Top 10 Horror Movies from 2024: A Ranked List

Welcome to Ranking Horror. Today we are ranking 2024’s Top 10 Horror Movies.

2024 was an incredible year for horror. One of the best, in fact, and probably as great as 2022. A ton of the movies released in 2024 will still be talked about for years to come. One is even in contention for an Academy Award for best picture. But how do we rank them?

Well, let’s take a look. Keep in mind, this is my own opinion. You will, likely, have your own list and disagree with much of mine. There are even a few movies you may expect to see here but don’t. MaXXXine for example. I will be covering those in another list so stick around.

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

Why it Ranked: Abigail was a bit of a surprise in 2024. Abigail is an absolute horror riot. Completely refreshing the vampire genre and modernising it for the 2020s. Abigail is both funny and entertaining throughout. A witty script and some brilliant set pieces definitely make this one of 2024’s best horror movies.

Synopsis: A group of mercenaries kidnap the ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure. Retreating to an isolated mansion, they unaware that they are locked in with no normal little girl, but a bloodthirsty vampire who begins to hunt them down one by one.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Peacock.

9. Smile 2 (2024) – The Encore

Why it Ranked: Parker Finn’s Smile 2 took everything that the first movie did and made it better. Sure, it is more of the same but when it is this enjoyable, does it really matter? It is predictable and recycles a lot of the first movie’s stuff. But Naomi Scott is sensational and the movie does more than enough to stay entertaining throughout.

Synopsis: About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, she must face her dark past to regain control of her life.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Paramount+.

8. A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) – Silent City

Why it Ranked: Okay, this one may be a little controversial. Viewers expecting an action packed horror with tons of exposition about the origin of the aliens are likely to be disappointed. What A Quiet Place: Day One actually is, is a touching, slow paced, genuinely moving story of people finding purpose in the face of overwhelming chaos and sadness. This is a legitimately surprising and affecting movie and, in my opinion, the best entry into the series.

Synopsis: A young woman named Sam finds herself trapped in New York City during the early stages of an invasion by alien creatures with ultrasonic hearing. Along with her cat, Frodo, she must navigate the silent streets to survive.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Paramount+.

7. Longlegs (2024) – Hail Satan

Why it Ranked: Overhyped? Almost certainly! Still a very good horror movie? Absolutely! Longlegs received a ton of praise in 2024. It also received a certain level of hype that it could never hope to live up to. At its core, it is a movie that shares a lot in common with The Silence of the Lambs. Despite never managing to live up to its inspiration. It is still, a very watchable movie with an against type performance from Nicolas Cage and a brilliant star turn from Maika Monroe. Don’t expect the scariest movie ever and you may really enjoy it.

Synopsis: FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes unexpected turns, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Hulu.

6. Alien: Romulus (2024) – Space Scares

Why it Ranked: Set between 1979’s Alien and 1986’s Aliens. Alien Romulus is a return to one of the greatest horror movie franchises of all time. It’s also something of a return to form for the title. Alien Romulus manages to capture the spirit of the original movies while adding a few new tricks of its own. Romulus really helped to tie together some of the loose ends created by the release of Prometheus. Bringing together the entire series of movies into something a lot more cohesive. It’s also, simply, a great movie in its own right. Retaining the grungy, junky, sci-fi goodness of its predecessors and staying true to what made those movies great.

Synopsis: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Hulu.

5. Heretic (2024) – Question Faith

Why it Ranked: This movie was a big surprise in 2024. Hugh Grant’s fantastic turn as Mr Reed is the against type casting choice that the actor had been longing for. Heretic acts as the perfect vehicle for Grant to try something new and the result is immensely entertaining. It could be argued that the ending slips a little but there is no denying just how fresh and great this movie feels. As well as being, actually, quite scary and tense. Awesome stuff.

Synopsis: Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed, becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

Where to Watch: Streaming on HBO Max.

4. Speak No Evil (2024) – Awkward Guests

Why it Ranked: Eden Lake director James Watkins’ remake of Christian Tafdrup’s 2022 Danish horror hit Speak No Evil managed to do something that most remakes fail at. Improve on the original. I know that is controversial but James McAvoy’s stellar performance and the more cohesive ending add up to a horror package that feels more complete than the original while retaining everything that made it great. Tense, unnerving, weirdly funny, and just a damn good watch. I was hugely surprised by how much I enjoyed Speak No Evil.

Synopsis: A family is invited to spend a whole weekend in a lonely country house, but as the weekend progresses, they realize that a dark side lies within the family who invited them.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Peacock.

3. Nosferatu (2024) – The Gothic Revival

Why it Ranked: A late entry into 2024’s horror inventory. Nosferatu was, probably, not quite as incredible as a lot of people expected it to be. Robert Eggers’ remake of the 1922 silent movie classic is still an absolutely fantastic film. Stunning to look at and another demonstrations of Eggers impeccable ability to make hauntingly beautiful horror movies. Nosferatu just feels like it is lacking something. It certainly wasn’t the best movie last year but still an incredible effort with tons to praise including breath-taking visuals, a consistently creepy atmosphere and a brilliant performance by Lily-Rose Depp.

Synopsis: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Peacock.

2. Oddity (2024) – Cursed Objects

Why it Ranked: Oddity completely came out of nowhere in 2024 to give our number one movie a serious run for its money. Funny, creepy, tense, compelling and, above all, scary. Oddity does almost everything right and builds on the horror crafting talent that Damian Mc Carthy demonstrated with the earlier Caveat. The seamless combination of horror movie and whodunit keeps you engaged throughout. While the suitably terrifying Wooden Man will have you watching with baited breath. Awesome stuff and only narrowly beaten by our movie at 1.

Synopsis: A blind medium uncovers the truth behind her sister’s death with the help of a frightening wooden mannequin. She goes to the house where her sister died to confront the husband and his new girlfriend.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Shudder and AMC+.

1. The Substance (2024) – Body Horror Masterpiece

Why it Ranked: Could it possibly be anything else at number one? I can’t think of a single other title on this list that came close to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar but that’s what Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance has achieved. This isn’t just a great horror movie. It is a great movie, full stop. One of those rare moments where a horror manages to cross over into the mainstream and receive huge critical praise. Demi Moore is fantastic, the script is pitch perfect., the body horror elements are utterly stomach churning, and the ending is one of the weirdest and most brilliant in horror history. People will be talking about The Substance in 20 years – it is an immensely great film.

Synopsis: A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself. However, the balance between the two selves must be maintained strictly, and failure to do so results in horrifying consequences.

Where to Watch: Streaming on Mubi and HBO Max.

Here’s to 2025!

Thanks for reading our “Best of 2024” list! It’s rare to get a year with so many instant horror classics, from blockbuster hits to indie masterpieces. If you enjoyed the list, be a star and give it a share. Here’s hoping 2025 can keep up! Thanks for spending your time at Ranking Horror.

🏆 Quick Picks: 2024’s Best Horror

• 💉 The Masterpiece: The Substance (2024)
• 🪵 The Indie Scare: Oddity (2024)
• 🧛‍♂️ The Gothic Epic: Nosferatu (2024)
• 🙊 The Uncomfortable Thriller: Speak No Evil (2024)
• 👽 The Sci-Fi Horror: Alien: Romulus (2024)