There were so many incredible horror movies released in 2024 that it was impossible to see them all and many may have fallen under viewers' radar. While releases like Long legs, The substanceand The first omen were hard to miss, many streaming-exclusive horrors or smaller-scale releases were highly underrepresented and didn't get enough credit for the quality of the work. Being a year full of strange and unusual horror films, 2024 had a lot to offer beyond the biggest blockbusters.
There were several horror films in 2024 that could become future cult classics as more viewers discover them and catch up on this year's releases. Those who have been paying close attention must have been following the hype for beloved releases like I saw the TV glowBut not everyone is aware of this kind of word-of-mouth success. From franchise launches to independent triumphs, there are plenty of great horror films for viewers to sink their teeth into as of 2024.
10
Daddy's Head (2024)
Horror streaming service Shudder has been quietly building an impressive catalog of underrated horror films over the past few years. One of the best of 2024 was Daddy's heada thoughtful exploration of grief that brought to mind the extraordinary power of the modern classic The Babadook from years before. Daddy's head tells the story of a recently widowed stepmother who is left to care for her husband's son after he dies in a car accident, but this difficult situation turns sinister when a strange creature begins to haunt them.
While Daddy's head addressed familiar themes of griefheartache and despair, it did so with stylish cinematography and high production values that helped it stand out. Because the monster at the center of the story represents the manifestation of real trauma and buried feelings, this supernatural tale was all the more effective because of the emotions at the heart of its narrative. While this clever British psychological horror didn't break any new ground thematically, it still made for engaging and unnerving viewing.
9
Dear Stranger (2024)
Directed by JT Mollner
From the producer of Barbarian and Late at night with the devil, Dear stranger It was a jaw-dropping serial killer story that defies expectations. What begins as a one-night stand soon turns into a thrilling game of cat and mouse as a man pursues a woman in rural Oregon. Dear stranger is divided into six chapters told in a non-linear order that is simultaneously a dark love story and a cautionary tale about those who take advantage of women's trust and vulnerability.
A truly wild ride from start to finish, Dear stranger continues director JT Mollner's trend of making elegant, thoughtful films that touch on the darker sides of the American psyche and was a worthy follow-up to his debut western, Outlaws and angels. With many suspenseful sequences, exciting twists and beautiful cinematography Dear stranger it was shot on 35mm film and its visuals were as stunning as its shocking narrative.
8
V/H/S/Beyond (2024)
Directed by Jay Cheel, Jordan Downey, Virat Pal, Justin Martinez, Christian and Justin Long and Kate Siegel
The horror anthology franchise V/H/S introduced countless horror film lovers to a wide range of incredible directors, and the latest installment, V/H/S/Beyondis no different. As just one of a series of found footage horror films centering on disturbing VHS tapes that are discovered by unsuspecting bystanders, V/H/S/Beyond it included five separate shorts linked together by a sixth-frame narrative. With a mix of science fiction and horror, this edition brings together everything from aliens to dog-human hybrids.
From the first-person shooter style of Stork to the UFO story seen in clandestinethat was a valuable addition to the vast and unique world of V/H/S series. Some familiar faces were involved too, like Justin Long's animal rights sequel fur babieswhich he co-wrote and directed with his brother Christian and which appears to have been inspired by Long's outrageous role in Kevin Smith's horror film Prey. General, V/H/S/Beyond continued this franchise's tradition of embracing the strange and unusual and was worth a watch for anyone who may have missed it.
7
I Saw the TV Shine (2024)
Directed by Jane Schoenbrun
Although those who are attuned to the modern horror film industry are well aware I saw the TV glowmay have fallen under the casual viewer's radar. Written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun and co-produced by Emma Stone, I saw the TV glow was a deeply psychological coming-of-age story which turned into nostalgia when high school students connected over their love for a television series. As the lines between fact and fiction blur, I saw the TV glow had its characters questioning their reality as their identities become inextricably linked to the media they love.
With a distinct visual style and narrative that viewers will connect with emotionally, I saw the TV glow it had a lot of horror elements, but could be enjoyed on many different levels. There are interesting characters and an impressive amount of world-building in this strange, idiosyncratic story. Although Schoenbrun had made several films before this I saw the TV glow has received significant buzz, and its underground success and word of mouth has led to it gaining widespread acclaim from those in the know.
6
Abigail (2024)
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
It's exciting to see how vampire films have had a renaissance in recent years, like Nicolas Cage's turn as Count Dracula in Renfield or the 2024 Stephen King adaptation Salem Lot. However, the best vampire film that might have flown under the radar of some viewers was Abigail. This horror comedy began with a group of kidnappers abducting the son of a powerful underworld figure with plans to demand his $50 million ransom, only to soon discover that Abigail was anything but defenseless.
