After seeing what the horror fans knew 2024 had its work cut out for it. Fortunately for audiences, the follow-up year delivered in surprising ways, whether through never-before-seen premises, stunning performances, extreme gore, hilarity, and some of the best kills on the big (or small) screen. Prequels to established franchises and narratives that took big swings paid off for the most part, and indie horror continued to prove itself as important to the genre as mainstream movies.

With the taste in the genre different for every viewer, these horror movies span all kinds of flavors, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. It's too early to determine whether these films will ever be among the best horror movies of all time, but they certainly made the cut for the horror movies that have to be seen in 2024 so far.

10 In A Violent Nature

The indie horror was a hit for IFC Films

In a Violent Nature brilliantly subverts horror expectations by not only centering most of the film's perspective from the killer's point of view, but doing so in a way audiences have never really seen before. Horror movies like American Psycho and The House That Jack Built are among a select few where viewers follow the killer acting as the film's main character. What sets In a Violent Nature apart is that this is a silent slasher taking the reins of the story; viewers have no choice but to follow his steady footsteps and relentless brutality without monologues or justifications.

The result is a raw, increasingly suspenseful, and smart narrative. Johnny, the undead killer, only wants one thing in the movie: to retrieve his dead mother's necklace that was stolen from his grave and wreak bloody vengeance on those who stole it. The premise is simple and effective, working well within classic slasher tropes specifically inspired by Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th. The moments the camera focuses instead on Johnny's victims only increase the tension as the audience never forgets that Johnny is mere feet away, watching and waiting.

For the most part, the gore is not about shock and awe but instead makes the viewers experience the pure rage driving the slasher. ,

In a Violent Nature's ending is the cherry on top of this memorable, haunting film.

9 Immaculate

Sydney Sweeney led and produced the film

Immaculate is arguably Sydney Sweeney's best role yet. She plays the devout Sister Cecilia, who travels to an Italian convent she will now call home. Unfortunately for her, Cecilia does not know about the nun who attempts to escape at the beginning of the film and has her leg viciously snapped or Father Sal Tedeschi's (Álvaro Morte) sinister plans. Within time, Cecilia finds herself pregnant by immaculate conception and supposedly carrying the new Savior. She quickly realizes the convent is not holy and becomes trapped inside its insidious walls before taking extreme measures to escape.

The true horror of Immaculate lies in so-called devout people twisting their religious faith in horrifying and harmful ways; an actual demon is not needed for this story to terrify audiences.

The film smartly ties the big reveal about how Cecilia was impregnated to science and man's hubris instead of a supernatural explanation. The true horror of Immaculate lies in so-called devout people twisting their religious faith in horrifying and harmful ways; an actual demon is not needed for this story to terrify audiences. Some viewers might hesitate to it that Immaculate's shocking ending is also the most appropriate one to close out Cecilia's on-screen journey. She begins the story in a peaceful and hopeful place, only to be forced to end it bloody, violent, and wrathful.

8 Abigail

Alisha Weir is a convincing ballerina vampire

Abigail is the most entertaining horror movie of 2024 overall. It features a strong ensemble led by Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, and Alisha Weir, with every cast member executing their roles perfectly. A group of criminals believe they're in for a big payday after kidnapping a young girl, but their easy babysitting gig turns into a nightmare when it's revealed that the titularly named Abigail is actually a vampire. The night becomes an all-out battle for survival as the group desperately tries to live long enough for the sun to rise; even then, escape is unlikely.

Even the Abigail soundtrack provides a thrilling atmosphere in addition to the movie's mostly one-location setting in the vampire's gorgeous but creepy mansion.

Loosely inspired by 1936's Dracula's Daughter, the film offers multiple twists, plenty of scares, bloody kills, and laugh-out-loud moments. Even the Abigail soundtrack provides a thrilling atmosphere in addition to the movie's mostly one-location setting in the vampire's gorgeous but creepy mansion. Kevin Durand lights up the screen as Peter, the crew's muscle and the movie's pitch-perfect comic relief, followed closely by Kathryn Newton. Abigail is endlessly rewatchable and remains a strong contender for the most fun viewers will have watching a horror movie.

7 Cuckoo

Hunter Schafer's Cuckoo performance makes her a certified scream queen

2024's Cuckoo is another one of the best horror movies of the year, with it standing out from the crowd when it comes to its story, visuals, and tone. The horror film is set at a resort in the German alps, with it moving away from the creepy mansions and abandoned space stations that have been seen in many of the year's other horror films. On top of that, the tone of Cuckoo is wholly unique, with its music and visuals giving the haunting film an almost relaxing tone.

Cuckoo introduces a new type or horror movie monster that hasn't been seen before

Hunter Schafer and Dan Stevens' Cuckoo performances are absolutely fantastic, with their characters being the most memorable part of the film. On top of that Cuckoo introduces a new type or horror movie monster that hasn't been seen before, with its reveal being unqiue and terrifying.

6 Alien: Romulus

One of the franchise's scariest movies yet

After a string of not-so-great Alien movies, almost nobody expected 2024's Alien: Romulus to be one of the best blockbusters of the year. However, Alien: Romulus ended up being a massive hit, with it garnering overwhelming critical praise. The film is one of the few Alien sequels to recapture the atmosphere of Ridley Scott's original, with it being the first Alien film in a long time that is truly scary.

