Thanks to advances in CGI, filmmaking techniques, and even new creative material, the horror genre has never been better. Over the past few years of the 2020s, the horror genre has seen a wave of movies that have both a compelling plot and some form of evil. These new concepts have rebooted and modernized horror franchises as well as spawned new stories. On the one hand, Prey restart the Predator franchise as a prequel that takes place on Earth in native lands. On the other hand, new movies like His house look at serious ideas about immigration in the context of supernatural horror.
The 2020s have already put together a stunningly diverse list of horror films, from themes of witchcraft, as in hellbenderto the perfect modern horror movie, X. Whether you’re looking for a slow-burn thriller or an edge-of-your-seat thriller, 2020’s horror movies have an abundance to choose from. Thanks to platforms like Rotten tomatoes, it’s easy to choose your next top horror movie. Here’s a list of the best horror movies of the 2020s (so far), ranked by their scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
10/10 Coming Home in the Dark (2021) – 92%
Coming home in the dark is a 2021 film about a couple of hobos and the mysterious past of a schoolteacher. Packed with shocking twists, a gripping drama story and expertly crafted villains, Coming home in the dark is a horror film of its own category. Daniel Gillies, best known for his role as Elijah in The Vampire Diaries universe, plays the teacher, Mandrake, in perhaps one of his best roles yet. With a score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film clearly won over both critics and audiences.
9/10 The Invisible Man (2020) – 92%
The Invisible Man comes from the mind of Leigh Whannell, who you may remember Saw movie. The Invisible Man revolves around Cecilia, played by Elisabeth Moss, the surviving girlfriend of a wealthy man who committed suicide. Cecilia begins to suspect that this suicide was a hoax when she finds herself being chased by an unseen force. Between the underlying tension of the abusive relationship with the literally invisible man, this horror is more of a thriller than a horror film full of blood. Its success is supported by reviews from both critics and fans, with a score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
8/10 Barbarian (2022) – 92%
Starting with the 2022 movies, Barbarian is a horror film about an Airbnb stay gone wrong. Tess (Georgina Campbell) arrives at her Airbnb to find out that Keith (Bill Skarsgard) is already staying there and that the place must have been accidentally double booked. Keith invites her to stay and takes the couch like a gentleman so she can have the bedroom. From night one, it seems that Tess should have left when she had the chance. What she discovers in the basement will change her life forever. It currently ranks at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
7/10 Prey (2022) – 93%
Prey is loosely based on the Predator franchise, which first debuted in the late 1980s. In the movie from 2022 Prey brings back the same Predator creature only this time, they have come to Earth. Naru, a skilled female warrior seeking to be accepted by the men of the Comanche Nation, is confronted by the seemingly indestructible creature. From the cinematography to the acting, which has its origin in real Comanche languageand a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is a great addition to the popular franchise.
6/10 X (2022) — 94%
Ranking at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, X is a film set in 1979. A group of young filmmakers wanted to make an adult film in rural Texas. However, the owners of the cottage do not approve of the film’s plot, and as night falls, the young filmmakers find their lives in danger. From the star-studded cast to the spin-offs, it’s safe to say X will remain a top horror film for years to come. With gore, jumpscares, suspense, suspense and standout performances, the movie is packed with horror subtypes all coming together to give you a movie on the edge of your seat.
5/10 The Boy Behind the Door (2021) – 97%
The boy behind the door is a 2021 film that is both a thriller and horror. The film itself follows the kidnapping of two young boys; they were taken to a house in the middle of nowhere and only one was able to escape. Instead of fleeing for freedom, he stays to help his friend, whom he cannot leave behind. What helped make the film successful was the suspense and the acting, especially by the young boy who played Bobby. It stands at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.
4/10 Hellbender (2022) – 97%
To date, hellbender received the highest Rotten Tomatoes score (97%) of all 2022 horror films. The film premiered in late February 2022 and is now available to stream on AMC+. hellbender is the story of a lonely teenager who discovers her family’s secret: their ties to witchcraft. Viewers praised the use of the soundtrack to bring out the horror aspects of the film, in addition to, of course, the main witchcraft theme.
3/10 My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Say It (2021) – 98%
My heart can’t beat unless you say so is a 2021 film that is as dark as it is depressing. The film is about two siblings who are at odds with caring for their ailing younger brother. Without leaps and bounds, the film relies on the great acting of the siblings to deliver the horror. The images help to show the grief in the family and the tragic life that has overtaken them. The use of the indie-style horror genre, which is mostly dialogue, comes within the moments of dialogue and the slow build up to the climax. The addition of the brother and the thirst for blood also help, which is why it ranks 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
2/10 Host (2020) — 100%
2020 was a great year for horror movies, at least for streaming services. Shudder, the platform for horror enthusiasts, has released an original movie titled Host, which follows six friends who hold a seance via Zoom during the lockdown. The friends hire a medium to conduct this seance, but what begins as a Zoom call ends with evil threatening their own home. Although the term “movie” is used loosely here, as the running time is less than an hour, the entire hour is full of tension and anxiety. It’s the first movie on our list to score 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
1/10 His house (2020) — 100%
His house is a Netflix original movie released on the streaming platform in 2020. The film’s premise revolves around a refugee couple who escaped from South Sudan and find themselves in an English town surrounded by a new horror. The film was nominated for three BAFTA Film Awards and won one: Outstanding Debut from a British Writer, Director or Producer (for Remi Weekes). The film is both a supernatural horror film that also delves into the horrors of the world around us. It’s a slow burn and must-watch that is visually stunning yet creepy. It’s actually no surprise that it’s 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.