10 Most Creative Horror Movies of the 2020s (So Far)

The 2020s have seen some brilliantly creative horror movies so far, Which put new spins on well-worn tropes intertwined with unique (but not too weird) supernatural concepts. Taking inspiration from some of the best fantasy horror movies in general, these terrifying new flicks get scares from fantastic monsters that still have some thematic substance. On the other hand, some recent thriller movies that are almost perfect are driven by realistic but terrifying psychological horror.

Leaning into multiple genres that have blown up in movies and television over the past decade, Horror movies in the 2020s have been about social commentary and subverting classic tales. However, the decade is only (almost) half way. Some of these titles have already spawned obvious imitators, and fans can look forward to other interesting horror movies that build on the horror themes that define the decade.

10

Lisa Frankenstein (2024)

Lisa Frankenstein turns Mary Shelley's classic into a coming-of-age romance

funny and funny, Lisa Frankenstein Was a disappointment at the box office but is still an enjoyable movie for fans of the classic horror novel. In this goofy romp, a quirky high school girl with macabre tastes (possibly inspired by Winona Ryder's '90s characters) finds herself the girlfriend of a mysteriously reanimated Victorian-era corpse.

Lisa Frankenstein's reviews imply that the concept has more merit than the execution, but it's fun nonetheless. Namely, Lisa Frankenstein Uses the idea of ​​a kind-of-resurrected person to accurately reflect the 1980s coming-of-age pattern, With Lisa having little desire to live up to her "perfect" Step sister's tastes.

Kathryn Newton is wild and morbid as Lisa, stomping her way through the story And all of her character's disturbing antics. Lisa Frankenstein Is at least amusing when his ridiculous nature is primed for very dark comedy, and his heroine is unapologetically herself. It makes Frankenstein The set pieces for Lisa to decide her own life (or death).

9

The Substance (2024)

The substance is this year's riveting new take on body horror

The substance Puts a unique spin on multiple subgenres of horror, primarily body horror. A famous, acclaimed actress longs for her glory days and resorts to taking a black-market drug - but not one that conveniently restores her youth and beauty. Things get physically and psychologically grotesque when the drug creates a second version of Elizabeth, who takes the name Sue. And proceeds to steal her senior's work.

With relative newcomer Margaret Qualey playing the younger version of Demi Moore's character, The substance is interesting in both concept and enactment. It is labeled as satire, with the intention behind its cruel body horror is to comment on the beauty standards of Hollywood and the pressure of maintaining them, motivating Elizabeth's actions. Arriving in theaters in late September 2024, The substance was met with strong reviews and box office success.

The menu Found the perfect luxurious experience to elevate to point of absurdity For her interpretation of the above and lose sight of the passion, and is creative with the presentation of each dish. The movie features some nice touches, like the subtitles for each culinary creation, a la cooking TV shows. In between, the various guests get some time to chat, showing how they are all well-thought-out and hilarious satires on corporate magnates, movie stars, reviews, and the like.

As Erin escapes the restaurant and The menuSoff also make some clever twists on classic meals. A year later The menu, what you want Also used the concept of hut cuisine For a horrifying depiction of wealth - one that is more focused on the concept than flowery presentation. however, The menuThe basic structure is familiar to those familiar with horror, but much of its originality lies in smaller details and the lessons learned with each "Course."

7

#alive (2020)

A new and terrifying perspective on the zombie apocalypse

#alive (Original title #Saraitda) uses his narrative premise to show how social media would be used during a zombie apocalypse, Something that is not properly delved into other properties when the outbreak usually results in the collapse of all media outlets. The main character sees others' attempts at a physical or mental escape go badly, increasing his own stress. Coming out later in 2020, #alive Struck on some concerns of lockdown.

This is a relatively basic premise, but interesting because most people would think staying indoors is the best option in this scenario. however, #alive Shows how staying in a barricaded residence is just as horrifying, Especially when one is alone. His depiction of confinement is unsettling, demonstrating another kind of survival that The Walking Dead Never gets around to. The characters then achieve a vastly uplifting ending using tools that creators in this genre rarely think of.

6

Abigail (2024)

The Dracula's Daughter Revamp is a bloody vampiric spectacle

Abigail is inspired by Dracula's daughterBut still earning praise for its new execution, Which pays homage to multiple iterations of Dracula and delivers a charismatic version of the title character. As in many horror movies before it, a seemingly unrelated group of characters end up trapped with a monster, but Abigail is no ordinary monster.

Due to the writing surrounding her character and Alisha's performance, Abigail is a satisfying, spectacular drama. Let the vampire child bear her fangs and unleash mayhem, all the while Swan Lake Blurs in the background, is an ingenious combination of elements that puts a new spin on the vampire genre, even when, as the movie shows, it has become oversaturated.

