The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (2025)

Horror

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (1)

By Stephen Rosenberg

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The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (2)

While it's difficult to compete with the juggernaut for horror movies that was 2022, as the year produced new all-timers like Pearl, The Menu, and Prey, 2023 released some absolute bangers of its own. Dealing around the table with solid hits from different subgenres, box office victories flowed in from the start of the year, with the massively successful M3GAN. Audience attendance in theaters proved that the genre (and theater viewing in general) is far from dead, as viewers showed up in droves to films like Insidious: The Red Door, The Nun II, and Five Nights at Freddys, even if those films weren't the strongest that the genre had to offer this year.

The year also provided solid entries from some of horror's most beloved franchises, as Evil Dead Rise, Scream VI, and Saw X were extremely popular both among critics and fans alike. And, in a scenario that seems like it hasn't happened since the '80s, we had two financially successful holiday-themed slasher movies in the theaters at the same time, with It's a Wonderful Knife and Eli Roth's Thanksgiving.

With that said, as the year comes to a close, it's time to celebrate the best films that the year had to offer. The following films were chosen based on several factors, including competent storytelling, excellent acting, great atmosphere and effects, and just how all-around engaging they are.

So, whether you're a fan of time-traveling, sci-fi horror, '80s-style slashers, possession flicks, or ghostly tales, this list has something for everyone. Let's take a look at the best horror movies of 2023.

23 Attachment

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (3)
Attachment

Not Rated

Release Date
July 28, 2022

Director
Gabriel Bier Gislason
Cast
David Dencik , Sofie Gråbøl , Ellie Kendrick , Josephine Park

Runtime
1hr 45min
Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review of Attachment

Attachment follows the story of Maja and Leah, a newly formed couple who go to stay with Leah's mother in London after Leah suffers from a strange seizure. While there, Maja starts to learn dark secrets that Leah's mother has been keeping from her daughter, including the fact that Leah has been possessed by a dybbuk, a malicious presence that overtakes those with mental or physical illnesses in hopes it can control their body.

An Excellent Focus on Jewish Folklore and LGBTQ+ Themes

Not only is Attachment a great entry into the queer horror subgenre, but it also explores Jewish folklore from a different angle than most possession movies do. Both queer and Jewish cultural representations are underseen and underutilized in horror, and this film puts the spotlight on them. Specifically, the focus on the dybbuk and the history behind it were unique and had the potential to send you down an educational rabbit hole. The pacing is a little slow throughout, but the performances are excellent (particularly Sofie Gråbøl, who plays Leah's mother), and the ending offers more of a heartwarming chain of events than expected for this type of possession horror film.

Stream on Shudder

22 The Last Voyage of the Demeter

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (4)
Last Voyage of the Demeter

R

Release Date
August 11, 2023

Director
André Øvredal
Cast
Aisling Franciosi , Javier Botet , David Dastmalchian , Liam Cunningham , Corey Hawkins

Runtime
1hr 58min
Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review of The Last Voyage of the Demeter

Directed by Trollhunter's André Øvredal, The Last Voyage of the Demeter focuses on the short segment of Bram Stoker's Dracula novel, where the vampire lord treks to London on the Demeter, sleeps by day, and feeds on the crew by night.

Simple, but an Effective Dracula Tale

While the overall story of The Last Voyage of the Demeter is pretty simple, and the characters have been seen as a bit lifeless (no pun intended), there's no argument that the film is a true spectacle of horror. The atmosphere and lighting make for a haunting tale, and the practical gore effects are bloody, memorable, and plentiful. The standout of the film is Javier Botet's performance as a brutal, hideous Dracula, a version of the character seldom seen in movies and TV. The film isn't without its issues, but makes for a great watch, especially for those who love Gothic horror and Bram Stoker's tale, as this is one of the least fleshed-out parts of the story that we've seen on screen.

