If there’s any genre in film that it’s easy to be a snob about, it’s horror.
I try really hard not to be, but it’s a challenge.
With decades of incredible films shaping my expectations, it’s sometimes difficult to love new movies in this niche.
And look, I’ve accepted that I’ll never get to experience watching The Exorcist for the first time again.
But over time, it got more and more difficult to find horror films that could truly rattle me.
And yet … I curated this list because 2024 has blown me away with its horror offerings.
Unlike any year in recent history, the bangers just kept coming one after the other.
Each of these films has my glowing recommendation, and I’d like you to come back here and let me know what you think after you’ve seen it.
So, without further ado, let’s examine the seven best 2024 horror films and where to find them.
Longlegs
At the top of this list is LONGLEGS, a chiller from Oz Perkins that could easily be the best horror film of the decade.
Starring Nicolas Cage (who is almost unrecognizable in this role) and Maika Monroe, this film follows a young detective as she chases answers in a serial killer case.
As if the premise wasn’t already unsettling, the story takes a twisted turn when Detective Harker (Monroe) finds out she’s closer to the case than she thought.
If you enjoy a slow build, terrifying visuals, a jump scare or two, and a twist that even M. Night Shyamalan wouldn’t see coming, then Longlegs is for you.
Watch Longlegs Online
A Quiet Place: Day One
After two breathtaking films in a series that blew audiences away, fans of A Quiet Place had high hopes for the prequel that was released this year.
Starring the incomparable Lupita Nyong’o and Stranger Things Season 4 breakout star Joseph Quinn, A Quiet Place: Day One takes us back to the beginning.
When the world first fell apart at the hands of sound-sensitive monsters, Samira (Nyong’o) was a terminally ill woman who just wanted to taste her favorite pizza one last time.
Flanked by incredible talents like Djimon Hounsou and Alex Wolff, Nyong’o and Quinn redefine the genre with their jaw-dropping performances.
This film is for those who love good post-apocalyptic horror, but I kind of wish we got to see more pre-apocalyptic films so we could watch it all go down.
Watch A Quiet Place: Day One Online
Hold Your Breath
Hulu has an extensive catalog of originals, but it has outdone itself with the release of Hold Your Breath.
This psychological thriller makes you question everything you think you know as you follow a Depression-era Oklahoma family.
Fighting oppressive dust storms and dwindling resources, Margaret (Sarah Paulson) and her daughters face an even scarier force they can’t explain.
Paulson is no stranger to horror, and this role was made for her and her iconic on-screen screams.
If you love historical fiction, a touch of the supernatural, and a good “humans are scarier than monsters” trope, you’ll love Hold Your Breath.
Watch Hold Your Breath Online
Immaculate
It’s the year of Sydney Sweeney (of Euphoria fame), and she proves just how much she deserves her success in this supernatural horror.
As much as nun-themed horror films can feel derivative, this flick stands out.
Sweeney’s performance is top-notch, and she’s joined by a long list of great Italian talents.
The movie has the makings of a classic.
Immaculate is what happens when The Exorcist meets Rosemary’s Baby and adds a modern twist.
Anyone who loves the religious aspect of classic horrors from the ’70s and ’80s will enjoy this film.
Watch Immaculate Online
The Watchers
Ishana Night Shyamalan delivers an astonishing directorial debut with The Watchers, which stars Dakota Fanning.
Following in her father’s legendary footsteps (but clearly carving her own path in the genre), Ms. Night Shyamalan crafted a deeply disturbing world inside a dark Irish forest.
A great mystery, meticulous world-building, and star power make this creepy monster flick an instant hit.
If you enjoy a film that makes you feel like you’re in it, waiting for the terrors to unfold, you’ll love The Watchers.
We’ve never seen anything that combines folklore with modern horror in such a visceral way, thanks to Ms. Night Shyamalan’s inspired directorial choices.
Watch The Watchers Online
Late Night with the Devil
It’s been a long time since we’ve been gifted with a film like Late Night with the Devil.
In fact, I’m not convinced there is anything quite like it.
Set in 1977, a late-night talk show host (David Dastmalchian) and his audience experience a bizarre series of events that will turn your stomach and have you sleeping with the lights on.
Prior to this film, I’d only seen Dastmalchian in supporting roles, but he stole the stage as the star.
Aesthetically, Late Night with the Devil is a fun, vintage throwback, but the plot and visuals will leave you feeling deeply unsettled.
You might need a couple of days to recover emotionally and mentally from what you’ve seen. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Watch Late Night with the Devil Online
Lisa Frankenstein
Diablo Cody fans will enjoy this fun, campy comedy/slasher starring Kathryn Newton (Supernatural) and Cole Sprouse (Riverdale).
Set in the 1980s, this often gory, sometimes raunchy, and always funny flick is the perfect way to spend an evening during when you want to get your scare on.
Joe Chrest and Carla Gugino play exaggerated parental stereotypes, and Newton and Sprouse tell the story of young, complicated love.
Fun fact: despite his starring role, Cole Sprouse has zero lines in the film, portraying his character instead with a mixture of grunts and body language.
The comedic script keeps things from getting too dark, as do the over-the-top 80s-throwback slasher scenes.
But combined with Newton’s phenomenal portrayal of a depressed teen outcast and Sprouse’s brilliant non-verbal acting, the film offers enough realism to round out its own silliness.
Watch Lisa Frankenstein Online
Without a doubt, 2024 has been a fantastic year for horror.
I can’t recall the last time so many hits were released within the same twelve months, and I’m not complaining!
As a huge horror fan, I often struggle to find newer films in the genre that I can connect with.
But throughout the past year, my expectations have been exceeded time and time again.
Have you seen any of the films listed?
Are there others released this year that you recommend? Let me know in the comments!
