100 Best horror movies, according to critics – KAKE

100 best horror movies, according to critics

What makes for a truly great horror movie? Is it the jump scares and buckets of blood? A solid directorial voice? Creativity? Originality? Deeper layers of meaning? These are the questions critics might ask themselves when examining the genre from an analytical perspective. And as one will soon discover, their conclusions arent always tuned in to audience expectations. Nevertheless, critically-acclaimed horror is usually unique in one way or the other, and therefore worth checking out. After all, one can only take so many rote formulas and generic clichs. Right?

On the following list of top-rated horror films, theres a little bit of everything and then some. Movies such as Tigers Are Not Afraid and Under the Shadow juxtapose supernatural terror with real-life atrocities. By contrast, films like Halloween and A Nightmare on Elm Street let the slasher subgenre speak for itself. Alien incorporates sci-fi elements while The Babadook and Rosemarys Baby play upon psychological tropes. Horror comedies like Shaun of the Dead and What We Do in the Shadows have also garnered loyal fanbases.

With these wide-reaching parameters in mind, some might say that horror is more an emotive state than it is an outright genre. Indeed, a taut war drama or compelling sci-fi premise will occasionally render far greater an impression than the standard splatter flick. Of course, dont take that to mean the critics arent game for grindhouse fare, presuming its executed with a certain tier of originality.

To celebrate this genre in all its permutations and possibilities, Stacker compiled data on the top-ranked horror films of all time from Metacritic as of June 30, 2020. Theyre presented here in order of their Metascore, going from low to high. Expect some surprises and not just because audiences didnt always agree with the critical assessments. Here are the best horror movies, according to critics.

#100. Frankenweenie (2012)

- Director: Tim Burton- Metascore: 74- Number of reviews: 38- Runtime: 87 min

Tim Burton remade his own black-and-white short film with this 3D stop-motion animated tale. Offering a clever take on Mary Shelleys Frankenstein, it swaps in a beloved pet dog for the legendary monster. Critics took to the work more than audiences did and it was viewed as a commercial disappointment.

The Associates & Aldrich Company

#99. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

- Director: Robert Aldrich- Metascore: 75- Number of reviews: 15- Runtime: 134 min

With a little push from the FX TV series Feud, this seminal psychodrama continues to shock new audiences. Screen legends Joan Crawford and Bette Davis play two once-famous siblings who are now engaged in a fraughtbut mutually-dependentrelationship. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an score of 92 between both critics and audiences.

#98. The Deeper You Dig (2020)

- Directors: John Adams, Toby Poser- Metascore: 75- Number of reviews: 6- Runtime: 92 min

Married couple Toby Poser and John Adams churned out this nicely economical tale of supernatural vengeance, to quote Variety. Primarily set in the wake of a tragic accident, it chronicles the ongoing conflict between three central characters. The few moviegoers whove seen it seem far less impressed than the critics.

- Director: Darren Aronofsky- Metascore: 75- Number of reviews: 51- Runtime: 121 min

An art film run amok is one way to describe this multi-layered drama, which descends into pure horror as the story unfolds. One of the few films to earn an F CinemaScore upon release, its since become something of a cult classic. Javier Bardem and Jennifer Lawrence play a married couple, whose secluded life gets uprooted by a series of uninvited guests.

- Directors: Ben Blaine, Chris Blaine- Metascore: 75- Number of reviews: 10- Runtime: 98 min

Nothing if not unique, this off-kilter romantic dramedy plays with various genre tropes. Upon losing his girlfriend in a car accident, a young man is haunted by her gory presence every time he tries to have sex. Its another film that appears to divide critics and audiences on sites such as Rotten Tomatoes.

#95. House of Usher (1960)

- Director: Roger Corman- Metascore: 75- Number of reviews: 8- Runtime: 79 min

- Director: George Lucas- Metascore: 75- Number of reviews: 8- Runtime: 86 min

The feature-length debut from George Lucas takes place in a 25th-century dystopia. Under the constant watch of an oppressive regime, two nameless citizens (Robert Duvall and Maggie McOmie) forge a rebellion. Cranking hard-earned special effects out of a modest budget, the cult film tackles a range of prescient themes.

- Director: John Dahl- Metascore: 75- Number of reviews: 31- Runtime: 97 min

While on a road trip, three friends cross paths with a psychotic truck driver in this taut thriller. What could be a generic stalker film turns out to be far more gripping than the standard fare. In his 3.5-star review, critic Roger Ebert called it the kind of horror movie that plays so convincingly we don't realize it's an exercise in pure style.

- Director: Patrick Brice- Metascore: 75- Number of reviews: 5- Runtime: 80 min

Indie fixture Mark Duplass co-wrote and stars in this found footage sequel, reprising the role of a demented serial killer. This time around, the killer lures an aspiring videographer into his deadly web. Fans of the original wont be disappointed.