Rent on Apple TV

21 Knock at the Cabin

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (5)
Knock at the Cabin

Release Date
February 3, 2023
Director
M. Night Shyamalan
Cast
Dave Bautista , Rupert Grint , Jonathan Groff , Nikki Amuka-Bird , Abby Quinn
Main Genre
Horror

Regarded as filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan's best film in years, Knock at the Cabin features married couple Ben and Andrew (Ben Aldridge and Jonathan Groff), as they enjoy a small vacation with their daughter, Wen. While playing outside, Wen is approached by Leonard (Dave Bautista), and the family is then restrained by Leonard and his small group of "prophets". The group tells the family that God sent them, and that the family must sacrifice one of their own willingly in order to stop the oncoming apocalypse.

Dave Bautista Shows Off His Acting Chops

Knock at the Cabin is based on the best-selling novel The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay, and while it deviates at some points, it's a relatively strong adaptation. It's not without its pacing issues and some plot holes, but the film is full of intensity and truly unlocks Dave Bautista's talents as a dramatic actor. So much so, that audience members were demanding to see Bautista given the chance to do a romance movie. It was nice to see Shyamlan not be so reliant on a story twist, as some of the filmmaker's incredible talents at shooting and scene design were shown off here. The final act is a little ambiguous, but all in all, this one was a wild ride.

Stream on Prime Video

20 Cobweb

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (6)
Cobweb

Not Yet Rated

Release Date
July 21, 2023

Director
Samuel Bodin
Cast
Lizzy Caplan , Antony Starr , Cleopatra Coleman , Ellen Dubin , Woody Norman

Runtime
1hr 28min
Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review of Cobweb

A standout mostly due to its performances, Cobweb follows Peter (Woody Norman), an eight-year-old boy who hears a consistent knocking sound coming through his walls, clearly in attempt to communicate with him. When he brings the sounds up with his parents (Antony Starr and Lizzy Caplan), they start to act more strange and sinister by the day, obviously keeping a nefarious secret from their son.

Cobweb Hinges on Fantastic Performances from Antony Starr and Lizzy Caplan

While the third act of Cobweb turns a little silly and heads more toward the Malignant-style feel of horror, the first two acts are surprisingly dark, creepy, and especially well filmed. Starr and Caplan show up with their villainous acting chops from their outstanding performances as Homelander in The Boys and Annie Wilkes in Castle Rock, and put them on full display here. Unfortunately, neither one of them gets the screen-time they deserve, which is why this film isn't higher on the list. Had the pair been more of the focus of the film's story, we may have had all-time horror performances. Regardless, the spooky atmosphere and helplessness of Peter in a truly messed up situation were enough to carry Cobweb into the must-watch horror territory of 2023.

Stream on Hulu

19 Huesera: The Bone Woman

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (7)
Huesera: The Bone Woman

Not Rated

Release Date
February 16, 2023

Director
Michelle Garza Cervera

Cast
Natalia Solián , Alfonso Dosal , Mayra Batalla , Mercedes Hernández

Runtime
1hr 37min

Read Our Review of Huesera: The Bone Woman

Huesera: The Bone Woman was one of the critical darlings of 2023, and rightfully so, considering its rare perspective of society's expectations for women to become pregnant and start families. In Michelle Garza Cervera's debut feature Shudder Original, Valeria (Natalia Solián) and her husband have been trying to get pregnant for years, and when they finally do, she feels a darkness surrounding her as she's cursed by an evil presence, and her body starts to gruesomely break down. Valeria starts to wonder if procreating was really her decision, or the product of pressure from those in her life.

A Gruesome, Important, Cautionary Tale

Aside from having some cringeworthy, bone-snapping moments, the film is a great analogical look at the societal pressures that women face every day to have children. Sometimes, the messages of films like these can overshadow the story and events, and that never really happens here. Alongside an incredible performance from Solián, the Spanish film tells an effective tale in a memorable way, has excellent camera work and lighting, and is a fantastic starting film for a newcomer filmmaker. It's also one of the critically highest-rated horror movies of the year, as it holds a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes

Stream on Shudder

18 It's a Wonderful Knife

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (8)
It's a Wonderful Knife

R

Release Date
November 10, 2023

Director
Tyler MacIntyre
Cast
Joel McHale , Katharine Isabelle , William B. Davis , Justin Long , Jane Widdop , Jess McLeod

Runtime
1hr 30min
Main Genre
Horror

2023 has been a great year for the slasher subgenre, and It's a Wonderful Knife is the first of five that make this list. The Christmas-themed film follows Winnie Carruthers (Jane Widdop), after she saves the town from a masked serial killer. But when her family and the town ignore the trauma and issues that the slayings caused, a Christmas wish causes her to time travel to the year before, only this time, she's never been born. Winnie tries to convince the town of who the killer is, but falls on deaf ears. In this timeline, she must stop the killer, and prove that she's appreciative of making it out of the events alive.

