20 Best Monster Movies of All Time

Monsters of all kinds have fascinated humanity for millennia, often as an explanation for some of the world's most confounding evils and sources of fear. From saber-toothed tigers painted on cave walls to modern horror movies, humans have memorized the nightmarish bogeymen that have marked themselves in history. Contemporary pop culture is now marked by the latest interpretations of vampires, aliens, werewolves and demons, all of which have proven immune to the march of time.

As cinema moves forward with a renewed interest in the horror genre in the 2020s, it's appropriate to look back at the greatest monster movies of all time. While one could consider any non-human entity to be a "monster", this list is an attempt to represent some of the best-known and most acclaimed monster films from several of the most popular horror subgenres. While each horror subgenre can be divided into its own list, like the top 10 werewolf movies of all time, the list below attempts to collect the best of the best.

20

Infested (Worms)

2023 French horror film features fast, deadly spiders

While much of the list is made up of horror phenomenons and cult classics, it starts with a new entry in the monster movie pantheon. From French director Sébastien Vanicek, the 2023 film Worms (known in English as Infested) follows a young man fascinated by exotic animals and insects who buys a spider at a garage sale and takes it to his apartment complex. The spider escapes the box where it is kept and grows and reproduces at an astonishing rate, with subsequent generations that are much larger, faster and more deadly.

Many horror films have taken advantage of the common fear of spiders, but Infested acts as one of the best representations of what people hate about eight-legged insects. The spiders in Infested they are extremely fast, extremely large and have a tendency to enter a person's body to reproduce. This movie is unwatchable for anyone suffering from legitimate arachnophobia, and even if you don't have a problem with spiders, this one will get under your skin.

19

Attack the block

The 2011 British horror comedy features alien invaders in South London

British horror comedy Attack the block is notable for its smart social commentary and for being John Boyega's debut film, but the real stars are the alien invaders. The truly unique, furry, gorilla-shaped aliens look simultaneously goofy and terrifying and help make the entire film more entertaining. Boyega and Jodie Whittaker (Doctor WhoThirteenth Doctor) are excellent in the film, and although the film was considered a box office failure upon its release, Boyega and Whittaker's fame led to more people revisiting it, earning it true cult classic status.

18

Tremors

The 1990 American horror comedy introduced the iconic worm monsters

The original Tremors It started a long franchise of sequels and TV shows that were average at best, but the original has stood the test of time as a great horror comedy. Starring Kevin Bacon and with Reba McEntire, Tremors pits your characters against enormous carnivorous worms in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The original 1990 creature feature has held up well over the years, with fun action, a memorable "graboid" monster design, and the first Kevin Bacon having fun on screen. It's firmly in the realm of “dumb fun” for monster movies, but few films execute this concept better.

17

The Babadook

The 2014 Australian psychological horror explored grief and parenthood

The Babadook it makes for a frustrating and scary watch, but it's powerful no matter how it's viewed. The Australian horror follows a widowed mother and her son as they are tormented by a humanoid monster that lives in their basement and torments them. The Babadook acts as a powerful allegory for grief and parental hardship, and is driven by the powerful performances of its leads in Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman.

The Babadook is one of the most universally revered films on this list, as it has a 98% Rotten tomatoes Tomatometer score 10 years after its launch. The Babadook itself has grown in popularity as a viral Internet meme, and in recent years the scary creature has even become an unofficial LGBTQ icon thanks to a popular Internet theory that the creature is actually gay. The Babadook deserves a spot on this list due to its cult status and lasting legacy.

16

Cloverfield

Cloverfield took the Internet by storm in 2008 as it leaned heavily on viral Internet marketing to create excitement around the film's mysterious plot and the monster at its center, known as "Clover" colloquially. These days, the found footage horror subgenre may seem exhausted, but Cloverfield it still manages to be as impactful now as it was when it was released, thanks to its masterful balance of obfuscated scares, compelling performances, and clever monster mystery. Cloverfield It was and is a truly eye-opening twist on both found footage and kaiju horror, which is why it's on this list.

15

The Wolf Man

The 1941 American Gothic horror is the cornerstone of the Universal Monster franchise

The Wolf Man is absolutely star-studded from the era of black and white cinema and includes iconic horror icons like Claude Rains, Bela Lugosi, and Lon Chaney Jr. His Wolf Man face, which is some of the best prosthetic and makeup work of the era. As soon as the claws come out, The Wolf Man is at its best. The now familiar and oft-referenced story of an evil curse unfolds with perfect pacing and just the right amount of dread to create masterful atmospheric horror.

