Top 10 Scariest Movies of the 2010s: From Zombies to Cosmic Horror

The 2010s significantly transformed horror movies by pushing limits, defying expectations, and delving into psychological terrors that transcend traditional horror tropes. This decade saw filmmakers taking risks with form and content, often under the patronage of production houses like A24 and Blumhouse. These companies fostered an environment where visionary directors could pursue innovative ideas while ensuring commercial success. The result was a new wave of sophisticated horror films that were not only terrifying but also thought-provoking, marking the beginning of a potential ‘new golden age’ for the genre. One captivating aspect of 2010s horror is its ability to address complex societal issues such as racial inequality, environmental crises, and mental health, all while delivering the thrilling scares that audiences have come to expect from this genre.

Reflecting on the chilling tales that marked the 2010s, we’re recognizing films that pushed the boundaries with inventive narratives, groundbreaking technology, or thought-provoking social messages. To ensure a balanced appreciation and spread the accolades, we’ve limited one movie per director. Here are our top ten favorite movies from the 2010s:

This version maintains the original’s essence but presents it in a more conversational and engaging tone, making it easier for readers to understand and follow along.

10. Evil Dead

In this intense reworking of Sam Raimi’s beloved cult film, the themes of blood, internal organs, and redemption intertwine. When Mia (Jane Levy) seeks solace at a secluded cabin for drug treatment, accompanied by her caring companions, they are taken aback to find the Naturom Demonto (the Book of the Dead) hidden in the cellar. Instead of rehashing old territory, director Fede Alvarez converts Mia’s struggle with addiction into an actual fight for life, with Levy delivering a powerful, physically taxing portrayal that roots the supernatural terror in real-world struggles. The emphasis on practical effects over digital ones heightens every ounce of tension, while the subtexts of addiction and family ties reverberate beneath the layers of extreme gore. By honoring its original source while forging its own path, the 2013 film Evil Dead demonstrates that classic horror can be refreshed without sacrificing its essence.

9. Sinister

As a movie reviewer, I’ve just finished watching “Sinister” and let me tell you, this film is not for the faint-hearted. Hiding within seemingly ordinary Super 8 films is an ominous darkness that threatens to engulf true crime author Ellison Oswalt, played brilliantly by Ethan Hawke. Initially, his investigation for a new book leads him down this path, but soon it transforms into an all-consuming obsession with supernatural horror.

Each home movie he uncovers reveals gruesome family murders, adding another layer of dread to the tale. Director Scott Derrickson skillfully intertwines found footage aspects with a traditional narrative structure, creating a documentary-within-a-film effect that leaves you questioning what’s real and what’s fiction.

Hawke delivers a compelling performance as a man caught between his professional ambitions and the safety of his family. The eerie score by Christopher Young heightens every moment of suspense, making your skin crawl with each passing scene. What sets “Sinister” apart is not its supernatural antagonist, but rather how it portrays writerly ambition as a curse. Ellison’s quest for truth becomes the very thing that could destroy everything he cherishes.

8. Mother!

In a manner reminiscent of a disturbing dream that softly begins then intensifies into a piercing shriek, Mother! masterfully blurs the lines between psychological suspense and cosmic terror. The narrative revolves around Mother (Jennifer Lawrence), whose tranquil life with her poet spouse Him (Javier Bardem) is disrupted by enigmatic guests who relentlessly intrude upon their secluded abode, orchestrated by director Darren Aronofsky using Matthew Libatique’s tense cinematography that keeps the viewer locked within Mother’s growing anxiety. As the invasions of her home escalate from rude visitors to catastrophic intrusion, the movie unfolds into a scathing commentary on humanity’s connection with nature and divinity. Lawrence and Bardem’s powerful acting lends an air of authenticity to even the most fantastical scenes, while the mounting stress escalates towards a climax that pushes viewers to reassess their role in environmental devastation.

7. The Conjuring

As a true-blue cinephile, I found myself stepping into the chilling world of ‘The Conjuring’, where I joined Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), paranormal investigators extraordinaire, on their mission to assist the Perron family. The haunting at their home was no ordinary affair – it was a relentless string of spine-tingling phenomena that would put any horror aficionado on edge.

James Wan’s ingenious camera work and meticulous staging breathed new life into familiar haunted house tropes, making every creaking floorboard, dark corner, and sudden shadow a potential source of dread. Joseph Bishara’s score amplified these chilling moments, turning the ordinary into the terrifying.

However, what truly set ‘The Conjuring’ apart was its heart – the Warrens were not just ghostbusters but deeply spiritual individuals with a genuine commitment to helping others. This compassionate core, beautifully portrayed by Wilson and Farmiga’s touching chemistry, elevated the film beyond mere jump scares, crafting a horror tale that resonated on a deeper level.

It’s no surprise then, that ‘The Conjuring’ ignited one of the most successful horror franchises in history.