It's a Wonderful Knife Is a Silly, Holiday Slasher

Outside of its unique, classic Christmas-moral spin on a slasher flick, the gore is a splatterfest of fantastic effects, the killer's suit and mask are iconic, and we're treated to yet another recent horror movie that features modern Scream King, Justin Long. The kills are fun, the supporting characters are memorable, including surprise appearances by Community's Joel McHale and Ginger Snaps' Katherine Isabelle, and there are some truly beautiful shots, especially for a slasher movie. The story may be a little predictable, but It's a Wonderful Knife should definitely make its way into your holiday horror rotation.

Stream on Shudder

17 Scream VI

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (9)
Scream 6

R

The sixth installment in the American meta-horror slasher franchise Scream.

Release Date
March 10, 2023
Director
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin , Tyler Gillett
Cast
Melissa Barrera , Jenna Ortega , Courteney Cox , Jasmin Savoy Brown , Mason Gooding , Hayden Panettiere
Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review of Scream VI

You wouldn't think the sixth movie in a horror franchise would make it among the year's best, but Scream VI took the series in a bit of a new direction. The sequel took a lot of chances, including not bringing back Neve Campbell in the role of Sydney Prescott, and moving the setting out of the quaint California town of Woodsboro, to the bright lights of New York City. Ghostface is back and trying to finish what was started in the fifth installment; murdering Sam and Tara Carpenter (Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega).

Scream VI's Setting Was a Breath of Fresh Air for the Franchise

This installment proved the franchise had more to give, as the switch to New York City offered a refreshing take. No longer were Ghostface's slayings limited to one-on-one encounters in a small town, but the crowded streets of the Big Apple provided a somewhat scarier premise, where the killer could be anyone at all times. Neve Campbell's lack of presence was certainly felt in Scream VI, but bringing back Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers and Hayden Panettiere as Kirby Reed, along with several survivors from Scream (2022), helped soften the blow.

Scream VI without doubt had the most gruesome kills of the franchise, and while the reveal was a little strange and unsatisfying, the film was mostly an entertaining whodunit that kept us all interested for one more go around. Unfortunately, we have no idea where the franchise will go next, after Barrera was recently let go from the next project, and Ortega stepped away.

Stream on Paramount+

16 A Haunting in Venice

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (10)
A Haunting in Venice

Crime

Drama

Horror

Mystery

Release Date
September 15, 2023
Director
Kenneth Branagh
Cast
Kelly Reilly , Michelle Yeoh , Kenneth Branagh , Jamie Dornan , Emma Laird , Tina Fey
Main Genre
Crime

Read Our Review of A Haunting in Venice

A Haunting in Venice is the most recent entry into Kenneth Branagh's Hercule Poirot series. The spooky period piece is based on Agatha Christie's 1969 novel, Hallowe'en Party and definitely the least gory and horrific film on the list, as it's more of a detective story whodunit. Branagh is once again in the director's chair and lead role, and he's again joined by an all-star cast that includes Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, and Jamie Dornan. The story brings the famed Poirot out of retirement to investigate the creepy events that surround a guest's mysterious death at a Halloween party.

A Haunting in Venice Is Perfect for the Spooky Season

Halloween party theme aside, A Haunting in Venice offers a creepy atmosphere, and is one of the few horror films on this list that is more suitable for the entire family during the spooky season. Yes, there are some shocking and scary moments, but the story is wrapped in a more realistic, gore-free way that even older kids can enjoy. Each actor plays their board game-style character perfectly, especially Michelle Yeoh, and the reveal isn't too predictable. This film is definitely the best in Branagh's Poirot trilogy and is well worth a watch or two.

