The Best Horror Movies of 2024 – 10 Scares You Need to Watch

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What a Year!

2024 has been an absolutely fantastic year for horror. It felt, for a moment there, as if a new horror hit was releasing every couple of weeks. It wasn’t just big releases, either. We had a whole bunch of low budget films that punched way above their weight.

This list acts as, something, of a continuation to my September list of 2024’s 10 Best Horror Movies So Far. Naturally, some things have moved around. A couple of movies have found themselves higher on the list while a couple have dropped out completely.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the Top 10 Horror Movies of 2024 – In my opinion. Remember, your choices will, likely, be different. These are just the films that resonated with me the most in 2024. I should add that a glaring omission is Heretic which would be right near the top if I redid this list. I just watched it a little too late to include it.

🏆 At a Glance: The Top 5 Horror Movies of 2024

10. Longlegs (2024) – Hail Satan?

Why We Loved It: It’s still a very watchable movie. Playing out like a Temu version of The Silence of the Lambs. It isn’t nearly as scary as people suggest and it feels a bit formulaic but Longlegs still has a compelling enough story to make it a decent film. Cage is on fine form, as well, and is always fun.

Knockout Verdict: Not quite the G.O.A.T., but still great.

Holy shit, was this movie ever hyped up to a ridiculous level? Longlegs is a perfect example of a movie that is, sort of, doomed from the start. Following the story of FBI agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe) pursuing the notorious serial killer Longlegs (Nicolas Cage). This is a film that was always going to struggle to live up to the fanfare.

I don’t think it lives up to the hype. It’s nowhere near as scary as people suggested and it’s not all that original, either. That’s without mentioning the ridiculous claims that Nic Cage was “unrecognisable” here. This is classic Cage in all his screaming, rambling, overacting, glory but we love him for that. We awarded Longlegs 3.5/5 in our review.

9. Smile 2 (2024) – The Show Must Go On

Why We Loved It: Smile 2 doesn’t answer any questions or really build on the backstory in any meaningful way but it is still a great watch. A few decent scares and a sensational performance by Brit actor Naomi Scott make this movie feel worth more than the sum of its parts.

Knockout Verdict: Grin and bear it.

Hideously predictable but still very enjoyable. Smile 2 is, in a nutshell, more of the same as pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) finds herself the next victim of the smile curse in this horror sequel. This movie plays out in, almost, exactly the same way as its predecessor.

Smile 2 is not trying to break any new ground but it really refines what worked so well about this formula. It’s more tense and it plays around with time in a deeper way keeping you off base throughout. It’s one of the better Hollywood horror movies in a long time. We awarded Smile 2 3.5/5 in our review.

8. Lowlifes (2024) – Southern Discomfort

Why We Loved It: Lowlifes presents itself as one thing before switching to become something completely different. Subverting expectations and offering up one of the more fun horror movies of the year. Lowlifes is hilarious, vicious, clever, and compelling throughout. A genuine surprise and the best of a couple of great Tubi originals in 2024.

Knockout Verdict: Tubi or not Tubi? Definitely Tubi.

Yes, it’s true! We live in a world where a Tubi original is part of my top 10 horror movies of the year. Lowlifes follows a family on a road trip finding themselves stranded and having to spend the night with a family from a small rural community. Little do they realise that the night is about to become host to a bloodbath. We awarded Lowlifes 3.5/5 in our review.

7. In A Violent Nature (2024) – A Walk to Remember

Why We Loved It: In a Violent Nature subverts expectation by placing us as companions to the killer. We no longer follow the victims in waiting; instead, we watch our plodding maniac as he slowly makes his way from one poor soul to the next. Tearing up flesh and crushing bones as he goes. I just love how unique and fresh it feels. That’s without mentioning some of the most brutal slasher kills ever.

Knockout Verdict: The ambient slasher.

