Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.
No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good?
In honor of Halloween, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday is dedicated to a genre often overlooked during awards season: horror. Genre bias is a significant factor in the lack of Academy Award nominations for horror films, but a more pressing issue is the modern focus on shock value over meaningful themes.
Not to sound nostalgic, but the horror films I grew up with – and those that came before – boasted storytelling depth and character development that truly evoked fear. Somewhere along the way, the genre shifted towards prioritizing jump scares, sacrificing atmosphere and tone in the process. While quick adrenaline rushes can be thrilling, they pale in comparison to the lasting impact of psychological terror. The slow, deliberate unraveling of a story can haunt you long after the fleeting thrill of a jump scare fades.
That said, the past 24 years have given us a wealth of remarkable horror films. Many directors are successfully pushing back against this trend, exploring the unknown to create some of the most unsettling and intricately layered films the genre has ever seen.
Here are the ten best horror films of the 21st century (January 1, 2001 and after):
10. Let the Right One In (2008)
9. The Babadook (2014)
8. The Conjuring (2013)
7. 28 Days Later (2002)
6. Split (2017)
5. Midsommar (2019)
4. A Quiet Place (2018)
3. Hereditary (2018)
2. Get Out (2017)
1. The VVitch (2015)
LOVELY List. Every single one of them is a classic (With Let The Right One In being among my all time favorites).
If there was a 11th spot / honorable mention: I'd add Under The Shadow (2016).
I am not familiar with Under the Shadow. I will add it to my list to see! Thanks for the recommendation.
Sorry about double posting here but just saw The Substance (2024) thanks to Mubi..
This demented masterpiece truly (And terrifyingly) belongs on this list and hopefully AMPAS remembers / rewards it. Not just Ms Moore but also Ms Qualley, Best Picture, Original Screenplay, Cinematography and Editing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank God The Witch and The Babadook are on here, otherwise….
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3506992b14a89e14abd9a41ea609c995e4bf607589a9e00ea34b61c07c8a0876.gif
New to The Contending…love it!
Love this Top Ten list.
I'd swap our "Get Out" for "Us"…and "Midsommar" for "It Follows"…but absolutely love most of the choices! 👏👏
Oh, and one under-the-radar I loved was the 2017 "Ghost Stories" directed by Jeremy Dyson and featuring Martin Freeman…soooo good! 🙂