10 Best Modern Slasher Movies Ranked

In the ’80s, slasher movies reached their peak of popularity. This era saw eight films from Paramount under the title “Friday the 13th”, the origin of the “Halloween” franchise, and the emergence of Freddy Krueger with his razor glove. Noteworthy one-time productions like “The Burning” and “Deadly Blessing” also surfaced, as well as smaller franchises such as “Sleepaway Camp” and “The Stepfather”. Although the subgenre began to decline towards the end of the decade, slasher movies continue to play a significant role in cinema. The ’90s reintroduced it with “Scream”, but there’s a case to be made that we are now experiencing a second golden age for this genre.

Among the high-profile properties that have been revitalized and those created anew in the slasher genre, we’ve compiled a list of outstanding examples released after 2010. Just shy of making the list were “In a Violent Nature,” “It’s a Wonderful Knife,” and “The Strangers: Prey at Night” (which seems slightly improved upon considering “The Strangers: Chapter 1”).

10) The Babysitter

Slasher movies don’t always have to be gruesome; they can also be amusing. Over time, many slasher films have embraced self-deprecating humor, and McG’s “The Babysitter” does this effectively. However, the main reason for its existence is Samara Weaving’s performance. This was her debut to a large audience, and it couldn’t have been more successful. Weaving is incredibly endearing as Bee, making us hope she isn’t the antagonist, but indeed she is.

In this performance by Weaving, she showcases an exceptional talent that she later demonstrated in both “Ready or Not” and “Azrael”. Adding a minor role in “Scream VI”, she earns the title of the contemporary scream queen, though her character in “The Babysitter” may not fit this stereotype. Unfortunately, “The Babysitter: Killer Queen” disappoints, despite the inclusion of Jenna Ortega (another modern scream queen) and a reappearance of Weaving in the final act.

Stream The Babysitter on Netflix.

9) Happy Death Day

Generally speaking, slasher films tend to thrive when they’re given an R rating. It’s quite unusual to find slashers with a PG-13 rating, but the movie “Happy Death Day” showed that it’s possible for them to succeed in this category as well.

Happy Death Day succeeds for three main reasons. Firstly, Jessica Rothe delivers an outstanding performance in the lead role. Secondly, it manages to maintain a lively and entertaining atmosphere that seamlessly blends humor with suspense. Lastly, transforming Groundhog Day into a slasher film was a brilliant concept that results in a lot of enjoyment. While the sequel may be excessive, the original Happy Death Day remains enjoyable even upon multiple viewings.

8) Halloween (2018)

David Gordon Green’s Halloween garnered substantial financial success and also received positive critical appraisal, which is rare for slasher films, particularly high-profile ones. The reason behind its popularity becomes quite clear when you consider that it has a distinct sense of being an extraordinary experience.

Although Halloween has some potential for greatness, it’s held back by a few issues. The plot moves unevenly, some characters are grating, and its twist ending in the slasher genre is painfully dumb, particularly the new motivation behind Dr. Loomis’ replacement. However, there are moments in this movie that successfully channel the original Carpenter’s film’s power, a feat none of the other sequels have managed to achieve.

7) Curse of Chucky

It’s rare that franchises releasing straight-to-video don’t signal a negative outcome. Prior to the release of “Curse of Chucky“, it could be argued that it was never a promising sign. However, “Curse of Chucky ” defied expectations.

2004’s “Seed of Chucky” significantly deviated from the original trilogy’s formula, making it feel more like a spin-off than a continuation. In contrast, “Curse of Chucky” returned to the series’ roots, and it could be argued that this direct-to-video sequel is the scariest in the entire franchise. This isn’t just a one-time coincidence, as the other direct-to-video release, “Cult of Chucky,” is also well-regarded within the series.

6) The Final Girls

Similar to the movie “Happy Death Day”, “The Final Girls” demonstrates that slasher movies can be suitable for a PG-13 audience when they are clever, character-driven, and entertaining. Without a shadow of a doubt, “The Final Girls” embodies these qualities, but it also offers a rich layer of meta references that highlight what makes slasher films so distinctive. The characters in this film find themselves transitioning from our world into the realm of a slasher movie.

All those elements contribute to its existence, but “The Final Girls” stands out primarily because it skillfully weaves a heartfelt and intriguing character interaction. More specifically, it presents a unique situation where a daughter is given the opportunity to reunite with her late mother, who was formerly the star of a low-budget slasher movie. This unusual dynamic, not found in previous slashers, proves quite effective.

