Best Horror Films of 2023 (2024)

2023 was a rough year for entertainment due to the writer and actors' strikes that were going on early in 2023. Many productions were shut down or postponed. Some finished projects weren't allowed to be advertised or released. That said, even with the challenges, 2023 saw the release of some of the best horror movies of the last few years.

Some of the most iconic horror films of the last decade were released this year. Saw X shocked fans and skeptics, Scream VI lifted Ghostface to an even higher standard, and Talk to Me turned out to be one of the most original horror films of the 2020s. To round out 2023, fans and critics alike have compiled lists of the best of the best.

10 The Pope’s Exorcist Had an Excellent Cast

The Pope's Exorcist

R

Horror

Thriller

Follow Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's leading exorcist, as he investigates the possession of a child and uncovers a conspiracy the Vatican has tried to keep secret.

Release Date

April 14, 2023

Director

Julius Avery

Cast

Russell Crowe , Daniel Zovatto , Alex Essoe , Franco Nero

Runtime

103 minutes

Main Genre

Horror

• The movie was released on April 14, 2023
• IMDb rates The Pope's Exorcist a 6.1 out of 10
• Although the film received mixed reviews, its unique approach to the exorcism sub-genre and excellent cast helped it stand out

The Pope’s Exorcist is a surprising film that proves exorcism movies aren't dead just yet. Unfortunately, The Exorcist: Believer did not live up to the hype and expectations of The Exorcist franchise, but The Pope's Exorcist shined where Believer fumbled. The Pope’s Exorcist follows the chief Vatican exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth, as he visits an old church in the middle of a refurbishment. The church fell into the hands of an innocent family unaware of the evils buried beneath the building.

What makes The Pope’s Exorcist so interesting is that it's based on the real exorcisms performed by Father Amorth. Needless to say, as Hollywood often does, the movie took a lot of creative liberties with the man's life, but Father Amorth was a real exorcist who performed over 100,000 exorcisms in his lifetime.

9 Knock at the Cabin Was a Classic Shyamalan Film

Knock at the Cabin

R

Mystery

Thriller

While vacationing, a girl and her parents are taken hostage by armed strangers who demand that the family make a choice to avert the apocalypse.

Release Date

February 3, 2023

Director

M. Night Shyamalan

Cast

Dave Bautista , Rupert Grint , Kristen Cui , Jonathan Groff , Ben Aldridge , Nikki Amuka-Bird , Abby Quinn

Runtime

100 minutes

Main Genre

Horror

Writers

M. Night Shyamalan

• The movie was released on February 3, 2023
• IMDb rates Knock at the Cabin a 6.1 out of 10
• This M. Night Shyamalan film combines all the elements of a home invasion with the end of the world

Knock at the Cabin is a 2023 M. Night Shyamalan horror film based on the 2018 novel "The Cabin at the End of the World" by Paul G. Tremblay. This film features a couple vacationing in a remote cabin with their young daughter. Their lakeside vacation is supposed to let them escape the rest of the world for a while, but everything takes a turn for the worst when a group of four strangers invades their vacation home.

The invaders don't want to harm the family, they simply imprison them and keep them from leaving the cabin. These home invaders claim that the world is going to end within 24 hours. The family must choose to sacrifice one member of their family to save the rest of humanity. One by one, the invaders kill themselves as the family refuses to make a choice. These invaders are thought to be the Four Horsem*n of the Apocalypse. The longer the family waits to make a decision, the more human lives are lost.

8 No One Will Save You Was a Twisted Take on A Quiet Place

No One Will Save You

PG-13

Sci-Fi

Thriller

An exiled anxiety-ridden homebody must battle an alien who's found its way into her home.

Release Date

September 22, 2023

Director

Brian Duffield

Cast

Kaitlyn Dever , Ginger Cressman , Zack Duhame , Geraldine Singer

Runtime

1 Hour 33 Minutes

Main Genre

Horror

Writers

Brian Duffield

Producer

Allan Mandelbaum, Tim White, Trevor White, Brian Duffield

Production Company

20th Century Studios, Star Thrower Entertainment

• The movie was released on September 19, 2023
• IMDb rates No One Will Save You a 6.3 out of 10
• No One Will Save You is a Hulu original that received a limited theatrical release and is available for streaming right now

No One Will Save You is an alien invasion film that runs in a similar vein to A Quiet Place. A Quiet Place tells the story of otherworldly monsters invading Earth and forcing the surviving population to drastically change how they live. The monsters are blind, so they rely on their sense of hearing to find prey. This forces humanity to live in absolute silence. There's barely any dialogue in A Quiet Place and No One Will Save You followed in its footsteps. Only about five words are ever spoken in No One Will Save You.

No One Will Save You is almost entirely silent, and it tells the story of a woman living alone after the townspeople shut her out. Brynn, the main character, survives a home invasion unlike any other. A humanoid alien breaks into her home and uses its power to subdue her. She manages to kill it, but it renders all of her electronics useless. When she finally makes it back to town, she realizes that she's not the only victim of these gruesome attacks.