Alien: Romulus' cast is incredible, especially Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson

However, Alien: Romulus has a lot more to offer than just its scares. Alien: Romulus' cast is incredible, especially Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, and the visuals are absolutely gorgeous. Alien: Romulus is probably the best alien film since Aliens, showing just how good the franchise revival is.

5 The First Omen

The Omen prequel explores Damien's birth

The First Omen is a great example of a prequel to a classic horror franchise done right. Set immediately before the beginning of 1976's The Omen, the movie tells the story of Margaret (Nell Tiger Free), who finds herself in Rome ready to take the veil in service of the Catholic Church. After meeting a troubled girl named Carlita (Nicole Sorace), Margaret is ed by Father Brennan (Ralph Ineson) telling her of a dark conspiracy by this particular religious sect. As insidious events and horrific hallucinations plague Margaret, she discovers the truth behind the church's evil plans.

There are fun Easter eggs in The First Omen beyond the presence of Father Brennan, such as a callback to the "It's all for you" scene in the original film

The prequel stays firmly within the tone established by the rest of The Omen franchise. Additionally, there are fun Easter eggs in The First Omen beyond the presence of Father Brennan, such as a callback to the "It's all for you" scene in the original film. In telling a story that directly leads into The Omen, the filmmakers smartly ensured the movie respected continuity as much as possible. That said, they play a little loose in a couple of aspects, but the most important is cleverly explained in a way that doesn't destroy what audiences know about Damien's origin story.

4 I Saw the TV Glow

A surreal coming-of-age tale

I Saw the TV Glow is the most surreal horror drama of 2024 and possibly the most important. Written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun, previously best-known for We're All Going to the World's Fair, the movie centers on Owen (Justice Smith) and his friend Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine). After Maddy introduces Owen to a horror-mystery series called The Pink Opaque, he becomes increasingly obsessed with the show, and his reality starts to blur. The cancelation of The Pink Opaque threatens to shatter Owen's reality completely, and that's only the beginning of the movie's coming-of-age story.

As Owen's journey plays out, the theme of self-discovery and acceptance as a young adult burrows itself into the narrative

As I Saw the TV Glow explores the film's deeper meanings of identity, escapism, childhood obsessions, and the queer experience, Smith shines in a raw, emotional performance. As Owen's journey plays out, the theme of self-discovery and acceptance as a young adult burrows itself into the narrative, and Smith executes Owen's experience skillfully. The ending of the movie promises the potential closing of one chapter and a hopeful opening of another; messages told in surreal environments Schoenbrun excels at.

3 Late Night with the Devil

The found footage style gets an update in this original film

Late Night with the Devil earned the metaphorical award for 2024's most ingenious premise. The film is set up as a found-footage documentary of sorts, only it happens to be a recorded taping of a 1970s late-night talk show hosted by Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian). This particular episode finds Jack desperately attempting to earn high enough viewership to keep his show on the air. His idea is to dedicate the hour to an all-Halloween-themed episode, including communicating with the Devil, who could be possessing a young girl. To say this plan blows up in Jack's face is putting it lightly.

As the movie ramps up and the tension builds, Late Night with the Devil takes its time to explore the timeless argument of skepticism vs. belief, grounding the story in a sense of reality.

Dastmalchian's performance proved him a leading actor, especially in the horror genre. All eyes are on him almost constantly, and he carries the weight effortlessly. As the movie ramps up and the tension builds, Late Night with the Devil takes its time to explore the timeless argument of skepticism vs. belief, grounding the story in a sense of reality. Jack's history, the loss of his wife, and the background of the possessed girl, Lilly (Ingrid Torelli), gives the movie substance as the story heads into a brutal third act that ends in the only way it should have.

2 Longlegs

One of the most mysterious horror films of the year also had an incredibly mysterious marketing campaign, with that being Longlegs. Longlegs trailers and marketing materials led to the film instantly gaining a lot of intrigue, with many eagerly awaiting to see what Nicolas Cage's titular killer looked like. Luckily, when the film was released, it lived up to the hype.

Oz Perkins' horror thriller is one of the director's most popular movies, with it having a career best performance from Maika Monroe and some of the best scares of 2024

The Silence of the Lambs inspired thriller was immensely popular upon its release, with it being a critical and box office success. Oz Perkins' horror thriller is one of the director's most popular movies, with it having a career best performance from Maika Monroe and some of the best scares of 2024.

1 The Substance

Coralie Fargeat's award-winning horror masterpiece

One of the most surprising new films of 2024 is The Substance, with many claiming that it is the best horror film of the year. The movie follows Elisabeth Sparkle, an aging fitness instructor who discovers a serum that promises that she will become her perfect self. However, after breaking the rules, she quickly discovers that the substance has some horrific side effects.

The score and performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley are some of the best of 2024

The Substance is not only one of the best horror movies of the year, but also one of the best movies of the year. The film won Best Screenplay at the 77th Cannes film festival, but the writing isn't the only good part of the film. The score and performances from The Substance are some of the best of 2024, and the cinematography and visual effects are absolutely fantastic. The Substance's usage of body horror and gore to explore its themes is one of the best examples of using horror to explore feminist themes in years, making it the best horror movie of 2024.