#91. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

- Director: Philip Kaufman- Metascore: 75- Number of reviews: 15- Runtime: 115 min

Director Philip Kaufman breathed new life into a sci-fi horror classic by way of this effectively creepy remake. Retaining the core elements of its predecessor, it depicts the gradual takeover of mankind from the inside out. With or without any socio-political subtext, the story taps into the deepest fears of human consciousness.

#90. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

- Director: Tobe Hooper- Metascore: 75- Number of reviews: 5- Runtime: 83 min

One of the scariest movies ever made remains a raw and visceral experience, namely thanks to Tobe Hoopers realistic approach. While visiting a gravesite in Texas, five friends come up against a sadistic family of cannibals. Despite the relative absence of blood and gore, the film renders an almost traumatic impression.

#89. Tigers Are Not Afraid (2019)

- Director: Issa Lpez- Metascore: 76- Number of reviews: 20- Runtime: 83 min

Horrors of both the real and supernatural variety occupy this Mexican drama. Set in a literal ghost town, it follows a group of orphans as they grapple with brutal cartel violence. Director Issa Lpez strikes a balance between harsh reality and vivid fantasy.

#88. Birdboy: The Forgotten Children (2017)

- Directors: Alberto Vazquez, Pedro Rivero- Metascore: 76- Number of reviews: 11- Runtime: 76 min

Alberto Vzquez adapted his own graphic novel when co-directing this morbid tale.

Brought to life with stunning animation and adult themes, it takes place on a post-apocalyptic island. Determined to escape their dreary existence, a group of forgotten children embark on a perilous journey.

- Director: Kathryn Bigelow- Metascore: 76- Number of reviews: 17- Runtime: 94 min

Long before helming The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty, Kathryn Bigelow churned out this off-kilter horror flick. Borrowing from the Western genre, it follows modern vampires through the outskirts of America. Writing for Slant Magazine, critic Rob Humanick called it one of pulp cinemas greatest achievements.

#86. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

- Director: Dan Trachtenberg- Metascore: 76- Number of reviews: 43- Runtime: 104 min

The second installment in the Cloverfield franchise represents a stark departure from its found footage predecessor. Upon waking from a car accident, a young woman (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) finds herself captive to a man (John Goodman) with suspect intentions. Like the first film, this one benefited from a purposefully-elusive marketing campaign.

#85. What We Do in the Shadows (2015)

- Directors: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi- Metascore: 76- Number of reviews: 33- Runtime: 86 min

Horror genre tropes get the comedic touch in this beloved mockumentary out of New Zealand. It follows a group of ancient vampires as they struggle with a range of modern obstacles. A similarly acclaimed TV series adaptation would follow.

- Director: J. Lee Thompson- Metascore: 76- Number of reviews: 5- Runtime: 106 min

Later remade by Martin Scorsese, this 1962 thriller finds a lawyer (Gregory Peck) being stalked by his former client (Robert Mitchum). Anchored by Mitchums performance and Bernard Herrmanns iconic score, the film rides a wave of tension toward a violent climax. It currently holds a 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.

#83. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

- Director: Edgar Wright- Metascore: 76- Number of reviews: 34- Runtime: 99 min

Edgar Wright arguably invented his own brand of horror comedy with this British cult smash. It tells the story of a down-and-out slacker named Shaun (Simon Pegg), who proves his worth during the zombie apocalypse. The film makes up part of Wrights Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, which also includes Hot Fuzz and The Worlds End.

- Director: Rose Glass- Metascore: 76- Number of reviews: 7- Runtime: 84 min

The feature debut from director Rose Glass, this psychological horror film tells the story of a hospice nurse named Maud (Morfydd Clark). Going to religious extremes, Maud tries to save the soul of an afflicted patient. In his review for IndieWire, critic David Ehrlich described it as a cross between First Reformed and The Exorcist.

- Director: Gerard Johnstone- Metascore: 76- Number of reviews: 10- Runtime: 107 min

#80. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

- Director: Wes Craven- Metascore: 76- Number of reviews: 12- Runtime: 91 min

Equipped with razors for hands, Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) slices and dices his way into the nightmares of teenagers. He also happened to dominate a newly formed slasher market, spawning a franchise. Few, if any, of the sequels or reboots captured the humor and horror of Wes Cravens original.

#79. Gerald's Game (2017)

- Director: Mike Flanagan- Metascore: 77- Number of reviews: 12- Runtime: 103 min

What starts as a kinky sex game becomes a harrowing survival story in this Netflix horror film. Its the first Stephen King adaptation from director Mike Flanagan, who went on to helm 2019s Doctor Sleep. Another King adaptation is in the works from Flanagan, as is a mini-series based on a book that appears in both this film and a previous one.

- Director: Claire Denis- Metascore: 77- Number of reviews: 41- Runtime: 113 min

French auteur Claire Denis heads into deep space for this poetic blend of sci-fi and horror. As part of an interstellar experiment, a group of death row inmates embark on a dangerous mission. Critics loved the movies rich atmosphere and willingness to defy convention.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios

#77. Village of the Damned (1960)

- Director: Wolf Rilla- Metascore: 77- Number of reviews: 7- Runtime: 77 min

Based on a novel, this iconic British horror film welcomes viewers to the small village of Midwich. After a mysterious event, the local children begin to exhibit supernatural qualities. It was followed by both a sequel and a remake and also parodied in The Simpsons.

