A24 is known to have some of the very best movies based on Rotten Tomatoes and audience scores. The production company ranges in dramas, comedies, and of course horror. The horror movies on this list vary from popular to almost unheard of.
Each of these movies brings something frightening to the table either in jump scares or just an eerie atmosphere. The movies on this list are ranked from the scariest of A24 to slightly terrifying. Despite the ranking they are all worth a watch. There are some minor spoilers ahead so be warned!
1. Hereditary (2018)
The Graham family is grieving the loss of Ellen, a mother and a grandmother. Ellen was not what she seemed and after another tragic accident, secrets begin to unravel. The Graham family is in danger of something far more sinister than family trauma.
Hereditary is at the top of this list because of the truly shocking moments that no one could predict. The atmosphere in this movie is deeply unsettling and builds to a satisfying ending. There are no cheap scares here, just a well thought out story that leaves you guessing about the fate of the Graham family. The acting in this movie is really what sells the story, the possession scenes are genuinely scary and feel extremely realistic.
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2. The Witch (2015)
Set in 1630s New England a family is grief stricken after losing their youngest in a strange accident. The family has a streak of bad luck that only seems to get worse, furthering their despair and leads them to suspect their daughter, Thomasin, is a witch and the cause of all the problems.
The Witch was Robert Eggers' feature directorial debut, and it relies on the harsh reality of life in 1630s New England. The disappearance of the family's child is utterly eerie, there are no clues to where he could have gone or what took him. The "witch" is shrouded in mystery and doesn’t pay off until the very end. The setting and time period work in favor of The Witch in creating a sinister atmosphere that is tense all the way through.
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3. Talk to Me (2022)
On the anniversary of Mia’s mothers death she wants nothing more than to be distracted. She begs her friend Jade to attend a party where there is an alleged haunted hand that possesses you. After Mia realizes the hand is the real deal she takes it too far and puts herself and others in danger just so she can communicate with her mom.
Talk to Me is an Australian film that did really well in theaters after going viral online. What makes Talk to Me so scary is the possession scenes and how they differ from the usual tropes. The possessions are short lived but are creepy enough to unsettle everyone in the room. The movie has a few jump scares but is another atmospheric horror film that gets under your skin.
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4. Midsommar (2019)
Dani is grieving the loss of her parents and sister after an apparent suicide. Dani’s boyfriend is going to Sweden with a bunch of his friends to experience their summer festival. Dani eventually tags along and quickly learns that the villagers are anything but normal. Her friends begin to disappear one by one until all hell breaks loose.
Midsommar is quite different from the other movies on this list because of the use of light. Midsommar is not another dark and dreary horror movie but all the scary scenes take place in the daylight. Everything is not sunshine and rainbows despite the bright color palette, the reality is that there is so much darkness lurking beneath the surface. The shock value of this movie is what really terrifies, the unpredictability of the village keeps you on the edge of your seat.
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5. Men (2022)
Harper is looking for a scenic escape after her husband's apparent suicide. As Harper tries to enjoy her visit she keeps having uncomfortable run-ins with men who all resemble one another. As she has more and more encounters she realizes the town is not what it seems and she must leave before it is too late.
Men is a deeply disturbing film that stands out against traditional horror. There are a few scenes that feel like a jump scare but it is really the atmosphere that unsettles. The men all share the same face and the same goal in controlling Harper. The movie is a commentary on the interactions women have with men and just how terrifying they can be.
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6. It Comes at Night (2017)
A family of three are fighting to survive in a world where a mysterious illness runs rampant. One night a man breaks in trying to steal from them, upon questioning him they realize he is trying to provide for his own family. The two families eventually come together forming a bond. But the bond is tested when each family begins to harbor secrets in an attempt to protect themselves.
It Comes at Night is an apocalyptic horror movie that fills you with hopelessness. The desperation of each family is felt and it drives them to fear one another instead of working together. The scary thing about this movie is the questions it leaves you wondering, who was really infected and did it have to end in such despair?
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7. The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015)
Two girls are snowed in at their school waiting for their parents to come and pick them up. Katherine is very antisocial and withdrawn while Rose is a bit more outgoing and talkative. While waiting Katherine begins to exhibit abnormal behavior and is a danger to the others snowed in with her.
The Blackcoat's Daughter is a directorial debut by Osgood Perkins, director of Longlegs and The Monkey. This movie has a different feeling than its successors because of how dark and dreary it is. The story is told in three separate parts focusing on the different characters and how they all relate to each other. The demon that possesses Katherine is very similar to Longlegs but fails to truly terrify. The scary parts rely heavily on Kiernan Shipka's performance and how demented her character has become.
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8. Heretic (2024)
Two missionaries are knocking on doors talking to anyone who will listen. They stumble upon an eccentric man who is seemingly interested in their religion. Before long the two girls realize they have been put to the test along with their faith. In order to survive they must play his game and try to survive.
Heretic is another movie that isn’t about cheap scares but instead leans on Hugh Grant to deliver a chilling performance. There are a few scenes in the movie that are traditionally scary like the basement scene with the prophet. The plot of the movie is very well thought out and is a puzzle for the viewer to unravel. The religious horror in this movie is done quite well, but isn’t making hearts beat any faster.
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9. The Lighthouse (2019)
Thomas and Ephraim are challenged with the task of maintaining a lighthouse. The pair have separate duties, Thomas watches over the lighthouse while Ephraim is more of an assistant, doing all the dirty work. As the time passes the two of them begin to succumb to insanity on the remote island.
The Lighthouse is another Robert Eggers film and is shot entirely in black and white. The Lighthouse is loosely based on a true story of Welsh lighthouse keepers, where one tragically died. The horror film is not traditionally scary but has some disturbing imagery that sticks with the viewer. Pattinson and Dafoe deliver an unforgettable performance that is both shocking and uncomfortable, but might not be considered truly terrifying.
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10. The Hole in the Ground (2019)
When her son Chris goes missing in the woods, Sarah will stop at nothing to bring her son home. After searching the woods she eventually finds Chris and they try to resume their normal lives. But after closer observation Sarah slowly begins to realize that what she brought home might not be her son.
The Hole in the Ground is scary for what it is. The movie doesn’t bring any fresh ideas to the mom and son narrative or the creepy kid trope. Chris is extremely unnerving especially when he is revealed to be a changeling that can appear as anyone with one touch. The concept is one that leaves chills but the execution could have been better.
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11. Saint Maud (2019)
Maud is a deeply religious person and has devoted her life to helping others. She works in hospice care and is assigned a new patient, Amanda, who is dying of cancer. Watching Amanda’s lifestyle spurs Maud into religious action. Maud will do anything and everything in her power to save her soul before Amanda dies.
Saint Maud is another religious horror that relies on a dark ambiance. The film itself is very gloomy and has brown and green color palettes. Saint Maud has a few scenes that could be considered body horror and reveals just how close Maud is to God. The ending is quite surprising and arguably the only true scary part of the film. Maud as a character is perturbing as she descends into religious madness.
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