7 Renfield Looked at Dracula From a New Perspective

Renfield (2023)

R

Comedy

Fantasy

Renfield, Dracula's henchman and inmate at the lunatic asylum for decades, longs for a life away from the Count, his various demands, and all of the bloodshed that comes with them.

Release Date

April 14, 2023

Director

Chris McKay

Cast

Nicolas Cage , Nicholas Hoult , Awkwafina , Ben Schwartz

Runtime

1 hour 33 minutes

Main Genre

Horror

Writers

Ryan Ridley , Robert Kirkman

Production Company

Universal Pictures, Skybound Entertainment

• The movie was released on April 14, 2023
• IMDb rates Renfield a 6.4 out of 10
• Although Renfield didn't bring in ticket sales, most viewers who saw the movie have nothing but praise for it

Renfield is a modern adaptation of Bram Stoker's "Dracula". There are a few elements that make this Dracula adaptation stand out from the rest, the first being that it takes place in the present day. It also makes Dracula a supporting character because the story focuses on Renfield, Dracula's servant who's bound to Dracula against his will. Not to mention, Dracula is portrayed by Nic Cage, who delivers a deliciously unhinged version of the infamous vampire.

The movie tells the story of Renfield trying to break free of Dracula's control. He's tired of being bound to the heinous vampire, and he wants to live his own life where he can be whatever he wants to be. Renfield's tired of committing unspeakable acts just to keep his master fed.

6 M3GAN Was an Instant Horror Icon

M3GAN

PG-13

Sci-Fi

Thriller

A robotics engineer at a toy company builds a life-like doll that begins to take on a life of its own.

Release Date

January 6, 2023

Director

Gerald Johnstone

Cast

Amie Donald , Kimberley Crossman , Allison Williams , Ronny Chieng , Violet McGraw , Brian Jordan Alvarez

Runtime

1 Hour 42 Minutes

Main Genre

Horror

Writers

Akela Cooper , James Wan

Cinematographer

Peter McCaffrey, Simon Raby

Producer

Jason Blum, James Wan, Michael Clear, Couper Samuelson

Production Company

Blumhouse Productions, Atomic Monster Productions, Divide/Conquer

Sfx Supervisor

Sven Harens

• The movie was released on January 6, 2023
• IMDb rates M3GAN a 6.4 out of 10
• M3GAN became a horror icon the second her trailer dropped. Fans didn't even need to see the movie before they fell in love with her.

M3GAN is one of the most iconic horror films of 2023. Rotten Tomatoes rates the movie 93% with a Certified Fresh seal of approval. M3GAN went viral before the movie ever came out thanks to the iconic and uncomfortable dance displayed in the original trailer. M3GAN also had an ongoing beef with Chucky on Twitter, which helped garner even more attention to the upcoming evil doll film.

M3GAN combines all the horror of the evil doll trope with all the uncomfortable realism of a rogue AI becoming too independent. Originally, M3GAN was created to be an advanced toy that can act as a child's companion and caregiver. To test her, Gemma, M3GAN's inventor, gives her to her niece, Cady. When M3GAN takes her orders to protect Cady to the extreme, Gemma begins worrying that M3GAN is the culprit behind multiple murders.

5 Scream VI Was The Latest Installment of the Legendary Franchise

Scream VI

7

10

R

Horror

Mystery

Thriller

In the next installment, the survivors of the Ghostface killings leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter in New York City.

Release Date

March 10, 2023

Director

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin , Tyler Gillett

Cast

Courtney Cox , Melissa Barrera , Jenna Ortega

Runtime

2 hours 2 minutes

• The movie was released on March 10, 2023
• IMDb rates Scream VI a 6.5 out of 10
• Scream VI was one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2023 and it didn't disappoint

After 2022's Scream did so well, Scream VI became one of the most highly anticipated horror films of the decade. Scream 2022 did a fantastic job of blending classic Scream characters with a new cast of characters, all while keeping in the theme of the Ghostface killer meta-commentary. Even though Scream 2022 killed off fan-favorite Dewy, fans were obsessed and couldn't wait to see the next installment.

Scream VI is a direct sequel to Scream 2022, and it continues the Core Four's story after their original showdown with Ghostface. Sam, Tara, Chad, and Mindy all move to New York City, so the latter three can attend college. Unfortunately, Ghostface follows them to the Big Apple. The film is a love letter to Scream 2, while also being a unique film that left fans cheering. The franchise immediately green-lit Scream 7. Unfortunately, Melissa Barrera, Sam's actress, was wrongfully terminated by the studio after posting some comments in support of Gaza. Since Barrera's termination, Jenna Ortega, Tara's actor, has left the project. Director Christopher Landon also followed the two actresses out, so the future of Scream 7 is anyone's guess right now.

4 Totally Killer Combines Time Travel and Horror in a Perfect Mash-Up

Totally Killer

Comedy

Slasher

When the infamous "Sweet Sixteen Killer" returns 35 years after his first murder spree to claim another victim, 17-year-old Jamie accidentally travels back in time to 1987, determined to stop the killer before he can start.

