2024’s 10 Best Horror Movies So Far - In My Opinion

Welcome to Knockout Horror. We are 9 months into the year so I figured now was a pretty decent time to reflect on what we have seen from the horror world in 2024 up to this point. With that in mind, today we are looking at 2024’s 10 Best Horror Movies So Far. Well, in my opinion, anyway. Naturally, we all have our preferences and we can’t all agree on everything but these are the movies I rate as the best this year. And, what a year? 2024 has had one of the strongest starts, as far as horror movies go, in a long time. It’s been awesome. Of course, I am sure some will disagree but I have been impressed.

Not only am I putting together this list, there’s also a follow up list on the way of 2024’s 10 Most Underrated Movies So Far. That’s how good of a year this has been. Most of these movies are going to be fairly familiar to you if you a horror fan. But you may just find a few that you haven’t watched yet. You may also be surprised to see a few omissions. MaXXXine being one of them. If a movie isn’t on this list, I probably just didn’t enjoy it as much as every other title that is. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the ten best horror movies of 2024 so far… In my opinion.

There’s a solid chance that this one will fly under the radar a bit purely due to being a Tubi Original. A fact that is, honestly, a bit of a shame as Katherine Barrell and Melanie Scrofano’s Clickbait: Unfollowed is a lot of fun. I thought this was a great option to include, as well, as it is a movie you can go and watch right now completely free on Tubi. And while there may be movies, this year, that are more deserving of the number ten spot on our list, it’s good to give props to the little guys.

Clickbait: Unfollowed is a fun influencer themed horror movie from Canada and South Africa that follows a group of social media celebrities who are placed together in a house and pitted against each other to see who can gain the most followers. The only catch is the loser gets much more than a simple click on the dislike button.

Influencer horror is a growing niche and one we have covered before in a few lists. Clickbait is a very nice addition to the collection. This is an entertaining movie that almost acts as something of a horror satire. Lampooning horror tropes while still managing to fit in plenty of gore. Clickbait is often witty, always tongue in cheek and features some, frankly, very inventive kills. This is a decent option for someone looking for something light and enjoyable to fill an hour or so. It has its flaws and isn’t perfect by any stretch but it punches well above its weight. We awarded Clickbait: Unfollowed 3/5 in our review.

This movie would be way higher if it did a little more to actually feel like a horror movie rather than, simply, a stylish drama. I Saw The TV Glow is “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair” director Jane Schoenbrun’s follow up feature length movie and, much like the aforementioned, this is light on the horror. In fact, I think that even saying that this is a horror adjacent may be a step too far. Despite that fact, the subject matter is, honestly, horrific for those that relate.

It follows the story of a pair of teenagers that bond over their love of a cheesy supernatural television show. With the show eventually beginning to make them question both their reality and their identities. Weaving an allegorical tale of teens finding themselves. I Saw The TV Glow feels like an important movie that will have special significance to the LGBTQ+ community and a whole future generation of confused teens.

It’s quite poignant and rather sad, in many ways. Though it is also a very slow movie that will simply not appeal to some. The lack of actual horror makes it a tough recommend. If you have an appreciation for dark drama with metaphorical horror leanings, there is tons to like, here. We awarded I Saw the TV Glow 3.5/5 in our review.

We have another free movie from Tubi today. Some of their 2024 originals have been pretty awesome. The best of them, so far, has to be Lowlifes. This is one of those horror movies that comes out of nowhere and surprises the hell out of you. Following the story of a family heading out on a road trip in their RV only to find themselves forced to stay in the house of a strange family in the middle of nowhere. Lowlifes seeks to shock and subvert expectation. Something that it manages to do in a way that is a tiny bit predictable but, ultimately, extremely satisfying.

Enjoyable horror movies don’t come around that often. Most take themselves far too seriously but Lowlifes just wants to entertain. Something it does throughout. Well acted, gory, and with a cruel and sinister sense of humour. There is tons to like here and while it draws you in with the promise of a Texas Chainsaw Massacre style slasher. It delivers far more thanks to the direction it eventually ends up going in. Fantastic stuff and absolutely worth checking out. We awarded Lowlifes 3.5/5 in our review.

Have you ever wondered what maniacal killers get up to when they aren’t butchering unsuspecting victims? How does Michael Myers get from A to B and how does Jason Vorhees always know where the campers are? Well, to answer all of those questions, we have Chris Nash’s In a Violent Nature. This movie takes the slasher genre and flips it on its head. Taking us from viewing the action via the victims themselves and, instead, letting us see what the killer is up to. It’s a novel idea and makes for one of the more refreshing genre movies in quite awhile.

In a Violent Nature isn’t just a novel concept, however. It also features some of the most barbaric and, frankly, cruel kills I have seen in a slasher in a very long time. It’s fascinating, utterly brutal, and completely refreshing. It isn’t going to be for everyone, though. Its slow pace and scene after scene of “maniacal killer walks methodically from victim to victim” footage is incredibly divisive. If, however, you have been wanting to experience a different take on the slasher format then In A Violent Nature is essential viewing. We awarded it 3.5/5 in our review.

This movie, obviously, had to be on the list, right? Well, considering I left MaXXXine off I could have left this off as well but I did, actually, enjoy Longlegs quite a lot. Sure, I absolutely don’t agree with some of the hyperbole surrounding it. But it is a well executed horror with some decent tension and intrigue. Longlegs follows the story of a young FBI agent (Maika Monroe) on the hunt for a notorious serial killer known as Longlegs (Nicolas Cage) who has been linked to a number of brutal, ritualistic, killings in the area.

