Though 2016 will never go down as anyone’s favorite year by any means, it was definitely laden with plenty of top notch horror films, including several big theatrical releases. The latter half of this year in particular was loaded with much anticipated arrivals that certainly did not disappoint. I can honestly say that I have consumed more horror this year than every other of my life combined, which made compiling this list all the more difficult. That said, here are some of my top picks from 2016. I highly recommend you give them a watch.
[customfont1]13. The Boy[/customfont1]
The general consensus for this film seems to be “it was much better than I expected for a movie about a “haunted” doll.” My opinion is no different. Some genuinely unsettling moments and an accomplished cast made The Boy a pleasant surprise all around.
[customfont1]12. The Autopsy of Jane Doe[/customfont1]
For a film coming out so late in 2016 to be making everyone’s year-end favorites list makes this particular addition pretty special. Jane Doe delivered chills from the first trailer to the final moments of the film. Definitely one of the most truly “scary” films of the year.
[customfont1]11. Demon[/customfont1]
Though the title is a bit of a misnomer, this possession film is one of the more unique takes on this particular subgenre of horror that I’ve seen. When a groom is possessed by a distraught female spirit on the day of his wedding, chaos ensues as the wedding party struggles to convince the guests that nothing is wrong. Odd but charming, this film is definitely a fun watch.
[customfont1]10. The Conjuring 2[/customfont1]
The Conjuring franchise is paranormal horror done right. As someone who grew up watching shows like A Haunting and My Ghost Story, this film is right up my alley. It’s spooky without being too over-the-top, and the fact that it’s based on a true story makes it that much more interesting.
[customfont1]9. Hush[/customfont1]
Home invasion is a very tired genre of horror, but Hush has a unique twist that makes it stand out. When a deaf, mute woman living in a very isolated wooded area is terrorized by a masked intruder, she must struggle to fight back using whatever resources she has at hand. This film is an empowering underdog tale playing to real human fears and emotions, which is why it strikes a chord with so many viewers.
[customfont1]8. 10 Cloverfield Lane[/customfont1]
I have to be honest, the only reason I watched this movie, as someone who was never a big follower of the Cloverfield [now] franchise, was to keep up with the Cloverfeels podcast with Mike Falzone and Steve Zaragoza (check it out on Headgum here!). Despite going in relatively blind, I left pleasantly satisfied with this tense, suspenseful thriller. John Goodman is terrifying as a seemingly paranoid doomsdayer holding Mary Elizabeth Winstead and John Gallagher Jr.’s characters hostage in his underground bunker. But could there be more to it than that?
[customfont1]7. Under the Shadow [/customfont1]
Another wonderful foreign horror film brought to us by 2016 comes from Iran. As a big fan of creature features and all things supernatural, the subject of djinn is more than a little intriguing. Under the Shadow boasts some scares that don’t rely on cheap tricks, but will definitely still make you jump.
[customfont1]6. Don’t Breathe[/customfont1]
Another big theatrical horror film that took me by surprise this year was definitely Don’t Breathe. It’s rare that a film will elicit a physical reaction from me, but I can say with certainty that one squirmy scene in particular left me slumped in my theater seat peeking at the screen through splayed fingers.
[customfont1]5. Train to Busan[/customfont1]
If you’re looking for a more claustrophobic, Korean version of 28 Days/Weeks Later, look no further than this film. For me personally, hordes of runners carrying a rapid-spreading virus make for a much more imposing threat than the slow, bumbling walkers typical of zombie culture. The film is also quite witty and full of heart, making for a very teary finale.
[customfont1]4. They Look Like People [/customfont1]
This movie was a random Netflix pick that ended up being an absolute treasure. They Look Like People is a cerebral film that challenges your perceptions of what is reality, and what is simply the delusions of a paranoid mind. The film’s main characters are incredibly endearing and the dynamic between these two old friends struggling to rekindle their relationship amidst a possible humanoid takeover is somehow beautiful. I really adored this film.
[customfont1]3. Intruders[/customfont1]
I might be biased because I’m a huge Beth Riesgraf fan, but Intruders has stayed towards the top of my favorites list since its release early this year. Seemingly another home invasion film is flipped completely on its head when the hunters become the hunted.
[customfont1]2. The Monster [/customfont1]
Another late addition to 2016 horror comes in the form of possibly my favorite film category: the creature feature. A mother and daughter find themselves on a deserted road in the middle of the night during a rain storm after a car accident leaves them incapacitated. They soon find out that they are very much not alone. Besides the creature element, I’m a huge sucker for practical effects, and this film does a phenomenal job of non-CG monster-making. My only complaint is that this is definitely another emotionally draining film experience. Do not expect to come out of it with dry eyes.
[customfont1]1. The Invitation [/customfont1]
Karyn Kusama’s intense thriller has been at the top of my list since the beginning of the year. Step into the shoes of the main character as you struggle to figure out if this increasingly unusual dinner party is, in fact, as nefarious as you might suspect. This uncomfortable, slow-burn culminates in one of the most satisfying conclusions to a horror film I’ve seen in ages.