Release Date

October 6, 2023

Director

Nahnatchka Khan

Cast

Kiernan Shipka , Olivia Holt , Julie Bowen , Conrad Coates

Runtime

106 minutes

Where to watch

Amazon Prime Video

• The movie was released on September 28, 2023
• IMDb rates Totally Killer a 6.5 out of 10
• Totally Killer is a Prime Video original that swung big and hit hard

Totally Killer is a fun twist on the iconic slasher genre. Audiences are introduced to Jamie, a typical teenage girl who wants freedom from her overbearing parents. The only difference is that her parents were survivors of a serial killer when they were teens, which resulted in them both becoming overprotective of their child. Jamie was taught self-defense at a young age and her parents always had her on a short leash because they worried about her safety.

On Halloween night, Jamie goes to a concert with her friend. While Jamie's out of the house, her mother stays home to pass out Halloween candy. Unfortunately, the Sweet 16 Killer turns up to finish the job and succeeds in killing Jamie's mother. This sends Jamie's world spiraling, but she gets a chance to save her mother when she's accidentally transported back in time. Teaming up with her teenage mother, the teens must find a way to expose the killer before it's too late.

3 Evil Dead Rise Was an Excellent Reboot of a Classic Franchise

Evil Dead Rise

7

10

R

Horror

A twisted tale of two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.

Release Date

April 21, 2023

Director

Lee Cronin

Cast

Mirabai Pease , Richard Crouchley , Alyssa Sutherland , Nell Fisher

Runtime

96 minutes

Main Genre

Horror

• The movie was released on April 21, 2023
• IMDb rates Evil Dead Rise a 6.5 out of 10
• Evil Dead Rise is both a sequel and a reboot of the original Evil Dead

Evil Dead Rise is a brutal and fast-paced horror film where most of the main cast don't survive. The film decided to take a more serious approach to the Necronomicon and the Deadites. Although the movie does act as a reboot of the Evil Dead franchise, it's also a sequel. It doesn't undo or negate anything that happened in the earlier films, it just builds upon it.

Evil Dead Rise focuses on a new Necronomicon. According to the film, it's one of three books with similar powers. A teenage boy finds it hidden under his condemned apartment building after an earthquake splits the foundation. Believing it might be worth some money, he takes it and a few accessories, unknowing of the horror he's about to unleash on his family. The Deadites are unrelenting, not only destroying most of the family but most of the residents of the apartment building too.

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2 Saw X Brought the Saw Films Back to the Basics

Saw X

R

Mystery

Thriller

A sick and desperate John travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable.

Release Date

September 29, 2023

Director

Kevin Greutert

Cast

Shawnee Smith , Michael Beach , Tobin Bell , Synnøve Macody Lund

Runtime

1 Hour 58 Minutes

Main Genre

Horror

Writers

Pete Goldfinger , Josh Stolberg

Production Company

Aldea M Estudios, Corazón Films, Lions Gate Films

• The movie was released on September 29, 2023
• IMDb rates Saw X a 6.6 out of 10
• Saw X has received high praise from fans as being the breath of fresh air the franchise needed

Saw X is the latest installment in the Saw franchise, and before it hit theaters, people had already written it off. Even hardcore Saw fans have to admit that the franchise has been rapidly going downhill for some time now. So, when Saw X came out and wowed audiences, viewers were left speechless. What made Saw X turn out so well in comparison to other recent installments is that it took the franchise back to the basics and revisited John Kramer and Amanda, Jigsaw, and his fan-favorite apprentice.

Saw X went back to everything that fans loved about the franchise to begin with and it worked. Many fans have hopes for the future of the franchise. Unfortunately, Saw X did go back to explore more about characters who are already dead, so it remains unseen if the franchise will be able to bring the same magic to new characters.

1 Talk To Me is the Continuation of A24's Legendary Horror Streak

Talk to Me

R

Horror

Thriller

When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.

Release Date

July 28, 2023

Director

Danny Philippou , Michael Philippou

Cast

Sophie Wilde , Joe Bird , Alexandra Jensen , Otis Dhanji

Runtime

94 minutes

Main Genre

Horror

• The movie was released on July 28, 2023
• IMDb rates Talk To Me a 7.1 out of 10
• Talk To Me is an A24 film that many fans believe rivals the legendary 2018 film, Hereditary

Talk To Me is an A24 film that stands out from the rest. Since this American independent entertainment company was founded in 2012, it's put out some of the best modern horror films, including Hereditary and Midsommar. This movie is about a group of teens who get their hands on a strange artifact. This artifact is a fake arm and hand covered in strange writing and other markings. When a person holds the hand in theirs, it opens a gate between the living and the dead. The dead can temporarily inhabit the body, but if they aren't forced out quickly, the person may not be able to get rid of them.

At first, this seems like a fun party game, but when protagonist Mia becomes addicted to it in search of her dead mother's spirit, things take a turn for the worst. Mia becomes connected to the realm of the dead and spirits harass her. She begins experiencing things that aren't happening, which leads to some horrible misfortunes and an ultimate sacrifice that must be paid.