19 Bone-Chilling Masterpieces: The Best Horror Movies of the 21st Century

1. Freaky 2020，IMDB Rating: 6.3, IMDB Votes: 73744, ID: 10919380
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Freaky, directed by Christopher Landon, is a delightful blend of comedy and horror. The film’s premise of a body-swap between a high school girl and a notorious serial killer is both engaging and inventive. The performances by Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton are commendable, with Newton’s portrayal of a wallflower-turned-psychopath being particularly noteworthy. Despite its gore, the film manages to deliver laughs and make astute observations on gender norms and sexuality. It’s a fun, frisky, and nostalgic ride that’s worth watching.
2. The Exorcism of Emily Rose 2005，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 141106, ID: 0404032
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The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a compelling fusion of courtroom drama and exorcism horror. The film, directed by Scott Derrickson, explores the intriguing case of a priest accused of murder after a girl dies during an exorcism. The film’s strength lies in its exploration of complex moral dilemmas and its ability to create a sense of dread and unease. The performances, particularly by Jennifer Carpenter, are commendable. Despite its unsettling theme, the film manages to engage the audience with its thought-provoking narrative and chilling atmosphere.
3. Don’t Breathe 2016，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 304496, ID: 4160708
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Don’t Breathe is a gripping thriller that masterfully plays with audience loyalty. The film, directed by Fede Alvarez, revolves around a trio of teens who attempt to rob a blind man, only to find themselves trapped and fighting for their lives. The film’s strength lies in its ability to create a claustrophobic atmosphere and maintain a high level of suspense throughout. The performances, especially by Stephen Lang and Jane Levy, are exceptional, adding depth to the film. Despite its few flaws, Don’t Breathe is a truly terrifying film that leaves a lasting impression.
4. Sinister 2012，IMDB Rating: 6.8, IMDB Votes: 284253, ID: 1922777
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Sinister is a chilling horror film that effectively uses the trope of found footage to create a sense of dread. The film follows a true-crime author who stumbles upon a box of disturbing home movies that plunge him into a nightmarish investigation. Director Scott Derrickson skillfully balances horror and mystery, keeping the audience on edge throughout the film. Ethan Hawke delivers a strong performance as the obsessed author, adding a layer of depth to the film. Despite its gruesome content, Sinister stands out for its compelling narrative and its exploration of the dark side of obsession.
5. Kairo 2001，IMDB Rating: 6.5, IMDB Votes: 26146, ID: 0286751
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Kairo, also known as Pulse, is a haunting J-horror film that delves into themes of isolation and despair. The film’s premise, involving a mysterious website that induces a sense of despair in its visitors, is both intriguing and unsettling. Director Kiyoshi Kurosawa masterfully uses light and shadow to create a sense of dread, making the audience feel the characters’ fear and loneliness. Despite its dark theme, Kairo manages to engage the audience with its thought-provoking narrative and its exploration of the impact of technology on human connections.
6. Under the Skin 2013，IMDB Rating: 6.3, IMDB Votes: 159948, ID: 1441395
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A visually stunning and deeply unsettling film, ‘Under the Skin’ is a unique blend of science fiction and horror. Scarlett Johansson’s performance as a mysterious woman luring men into a fatal mating dance is both captivating and chilling. The film’s exploration of gender roles and the power of lust makes it a thought-provoking watch.
7. Inland Empire 2006，IMDB Rating: 6.8, IMDB Votes: 62996, ID: 0460829
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‘Inland Empire’ is a complex and challenging film that pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Its surreal narrative and unsettling tone make it a unique horror experience. The film’s exploration of identity and reality is deeply thought-provoking, marking it as a standout in 21st-century horror.
8. Halloween II 2009，IMDB Rating: 4.8, IMDB Votes: 60202, ID: 1311067
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Rob Zombie’s ‘Halloween II’ is a brutal and visceral take on the classic slasher franchise. Its exploration of trauma and violence is deeply unsettling. Despite some narrative shortcomings, the film’s intense gore and disturbing imagery make it a memorable entry in 21st-century horror.
9. Get Out 2017，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 713755, ID: 5052448
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‘Get Out’ is a groundbreaking horror film that brilliantly weaves social critique into its narrative. Its exploration of racial tensions is both thought-provoking and terrifying. The film’s blend of horror and satire, along with its fresh and sharp storytelling, makes it one of the best horror films of the 21st century.
