The Best Horror Movies Of 2022

While he rose to prominence as half of the comedy duo "Key and Peele," Jordan Peele has since made a total 180 with his career and gone on to direct some of the most popular horror movies of our time. Following up his modern classics "Get Out" and "Us" is Peele's most recent project, "Nope," which delves into an equally absurd premise of science fiction and horror. At least it certainly has all the hallmarks of a science fiction story, when a mysterious flying object appears over a rural California horse ranch, much to the amazement of the owners, siblings OJ and Em Haywood (Daniel Kaluya and Keke Palmer). 

Though the UFO first appears to the Haywood ranchers over a remote stretch of California desert, they are far from the only people enthralled by the extraterrestrial arrival. Just about everyone with the means to do so tries to cash in on the spectacle, with unexpected consequences for those who venture too close. Fans of Peele's previous films can expect much of the same wit that his works have become known for, capped off with a truly unsettling premise about mankind's relation to nature itself.

Sometimes all you're in the mood for is a blood-spattered horror flick that's light on plot and heavy on gruesome kills, and there's nothing wrong with that. Set during the late '70s, "X" is something of a tribute to the bygone era of classic slashers like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and similarly gruesome titles. Following a group of young adults in rural Texas hoping to create an adult film, they've got everything they need to bring the illicit production to life besides a location. When the gang happens across a picturesque farm owned by elderly couple Howard (Stephen Ure) and Pearl (Mia Goth in a dual performance), however, it looks like the final ingredient for their amateur film has finally fallen into place.

Of course, this one's rated R, not X, which means you'd be right to assume somewhere along the way just about every one of our protagonists will find themselves in a pool of their own blood. Even though it's less interested in delving into the deeper themes that a few of our other picks explore, overwhelmingly positive reception means that "X" marks the spot for horror fans looking for one of the best slashers in recent memory.

Arguably one of the more surreal releases of the year, "Hatching" is a Finnish horror film that will likely make even those with the strongest stomachs feel squeamish. After a crow is brutally attacked by a family, their daughter Tinja (Siiri Solalinna) takes pity on the dying animal and retrieves its egg to hatch herself. Unexpectedly, the egg grows far beyond its expected size, ultimately hatching into a grotesque birdlike creature wholly dependent on Tinja's care for survival. This unlikely parental bond isn't the only connection that Tinja shares with the creature, now named Alli, as a much deeper psychic link between them threatens to distort her life beyond recognition.

The combination of body horror nightmare and coming-of-age story on display in "Hatching" is one that only gets weirder by the minute. Despite tepid reception from audiences, critics were overwhelmingly supportive of the ambitious film, which is as upfront with its disturbing premise as it is with its artistic visuals. This was also the directorial debut for Finnish director Hanna Bergholm, and it hopefully marks the start of a long and equally bizarre filmography.

There's something evil brewing at a prestigious New England college, and it's not just crippling student loan debt. Set on the grounds of the fictional Ancaster university, "Master" is a film that balances its scares with some real-world messages. The story revolves around three women who find themselves at the elite school for different reasons. There's new student Jasmine Moore (Zoe Renee), English professor Liv Beckman (Amber Gray), and newly appointed master of the college Gail Bishop (Regina Hall). Separate from each other, the three women slowly piece together the truth behind alleged hauntings that have been plaguing the campus for years, even as their investigations threaten their lives.

With a unique setting and impactful commentary on the unfortunately complicated relations between race and higher education, "Master" might be one of the more underrated releases of the year. The enduring question of what's truly going on at the university manages to linger all the way to the end, all while forever changing the lives of everyone it touches.

Perhaps best known for his 1986 classic "The Fly," David Cronenberg has since emerged as one of the premiere directors for horror buffs. Continually crafting films that challenge audiences' tolerance for the grotesque, he frequently calls upon the themes of sci-fi and body horror to bring his twisted stories to life.

While fans of Cronenberg's filmography may be aware that this film shares a title with one of his earliest works, the similarities between the two end there. Instead, "Crimes of the Future" spins an original tale of a dystopian future in which the planet has been ravaged by unchecked technological advancement. The price for such rapid progress has proven to be very high indeed, with the whole of humanity mutating along with the world around it. Some characteristics of what it means to be alive, such as feeling pain, have since been entirely lost to time, with new and disturbing trends becoming popular in the absence of such basic instincts.

There's so much more to unpack in this pessimistic imagining of the future, such as a shady government plot to suppress humanity's deepest secrets and a radical underground society trying to bring them to light. It may be a bit indulgent at times with all its gory excesses, but in the end, that's why we keep coming back to Cronenberg's films. Besides, "Crimes of the Future" never gets too carried away with itself, and Cronenberg never loses sight of the deeper message being told behind the film's madness.

"You Won't Be Alone" is both a visually stunning horror movie and a dark fairy tale firmly intended for an adult crowd. Set in 19th century Europe, this is one of the few period pieces on our list, chronicling the life and struggle of a young girl and her lifelong battle with an evil witch named Maria (Anamaria Marinca) that terrorizes her village. There are no lengthy battle sequences or quippy one-liners though, as this one is as much about our protagonist trying to understand what's left of her humanity as it is her struggle against the witch that took it away from her.