6. The Cabin in the Woods

What makes us attracted to scary stories is a question that lies at the core of Drew Goddard’s intricate work, “The Cabin in the Woods.” At first glance, it seems like five college friends are going on a weekend trip to a secluded cabin. However, beneath this surface, unseen technicians Sitterson (Richard Jenkins) and Hadley (Bradley Whitford) observe them from an underground facility. Goddard, along with co-writer Joss Whedon, unravel the traditional elements of horror to reveal the mechanisms that drive our beloved scary movies, both literally and symbolically. Every death, shock moment, and terrifying revelation serves a hidden meaning in this intricate dismantling of horror stereotypes. “The Cabin in the Woods” not only comments on horror clichés but also appreciates them, turning audience assumptions into a tool that delivers real fear while making viewers ponder why they take pleasure in being scared.

5. Train to Busan

In simple terms, Yeon Sang-ho’s movie, “Train to Busan,” set on a speeding train amidst a zombie outbreak, offers a thrilling take on the undead genre. The story follows a workaholic fund manager, Seok-woo (from “Squid Game”), and his daughter Soo-an (Kim Su-an), as they navigate through the chaos. The movie skillfully uses its limited setting to create suspense and tension. It also delves into class dynamics among the survivors, featuring characters like Sang-hwa (Ma Dong-seok), a working-class hero, and Yon-suk (Kim Eui-sung), a selfish businessman. The film’s commentary on class struggle and corporate greed adds depth to its stunning action scenes. Moreover, the focus on family relationships ensures that each death has impact. Essentially, “Train to Busan” demonstrates that zombie films can still provide unique insights into human nature and society by using an innovative concept to explore moral choices under extreme circumstances.

4. It Follows

In this rephrased version, we follow a camera as it gradually sweeps along a residential street. A young girl in high heels dashes out from her home, visibly frightened by an unseen horror. This initial scene embodies the striking simplicity of David Robert Mitchell’s chilling supernatural tale, It Follows. When Jay (Maika Monroe) finds herself afflicted after a sexual encounter, she encounters an entity that relentlessly approaches its target, visible only to those destined for death. As a result, Mike Gioulakis’s expansive cinematography compels viewers to scrutinize each frame for potential dangers, while Disasterpeace’s synth soundtrack converts ordinary suburban surroundings into haunting locales of growing apprehension. Jay’s friends, which include the persistent suitor Paul (Keir Gilchrist) and the enigmatic Hugh/Jeff (Jake Weary), attempt to aid her in evading a fate that persistently pursues her with calculated persistence. It Follows leverages this systematic pursuit to generate a contemplation on mortality itself, demonstrating that death approaches everyone, step by step. Furthermore, the film serves as a poignant allegory for the unseen peril of sexually transmitted infections.

3. Get Out

Jordan Peele’s first directorial work skillfully combines horror and societal critique to produce a chilling portrayal of racial tensions in the United States. The story centers around Chris Washington, a young African American photographer, who is meeting the white family of his girlfriend, Rose Armitage (Allison Williams), for the first time. Although Rose’s parents appear welcoming, the film delves into the everyday slights and biases that Black people experience. As the plot unfolds, it unveils a truly terrifying depiction of racial prejudice. Peele’s meticulous direction and multifaceted script offer much to ponder with each rewatch, as every scene hints at racial bias, even in today’s liberal white America. Get Out revolutionized the potential of horror films to serve as social commentary without compromising its genre aspects.

2. The Witch

In the 1630s of New England, the movie titled “The Witch” unfolds, focusing on the story of Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) and her family who are forced to leave their colonial plantation and eke out a living near a foreboding forest. The acting, with Ralph Ineson portraying William, the patriarch, and Kate Dickie as Katherine, the mother, lends weight to the dialogue that authentically reflects the era. Cinematographer Jarin Blaschke’s use of natural light contributes to a chilling ambiance of religious apprehension. By combining meticulous set design and realistic performances, director Robert Eggers constructs a spine-tingling exploration of faith, family dynamics, and feminine influence. The film’s dedication to historical accuracy extends beyond superficial details, delving into the deep-rooted anxieties of the time related to salvation, damnation, and women’s roles in Puritan society.

1. Midsommar

As a movie critic, I found Ari Aster’s “Midsommar” to be an extraordinary daylight horror masterpiece that immerses audiences in a Swedish midsummer festival gone terrifyingly pagan. The narrative revolves around Dani (Florence Pugh), who accompanies her strained boyfriend Christian (Jack Reynor) and his academic friends, Josh (William Jackson Harper) and Mark (Will Poulter), on a trip to Sweden. Their host, Pelle (Vilhelm Blomgren), warmly invites them to his commune’s nine-day festival, but the serene pastoral setting hides sinister undertones. Remarkably, the film is shot almost entirely in sunlight, challenging conventional horror tropes while delving into themes of loss, toxic relationships, and cultural nuances.

Florence Pugh delivers a striking performance as Dani, making her emotional odyssey heart-wrenchingly authentic amidst an increasingly bizarre landscape. “Midsommar” stands as the zenith of artistic horror this decade, showcasing that fear can thrive even under bright skies while underscoring how the genre can serve as a means to confront and process trauma and grief.

You can stream all of these films online through various apps and services.

2025-01-21 22:10