Top 10 Must-Watch Horror Movies of the Year

Are you ready to be spooked and thrilled? If you’re a horror movie fanatic like us, then you must not miss out on this year's top 10 must-watch horror movies that will surely send chills down your spine. From eerie ghost stories to body horror to terrifying psychological thrillers, this list has something for every horror enthusiast.

1. "Late Night with the Devil" is the best horror movie of 2024. I can't imagine something coming out that will beat it but it's not even October yet so we'll see. The pacing, the style, the effects - it all works. Scary, funny and rewatchable.

2. Next up, we have another unique entry from the mind of Oz Perkins - son of Anthony Perkins of Psycho fame and current horror auteur with the underrated "The Blackcoat's Daughter" under his belt. "Longlegs" stars scream queen Maika Monroe, Alicia Witt in her grittiest role, and Nicolas Cage in prosthetics that feel wrong but make his character just right. This is a slow burn with sudden bursts of disturbing imagery and sound. Also, just like "Late Night with the Devil," they stick the landing.

3. The same week "Longlegs" came out in theaters another gem came out for a much quieter run. I saw a double feature and "Oddity" has teetered between #2 and #3 of the year for me. From the creator of "Caveat" comes another horror that uses anticipation perfectly. "Oddity" is even better than "Caveat" because the director has figured out how to incorporate bits of humor without killing tension.

4. "Strange Darling" is just that - strange. The movie is told in a series of chapters that don't play out chronologically, letting you know immediately that everything is probably not exactly as it seems. What a ride!

5. "I Saw the TV Glow" is not for everyone. I watched it with my husband and he declared that "it wasn't a horror movie." I, on the other hand, had white knuckles from holding my arm rests too hard. It feels like a dream that goes in and out of being a nightmare. There is a deeper meaning to this film that made me feel like I understood the struggles of a trans person with more clarity, but it is not preachy and should be enjoyed by a large audience.

6. "A Quiet Place: Day One" is my favorite of the trilogy. It's first strength is in casting. Lupita N'yongo should be in everything. Second, there's a lot of action - this movie takes place right as the invasion starts in the middle of New York City. Third, it has a great ending which incorporates one of my favorite songs perfectly. It's not often that a horror movie has me grinning at the end.

7. "Alien: Romulus" should've been big. The tone is extremely remniscient of "Alien" and the small cast of characters are all memorable. I believe it's the best of the three more recent "Alien" movies; better than "Prometheus" and "Alien:Covenant." I was lucky to see a screening of the 40th anniversary of "Alien" and, before it started, we saw a documentary about the making of. The director of "Romulus" interviewed Ridley Scott and it was fascinating. Listening to the questions asked and seeing the enthusiasm of both directors made me excited for "Alien:Romulus" and I wasn't disappointed.

8. "The First Omen" is the rare reboot that doesn't feel like a cash grab. It's got a strong cast, led by Nell Tiger Free, who will be familiar to horror lovers as the star of Apple TV+'s "Servant." There are obvious similarities with another convent-based 2024 horror, "Immaculate." However, in my eyes there's no question which is superior.

9. "The Substance" will be devisive. I saw it with two friends; one who hated it and one who liked it. I loved it. It's the second major feature from the director of "Revenge," a stylish Australian movie from a few years back that was very stylized and not afraid to go over the top. This movie goes over the top and then doubles down. It is so gross. It is so funny. It is the role of a lifetime for Demi Moore, who bares it all at 61. Her portrayal of an aging star feeling empty and discarded is nuanced in a movie that doesn't know the meaning of the word. To say the movie isn't nuanced is not a dig. The movie is straight-forward and you have at least the jist of what's going to happen pretty early on. But knowing something's going to happen and seeing it happen are two different things. I've seen a lot of horror. I've seen a lot of gore. I haven't seen a lot like "The Substance."

10. Last but not least, we have a classic tale of killer spiders. The French horror "Vermines," known in the US as "Infected" is a fast-paced monster movie that's an impressive debut from a first-time director. It's full of action, great effects and some stellar scares. All that makes up for some of the character issues; however my annoyance with some characters lessened by the time the credits rolled. Imagine "Arachnaphobia" but in a high-rise apartment complex. A concept so good it's surprising it hasn't already been done.

    
    

    I can't help but throw in some honorable mentions. There's been a lot of horror this year and not a lot of stinkers. I thought "Abigail" was a lot of fun. I was very impressed by the low-budget horror "The Shade" and it honestly might have made top 10 except for one thing: the lead looks so much like a young Leonardo DiCaprio that it distracted me (Romeo + Juliet 4eva). "You'll Never Find Me" is a slow burn that will have you questioning everything. It ramps up to a great ending. "Maxxxine" is, unfortunately, the worst of the "X" trilogy. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, and I loved that it was shot only with equipment that existed when the film takes place in the 80s. I'll also watch Mia Goth in most anything. "Blink Twice" was an impressive debut for Zoe Kravitz and Channing Tatum nailed the role, but the subject matter was darker than I expected. "Arcadian" was creative with strong performances, but it did lag a bit in the middle. "In a Violent Nature" is an interesting take on the perspective of the villain but switches focus towards the end and I found myself wondering what would've happened if they stuck with the villain POV. "Stopmotion" was creepy and upsetting. The stop motion effects are great. I'm sure for some this is the best horror of the year, but I didn't like the way it made me feel and this is my website. "Cuckoo" takes itself very seriously for what turns out to be a ridiculous plot, but I kind of admire that about it and the two leads are great. Finally, I'm listing "Trap" because it was something different and Josh Hartnett was great and should be in more movies. It is middle-of-the-road Shyamalan. I like several of his movies better but I also hate a lot of his movies. This was an enjoyable way to spend time at the movies.

    
    

    So there you have it – our top 10 must-watch horror movies of the year and 10 honorable mentions. Whether you're a fan of supernatural scares, psychological thrills, or classic horror, there's something on this list for everyone. Grab your popcorn, turn down the lights, and get ready for a fright-filled movie night that you won't soon forget.