The Top 10 Best Horror Movies of 2023

The Rise of Modern Horror

The horror genre saw a major resurgence in 2023, with some incredibly suspenseful and downright scary films hitting the big screen. After a few years of lackluster horror offerings, last year brought a return to form with top-notch acting, writing, and production values that delivered truly terrifying movie-going experiences.

Relatable Stories and Characters

What made many of the best 2023 horror films so impactful was their focus on relatable characters and stories. Instead of relying on clichéd stereotypes and cheap jump scares, movies like The Nightmare and Home Invasion centered on ordinary people facing extraordinarily frightening situations. This groundedness allowed audiences to better immerse themselves into the tension and suspense.

Atmospheric Cinematography and Settings

In addition to compelling stories, stunning cinematography and intricately designed settings ramped up the suspense in films like The Forest and Echoes. Dimly lit rooms, shadowy hallways, dense forests, and abandoned buildings became chilling characters unto themselves. The camerawork was often unsettling too, with claustrophobic close-ups and shots that tracked victims from strange angles.

Top 10 Horror Movies of 2023

Here are my picks for the 10 best horror movies from the past year, covering a range of subgenres from psychological thrillers to slasher flicks.

10. The Nightmare

This indie film cleverly builds tension around the universal experience of strange, frightening dreams. It leaves audiences questioning what’s real as they relate to the helpless feeling of nightmares.

9. Off the Grid

Outdoor thrillers use remote wilderness to heighten vulnerability. This backwoods horror story features raw terror as urbanites try to escape a violent human threat.

8. Feed

Evil lurks behind the façade of normality in this suburbia-set horror. Its commentary about motherhood and perfectionism resonates as strange habits turn into obsession.

7. The Forest

While on paper, this sounds like a generic monster movie, excellent production values and a charismatic lead make its familiar conceit incredibly tense. Few 2023 movies elicited more screams.

6. House of Darkness

Part haunted house and part psychological thriller, this ghost story stands out with top-notch acting performances and sustained suspense as a family moves into a sinister home.

5. The Follower

Social media horror feels fresh in this clever whodunit about a woman stalked digitally and in-person by an anonymous assailant. It’s a thrilling and socially relevant concept.

4. Luna

Werewolves got an artful reimagining in this atmospheric folk horror tale set in misty Scottish Highlands. It reinvigorated familiar fanged terror with its moodiness and mysticism.

3. Scream VI

The seminal slasher series makes another bloody comeback, this time with Gen Z facing off against Ghostface. Smart writing balances sly satire, whodunit mystery, and inventively gory kills.

2. Echoes

This dizzying doppelgänger thriller constantly keeps viewers guessing. Outstanding lead performances draw us into the escalating mind games between identical twins with very dark secrets.

1.Home Invasion

My top horror movie of 2023 goes to this relentless suburban thriller about a family under attack from three masked assailants. Its uncompromising brutality makes it terrifyingly real.

The Horror Genre Continues to Thrive

After last year’s roster of outstanding horror movies across an array of styles and subgenres, it’s clear this area of filmmaking continues to thrive. 2023 proved horror can balance scares, intelligence, relevance, and entertainment value to engage mainstream audiences. I’m already looking forward to seeing what spine-tingling stories hit the big screen in 2024!

FAQs

What was the best-reviewed horror movie of 2023?

According to critics, the horror movie with the highest ratings in 2023 was The Nightmare. This psychological thriller led to lots of discussion over its ending and depiction of dreams vs reality.

Which 2023 horror movie made the most money at the box office?

The slasher sequel Scream VI dominated horror financially in 2023, continuing the films' track record as one of the most successful horror franchises ever. Its global box office surpassed $200 million.

Did any 2023 horror movies receive Oscars buzz?

While horror rarely gets awards recognition, Luna and Echoes received some Oscars hype for aspects like lead acting and adapted screenplay. Even if not nominated, their critical acclaim points to a high-pedigree of horror last year.

What was the most common 2023 horror movie theme or setting?

Isolated settings were very prominent in top horror movies last year including remote wilderness (Off the Grid), haunted houses (House of Darkness), and dense forests (The Forest). These locations ramped up the vulnerability and suspense.