Best Horror Films of the 2020s Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes Score

Thanks to advances in CGI, film techniques, and even new creative material, the horror genre has never been better. In tandem, the horror genre has seen a surge in movies that have more modern ideas and bolder narratives, using terrifying narratives as allegories for bigger issues. Whether you are looking for slow-burn ‘elevated horror’ or an edge-of-your-seat thriller, there are myriad choices from the past five years alone. Thanks to platforms like Rotten Tomatoes (and, ahem, MovieWeb), picking your next top horror movie is easy. Here is a list of the top horror films of the 2020s (so far), ranked by their scores on Rotten Tomatoes.

Updated October 25, 2024: This article has been updated by Soniya Hinduja with more terrifying horror movies from the decade that received immense praise from critics and hold a high RT rating.

15

Coming Home in the Dark (2021) — 92%

Coming Home in the Dark is a 2021 film that involves a pair of drifters and one schoolteacher’s mysterious past. Packed with shocking twists, a compelling 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 schoolteacher, Mandrake, in arguably one of his best roles to date.

Places Ashcroft on the Map

Directed by James Ashcroft, Coming Home in the Dark stands out because of its unflinching portrayal of violence and emotion. The balance between the two tones is stark, and combined with the immaculate direction and cinematography, the movie creates a claustrophobic vibe a little too well-known to fans of horror. With a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a consensus that calls it a “smart, well-acted, and above all scary, white-knuckle ride for horror fans,” the film evidently won over critics and audiences alike.

Related: Best Movies With a 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score

14

The Invisible Man (2020) — 92%

The Invisible Man centers around Cecilia, played by Elisabeth Moss, the surviving girlfriend of a wealthy man who “killed” himself. Cecilia begins to suspect this suicide was a hoax as she finds herself haunted by an unseen force. The film then follows her desperate struggle to prove that she is indeed being haunted, which climaxes into a terrifying showdown between the two forces involved.

Features Stunning Visuals

The Invisible Man comes from the mind of Leigh Whannell, whom you may remember from the first Saw film. It combines modern sci-fi elements with traditional psychological horror to create something purely dreadful and filled with paranoia. Between the underlying tension of the abusive relationship with the literally invisible man, this horror is more thriller than a gore-filled horror film. Its success is backed by both critic and fan reviews, sitting at a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

13

Barbarian (2022) — 92%

To start off 2022 , Barbarian is a horror film that involves an Airbnb stay gone wrong. Tess (Georgina Campbell) arrives at her Airbnb only 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, like a gentleman, takes the couch so that she can have the bedroom. From night one, it seems that Tess should have left when she had the chance. What she uncovers in the basement will change her life forever.

Unpredictable Until the Very End

The sharp direction from Zach Cregger is what’s responsible for creating an inescapable sense of dread in Barbarian. While the plot keeps most things intelligently hidden and allows the movie to play on the fear of the unknown, the movie slowly and steadily releases its unsettling vibe and that’s when the more intense and bone-chilling elements hit. Which is to say the movie has a great and clever buildup. It currently ranks at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.

12

Prey (2022) – 93%

Prey is loosely based on the Predator franchise, which first debuted back in the late-1980s. In the 2022 film, Prey brings back the same Predator creature only this time, they have come to Earth. Naru, a skilled woman warrior looking to be accepted by the men of the Comanche Nation finds herself facing off against the seemingly indestructible creature.

Adds Cultural Depth to a Fan-Favorite Franchise

From the cinematography to the acting, which finds its roots in real-life Comanche language, and a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is a stellar addition to the popular franchise. Additionally, it revitalizes the series with its unique setting and a strong protagonist played by Amber Midthunder. As Naru, she is skilled, fierce and compelling. The movie’s breathtaking cinematography and groundbreaking action sequences have been praised greatly by fans and critics alike.

Related: Prey Debuts as Highest-Rated Predator Movie on Rotten Tomatoes

11

X (2022) — 94%

Ranking at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, X is a film that takes place in 1979. A group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas. The owners of the cottage, however, don’t approve of the plot of the film, and they eventually catch them in the act of being rebellious. As night falls, the young filmmakers find their lives in danger and are forced to battle for survival against their hosts.