Many people compare this movie to Se7en but I think The Silence of the Lambs is a far more apt comparison. This is, basically, the same movie. Slow moving, brooding, and often quite tense. Longlegs has basically recycled the exact same format as the aforementioned horror classic and brought it to a modern viewing audience. The results are, often, very effective though the movie is nowhere near as scary as people say. Nic Cage is, very much, Nic Cage despite reports to the contrary and the ending of the movie is pretty lacklustre. But there is still plenty to like, here. Just temper your expectations a tad. We awarded Longlegs 3.5/5 in our review.

In much the same way as M3gan was in 2023, Abigail is, simply, a ton of fun. It takes the worn out horror formula of vampires doing vampire things and puts a high energy, 2020’s, TikTok spin on things. The story follows a group of kidnappers taking a young girl hostage in order to blackmail the child’s wealthy father. Not realising that she may not simply be an ordinary girl and she may just bite back in more ways than one.

With a few laughs, some great acting and a kick ass antagonist. Abigail is action packed, gory, and enjoyable, throughout. A perfect sleepover horror and also a great option to throw on with some mates while sharing a few drinks. If you enjoyed M3gan and you prefer the high octane horror thrills of movies like Blade and Underworld with just a small dash of Reservoir Dogs. Abigail should be right up your alley. We awarded Abigail 3.7/5 in our review which you can check out after the jump.

In stark contrast to the movie above this one. Exhuma is a slow paced, glacial, South Korean Supernatural horror that demands your utmost attention. It follows the story of a group of people excavating the grave of a deceased person in order to banish a curse from the family’s newborn child. Unaware that they are about to unleash something far worse in the process. Exhuma is, very much, a traditional South Korean horror that both scares you and makes you think.

Bringing together spiritual themes with those of the occult and the actual bloody history of Korea itself. Exhuma builds patiently at first before turning into a rather unexpected, heavy hitting, ghost flick with some fantastic scares and a few legitimately touching moments. Like a lot of horror from this part of the world, it is not going to try to jump scare you. It is going to get in your head and stay there with its continually tense atmosphere and deep story. Awesome stuff, we awarded Exhuma 3.8/5 in our review.

Late Night With The Devil is a completely unexpected horror hit for 2024 that’s rather difficult to draw comparison to. Presented as a mockumentary about a late night television show presenter and the demise of his show due to a horrific, supernatural, on-air occurrence. It plays out, partly, as an actual full episode of the show itself and as a biography of the show’s presenter Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian). The best comparison I can come up with is WNUF Halloween Special but that is still way off.

It’s not going to be for everyone. The 70’s styling and late night television show format will probably divide viewers, a bit, and the hype is difficult to match. But Late Night With the Devil feels wholly unique and completely fresh against a backdrop of formulaic horror movies that take no chances. Excellent performances from the talented cast make this horror feel, every part, like the authentic talk show it is portraying and the horror elements work brilliantly. A few cheesy effects and some mixed pacing mar things a little but there just aren’t many films like this floating around. We awarded Late Night With The Devil 4/5 in our review.

I hold my hands up here. I am cheating a little with this entry. The Coffee Table actually hit the festival circuit back in 2022 but it is seeing a wider release this year so I am including it. Otherwise, how would I get to talk, once more, about what a great movie this is? Coming by way of Spain, The Coffee Table follows struggling couple Jesús and Maria who have, after many years of trying, recently had a baby. Looking to decorate their new apartment, Jesús gets to pick the coffee table. The only problem is that Maria thinks it is hideous. Nevertheless, Jesús gets his way. Little realising the hell his choice is about to unleash.

The Coffee Table is a clever, tight, self contained, movie that takes place over the course of one day. And, while it doesn’t sound particularly interesting. Just exactly what happens over those few short hours is absolutely horrifying. Jesús could never have imagined his choice of furniture would have caused such a disaster. And the way writers Cases and Cristina Borobia handle it makes for one of the most shocking, uncomfortable, witty, hilarious and entertaining horror movies in years. Dark comedy horror fans should be absolutely lapping this movie up. It’s brilliant stuff and there is a good chance you will be hoping the slightly lacklustre ending never comes. It’s just that enjoyable. We awarded The Coffee Table 4/5 in our review.

Damian Mc Carthy’s Oddity is the only movie that I could put in the number one spot. Not only do I think it is the best horror movie, so far, in 2024. I also think it is one of the better horror movies in the past few years. It follows the story of a blind woman, Darcy, who also happens to be a psychic medium. After her sister was brutally murdered, Darcy spends the night at the location of her killing. Hoping to use her powers to uncover the sinister truth behind what really happened.

Everything about this movie is stellar. It is slow moving, relentlessly atmospheric, and creepy from start to finish. It is one of the only slow moving horror movies I have watched that provoked numerous gasps and jumps from the cinema audience. Expertly blending themes of crime based horror with regional mythology, the paranormal and the supernatural. Oddity performs a balancing act that many other horror movies should be very jealous of.

Despite the rather predictable plot. It’s one of those horrors that draws you in and doesn’t let you go until the end. Mc Carthy’s brilliantly brooding style, first shown off in the enjoyable Caveat, is fully refined here. Making for a legitimately unsettling atmosphere throughout and, even, a few good jump scares here and there. Carolyn Bracken (You Are Not My Mother) is fantastic. The uncanny wooden man character is a future horror icon and the movie doesn’t let up for a second. Awesome stuff and my favourite film this year. We awarded Oddity 4.2/5 in our review and I don’t see it being topped this year.

Thanks for Reading!

So that’s 2024’s 10 Best Horror Movies So Far. Obviously your list may differ from mine and I am definitely missing a few fan favourites. But, hopefully, this list can introduce you to one or two movies you might have missed. I would love for you to stick around so why not check out some more Horror Movie Reviews, Horror Movie Lists, and Ending Explained Articles? Take care and I will, hopefully, see you again soon.