Stream on Hulu

15 Saw X

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (11)
Saw X

R

Release Date
September 29, 2023

Director
Kevin Greutert
Cast
Steven Brand , Tobin Bell , Synnøve Macody Lund , Michael Beach
Main Genre
Horror

Saw X is the best entry in the beloved horror franchise in almost 20 years. That's largely because of the choice to bring back Tobin Bell as the Jigsaw killer, and Shawnee Smith as Amanda Young. The story acts as a prequel to every movie aside from the first, as it takes place a mere few weeks after the original. Director Kevin Greutert's choice to bring an 81-year-old Bell back in the thick of John Kramer's battle with cancer worked out perfectly for the story's visual direction.

This time, rather than Kramer using his Jigsaw tactics to teach a lesson, he has revenge on the brain, offering a fresher take than almost every other entry. In this one, Kramer is promised a groundbreaking cure for his sickness, but is instead the victim to an elaborate scam. As you can imagine, this is a bad choice for the scammers.

Saw X Finally Brings the Franchise More Story Than Torture

The Saw series has often been criticized over the years for being mindless torture porn movies, so the fact that Saw X's story has plenty of depth and emotion adds to its success. Not only are we given more backstory to both John Kramer and Amanda Young's characters, but an empathetic perspective is given to the viewers during a time in their lives that had yet to be explored during the series.

Of course, the film has plenty of gory, wince-inducing kills, but they're used more as linchpins of an evolving story, rather than being the focus of the entire movie. If the franchise can build off this style, the Saw series may transition to a critical success, and not just a financial one.

Rent on Apple TV

14 The Blackening

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (12)
The Blackening

Release Date
June 16, 2023
Director
Tim Story
Cast
Antoinette Robertson , Dewayne Perkins , Sinqua Walls , Grace Byers , X Mayo , Melvin Gregg
Main Genre
Comedy

Runtime
1hr 36min

Read Our Review of The Blackening

One of the few horror comedies on the list, The Blackening takes aim at the "Why does the Black person always die first?" trope in horror movies. The film follows a group of friends, who, after meeting up at a vacation cabin, come across an old, racist board game. The group decides to play, and with each player's turn, they start getting picked off one by one. The group must work together, power through the plethora of Black character horror tropes at seemingly every turn, survive the murderous game, and unveil the killer.

The Blackening Is an Underrated Entry Into Black Horror

The cast is a hilarious smorgasbord of hilarious, talented Black actors, including Empire's Grace Byers, and Sorry to Bother You's Jermaine Fowler. The group's chemistry plays wonderfully off each other, and along with some truly funny jokes surrounding tired, overused Black tropes in Hollywood horror, the movie contains some fun, horrific moments as well. We simply don't get enough Black-led horror movies in general, let alone in the horror comedy subgenre. Director Tim Story (Ride Along, Shaft) made sure The Blackening was a solid entry into both.

Stream on Starz

13 Renfield

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (13)
Renfield (2023)

R

Release Date
April 14, 2023

Director
Chris McKay
Cast
Nicolas Cage , Shohreh Aghdashloo , Ben Schwartz , Awkwafina , Nicholas Hoult
Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review of Renfield

Another of the three horror comedies on this list, Renfield is probably the funniest. Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, and Awkwafina round out a fun cast in a story where Dracula's (Cage) right-hand man, Renfield (Hoult), wants to break ties with his abusive master, and live a normal life with normal relationships. However, Dracula has other plans, and decides to make Renfield's life a living hell, rather than letting him have his freedom. This hilarious, gore-filled comedy found the perfect director in Chris McKay, who helmed The LEGO Batman Movie.

Renfield Is So Much Better Than Its Reviews Lead You to Believe

There were a couple of unexpected things about Renfield. Firstly, no one could guess how absolutely action-packed and gruesome it would be, yet the jokes and the body parts fly from start to finish. Even if some of the digital gore is lackluster, the choreographed fight scenes and fantastic practical makeup effects were far more entertaining than they had any right to be. Secondly, Nic Cage absolutely thrives in his role as the Vampire Lord. Cage has gone on record for years about his hopes to play Dracula, and now that he got his chance, he didn't squander it, giving one of the best performances the character has gotten in decades. Renfield is just plain fun, and Nicolas Cage was born to play the role.

