A Decade of Terror: The best horror films of the 2010s

The Cabin in the Woods–Courtesy of Mutant Enemy Productions and Lionsgate

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

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The Cabin in the Woods is a special sort of anomaly, capable of being hilarious and horrifying all at once. Often times, horror comedies verge into pure comedy territory — but while Cabin frequently elicits mighty guffaws, those moments often come just before the scares are dialed up, or in scenes that are otherwise terrifying. It’s a confident balancing act with an unforgettable, crowd-pleasing payoff for longtime fans of horror.

The film isn’t without silliness. But make no mistake, that silliness is purely intentional and in no way does it sacrifice the cleverness of the script by Joss Whedon and Director Drew Goddard. It takes a meta approach, delivering hilariously in its reasoning behind horror tropes while also serving them up on a silver platter with a knowing wink towards the audience. It’s a commentary on the genre that pokes fun at it from a place of love.

If you’ve somehow missed this title in the years since it’s release, don’t read another word about it — just watch it immediately. Your experience with The Cabin in the Woods benefits greatly from knowing as little as possible. All you need to know is that it’s one of the best horror films of the 2010s, and that you’re in for a treat.