2024 was an odd year for horror. We didn’t see many sequels and those that did come out were surprisingly good. We witnessed a lot of faux horror movies. Movies that claimed to be horror movies but were really some kind of drama, mostly of the family or relationship kind. There was also the continued rise of Goosebumps horror, movies really made for tweens not even teens.
Here at Binge News we made every attempt to check out, to screen every horror movie of note this year and rank them by grade. There are some exceptions though:
If the film wasn’t available in English, had no subtitles or dubbing we had to pass.
If the film was so low, low, low budget that the “filmmakers” couldn’t even get the simple things like editing, continuity or lighting right, we had to pass.
If the film was not widely released in 2024 and was only screened at the Monster Horror Mystery Fan Festival in Buckfuck, Montana, we don’t consider that RELEASED. Sorry, no.
Also, each grade installment is listed from best to worst. So, the last entry in F Grade is what we consider the worst Horror movie of the 2024 and in turn the first entry in A Grade is what we consider the best of 2024.
Here are the A Grades, the very best of last year.
Synopsis: A fading celebrity takes a black-market drug: a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
Review: This blew my mind and not many movies do that. Be warned. It is NOT for everyone. The horrific, unsettling gore is like David Cronenberg’s Videodrome got into The Fly’s molecular transporter with the alien from John Carpenter’s The Thing.
Demi Moore is an aging fitness model who goes to extreme measures to recapture her youth spawning a younger clone of herself in Margaret Dualley (Andie MacDowell’s daughter). With this and her performance in Drive-Away Dolls Dualley is a star on the rise for sure.
I saw this as more of a morality tale about being at peace with yourself and aging in general but it is also about female beauty. Do we really need to portray every male character as an abysmal asshole though to deliver that message? Nevertheless, this ranks up there with the best Cronenberg body horror films and that is impressive considering Coralie Fargeat has only made this and the controversial Revenge. She is a definitely a visionary director and writer to keep tabs on. This is shocking, thought-provoking and the best horror movie of the year.
Synopsis: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
Review: It borrows something here and there from the Alien mythos but this patchwork comes together as a faithful bow to what has made the 45-year-old franchise endure for so long. Give the people what they want. It is that simple. It is different yet the same. My order would now be: Alien, Aliens, Romulus, Alien vs. Predator, Alien 3, Covenant, Prometheus, Alien Resurrection, Alien vs Predator Requiem.
Synopsis: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
Review: I am a big fan of Hammer, gothic horror so this one was a hit with me despite being disjointed and very heavy in some places. The atmosphere alone was incredible. I am not a fan of the ending though. I get that it feeds into the whole obsession theme but I think it was far too complex when a simpler conclusion would have been best. As far as the Dracula story goes it doesn’t introduce much that is strikingly new or fresh but that is perhaps a good thing.
Synopsis: Two ancient titans, Godzilla and Kong, clash in an epic battle as humans unravel their intertwined origins and connection to Skull Island’s mysteries.
Review: Us Godzilla fans have been spoiled as of late. First the amazing Godzilla Minus One and now THIS. Two of the best Godzilla films ever made. This movie kicks ALL the ass and is the perfect blend of human story and the Kaiju story. Oh, and the best use of Kiss’ ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’ ever and King Kong suplexes Godzilla!
Synopsis: Art the Clown is set to unleash chaos on the unsuspecting residents of Miles County as they peacefully drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve.
Review: Splatter horror is DEFINITELY NOT for everyone. With that said, this is the third movie in the Terrifier franchise and the series is already growing a bit stale. The kills aren’t as creative and neither are Art’s repeated, recycled pantomimes. They are predictable and not as darkly amusing as they have been in the past. Unlike the last movie and the best in the franchise, this film plays out like a series of gags that have been strung together. Sure, lots of limbs and heads get lopped off but there is very little here that a splatter horror fan hasn’t seen before. The last film really elevated the franchise. This one regresses it prioritizing how far they can push the violence rather than how creative they can be with it. Like the others in the franchise, I am glad I saw it and admire the audacity of the filmmakers as they push the limits of splatter but I have no desire to see it again.
Synopsis: A father and his twin teenage sons fight to survive in a remote farmhouse at the end of the world.
Review: You have seen this kind of movie before but not like this. The creatures are astoundingly cool and the drama is off the chart. A fresh and human take on the whole apocalyptic creature feature genre. It will exceed your expectations going in.
Synopsis: A live television broadcast in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation’s living rooms.
Review: It will have you sitting on the edge of your seat until the big reveal at the end. A terrific vehicle for David Dastmalchian who is unforgettable in this.
Synopsis: Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree.
Review: Notwithstanding its plot holes it is a gritty, sometimes disturbing thriller with killer performances from Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. However, the entire film hinges on ONE twist which you can figure out long before it is revealed if you give it some thought. The twist has also been done many times before in various older, newer horror movies. Director, writer JT Mollner isn’t breaking any new ground here despite putting together an intense thriller that goes right for the jugular…figuratively and literally.
