Best Horror Movies of 2023

 

This year saw several horror movies that were eagerly anticipated.

There were slashers, thrillers, movies adapted from novels, and even movies where children's classics were given a dark twist.

Horror movie fans waited a whole year for some of the favorites that finally released this year.

We got Five Night at Freddy's, the sequel to Nun, and a new instalment of the SAW franchise.

But there were many disappointments too.

Take, for example, Insidious: The Red Door or Nun 2 or even Five Night at Freddy's.

While all of these movies found commercial success, they were panned by critics. The same was seen in the case of The Exorcist: Believer.

These horror movies were highly anticipated but didn't live up to the expectations of the fans.

Disappointing storylines and the reliance on jump scares led to these movies not finding critical acclaim.

However, there were those movies that were surprisingly good even though they were made on a smaller budget like Talk to Me or Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey.

Here are the TOP 10 Horror Movies of 2023

1) Thanksgiving

Eli Roth's Thanksgiving finally gets a full-feature film after its trailer was released years ago. The movie retained most of the iconic scenes from the faux trailer and although the killer reveal was obvious, the movie was entertaining and the perfect entry in the slasher genre.

2) Saw X

Saw X finally saw the return of Tobin Bell as John Kramer who was also Jigsaw.

In a way, this movie justifies Kramer's actions and games after he was conned by those who promised to help him recover from his illness.

All John Kramer wanted was for the people to learn from their mistakes. He was giving them a second chance to do the right thing even though it was grotesquely twisted.

3) Evil Dead Rise

The much awaited addition to the Evil Dead franchise was released this year and it was just as bloody as everyone thought it would be.

The story was about a mother who is struggling to raise her kids. When one of her kids opens the book that can summon Deadites, the poor mother is possessed and goes on a killing spree.

Watching the mother getting attacked by the Deadites before being possessed is heart-wrenching.

Evil Dead Rise was engaging, fun, and gory.

4) M3GAN

The year started off with M3GAN who was the subject of several memes before its release. The android's dance went viral too.

M3GAN worked more as a horror-comedy and had a story that threw light on grief and single-parenting, and raising a kid. The subjects were handled with sensitivity while making sure the horror and thriller elements were never lost.

5) Talk to Me

Although this movie debuted in a festival in 2022, it was released in theatres everywhere in 2023.

Talk to Me was the surprise hit of the year and one of those instances where the trailer did not do justice to the movie.

The movie is so much better and the first half is actually creepy.

It's no surprise that the Talk to Me has a sequel that is already greenlit.

6) Dark Harvest

Dark Harvest was based on a novel and although it did not receive great reviews from critics, it was actually an engaging movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The twist is bizarre and creepy but you will continue to watch this to the very end.

7) The Sacrifice Game

Here's another instance of a trailer not doing justice to the movie. The movie is surprising and also well-acted despite what the trailer showed.

The movie has a surprising twist that turns this "intruder" type movie into something else entirely.

A definitely must watch for horror fans.

8) Scream VI

Scream VII may or may not happen but at least we got a glimpse into what direction the future of Scream movie could be if the actors stayed on.

Scream VI changed the rules of the game as soon as Ghostface picks up a gun. The story also takes place in New York and has the four new characters trying to stay alive as Ghostface stalks them.

There were some disappointments, like nothing at all happening to the four, or that the killer reveal was predictable and cheesy.

If you remember Scream II, you will guess where the story is headed from the very beginning.

Still, overall, the movie is entertaining and takes the Scream franchise to new heights.

9) Malum

Malum is a remake of another great horror film, The Last Shift.

Malum has some genuinely creepy moments and it will give you the shivers.

The story is about a rookie cop accepting a job at a decommissioned police station where members of a cult committed suicide.

The mystery and its eventual reveal sees some twists and turns, and the story is jammed with frightening moments.

10) The Wrath of Becky

Why do people mess with Becky?

People who do, generally don't live to tell the tale.

Becky is an orphan after the events of the last movie and since she is still a minor, she is pushed from one foster house to another until she settles down with an elderly woman.

She seems to have found stability until her attitude gets her in trouble with a couple of thugs who break into her home, kill the older woman and steal her dog!

Becky is clearly not going to take this lying down and vows to take down these dangerous, wanted criminals.

Okay, so it does seem a bit cheesy  especially how things wrap up in the end, but the movie is tense, funny, and entertaining.

Definitely an enjoyable way to spend a boring day.