The film opens with Maria's terrifying visit to the home of a newborn baby named Nevana (Sara Klimoska). Initially intent on stealing the child for herself and converting her into a witch, a desperate bargain by Nevana's mother only prolongs the inevitable and robs her daughter of her voice. Sixteen years later, Maria returns to collect on the debt and sends the now teenaged Nevana down the path her mother tried to avoid.

We won't delve too much deeper into what goes on in this one, as "You Won't Be Alone" is best enjoyed by experiencing the many twists and turns that Nevana's life takes along with her. That said, incredibly positive critical reception makes this a must-watch, and one of our favorite horror films of the year. Just don't go into this one expecting any cheap horror scares, and brace yourself for a far more artistic slow burn, that tips the scale just a bit in favor of style over substance at times.

We've all been there: Closing the curtains at night in the hope of keeping the unknown from peering in at us from outside. Playing off of that common fear is the film "Watcher," which ups the terror by turning the unknown into a reality, and having it unflinchingly stare back at our protagonist.

After relocating from the United States to the streets of Bucharest with her husband Francis (Karl Glusman), Julia (Maika Monroe) is doing her best to settle into their shared apartment. Without any knowledge of the native language of Romanian, though, Julia is finding it hard to grow accustomed to her new way of life. To make the situation even more uncomfortable, she notices a stranger constantly watching her from the window of a neighboring apartment across the street. Though Francis is rightfully concerned with Julia's well-being, he's more aloof than she is about the potential voyeur and dismisses her fears as paranoia. This sets off a terrifying mind game Julia finds herself trapped in with her neighbor, as she becomes increasingly anxious about what, if anything, he might do next.

With its barebones premise, "Watcher" might just be the most realistic pick on our list. The gripping horror thriller will leave you asking the same questions as Julia throughout its runtime, and wondering whether or not something truly is going on all the way to the end.

Fans of stop motion animation should have cause to celebrate after seeing this one make our list. This absolute tour-de-force for the visual medium might have slipped under the radar for some thanks to its direct-to-Netflix release, which is a shame given its incredible storytelling. Told in three distinct segments, "The House" is a totally different take on the horror genre unlike anything we've covered, and one that chronicles the history of the same house across three generations.

"The House" begins as many cautionary tales do, with a family not quite content with what they have in life. After being rebuked by their more affluent family members, the father of the family stumbles off in a drunken rage one night only to be given the opportunity of a lifetime to turn his family's lives around. After promising to give up almost everything they have, the family is allowed to live in a lavish mansion atop a hill with every desire they could wish for fulfilled. Their newfound fortune comes with a catch, however, and one that only the family's daughter Mabel (Mia Goth) seems able to overcome.

If you grew up hiding under the blankets in fear of the Other Mother's demented world in the now beloved "Coraline," this one will play on many of the same fears thanks to its haunting setting and similar themes of unchecked greed. Despite its beginning segment being undeniably terrifying, however, "The House" gradually evolves into something else entirely as its titular setting grows and decays over the years.

"Smile" opens with the bizarre and tragic death of a patient under the care of psychiatrist Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon). The grisly scene is carried out in full view of Rose, which understandably leaves her reeling from the traumatic experience. Plagued by recurring memories of the event, she slowly begins to withdraw from both her career and social life, with disturbing hallucinations that make her suspect something far more supernatural is at play. After some digging, she discovers that she's far from the first person to fall victim to the mysterious visuals, but she may well be the last.

Based on director Parker Finn's short film "Laura Hasn't Slept," "Smile" has become one of our favorite psychological horror films in recent memory. Fans of the horror favorite "It Follows" will likely feel right at home with this one thanks to a few similarities between the two titles, such as the concept of passing on each film's antagonist to another victim. Thankfully, "Smile" manages to bring enough that's fresh to the table for audiences to walk away feeling terrified.

A madcap party at an equally extravagant mansion serves as the setting for A24's "Bodies Bodies Bodies." Only the second directorial venture for Dutch actress-turne-director Halina Reijn, this one goes far further off the rails than her previous film "Instinct." The madness gets started pretty soon when one of the partygoers turns up brutally murdered, leaving the survivors to speculate who among them is the killer. Turns out it could be just about any of them, as instead of cooperating in the name of survival, they wind up at each other's throats before the night is over.

Another title not afraid to balance its violence with comedy, "Bodies Bodies Bodies" also opted to toss in some commentary on the modern day relationship between technology and its users to the bloody mix. The critical response for this one is also among some of the best for the year, with reviewers largely praising its tone and mysterious plot. It's not your typical horror flick, which is what makes it so darn fun to watch.

