12 Scariest Horror Movies of the Last 20 Years (You’ll Never Forget #3)

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It’s tough to say exactly what makes a movie truly scary – I can almost hear horror fans disagreeing! What frightens people is so personal; some are creeped out by ghosts and demons, while others find realistic horrors much more disturbing. But after watching scary movies for about 30 years, I’m confident this list includes films that will genuinely terrify even the most seasoned horror buffs, just like they terrified me.

I’ve aimed for a diverse selection of films here, avoiding those that depend solely on gore and shock value. While a few might have those elements, they aren’t the main source of fear. If you’re looking for truly disturbing content, I have other recommendations available. Otherwise, here are 12 movies from the last 20 years that are guaranteed to be thrilling, with my pick for the scariest of the bunch – and a truly unforgettable experience – at number three.

‘Hereditary’ (2018)


A24

For many, Hereditary was the first horror film to genuinely scare them. Even seasoned horror fans still find it deeply unsettling, thanks to director Ari Aster’s expertly paced build-up of dread that culminates in a shocking finale. It’s considered one of Aster’s strongest films, and it helped establish A24 as a major force in the horror genre.

This carefully made horror film centers around the breakdown of the Graham family as they experience increasingly disturbing supernatural occurrences. It builds dread through every element, including the music and acting – with many considering it Toni Collette’s finest performance. Hereditary prioritizes a creeping sense of terror over cheap jump scares, and raised the standard for horror films that followed.

‘The Babadook’ (2014)


Umbrella Entertainment

Next up is a story about a mother, Amelia Vanek (Essie Davis), raising her son alone after a devastating loss. Her husband’s death seems to trigger behavioral problems in her son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), and these issues become strangely connected to a frightening character from a children’s book called The Babadook. The film became famous for sparking discussions about what truly makes something scary.

For a while, the term “Elevated Horror” became unpopular, even among fans like myself. Despite this, films such as It Follows (2014), The Witch (2015), and Goodnight Mommy (2014) were released close together, all prompting discussion about what truly makes a horror movie frightening. However, The Babadook still stands out as the most terrifying, largely due to its masterful build-up to the monster’s appearance and its exploration of profound psychological trauma, culminating in a truly intense and frightening moment.

‘Rec’ (2007)


Filmax

While The Blair Witch Project popularized the found-footage horror style, many believe the 2007 film Rec truly shaped how we see the genre today. Rec is a remarkably well-made and intense horror experience, with a level of polish that’s unusual. The film follows a camera crew filming firefighters, and quickly throws them into a terrifying outbreak, creating constant suspense and danger.

The horror in ‘REC’ is made even scarier by how cleverly the filmmakers use the limited space of an apartment building to hint at a much bigger, hidden plot behind the outbreak. The second film actually makes the first one even more impactful, and together they create a truly terrifying, non-stop experience. While the first movie doesn’t reveal much about the overall story, the later films build on it, adding layers of depth and meaning that make the original even better.

‘Caveat’ (2020)


Shudder

There are always directors who get horror fans truly excited, and while Damian McCarthy isn’t widely known yet, he’s the one I’m most looking forward to seeing more from. He received significant praise for his 2024 film, Oddity, and has another project, Hokum, planned for 2026. However, it’s his very first film, Caveat, that really demonstrates his skill. McCarthy creates genuinely disturbing and original horror, building tension and delivering scares with perfect timing that stays with you long after the credits roll.

The story takes place in a crumbling house and centers around a narrator who can’t remember things clearly. He’s tasked with watching the house’s only resident, a woman he’s not allowed to speak to and who is physically restrained. This unsettling setup leads to a series of disturbing discoveries and strange events. The constant feeling of unease makes every frightening moment truly effective. Damian McCarthy is a remarkably skilled horror director who specializes in creating complex, psychological scares that stay with you long after the movie ends.

‘Bring Her Back’ (2025)


A24

Despite the success of the Philippou brothers’ first film, Talk to Me, their follow-up, Bring Her Back, was surprisingly ignored by many lists of the year’s best movies. In my opinion, it’s actually a stronger and more refined film than their impressive debut. The story centers on two teenagers who enter the foster care system and find a potential mother figure in Laura (Sally Hawkins). However, Laura is dealing with immense grief over the loss of her own child and has resorted to a dangerous, supernatural method in an attempt to reconnect with her deceased daughter.

What makes the movie Bring Her Back so captivating is the story of siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong) and how they’re challenged by the deceptively charming but wicked Laura. You quickly become invested in their well-being, which makes the scary and unsettling moments feel even more impactful. One particularly frightening scene – where Andy witnesses Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips) commit a shockingly aggressive act during breakfast – is already being called one of the scariest moments of 2025.