Stream on Prime Video

12 Sick

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (14)
Sick

R

Release Date
January 13, 2023
Director
John Hyams
Cast
Gideon Adlon , Bethlehem Million , Dylan Sprayberry , Marc Menchaca , Jane Adams

Runtime
1hr 23min
Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review of Sick

Written by Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer mastermind Kevin Williamson, Sick follows two women, Parker and Miri, as they retreat to a secluded cabin to wait out the quarantine during the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020. As they're isolated from everyone they know, the duo is stalked by a masked intruder, whose motives are more than what they seem.

Kevin Williamson Created a Relevant Slasher Built on the Trauma of the World

Sick does a great job of transporting the viewer back to the scary and unknown world of 2020, when no one knew much about the COVID-19 virus, and even a mere cough was enough to receive a mix of terrified and judgmental stares from strangers. Of course, the movie has plenty of '90s-style slasher feel, but with a relevant, well-paced, and surprising whodunit story weaved between its graphic kills. If the killer would have had a more iconic disguise, Sick may have become an all-time modern slasher (though it makes sense for the story). Unfortunately, this Peacock original film flew under the radar for almost everyone, but it absolutely deserves a couple of viewings.

Stream on Peacock

11 Swallowed

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (15)
Swallowed

R

Swallowed delivers a tense narrative set in a remote location, where two friends find themselves ensnared in a perilous situation involving smuggling. As they navigate the escalating dangers, the film explores themes of survival and camaraderie against a backdrop of escalating threats.

Release Date
June 4, 2022

Director
Carter Smith
Cast
Cooper Koch , Jose Colon , Jena Malone , Mark Patton , Roe Pacheco , Michael Curtis , Hannah Perry , Thee Suburbia

Runtime
95 Minutes

Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review of Swallowed

Swallowed is probably the most unknown film on this list, and an excellent entry into the queer horror subgenre. The story follows Benjamin (Cooper Koch) and Dom (Jose Colon) in a drug run gone wrong, as the products they've swallowed are condoms filled with exotic insects, and their venom causes a hallucinogenic rush to whoever ingests them. The problem? A restroom fight ends in Dom having the condoms popped inside of him, and the two must rush to the dealer to find a cure before it's too late.

Swallowed Is an Intense and Uncomfortable Thriller Ride

If the synopsis didn't hint at it, this movie gives the viewer a serious case of the ick. The race against time because of squirming venomous bugs inside the protagonist's body creates a level of intensity that most of this year's horror movies don't achieve. The acting is solid all around (Jena Malone received the FilmOut Festival Best Supporting Actress Award), there are some serious gross-out moments, and we're treated to a rare appearance from A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge star Mark Patton in a devious villain role. Take caution, as this one isn't for the faint of heart.

Rent on Apple TV

10 Totally Killer

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (16)
Totally Killer

R

Release Date
October 6, 2023

Director
Nahnatchka Khan
Cast
Kiernan Shipka , Olivia Holt , Charlie Gillespie

Runtime
1hr 46min
Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review of Totally Killer

With The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina's Kiernan Shipka in the lead role, Totally Killer is the funnier, more entertaining time-travel slasher flick on this list. The film follows Shipka as Jamie Hughes, who, after her mother is murdered by a killer 30 years after she survived an onslaught of slayings, accidentally travels back in time and tries to stop the original murders from taking place, and finding out who the killer was. Totally Killer is directed by Nahnatchka Khan (Always Be My Maybe), and has a great supporting cast that includes Olivia Holt (Cloak & Dagger), Lochlyn Munro (Freddy vs. Jason), and Liana Liberato (Scream VI).

Kiernan Shipka and Olivia Holt Pack a Comedic One-Two Punch

The comedic blend of mixing personalities from 2023 and 1983 makes Totally Killer hilarious. Shipka's constant non-landing modern jokes make her character awkward in the best way, as the audience understands them, but the characters from the past, like Holt, don't. For being a comedy, the movie has a surprising number of brutal kills, great fight choreography, and a slamming soundtrack that includes New Order, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Werewolves, and more. The reveal wasn't nearly as predictable as the other slashers on this list, too!

