is a jaw-dropping body horror film that explores the terrifying consequences of impossible beauty standards. A disgraced actress, played with career-best intensity by Demi Moore, uses a black market substance to create a more beautiful, perfect version of herself (played by Margaret Qualley). The film is a gruesome, visceral, and unflinching descent into madness as the original self deteriorates while the new one thrives. Its stunning practical effects and brutal social commentary make it one of the most talked-about and disturbing films of the year.

2. Longlegs

Osgood Perkins' Longlegs is a slow-burn, dread-filled procedural that blends the eerie sensibilities of 90s detective thrillers with a supernatural undercurrent. The film follows a young FBI agent (Maika Monroe) tasked with tracking down a mysterious and sadistic serial killer who seems to be operating under a sinister, occult influence. The film is more of a descent into creeping dread than a traditional slasher, using disturbing imagery, a chilling atmosphere, and a terrifyingly uncanny performance from Nicolas Cage as the titular killer.

3. The First Omen

Serving as a prequel to the classic 1976 film, The First Omen stands on its own as a chilling piece of supernatural horror. The film, directed by Arkasha Stevenson, follows a young American woman who travels to Rome to take the veil as a nun but uncovers a terrifying conspiracy to bring about the birth of the Antichrist. The movie masterfully builds tension and delivers genuinely unsettling moments that rely on atmosphere and religious dread rather than cheap jump scares. It revitalized the franchise by focusing on psychological horror and a bleak, oppressive mood.

4. Late Night with the Devil

This found-footage film, directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes, is a brilliant and unique entry into the horror genre. The film is presented as a "lost" broadcast of a live television talk show from 1977. During a special Halloween episode, the host (David Dastmalchian) brings on a psychic and a young girl who claims to be possessed, leading to a horrifying on-air catastrophe. The movie's retro aesthetic, fantastic performances, and slow, unnerving build-up of paranormal events make it a genuinely original and terrifying film.

5. I Saw the TV Glow

A mesmerizing and deeply unsettling film from director Jane Schoenbrun, I Saw the TV Glow is a horror movie that defies easy categorization. The story follows two teenagers, Owen and Maddy, who bond over their shared love of a mysterious late-night television show. As they grow older, their obsession with the show blurs the line between reality and fantasy, leading to a profound and existential crisis. The film's horror is not in jump scares, but in its existential dread and its terrifying exploration of identity, memory, and the crushing weight of a life not lived.

6. A Quiet Place: Day One

As a prequel to the popular A Quiet Place franchise, this film takes us back to the very beginning of the alien invasion. Unlike the previous films which were set in the isolated countryside, this movie is set in the bustling streets of New York City, creating a horrifying new dynamic. Directed by Michael Sarnoski, the movie follows a young woman (Lupita Nyong'o) as she tries to survive the initial onslaught of the sound-sensitive aliens. The horror comes from the claustrophobia of a city that suddenly falls silent and the visceral terror of a world turned upside down.

7. Smile 2

A sequel to the surprise 2022 hit, Smile 2 takes the sinister smiling curse into the world of pop music. The film follows a pop star (Naomi Scott) who becomes the next victim of the terrifying entity, finding herself hunted by the smiling monster as her life and career begin to unravel in public. Director Parker Finn expertly expands on the original concept, creating a new brand of social horror that explores the paranoia of living in the public eye while facing an inescapable, supernatural threat.

8. Immaculate

Directed by Michael Mohan, Immaculate stars Sydney Sweeney as a young, devout American nun who joins a remote Italian convent. She quickly discovers the convent harbors a dark and sinister secret when she becomes pregnant under seemingly miraculous circumstances, despite her virginity. The horror of the film comes from its unsettling religious extremism, body horror, and psychological torment, as the young nun finds herself trapped and questioning her faith in a place she once believed to be a safe haven.

9. Alien: Romulus

Fede Álvarez's Alien: Romulus returns the franchise to its pure horror roots, focusing on a group of young space scavengers who stumble upon a derelict space station and awaken a terrifying Xenomorph. The film is a masterclass in claustrophobic terror, with intense chase sequences and a tense, unrelenting atmosphere reminiscent of Ridley Scott's original 1979 film. It successfully pays homage to the franchise while creating its own unique brand of sci-fi horror.\

10. Terrifier 3

The latest installment in the notoriously brutal Terrifier franchise, this film brings the horrifying, murderous Art the Clown to the holiday season. The movie is an unrelenting bloodbath, with director Damien Leone delivering on the promise of extreme, over-the-top gore and practical effects. Unlike the other films on this list, its horror is not psychological or atmospheric; it is a pure, unadulterated assault on the senses, designed for the most seasoned horror fans who can stomach its extreme violence.

Conclusion

The year 2024 has proven to be a fantastic one for horror, with a mix of groundbreaking originals, surprising sequels, and chilling prequels that have all left their mark. From the psychological dread of I Saw the TV Glow to the visceral terror of The Substance, this year's lineup has offered something for every type of horror fan. These films show that the genre is more than just cheap thrills; it is a powerful tool for exploring our deepest fears, our societal anxieties, and the very nature of dread. We can only hope that the next year brings us more titles that are as inventive, daring, and bone-chilling as these.