10 Best Supernatural Horror Movies Of The Last Decade, Ranked According to IMDb Rating

Horror is one of those Hollywood film genres that seems to be perennially popular. No matter what period of film history one looks at, there was probably at least one form of horror that was particular. The 2010s proved to be a particularly fertile period for the horror film, in particular that horror subgenre that’s commonly called supernatural.

These are the sorts of films that make audiences afraid to turn the lights out at night, the films that force audiences to experience things that are quite out of the ordinary and that defy all rational efforts to explain or rationalize them.

10 The Awakening (2011) 6.5

Everyone loves a good ghost story, and this film certainly fits the bill. It has all of the makings of a good supernatural horror film, including trauma, ghosts, and the shades of the past coming back to haunt the present.

It definitely helps that it has a stellar cast, and any film that has both Dominic West and Imelda Staunton in it is almost guaranteed to be good. It might be a bit old-fashioned for some contemporary horror fans, but there’s more than enough here for audiences seeking a thrill.

9 Oculus (2013) 6.5

The supernatural horror film seems to have a particular fascination with the family, and Oculus is no exception. It’s based on a short film that the director made, and it involves a family that slowly slides into madness and murder.

In fact, part of what makes the film so compelling is the way in which it plays tricks, both with the characters and the audiences. Like the best supernatural horror films, it gets inside the viewer’s mind and refuses to leave.

8 Crimson Peak (2015) 6.5

There’s no question that Guillermo del Toro is one of the best directors working today. He has a singular vision, and many of his films, even those that aren’t explicitly horror, nevertheless have supernatural elements. Crimson Peak is the best sort of supernatural horror film, and it evokes the Gothic romances that were such a significant part of the 19th century (and were also popular in earlier periods of Hollywood).

It has all the hallmarks of the director’s style, and the result is nothing short of chilling.

7 Torn: A Shock Youmentary (2014) 6.8

It might seem counter-intuitive to think about the mockumentary and the supernatural horror film together, but that’s exactly what the audience gets with Torn: A Shock Youmentary.

While the tight might suggest a comedy, the film is actually quite blood-chilling, a fact made all the more extraordinary given that it was produced on a very small budget. Despite that, the production value is excellent, and it’s a great film for those who are fans of supernatural horror.

6 Dream Man (2018) 6.8

Those looking for a supernatural film that’s made outside of the United States should take a look at this film, which focuses on a young man trying to discover what happened to his missing girlfriend, in the process uncovering the mystery surrounding a man on Facebook who might be responsible.

It’s a bit of an intriguing premise to be sure, and the film mostly lives up to its rather chilling potential. It also raises questions about the dangers of social media.

5 The Babadook (2014) 6.8

As with so many other supernatural horror films, The Babadook is focused in part on family, in this case the relationship between a widowed mother and her young son, both of whom are haunted by the titular creature. It’s a chilling film, certainly, and the Babadook has become a sort of icon in its own right.

The ending of the film is one of those that somehow manages to be both happy and a little chilling (which is, all things considered, what one expects from a horror film).

4 Sinister (2012) 6.8

There’s something particularly unsettling about low-budget supernatural films. Perhaps it’s the fact that they seem so much more authentic than the overproduced type, or perhaps there’s just something intrinsically chilling about the ways in which they seem so close to home video.

That’s certainly the case with Sinister, in which a writer discovers a cache of videos in his attic that depict gruesome murders. There are some elements of the film that are a bit predictable, but overall it’s quite scary.

3 Border (2018) 7.0

It’s hard to put into words just how strange and unsettling Border is. It’s a Swedish production, so it’s a great fit for those who are looking for a supernatural film from outside of the United States.

It’s a blend of fantasy and supernatural horror and focuses on a troll named Tina. In fact, it’s both the performances and the way that it plays with what the audience expect from the genre that makes this such a brilliant and enjoyable film.

2 Doctor Sleep (2019) 7.4

The Shining is, of course, one of the most famous pieces of horror cinema, both because it’s based on a novel by Stephen King and because it was directed by the noted director Stanley Kubrick. This film is a sequel to the earlier one, and it follows Danny as an adult.

Like its predecessor, it’s a very chilling and frightening film, and it has to be said that Ewan McGregor is, as always, truly wonderful to watch on the screen.

1 Arise From Darkness (2016) 7.6

The best sorts of supernatural films force the viewer to wonder whether, in fact, science and rationality can explain all of the strange happenings in the universe.

If that’s what one is in the mood for, then this film should be the perfect sort of late-night viewing. Arise From Darkness will have even the most skeptical viewer leaving the lights on and wondering whether that creaking sound is really natural or if it’s something else.

About The Author