The Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century

From inventive found footage to folk rituals and sharp social thrillers, 21st century horror has traveled across countries and styles while introducing new directors and breakout performances. These films span studio releases and independent hits and cover everything from demonic hauntings to viral outbreaks. Many launched franchises, revived careers, or took home major festival prizes. Here are fifteen landmark titles that shaped modern horror in memorable ways.

‘Get Out’ (2017)

Written and directed by Jordan Peele, ‘Get Out’ follows a photographer visiting his girlfriend’s wealthy family for a weekend that spirals into a secret operation targeting Black bodies. The film stars Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, and Bradley Whitford. It premiered at Sundance and became a major box office success on a modest budget. Peele won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

‘Hereditary’ (2018)

Ari Aster’s ‘Hereditary’ centers on a family coping with grief as hidden cult ties emerge through disturbing events. The film stars Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, and Milly Shapiro. It premiered at Sundance and was distributed widely after strong early buzz. Colin Stetson composed the score that underlines the story’s escalating tension.

‘The Witch’ (2015)

Set in 1630s New England, ‘The Witch’ depicts a Puritan family exiled to the wilderness where an unseen presence preys on them. Robert Eggers wrote and directed and the cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy in her breakout role. The film premiered at Sundance and was noted for historically based dialogue and period production design. Mark Korven provided the unsettling choral-heavy music.

‘The Descent’ (2005)

Neil Marshall’s ‘The Descent’ follows a group of friends exploring an uncharted cave system where humanoid creatures hunt in total darkness. The film was produced in the United Kingdom with a primarily female cast led by Shauna Macdonald and Natalie Mendoza. Practical effects and tight set construction created the claustrophobic tunnels. Alternate endings were released in different regions.

‘It Follows’ (2014)

‘It Follows’ tracks a supernatural entity that moves from victim to victim after a sexual encounter, walking relentlessly toward the next target. David Robert Mitchell wrote and directed and Maika Monroe stars. The electronic score by Disasterpeace shaped the film’s retro modern mood. A wide theatrical rollout followed strong festival word of mouth.

‘The Babadook’ (2014)

Jennifer Kent’s ‘The Babadook’ focuses on a widowed mother and her son who are haunted by a sinister figure from a mysterious pop up book. Essie Davis headlines with Noah Wiseman as the child. The film was produced in Australia and premiered at Sundance before gaining international distribution. Its creature design and storybook prop became recognizable symbols from the film.

‘Train to Busan’ (2016)

‘Train to Busan’ is a South Korean zombie thriller set on a high speed train during a sudden nationwide outbreak. Yeon Sang ho directed and the cast features Gong Yoo, Jung Yu mi, and Ma Dong seok. The film premiered at Cannes in the Midnight Screening section. It led to an animated prequel titled ‘Seoul Station’ and a later live action follow up.

‘The Conjuring’ (2013)

James Wan’s ‘The Conjuring’ dramatizes a 1970s case investigated by paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Warren. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga star as the Warrens with a supporting cast led by Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston. The story is set in Rhode Island and uses a period setting with practical effects and long takes. Its success launched multiple spin offs within the ‘Conjuring’ universe.

‘Paranormal Activity’ (2007)

Shot largely in one house, ‘Paranormal Activity’ uses consumer grade cameras to present nightly disturbances that escalate over time. Oren Peli wrote, directed, and edited on a small budget with Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat appearing as a couple documenting events. The film gained traction through festival screenings and special event showings. A studio release with altered endings helped start a long running series.

‘A Quiet Place’ (2018)

‘A Quiet Place’ follows a family surviving in near silence to avoid creatures that hunt by sound. John Krasinski directed and stars with Emily Blunt and Millicent Simmonds. The production emphasized visual storytelling with minimal dialogue and extensive sound design work. The film’s success led to a sequel and an origin story set at the start of the invasion.

‘Midsommar’ (2019)

Ari Aster’s ‘Midsommar’ takes place during a once in a lifetime festival in rural Sweden where visitors from America encounter rigid ritual rules. Florence Pugh leads the cast with Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, and Vilhelm Blomgren. The film features extensive daylight scenes that contrast with its subject matter. An extended director’s cut was later released with additional scenes.

