10 Underrated Must-Watch Horror Movies From The Last 5 Years

In the last five years, horror fans around the world have been delighted with the release of some remarkable and thrilling entries in the genre. From the latest chapter of beloved franchises like Scream and The Conjuring to Oscar-worthy masterpieces like The Substance, well-written and captivating scary movies have been abundant. However, amid these long-awaited returns and critically acclaimed blockbusters with recognizable names, many exceptional horror films have flown under the radar.

The horror genre has always been filled with underrated gems, and the 2020s are no exception. Due to the genre’s often underestimated reputation, it is already hard enough for these films to receive the recognition they merit. Some of these hidden treasures slipped through the cracks due to their more niche appeal or simply because they have been overshadowed by more renowned production companies or prominent cast. Nevertheless, they are a must-watch.

10

Barbarian (2022)

Directed By Zach Cregger

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Barbarian

R

Horror

Thriller

7.3/10

Release Date

September 9, 2022

Runtime

102 minutes

Director

Zach Cregger

Writers

Zach Cregger

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Bill Skarsgård In The New York Premiere Of 'Boy Kills World'

    Bill Skarsgard

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Georgina Campbell

In Barabarian, Tess (Georgina Campbell) travels to Detroit for a job interview, booking an Airbnb to stay at. When she discovers the rental is currently occupied by a man named Keith (Bill Skarsgard), who also supposedly booked the property, Tess agrees to stay the night while they sort things out. However, her reservations for Keith are the least of her worries – as she soon discovers the home is not what it seems. 

Studio(s)

20th Century, Disney

Distributor(s)

20th Century, Disney

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Although Barbarian has been well-received by critics and the public alike, the movie’s more subdued marketing campaign and the fact that it was Zach Cregger’s directorial debut led it to be somehow overlooked during its release. Due to the ingenious and completely unexpected progress of the story, had the movie been made by a more prominent name in the industry, Barbarian could have achieved even higher peaks.

Bill Skarsgard looking concerned in Barbarian

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This lesser-known cinematic gem subverts traditional tropes of the genre. Cregger immerses the viewer in the story and deceives them into thinking they know where the plot is headed. However, as time passes, all our predictions are destroyed. Perhaps the premise presented in the trailer might have caused the public to believe it would be another classic scary tale about a woman trapped in a dangerous situation. However, nothing is what it seems like. With its erratic but efficient narrative structure and the social message embedded, Barbarian is a must-watch.

9

The Menu (2022)

Directed By Mark Mylod

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The Menu

R

Comedy

Horror

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

7/10

19

8.8/10

Release Date

November 18, 2022

Runtime

106 minutes

Director

Mark Mylod

Writers

Seth Reiss, Will Tracy

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes

  • Anya Taylor-Joy Profile Picture

    Anya Taylor-Joy

A darkly comedic horror-thriller, The Menu focuses on a group of diners invited to a high-end restaurant on a private island by one of the world’s greatest chefs. Shortly after arriving on the island, Margot Mills begins to realize something is strange beyond the perceived pompous nature of the menu. Her suspicions are confirmed when the night turns deadly as the restaurant staff begins to descend into a cult-like madness.

Studio(s)

Searchlight Pictures

Distributor(s)

Searchlight Pictures

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With Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu is a deeply unnerving and anxiety-provoking eat-the-rich horror. The movie is a clever satire that blends elements of suspense, thriller, and black comedy, while also delivering a sharp social critique on themes like the commodification of art. However, despite being critically acclaimed, this wild masterpiece seems to have been quickly forgotten among other horror releases of the same period.

The shockingly funny writing, in-depth characterizations, and metaphorical elements all come together to create one of the best horrors of the last five years.

The Menu has such an imaginative way of simultaneously intriguing and terrifying the viewer in order to craft a clever commentary that it deserved more than two Golden Globe Award nominations for the actors. The shockingly funny writing, in-depth characterizations, and metaphorical elements all come together to create one of the best horrors of the last five years. Without a doubt, Mark Mylod’s production is worth watching.