14

Annihilation

2018 sci-fi horror tackles humanity's penchant for self-destruction

An argument can certainly be made for Annihilation as one of the best pure sci-fi films of the 21st century, and it's hard to find a better choice for the best sci-fi horror film of the last few decades. At the center of what turns out to be an alien film is a gripping story from writer/director Alex Garland (Civil War) which features a series of monsters that are twisted versions of normally normal animals. Dripping tension and dread, Annihilation features powerful performances from its A-list cast and a confusing, haunting ending that will hold viewers' attention.

13

He follows

The 2014 American horror is a modern cult classic

He follows features modern day scream queen Maika Monroe (Long legs) in his role as Jay, a young woman who is constantly pursued by a malevolent entity that never moves faster than a slow walk. Monroe is tremendous, but the real star of He follows is writer/director David Robert Mitchell. The high-concept horror is marked by its blurred temporal setting, unsettling soundtrack, and perfectly earned scares, all executed through the lens of Mitchell's sharply defined vision and atmosphere. Even the most seasoned horror veterans will be haunted by the simple yet sinister images of He follows.

12

Creature from the Black Lagoon

The 1954 American horror classic features one of cinema's best-known monsters

Although he first appeared more than two decades after the first Universal Monsters, Gill-man from Creature from the Black Lagoon is one of the most visually recognizable monsters in American cinema. Part of what makes the Gill-man such an enduring and memorable monster is the fact that he is by no means evil; instead, he is a creature lost in time who defends his home from what he considers invaders. The Gill-man's design and costume still stand up to the scrutiny of modern effects, and the story stands up spectacularly as a pure representation of 1950s creature horror.

11

The fly

The 1986 sci-fi classic is a fundamental body horror film

David Cronenberg's sci-fi body horror about an experiment gone wrong is one of the few films on this list that actually won an Oscar. Makeup and special effects artists Chris Walas and Stephan Dupuis shared the award for their work transforming Jeff Goldblum into the creature known as "Brundlefly," which is the final form of his character, Seth Brundle, as he slowly evolves into a human. -fly hybrid. Body horror has always been hit or miss over the years, but The fly is the best example of the subgenre.

10

The fog

The underrated 2007 sci-fi horror film is one of the best Stephen King adaptations of all time

Somehow, The fog He never gets the recognition he deserves. Based on a novel of the same name by Stephen King, Frank Darabont's adaptation is widely known for its unimaginably dark ending, which Stephen King himself claimed was better than the book's ending. The fog is driven primarily by the growing fear, distrust and paranoia of a group of strangers locked in a supermarket by a mysterious fog, which spews Lovecraftian horrors every night. The fog it's sometimes incredibly gory, but it's never weird or out of place; each brutal death serves to increase the terror.

Thoams Jane stars as Drayton, but the supporting cast is what makes it The fog really great. Marcia Gay Harden is one of the standouts as the religious fanatic Mrs. Carmody, who develops a literal cult before demanding human sacrifices to appease the monsters that rise from the fog. The creature designs are imaginative and visually stunning, and their sudden violence makes for a gruesome watch that's impossible to look away from once it's started.

9

The Descent

The 2005 British horror film elevates the horror with a claustrophobic setting

The Descent features an excellent monster in the cave-dwelling humanoid crawlers, but its real weapon is its claustrophobic setting. The film features six women exploring an unknown underground cave system and, predictably, a cave-in takes them further into the system than they intended. The Descent not only does it pit its all-female cast against the trackers; they are forced to fight overwhelming darkness, close quarters, and ultimately each other for survival. The Descent It's truly fun and scary, but at the same time it's so disconcerting that it can be difficult to watch it more than once.

8

Predator

The 1987 action horror pits Arnold Schwarzenegger against a deadly alien hunter

THE Predator the franchise has continued with several sequels over the past few decades, but except for Dan Trachtenberg's recent prequel Preynone have come close to matching John McTiernan's over-the-top action-horror classic. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in one of his most iconic roles as Dutch Schaefer, Predator combines the non-stop action of 80s jungle warfare with a truly memorable monster, a member of the alien-hunting species known as the Yautja.

There is nothing truly deep or thematic that defines Predator as well as other monster movies. It became a classic due to its memorable main character, advanced (for the time) special effects, and the adrenaline-pumping cat-and-mouse game that unfolds between the Predator and his prey. While it's not the scariest movie on this list, Predator It's certainly among the most fun.

7

Dracula

The 1931 supernatural horror is the seminal American vampire film

Bela Lugosi's Dracula is, without a doubt, one of the best movie monsters to ever appear on the big screen. His portrayal of Bram Stoker's aristocratic vampire is an archetype in the vampire subgenre. The film Dracula is one of the best examples of pre-code horror, as director Tod Browning created a truly frightening supernatural horror atmosphere for Lugosi's Dracula to play out. Dwight Frye also shines as Dracula's unhinged servant Renfield, and Helen Chandler was chosen for her performance as Dracula's victim Mina Seward.