Pays Homage to the Slasher Genre

From its star-studded cast to the spinoffs, it’s safe to say X will remain a top horror film for years to come. It pays a genuinely impressive tribute to classic slasher movies but also stands its own with a series of unique twists and turns. The gritty ‘70s aesthetic, the gore, jump scares, tension, suspense, and stand-out performances from Mia Goth and Brittany Snow, elevate the entire narrative to glorious heights. Overall, the film is packed with all types of horror subtypes that all come together to give you an edge-of-your-seat film.

10

Oddity (2024) — 96%

A chilling Irish horror movie directed by Damian Mc Carthy, Oddity begins with Dani Odello-Timmis being mysteriously and brutally murdered in her new country house. One year later, Darcy Odello, her twin sister and a blind medium who still hasn’t recovered from the loss, uses a creepy mannequin to uncover the truth about Dani’s murder. But the quest sends her town a terrifying journey and blurs the line between reality and the supernatural.

Innovative and Unsettling

Mc Carthy is a visionary filmmaker, known for creating the most bizarre and horrifying movies in the genre. This one stands out because of its minimal yet impactful approach towards combining psychological horror with supernatural elements as various malevolent forces threaten to envelop the main character, played masterfully by Carolyn Bracken. The movie holds a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 104 critics’ reviews and a consensus that describes it as “an elegant and spooky ghost story.”

9

When Evil Lurks (2023) — 96%

Taking place in a remote village, When Evil Lurks follows the story of two brothers, Pedro and Jaime, who wander into the nearby woods and stumble upon a woman who’s become “Rotten.” Meaning, she is possessed by an unborn demon waiting to be born. This presence threatens the entire community and the people immediately spring into action because now that the evil has taken root, all that’s left to do is to try and survive.

Relentlessly Tense and Atmospheric

Juggling themes of fear and faith, When Evil Lurks is a movie that keeps viewers on their toes throughout. Directed with a keen eye for suspense by Demián Rugna and starring Ezequiel Rodríguez, Demián Salomon, Luis Ziembrowski, and more, it triumphs in building atmospheric dread. The movie uses practical effects to give the horror scenes its raw feel. After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival to glowing reviews, the standout movie made it to Shudder in 2023.

8

The Boy Behind the Door (2021) — 97%

The Boy Behind the Door is a 2021 film that is as much a thriller as it is horror. The film itself follows the kidnapping of two 12-year-old young boys named Bobby and Kevin; they were taken to a house in the middle of nowhere and only one was able to escape. Instead of running for freedom, he stays to help and rescue his friend, whom he cannot leave behind. But in his way is a labyrinth of a house and evil captors.

Heart-Pounding Performances and Clever Execution

What helped to make the film successful was the tension and the acting, especially by the young boys who played Bobby and Kevin, Lonnie Chavis and Ezra Dewey respectively. Additionally, the taut and suffocating direction from David Charbonier and Justin Powell creates an atmosphere that’s desperate and horrifying. The Boy Behind the Door sits at 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, which makes it a standout in the modern horror landscape.

7

Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022) — 97%

It’s not just traditional horror movies and Hollywood remakes that catch the eye of critics nowadays; Huesera: The Bone Woman is a Mexican-Peruvian body horror movie that revolves around Valeria Hernandez, a young Mexican woodworker who is thrilled about becoming a mother for the first time. But while she is pregnant, she becomes haunted by a sinister entity. The tighter its grip on Valerie, the more she finds herself going mad, until the sinister force consumes her and her unborn child.

Emotional and Filled With Disturbing Imagery

Lauded by critics as “a singular achievement on the international horror scene,” Huesera: The Bone Woman is a masterclass in atmospheric and psychological horror. It combines folklore-ish elements with motherhood, which reminds of certain classics like The Babadook and Rosemary’s Baby. But at the same time, the movie twists genre tropes around their heads and immerses viewers into Valerie’s original, nightmarish experience. Natalia Solián’s performance as the lead actress is worth all the praise it can get.

6

The Innocents (2021) — 97%

Eskil Vogt’s outstanding supernatural horror first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021. It centers around a group of young children who discover that they have scary abilities. But they only experiment with their newfound powers when the adults aren’t looking. Eventually, the children end up discovering the dark and dangerous consequences of their powers as well as just how capable it makes them of becoming evil.