10. Hereditary 2018，IMDB Rating: 7.3, IMDB Votes: 387578, ID: 7784604
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Hereditary, directed by Ari Aster, is a chilling horror film that sustains a throb of dread throughout its first 90 minutes, and its final 30 are off-the-rails in the best way. Toni Collette stars as Annie Graham, an artist and mother who’s coping with the death of her mother. The film is praised for its classic setup and unsettling horror. It’s a must-watch for those who appreciate intelligent and subtle horror.
11. The Babadook 2014，IMDB Rating: 6.8, IMDB Votes: 250213, ID: 2321549
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The Babadook, directed by Jennifer Kent, is a horror film that is both a relentless psychological thriller with heavy primal stuff on its mind and a full-throttle slam-bang scare-fest. It’s about a family dealing with grief and the challenges of single parenting. The film is praised for its unique premise and refusal of modern horror gimmicks. It’s a film that strays away from cheap thrills, and taps into something real; true human fear, grief, anxiety, and depression.
12. It Follows 2014，IMDB Rating: 6.8, IMDB Votes: 273245, ID: 3235888
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It Follows is a brilliantly made, elegant horror film, with real psychological depth. It’s a film that works on multiple levels and leaves a lingering sting. The plot is not complex, but it’s still a very enjoyable, stand-alone film. It’s a modern horror film that thrills you throughout your whole body.
13. A Quiet Place 2018，IMDB Rating: 7.5, IMDB Votes: 598020, ID: 6644200
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A Quiet Place, directed by John Krasinski, is a nerve-shredder. It’s a movie designed to make you an active participant in a game of tension, not just a passive observer in an unfolding horror. It’s a no-nonsense, lean movie—the best kind when it comes to thrillers. It’s a film that quickens the heart rate and plays with the expectations of the audience, while never treating them like idiots.
14. The VVitch: A New-England Folktale 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 306372, ID: 4263482
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The VVitch: A New-England Folktale is a unique film indeed, but it felt too long, and slow-paced for its little content, with a lot of disposable scenes and too vague outcomes. It’s a film that stirs you, challenges you, and gives you some of the best performances you’re likely to find this year. It’s a film that works as well as it does because its creators keep viewers at arm’s length.
15. Busanhaeng 2016，IMDB Rating: 7.6, IMDB Votes: 264340, ID: 5700672
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Busanhaeng, also known as Train to Busan, is a South Korean horror film that has redefined the zombie genre. The film’s unique take on the genre, with its well-developed characters and social commentary, has been praised. The story revolves around a man and his estranged daughter who become trapped on a speeding train during a zombie outbreak. The film’s ability to create tension and emotion in such a confined space is commendable. It’s a thrilling ride that leaves you on the edge of your seat, making it one of the best horror films of the 21st century.
16. Midsommar 2019，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 414328, ID: 8772262
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Midsommar is a psychedelic horror film that takes viewers on a dizzying journey into a Swedish midsummer festival that turns into a nightmare. The film’s strength lies in its ability to blend horror with beauty, creating a sense of unease that lingers long after the film ends. The daylight horror, the unsettling rituals, and the exploration of relationship dynamics make it a unique entry in the horror genre. Its ability to disturb and provoke thought in equal measure marks it as one of the best horror films of the 21st century.
17. The Descent 2005，IMDB Rating: 7.2, IMDB Votes: 249943, ID: 0435625
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The Descent is a claustrophobic horror film that follows a group of women who become trapped in an uncharted cave system. The film expertly uses its setting to create a sense of dread and fear, with the darkness of the caves serving as a constant threat. The film’s all-female cast delivers strong performances, and the film’s exploration of their relationships adds depth to the horror. The Descent’s ability to create tension and fear in such a confined and oppressive environment makes it a standout in the horror genre of the 21st century.
18. Låt den rätte komma in 2008，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 228071, ID: 1139797
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Låt den rätte komma in, or Let the Right One In, is a Swedish horror film that reinvigorates the vampire genre. The film tells the story of a bullied boy who forms a friendship with a young girl, who turns out to be a vampire. The film’s strength lies in its ability to balance horror with a touching story of friendship. The film’s unique take on the vampire mythos, combined with its exploration of loneliness and connection, make it a standout in the horror genre of the 21st century.
19. The Ring 2002，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 378253, ID: 0298130
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The Ring, a remake of a popular Japanese thriller, presents a chilling tale of a cursed videotape that brings death to anyone who watches it. Despite some critics finding the plot contrived and the ending over-explained, others praised its eerie atmosphere and the tension it sustains. As a fan of classic horror, I found the film’s reliance on psychological fear rather than gore refreshing. It’s a haunting, suspenseful film that leaves a lasting impression.