Horror films are designed to evoke fear, terror, anxiety, and unease in their audiences. They often feature supernatural beings, monsters, psychopaths, and perilous situations. In this article, we’ve gathered some of the most popular and critically acclaimed horror films of recent times for all you horror enthusiasts. Prepare for a thrilling ride as you dive into these spine-chilling movies!
Midsommar (2019), with an IMDb rating of 7.1, follows a couple who travel to a remote Swedish village to attend a midsummer festival. What starts as a pastoral event quickly turns into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition led by a pagan cult. Directed by Ari Aster, the film stars Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, and Vilhelm Blomgren.
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024), rated 6.8 on IMDb, centers on a woman named Sam who finds herself trapped in New York during the early days of an alien invasion by creatures with extremely sensitive hearing. The film is directed by Michael Sarnoski and features Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, and Alex Wolff.
Life (2017) has an IMDb rating of 6.6. It tells the story of a team of scientists aboard the International Space Station who discover a rapidly evolving life form from Mars, which now threatens all life on Earth. Directed by Daniel Espinosa, the movie stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ryan Reynolds.
The Conjuring (2013), with an IMDb rating of 7.5, follows paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they help a family terrorized by a dark entity in their farmhouse. Directed by James Wan, it stars Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, and Ron Livingston.
Longlegs (2024), rated 7.8 on IMDb, features an FBI agent hunting a serial killer who uncovers a series of hidden clues to end the killer’s horrific spree. The film is directed by Oz Perkins and stars Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, and Blair Underwood.
Split (2016) has an IMDb rating of 7.3. The film revolves around three girls who are kidnapped by a man with 23 different personalities. They must escape before a terrifying 24th personality emerges. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, it features James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Haley Lu Richardson.
When Evil Lurks (2023), rated 7 on IMDb, is set in a remote village where two brothers discover a man cursed by a demon, set to 'give birth' to evil. They decide to dispose of the body, only to inadvertently cause chaos. Directed by Demián Rugna, the film stars Ezequiel Rodríguez, Demián Salomón, and Silvina Sabater.
Get Out (2017), with an IMDb rating of 7.8, follows a young African-American man who visits his white girlfriend’s parents for the weekend, where his growing unease about their welcome escalates. Directed by Jordan Peele, the movie stars Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, and Bradley Whitford.
Talk to Me (2022), rated 7.1 on IMDb, features a group of friends who become captivated by the thrill of using a mummified hand to summon spirits. However, things take a horrifying turn when one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Directed by Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou, the film stars Ari McCarthy, Hamish Phillips, and Kit Erhart-Bruce.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) has an IMDb rating of 7.0. The story revolves around a charismatic surgeon, Steven, whose life starts to unravel when the behavior of a young boy he has taken under his wing becomes sinister, forcing him into an unimaginable sacrifice. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the film features Barry G. Bernson, Herb Caillouet, and Bill Camp.