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Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Horror Movies 2024

best horror movies 2024

Best Horror Movies 2024

The horror genre has been captivating audiences for decades, and 2024 promises to deliver a thrilling lineup of spine-chilling films that will keep you on the edge of your seat. From bone-chilling psychological thrillers to blood-curdling slashers, this year’s horror offerings are set to push the boundaries of fear and terror to new heights. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

In this ultimate guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the best horror movies 2024, exploring the most anticipated releases and the hidden gems that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re a die-hard horror fan or a curious newcomer to the genre, this article will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the must-see films that will haunt your dreams and keep you up at night. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Stopmotion

“Stopmotion” is a psychological assault from puppet master Robert Morgan, blending live-action and stop-motion animation techniques to create a mind-bending, horrific experience 1 22 23. The story revolves around Ella Blake (Aisling Franciosi), a stop-motion animator who enlists her daughter’s help to complete her latest film 18 24. As Ella delves deeper into the project, she experiences hallucinations and creative blocks, exploring the conflict between art and artist to chilling, visually thrilling extremes 20 21.

The movie’s cast includes:

  • Aisling Franciosi as Ella Blake 9 25
  • Stella Gonet as Suzanne 25
  • Tom York as Tom 25
  • Caoilinn Springall as Little Girl 25 [28]
  • James Swanton as The Ash Man 25
  • Joshua J. Parker as Will 25
  • Jaz Hutchins as Brett 25
  • Bridgitta Roy as Doctor 25

The stop-motion animation is a significant aspect of the film, showcasing the meticulous care and twisted imagination required for this art form 23. The puppet designs are disturbing and contribute to the eerie atmosphere [27], while Aisling Franciosi delivers an incredible performance as Ella Blake 26. Caoilinn Springall’s performance as the Little Girl is fearless and intimidating [28], and the film’s depiction of violence is vital to the story [29].

“Stopmotion” is currently showing in select theaters in North America, with tickets and showtimes available on Fandango, AMC Theaters, and Regal Cinemas [30] [31]. The movie will begin streaming on Shudder (AMC Networks’ streaming platform) at a currently unknown date, likely within a few months [32] [33]. It will also be available on major platforms like Apple TV, YouTube Movies, and Vudu from March 15, 2024 [34].

Night Swim

“Night Swim” is a supernatural horror film produced by Blumhouse and James Wan, directed by Bryce McGuire 2. The movie, based on a 2014 short film of the same name, follows a family that moves into a new home with a haunted swimming pool in the backyard 2.

The family consists of:

  • Ray (Wyatt Russell), a baseball player suffering from MS who begins to recover after using the pool 3
  • Eve (Kerry Condon), who starts a new job at school and suspects something is wrong with the pool 3
  • Izzy (Amelie Hoeferle) and Elliot (Gavin Warren), who become uneasy around the pool 3 12

Despite potential family tension, they remain cohesive throughout the film, leading to a powerful and emotional ending 2. The movie has a runtime of 1h 38m, is rated PG-13, and was released in theaters on Jan 5, 2024, before becoming available for streaming on Jan 23, 2024 3. “Night Swim” has grossed $32.5M in the USA 3.

User reviews for “Night Swim” have been mixed, ranging from 1/10 to 8/10 4. While some praise the acting, particularly from Wyatt Russell and Kerry Condon, others criticize the weak script and poor character development 4. The monster design and CGI effects have also received mixed reactions, with some finding them visually impressive and others considering them unintentionally funny or poorly executed 4. Critics have noted issues with the film’s pacing and runtime, citing a lack of suspenseful moments and a dragging story 4. Some reviewers have also pointed out plot inconsistencies and unresolved questions, such as the source of the pool’s water and the lack of information about previous residents 4.

Baghead

“Baghead” is a 2024 horror film directed by Alberto Corredor and written by Bryce McGuire and Christina Pamies 1 2 3 4 5 6. The movie, set in Berlin, follows Iris (Freya Allan), a homeless and penniless woman who inherits a dilapidated tavern from her estranged father 9 10 14. In the tavern’s basement resides a malevolent entity known as Baghead (Anne Müller), a shape-shifting creature that can transform into the dead and provide two minutes with a loved one for a fee 11 15.