Stream The Final Girls for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

5) Terrifier 3

To be clear, the three movies titled “Terrifier” might not appeal to everyone due to their intense focus on gruesome practical effects. Given the specific nature of these films, they cater to a particular audience, making them somewhat of a specialized product. Interestingly, “Terrifier 3” demonstrated that it is still a valuable intellectual property with significant earning potential.

The unique appeal of Damien Leone’s Terrifier films lies in their ability to create a distinct universe that feels both authentic and slightly detached from our own reality. The movies aren’t shy about taking risks, as seen in the unexpected turns like resurrecting the mutilated protagonist as the antagonist, and scenes such as the explosive incident at a shopping mall involving children.

Credit for this success should be shared with David Howard Thornton, who masterfully portrays Art the Clown, a character initially played by Mike Giannelli in Leone’s short films The 9th Circle and Terrifier. Art the Clown has become a horror icon under Thornton’s interpretation.

Lastly, Lauren LaVera stands out as Sienna Shaw, the lead character in the second, third, and forthcoming fourth films. She displays a wide range of acting abilities, and it is likely that we will see big things from her in the future.

Stream Terrifier 3 on Screambox.

4) Hush

Though Mike Flanagan’s 2013 film “Oculus” was noteworthy, it was this movie that truly established him as a powerful presence in the horror genre. Since then, he has solidified his status as one of the top directors for modern Stephen King adaptations. However, this underrated gem, reminiscent of “The Strangers,” holds just as much respect as his popular Netflix series like “Gerald’s Game,” “Doctor Sleep,” and “The Life of Chuck.

Stream Hush with an AMC+ Prime Video channel subscription.

3) You’re Next

It’s quite intriguing that You’re Next didn’t seem to catapult Sharni Vinson into stardom in the U.S., given her exceptional performance that rivals or even surpasses those of Samara Weaving and Jenna Ortega, notable actresses in their own right.

Apart from Amy Seimetz’s performance being spot-on, “You’re Next” has other elements that are incredibly effective. The film has a gritty realism that makes the violence seem particularly gruesome, and this is heightened when we discover that the victims are being targeted by killers hired by one of their own family members. This added personal touch lends an intense, raw quality to the movie, making it an experience that stays with you. Furthermore, the scene where Aimee attempts to flee for help but instead encounters a garrote wire is a chilling example of the film’s mastery of shocking moments.

Stream You’re Next for free with ads on Prime Video.

2) Scream (2022)

Although Scream 4 was launched just a year beyond the 2010 cut-off, it doesn’t quite fit on this list. It served as a fitting farewell to Wes Craven and boasted some effective scares, like the revelation of Charlie Walker as Ghostface. However, the movie lacks depth with an unimpressive opening and an oddly polished appearance. Nonetheless, it showcased an exceptional Ghostface portrayed by Jill Roberts.

After the poor performance of “Scream 4” at the box office, it seemed like the franchise might be coming to an end. There was a significant gap of eleven years between the third and fourth installments, but there didn’t appear to be much excitement surrounding it. However, the release of “Scream” in 2022 reignited audience interest, and it’s clear why. It skillfully combined old and new elements, making it a near-perfect complement to the original 1996 classic directed by Craven. This revival was just what the franchise needed. Radio Silence demonstrated their exceptional talent in the horror genre with this film, and they delivered what many consider to be the best “Scream” movie apart from the original. The success of its follow-up, “Scream VI,” though not as effective, helped keep Ghostface from fading into obscurity.

Stream Scream (2022) on Hulu.

1) X

Ti West’s extraordinary X trilogy, as a whole, deviates from the typical slasher genre. However, the inaugural film undeniably fits the bill. It carries the ambiance and essence reminiscent of Tobe Hooper’s masterpiece, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and incorporates elements of his Eaten Alive for good measure.

In addition to being part of the slasher genre’s history, the film X also stands independently with its sequels Pearl and MaXXXine. Although they share characters like Pearl or Maxine Minx, each movie offers a unique experience. X is the classic slasher, Pearl delves into character development, and MaXXXine presents a captivating mystery. Among them, X stands out for its exceptional performances by Mia Goth, shocking moments, skillful tension-building, and an impeccably chosen cast. X isn’t just the best slasher film since 2010; it is one of the greatest slasher films ever made.

Stream X on Max.

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2025-07-12 01:41