The first in a number of fantastic Shudder originals from 2024. In a Violent Nature takes the slasher genre and flips it on its head in a much needed update to the formula. This movies sees us following along with a, once dead, serial killer as he attempts to retrieve a necklace stolen from his resting site by a group of people.

Filmed in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio for that gorgeous 80’s slasher style; this movie’s aesthetic beauty masks what is some of the most visceral, horror, violence you will see this year. Some hate the amount of walking in this movie, some dislike the slow pace. We awarded In a Violent Nature 3.5/5 but, secretly, loved it even more than that.

6. Abigail (2024) – Tiny Dancer, Big Teeth

Why We Loved It: Bringing some much needed energy to the vampire sub-genre. Abigail feels like horror for the TikTok generation but is still a ton of fun. This is just an easy to watch movie with some brilliant action, a few laughs and an easy to digest plot. I enjoyed this but always suspected I would. A great option for fans of M3gan.

Knockout Verdict: Playing with your food.

There were so many great horror movies this year that I almost feel a little silly talking about action horror Abigail. Directed by the team behind the more recent Scream sequels. Abigail kicked the year off in style as it sees a criminal gang kidnapping a little girl who isn’t quite as vulnerable as she seems. We awarded Abigail 3.8/5 in our review.

5. Late Night With The Devil (2024) – The Ratings are Killer

Why We Loved It: It could be said that Late Night With the Devil fills that niche that fits somewhere between Ghost Watch and found footage. It’s not going to appeal to everyone because it is so strange. With that being said, it is consistently entertaining, quite funny, and very different from most of what released in 2024. Definitely worth checking out.

Knockout Verdict: Don’t touch that dial.

We have another Shudder original opening up our top five. Late Night With The Devil tells the story of television presenter Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) and the horrifying events that took place on his live, late night, talk show on Halloween in 1977. Late Night With the Devil is a fairly novel concept. Playing out as part mockumentary and part historical footage from the show’s recording.

This movie is not like anything else on this list. It’s, genuinely, like watching an episode of a talk show that goes horribly wrong thanks to some supernatural shenanigans. In a world of formulaic horror, this movie does things very differently. We awarded Late Night With The Devil 4/5 in our review.

4. Speak No Evil (2024) – Be Polite, Don’t Die

Why We Loved It: A revised ending makes for a more satisfying, if not slightly more Hollywood, conclusion to this one. But it the fabulous performance of James McAvoy and a biting, witty, script that elevate this version to “must watch” status. Some are going to hate the changes, some will much prefer the rectifying of issues that people had with the original. I think both are great in their own right.

Knockout Verdict: House guests from hell.

I was not expecting to enjoy Speak No Evil as much as I did. I, certainly, wasn’t expecting to be including it in my list of Top 10 Horror Movies of 2024. This remake of Christian Tafdrup’s 2022 movie of the same name is almost identical, bar a switched up ending.

An American family meet an eccentric British family on holiday. After accepting their invitation to spend a weekend at their house. The family soon realise that things may not be quite as they seem. Expect awkward interactions, intense confrontations and a fast paced finale in James Watkins’, arguably, superior reimagining. We awarded Speak No Evil 4/5 in our review.

3. Nosferatu (2024) – The Shadow of Death

Why We Loved It: Eggers wowed with the brilliant horror movies The Witch and The Lighthouse but Nosferatu feels like his most self assured outing, yet. This is Eggers with his hands deep in his bag. Pulling out a refined and calculated horror that, in a lot of ways, makes for the perfect continuation to his horror movie catalogue.

Knockout Verdict: A symphony of horror.

You know this one was going to be here, right? The question was, would it be number 1 or 2. Well, as great as this movie is, it isn’t my favourite of 2024. In fact, it isn’t even my second favourite and, after a little more deliberation, I have moved Nosferatu from the second place spot to the third. Roger Eggers’ remake of the 1922 German silent movie classic follows the same story. As a haunted young woman (Lily-Rose Depp) is stalked by the hideous vampire Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård).