Dracula is in the top ten not only for its genuinely frightening story, but also for its lasting legacy. The entire vampire horror subgenre was essentially born out of Draculaand specifically, Bela Lugosi's riveting performance. With vampire movies on the rise again, there are plenty of opportunities to count down the homages and references to the all-time vampire classic.

6

Foreigner

Ridley Scott's 1979 classic is one of the most influential sci-fi horror films of all time

Ridley Scott Foreigner set the benchmark for science fiction horror, and echoes of its influence can be found throughout science fiction, but in the science fiction horror subgenre in particular. Ever since Ripley fought the original Xenomorph, alien monsters have invaded horror cinema, with no signs of stopping. The original Foreigner won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects and it's easy to see why: many of its effects still hold up almost 50 years later. Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley is one of the best sci-fi heroes of all time, but it's Scott's direction that makes the innards of the Nostromo truly terrifying.

5

The host

The 2006 Korean monster horror is a beloved cult classic

Bong Joon-Ho won three Oscars for his iconic dark comedy thriller Parasite in 2019, but more than a decade earlier he made his mark with one of the most criminally underrated monster films of the last century. 2006 The host carries many of Joon-Ho's signatures, balancing comedy and satire with genuine horror elements, all en route to a smart, provocative monster tale that provides enlightening social commentary. The host It's worth seeking out for any fan of Bong Joon-Ho's work, but any true monster fan will also have a lot of fun watching.

4

An American werewolf in London

John Landis' 1981 horror comedy is widely considered the best werewolf film of all time

While The Wolf Man may have initially set the standard for werewolf horror, it was raised in 1981 by An American werewolf in Londonthe classic horror comedy that broke many established norms about horror upon arrival. The film won the first Academy Award for Best Makeup, thanks in large part to the mesmerizing werewolf transformation scenes, which combine practical effects and standout performances to evoke a nightmarish body horror experience. More than 40 years later, it's hard to find a funnier werewolf movie, and even harder to find better practical effects in one.

3

Godzilla

The 1954 Japanese classic spawned one of the longest-running film franchises

This list could never be complete without the most famous monster in the world, the indomitable Godzilla. Long before Godzilla X-Kong copied the Toho classics of Godzilla, the original Godzilla terrified audiences on both sides of the Pacific. Originally intended to be a visible metaphor for the devastation of nuclear war, the radioactive lizard has undergone many personality and appearance changes in its 70-year history. However, with the exception of Takashi Yamazaki's recent global success Godzilla minus oneNo Godzilla film has matched the original when it comes to horror. Godzilla is the cornerstone of not just monster movies, but all cinema.

2

Frankenstein

The 1931 sci-fi horror is an iconic adaptation of the well-known gothic horror story

Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus has been adapted, satirized, and readapted for more than two centuries, but one version of its classic story stands above all. James Whale's 1931 Pre-Code masterpiece features Boris Karloff as the iconic Monster and Colin Clive in a disturbing portrayal of Victor Frankenstein, and while it doesn't follow Shelley's novel to the letter, in its departure it explores something very more visually appealing.

James Whale's 1931 film is still the gold standard for any story involving a mad scientist seeking to create life from dead flesh.

As Dracula before that and The Wolf Man a decade later, Frankenstein is notable not only for its expertly crafted narrative and memorable monster, but for its lasting legacy. The scarred, snub-necked iteration of Frankenstein's Monster is as iconic as any horror picture in existence, and despite the many, many satires and reimaginings, Whale's 1931 film is still the gold standard for any story involving a mad scientist. who seeks to create life from dead flesh.

1

The thing

John Carpenter's 1982 sci-fi horror left a lasting impression on the horror genre

First place on the list goes to one of cinema's most complete and entertaining horror triumphs. 1982 John Carpenter adaptation The thing brings so many classic monster horror elements into one narrative, including breathtaking special effects, themes of paranoia, unique creature designs, an isolated setting, and well-placed gore. The thingThe nihilistic ending of Actually made it unpopular upon its release, and the film's initial failure even cost John Carpenter other directing jobs.

However, it has evolved into one of the most beloved horror classics of all time, thanks in large part to its HP Lovecraft-inspired shape-shifting monster. To this day, John Carpenter still can't decide how the film actually ended, and its big unanswered question of who is or isn't a real person has haunted horror fans for decades and spawned countless fan theories. The thing deserves to be at the top of the list of the best monster movies of all time, but all 20 films represented here helped shape horror cinema and cinema in general.

Source: Rotten tomatoes