Movies

The Best Horror Movies of 2025 So Far

BBG News

As we approach the midpoint of 2025, the year has served up an abundance of gruesome, chilling horror films that have left horror enthusiasts eagerly devouring them.

This year, horror cinema has been nothing short of a delectable smorgasbord, serving up a delightful array of intelligent sequels, visceral directorial masterpieces, suspenseful sci-fi thrillers, and audacious blockbusters drenched in blood. From the quiet whispers of independent gems to the booming explosions of big-budget spectacles, it’s been a truly captivating journey through fear and the unknown.

1) The chilling, heart-stopping movie “Bring Her Back,” produced by A24, left audiences petrified with fear, while Ryan Coogler’s unique take on Southern Gothic vampire lore, titled “Sinners,” pushed and tested viewers’ assumptions about the genre.

Audiences were filled with terror watching the pulse-pounding horror movie “Bring Her Back” from A24, while Ryan Coogler’s innovative Southern Gothic vampire tale, “Sinners,” made viewers question their preconceived notions about the genre.

In addition to this, the year 2025 has been notable for several renowned Hollywood directors venturing into horror for the first time, including Coogler, alongside Steven Soderbergh whose chilling supernatural thriller Presence offered a creepy, gradually escalating sense of dread and despair.

2025 still holds a lot of exciting releases in store, such as “Together”, “Him”, “The Black Phone 2”, “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, “Conjuring: Last Rites”, and numerous others. By the year’s end, this list is sure to expand further as I make my way through my extensive queue of films to watch.

The Best Horror Movies of 2025

Companion

During a tranquil vacation at a secluded lake house with friends, a young woman named Iris (Sophie Thatcher) unexpectedly learns she’s an AI companion robot controlled by her boyfriend Josh’s (Jack Quaid) phone app. This blend of science fiction and horror offers both excitement and dark humor, but truly shines when Thatcher and Quaid are at their most unstable. For instance, a blood-splattered Iris rants frantically in German to a perplexed police officer, while Josh transforms into an increasingly dangerous, misogynistic character as he loses grip over his robotic girlfriend. Clever, fashionable, and occasionally absurd, Companion is a unique, dark comedy that explores the Final Girl trope in the era of technological unease and modern gender dynamics.

Sinners

Ryan Coogler’s initial foray into horror cinema offers a broad, daring narrative that boldly strays from the traditional boundaries of its genre. In essence, Sinners is a narrative revolving around a pair of twin brothers seeking fresh beginnings in their Mississippi hometown with a nightclub in the 1930s. However, the story delves far beyond this surface-level summary, unfolding as a grisly saga encompassing themes such as violence, liberation, revenge, and atonement amidst Deep South vampires and spiritually charged blues music. This imaginative, high-octane production offers not only a chilling experience but also stirs the soul in multiple ways, with captivating performances from stars like Michael B. Jordan (in a dual role) and Hailee Steinfeld.

Final Destination Bloodlines

In simpler terms, the sixth installment of the “Final Destination” series, titled “Final Destination Bloodlines“, might be considered the best yet. This supernatural slasher, if you consider Death as an entity, offers a return to the origins, predating the first film’s unfortunate plane crash. A young woman’s survival of a tower disaster in the ’60s triggers a chain of violent deaths for her descendants. The movie includes a brief but impactful emotional moment from the late horror icon Tony Todd and a memorable performance by Brec Bassinger as the 1960s timeline’s unlikely heroine. Overall, “Bloodlines” is entertaining, unforeseeable, and creatively gruesome, breathing new life into the previously dormant franchise for a new audience.

The Ugly Stepsister

In a dark twist on the classic tale of Cinderella, this Norwegian horror comedy reimagines the story through the perspective of the ugly stepsisters. The main character, Elvira, is pressured by her selfish mother and driven by her growing envy towards her beautiful stepsister-turned-servant, to undergo a series of grueling, painful cosmetic surgeries in an attempt to win the heart of the kingdom’s superficial prince. This chilling, brutal tale uses body horror to explore society’s unhealthy fixation on beauty standards and offers a unique take on the “happily ever after” trope by promoting self-acceptance as the ultimate form of empowerment.

Presence

In the film “Presence,” directed by Steven Soderbergh, a family that recently moved into a new home after a distressing incident seeks aid from a medium when their youngest child feels a ghostly presence. While the plot may seem familiar, the movie’s unique approach of narrating the story from the perspective of the ghost sets it apart. With subtle acting and a few unexpected twists, “Presence” delivers a cold, gradual build-up that keeps viewers engaged, never straying off course, allowing them to decipher the mystery piece by piece.

Grafted

Title character Wei, a brilliant yet insecure Chinese science prodigy with a birthmark, continues her father’s research at a New Zealand university. Despite her intellect, she struggles due to social isolation, bullying, and discrimination. A groundbreaking scientific discovery leads to chilling consequences, pushing Wei towards the edge of sanity. As her circumstances worsen, she resorts to an extreme measure: adopting the faces of her tormentors in a desperate attempt to belong and reclaim what’s hers. Sasha Rainbow’s directorial debut, “Grafted,” offers a sweetly terrifying blend of body horror and dark humor, reminiscent of both “The Substance” and “Face/Off.