- Director: Frank Henenlotter- Metascore: 77- Number of reviews: 5- Runtime: 91 min

Surgically separated against their wishes, a young man and his (formerly) conjoined twin wreak havoc in the Big Apple. Working on a micro-budget, director Frank Henenlotter confines most of the action to a seedy hotel. Two similarly-grotesque sequels would follow to form a cult trilogy.

- Director: Lucile Hadzihalilovic- Metascore: 77- Number of reviews: 19- Runtime: 81 min

This French horror drama takes place in a small seaside village thats populated exclusively by women and young boys. When he discovers a corpse in the ocean, young Nicolas reexamines the local environment and its mysterious customs. Director Lucile Hadzihalilovics stylistic sensibilities enraptured critics, but the pacing was a little too glacial for some audiences.

- Director: Joel Edgerton- Metascore: 77- Number of reviews: 31- Runtime: 108 min

Joel Edgerton wrote, directed, and starred in this gripping Blumhouse thriller. When a business executive (Jason Bateman) reconnects with an old schoolmate (Edgerton), it kicks off a series of dangerous mind games. The movies psychological tension is more impactful than most horror tropes.

#73. Pit and the Pendulum (1961)

- Director: Roger Corman- Metascore: 78- Number of reviews: 7- Runtime: 80 min

Roger Corman and Vincent Price reunite for another Edgar Allan Poe adaptation, with Richard Matheson back on scripting duties. While investigating his sisters death in 16th-century Spain, a man (John Kerr) uncovers grave horrors. Consciously exploitative, the film nevertheless retains an air of authentic atmosphere.

#72. The Devil's Backbone (2001)

- Director: Guillermo del Toro- Metascore: 78- Number of reviews: 30- Runtime: 106 min

Upon losing his father to the Spanish Civil War, a young boy gets sent to a haunted orphanage. In the vein of del Toros most acclaimed works, this one layers humanism, history, and horror. On Bloody Disgustings list of the Top Films of the 2000s, it lands at #18.

#71. It Comes at Night (2017)

- Director: Trey Edward Shults- Metascore: 78- Number of reviews: 43- Runtime: 91 min

Critics and audiences dont see eye to eye on this dramatic thriller, which takes place in the midst of a zombie-like outbreak. Living deep in the woods, a paranoid man (Joel Edgerton) and his family take in suspicious new houseguests. In lieu of cheap thrills, director Trey Edward Shults opts for a slow burn and shocking finale.

Toho Film (Eiga) Co. Ltd.

- Director: Ishir Honda- Metascore: 78- Number of reviews: 20- Runtime: 98 min

#69. 28 Weeks Later (2007)

- Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo- Metascore: 78- Number of reviews: 34- Runtime: 99 min

The sequel to 28 Days Later unfolds six months after the Rage Virus was first unleashed. As various survivors try to repopulate London, the zombie-like infection rears its ugly head once again. When the U.S. military goes to extremes in its containment effort, the story takes on allegorical overtones.

- Director: Dario Argento- Metascore: 79- Number of reviews: 11- Runtime: 98 min

With its gothic palette and eerie score, this Italian horror classic retains a perennial atmosphere of unease. It goes behind the scenes at a prestigious dance academy to uncover something sinister. Critics and fans alike consider it one of director Dario Argentos finest hours.

- Director: Matt Reeves- Metascore: 79- Number of reviews: 35- Runtime: 116 min

Like its Swedish predecessor, this Hollywood adaptation centers on the unlikely bond between a bullied outcast and young female vampire. Blending heartfelt drama with shocking violence, it straddles two genres and defies easy categorization. Director Matt Reeves honors the source material while injecting just the right amount of original storytelling.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

- Director: Tobe Hooper- Metascore: 79- Number of reviews: 16- Runtime: 114 min

Recorded Picture Company (RPC)

#65. Only Lovers Left Alive (2014)

- Director: Jim Jarmusch- Metascore: 79- Number of reviews: 41- Runtime: 123 min

Director Jim Jarmusch brings his indie sensibilities into the vampire subgenre and the results are predictably offbeat. Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston play vampires Adam and Eve, whose on-again, off-again romance is quite literally one for the ages. Already struggling to adapt in modern society, their love undergoes another stress test with the arrival of Eves sister.

- Director: Jeremy Saulnier- Metascore: 79- Number of reviews: 42- Runtime: 95 min

Punk rock band The Aint Rights have just arrived at a skinhead bar in the Pacific Northwest and thats the least of their problems. So goes this thriller from Jeremy Saulnier, who kicks things off with a grisly murder and then keeps the tension running high. The Daily Telegraph critic Patrick Smith called it a pulverising piece of Seventies-style grindhouse exploitation.

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100 Best horror movies, according to critics - KAKE

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero