Best Horror Movies of 2024, So Far

2024 is already one-third over — ridiculous, proper? — and it’s been a reasonably good 12 months on the films. We’re 4 months in, so it’s time to check out the place we stand on the subject of new horror films. The movies beneath are offered alphabetically that means they’re not ranked, however they’re all good to nice. Extra might be launched because the 12 months goes on, and there are nonetheless some I have to atone for, however for now a minimum of, these are the most effective horror films that 2024 has to supply.

Now maintain studying for a take a look at the most effective horror films of 2024, to this point.

Abigail

A gaggle of criminals are introduced along with a easy however profitable purpose — kidnap a lady, maintain her for 24 hours, after which gather their hefty ransom. What may probably go unsuitable? Loads, because it seems, as a result of neither the state of affairs nor the lady are fairly what they appear. Radio Silence moved from anthology segments to function movies with 2014’s Satan’s Due, chased it with 2019’s Prepared or Not (nonetheless their finest movie), after which revived the Scream franchise with Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023). Their newest as soon as once more blends horror thrills with comedy, and it brings collectively a killer ensemble to up the ante with nice turns by Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Kevin Durand, and Melissa Barrera. Little Alisha Weir holds her personal towards the veterans with a devilishly enjoyable efficiency, and the more and more bloody antics come within the type of enjoyable set-pieces and entertaining twists.

In theaters.

The Espresso Desk (Spain)

A younger couple welcomes their first baby, however their largest problem comes over a choice to purchase a espresso desk. He desires this gaudy, glass-topped monstrosity, and she or he hates it, however his satisfaction wins out they usually carry it residence. After which… an unspeakable tragedy. Some would possibly argue that Caye Casas‘ 2022 function (simply launched within the U.S. this 12 months) isn’t precisely horror, however considering that after truly watching it’s utter nonsense. This factor is pure dread, distilled onto the display screen and into our hearts within the type of nervousness, terror, and the slightest whiff of black comedy. It’s unattainable to carry your breath for ninety minutes, but it surely feels such as you’re doing precisely that whereas watching because the uncooked ache and stress creep all through your physique. That is superb stuff, grim, stunning, anxious, and horrifying.

On DVD and VOD.

Exhuma (South Korea)

A Korean-American household falls sufferer to a supernatural hazard, so that they rent a pair of shamans to resolve the difficulty. To date so good, however giving relaxation to an unruly ghost is just the start of the monstrous threats they’ll face. Exhuma is a giant, thrilling, richly detailed piece of folks horror with environment, scares, and persona to spare. Author/director Jang Jae-hyun chases his two earlier spiritual horror movies with a meaty style story weaving historic atrocities and supernatural beliefs into fantastical leisure. We get detailed rituals and a richly layered perception system alongside ghostly chills and monstrous decapitations, and the ensuing concoction is a enjoyable style deal with that retains on giving proper by means of its quite a few endings. Horror followers basically ought to search it out, however these of you who depend your self as followers of the likes of The Wailing (2017) and It Comes (2018), run don’t stroll to Exhuma instantly. I believe you’re actually gonna dig what it’s throwin’ down. [My full review.]

In theaters.

The First Omen

A younger lady on the verge of changing into a nun arrives at a small convent in Italy able to decide to God and the church, however she quickly discovers a secret that threatens all she holds true. A prequel to a virtually half a century outdated horror traditional doesn’t arrive with excessive hopes connected, however Arkasha Stevenson‘s movie squashes any doubts and delivers a giant, thrilling piece of horror leisure. It really works its manner by means of loads of beats you’re anticipating given the unique movie’s story, however the acquainted is rarely uninteresting because of sharp, engaging filmmaking and Nell Tiger Free‘s efficiency. Enjoyable scares, gory sequences, and a reasonably nice ending — it each leads into 1976’s The Omen and opens the door to some thrilling new story threads — make for a movie that’s much more entertaining, engrossing, and profitable than you’d anticipate.

In theaters.

Immaculate

A younger lady on the verge of changing into a nun arrives at a small convent in Italy able to decide to God and the church, however she quickly discovers a secret that threatens all she holds true. I do know what you’re considering — did Rob have a stroke? Relaxation assured, I didn’t, however we did get two spiritual horror movies launched again to again that kick off in remarkably related methods. Whereas The First Omen performs issues fairly severe, Michael Mohan‘s movie is straight horror that leans into its B-movie, exploitation inspirations. Moist nuns, darkish church secrets and techniques, and an ending designed to make you rise up and cheer (whereas in all probability offending quite a lot of viewers alongside the way in which) share the display screen with bloody set items and a reasonably novel tackle the in any other case acquainted narrative. Sydney Sweeney headlines — she additionally produced and rescued the script from oblivion — and is clearly having time being bad-ass and serving to make this bloody trip among the best horror films of 2024.