Iris is tempted to use Baghead’s powers to help people in need and earn a profit 16, but she and her friend Katie must fight to keep control of the entity and find a way to destroy it before it destroys them 17. The film deals with themes of grief and moving on after loss 20, and Baghead’s original design – a shambling woman with gray skin, tattered clothes, and a burlap sack over her face – adds to the eerie atmosphere 21.

Despite its unique premise, “Baghead” has received criticism for several aspects:

  • The plot is described as a “quagmire” and “too incoherent to be frightening” 13.
  • The film is criticized for being “too needlessly overplotted to make a great deal of sense” 13.
  • It has been compared to the Australian film “Talk to Me,” with some critics suggesting it is too similar 19.
  • The movie isn’t particularly scary, with the most tense moments being the moments preceding the evil presenting itself 22.
  • The film reveals the monster too early, which reduces the fear factor 24.
  • The characters are written in line with stereotypical horror characters, making it hard to root for anyone 23.
  • The characters’ bond isn’t always believable, and they lack development 25.

True Detective: Night Country

“True Detective: Night Country” marks a return to the supernatural horror elements that made the first season a critical success 5. The show’s cosmic horror roots, which were mostly absent from seasons 2 and 3, are back in full force, differentiating it from competitors and captivating viewers once again 5 6.

The new season, set in the eerie landscape of Alaska, embraces supernatural horror more fully than its predecessors 6 7. Drawing inspiration from classic horror films like John Carpenter’s “The Thing” and David Fincher’s “Se7en,” director Issa López crafts a chilling tale that features:

  • Grisly murders at a scientific research station in Far North Alaska during the sunless winter 7
  • Strange and scary phenomena, including dead bodies found in ice and a ghostly man appearing out of thin air 7
  • Eerie music, including Billie Eilish’s “Bury a Friend” as the theme song, and surreal elements inspired by Radiohead’s “Kid A” 7

The season follows two female leads – Jodie Foster as Sheriff Danvers and Kali Reis as Trooper Navarro – as they navigate their rocky history while solving the mysterious deaths of a team of scientists in the Alaskan tundra 8. The supernatural elements, based on Indigenous spirituality, serve as red herrings and add depth to the mystery, keeping viewers engaged until the final reveal 8 9. These elements are parceled out episode by episode, lending a sense of foreboding dread that permeates each installment 10.

I Saw the TV Glow

“I Saw the TV Glow” is a mysterious and melancholic horror film set to be released on May 3, 2024 11 22. Directed by Jane Schoenbrun and produced by Emma Stone, Dave McCary, Ali Herting, Sam Intili, and Sarah Winshall 11, the movie follows two teenagers, Owen (Justice Smith) and Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine), who bond over their love for a television series called “The Pink Opaque” 12 15.

The film explores themes of:

  • Loneliness 13
  • Fandom 13
  • Mental illness 13
  • Queer/trans experiences 13
  • Existential crisis 14
  • Screen escapes and suburban decay 14

After “The Pink Opaque” is mysteriously canceled, Owen and Maddy’s reality begins to blur 12. The supernatural young adult television program plays a central role in shaping the identities and worldviews of the main characters 15.

The cast also includes:

  • Ian Foreman as Young Owen 12
  • Helena Howard as Isabel 12
  • Fred Durst as Frank 12
  • Danielle Deadwyler as Brenda 12
  • Lindsey Jordan as Tara 12
  • Conner O’Malley as Dave 12
  • Phoebe Bridgers 22
  • Amber Benson 22

“I Saw the TV Glow” has received positive early reviews, with a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 41 critic reviews, including 18 top critics 12 16. The film’s cinematography is by Eric K. Yue, editing by Sofi Marshall, and music by Alex G 12. It is set to be released by A24, a reputable independent film distribution company 15.

Late Night With the Devil

“Late Night With the Devil” is a horror film directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes, starring David Dastmalchian as Jack Delroy, the host of a late-night show called “Night Owls” 17. The plot revolves around Jack inviting four special guests onto his show on Halloween Night 1977 17. The movie unfolds in real-time, with the footage from the episode shot in grainy 1970s color and the behind-the-scenes content during commercial breaks in black-and-white 17.

The film, set to be released in theaters on March 22, 2024, had a successful opening weekend, grossing an estimated $2.8 million and ranking at No. 6 at the domestic box office 18. “Late Night With The Devil” has received positive reviews, with a 97% critics score and an 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes 18. The movie has a running time of 93 minutes and is a co-production between Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States 19.

