The year 2024 brought several notable horror films with many movies gaining popularity and recognition prior to Halloween and well beyond the spooky season as several key releases made their way to audiences. Several highly praised movies have recently shifted places in the Rotten Tomatoes top ten list causing fan discussion. One noteworthy shift is Damien Leone’s Terrifier 3 which is now outside the top ten horror movies despite an impressive 78% rating among critics. With Nosferatu released Christmas Day here's an overview of 2024's top ten horror films and where to watch them.
Tied for Tenth: ‘Abigail’ a Modern Spin on a Classic Monster Tale Plus ‘Speak No Evil’ A Remake that Raises Tension
Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin direct Abigail a reboot of Universal Studios Monster movie Dracula’s Daughter stars Melissa Barrera Dan Stevens Kathryn Newton Kevin Durand Will Catlett as kidnappers discovering Abigail (Alisha Weir) is a vampire also including Matthew Goode and Giancarlo Esposito in main cast . Abigail opened on April 19 and holds an 83% "fresh" critic rating and also an equally positive critical consensus that noted its balletic style when dealing with its vampire themed story. Abigail can be streamed on Prime Video demonstrating the versatility for at home movie watching.
Speak No Evil directed by James Watkins a remake of 2022 Dutch thriller. The movie stars James McAvoy as Paddy alongside Aisling Franciosi as his wife Ciara both of whom invite Mackenzie Davis Scott McNairy and Alix West Lefler who plays an American family to their home. Speak No Evil came to theaters September 13 with an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie gained favorable critical reviews despite its reinterpretation of prior content showcasing skill of the remake. Speak No Evil is streaming on Peacock giving viewers several options to access films.
‘Longlegs’ & ‘Smile 2’ Take Eighth and Seventh Spot Featuring Intense Thrills and Psychological Terror
Osgood Perkins directed Longlegs featuring Maika Monroe as FBI agent Lee Harker Nicolas Cage plays a serial killer known as "Longlegs" with supporting work by Blair Underwood and Alicia Witt in a movie released on July 12th which earned a strong 85% rating for it’s disquieting style. Critical reception highlighted Nicolas Cage's intense performance and is streaming as a premium video on demand title demonstrating several viewing methods. Smile 2 directed by Parker Finn stars Naomi Scott as Skye Riley a popstar tortured by demonic smiles alongside actors Rosemarie DeWitt Lukas Gage and Dylan Gelula, and opened October 18 which has currently earned an 86% from the critic reviews . Smile 2 has positive critics reviews noting Naomi Scott’s dynamic performance as central figure with a consensus among reviewers highlighting broadening Smile series appeal streaming now on Paramount+.
Sixth and Fifth Position: ‘Nosferatu’ An Epic Remake plus ‘Heretic’ & ‘The Substance’ Explore Unsettling Horror Themes
Robert Eggers remade Nosferatu with Bill Skarsgård portraying Count Orlock with Lily-Rose Depp playing Ellen Hutter as well as support from actors Nicholas Hoult Aaron Taylor-Johnson Emma Corrin and Willem Dafoe. The film made its debut on December 25 earning 87% from critics noting Robert Egger’s directorial direction and The repulsive yet alluring style of story elements. Nosferatu still showing in theaters offers a classic tale with many modern aspects. Heretic released November 8 stars Hugh Grant playing sinister Mr Reed who traps Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East as Mormon missionaries also starring Topher Grace earning a rating of 90%. Critics liked Hugh Grant against type persona showcasing new approach for genre tropes with the film streaming now on premium video on demand. Demi Moore plays Elizabeth Sparkle in The Substance after getting fired as she tries to reverse her age. She co-stars alongside Dennis Quaid Margaret Qualley releasing September 20 and earning an exceptional 90% critics consensus which highlights Unique visual grossness as strength currently streaming on Mubi service.
‘Strange Darling’ a Thrilling Ride, ‘Oddity’ Spooky and Elegant & ‘Late Night with the Devil’ Earns Top Spot as Top Rated Horror of 2024
Strange Darling a serial killer thriller directed by JT Mollner starring Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner opened in theaters August 23 with 95% critic reviews with Giovanni Ribisi creating some of the key camera visuals . Critics highlighted its electric storytelling which offers a very thrilling ride also the movie can be streamed as premium video on demand. Damian McCarthy directed Oddity stars Carolyn Bracken as blind psychic moving into her sister’s home also featuring Gwilym Lee plus Caroline Menton debuting in theaters July 19 earning very impressive 96% as it follows traditional haunting themes with striking effect making its availability through Shudder and AMC+ unique. Late Night with the Devil directed by Cameron Cairnes and Colin Cairnes stars David Dastmalchian as late-night host going awry with Laura Gordon Ingrid Torelli Ian Bliss Fayssal Bazzi Georgina Haig on October 31st,1977 as release date which achieved an outstanding 97% critic score establishing itself as number one spot according to reviews with Shudder Hulu and AMC+ for multiple viewing opportunities. Critics stated the horror is unique in concept while giving a notable performance by David Dastmalchian.
2024’s Notable Horror: “Infested” “Stopmotion” "The First Omen” Plus “You’ll Never Find Me” Explore Unsettling Themes
2024 has demonstrated strong performance of many films including genre bending experiences such as Infested a French spider horror movie directed by Sébastien Vanicek presenting a new take on familiar creatures and how the film is foreboding and filled with tension not like any cheesy comedy as it usually interpreted. Stopmotion directed by Robert Morgan starring Aisling Franciosi has body horror plus psychological thrill where animation crosses real life causing unsettling themes. The First Omen serves as prequel to The Omen starring Nell Tiger Free revealing the origins of the antichrist capturing much of tension that made the 1976 movie famous streaming now on Hulu. You’ll Never Find Me directed by Josiah Allen and Indianna Bell which is Shudder released thriller showcases claustrophobia and suspense starring Brendan Rock making viewers uneasy.
‘Alien Romulus’ ‘Daddy’s Head’ 'Nosferatu 2024' plus 'Longlegs' Provide Gory Elements That Thrill Audiences Globally
Alien Romulus directed by Fede Alvarez is sixth in franchise brings Xenomorph threats and space travel issues highlighting gore similar to original series and many gory deaths within the film itself which is in a digital release window at the moment. Daddy’s Head from Benjamin Barfoot includes unique horror themes where Rupert Turnbull and Julia Brown as leads that are impacted by the loss of their loved one dealing with entities and a disturbing look at grief. Robert Eggers Nosferatu stars Lily Rose Depp Nicholas Hoult and Bill Skarsgård that offers new perspective in story bringing period detail adding tension. Longlegs is directed by Osgood Perkins Maika Monroe stars alongside Nicolas Cage highlighting suspenseful storytelling plus an investigation of occult ties to crimes causing extreme thrill.
‘V/H/S/Beyond' explores Sci-Fi horror themes which is an anthology from five different story segments directed by various horror specialists. Smile 2 by Parker Finn with star Naomi Scott presents themes of dread and high stakes similar to its predecessor but amplifies its stakes adding suspense to story which had its premiere on streaming through Paramount +. Damian McCarthy directs Oddity where he shows supernatural thriller with star Carolyn Bracken a psychic trying to get to bottom of her sister's death which offers thrilling mystery. These films overall provided an outstanding offering in horror during 2024 providing options for all who enjoy unique film qualities and innovative methods of movie production.