Bring Her Back

The film titled “Bring Her Back,” a chilling production following the creators of the 2023 horror hit “Talk to Me,” revolves around two step-siblings, Piper and Andy, who are temporarily placed with their new foster mother, Laura. As time passes, Laura’s strange actions start to concern Andy. The siblings unwittingly become entangled in a sinister ritual when it is disclosed that Laura is still grieving over the drowning death of her daughter and is determined to resurrect her at any cost. The movie showcases intense performances from its cast, particularly Billy Barratt, who portrays Andy as a brother burdened by his own trauma and sense of duty. This film offers a tense exploration of gradually escalating terror and tragedy, pushing the teenage characters and viewers alike towards an unfathomable ending.

The 13 Most Underrated Horror Movies of the 21st Century

Constantine (2005)

In 2005, Francis Lawrence’s movie “Constantine” was met with criticism for its heavy spiritual tension and fans were disappointed by Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of John Constantine as a dark-haired West Coast American instead of the blonde cockney icon. However, over time, the film has built up a dedicated fanbase. Unlike any other comic book superhero movie before or since, “Constantine” offers a unique blend of metaphysical and unsettling visual style to its story about a warlock battling demons while trying to save the world from his impending damnation. Featuring Tilda Swinton as a gender-neutral angel, Peter Stormare as a foul-mouthed Lucifer, and Rachel Weisz delivering a standout performance in the otherwise routine “girlfriend” role, “Constantine” is definitely worth rewatching, especially considering how many superhero stories today seem to follow the same formula.

30 Days of Night (2007)

In my opinion, among the vampire movies of this century, “30 Days of Night” is often overlooked and underestimated, but I firmly believe it’s far superior than many give it credit for. It may not be the greatest film ever produced, but it certainly outshines expectations. The unique blend of a compelling premise – Alaskan town under attack by vampires during their annual winter darkness – and an unexpectedly brilliant cast – Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Ben Foster, Danny Huston, to name a few – results in a truly distinctive and imaginative piece that challenges the norms set by similar films. It’s relentlessly gory and incredibly tense from its foreboding opening scenes to its intense climax, making it an ideal choice for those chilly, lengthy winter evenings.

Fright Night (2011)

As a cinephile, I often find myself reminiscing about remarkable horror remakes that have slipped our collective memory. One such gem is Craig Gillespie’s refreshing take on the 1985 suburban vampire film, “Fright Night.” In this updated version, Colin Farrell breathes chilling life into the antagonist Jerry Dandridge, while Anton Yelchin portrays Charley, a horror-loving teen with a knack for angst. Imogen Poots joins as Charley’s girlfriend, and David Tennant, fresh off his stint on “Doctor Who,” adds a touch of the extraordinary as a TV personality dabbling in the occult, complete with a collection of silver bullets and vials of holy water.

Set against the backdrop of a Las Vegas suburb – an ideal dwelling for a wandering vampire like Jerry – this film masterfully harnesses Farrell’s charisma at its peak to create a fun, spine-tingling vampire tale.

Creep (2014) Creep 2 (2017)

The “Creep” movies directed by Patrick Brice and starring Mark Duplass as a disturbed serial killer should be viewed together, with the sequel skillfully building upon and reversing the themes and conventions established in the original. In the first movie, Brice portrays a videographer who agrees to film a man residing in an isolated cabin (Duplass), who claims to have an untreatable brain tumor and wishes to document his life for his unborn child. The man’s peculiar behavior and fixation on a menacing wolf mask lead the cameraman to suspect he is being pursued. In the second installment, Desiree Akhavan takes over as Duplass’s new victim, a YouTuber creating a webseries about unusual Craigslist encounters. When Akhavan’s character resists Duplass’s efforts to intimidate her, he recognizes that they might be destined for each other in a sinister way.

The Shallows (2016)

Jaume Collet-Serra skillfully transforms ordinary, run-of-the-mill B movies into thrilling cinematic experiences that leave a lasting impression, as demonstrated by his female-versus-shark suspense film “The Shallows”. In this movie, Blake Lively portrays a young, resourceful surfer who finds herself stranded on a rock in a secluded bay following an attack from a ravenous shark. To stay alive, she utilizes her intelligence and collects debris from the surrounding waters, fighting off the shark’s relentless attacks while treating her worsening injuries. The film is intense, gripping, and features a particularly charming seagull.

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016)

Fans of horror films might recall Oz Perkins from his initial directorial work “The Blackcoat’s Daughter” and his subsequent chilling fairy tale “Gretel and Hansel”. However, you may have overlooked the movie he directed in between – the eerie and unnerving gothic ghost story “I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House”. This film features Ruth Wilson as a caregiver residing in an author’s home suffering from dementia. As peculiar occurrences begin to happen within the house, such as items moving by themselves, odd reflections, and a mysterious mold stain on the wall growing larger, the caregiver becomes convinced that the house is haunted. She believes that the author’s last book, which she has been reading, is based on true events that transpired within the house. The movie is poetic and enigmatic, with an uncommon take on ghost stories that will leave you awake at night.