Though his name may be unfamiliar to less seasoned film buffs, Phil Tippett has undeniably left his mark on the world of cinema, playing a crucial role in bringing some of our most beloved movies to life over the years. Most famous for working on visual effects and animation on such films as "Star Wars: Episode IV," "Robocop," and "Jurassic Park" to name just a few, his directorial offerings, on the other hand, are few and far between. It's clear he learned a lot from decades of working alongside some of Hollywood's top talents over the years, though, as the 2022 film "Mad God" excels in just about everything it does.

Set in a dystopian hell-scape, seemingly endless warfare isn't the only thing worth fearing in the twisted world of the stop-motion animated horror "Mad God." Populated by nightmarish monsters and equally monstrous humans, the story begins with one assassin's descent into the deepest and darkest depths of the world — and Tippet's own imagination — before the dreamlife narrative morphs into something entirely different. A labor of love almost 30 years in the making (via Bloody Disgusting), "Mad God" is matched in its boundless imagination only by its breathtaking animation and is sure to please just about every fan of both stop motion or horror alike.

After the original "Terrifier" made waves with fans of all things gory, director Damien Leone doubled down with the release of "Terrifier 2," and somehow managed to surpass everything that made the first film so great. In the wake of the first blood-soaked massacre on Halloween night, Art the Clown rises from his deceased slumber to once again cut down everyone in his path. This time, though, the homicidal harlequin has an equally sadistic companion in tow that'll likely give viewers some nightmares (and then some).

While the original "Terrifier" was admittedly light on plot, the sequel weaves a bit more story into its celebration of all things blood and guts to create something that the Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus notes "outdoes the original in every way."

We'll make this clear: If you're at all squeamish when it comes to horror, this one probably isn't for you. But if you're a lover of slashers that are as ludicrous as they are vile, "Terrifier 2" might be the only film capable of matching the energy of the first one.

Trying to make a "Hellraiser" film without Doug Bradley as the infamous Pinhead is always going to be risky. After all, 2018's "Hellraiser: Judgment" — which saw Paul T. Taylor take over the lead role — arrived in such hushed circumstances that most fans don't even remember it exists. When the news broke that 2022's "Hellraiser" was going straight to Hulu — without Bradley's involvement as the Priest — the expectations weren't too high for it to be successful.

In this soft reboot of the series, a recovering addict Riley McKendry (Odessa A'zion) discovers the puzzle box and opens up the portal for Pinhead (Jamie Clayton) and the pesky Cenobites to come through and raise a little hell. While it sounds like the premise for every "Hellraiser" film before it, the David Bruckner-directed feature received praise from critics such as Jeremy Jahns for being a worthwhile addition to the franchise — even being labeled the best film in the series since the original. In fact, it has the second-highest Rotten Tomatoes critic score after the original, sitting on 65% critical approval.

As Bruckner told The Hollywood Reporter, there was never any desire to recreate the original film but rather to do something that honors it, including making Pinhead different. "The original horror 'Hellraiser' is a masterpiece, and it's just impossible to replicate," he said. "So we felt this was the only way forward." 

The evil Santa Clause trope is nothing new in the horror genre. After all, who could forget the 2005 film "Santa's Slay," which starred pro wrestler Bill Goldberg as the blood-lusting Santa who called Satan his father? While David Harbour's butt-kicking Saint Nick in the gloriously brutal "Violent Night" took up most of the headlines in 2022, there was another Santa-centric horror gem that went relatively under the radar: "Christmas Bloody Christmas."

Written and directed by Joe Begos, the film takes place on Christmas Eve when record store owner Tori (Riley Dandy) and her employee, Robbie (Sam Delich), decide to drink and be merry together. Unfortunately, their plans are scuppered when a giant, robotic Santa (Abraham Benrubi) glitches and rampages throughout the town. When their paths finally cross with the harbinger of gifts and death, Tori and Robbie must do everything to survive the onslaught of a different kind of Christmas spirit.

Way more fun than it has any right to be, "Christmas Bloody Christmas" is what happens if the Terminator is thrown into a festive slasher film. Yes, it's over the top and silly in places, but this should be expected from its ludicrous premise. While this type of movie is generally divisive in critic circles, "Christmas Bloody Christmas" bucks the trend, and critics were left largely impressed by the holiday horror.  

Everyone has heard the analogy that you should never upset the chef — unless you want to risk your food being returned to you with a little saliva seasoning (or worse) in retaliation. However, Mark Mylod's dark comedy horror "The Menu" takes this idea even further, creating what can best be described as food horror — something that's enough to frighten any human being.

The premise of the film is simple. Celebrity culinarian, Chef Slowik (Ralph Fiennes), treats a plethora of guests — including young couple Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Tyler (Nichola Hoult) — to a night of fine dining and a range of exquisite cuisine on a private island. However, as the night progresses, it's revealed that every guest has been carefully chosen by Slowik, and the dish he has specially prepared for them is revenge. 

While there are genuinely uneasy and unsettling moments to stomach in "The Menu," it also works well as a social commentary and sly black comedy that tickles the darkest of funny bones. Critics agreed with this sentiment with Vanity Fair's Esther Zuckerman calling it, "comfort food silliness with spiky commentary that leaves you satisfied."