‘Nightmare Detective’ (2006)


Movie-Eye Entertainment Inc.

I recently discovered this movie, and it’s seriously stuck with me. It’s called Nightmare Detective, and it’s a really dark and unsettling story about a psychic named Kyoichi Kagenuma. He can enter people’s dreams, but it’s really taken a toll on his life, so he mostly keeps to himself. When someone starts killing people while they’re dreaming, he’s the only one who can help stop it. It’s a pretty intense film!

When Nightmare Detective came out, the popularity of Japanese horror films had already started to decline, and it didn’t receive much attention outside of dedicated fans. This was a shame, because director Shinya Tsukamoto – known for films like Tetsuo: The Iron Man – brought his unique visual style and a dark, industrial aesthetic to create a truly unsettling and frightening atmosphere. Although the detective story occasionally slows things down, the film features some genuinely terrifying moments, showing ordinary people plagued by incredibly vivid and violent nightmares that lead them to take their own lives. Ultimately, what could be more frightening than losing even the safety of your own dreams?

‘Host’ (2020)


Shudder

Host came out at just the right time, perfectly reflecting the feelings of loneliness and anxiety many experienced during the COVID-19 lockdowns. While the idea of a horror movie unfolding entirely on a video call wasn’t new, Host did it brilliantly. Its short length and well-placed scares made it the standout horror film of the moment, tapping into the widespread stress people were feeling.

Director Rob Savage created a truly terrifying and fast-paced horror film in Host, clocking in at just under an hour. Though the initial excitement has calmed down, it rightfully earned a lot of praise when it came out. Even now, six years later, Host remains a lean, scary, and thoroughly enjoyable movie, with a climax that’s just as frightening as it always was.

‘Last Shift’ (2014)


Magnet Releasing

Released in the 2010s, Last Shift is a highly-regarded indie horror film. It centers around Jessica Loren (Juliana Harkavy), a new police officer assigned to watch over a small police station that’s being closed down. What she expects to be a simple, routine night quickly turns terrifying as she experiences a string of strange occurrences, including unsettling phone calls from a woman claiming to be kidnapped by a supposedly extinct cult, break-ins, and other supernatural events.

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It’s strange, but most modern horror movies try to do more than just scare you – they often focus on complex stories or trying to redefine the genre. This film does have some surprises, but they likely won’t shock horror veterans. Instead, director Anthony DiBlasi expertly delivers a steady stream of scares, balanced with just enough plot to keep you invested. If you’re simply looking for a classic, straightforward ‘scary movie’ experience, Last Shift is a great choice.

‘As Above So Below’ (2014)


Universal Pictures

Looking for a terrifying adventure? The movie As Above, So Below takes you on a descent into the Paris catacombs with a team of urban explorers. Led by Scarlett Marlowe, an anthropologist and treasure hunter, the group ventures into the catacombs’ most dangerous sections. Soon, they begin to experience strange illusions connected to their personal histories. Before they know it, they’re battling for their minds and lives, realizing they’ve stumbled into something truly sinister and are trapped too far underground to escape.

Director John Erick Dowdle delivers a truly terrifying claustrophobic experience in As Above, So Below, filming on location in the real, labyrinthine catacombs beneath Paris. These catacombs are famous for spooky stories and urban legends, including a chilling real-life incident where an explorer disappeared with their camera. The movie taps into the genuine fears surrounding this location, expertly combining psychological tension with startling jump scares to create a descent into the darkness that feels incredibly real.

‘When Evil Lurks’ (2023)


Shudder

As a huge horror fan, I truly believe Demián Rugna is the most exciting director working right now when it comes to pure, unadulterated terror. His 2017 film, Terrified, was already incredibly intense, but When Evil Lurks just takes things to another level. There’s something so deeply unsettling and ancient about the evil in that movie – it genuinely feels like a contender for the scariest horror film of all time.

The story begins with a group trying to get rid of a body that carries an old curse, but that’s just the beginning. “When Evil Lurks” presents a truly malicious force dedicated to creating chaos, and it doesn’t hold back – even children and animals are targeted, which makes the horror even more impactful for both the characters and the audience. The film expertly mixes intense violence with a creepy atmosphere, building a constant sense of dread that can suddenly erupt into shocking moments. It also quickly dives into the terror, making it a great choice for viewers who prefer fast-paced horror over slow builds.

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2026-01-15 02:08