As 2026 draws near, we now must look back on this time and see what really stood out in cinema. Sequels, spin-offs, and remakes were once again some of the highest-grossing films, but barely generated the revenue that studios wanted. Thus, this year was a bit of a struggle for cinema, to say the least, but one genre remained steady. It was remarkable for daring to take risks, pushing unique and innovative stories. That genre, of course, was horror, and boy, were we thankfully blessed.
It experienced a great resurgence in the genre, sparking renewed interest among many fans, including attracting new ones, as evidenced by the booming box office performances and critical successes of this year. From surprisingly solid sequels to fresh and original modern masterpieces, this year sparked a glorious change for horror, and it shows it’s only growing stronger leading into 2026. Here are the ten best horror movies of 2025, ranked based on their overall quality and impact, proving that this year will go down in cinema history as the year defined by horror.
10
‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’
Dusting off after fourteen years on the shelf, the Final Destination franchise was back to breathe new life and hopefully regain its reputation as one of horror’s most memorable series. This time, it came with a long-awaited sixth entry, Final Destination: Bloodlines. Truly, it surprised us all, as it’s an unexpectedly remarkable, thrilling, and darkly fun sequel that surpassed expectations, becoming not only the most positively received installment but also its highest-grossing.
Final Destination: Bloodlines takes the franchise’s familiar formula of the Grim Reaper reclaiming those who escaped death, but takes it to a wild and amusing new level. It elevates its premise with more cohesive storytelling, an impressive mix of practical and digital effects, more likable and well-written characters, and, of course, delivering even more creative and bloodier kills, which this series has become known for. Along with its now-famous opening Skyview disaster sequence, which has become a standout cinematic moment for this year, Bloodlines proves there’s more to this franchise and will be a strong contender in the years to come.
9
‘The Ugly Stepsister’
From Norway, Emilie Blichfeldt‘s The Ugly Stepsister takes an incredibly dark approach to the classic fairy tale of Cinderella. It’s a tragic look into the dangers of family and social pressures and harm that comes if one seeks perfection, following the eldest daughter of a cruel mother who is willing to go to extremes to marry the man she loves. It’s bleak and doesn’t sugarcoat its intention, offering a bold take that blends drama and body horror.
For those with sensitive stomachs, The Ugly Stepsister would definitely challenge you, as it’s unflinching and doesn’t shy away from some of the truly disgusting lengths the main character, Elvira (Lea Myren), would go to achieve her deluded dream. The shocking body horror gets more explicit and shocking as the story progresses, culminating in one of the most disgusting and appalling endings in any horror film this year. Overall, it stands out for its shock and incredible storytelling mixed in with its gore.
8
‘The Long Walk’
Since the 1970s, horror author Stephen King’s works have been adapted tremendously to the big screen in every decade since. In 2025, his name appeared an impressive four times in films in wildly different genres, from the compelling drama The Life of Chuck, the bloody dark comedy The Monkey, and the most recent action remake of The Running Man. However, it is the first film adaptation of his dystopian survival thriller, The Long Walk, that’s arguably this year’s biggest highlight.
Originally published by King in 1979 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, The Long Walk is a tense, nail-biting blend of psychological thrills and emotional drama. It’s backed by a powerful cast of talented stars, including Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Ben Wang, and Mark Hamill, each providing incredible emotion and depth to their roles, making them stand out and root for some of them to survive. But, truly, its greatest strength is the suspense, as the story constantly keeps viewers on edge, worrying about how long the characters can survive the long walk and who will ultimately be crowned the victor. A deep, intense, and at times heartbreaking survival tale, The Long Walk is surely a must-watch for any horror lovers this year.
7
’28 Years Later’
Returning to the frighteningly infectious franchise he helped create, Academy Award-winning Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland deliver the third installment in the 28 Days Later series, 28 Years Later. Packing tons of terror, suspense, and compelling character drama, this long-awaited follow-up to Boyle’s unique zombie franchise takes the story even further into a world of chaos and ruin, showing a post-apocalyptic Great Britain closed off and isolated from the rest of society as those still trapped within deal with all kinds of evolving threats.
It’s just as tense, feverish, and pulse-pounding as its predecessors, and it constantly keeps viewers hooked for the ride. It’s Boyle’s remarkable direction and striving to use innovative camera work that also made it visually distinct and creative, adding an extra touch to this gripping thriller that absolutely thrills from start to finish. With its sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, ready to debut in January 2026, fans can only hold their breath to see how this epic and chilling tale will continue.
6
‘Good Boy’
2025 saw some horror filmmakers taking risks, and they didn’t always pay off, but one that truly strove hard and pushed to give audiences an eerie, one-of-a-kind experience really stood out as not only one of the best horror films of this year, but also one of its most unique. Directed by Ben Leonberg, Good Boy is a supernatural horror thriller told from the perspective of a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Indy. The story follows the devoted Indy as he does whatever he can to protect his cancer-stricken owner from a sinister force lurking in their new home.