Abigails pacing takes the audience through some surprising twists and turns, With new villains appearing late in the movie and Abigail's final story role is something a little different than expected. The supporting cast has their own creative beats, which contributes to a movie that feels both like a classic and completely original.

5

Master (2020)

Mind control technology drives the owner's haunting philosophical discourse

Part body horror and part psychological thriller, Owner Begins with a relatively easy to understand concept that spirals into psychedelic consequences for the main character. Tasya Vos is an agent who uses futuristic brain implant technology to "property" Other people, to commit assassinations on behalf of the company she works for. As one might have guessed, this work comes with some major negative ethical and psychological implications, elevated by Brandon Cronenberg's nightmarish directing decisions.

Owner is a bigger deal than it might seem, directed by horror icon David Cronenberg's son, and coming out eight years after the legendary director's debut feature film. The additional time to work on the script is worth it, especially when the concept is somewhat abstract, and its meaning needs to come across. Owner Introduces new bits for mind control spaceWhich may reappear in this decade as Cronenberg and others continue to show horror sleeper hits.

4

I'm Thinking About Ending Things (2020)

I Think of Endless Things uses the literal to showcase the figurative

I'm thinking of ending things is a difficult movie to interpret, But it showcases ingenuity in how it illustrates discernible themes. The movie seems to lament the passage of time, reaching old age in the blink of an eye, illustrating this when the unnamed protagonist walks in and out of a room to find that her boyfriend's parents have aged decades in an instant. Her narration also makes clear how uncomfortable she is, highlighting even the most mundane details.

The parents and several other figures the couple meets along the way are creepy, earning the movie's classification as horror. In the last story, I'm thinking of ending things Devolves into several sudden sequences of dance and musical theatre. They are illogical on paper, but they succeed in conveying what the main characters feel. Again, it is difficult to find a linear, sensible story in this movie, but its funny moments are very weighty, motivating the audience to discover them.

3

Last Night in Soho (2021)

If Midnight in Paris was a horror movie

If Last night in Soho took inspiration from Midnight in ParisIt did a commendable job of emphasizing the new location and tone. When a young fashion student in London begins to have visions of the woman who inhabited her room decades earlier, the film moves flawlessly between them As they travel together during a night in Sandy's life. Last night in Soho Continues to draw haunting parallels between Eloise and Sandy as the former begins to imitate the latter in her contemporary life, as they face obstacles that resonate with each other decades apart.

Last night in Soho Seems like it might stay in the realm of ​​a subtle psychological thriller for the first half of the movie. however, It quickly spirals into a full-blown horror fest. As Sandy's past life begins to haunt Eloise more and more, She searches for a way out, only to discover a shocking truth. Last night in Soho Blurred the lines between the past and present, only ambiguous indication of the final effect on the protagonist's life.

2

Nightbooks (2021)

Nightbooks is a new "Hansel and Gretel" full of scary stories and a brilliant witch

While some other recent horror movies are loose interpretations of classic fairy tales and literary works, Nightbooks is a very underrated approach to this formula. Two children, a boy and a girl, find themselves trapped in a moving apartment inhabited by a charismatic witch in this vibrant, terrifying take on "Hansel and Gretel."

Both children are only alive because the witch has some use for them, delving into the plot where, like their fairy tale counterparts, they rely on their wits to survive. Meanwhile, The witch Natacha is wonderfully played by Krysten Ritter, With whoever conceptualized the character helping the movie out tremendously by letting her have a sassy personality and sense of style.

Nightbooks It also plays with the concept of story-within-a-story by making the act of storytelling important to the plot as Alex and Jasmine navigate their way to freedom. moreover, The apartment that moves around the world and is stocked with a massive library is an upgraded version of the candy house, Making for a much more interesting fairy tale.

1

no (2022)

Jordan Peele's latest genius horror with an out-of-this-world threat

Horror visionary Jordan Peele developed an intriguing alien invasion scenario with an extraterrestrial being that resembles a flying saucer, Prompting this very confusion for the first part of the movie. When the people who meet the alien are Hollywood horse trainers, the intelligent thematic concept of interacting with animals on their own terms takes shape. Meanwhile, the weird and violent backstory of Steven Yeun's character reinforces this theme.

"jean jacket" Become the horrifying crux of a game of cat and mouse As the human characters try to capture a picture of the guest. No Also pile on his already deep premise with a character who is a brilliant cinematographer, with his own philosophy of capturing the perfect shot. Peele proved to be more than adept at finding new concepts for horror movies, allowing fear to be used to communicate important narratives in modern cinema.