2024 became an excellent year for horror movies with several projects obtaining critical acclaim making them some of the finest horror experiences of the 2020s. Many new projects stake claim to the horror genre that are receiving positive reviews alongside familiar names also seeing significant box office revenue returns worldwide . Though strong reviews certainly help these movies some 2024 horror titles received positive financial gains despite their reviews from a large demographic of people from many places. This combination creates for many different views and conversations regarding all projects that are on the top 10 best lists .
The First Omen Receives Critical Acclaim And Solid Box Office Earnings For Prequel Release in Franchise
The First Omen a prequel to 1976’s The Omen directed by Arkasha Stevenson follows an American nun's encounter with a sinister plan in a Roman orphanage in order to bring forth an Antichrist figure. The First Omen also received an impressive 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its compelling story. The First Omen movie which held a budget of 30 million grossed 53 million demonstrating commercial success with actors Nell Tiger Free Charles Dance and Bill Nighy offering standout acting. Richard Donner directed the 1976 title which created the foundation for this most recent prequel.
'Night Swim' Proves Box Office Success Despite Poor Critical Response and Low 20% Rotten Tomatoes score
Night Swim a film by Bryce McGuire with Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon tells the horrific tale of a family discovering a demonic presence living inside their swimming pool. Night Swim garnered 55 million against a modest 15 million dollar budget even with universal pan by movie critics showing a meager 20% score on Rotten Tomatoes despite its box office earnings demonstrating that high earnings do not necessarily equate to high-quality scores with audience numbers. Kerry Condon also received acclaim previously from her work on the “Banshees of Inisherin” giving more profile and public viewership during this period .
'Speak No Evil' Remake Garners Strong Critical Acclaim and Impressive Financial Results This Past Year
Speak No Evil by director James Watkins is a remake of a Danish film that focuses on a family experiencing deception and death. This psychological horror which features the very talented actor James McAvoy scored highly with critics as a positive remake offering with significant worldwide gross of 76 million. This 2024 title came to fruition on a rather low 15 million budget displaying that big budgets are not necessary for commercial success. James Watkins previously worked on Eden Lake from 2008 as well as 2012's Woman in Black further bolstering his horror film pedigree.
'The Substance' Offers Unique Body Horror Concept Resulting in Excellent Reviews Plus Worldwide Revenue
Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance depicts Elisabeth Sparkle who uses an experimental drug to make her appear young that results in many consequences through horrific body horror with Demi Moore giving a career best performance in a horror role. The Substance enjoyed great success and acclaim for its mind-bending premises from a global demographic of viewers. The film grossed 77.6 million worldwide on a modest budget of 17.5 million dollars establishing this director as a powerhouse for years to come.
'Terrifier 3' Delivers Box Office Success and Fan Base Loyalty Despite Ranking Change in Recent Lists
Terrifier 3 features the supernatural serial slasher movie with Art the Clown once again terrorizing the characters who were present in previous films of series in its release in theaters for 2024. Terrifier 3 continues Damien Leone’s graphic gore-based series showcasing very impressive revenue for a very low budget production with almost 90 million dollars earned. Rotten Tomatoes scores show an increase for each film with the 2016 movie rated at 62% the second with 86% and lastly with the most recent addition rated at 77%. Damien Leone continues his series showcasing Sienna Shaw as she evades Art the Clown who remains a horror icon in his very disturbing and graphic character approach.
South Korean Thriller 'Exhuma' Excels Critically And With Global Box Office Revenue
Jang Jae-Hyun’s film Exhuma tells the story of the terrible outcomes that emerge after disturbing ancient resting sites starring several actors such as Kim Go-Eun and Choi Min-sik that provides viewers a case study for this genre in horror for 2024 . This South Korean cinematic work earned a high 95% on Rotten Tomatoes making this a massive achievement for an international movie . Exhuma grossed 93 million dollars making it one of the highest-grossing South Korean films in cinema history proving global film reach. The movie also was shown at the Berlinale film event that added credibility for the horror project
'Longlegs' Becomes Most Successful Independent Horror Film This Year Starring Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe
Osgood Perkins directed the much anticipated Longlegs that starred Maika Monroe alongside Nicolas Cage as a Satan-worshipping serial killer creating many high expectation among horror fans. Longlegs was released after some unique promotions during summer season with very strong reviews at Rotten Tomatoes. Longlegs generated nearly 127 million dollars in earnings with that making this the year’s most successful independent project from the Neon film organization adding credibility to the studio. Cage's character showcases his range from ridiculous to the extremely disturbing that is coupled with the desperate and fast chase against time lead by Lee Harker portrayed by actress Maika Monroe.