‘The Cabin in the Woods’ (2012)

Co written by Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon, ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ follows college friends whose weekend trip intersects with a hidden facility coordinating deadly scenarios. The cast includes Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, and Fran Kranz. The film mixes creature effects with a control room storyline that explains events behind the scenes. It was completed earlier than its release due to company level delays.

‘Under the Skin’ (2013)

Jonathan Glazer’s ‘Under the Skin’ follows a mysterious woman in Scotland who lures men while an alien process consumes them. Scarlett Johansson stars in a role that blends scripted scenes with real encounters filmed on hidden cameras. Mica Levi composed a distinctive string based score. The film screened at Venice and later built a reputation through limited release and critical discussion.

‘Talk to Me’ (2022)

Made by Australian filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou, ‘Talk to Me’ centers on teens who use a ceramic hand to invite spirits to possess them for short sessions. The story explores rules that limit how long possession can last and the consequences when boundaries are ignored. Sophie Wilde leads the cast with Alexandra Jensen and Joe Bird. A prequel short was produced and a follow up feature entered development.

‘Barbarian’ (2022)

Set in Detroit, ‘Barbarian’ begins with a double booked rental that reveals a hidden network beneath the house. Zach Cregger wrote and directed and the cast includes Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, and Justin Long. The production used Bulgaria for key interior work while exterior scenes matched the setting. Marketing kept major plot elements under wraps to preserve surprises.

’28 Days Later’ (2002)

Directed by Danny Boyle, ’28 Days Later’ follows survivors in the United Kingdom after a lab incident releases a rage inducing virus. Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris lead a cast that navigates deserted cityscapes captured on digital video for speed and flexibility. The screenplay by Alex Garland reintroduced fast moving infected to mainstream audiences. John Murphy’s music underscores set pieces that were filmed with limited road closures in central London.

‘The Others’ (2001)

‘The Others’ is a supernatural story set in a foggy mansion where a mother and her photosensitive children live by strict rules. Alejandro Amenábar wrote the script and also composed the score. Nicole Kidman stars with Fionnula Flanagan and Christopher Eccleston in a production that used Spanish locations for exteriors. The film built tension through practical lighting and an emphasis on quiet sound design.

‘The Orphanage’ (2007)

Produced by Guillermo del Toro, ‘The Orphanage’ centers on a woman who returns to the seaside home where she once lived and opens it as a facility for special needs children. J. A. Bayona directs with Belén Rueda in the lead. Spanish production teams crafted period accurate sets and makeup for masked child figures. The film premiered at Cannes and earned multiple Goya Awards.

‘Let the Right One In’ (2008)

Based on a novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, ‘Let the Right One In’ tells the story of a bullied boy who befriends a mysterious child who moves in next door. Tomas Alfredson directs with Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson in the central roles. Snow covered locations in Sweden shape the visual style, while practical effects support the more disturbing moments. An English language version titled ‘Let Me In’ followed with a new cast.

‘The Wailing’ (2016)

Na Hong jin’s ‘The Wailing’ follows a rural police officer investigating a string of violent incidents after a stranger arrives in town. The cast includes Kwak Do won, Hwang Jung min, and Chun Woo hee. The film blends procedural elements with folklore and shamanic rituals. It screened at Cannes and drew international attention for its layered plotting.

‘The Host’ (2006)

Bong Joon ho’s ‘The Host’ begins with a river creature emerging in Seoul and follows a family’s efforts to rescue a missing daughter. Song Kang ho stars with Bae Doona and Park Hae il. Visual effects were supervised across multiple vendors with early sequences designed around the Han River setting. The film set local box office records and influenced later Korean monster stories.

‘Sinister’ (2012)

Directed by Scott Derrickson, ‘Sinister’ follows a true crime writer who discovers reels of home movies connected to unsolved murders. Ethan Hawke leads the cast with Juliet Rylance and James Ransone in supporting roles. The production designed a distinct audiovisual look for the Super 8 footage and used a minimalist score to separate timelines. The film’s success led to a sequel that expanded the mythology.

