The Super Powered Fancast

The 2010’s are almost over, but the decade has already provided some amazing horror films. A new breed of writers and directors have taken the horror genre in some different and satisfying directions that are creating their own cinematic universes that allow them to overcome the stigma of sequels that plagued classic characters like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. That being said, some of the movies on this list actually occur in the same universe as others, but tell some universal and terrifying new stories.

5. Insidious (2010)

James Wan and Leigh Whannell have revitalized the horror genre with films like Whannell’s Saw and another film on this list by Wan, but Insidious ushered in a new style of storytelling for horror films. Insidious tells the story of the Lambert family as they fight to bring their young son out of a coma by traveling to the astral plane to free him from a demon keeping him in a place called “The Further”. What makes the story unique is that it includes secrets about the family and a history of this phenomenon within it. The story also allowed multiple sequels and side stories to emerge featuring the characters.

4. A Quiet Place (2018)

Another unique entry into the horror realm, A Quiet Place takes one of the five senses and makes it the embodiment of terror as unknown creatures have descended on the Earth killing most of the planet’s animals and humans because they have armored skin and are attracted to sound. Every scene in the film is filled with tension, especially because there are so many possible ways for sound to be generated and when the mother goes into labor, the tension increases as she tries to give birth with the woods filled with the creatures stalking them.

3. The Conjuring (2013)

James Wan returns to the list with a classic haunted house movie based on the case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Conjuring takes the classic tropes of a haunted house film and demon possession storyline and gives them heart by making the story center on the family. When the Perron family moves into a farmhouse in Rhode Island, they begin to experience paranormal events centered around the family matriarch. The Warrens are called in to investigate the events and eventually find themselves fighting to save the mother from the murderous entity trying to possess her.

2. The Babadook (2014)

Written and directed by Jennifer Kent, The Babadook does a great job of mixing both supernatural and psychological horror to great effect. A widow and single mother is raising her young son alone and finds herself dealing with her son’s increasingly erratic behavior. After finding her son’s hand-made pop up book about a monster named Mr. Babadook, the mother finds herself dealing with supernatural occurrences in the home as well as increasingly violent behavior from her son who is desperate to convince her that the Babadook is real. What makes this movie so memorable is the ending which is unique in the world of horror movies.

1. IT (2017)

Based on the novel by Stephen King, IT tells the story of Derry, Maine and the creature below it who feeds on the fear of the people as well as its children. A group of kids find themselves having to face their own fears as well as the history of the town in order to come together and face the menace of the entity known as Pennywise the clown. IT managed to capture both the spirit and vulnerability of childhood while crafting a scary and compelling story.

Let us know what your picks for the best horror movies of the 2010’s are in the comments below. Until next year, Happy Halloween.