'Smile 2' Surpasses First Movie With Critically Acclaimed Performances Despite Not Matching Original Revenue
Parker Finn’s Smile 2 a direct sequel builds off of the events from first project starring Naomi Scott as Skye Riley pop music superstar haunted by demonic images . The performances were praised in a horror that built upon the success of 2022 film that provides another layer of intrigue with its unique concepts and well rounded characters that are complex with a deep history. Smile 2 made an impressive 138 million at box office showing how high potential horror properties can become flagship movie series for any film studios as demonstrated by this studio. 2022 first installation of Smile grossed 217 million showing incredible potential for the franchise moving forward for Parker Finn and Paramount Studios.
'A Quiet Place: Day One' Expands The Apocalyptic Narrative with Stellar Performances and $261 Million Worldwide
A Quiet Place: Day One is the initial project from the series that doesn’t focus on the original Abbott family while offering views of the start of the apocalypse through different new characters played by Lupita N'yongo alongside Joseph Quinn. Michael Sarnoski directed this apocalyptic tale that provided great detail about the timeline of events that showed characters fighting for their survival during the series start. Djimon Hounsou also reappears as a previous character seen in A Quiet Place Part II. A Quiet Place : Day One became 2024's second most profitable horror project after its theatrical release and has earned over 261 million at box office showcasing that horror prequels still have power even with new characters involved.
'Alien: Romulus' Claims the Title of Top Grossing Horror Film in 2024 With Strong Critical Acclaim and Financial Returns
Alien: Romulus serves as a standalone story in between the original Alien and Aliens offering fresh perspective by Fede Alvarez and includes a brand new team that struggles through encounters with very brutal xenomorphs while on abandoned ship. Critics have praised the return to form seen during 1986's film “Aliens”. Alien: Romulus achieved 350 million making it the most profitable horror movie this year thus far beating its competition by almost 100 million dollars solidifying its impact within its genre and second highest all time for Alien franchise demonstrating long standing popularity of alien horror. The cast which includes actress Cailee Spaeny provided outstanding performances that made this film a truly memorable experience for those in audiences.
High Ranked Horror Movies Before Halloween Misses Top 10 List as ‘Nosferatu’ Debuts on Christmas
Several high scoring movies missed Rotten Tomatoes 10 top list as newer movie Nosferatu was released around Christmas which altered original rankings and also added more competition. Writer-director Damien Leone's Terrifier 3 was dropped from the top 10 despite gaining 78% score among collected reviews as other titles became more prevalent by Rotten Tomatoes. This re-shuffling showcases some shifts within the scene regarding audience viewpoints and overall influence as some previously loved projects were pushed out for more recent cinematic productions.
Updated Top 10 List Including Critically Acclaimed Films Such as ‘Abigail’ ‘Speak No Evil’ ‘Oddity’ and 'Late Night With The Devil'
The top 10 Rotten Tomatoes horror list now shows a tie for tenth spot with Abigail an update on Universal's Monster movie Dracula's Daughter with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of Scream films as directors with the movie making 83% from 222 collected reviews and also Speak No Evil with its adaptation starring James McAvoy as lead with 83% based on 204 reviews. Osgood Perkins Longlegs comes eighth place on the list garnering 85% from 309 movie critics. Smile 2 lands 7th spot due to the movie and direction as well as Naomi Scott outstanding performances. Robert Eggers Nosferatu comes to the 6 spot achieving 87% based on 195 Rotten Tomato reviews where actor Bill Skarsgard is cast as the main character with a classic role remake. The movie Heretic lands 5th in a tie featuring Hugh Grant as his usual persona alongside an 90% among 262 reviewers. Coralie Fargeat “The Substance” also claims fifth position with Demi Moore’s unique character having very specific and unusual visual elements achieving 90% among 344 movie critics. JT Mollner thriller "Strange Darling" claims third position and a high 95% from critics demonstrating some highly successful independent productions. Oddity lands in 2nd spot starring Carolyn Bracken that scored 96% among critics while Late Night with the Devil grabs top position due to great story and acting performances landing 97% from 231 collected reviews with David Dastmalchian as the lead role for 1977 talk show host scenario on Halloween night that shows how unique the current state of horror cinema is as projects all approach different styles, actors and ideas.