A modern marvel that has already reshaped the haunted house subgenre, Good Boy excels in every way to provide viewers with genuine terror and emotional investment. From Leonberg’s remarkable technical work and visual style to the dark tone and nail-biting tension, this distinct film shines bright as a memorable and creative horror achievement that might just get better with each passing year. And at the center of its success, Leonberg’s adorable leading star, Indy, stole the show and gave a surprisingly complex and intriguing performance that honestly could be in contention as one of the best of this year.
5
‘Frankenstein’
The fantastically creative mind behind some of our favorite modern monster movies, Guillermo del Toro, delivered one of 2025’s most anticipated horror films, a riveting take on Mary Shelly‘s Frankenstein. Released on Netflix, this big-budget, extravagant, and visually magnificent film adaptation is on par with some of the greatest versions of Shelly’s iconic novel.
It’s del Toro’s unique craft of telling emotional stories of misunderstood monsters that showed he was the right man for the job, as his Frankenstein not only stands out but excels where others have failed. The story is handled with respect, the effects are jaw-dropping, and the performances of the two leads, Oscar Isaac as Victor and Jacob Elordi as The Creature, are a humongous highlight of the story. Both actors bring a rich melancholy to the roles, injecting this gothic world with humanity and palpable pain. While admittedly, its pacing is a bit of an issue, Guilermo del Toro’s Frankenstein is a step above and one of this year’s most unforgettable achievements.
4
‘Bring Her Back’
Michael and Danny Philippou‘s Bring Her Back packs the most frightening and emotionally devastating punch of 2025. The Philippous, best known for their previous modern horror masterpiece, Talk to Me, here delivered chills and heartbreaking drama. The story follows two orphaned siblings as they’re taken in by a grieving mother who has also been caring for a strange-acting little boy who’s increasingly showing demonic behavior.
At the heart of its brilliance is Academy Award-nominated actress Sally Hawkins, whose stellar performance as the sympathetic but sinister guardian Laura carries much of the emotional weight of the film. Hawkins truly captures the spirit of an emotionally devastated mother willing to go to extreme supernatural lengths to bring her child back. Bring Her Back is compelling and deeply profound, but quite unsettling, featuring some startling, unexpected scares that will truly leave viewers awake at night.
3
‘Presence’
Starting the year out right with an eerie bang was Steven Soderbergh‘s Presence, a slow-burning supernatural horror thriller remarkably told through the perspective of a ghost. It’s a unique and layered story that’s, on one hand, a complex family drama and on the other, a stressful and nail-biting thriller where anything strange or terrifying can happen at any possible moment.
Presence takes full advantage of its premise, following through the eyes of a lost spirit that forms a connection with the new family it’s currently living with. There’s a lot of creative camera work and choreography to make the POV shots of the ghost seem fluid and real, and it all feels like we, the audience, are actually placed in the story. It may be slow at points, and it’s not as terrifying as some other notable entries from this year, yet Presence is a gripping and thought-provoking tale that’s sure to impact anyone who watches it.
2
‘Weapons’
Zach Cregger‘s Weapons is perhaps the wildest, most absurd, and utterly horrifying film of 2025. Starring Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan, it follows a young school teacher and a worried father as they try to piece together the mystery of why a classroom full of children ran off into the darkness one night.
It’s a rollercoaster of terror and excitement, featuring incredible non-chronological storytelling, memorable characters, a terrifying mystery, and one hell of an insane and bloody finale. The performances are truly stellar as well, especially Amy Madigan, whose bizarre and unsettling performance as the eerie Aunt Gladys is a career best and honestly a strong contender for Oscar glory come March. From its bonkers action and gore to the intense mystery and great acting, Weapons is on track to be the 2020s’ most remarkable horror film.
1
‘Sinners’
At the end of the day, nothing could have topped one of the biggest cinematic events of this year, Ryan Coogler‘s Sinners. Truly, one of the most flawless and engaging horror films of the 21st century so far, this powerfully creative and original tale has everything horror and casual movie watchers can absolutely love. It’s not fully set in one specific genre either, as it blends music, drama, comedy, and folk horror all into one endlessly thrilling tale that’s backed by some of the best acting performances in recent memory.
Michael B. Jordan, Jack O’Connell, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Canton, and Delroy Lindo round out an unbelievably impressive ensemble in a memorable story that’s more than just the average vampire film. There’s intense terror, emotional weight to the characters, and a topical approach to race relations, all bolstered by truly inspiring music and featuring one of modern cinema’s greatest, most evocative sequences. As a remarkable year for horror draws to a close, Sinners stands as the genre’s reigning champion.
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