8

Late Night With The Devil (2024)

Directed By Colin & Cameron Cairnes

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Late Night With the Devil

R

Horror

ScreenRant logo

8/10

7/10

Release Date

March 22, 2024

Runtime

86 Minutes

Director

Cameron Cairnes, Colin Cairnes

Writers

Colin Cairnes, Cameron Cairnes

Cast

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  • Headshot Of David Dastmalchian

    David Dastmalchian

  • Headshot Of Laura Gordon

    Laura Gordon

Late Night with the Devil is a horror thriller starring David Dastmalchian as Jack Delroy. Delroy is a late-night talk show host in 1977 trying to keep his broadcast on the air. But when he tries to communicate with the devil through a young girl live on the air, things don’t go according to plan.

Main Genre

Horror

Studio(s)

Image Nation Abu Dhabi, VicScreen, AGC Studios, Good Fiend Films, Future Pictures, Spooky Pictures

Distributor(s)

Umbrella Entertainment, Maslow Entertainment

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Late Night with the Devil is a chilling horror that combines the storytelling methods of found footage and documentary style to lead the viewer on a disturbing journey into a late-night talk show nightmare. Set on the night of Halloween in 1977, an ambitious host attempts to raise the ratings of its programs by featuring a girl who harbors a demon on his program. Despite the exciting premise and the 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film still does not have the notoriety it deserves.

Imagery from Train to Busan and When Evil Lurks

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This could partially be due to the relatively unknown names of the directors. However, the fact that Stephen King praised this underrated horror is a testament to its unsettling quality. The TV format helps build a more familiar and realistic sense of dread. It plays with the media’s obsession with sensationalism in exchange for profit while highlighting the public’s complicity in the disturbing events that unfold.

7

Influencer (2023)

Directed By Kurtis David

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Influencer

Thriller

Mystery

Horror

Release Date

May 18, 2023

Runtime

92 minutes

Director

Kurtis David Harder

Producers

Jack Campbell, Brandon Christensen

Cast

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    Emily Tennant

    Madison

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Cassandra Naud

    CW

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Rory J. Saper

    Ryan

  • Headshot Of Sara Canning

    Sara Canning

    Jessica

Influencer follows social media influencer Madison on a solitary backpacking trip in Thailand, where she encounters the free-spirited CW. Initially drawn to her adventurous lifestyle, Madison soon discovers that CW harbors a more sinister intent, dramatically altering the course of her journey.

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Written and directed by names who are still new to the industry, Influencer is still no less worthy of recognition than other films of this sub-genre. The movie explores a timely and relevant topic: the world of influencers and social media culture. Because of the digital age we currently inhabit, portraying the dark and sinister side of the web is a smart way to captivate the viewer- it taps into a fear that feels disturbingly real.

The character of Madison, an unhappy influencer who goes on a vacation in Thailand, where someone steals her passport, is a vessel for the film’s exploration of the dangers that lurk beneath the patinated world of social media. As the narrative develops, the viewer joins the unfortunate protagonist in a game of deceit and manipulation where the subtle line between reality and the online world blurs.

6

Strange Darling (2024)

Directed By JT Mollner

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Strange Darling

R

Horror

Thriller

Romance

ScreenRant logo

6/10

7.2/10

Release Date

August 23, 2024

Runtime

96 Minutes

Director

JT Mollner

Writers

JT Mollner

Cast

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  • Headhsot Of Willa Fitzgerald

    Willa Fitzgerald

    The Lady

  • Headshot of Kyle Gallner

    Kyle Gallner

    The Demon

A twisted one-night stand spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse when a relentless predator chases an injured woman through the Oregon wilderness.

Main Genre

Horror

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Set in the rural area of Oregon, Strange Darling combines elements of the erotic thriller sub-genre with psychological horror, crafting a tense cat-and-mouse chase that will linger in the mind of the viewer long after the credit rolls. Unfortunately, this indie gem was slightly overlooked when it premiered last year due to scarce marketing strategies and its niche appeal. However, if given a chance, the film might become a cult.

