The 2024 horror film landscape has shown a mix of critical acclaim and audience enjoyment though spooky season did not exclusively feature the years most noteworthy horror titles with four highly ranked horror movies being bumped off Rotten Tomatoes Top 10 list. The article will go into more detail about highly rated scary titles in theaters during 2024 showcasing movies available on digital and premium services plus in theatre viewings highlighting performance of James McAvoy in Speak No Evil and other standout horror performances from various talented actors.
Terrifier 3 Exits Top Ten as Nosferatu and Other Horror Films Rise in Critical Acclaim During 2024
Damien Leone’s Terrifier 3 starring David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown was bumped off of the list even with a 78% "fresh" rating based on 121 critic reviews showing increased competition. Nosferatu Robert Eggers’ remake featuring Bill Skarsgård released on December 25. The release of Nosferatu caused a notable shuffle in the top 10 horror rankings this year as the last big horror movie release for 2024 is discussed .
Abigail and Speak No Evil Tie for Tenth: Vampire Lore and Psychological Thrills in 2024 Horror
Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin the Scream directors reimagined Dracula’s Daughter as Abigail. The movie features Melissa Barrera Dan Stevens Kathryn Newton and Will Catlett in the starring cast also features Alisha Weir as Abigail a vampire. Abigail hit theaters on April 19th garnering an 83% "fresh" critic score on Rotten Tomatoes for combining familiar vampire elements with clever new directions. Abigail can currently be viewed on Prime Video’s digital services.
Speak No Evil directed by James Watkins starring James McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi is an adaptation of a Dutch horror movie with the movie premiering on September 13 in theaters . James McAvoy portrays a seemingly kind man who is revealed to have evil intent in this psychologically complex tale set in an English countryside. Speak No Evil also holds a "fresh" rating of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes praised for its effective remake quality that enhances the horror elements of its premise and can currently be viewed on Peacock. Mackenzie Davis, Scott McNairy and Alix West Lefler are also main performers during Speak No Evil movie.
Longlegs and Smile 2 Rise With Unique Premise: Serial Killer Hunts and Pop Star Nightmares Dominate
Longlegs from Osgood Perkins with Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe presents a story about an emotionally damaged FBI agent and a satan-worshipping killer known as Longlegs which started in theaters July 12 . Longlegs received an 85% "fresh" critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and highlights Nicolas Cage’s over the top performance bringing disquieting mood to a panic fueled horror story. Longlegs currently can be viewed using Premium Video On Demand.
Smile 2 stars Naomi Scott as a troubled pop star that released in theaters on October 18 with Rosemarie DeWitt and Lukas Gage playing supportive roles. Smile 2 presents a storyline where Skye Riley played by Naomi Scott faces mental turmoil due to invisible demons linked to a car crash the year prior. Smile 2 currently holds 86% critic rating and streams using Paramount +. Parker Finn director used jump scares and haunting sound design to bring new perspectives of the prior film Smile with the additional element of her addiction added into its dark exploration. Kyle Gallner and Dylan Gelula round out cast in Smile 2 and the final moments left lingering unanswered questions for fans.
Nosferatu Debuts as a Top Contender Alongside Heretic and The Substance in Year of Unpredictable Horror
Robert Eggers directed a remake of the classic 1922 title called Nosferatu featuring Bill Skarsgård as the ancient vampire which hit theaters on December 25 featuring Lily-Rose Depp Nicholas Hoult and Willem Dafoe. Nosferatu earned an 87% “fresh” critic rating due to strong production elements. Robert Eggers' movie is a creepy masterpiece showing equal elements of repulsion plus seductiveness making it a complex project using his expert directorial skills.
Hugh Grant takes a villainous turn as Mr Reed in Heretic movie a sinister religious leader alongside Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East who play Mormon missionaries. Heretic released on November 8. Heretic garnered a 90% critic approval for blending thought provoking chills with a compelling plot as the trio fight for freedom while in his clutches. Heretic currently is available on premium video on demand platforms. Topher Grace is a supporting cast member of Heretic playing additional crucial role in movie.
Demi Moore's The Substance includes Dennis Quaid and Margaret Qualley where Moore acts as former acclaimed performer now turned aerobic guru who seeks out a new black market drug when her youth is taken away on her fiftieth birthday the film released on September 20. This project reached a 90% critic score with many noting Demi Moore’s strong portrayal with many body horror visuals and intense plot points. The Substance is currently streaming on Mubi.
Strange Darling and Oddity Challenge Expectations Before Late Night With the Devil Becomes Top Pick
Strange Darling a serial killer thriller produced and written by JT Mollner which stars Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner came out in theaters on August 23 and has earned a 95% approval with its story that blends unpredictability with exciting acting. The cinematography is done by the talented Giovanni Ribisi. Oddity another theatrical release from Damian McCarthy stars Carolyn Bracken as a blind psychic in a unique ghost story released on July 19 that includes Gwilym Lee and Caroline Menton with a score of 96% rating . Both Strange Darling and Oddity can be streamed via premium video on demand and Shudder and AMC+ platforms respectively.
Late Night With The Devil directed by Cameron and Colin Cairnes starring David Dastmalchian as a late-night host whose special Halloween episode in 1977 goes badly. The film premiered on March 22 which achieved a 97% rating from critics. Ingrid Torelli also plays a demonic role. The movie showcases a mockumentary horror approach with an emphasis on comedic yet terrifying horror content in a unique style currently available for streaming through Shudder Hulu and AMC+ platforms and streaming services with many horror film fanatics agreeing it provides unique horror styles with a fresh perspective. Laura Gordon Ian Bliss Fayssal Bazzi and Georgina Haig are all included in acting roles within the Late Night With the Devil title.
Notable Themes: Religion Female Insecurity And AI in the Top Horror Picks of 2024
Immaculate which was distributed by NEON includes a young nun finding herself in a Catholic religious conspiracy while experiencing a seemingly virgin birth. This movie staring Sydney Sweeney explores deep seeded fears of motherhood along with religion. Immaculate depicts graphic violence within a church that leads audiences to question all levels of religious dogma. The last scene featuring actress Sydney Sweeney delivering a brutal birth has resonated widely among many critics and audiences as powerful performance for year of 2024 releases.
Late Night With The Devil features an innovative presentation and takes familiar themes of possession and infuses comedic and B-movie horror techniques that are shown through Lili and her demonic performances and culminates in many gory scenes with body horror that are seen in film. Smile 2 explores character themes regarding drug abuse adding a realistic dark touch to supernatural fright which features multiple jump scares but relies on unnerving design of character models.
A Quiet Place Day One takes on themes regarding alien invasion and what occurs to normal humans during intense experiences while showing a huge level of suspense as seen from the prior films which focuses on an invasion in New York City and all aspects of mass panic . In A Violent Nature explores the point of view of the slasher villain while showing the gore seen during a common slasher genre while avoiding popular horror techniques with slow steady filming sequences.
The First Omen explores ideas regarding womanhood combined with repression inside religious institutions while bringing in themes from other titles such as Rosemary’s Baby and Possession providing multiple complex aspects . Alien: Romulus uses known alien monsters while creating fresh fright from themes concerning loss of identity with AI themes and a terrifying sequence concerning alien birth scene.
Terrifier 3 delivers its usual over the top violent visuals along with new gore and horror and a main demonic villain. Longlegs successfully unnerves audiences using non standard approaches and leaving a lingering dread even after movie ends. The Substance takes aim at beauty standards for women showing extreme body transformations.