10 Best Horror Movies Of 2021 So Far, According To IMDb

Few genres foster as strong of a fan base as horror does. With a wide range of subgenres and approaches, 2021 has already produced many interesting and, most importantly, scary films for fans of the genre to enjoy.

Overall, 2021 has given fans plenty of solid and consistent viewing options that cover everything from blockbuster franchise entries such as Candyman and The Conjuring, smaller independent options like Lamb and Titane, and adaptations of beloved horror literature in the Fear Street trilogy. This diversity of options and range of subgenres ensure that horror fans of all different tastes and preferences will find something to love from this year in film.

10 Candyman (6.0) – Rent On Apple TV

The supernatural horror film Candyman is a direct sequel to the 1992 film of the same name and follows Anthony as he returns to the now-gentrified Cabrini neighborhood, where he discovers the truth about Candyman.

The sequel makes some innovative changes to the original Candyman, such as turning Candyman into a sort of local hero, while updating the classic for the modern day. By tapping into the social commentary elements from the original, the sequel is able to tell a relevant and timely story.

9 Don’t Breathe 2 (6.1) – Buy On Vudu

The horror sequel Don’t Breathe 2 picks up years after the original and follows Norman as he attempts to live a quiet life with a girl he claims to have adopted. But his ruse is disrupted when the girl is kidnapped, forcing him to leave his home to find her.

While the sequel left fans with many unanswered questions and was not as well-received as the original, it does make some interesting choices and takes the franchise in a completely different direction by changing the setting and injecting more action into the movie.

8 Blood Red Sky (6.1) – Stream On Netflix

The British-German Netflix movie Blood Red Sky follows a woman with a severe illness who is aboard an airplane that gets hijacked by terrorists. However, the hijackers quickly realize that her illness is not what it seems.

Blood Red Sky is a great airplane thriller that makes use of its claustrophobic setting to maximize the thrills. It is an effective single location film that executes a simple but inventive premise on a high level. It features a great twist that cleverly uses a horror subgenre to set this film apart from other similar movies.

7 Fear Street Part One: 1994 (6.2) – Stream On Netflix

Netflix launched the ambitious and uniquely released Fear Street trilogy with Fear Street Part One: 1994, a throwback ’90s slasher that follows a group of teens who try to find a way to break an ancient curse before they are killed by seemingly unstoppable murderers.

As the first part of the trilogy, the film does an effective job of introducing the great Fear Street characters and world that the later entries further flesh out. With a nostalgic feel and fun slasher tone, the film is an entertaining start to the Fear Street trilogy. While many fans consider it the weakest of the three movies, it is still one of the better horror films of the year.

6 Malignant (6.3) – Rent On Apple TV

From fan-favorite horror director James Wan, Malignant is about a woman who sees vivid visions of horrific murders that turn out to be real. Her attempt to figure out why she is seeing these violent crimes leads her to confront dark secrets from her past.

Because Malignant‘s off-the-wall twist that intentionally sends the movie into B-movie territory is so divisive, some consider the film to be too ridiculous while others loved the bold story choices. The film is undeniably interesting and bound to elicit an emotional response from the viewer.

5 The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (6.3) – Stream On HBO Max

Inspired by a true story, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It continues the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s case files as they encounter a man who claims to have committed murder as a result of demonic possession.

The film is a bit uneven, featuring some genuinely effective and haunting sequences but suffering from some pacing issues. The movie does not fully maximize the potential of its premise, but the presence of the Warrens and some strong moments help elevate the film over other 2021 horror films.

4 Lamb (6.6) – Not Available To Stream Yet

A24 has recently developed a reputation for releasing slow-burn, thoughtful horror movies and its latest release, Lamb, is no exception. The film tells the story of a child-less couple that discovers a mysterious human-sheep hybrid that they begin raising as their own child.

While the film may not be as traditionally scary as other films, it is an effective psychological horror movie that uses its striking premise and haunting atmosphere to deliver a stirring and emotional metaphor about grief and loss. For those looking to be challenged and stimulated by a horror movie, Lamb is a film worth watching.

3 Fear Street Part Three: 1666 (6.6) – Stream On Netflix

As the conclusion of the Fear Street trilogy, Fear Street Part Three: 1666 brings the story to a climax by exploring Sarah Fier’s origin and revealing how the town’s history holds the key to stopping the curse in present-day 1994.

1666 does an effective job of balancing the different tones of storylines of the subplots in 1666 and 1994, bringing it all together to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the saga. The film uses a strong atmosphere and an emotional story to communicate the final piece of the puzzle that brings the trilogy to a thrilling end.

2 Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (6.7) – Stream On Netflix

Picking up where the previous film left off, Fear Street Part Two: 1978 continues to chronicle the curse that haunts Shadyside, this time following a group of teens in 1978 who attempt to survive a massacre at a summer camp.

While many middle chapters of a trilogy can struggle to live up to the introduction and conclusion, Fear Street manages to deliver its strongest entry in the middle. 1978 does not feel like filler or mere setup for the finale, but instead successfully captures the spirit of classic teen slashers such as Friday the 13th.

1 Titane (6.9) – Rent On Vudu

The French horror film Titane follows a young woman who had a metal plate implanted in her head after a childhood car accident as she grows up to become a serial killer who gets impregnated by a car.

Few films are as visceral or shocking as Titane as director Julia Ducournau continues to push the envelope and use striking body horror imagery to communicate her allegorical stories. The movie is provocative and at times disturbing, but certainly thought-provoking and fascinating, making Titane the best horror movie of 2021 thus far.

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