With a suffocating atmosphere and a non-linear narrative structure divided into six chapters, Strange Darling creates a confusing yet absolutely enthralling world to delve into. The power of this must-watch horror lies in Willa Fitzgerald’s performance. On an otherworldly, romantic background, a story of menace and violence comes to life, creating a stark juxtaposition between the serene beauty of the scenery and the twisted events unfolding.

5

The Feast (2021)

Directed By Lee Haven Jone

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The Feast

Not Rated

Horror

ScreenRant logo

7/10

Release Date

November 19, 2021

Runtime

93 minutes

Director

Lee Haven Jones

Writers

Roger Williams

Producers

Paul Higgins

Cast

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  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Caroline Berry

    Glenda

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Lisa Palfrey

    Cadi

The Feast is a 2021 horror film centered on a wealthy family’s dinner event. As the evening unfolds, a mysterious young server subtly disrupts the gathering, leading to unforeseen and chilling consequences. The narrative explores themes of family dynamics and hidden secrets, building tension throughout the course of the meal.

Main Genre

Horror

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The Feast is a Welsh horror that uses disturbing imagery and elements typical of folklore mythology to invoke fear and create a critique of excessive consumerism and greed. The fascinating sub-genre of folk horror has been revisited in recent years, thanks to widely acclaimed successes like The Witch and Midsommar. Lee Haven Jones’ work is a fine and downright horrifying addition to this wave. Set in the beautiful and eerie countryside of Wales, The Feast offers the viewer a creepy and picturesque escape from reality.

The premise of the movie follows a wealthy family hosting a fancy dinner party, where a young and mysterious woman is tasked with serving the guests. However, as the night unfolds, something sinister begins to surface, breaking the illusion of a seemingly perfect and idyllic reality. The Feast is worth adding to the expanding list of must-watch modern folk-horror masterpieces.

4

Anything For Jackson

Directed By Justin G. Dyck

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Anything for Jackson

Not Rated

Horror

Release Date

December 3, 2020

Runtime

96 Minutes

Director

Justin G. Dyck

Writers

Keith Cooper

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Sheila McCarthy IN The 25th CDGA (Costume Designers Guild Awards)

    Sheila McCarthy

    Audrey Walsh

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Julian Richings

    Henry Walsh

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Konstantina Mantelos

    Shannon Becker

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Josh Cruddas

    Ian

Anything for Jackson is a horror film that follows a grieving elderly couple who, after losing their grandson, resort to black magic in an attempt to bring him back. Their plan spirals out of control, leading to unforeseen and terrifying consequences.

Main Genre

Horror

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A supernatural horror produced in Canada, Anything For Jackson delivers an emotionally compelling story of love and grief. The film focuses on an elderly couple who, after recently losing their grandson, kidnaps a pregnant woman to perform a reverse exorcism and bring their nephew back to life. Unsurprisingly, things take a darker turn when the rite doesn’t go as expected, leading to a series of chilling events.

The movie alternates between a tragic, gloomy atmosphere and its satirical streak, offering an intelligent perspective on unsolved grief and obsession. The emotionally charged performances of the cast are nothing short of mesmerizing. As the results of the mournful and sympathetic couple’s actions spiral out of control, Anything For Jackson plunges into utter chaos, keeping the viewer on edge for the whole 97 minutes. Although the horror’s twisted ending leaves the viewer with some questions, the film is worth discovering.

3

Censor (2021)

Directed By Prano Bailey-Bond

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Censor

Not Yet Rated

Horror

Mystery

ScreenRant logo

7/10

Release Date

June 11, 2021

Runtime

84 Minutes

Director

Prano Bailey-Bond

Writers

Prano Bailey-Bond, Anthony Fletcher

Cast

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  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Niamh Algar

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Nicholas Burns

A British horror film set in the 1980s, following a film censor who starts to lose her grasp on reality after watching a video nasty that echoes her sister’s mysterious disappearance.

