Toni Collette looking terrified as Annie Graham in Hereditary
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Kevin Pantoja
Published 39 minutes ago
Kevin Pantoja is a writer and editor at Screen Rant based in New York City, where he brings deep expertise in blockbuster franchises ranging from Harry Potter and Spider‑Man to Succession and the MCU. A passionate storyteller with a creative writing degree (Valedictorian, Full Sail University), Kevin blends entertainment news, feature essays, and pop‑culture commentary into engaging, audience-first content
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The past 10 years have been a great time for original horror movies. Horror is often the genre you find great original films in because they can typically be made on smaller budgets, and there are so many different possibilities. From vampires to witches to slashers to zombies and more, there's so much that can be done with horror subgenres.
Since 2016, we've been treated to some great original films in the genre. Several rising directors have stood out in horror, from Jordan Peele to Zach Cregger to Ari Aster. It was tough to narrow it down to just 10 because there are so many, but a few have stood out as the best original horror films.
X (2022)
Jenna Ortega as Lorraine hold a boom mic in a scene from X.
It feels like X gets overlooked when it comes to the best modern horror movies. Its sequel, Pearl is a showcase of Mia Goth's powerhouse acting talents and was more famous because of it. However, looking past X, the first installment in Ti West's trilogy, is a mistake because it's a fantastic modern slasher.
X follows a group of people who stay at a rural Texas property owned by an elderly couple so they can shoot an adult film while there. However, the old couple harbors some sinister secrets that set the horror aspects in motion. The '70s setting is perfect and pays homage to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
There's a classic slasher feel to X but what really makes the film work are the performances. Mia Goth is fantastic in a dual role as the elderly Pearl and adult film star Maxine, while Brittany Snow, Kid Cudi, and Jenna Ortega lead a stellar supporting cast.
Raw (2016)
Julia Ducournau has proven herself to be one of the best modern horror directors, especially when it comes to the body horror subgenre. Films like Titane and Alpha make that clear but it was her directorial debut that remains the best work of her career.
That movie is Raw, a thrilling, often shocking story that centers on a vegetarian who leaves home for her first year at veterinary school. While there, she's forced to participate in a hazing ritual that involves eating raw meat. It goes against her lifestyle, yet she develops a dangerous craving for raw meat.
By the time you realize you're watching a movie about cannibalism, you're completely hooked and no matter how much you want to look away, the film keeps hold of you. Raw was controversial due to its graphic nature, but reviews were strong, especially for Ducournau's screenplay and direction.
The Substance (2024)
Margaret Qualley covered in blood in The Substance.
Like Julia Ducournau, Coralie Fargeat is a filmmaker to watch in the genre. After impressing with her debut Revenge, she took things to the next level with her follow-up, The Substance, another entry into the body horror subgenre.
This film made major waves thanks to how over the top it gets at points. The Substance focuses on a celebrity whose star is waning as Hollywood gives up on her when she turns 50. To combat that, she takes the titular substance, which creates a younger version of herself to become a star all over again.
The two versions fail to co-exist, leading to unexpected side effects. It results in a movie where you really never know what you're going to see next. Demi Moore won the Golden Globe for Best Actress here, while Margaret Qualley delivered a tremendous performance as the younger version of her character.
A Quiet Place (2018)
John Krasinski as Lee covering a scared Marcus' (Noah Jupe) mouth in A Quiet Place
One thing that happened in this past decade was that people known for their comedic chops turned into horror masters. Among them was John Krasinski, who is most known for his role as Jim Halpert in The Office, yet he helmed a great horror film in A Quiet Place.
This was one of those horror movies that became a huge hit on a relatively small budget and has gone on to spawn several sequels. The first installment set the stage, though, following a family that lives in a world overrun by blind alien creatures, so they must remain quiet to remain safe.
A Quiet Place was appreciated by critics along with being a hit at the box office (where it grossed nearly $350 million). It holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was up for some major accolades, including Emily Blunt winning a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Talk To Me (2022)
Otis Dhanji in Talk to Me
On the long list of talented horror directors who have popped up in the past decade are Danny and Michael Philippou. After getting their start on YouTube projects, the two moved on to helm their feature debut, Talk to Me, which took the genre by storm.