Stream on Prime Video

9 Thanksgiving

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (17)
Thanksgiving

Release Date
November 17, 2023
Director
Eli Roth
Cast
Rick Hoffman , Gina Gershon , Patrick Dempsey , Milo Manheim , Addison Rae , Nell Verlaque
Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review of Thanksgiving

Eli Roth's Thanksgiving was one of the most-anticipated horror films of the year, and while it didn't deliver on the gritty style that the teaser trailer gave us back at the intermission of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's Grindhouse, it certainly delivered with the 1980s-style holiday-themed horror, along the likes of My Bloody Valentine and Silent Night, Deadly Night. The film follows the simple story of a town-terrorizing killer dressed as a pilgrim in Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts, after a Black Friday riot ends in deaths after a stampede.

Why Eli Roth's Thanksgiving Was Worth the Wait

Not only is Thanksgiving the most well-received film of Roth's directorial career, critically, but it also more than made its budget back with a successful stint in theaters during the holidays. The solid slasher backstory falls in with the better, more underrated slashers out there, like The Prowler or Black Christmas, rather than a free-for-all gorefest that was seemingly recycled throughout the mid-to-late 1980s. It's fun seeing Patrick Dempsey make a return to horror, and the gruesome kills pump the movie full of Roth's bloody style.

Thanksgiving will be able to stream on December 19th, 2023.

8 Infinity Pool

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (18)
Infinity Pool

R

Release Date
January 27, 2023
Director
Brandon Cronenberg
Cast
Alexander Skarsgard , Mia Goth , Cleopatra Coleman , Thomas Kretschmann , Amanda Brugel

Runtime
1hr 57min
Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review of Infinity Pool

A surface-level metaphor on classism and corruption among authority, Brandon Cronenberg's Infinity Pool follows a writer (played by Alexander Skarsgård) and his wife, who travel to the fictional country of Li Tolqa to find some inspiration for his writing. While at the resort, the two meet Gabi (Mia Goth) and Albam (Jalil Lespert), a couple who accompany them off-site for a day at the beach. From there, the two couples land themselves into deep legal trouble, and the government offers them one other option besides death, they can pay to have a clone made that will pay the price for them.

Shallow Messaging, but Great Body Horror and Sci-Fi

While Brandon Cronenberg's metaphors and messaging don't go as deep as his father's, he makes up for it by providing a truly beautiful and messed-up film. Mia Goth adds the character of Gabi to her growing list of perfectly portrayed psychopathic horror baddies, and the sci-fi element of Infinity Pool is just plain cool. A shallow message doesn't mean it's any less effective, and the film does a great job making you think about the society of the rich we all live in, while giving us some truly creepy and grotesque body horror to take in.

Stream on Hulu

7 M3GAN

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (19)
M3GAN

PG-13

A robotics engineer at a toy company builds a life-like doll that begins to take on a life of its own.

Release Date
January 6, 2023

Director
Gerard Johnstone
Cast
Allison Williams , Ronny Chieng , Kimberley Crossman

Runtime
1hr 42min

Read Our Review of M3GAN

The one that started it all in 2023, M3GAN is about as perfect a horror film that you can find for the teenage audience. The movie follows toy designer Gemma (Allison Williams), who, after adopting her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw), after the deaths of her parents, designs and introduces Cady to M3GAN, the next level in android toy design. The only issue is that while Gemma avoids her responsibilities to Cady, M3GAN starts to become protective and self-aware, ultimately deciding that she should be Cady's sole protector and supervisor.

A Fun and Successful Way to Kick-Off 2023

Though M3GAN doesn't have the blood, guts, and jump scares that a lot of 2023's movies have, it proved extremely successful with audiences, raking in almost $180 million at the box office, against its $12 million budget. The film became the highest-grossing horror movie to ever be released in January, and has already been green-lit for a sequel. There's not an incredible amount of depth here, but M3GAN's voice (Amie Donald) and actions are pretty creepy and brutal, and her dance moves have been extremely popular with the TikTok crowd. It's a fantastic film to help transition young horror fans into more adult horror movies.

