Top 10 Horror Movies of the Decade

Horror movies have gotten a bad rap critically. There is no horror movie category at the Oscars, and wins for the genre in major categories are scarce. So just to stave off the Christmas movies and carols for a bit longer, here are my top ten horror movies of the decade.

10. The Conjuring (2012)

Kicking off our list is one of the most successful horror movies of the decade, generating 316 million USD worldwide at the box office. The commercial and critical success of the film exists for good reason. It is unnerving, represents the time it is set in very well (1970), and has absolutely outstanding production quality. Easily some of the best practical effects you will find on this list. It also spawned a good sequel, albeit one that did not manage to make a spot on this list. A film that will satisfy casual fans and horror movie snobs, The Conjuring is a must-see in modern horror.

Reed’s Rating: 8/10

Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%

Available on: Netflix, HBO Max

9. Us

Jordan Peele’s sophomore directorial film was certainly not a slump. Following a family who is attacked by psychotic doppelgängers, Us manages to provide an entertaining, thrilling, violent, well-shot film, while also providing great themes about identity. Every performance in the film is outstanding (each actor had to play not only a member of a happy, nuclear family but also a murderous counterpart), and with Peele behind the camera, it’s no surprise that the film looks amazing. Also, it has a solid twist ending. Give this one a try, it will not let you down.

Reed’s Rating: 8/10

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

Available on: Hulu

8. Ready Or Not

The most recent film on the list, Ready Or Not was the best film I saw in theatres in 2019. The film follows Grace, who’s excited to marry into a new rich family, until the wedding turns into a game of hide and seek in which Grace must be hunted and killed in 24 hours due to a demon curse that plagues her fiancé’s family. In-laws, amirite? Well acted, witty, action-packed, all with a strong female lead character, Ready Or Not is a blast to watch in any environment.

Reed’s Rating: 8/10

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

Available on: YouTube and AppleTV (For four dollars :/)

7. The Babadook

Rarely does a film generate an instant cult following like The Babadook, which it gained for good reason. Amelia raises her problemed son Sam as a widow after her late husband Oskar got into an accident driving her to the hospital whilst she was in labor. Amelia associates Sam with the death of her husband and holds resentment towards him. A character from Sam’s picture book becomes a sinister figure for Amelia, psychologically torturing her. If this plot sounds underwhelming or not scary, you’ll have to take my word that this is one of the most brutal and profound horror movies you will ever see.

Reed’s Rating: 8.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%

Available on: Sling, Amazon Prime

6. Hereditary

One of the most unique films I saw in the last ten years, Hereditary is undoubtedly horror, yet also equal parts dramatic and tense. The film follows the Graham family, unraveling the sinister and terrifying truth about their ancestry after the death of their grandmother. The character building in the film was great, with Toni Colette (who is also excellent in I’m Thinking Of Ending Things, but wait until November to watch that one) giving a fantastic performance as the mother in the film. An excellent, gruesome horror film about family and accepting who you are, Hereditary is a watch you will never forget.

Reed’s Rating: 8.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

Available on: Hulu, Sling, FuboTV, Amazon Prime

5. A Quiet Place

Wanna add some real suspense to your horror movie? Take away all of the sound and dialogue. Worked for John Krasinski. Set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by blind, ghoulish monsters who hunt off of sound, the Abbott family deals with the grief of the death of their son Beau. The film has some of the best sound design and editing I’ve ever heard. You can cut the tension in almost every scene with a knife. You will feel extremely uncomfortable and you will love it. It’s also one of the only PG-13 films on this list, so freshmen and sophomores this is for you!

Reed’s Rating: 8.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Available on: Hulu, Sling, Paramount+, Amazon Prime

4. Veronica

Based loosely on the events of a real-life case, Veronica is a Spanish Supernatural horror film set in 1991 that follows the events of a failed seance over the course of 3 days. If a horror film shot and based in Spain gets attention in the US, you know it’s gotta be good.. Don’t be turned away by the fact that it’s a foreign film, check this one out, and definitely watch the Sub over the Dub.

Reed’s Rating: 9/10

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

Available On: Pluto, Netflix

3. A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night

“Persian-language horror Western film” is maybe not the easiest film genre to get into, but a Sundance Film Festival selection doesn’t lie. This film is excellent. Going into the film, based around hardworking Iranian Arash and his relationship with a vampire woman, I had a pretty big stigma to overcome. The only other vampire film I’d ever seen was the first Twilight movie. But thanks to this film that stigma has been overcome. Check this one out, and once again, subs are better than dubs.

Reed’s Rating: 9/10

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Available On: Tubi

2. It Follows

This one took me by surprise. I was NOT anticipating this film to be as excellent as it was. We follow a group of teenagers falling victim to a curse which is transmitted through intercourse from person to person. While I thought that seemed silly, it allows for a very unique antagonist, unlike anything I’d seen before. Mix that with great dialogue, excellent (and pretty tasteful) gore, an incredible synth-based score, and a dreamlike universe that constantly changes the time it’s set in, It Follows is an amazing film unlike any other. Absolutely a must see.

Reed’s Rating: 9.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Available On: Peacock

(Dis)honorable Mention:

Truth or Dare

This film is TERRIBLE. ABSOLUTELY atrocious. That cannot be understated. If you are not someone who enjoys bad movies for the entertainment factor, please skip to the number one slot, as this was easily the worst horror movie I saw all decade. However, I had an absolute blast watching this film. It is the pinnacle of a horror movie so bad it’s good. The characters are unbelievably stupid. The plot is super illogical. That picture you see above? THAT’S what the possessed people look like. To quote YouTube commenter Angular Triangle, “They get possessed and look like the grinch when he gets an idea.”

If you’re someone who loves movies so bad they’re good, grab your friends and watch this atrocity. You will NOT be let down.

Reed’s Rating: 0/10 as a film, 9/10 as an experience

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 16%

Available On: Vudu

1. Get Out

Absolute. Masterpiece. Jordan Peele’s directorial debut was not only the best horror film I’ve seen that was released in the 2010s, but probably the best horror movie I’ve ever seen. I was absolutely enthralled as I was watching this movie. I never broke away from it for even a second. Watching the protagonist Chris deal with uncomfortable and suspicious interactions between him and his girlfriend’s parents, as well as some of their very young friends were some of the most well written scenes I’ve ever watched. Rod, the TSA agent and comic relief character didn’t even distract from the horror of the film, just added a level of humor to the horror. The reveal, the acting, the small details and intricacies in the film and the themes about racism make Get Out feel like an onion, a film where you can peel something new back every watch through. It is an absurdly well made movie. If you have to check out one movie on this list, it’s this one.

Reed’s Rating: 10/10

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%

Available On: Hulu, SlingTV