Synopsis: When a locket is removed from a collapsed fire tower in the woods that entombs the rotting corpse of Johnny, a vengeful spirit spurred on by a horrific 70-year old crime, his body is resurrected and becomes hellbent on retrieving it.
Review: The best way to describe this film is Friday 13th from Jason’s point of view. Campers take something that doesn’t belong to them awakening a spirit of vengeance. We have all seen tracking shots of killers in slasher movies before but not a movie that is 85% dedicated to following the engine of destruction as they slice and dice their prey. Incredibly creative with some great kills. The only flaw is the way some of those prey react. One of the best horror films of 2024.
Synopsis: After raising an unnervingly talented spider in secret, 12-year-old Charlotte must face the facts about her pet-and fight for her family’s survival-when the once-charming creature rapidly transforms into a giant, flesh-eating monster.
Review: Alyla Browne, who at 14 has already starred the soul-crushing and inspirational The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, The Secret Kingdom, Nine Perfect Strangers and the cruddy Children of the Corn remake, steals the show as the rebellious and frenzied Charlotte. Her slow change from a fragile and sensitive kid to being slightly unhinged and manic is a wicked reveal. The running gag about the missing exterminators is as funny as the cop gag in The Return of the Living Dead.
Full Review:
Synopsis: In the wake of an environmental collapse that is forcing humanity to shed 20% of its population, a family dinner erupts into chaos when a father’s plan to enlist in the government’s new euthanasia program goes horribly awry.
Review: Caitlin Cronenberg’s first movie is a tour de force, although I am sure she got some friendly advice from dad. The tension ratches up as each member of the family is backed into a corner during a life or death struggle. A twisted, unsettling story that will stick with you long after the final credits roll.
Synopsis: A young woman inherits a run-down pub and discovers a dark secret within its basement – Baghead – a shape-shifting creature that will let you speak to lost loved ones, but not without consequence.
Review: Technically, this movie was released in Germany in 2023 but the rest of the world was 2024 so we are including it. Baghead is a different kind of supernatural horror movie that stands above today’s glut of haunted house and possession movies that have been literally recycled to death at this point unless they are made in Korea, China or Japan. Freya Allan (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Witcher) is Iris, a down on her luck woman who inherits a dilapidated pub from her estranged father (Peter Mullan). Iris decides not to immediately sell it to an overly anxious buyer. She instead wants to spend some time there and learn more about her dad. Iris is unaware that the pub has a dark past and that living in the basement is a gruesome yet prized creature (‘Baghead’) who has a shocking and miraculous power that would be dangerous in the wrong hands especially if ‘Baghead’ were allowed to escape into the outside world. There are many twists and turns in this unconventional story. Some will find it incredibly refreshing while others will certainly see it as a scatterbrained mess.
Synopsis: A young woman named Sam finds herself trapped in New York City during the early stages of an invasion by alien creatures with ultra-sensitive hearing.
Review: With two previous movies the cat is out of the bag as far as what we’d expect from A Quiet Place movie. So, there is nothing new or surprising here. We know how the aliens function. We know they invaded Earth. We know you have to be quiet as a church mouse or you are toast. However, despite all of that, this sequel is not just another rehash because of the very personal and emotional stories of Samira (Lupita Nyong’o) and Eric (Joseph Quinn) who find themselves trapped in New York when the onslaught begins.
Synopsis: A group of friends camp out and tell scary stories.
Review: Anthology films are a rarity these days. It didn’t help that this one didn’t get much exposure or recognition. The stories themselves are quite good, some more creative than others, and why they are being told is an intriguing scenario that leads into the big finale. Don’t sleep on this one especially if you are a fan of Creepshow, etc.
Synopsis: When two siblings return to their childhood home, they are confronted by a violent, supernatural presence that dwells deep within their worst traumas.
Review: A very disturbing film in the sense of how the longstanding abuse is portrayed and how it has effected the lives of both the bother and sister. Unlike other films that try to tackle real life issues with a horror backdrop this one works very well because it has a great balance of those elements. I have never seen a film telling this kind of story in this way.
Synopsis: A young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, but encounters a darkness that causes her to question her faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.
Review: Nell Tiger Free continues to impress. A total throwback to the original film. It stands on its own though as a superior supernatural horror movie.
Synopsis: In a desperate attempt to protect her ten-year-old daughter, a young widow allows a nightmarish monster to slowly eat her alive.
Review: One of the most original horror movies of the year. Chaz Bono has a bit part and his mom Cher helped produced it. At times it is unsettling and at times it is very unsettling. It reminded of something Clive Barker would include in the Books of Blood. Barbara Crampton and Heather Langenkamp star alongside Krsy Fox and Jon Sklaroff who are incredible as the mom and the monster.
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