‘Insidious’ (2010)

‘Insidious’ teams director James Wan with writer Leigh Whannell in a story about a child who becomes a vessel for spirits. Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne star as parents seeking help from paranormal investigators. The production created the Further with stylized lighting and theatrical set dressing. The film opened the way for additional installments featuring recurring characters.

‘The Invisible Man’ (2020)

Leigh Whannell’s ‘The Invisible Man’ reimagines a classic concept through a contemporary escape and stalking narrative. Elisabeth Moss plays a woman who suspects her abusive partner has found a way to remain present without being seen. The production relied on motion controlled cameras and precise blocking to sell interactions with empty space. The film used Australian locations and released widely through a studio partnership.

‘Saint Maud’ (2019)

Set in an English coastal town, ‘Saint Maud’ follows a private nurse who develops an intense fixation on the spiritual state of her patient. Rose Glass writes and directs with Morfydd Clark and Jennifer Ehle in the lead roles. The film uses tight framing and practical effects to depict escalating experiences. It premiered at festivals before a staggered release across regions.

‘The Autopsy of Jane Doe’ (2016)

André Øvredal’s ‘The Autopsy of Jane Doe’ takes place in a family run morgue where a father and son examine an unidentified body. Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch star in a contained setting that unfolds over one night. The filmmakers emphasized practical prosthetics for the cadaver and crafted the basement location to control sound and lighting. The script gradually reveals ritual clues that connect to historical practices.

‘The Ring’ (2002)

‘The Ring’ adapts a Japanese hit into a Seattle set story about a cursed videotape that foretells death. Gore Verbinski directs with Naomi Watts investigating a case tied to a rural island community. Cinematography by Bojan Bazelli established the cool, desaturated look that became associated with the remake. The film’s reception led to sequels and renewed interest in the original ‘Ringu’ series.

‘The Mist’ (2007)

Based on a Stephen King novella, ‘The Mist’ follows townspeople trapped in a supermarket when a dense fog brings creatures from beyond. Frank Darabont directs with Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, and Laurie Holden among the ensemble. The production built large interior sets to stage crowd dynamics and creature attacks. A black and white version prepared by the director was released for home viewing.

‘A Tale of Two Sisters’ (2003)

Directed by Kim Jee woon, ‘A Tale of Two Sisters’ adapts a Joseon era folktale into a modern family mystery inside a secluded home. Im Soo jung and Moon Geun young lead a cast that navigates strict household rules enforced by a stepmother played by Yum Jung ah. Production design emphasizes symmetrical rooms and floral patterns to mirror shifting dynamics. The film’s release helped expand international interest in Korean horror and led to the English language remake ‘The Uninvited’.

‘The Devil’s Backbone’ (2001)

Guillermo del Toro’s ‘The Devil’s Backbone’ is set at a remote orphanage during the final phase of the Spanish Civil War, where a missing bomb and a ghostly child shape events. Marisa Paredes, Eduardo Noriega, and Fernando Tielve star in a story produced with support from El Deseo. Cinematography uses warm interiors against stark desert exteriors to separate safety from the unknown. Practical water tanks and subtle digital work were combined for the apparition effects.

‘Kill List’ (2011)

Ben Wheatley’s ‘Kill List’ follows two former soldiers who accept a series of contracts that pull them into a hidden network. Neil Maskell and Michael Smiley headline with MyAnna Buring in a pivotal role. The production used handheld cameras and improvised dialogue within outlined scenes. Location choices around Sheffield and Derbyshire grounded the shift from crime drama to ritual horror.

‘The House of the Devil’ (2009)

Ti West’s ‘The House of the Devil’ stars Jocelin Donahue as a college student who accepts an odd babysitting job in a creaking suburban house. The film was shot on 16mm to evoke period textures, with Tom Noonan and Mary Woronov anchoring the supporting cast. Sound cues and long takes build tension around everyday tasks like phone calls and pizza delivery. A limited theatrical run and festival play helped it find a broader audience on home release.

