2025 was a strong year for horror films, both in terms of non-stop release schedules and numerous box office hits. From monster openings to movies like “Sinners” and “Final Destination Bloodlines” to viral streaming debuts like “Dead Mail” and “Best Wishes to All,” there’s plenty for any horror fan to catch up on. There’s plenty more coming this year, including Black Phone 2 and Predator: Badlands. Below, check out Variety’s list of the best horror movies of the year so far. We hope this selection will spark a lively discussion and encourage you to add some new titles to your Letterboxd watchlist.
First, here are some honorable mentions in alphabetical order.
“Bring Her Back” (A24) – Danny and Michael Philippou’s follow-up to “Talk to Me” is beautifully shot and features a great performance from Sally Hawkins, but it kicks into a very depressing gear.
“The Clown in the Cornfield” (RLJE Films and Shudder) — More clever than the name suggests, the mid-film twist does a good job of subverting genre conventions.
“The Drop” (Universal Pictures) — One of the best popcorn movies of the year, Megan Fahey must navigate her way out of one sticky situation after another in a dynamically shot, low-budget thriller.
“Predator: Killer of Killers” (Hulu) — This impressive trilogy features some of the most epic Predator battles to date, with animation serving as a great canvas for prohibitively expensive fight scenes.
“Sweet Revenge” (Horror Inc. and Jason Universe) — It may be short, but this short Jason story does a great job of delivering bloody action with a retro feel, giving the legendary killer a formidable foe. Writer and director Mike P. Nelson seems to really understand the world of “Friday the 13th,” and I hope it becomes a feature film.
poisonous avenger
Image credit: Yana Blajeva
Cineverse
Writer/director Macon Blair’s reimagining of the classic Troma film is as heart-rich as it is splattered with violence and satire. Peter Dinklage evokes sympathy as the man behind the shoddy janitor Toxie, while Kevin Bacon plays the billionaire bastard brilliantly evil, and Elijah Wood and Taylor Page also join in on the fun. Frenetic, bizarre, and full of love for the original, The Toxic Avenger will make fans happy and bring joy to new fans.
In front of you
Image credit: Neon
neon
In Steven Soderbergh’s unique take on ghost stories, his camera roams the house in a ghostly first-person mode. The family inside do feel spirits roaming around the house, but why? There’s certainly more going on in this story than unfinished business, and Soderbergh could land a plane on a murder mystery written by frequent collaborator David Koepp. As an experimental work, it was a great success.
heart eye
Image credit: ©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
screen gem
Josh Reuben has directed a tricky pop culture take that combines a perfectly charming romantic comedy with the DNA of a “Scream”-esque crime syndicate. Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding are endlessly charming as a new couple with the most traditional encounter ever. But what happens when their first night together turns into a crazy movie night where they’re chased by a serial killer? Ultimately, the laughs outweigh the scares, but it’s a great genre twist for slasher fans, enhanced by a supporting cast that includes memorable turns from Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, Jordana Brewster, and more.
I wish you all the best.
Image credit: Shudder / Courtesy Everett Collection
tremble
This Japanese horror film is filled with some of the most haunting footage shown this year and is nightmare fuel for anyone who can keep their eyes open. Kotone Furukawa plays a young woman who visits her grandparents and she encounters a very shocking and seemingly normal part of their family history. Telling a larger story about happiness and class culture, Yuta Shimozu’s film is most impactful in its family drama mode, filmed at spectacular cost as a family affair.
dead mail
Image credit: Provided by Dead Mail LLC
tremble
Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy’s unique conspiracy mystery is reminiscent of the ’80s, with production design and filmmaking reminiscent of long-forgotten VHS relics. When a synthesizer expert is kidnapped, he manages to slip a desperate letter into the mail, and amateur detectives from the Dead Letter Office begin the search. Things quickly get complicated for everyone involved, and the film’s visuals and soundtrack continue to linger long after the credits roll.
monkey
Image credit: Courtesy of Everett Collection
neon
Osgood Perkins’ turn after the success of “Long Legs” was a bloody dark comedy about a toy monkey who brings death and destruction wherever he goes. Theo James plays identical twins who try unsuccessfully to eliminate this malevolent force, and some of the year’s strangest deaths are attributed to the furry demons. A wicked and brutal piece of work that is sure to please gorehounds.