However, the movie has been controversial due to its use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in creating certain images, specifically three still images for the “will be right back” cutaway screens and the Night Owls logo 20. The creators claim that an artist further edited these AI-generated images, but there are doubts about this claim 20. The debate revolves around the ethicality of using AI for artistic purposes, as it potentially takes away jobs from human artists 20. The reviewer, being a writer and not an image artist, shares their opinion on the matter, playing Devil’s Advocate and emphasizing the need for nuance and context in this discussion 20. They do not believe in boycotting the movie over the minimal AI usage, which did not detract from their viewing experience 20. The reviewer also discusses the potential future implications of AI in filmmaking, raising questions about disclosure and regulation 20.

Immaculate

“Immaculate” is a psychological horror film set to be released on March 22, 2024, directed by Michael Mohan and written by Andrew Lobel 1 2 3 4 5 6 22 23 25 [27] [28]. The movie follows Sister Cecilia (Sydney Sweeney), a young nun from Detroit who travels to Italy to take her vows at a secluded convent 1 2 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 24 26 [29] [30] [31] [32]. As Cecilia settles into the routines of convent life, she falls ill and discovers she is pregnant, which is seen as a miracle by the convent [29] [30].

The film boasts an impressive cast, including:

As Cecilia’s pregnancy progresses, she finds herself surrounded by jealous novitiates, senile nuns, controlling male leadership, and a secret sect of the sisterhood who wear crimson shrouds [29]. Strange occurrences in the convent lead Cecilia to question how the “miracle” pregnancy occurred [30]. The film’s climax subverts “Rosemary’s Baby,” allowing Sister Cecilia to embody a pure animal honesty and claim her agency [29]. “Immaculate” draws inspiration from notable horror references such as “Rosemary’s Baby,” “The Devils,” giallo, Hammer horror, “Frankenstein,” “The Omen,” “The Wicker Man,” and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” [29].

Kill All Neighbors

“Destroy All Neighbors” is a comedy-horror film set to be released on January 12, 2024 [65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71]. Directed by Josh Forbes [65, 69, 70, 71], the movie features an ensemble cast including:

  • Jonah Ray Rodrigues as William Brown, a struggling prog rock musician [65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71]
  • Alex Winter as Vlad, William’s new neighbor [65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71]
  • Kiran Deol as Emily [65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71]
  • Jon Daly as Swig Anderson [65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71]
  • Thomas Lennon as Scotty [65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71]

The plot revolves around William accidentally killing his new neighbor Vlad [65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71], leading to his life spiraling downhill 22. However, the plot takes a backseat to the ensemble’s sketch comedy camaraderie 21, with the film leaning heavily into the joke of people accidentally killing themselves 22.

Notable production details include:

  • Rich Zim’s animated trippy opening credits sequence 21
  • Gabriel Bartalos as the special make-up effects supervisor 21
  • Charlene Lee, the casting director, with credits including “Beef”, “Fargo”, “Review”, and “Sherman’s Showcase” 21

“Destroy All Neighbors” emphasizes the ensemble’s sketch comedy camaraderie 21, with humor often based on masada-high concepts and running gags 21. Jonah Ray Rodrigues shines as a great straight man, fitting well into the West Coast comedy style 21. The film is one of the most anticipated releases alongside Blumhouse’s “Night Swim”, a supernatural horror film about a family sensing a sinister force in their backyard pool 1.

Out of Darkness

“Out of Darkness” is a Stone Age survival tale set in the Scottish Highlands, 45,000 years ago, following a small group who have crossed the sea to find a new home 23 24. The group, consisting of two brothers, the brother’s pregnant partner and his son, a teenage hanger-on, and a shifty forager, must navigate an inhospitable landscape of cold winds and barren earth while searching for shelter in distant mountain caves 24.

The film explores themes of:

  • The contingent nature of alliances, leading to mistrust and callous disregard for some members 25
  • Colonization and manifest destiny 26
  • The dangers of closing one’s mind to diversity 26

Director Andrew Cumming crafts a well-crafted horror story, focusing on the underserved genre of prehistoric horror 23. The atmospherics are unparalleled, with fugitive light, arboreal murk, and unsettling sounds that keep viewers on edge 24. The ensemble cast, particularly Safia Oakley-Green, delivers praise-worthy performances 26, while Ben Fordesman’s cinematography is a highlight of the film 26.

