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)