It is dark, horrifying, quite scary and, aesthetically, breath taking. Special mention has to go to Lily Rose Depp’s stellar performance, as well. There are issues, however, and an argument could be made that it doesn’t quite live up to the hype. Parts of the movie drag and the story can feel heavy handed, at times. Still a fantastic movie from one of the most brilliant horror talents in years. Our review is upcoming.

2. Oddity (2024) – A Haunted Heirloom

Why We Loved It: Oddity is one of those rare movies that does practically everything right. There is tons of atmosphere, some genuine scares, the perfect amount of comedy and a captivating, compelling, story to keep you interested. It is, legitimately, brilliant and one of my favourite horror movies in years. Mc Carthy has managed to get so much out of so little.

Knockout Verdict: Wooden you like to know.

This one came, completely, out of nowhere. Damian Mc Carthy’s Oddity follows the story of blind, psychic, medium Dani (Carolyn Bracken) as she attempts to uncover the secret behind her twin sister’s murder. Full disclosure, I had Oddity at number three but a recent rewatch forced me to move it up to number two; it really is that good.

Turning a legitimately minimalist story and presentation into a haunting and affecting tale that will stay with you long after watching. It’s a shame that Oddity released in a year with so many great movies because it might get lost in the shuffle, a little. Hell, if it wasn’t for the movie at the top of our list, it would be running away with the number one spot. We awarded Oddity 4.2/5 in our review.

1. The Substance (2024) – Perfection Has a Price

Why We Loved It: This movie is absolutely nuts. From the start right through to the insanely uproarious ending, it never lets up. Amazing body horror, incredible direction, a hilarious script, brilliant performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, gruesome practical effects and a consistently captivating story make this a movie like no other.

Knockout Verdict: Inject it into my veins.

The Substance is another movie that came out of nowhere. Following the story of washed up actress Elizabeth (Demi Moore). This movie sees our protagonist being offered a secret substance that will create a younger, better, version of herself for a few days at a time. As long as Elizabeth follows the rules, everything will be fine. If she doesn’t, however, the consequences will be both grotesque and dire.

Just look at the noise it is making at award shows for further proof. The Substance is legitimately brilliant. Coralie Fargeat hasn’t cut a single corner in her hyper sexed up, hyper nasty, horror masterpiece. Fargeat makes no apologies, either. You are going to be dragged along on this wild ride whether you like it or not. I have a sneaking suspicion you will like it, though. The Substance is not just our favourite horror movie of 2024, it is one of the best horror movies in a long time. We awarded The Substance 4.5/5 in our review. Amazing stuff!

2024: A Vintage Year for Horror

So there you have it, my Top 10 Horror Movies of 2024. It was a year that saw the return of practical effects, the rise of Shudder and Tubi originals, and Nicolas Cage screaming his head off. Whether you prefer the quiet dread of Oddity or the loud, visceral body horror of The Substance, there really was something for everyone.

If you enjoyed this list, please stick around. We have plenty more horror movie lists to check out, or you can dive into our latest horror reviews. Thanks for reading Knockout Horror!

🏆 Quick Picks: The Best Horror Movies of 2024 by Vibe

The “Instant Classic” Pick: The Substance (2024)
For when you want to see the year’s undisputed masterpiece. It is loud, gross, funny, and visually stunning. If you only watch one horror movie from 2024, make it this one.

The “Lights On” Pick: Oddity (2024)
For when you actually want to be scared. It relies on atmosphere and dread rather than cheap jump scares. That wooden mannequin will haunt your nightmares.

The “Fun Night In” Pick: Abigail (2024)
For when you want popcorn entertainment. It’s an action-packed vampire flick with plenty of gore and laughs. Perfect for a Friday night on the sofa.

The “Ambient Slasher” Pick: In a Violent Nature (2024)
For the gorehounds. It strips away the plot and focuses entirely on the killer’s perspective. It features some of the most creative and brutal kills of the decade.

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