From Bone-Chilling Thrills to Family-Friendly Chills — Best Scary Movies of the Year
If you’re the kind of person who loves the adrenaline rush of a horror flick, then movies 2024 have truly delivered a twisted treat. Whether you’re into psychological thriller movies that mess with your mind, horror movies that keep you up at night, or Halloween movies for kids that are just spooky enough to make them giggle and squirm, this year has had it all.
This guide from Riya’s Blogs rounds up the best horror movies 2024 has brought us so far — the ones that scared us, surprised us, and even made us think twice about who (or what) is lurking in the shadows.
1. Speak No Evil (2024)
Let’s kick off with the one that had everyone whispering in fear — Speak No Evil (2024). This unnerving remake of the 2022 Danish original has earned its place among the best horror movies of the year, not just because it’s terrifying, but because it taps into something primal: the fear of being too polite to escape danger.
🧠 A Psychological Masterpiece
Unlike your typical slash-and-dash, this film is a psychological thriller movie through and through. It’s quiet, restrained, and slow-building — which somehow makes the horror hit even harder. The unsettling power dynamic between two families on vacation snowballs into a harrowing finale that left many viewers rattled for days.
🎬 Cast of Speak No Evil 2024
The cast of Speak No Evil 2024 is one of the film’s greatest strengths. James McAvoy plays the unnervingly charming antagonist, while Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy portray the visiting couple with disarming vulnerability. Their performances are subtle yet emotionally loaded — you feel the dread seep in with every uncomfortable smile and awkward dinner.
This movie isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you love scary movies that linger long after the credits roll, it’s a must-watch.
2. Oddity
Ever stumbled on a story that felt like a nightmare stitched together from folklore, fever dreams, and loss? That’s Oddity. This is one of the most surprising horror movies 2024 had to offer — poetic, grotesque, and completely unforgettable.
👁️ What Is Oddity About?
Without spoiling too much, Oddity explores themes of grief, trauma, and the inescapable pull of the unknown. It follows a woman investigating her twin sister’s death, believing a strange wooden mannequin may have been a witness — or even a participant — in the crime. Yes, you read that right. A mannequin. And somehow, it works.
👥 A Performance to Remember
If you’re following Kyle Gallner movies, this one’s another bold notch on his belt. He plays a character teetering between grief and madness — and keeps us guessing whether he’s deluded, or if something truly supernatural is unfolding. And let’s not forget Brigette Lundy-Paine, whose quiet intensity elevates this movie into psychological horror territory.
Fans of slow-burn, psychological thriller movies will adore Oddity. It’s not flashy, but it is unnerving in a “something-is-not-right-here” kind of way.
3. Longlegs
With Longlegs, 2024 served up one of the creepiest scary movies of the decade. Blending true crime aesthetics with supernatural dread, this film had audiences googling, “Is Longlegs based on a true story?” (Spoiler: It’s not — but it feels like it could be.)
🕵️ FBI Meets Demonic
The story follows an FBI agent investigating a series of murders linked by a cryptic trail of symbols and a sinister killer known only as Longlegs. The deeper she goes, the more the lines blur between reality and something much, much darker.
🔥 Marton Csokas as a Standout
You might know Marton Csokas from more grounded roles, but in Longlegs, he unleashes a performance so unsettling that it might just haunt your dreams. Think Hannibal Lecter meets something out of The Conjuring universe.
Longlegs is one of those horror movies 2024 horror fans will be talking about for years.
4. The Watchers
Produced by M. Night Shyamalan and starring Dakota Fanning, The Watchers is another unnerving entry into the best horror movies list this year. It’s less about gore and more about paranoia, surveillance, and the fear of being seen… or watched.
If you like your psychological thriller movies tinged with folklore and a heavy dose of claustrophobia, you’ll devour this one. Plus, it’s one of the upcoming movies 2024 buzzed about early in the year that actually delivered.
5. Terrifier 3
Not every horror movie has to be cerebral. Sometimes, you just want good ol’ fashioned blood-splattering terror — and Terrifier 3 delivers just that. Art the Clown returns to haunt a small town during Christmas, turning festive lights into something truly horrifying.
It’s not one for the squeamish, but for those who enjoy practical effects and grindhouse gore, this film is a wild, unforgettable ride.
6. And for the Little Ghouls: Halloween Movies for Kids
Okay, let’s turn the volume down on the gore for a second. Not all scary movies are meant to terrify — some are designed to entertain young audiences while giving them a playful spook.
This year, halloween movies for kids like The Curse of Willowbrook, Spooksville Academy, and Monster Munchies (a Netflix original) have become instant hits with families. These films are colorful, funny, and just scary enough to make bedtime exciting without causing nightmares.
Perfect for family movie night, these kid-friendly Halloween tales show that movies 2024 had something for every age group.
7. Upcoming Horror Gems to Watch For
2024 isn’t done yet. There are still several upcoming movies 2024 that horror fans should mark on their calendar. Among the most buzzworthy is The Chapel, a gothic ghost story set in an abandoned monastery. It’s rumored to feature a haunting lead performance by Brigette Lundy-Paine, who seems to be carving out a niche in eerie, character-driven horror.
Then there’s Dead Signal, a haunted broadcast horror film that feels like The Ring meets Talk Radio. It stars none other than Kyle Gallner, and if you’re following Kyle Gallner movies, you’ll know he never shies away from challenging, genre-pushing roles. Whether he’s playing a tormented soul or a reluctant hero, his work consistently delivers that eerie edge horror fans crave.
Other titles on the radar include:
- The Passenger — A psychological thriller movie involving a ride-share gone horrifically wrong.
- Beneath the Birch Trees — A slow-burn, folk-horror film that takes nature-based fears to a whole new level.
- Whisper House — A found-footage style horror movie already causing buzz at festivals.
Final Thoughts: Why 2024 Might Be Horror’s Best Year Yet
Between blockbusters like Speak No Evil and indie surprises like Oddity, scary movies in 2024 have explored every dark corner of the genre. We’ve had slasher revivals, folk horror rebirths, gothic hauntings, and deeply emotional psychological thriller movies — and the year isn’t even over yet.
It’s clear that directors and writers are now treating horror not just as a place for screams, but as a space for storytelling, commentary, and even heartbreak. Whether you’re into edge-of-your-seat suspense, gory madness, or something more cerebral, this year’s lineup offers something for everyone.
From Riya’s Blogs, we’ll continue updating you on what’s worth watching, what’s overhyped, and what might just be hiding under your bed.
Until then, keep the lights on — or don’t. 🎃
Want to read a bit more? Find some more of my writings here-
Just a Minute Late: A Heartbreaking Accident Poem About Lives Forever Changed
Discover Your Inner Magic: The Ultimate Harry Potter House Quiz Experience (Better Than BuzzFeed’s!)
Book Review: The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
I hope you liked the content.
To share your views, you can simply send me an email.
Thank you for being keen readers to a small-time writer.
