Each year usually brings several horror movies that could be considered the best. It’s uncommon for one to clearly stand out from the rest. For example, while The Texas Chain Saw Massacre seemed like a strong contender for 1974, Black Christmas was also released that year. Similarly, 1978 saw both Halloween and Dawn of the Dead, and 1984 gave us A Nightmare on Elm Street and Gremlins. We occasionally get a year like 1992, where Candyman was the clear favorite, or 2003, when Final Destination 2 didn’t face much competition. But how have the years of the 2020s stacked up? Have they been competitive? We’ll explore each of those six years below.
We’re focusing on a film’s very first showing, not its general release date in the US. So, if a movie premiered at a festival one year but wasn’t released to the public until the following year, we consider the festival premiere as its official beginning.
6) A Quiet Place Part II (2020)
Following the success of the first film, A Quiet Place Part II is a rare horror sequel that actually surpasses it. The movie primarily centers on Emily Blunt’s character, Evelyn Abbott, and her desperate efforts to protect her children in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by incredibly fast, sound-sensitive aliens who are blind.
Emily Blunt delivers a fantastic performance, and John Krasinski once again proves his skill as a director. The film’s isolated island setting creates a truly terrifying and intense experience. With the addition of Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou to the cast, A Quiet Place Part II stands out as one of the most captivating horror films of the early 2020s. It was also significant as one of the first major films to draw audiences back to theaters after the pandemic began. Other noteworthy horror films from the same period include Possessor and The Invisible Man.
Stream A Quiet Place Part II on Hulu.
5) The Black Phone (2021)
Okay, so we decided a movie’s ‘life’ starts when it first shows at a film festival. That’s why you’ll find The Black Phone listed for 2021. Honestly, it’s a really good movie and did well – well enough to get a sequel, even! – but 2022 was just packed with amazing horror films, so it didn’t quite make the cut for that year’s top spot.
Scott Derrickson successfully adapted Joe Hill’s story in The Black Phone, but the film truly belongs to Ethan Hawke. His performance as the villain, ‘The Grabber,’ is genuinely frightening, and the unsettling setting of a dingy basement makes the movie particularly memorable. Nia DaCosta’s Candyman was a close second in terms of standout horror films.
Stream The Black Phone on Peacock.
4) X (2022)
It’ll be tough for the years 2026 to 2029 to surpass 2022 as the strongest year for horror this decade. 2022 delivered a fantastic lineup of films, including Bodies Bodies Bodies, Nope, Scream (by Radio Silence), Smile, Talk to Me, the surprisingly funny Day Shift, Fresh, M3GAN, Prey, and Barbarian. While Barbarian was a strong contender, the biggest standout of the year was Ti West with X and Pearl.
Ti West’s X is a brilliant return to the classic slasher films of the 70s and 80s, and the actors deliver surprisingly well-developed characters – something rarely seen in this type of movie. The film creates a genuinely creepy atmosphere and features some truly shocking moments. When combined with Pearl, which is just as good but offers a very different tone and showcases Mia Goth’s incredible acting range even further, these two films establish what could become one of the greatest horror trilogies ever made.
Stream X on HBO Max.
3) Late Night with the Devil (2023)
No matter how you look at it – whether it was its premiere at SXSW in 2023 or its wider release in 2024 – Late Night with the Devil was a standout film. It finally gave David Dastmalchian the chance to play a leading role, and it was a perfect fit for his dark and unique style. It’s similar to how Crispin Glover eventually landed the ideal lead role as the title character in Willard after years in supporting parts. However, Late Night with the Devil is even more skillfully crafted, building suspense gradually until it becomes incredibly intense.
The story feels incredibly close and confined because almost everything happens on one stage. We, as the audience, could easily walk away, but we stay to find out if the young girl is actually possessed or if it’s all an act. While Late Night with the Devil was the standout horror film of 2023, it faced strong competition. Beau Is Afraid sparked a lot of debate but was visually impressive, Evil Dead Rise successfully revitalized the franchise, and comedies like Cocaine Bear, Renfield, and Thanksgiving all have a dedicated fanbase. The year also brought the overreaching Scream VI and the surprisingly good Saw X.
Stream Late Night with the Devil on Hulu.
2) Abigail (2024)
Following their successful revival of Ghostface, Radio Silence delivers a lively and inventive take on the classic vampire story with Abigail. Similar to their previous work, Abigail breathes fresh life into a familiar genre. While it prioritizes fun and entertainment over sheer terror, many great horror films balance these elements. The film is expertly directed, and the cast delivers strong performances, particularly Melissa Barrera and Alisha Weir in the title role. The result is a surprisingly lighthearted movie, even with its abundance of blood and gore.
The decision to have all the characters willingly enter the house where they ultimately meet their end was a clever move. They’re there to kidnap a young girl and demand ransom, awaiting payment from her wealthy, enigmatic father. While most aren’t exactly good people, the movie subtly suggests some aren’t motivated solely by greed, which adds a compelling layer when characters essentially choose their own unfortunate destiny. 2024 offered several similar horror films, including MaXXXine, a satisfying conclusion to the X trilogy (though not quite as strong as the first two), Alien: Romulus, which successfully revived the Xenomorph franchise, and Longlegs, which proved to be both a critical and financial hit.
Stream Abigail on Peacock.
1) Sinners (2025)
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is a brilliant film that expertly mixes genres. It’s not only the scariest movie of the year, but also the most thrilling action film, and a huge commercial hit. The familiar pairing of Coogler and Michael B. Jordan works wonderfully, Hailee Steinfeld delivers a particularly moving performance with a standout line reading, and the entire supporting cast is fantastic.
Many fans consider Final Destination: Bloodlines to be one of the best films in the Final Destination series. Together is a standout and original entry, and Weapons was also a strong contender, but Sinners ultimately comes out on top. Ryan Coogler successfully revitalized the vampire genre, creating a film that’s a unique, enjoyable, and genuinely unsettling blend of styles.
Stream Sinners on HBO Max.
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2025-10-25 23:15