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The first feature film directed by Prano Bailey-Bond, Censor is a remarkable debut that certainly earned a respectable spot in the British horror landscape. The story takes place in 1985, a peculiar time for the cinema in the United Kingdom, when movies deemed too violent and explicit were relentlessly banned. Enid, a film censor charged with scrutinizing and canceling disturbing content, becomes dangerously consumed by her work.

Henry Deaver in Castle Rock and Father Marcus Keane in The Exorcist TV show

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2

The film explores many themes, from moral panic and societal blame to the dangers of censorship and the incessant need to find meaningless scapegoats for what often seems unexplainable. Additionally, the tragic story of Enid’s sister also looks at the consequences of unresolved grief. With a slow-burn narrative pacing, the viewer is brought into the downward-spiralling psyche of a traumatized woman who grows increasingly unable to distinguish reality from delusion.

2

The Conference (2023)

Directed By Patrik Eklund

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The Conference

TV-MA

Comedy

Horror

Release Date

October 23, 2023

Runtime

100 Minutes

Director

Patrik Eklund

Writers

Thomas Moldestad

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Katia Winter In The 2014 Fox Upfront Presentation

    Katia Winter

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Maria Sid

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Adam Lundgren

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Christoffer Nordenrot

The Conference is a 2023 horror-comedy film by director Patrik Eklund created for Netflix. When a group of corporate employees head off to a company retreat for the weekend, they begin to air their grievances with one another – until they get picked off one by one by a bloodthirsty masked killer.

Studio(s)

SF Studios

Distributor(s)

Netflix

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The Conference is a brutally suspenseful slasher that flips the classic formula of the genre. In this case, instead of targeting a group of teenagers or college students, the masked killer sets his sights on a team of co-workers away in a secluded area for a corporate retreat. Although it belongs to a subgenre dominated by Hollywood ’90s horrors, the film is a Swedish production and uses a typically Swedish context and atmosphere.

The Conference has an almost satirical undercurrent, but it does not sacrifice the chilling mood the increasingly violent events set off. Helped by the eerie atmosphere of an isolated setting and the sense of hopelessness plaguing the victims, the movie creates an intensely claustrophobic sensation for the viewer. Additionally, The Conference does not shy away from exposing the darker and corrupt side of the corporate world, embedding the film with a social commentary that is indispensable to the plot.

1

The Night House (2021)

Directed By David Bruckner

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The Night House

R

Horror

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

8/10

9/10

Release Date

July 16, 2021

Runtime

108 minutes

Director

David Bruckner

Writers

Ben Collins, Luke Piotrowski

Cast

See All

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Stacy Martin

  • Headshot Of Sarah Goldberg

    Sarah Goldberg

Beth grapples with grief after her husband Owen’s suicide. Haunted by Owen’s cryptic note and eerie occurrences, she delves into a disturbing revelation about her past. As she uncovers Owen’s dark secrets, Beth confronts supernatural forces and confronts her own mortality. With her sanity at stake, Beth faces a perilous journey to unravel the truth behind Owen’s actions and confront the entity known as “Nothing.” In a battle between life and death, Beth must find the strength to defy the sinister forces threatening her existence.

Main Genre

Thriller

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The Night House is not only one of the best yet overlooked scary movies of the last five years, but it also has one of the most underrated horror performances in a while by Rebecca Hall. The film follows Beth on a dramatic journey into the sinister mystery surrounding the lakeside house built by her now-deceased husband. The movie intertwines themes like grief and trauma with a creepy, supernatural element.

The Night House creates, like few other films managed, an atmosphere of gradually rising dread, without sacrificing the emotional depth of the story.

Despite receiving mostly positive reviews, the film—and Hall’s haunting performance—did not obtain the level of recognition it deserved, especially given its ominous premise and masterful execution. The Night House creates, like few other films managed, an atmosphere of gradually rising dread, without sacrificing the emotional depth of the story. Although David Bruckner is becoming increasingly known in the horror scene, one of their best works flew under the radar.

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