Life (2017)

Ridley Scott’s “Alien” is undoubtedly the epitome of space horror cinema, but it’s time to give more attention to Daniel Espinosa’s 2017 alien thriller, “Life.” This film boasts an impressive ensemble cast consisting of Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Ryan Reynolds. They portray a group of astronauts on the International Space Station who stumble upon signs of Martian life in a creature that rapidly develops into a terrifyingly intelligent, monstrous being beyond their grasp. It’s a nerve-wracking thriller with some particularly unsettling deaths and one of the coldest endings in science fiction movie history.

Unsane (2018)

Steven Soderbergh started his iPhone filmmaking journey with the psychological horror-thriller “Unsane”, a chilling journey into the hidden malevolence within the healthcare sector. In this movie, Claire Foy portrays a woman who is admitted and confined – entirely legally – in a mental hospital against her will. After a distressing encounter with a stalker, she is deceived into signing paperwork for a voluntary stay at a mental institution, only to uncover that it’s running a scam to exploit patients’ insurance policies for financial gain. To make matters worse, she suspects her stalker poses as a staff member, intending either to kidnap or harm her. Remarkably, the entire film was discreetly shot using an iPhone 7 Plus, lending it a haunting, realistic quality reminiscent of found-footage.

Suspiria (2018)

Perhaps it was the unusual release timing, the muted color scheme, or the absence of a romantic Mediterranean tale that had audiences swooning; Luca Guadagnino’s remake of Suspiria, which premiered in 2018, didn’t receive the acclaim many anticipated. The film features Dakota Johnson as Susie Bannion, an American ballet dancer newly arrived in 1977 West Berlin, attending a renowned dance academy overseen by a coven of witches, led by the formidable dance instructor Madame Blanc, played by Tilda Swinton. Intriguingly, Swinton portrays three characters in the movie, a secret that was only revealed after its premiere. Unlike Dario Argento’s original giallo, this version abandons vibrant colors and delves deeper into themes of motherhood and the post-World War II melancholy of Europe; however, it appears to be more highly regarded than its initial reception would suggest.

Crawl (2019)

As a cinephile, I can’t help but share my excitement about the gripping movie “Crawl” directed by Alexandre Aja. In this heart-pounding adventure, Kaya Scodelario and Barry Pepper play a father-daughter duo trapped under their home during a hurricane. The rising waters aren’t just a natural disaster; they’ve unleashed an army of ruthless alligators that patrol the streets.

In what could easily be dismissed as a run-of-the-mill B-movie plot, Aja masterfully crafts an electrifying tension in his man-versus-gator eco-horror story. It’s a thrilling ride that leaves you on the edge of your seat!

The Night House (2020)

The Night House is an exceptional film that unfortunately didn’t get the recognition it deserved. Despite receiving a Saturn Award nomination for Best Horror Film, it underperformed at the box office and seemed to escape notice. Rebecca Hall, who gave another impressive performance in the equally unsettling ‘Resurrection’ the following year, plays Beth, a woman struggling with her husband’s suicide. A puzzling note, an inverted layout of their house, and photos of a woman resembling but not identical to her raise suspicions that her husband was having an affair, but when she discovers a house on the other side of the lake that mirrors her own, things take a dark supernatural turn. It’s both chilling and captivating, with one of the most startling jump scares in recent history.

Censor (2021)

In this rephrased version, let’s delve into the striking debut work of Welsh director Prano Bailey-Bond, titled “Censor“. This captivating horror movie doesn’t merely serve as a chilling entertainment piece; it is also an incisive critique of the British film industry. Niamh Algar shines in her role as Enid, a censor for the British Board of Film Classification during the ‘Video Nasty’ era of the 1980s. Her job involves removing violent content from freshly completed films. Plagued by the mystery of her missing sister, Enid is convinced that an exploitation director has been utilizing her long-lost sibling in his gory horror productions. Driven by a relentless determination, Enid embarks on a quest to track him down, employing whatever methods she deems necessary. The movie offers a gripping portrayal of the past and present issues within the filmmaking industry, making it both raw and intriguing.

Crimes of the Future (2022)

In an unexpected turn, a David Cronenberg film has been included among overlooked horror movies. The latest work by the master of body horror, titled “Crimes of the Future,” draws inspiration from one of his early pieces for its name, although not its storyline. This film unfolds in a dystopian world where progress in human evolution and biotechnology has eliminated physical suffering and most illnesses. Viggo Mortensen plays Saul Tenser, a man whose body continually produces new organs, which are then harvested by his lover Caprice (Léa Seydoux) – a performance artist – before an audience. The movie tackles contemporary fears such as the surge of degenerative diseases and the increasing pollution of our environment with plastic waste, while also featuring one of Kristen Stewart’s most captivating performances as a tense bureaucrat fixated on underground art.

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2025-07-14 21:58

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