Talk to Me follows a group of teens who find a way to contact spirits by playing a game involving a severed, embalmed hand. One day, Mia's friend's little brother stays connected for too long, resulting in the spirit doing harrowing things to his body and to those around him.
Sophie Wilde is remarkable as the protagonist, while the violence displayed is unsettling at points. Danny and Michael Philippou inject this with scenes that are hard to watch, yet never lose sight of the emotional storytelling at the center. It makes for a great horror movie, as is their second film, Bring Her Back.
Train To Busan (2016)
It's hard to believe that it has been nearly a decade now since Train to Busan was released. The film has maintained impressive staying power, with people still finding it for the first time today, especially after a strong run on Netflix for a handful of months.
Train to Busan has a simple premise and that works in its favor. The film focuses on a father and his estranged daughter as they travel on a train when a zombie apocalypse breaks out. That leaves them in a confined space to try and survive, setting the scene for some intense moments.
The action and scares are among the best you'll find anywhere, but as always, this really works because you grow to care about the characters. Whether it's the protagonist trying to protect his daughter or Ma Dong-seok's show-stealing Yoon Sang-hwa, you're hooked as you watch them try to make it out alive.
Weapons (2025)
Josh Brolin pointing in Weapons
Zach Cregger is also on the list of new filmmakers who are turning out incredible modern horror movies. His first release, Barbarian, was a chilling tale that left audiences wanting more, while his follow-up, Weapons, became a sensation at the box office.
Weapons is one of the most talked-about movies of 2025 and for good reason. The film takes place in a small town that gets devastated when 17 children from one class suddenly get up at 2:17 in the morning and run out of their homes into the darkness without explanation.
That premise alone is enough to get people engaged, but it's the way it all plays out that makes it great. The film is told in a non-linear fashion, slowly revealing each aspect to you. There are great performances, some legitimate frights, and a new horror villain for the ages.
Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary Charlie at her grandmother's funeral
Ari Aster has made waves with some intriguing and unusual films. His last two projects, Beau is Afraid and Eddington, are unique and not completely scary, but his first two movies are, without a doubt, rooted in horror. Midsommar is great, but his debut, Hereditary, is one of the scariest movies ever.
Hereditary centers on a family grieving the loss of their secretive grandmother when sinister things begin to happen to them. The film features one of the most shocking early twists you'll ever see on the screen and it changes everything going forward.
Some of the scenes in Hereditary will make it hard for you to sleep because they're that terrifying. The true aspect that makes this something special is Toni Collette. She delivers a performance worthy of an Academy Award as Annie Graham.
Sinners (2025)
Preacherboy performing among the crowd at club juke in Sinners
Alongside Weapons, the original film that received the most buzz in 2025 was Sinners. The first horror movie by acclaimed director Ryan Coogler, this film became a global smash, grossing over $350 million and gaining more popularity through word of mouth.
Sinners is a lot like From Dusk Till Dawn in that you get pulled in by an intriguing story only to find out that it's actually about vampires around the midway point. That gives you time to get invested in the characters before the scares start to come into play, which more horror movies should do.
Although it's not as scary as other films on this list, Sinners is a special movie. It boasts one of the best casts you'll see anywhere, led by Michael B. Jordan's dual performances as the Smokestack Twins, is a love letter to Black culture, and features one of the most impressive musical scenes in history.
Get Out (2017)
Chris looking at another man suspisciously in Get Out
It's hard to make a bigger splash in moviemaking than Jordan Peele did with Get Out in 2017. The film marked the directorial debut for a man most known for his comedic chops on Mad TV and Key & Peele, so it surprised everyone when he put on an instant classic horror movie.
Get Out centers on a Black man who visits the family of his white girlfriend for the first time, only to learn that they have been doing terrible things to Black people for decades. The film starts with a chilling opening scene and the atmosphere never lets up.
Get Out was a cultural phenomenon that made over $250 million at the box office and sits at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. On top of that, it was also the rare horror movie nominated for multiple Academy Awards, including its win for Best Original Screenplay, cementing it as the best original modern horror film.
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