Stream on Prime Video

6 The Wrath of Becky

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (20)
The Wrath of Becky

Release Date
May 25, 2023

Director
Matt Angel
Cast
Lulu Wilson , Seann William Scott , Michael Sirow , Matt Angel , Courtney Gains
Main Genre
Action

Studio
Post Film, BoulderLight Pictures, Fluffy Bear Studios

Read Our Review of The Wrath of Becky

Simply put, not enough people have tuned into the Becky series, and after watching Becky lay waste to a neo-Nazi portrayal from Kevin James in the first film, it was only sweeter (and stranger) to watch her taking out even more revenge on a "Proud Boy" version of American Pie's Sean William Scott. After the events of the first film, Becky finds herself trying to get her life together, but when her dog is kidnapped and her friend is killed, she jumps back into one of the few things she's great at... revenge.

A Gory, Good Time

The Wrath of Becky is a blast, and that's mostly due to its fun (and unexpected) performances, and comic book-style direction and formatting. The sequel took everything great about the first movie, and amplified it in every way, making for a more engaging story, less likable villain characters (somehow), and even more bloodshed. Lulu Wilson has already made a name for herself in the horror genre, acting in projects like The Haunting of Hill House, Ouija: Origin of Evil, and Annabelle: Creation, but she is absolutely at her best and unhinged in the Becky movies, and if they've flown under your radar, we highly recommend a watch.

Stream on Showtime

5 No One Will Save You

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (21)
No One Will Save You

PG-13

Release Date
September 22, 2023

Director
Brian Duffield
Cast
Kaitlyn Dever , Zack Duhame , Geraldine Singer , Dane Rhodes

Runtime
1hr 33min
Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review For No One Will Save You

Seemingly coming out of left field is No One Will Save You, one of the most unique takes on the home invasion horror subgenre. In this one, Kaitlyn Dever plays Brynn, a traumatized homebody who must defend her house from an alien invasion by her lonesome. The Hulu original film was one of the most-streamed movies across all streaming platforms during its release week in September, and also ranked among the overall best sci-fi films of 2023.

Kaitlyn Dever Shines in This Survival Horror

Don't let the PG-13 rating scare you off, there are plenty of shocks and creep factor in No One Will Save You. Home invasion horror has never been done quite like this, and Kaitlyn Dever proves once again why she's one of the most underrated young actresses working today, delivering a heartfelt performance that has you rooting for her the entire time. There are underlying messages in the story, the extraterrestrials look excellent, the action is intense, and the drama is heartbreaking. The film checks all the boxes for a quality, entertaining movie at home.

Stream on Hulu

4 Brooklyn 45

The 23 Best Horror Movies of 2023, Ranked (22)
Brooklyn 45

Not Rated

Release Date
June 9, 2023

Director
Ted Geoghegan

Cast
Anne Ramsay , Ron E. Rains , Jeremy Holm , Larry Fessenden , Ezra Buzzington , Kristina Klebe

Runtime
1hr 32min
Main Genre
Horror

Read Our Review Of Brooklyn 45

Another Shudder original that made the list, Brooklyn 45 comes as a 1940s-'50s-inspired whodunit, as a group of veterans come together to hold a seance in hopes of contacting the deceased wife of their friend after she committed suicide. However, the group didn't expect to find out that there were several mysterious circumstances surrounding her death, including threats brought from lives of war they all thought they left behind.

A Ghostly Message of Xenophobia

Ted Geoghegan always has something to say with his movies, and Brooklyn 45 is no different. With this story, he explores the idea of xenophobia in the afterlife, after an especially vulnerable time in America's history. The film unfolds like a play, and the small, intimate cast of characters is incredible in their individual roles. It's not the most action-packed or blood-splattered film, but it does have some great gore, and the overall story is quite horrific. If you're looking for a dialogue-heavy tale that feels more like literary storytelling along the lines of Hitchcock, this one is definitely for you.

Stream on Shudder

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