“Out of Darkness” stars:

  • Kit Young as Geirr 25
  • Chuku Modu as Adem 25 26
  • Iola Evans as Ave 25 26
  • Luna Mwezi as Heron 25
  • Safia Oakley-Green as Beyah 25 26
  • Arno Luening as Odal 25 26

The characters communicate in an invented language called Tola, devised with the help of an academic advisor and translated via subtitles 24. With a runtime of 87 minutes, “Out of Darkness” is set to release on February 9, 2024 21 25.

Conclusion

The world of horror cinema continues to evolve and captivate audiences with its diverse offerings in 2024. From psychological thrillers like “Stopmotion” and “Immaculate” to supernatural tales such as “Night Swim” and “True Detective: Night Country,” this year’s lineup promises to deliver a wide range of scares and thrills. Whether you prefer the melancholic atmosphere of “I Saw the TV Glow” or the comedic elements of “Destroy All Neighbors,” there is something for every horror enthusiast.

As we look forward to these highly anticipated releases, it is clear that the horror genre remains a powerful force in the world of cinema. With talented filmmakers, impressive casts, and innovative storytelling techniques, these movies are set to leave a lasting impact on viewers and the genre as a whole. So, mark your calendars, gather your courage, and prepare to be terrified by the best horror movies 2024.

FAQs

What upcoming horror movies are set to be released in 2024?

As of now, the specific titles of horror movies releasing in 2024 have not been detailed. Please stay tuned for updates as production companies announce their upcoming releases.

Which horror movie is considered the greatest of all time?

Many horror enthusiasts agree that the original “Exorcist” holds the crown as the greatest horror movie of all time. Its score and effects are highly praised and continue to deliver a terrifying experience even in the modern era.

Can you list some new horror movies that will come out in 2025?

In 2025, the horror genre will see several new additions, including “The Arrival (IV),” “Annies Road,” an untitled Satanic Cult project, “Hiding in the Shadows,” “Beyond Terror,” “That’s the Door,” “The Human Chord,” and “Portraits.” These films are currently in various stages of production, from pre-production to filming.

What are considered the top three horror movies historical

The big three horror movies that have consistently captivated audiences are “Halloween” (1978), “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), and “Scream” (1996). These iconic films are particularly popular during the Halloween season and are regarded as classics in the horror genre.

References

[1] – https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g60213912/best-horror-movies-2024/ [2] – https://thegrumpofhorror.wordpress.com/2024/01/10/review-night-swim-2024/ [3] – https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/night_swim [4] – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9682428/reviews [5] – https://screenrant.com/true-detective-night-country-season-5-supernatural/ [6] – https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/true-detective-night-country-brings-back-hbo-shows-best-element/ [7] – https://www.theringer.com/2024/1/18/24042224/true-detective-night-country-show-horror-the-thing [8] – https://www.vox.com/culture/2024/2/18/24075084/true-detective-night-country-season-4-finale-review-what-happened [9] – https://collider.com/true-detective-season-4-best-part/ [10] – https://medium.com/counterarts/true-detective-night-country-combines-the-supernatural-with-the-explainable-2da772b5c8d5 [11] – https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_saw_the_tv_glow [12] – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Saw_the_TV_Glow [13] – https://www.theguardian.com/film/2024/jan/20/i-saw-the-tv-glow-review-devastating-tale-of-identity-and-obsession [14] – https://dailydead.com/sxsw-2024-review-i-saw-the-tv-glow-is-a-melancholic-ode-to-screen-escapes-and-suburban-decay/ [15] – https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/i-saw-the-tv-glow-review-1235877715/ [16] – https://www.gamesradar.com/a24-I-saw-the-tv-glow-horror-movie-first-trailer/ [17] – https://reactormag.com/movie-review-late-night-with-the-devil/ [18] – https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2024/03/27/late-night-with-the-devil-streaming-release-date-finally-revealed/ [19] – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Night_with_the_Devil [20] – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a__1UB9QP9Y [21] – https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/destroy-all-neighbors-movie-review-2024 [22] – https://moviemeisterreviews.com/2024/01/17/destroy-all-neighbors/ [23] – https://aiptcomics.com/2024/02/06/out-of-darkness-tola-horror-prehistoric/ [24] – https://www.vogue.com/article/out-of-darkness-horror-movie-review [25] – https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/out-of-darkness-film-review-2024 [26] – https://sunshinestatecineplex.com/2024/02/09/review-out-of-darkness-2024/