i love you forever
Image credit: Courtesy of Everett Collection
utopia
More than a traditional horror film, this romantic drama slowly builds stifling tension as the trappings of a romantic comedy give way to an all-too-real story of a toxic and psychologically abusive relationship. Sophia Black D’Elia plays a law student who falls in love with the handsome and charming Finn (Ray Nicholson). He seems like the perfect guy, but his control over her escalates from annoyingly frequent text messages to suicidal screams over missed calls. Cazzie David and Elisa Kalani co-wrote and directed this sharp film.
together
Image credit: Courtesy of Neon
neon
Michael Shanks’ tear-jerking body-horror love story stars real-life spouses Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple whose relationship is on the rocks, but who grow increasingly physically close. The film contains some of the most talked about “look away from the screen” scenes of the year (saws! eyeballs! penises!) and some great visuals reminiscent of other horror classics. This is a lean, mean, thrilling machine, and a great way to introduce body horror to anyone interested in getting nasty.
28 years later
Image credit: Everett Collection
Released by Sony Pictures
Director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland’s return to the zombie franchise is an outrageous adventure that’s bold, divisive, and brutal. Reuniting with “28 Days Later” cinematographer Anthony Dodd Mantle, he shot much of the film on a complex iPhone rig, with stylish color and editing that is a sight to behold. The stylish look highlights the disturbing gore and heart-pounding chases as young Alfie Williams learns to be a man by sneaking out to shoot zombies in an infected zone. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes add some grit to the supporting cast, and it’s hard to believe we’ll see another sequel in the coming months.
fellow
Image credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
warner bros movies
This twisty sci-fi thriller stars Sophie Thatcher as a love robot who is manipulated into murder while on holiday with a group of evil friends. Thatcher is excellent, coming to terms not only with her gaslighting boyfriend (a delightfully witty Jack Quaid) but also with the fact that she’s not human after all, and the bloody developments keep ratcheting up the stakes. Companion, an underrated theatrical film, is sure to become a cult hit if discovered on streaming.
final destination pedigree
Image credit: Everett Collection
warner bros movies
Who would have thought that the sixth installment in this popular series, the first in 14 years since the last chapter, would be such a nimble and crowd-pleasing production? “Bloodlines” has many of the same beats as his previous work, but with some key changes. The group of people who avoid the cruel fate of death are all family members, not random strangers. The opening dream set piece was a flashback, allowing the main movie to be filled with new characters who weren’t dead yet. And the overall scope of the movie felt broader. But what ended up working really well were the gory kills, the perfect mix of fun and creepy. Mix in the heartfelt farewell words from franchise regular Tony Todd, and it’s no wonder why this was such a critical and commercial success.
shrouds
Image credit: Courtesy of Everett Collection
janus movie
Director David Cronenberg’s latest film tells the story of Karsh (Vincent Cassel), a group of living people who haunt a cemetery. Kirsch has built grave cameras that allow mourners to watch their loved ones decay in real time. It’s a downer logline that morphs into a messy tale of corporate intrigue, with flourishes of body horror and romantic moments that are as exciting as they are vulnerable. A strange chapter in an unparalleled career, “Shrouds” is a must-see in which Cronenberg reflects on death with a great cast of actors including Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, and Sandrine Holt.
weapons
Image credit: Everett Collection
warner bros
Zach Creger’s ambitious exploration of the evil that infects a small town succeeds by bringing to the fore an interesting and complex cast of characters. When a classroom of children escapes in the middle of the night, troubled townspeople played by Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, and Austin Abrams are among those searching (and stumbling) for answers. Expertly staged set pieces, sinister plot twists, and an outrageous ending make “Weapons” a must-see.
sinner
Image credit: Warner Bros.
warner bros movies
In an incredibly confident and imaginative production, writer/director Ryan Coogler delivers his masterpiece with this music-filled horror story. Each character in this rich production, led by career-high Michael B. Jordan, who plays the Smokestack twins, veers into the supernatural when an Irish vampire begins infecting customers at the twins’ new juke joint, each could anchor their own movie. This blend is sexy, surprising, gorgeously shot, and an unforgettable twist on a well-known vampire legend.