The plot of Abigail is completely turned upside down when Abigail's supernatural powers are revealed, and it is the kidnappers who are forced to fight for their lives in a gripping story of survival. With a strong cast and many twists, Abigail was as fun as a horror film could be, while still delivering genuine scares. While Abigail did well at the box office, the success of franchise films such as Alien: Romulus or A peaceful place: first day overshadowed that a lot.
5
Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
Directed by Zelda Williams
It took writer Diablo Cody's feminist cult horror classic several years Jennifer's Body to get the belated appreciation it deserved, and we can only hope the same fate doesn't befall it Lisa Frankenstein. This hilarious horror comedy is set in the same universe as Jennifer's Body and told the story of a teenage girl who fell in love with a reanimated corpse from the Victorian era. With Kathryn Newton as Lisa and Cole Sprouse as The CreatureThis affectionate throwback to 1980s teen horrors made for highly entertaining viewing.
While Lisa Frankenstein started as a horror parody, it was elevated by themes of trauma and survival, which helped wrap its over-the-top story in more important themes. With strong performance and a unique sense of style, Lisa Frankenstein it was an erratic but emotional journey that could very well become a future cult classic. From director Zelda Williams, Lisa Frankenstein it was a hilarious “full of rage” story that was just plain fun.
4
It's What's Inside (2024)
Directed by Greg Jardin
It's what's inside was a Netflix horror comedy that delved into truly mind-bending territory as its chaotic plot devolved into absolute chaos. What begins as a group of friends gathering for a pre-wedding party soon turns into an existential nightmare when a distant friend arrives with a mysterious game that uncovers long-dormant secrets and unspoken grudges. Equal parts comedy, horror and sci-fi, It's what's inside it was an elegant, cleverly constructed journey to Hell's party.
What should have been a normal night out with friends turned into a true existential nightmare when a game was introduced that allowed participants to swap bodies. This highly psychological concept became increasingly disarming as it became difficult to figure out which characters were in each other's bodies from one scene to the next. With Crazy Fridayfun style wrapped in a horrible package, It's what's inside was one of the strangest films of the year.
3
Exuma (2024)
Directed by Jang Jae-hyun
South Korean director Jang Jae-hyun once again proves his country's talent for producing thoughtful, introspective and truly unnerving horror films with Exuma. This tense story mixes mystery and the occult as the excavation of a sinister grave releases sinister energy upon a wealthy family. With a vengeful spirit haunting their ancestors, Exuma addresses cultural and historical themes in a frightening, bloody and incredibly atmospheric way.
Featuring a talented cast of well-known South Korean actors Exuma mixtures shamanism and shame as the dark secrets inside the coffin are mystical and mysterious. With two separate arcs that feature major changes to its villain, Exuma was a surprising and engaging horror film from 2024 that landed on many viewers' radars. Although some Western audiences are reluctant to check out subtitled films, it was worth giving this South Korean horror a chance.
2
Crazy (2024)
Directed by David Moreau
Filmed in a terrible continuous shot, Crazy deserves to reach a much wider audience, as its technical prowess and gruesome hellscape make for intensely frightening viewing. Like the story of a fast-moving apocalyptic zombie outbreak, Crazy It's a quick and well-crafted horror which effectively unfolds throughout its brisk 86-minute runtime. With a privileged and unsympathetic protagonist (Milton Riche), his hard-partying, debauched lifestyle becomes the least of his worries when he is thrown into an unspeakable nightmare as the world descends into madness.
Crazy was filled with violent imagery, but it also feeds on the fear of the unknown, as this film's unique style keeps viewers on the edge of their seats the entire time. With a small cast of relatively unknown actors Crazy has to rely on the effectiveness of its images and the horror of its story rather than star recognition to attract viewers. Crazy allows viewers to fill in the gaps of the outbreak with an underlying subtext surrounding the excessive wealth and hedonism of rich young people.
1
Strangeness (2024)
Directed by Damian McCarthy
Following Irish director Damian McCarthy's acclaimed directorial debut, Warning, Strangeness It's a clever and well-crafted ghost story. which is characterized by an elegant and frightening atmosphere. As the story of a woman still recovering from the brutal murder of her twin sister, a blind medium and a wooden mannequin become instrumental in unraveling this dark and unnerving mystery. With a title that perfectly represents the strange energy of this film Strangeness was a little-known Irish release that showcased the country's often underrated talent for telling scary stories.
Like a kind of old-fashioned ghost story that brings to mind classics of the genre, Strangeness began with a strong opening scene that had viewers hooked from the start. With a modest box office haul of just over $1.5 million, Strangeness It didn't reach a large global audience upon release, but it's sure to become a hidden favorite for those lucky enough to discover it. These are independent films like Strangeness that maintains the horror interesting for the industry, so it's worth viewers seeking out to show their support.