Explores Childhood Innocence, But Not in a Way You’d Imagine

Juxtaposing the innocence of childhood with the side effects of power, The Innocents may not seem as scary on the surface. But it’s the delicate and chilling touch of Vogt’s direction that keeps wonder and horror skillfully apart at all times. The young cast, led by Rakel Lenora Fløttum, Alva Brynsmo Ramstad, and more, are truly remarkable because they add a certain level of ambiguity, maturity, and darkness to their roles. The movie has a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score.

5

Late Night with the Devil (2023) — 97%

Written, directed and edited by Colin and Cameron Cairnes, Late Night with the Devil is set in the 1970s. It follows Jack Delroy, the late-night talk show host of Night Owls with Jack Delroy, who often speaks of scary and campy events on his podcast. One night, he unwittingly invites a demonic presence onto his show, leading to a shocking turn of events as the evil force showcases its nature live on air and claims victims.

Combines Classic Horror and Found Footage

Borrowing from several successful tropes of found-footage horror movies and then subverting all expectations, this movie offers a unique viewing experience to die hard fans of the horror genre. The fact that it’s set in the ‘70s means there’s a retro aesthetic. Pairing it with an innovative story, seamless direction, David Dastmalchian’s authentic performance, and a tone of immediacy makes the movie more suspenseful and rewatchable than ever.

4

Hellbender (2022) — 97%

To date, Hellbender has received the highest Rotten Tomatoes score (97%) of any 2022 horror films. The film premiered at the end of February 2022 and is now available to stream on AMC+. Hellbender is a story of a lonely teen who discovers her family’s secret: their ties to witchcraft. Viewers praised the use of the soundtrack to help push the horror aspects of the film, in addition to, of course, the main theme of witchcraft.

Reinvents Folk Tales and Coming-Of-Age

Not only does Hellbender focus on 16-year-old Izzy exploring her heritage but also on her eventually embracing her powers and the repercussions of using them. It is a product of the Adams’ family’s ingenious brains, where John Adams, Zelda Adams and Toby Poser write, direct, and star in the horror/coming-of-age drama. Critics praised the movie as “a highly original exercise in folk horror” that uses low-budget but effective special effects to flesh out its supernatural elements.

3

My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To (2021) — 98%

My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To is a 2021 film that is as dark as it is depressing. The film is about two siblings, Dwight and Thomas, who find themselves at odds as they care for their sick younger brother, Thomas. Thomas suffers from a mysterious condition that requires him to consume human blood, and as the brothers maintain their routine of providing for him, it leads to a dramatic climax.

Visually Striking Horror

With no jump scares per se, the film relies on the stellar acting from the siblings to deliver the horror. The visuals help show the grief in the family and the tragic life that has overtaken them. Composed of mostly dialogue, the indie-style film’s use of the horror genre comes within the moments of dialogue and the slow build to the climax. The brother’s addition and thirst for blood helps, too, which is why it ranks at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.

2

Host (2020) — 100%

2020 was a stellar year for horror films, at least for streaming services. Shudder, the platform for horror buffs, released an original film entitled Host, which follows six friends who host a séance via Zoom during the lockdown. The friends hire a medium to conduct this séance, but what starts as a Zoom call ends with evil threatening their own homes. Though the term “film” is loosely used here as the runtime comes in at under an hour, the entire hour is full of thrill and terror.

Innovative Addition to the Horror Genre

The first film on our list to score 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, Host is directed by Rob Savage, who relies mainly on the creative use of Zoom to deliver genuine scares in a brief runtime. The direction is so effective that you almost overlook the limitations of the format and feel the tension building by the minute. Hailed fresh and innovative by critics, its Rotten Tomatoes consensus reads: “Lean, suspenseful, and scary, Host uses its timely premise to deliver a nastily effective treat for horror enthusiasts.”

1

His House (2020) — 100%

His House is a Netflix original film that was released on the streaming platform in 2020. The premise of the film is set around a refugee couple who escape from South Sudan only to find themselves in an English town surrounded by a new horror. They try their best to blend in but are met with strange and terrifying experiences at every corner and are eventually forced to confront their traumatic past.

Subverts All Expectations

His House was nominated for three BAFTA Film Awards and won one: Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer (for Remi Weekes). The film is both a supernatural horror film that also dives into the horrors of the world around us. It’s a slow burn, with a suffocating setting and compelling cast members (mainly Sope Dirisu and Wunmi Mosaku) and a must-watch that is visually stunning while still being creepy. It’s no surprise, really, that it sits at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.