In theaters and on VOD.

Infested (France)

Residents of a low-income residence advanced discover one thing new to emphasize over when a horde of quickly multiplying spiders makes the place their residence. Sébastien Vanicek’s function debut isn’t right here to carry your hand and goose you together with laughs. Not like this 12 months’s different spider horror or the subgenre’s pinnacle, Frank Marshall’s Arachnophobia (1990), you gained’t discover the consolation of a “horror/comedy” label right here. As an alternative, the movie goals to carry you shut as spiders of various sizes — we’re speaking spiders ranging in measurement from peas to watermelons, they usually all transfer a hell of lots quicker than you — burst onto the display screen, out of the shadows, and into your waking nightmares. Some genuinely terrifying set items are the constructing blocks right here as a small band of survivors struggles to make it to the tip credit, and don’t be stunned in the event you depend your self amongst them by the point it’s throughout. [My full review.]

Streaming on Shudder.

Late Evening with the Satan

It’s the late 70s, and Jack Delroy (a incredible David Dastmalchian) is likely one of the nation’s high late-night speak present hosts. His efforts to grow to be primary see him taking some dangers, however his newest danger would possibly simply take his soul. The movie largely succeeds at recreating a interval and a location, and it manages greater than sufficient thrills to warrant a watch as a few of its horror beats land superbly. The horrors come slowly with transient punctuations earlier than resulting in a giant, bloody end, and whereas these earlier moments are enjoyable sufficient it’s that third act fruits that actually delivers with the gory items and a few memorable photographs. It’s Dastmalchian who carries Late Evening With the Satan on his very succesful shoulders with the anticipated exuberance of a late-night speak present host and the comedian supply of foolish jokes, however he additionally showcases one man’s rising realization that he’s messed issues up in a giant, massive manner. [My full review.]

In theaters and on VOD.

No Approach Up

A passenger aircraft flying over the Pacific crashes into the ocean and sinks beneath the waves, and whereas most on board die pretty shortly, a gaggle of survivors keep alive behind a the aircraft in an air pocket. Sadly for them, the water is rising, the aircraft is slipping off an underwater ledge, and sharks at the moment are roaming the aisle on the lookout for snacks. Of all of the movies on this checklist, No Approach Up is the one least more likely to make the minimize for the most effective horror films of 2024 on the finish of the 12 months, but it surely’s nonetheless time for style followers and properly price celebrating. A severe thriller about sharks on a motherfucking aircraft gained’t work for everybody, however soar in with the suitable B-movie expectations, and also you’re more likely to be pleasantly stunned by its persona, thrills, and resourcefulness. The ensemble gained’t have you ever wishing they’d die already, the claustrophobic confines look good and are successfully stress-inducing, and the sharks handle some minor scares and bloody beats. It’s time, mates. [My full review.]

On VOD.

Sting (Australia)

Residents of a low-income residence advanced discover one thing new to emphasize over when a quickly rising spider makes the place its residence. I do know what you’re considering, once more — did Rob have a stroke? Relaxation assured, I didn’t, however we did get two spider horror movies launched again to again that kick off in remarkably related methods. Whereas Infested (above) performs its horrors straight, although, Sting approaches its spider-centric terrors with a severed tongue in cheek. Some laughs land whereas others don’t, however the method would possibly make for a extra palatable piece of arachnid-themed nightmare gasoline for viewers who detest the tiny creatures. The spider itself is dropped at life with a mixture of sensible results and CG, and whereas there’s arguably an excessive amount of of the latter the movie nonetheless finds its eight-legged footing and will get your pores and skin crawling. [My full review.]

In theaters.

Additionally launched in 2024, a few of which I’ve seen and a few of which I nonetheless have to catch: Baghead, Frogman, Right here for Blood, I Noticed the TV Glow, Imaginary, Lisa Frankenstein, Evening Swim, Stopmotion, Dawn

Associated Matters: Horror

Rob Hunter has been writing for Movie Faculty Rejects since earlier than you have been born, which is bizarre seeing as he is so rattling younger. He is our Chief Movie Critic and Affiliate Editor and lists ‘Broadcast Information’ as his favourite movie of all time. Be at liberty to say hello in the event you see him on Twitter @FakeRobHunter.