‘Host’ (2020)

‘Host’ was conceived and filmed during lockdown, using a video call as the frame for a séance gone wrong. Rob Savage directed actors who performed practical effects in their own homes under remote supervision. The production coordinated lighting, props, and stunts through virtual rehearsals and couriered kits. It premiered on Shudder and became a case study in resourceful pandemic era filmmaking.

‘The Strangers’ (2008)

Bryan Bertino’s ‘The Strangers’ centers on a couple in a rural vacation home targeted by masked intruders. Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman star in a largely single location shoot that relied on offscreen sounds and slow reveals. Night exteriors were built to control light spill across the property. The release prompted multiple follow ups, including ‘The Strangers: Prey at Night’ and new installments.

‘Saw’ (2004)

Created by James Wan and Leigh Whannell, ‘Saw’ introduced the Jigsaw killer through a confined mystery staged in a grimy bathroom. The film was produced on a modest budget with rapid shooting schedules and inventive edit transitions. An earlier short secured financing and defined the reverse bear trap sequence. Its success launched a long running series with recurring characters and traps.

‘Drag Me to Hell’ (2009)

Sam Raimi’s ‘Drag Me to Hell’ follows a loan officer who receives a curse after a contentious decision at work. Alison Lohman and Lorna Raver lead a production that mixes practical gags, prosthetics, and in camera tricks with digital enhancements. Joseph LoDuca’s music reconnects with the director’s earlier horror style. The film was distributed widely with a rating that emphasized jump scares and slick set pieces.

‘The Invitation’ (2015)

Karyn Kusama’s ‘The Invitation’ brings old friends together for a dinner party in the Hollywood Hills where rituals and grief surface. Logan Marshall Green and Tammy Blanchard star alongside a large ensemble coordinated within a single house. The film uses careful blocking and glass doors to create sightline reveals between rooms and patio spaces. It premiered at festivals and was distributed by Drafthouse Films and later streaming platforms.

‘Oculus’ (2013)

Mike Flanagan’s ‘Oculus’ centers on siblings who plan an experiment to prove a haunted mirror’s influence on their family. Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites lead a cast that moves between two timelines in the same home. The script expands ideas from the director’s short ‘Oculus: Chapter 3’. Production design marked rooms with subtle cues so viewers could track shifting perceptions.

‘Ju-on: The Grudge’ (2002)

Takashi Shimizu’s ‘Ju-on: The Grudge’ evolves from earlier video features into an interconnected series of hauntings tied to a suburban Tokyo house. Kayako and Toshio became central figures whose appearances follow characters across time. The structure uses chaptered segments to show how the curse spreads through everyday spaces. International success led to sequels and an English language remake titled ‘The Grudge’.

‘Goodnight Mommy’ (2014)

The Austrian film ‘Goodnight Mommy’ by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala follows twin boys who question the identity of their bandaged mother after cosmetic surgery. Susanne Wuest stars in a house set amid cornfields and lakes that isolates the characters from neighbors. The filmmakers favored natural light and static frames to concentrate attention on routine tasks. An American remake later introduced a new cast and altered details.

‘His House’ (2020)

Remi Weekes’s ‘His House’ tracks a refugee couple resettled in England who face bureaucratic rules and a disturbing presence in their assigned flat. Wunmi Mosaku and Sope Dirisu lead with Matt Smith in a supporting role. The production combined practical wall effects with digital water work for sequences that flood interior rooms. It premiered at Sundance and reached a global audience through Netflix.

‘The Lighthouse’ (2019)

Robert Eggers’ ‘The Lighthouse’ pairs Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as lighthouse keepers weathering isolation on a storm battered rock. The film used a near square aspect ratio and black and white stock to reference early photography. Sets were built on a remote Nova Scotia headland where weather shaped daily schedules. Period researched dialogue and sound design emphasized horns, gears, and waves to define the setting.

Share your own essential 21st century horror picks in the comments so everyone can compare notes.