Trap and the 4 best horror movies starring Josh Hartnett

Though Josh Hartnett never actually took an acting hiatus, it had been many years since he appeared in a blockbuster or mainstream TV show. It wasn't until 2023 that audiences started taking notice of the 46-year-old actor again with roles in Netflix's Black Mirror season 6 and Christopher Nolan's Best Picture-winning Oppenheimer.

For me, it's been amazing to see Hartnett's resurgence of popularity; he has a special place in my heart not only for appearing in one of my favorite movies, The Virgin Suicides, but also for his many roles in the horror genre. He might be best known for movies like Black Hawk Dawn and Lucky Number Slevin, but Hartnett is also a bonafide horror star.

After the release of M. Night Shyamalan's new movie Trap, which Hartnett stars as a father and husband named Cooper, let's look back at the actor's filmography and list his best horror movies to date.

Trap

Trap is one of the best horror movies released this summer, premiering in theaters on Aug. 2, 2024. The film follows a man named Cooper who takes his daughter Riley to a big arena concert to see her favorite singer, pop star Lady Raven. During the show, Cooper notices an increasing amount of police officers and security around, which seems unusual. He speaks with a man working the merch table and finds out that the FBI has organized an attempted trap for a serial killer called "The Butcher" who they found out bought tickets for this concert.

Obviously concerned, Cooper takes matters into his own hands to protect what's most important to him. This is an M. Night Shyamalan-written and directed movie, so it's no surprise that Trap has received very divisive reactions. I found it an incredibly fun ride that is worth the watch if you're willing to not take it too seriously. Hartnett is great in the starring role and shows awesome range.

WHERE TO WATCH: Exclusively in theaters

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

Not every entry is perfect, but the Halloween movie series is my favorite slasher franchise of all time, and Halloween H20: 20 Years Later directed by Steve Miner gives me so much warm and fuzzy nostalgia. It was released in 1998.

This is the seventh movie in the Halloween franchise, though it's meant to be a direct sequel to Halloween II, and it actually marks Hartnett's feature film debut. Hartnett plays Laurie Strode's son John, a high schooler who spends his time hanging out with friends and trying to calm down his paranoid mother. What John doesn't know is that Laurie is the sister of Michael Myers — yes, this is that movie — and he's coming for her. With thrilling kills, unexpected moments, and '90s horror cheese, H20 is a fun addition to the series.

WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Pluto TV

30 Days of Night

Based on the comic book of the same name, 30 Days of Night is a vampire movie that came out in 2007 directed by David Slade. Hartnett plays the sheriff of an Alaskan town who prepares for the next polar night, which means 30 days of darkness. During the month-long night, vampires appear and begin killing people, leaving everyone in town to band together to survive. The movie is far from perfect, but it does a great job with atmospheric horror and features some really heart-pounding moments that'll keep you engaged.

WHERE TO WATCH: Available to rent on Amazon Prime Video for $3.59

The Faculty

Another 1998 movie on the list is The Faculty, a cult horror film directed by Robert Rodriguez that amassed a large following in the years since its release. The movie follows a group of high schoolers targeted by their teachers and principal who are possessed by extraterrestrial creatures. Under attack by an alien invasion, the students must defeat the adults in order to survive and save those around them. Written by Kevin Williamson, best known for the Scream franchise, The Faculty features moments full of meta humor that set the movie apart from other horror titles of the '90s.

WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video with the Paramount+ add-on, Hulu with the Paramount+ With Showtime add-on

Wicker Park

A remake of the 1996 film L'Appartement, Paul McGuigan's Wicker Park debuted in 2004, starring Hartnett, Diane Kruger, and Rose Byrne. The movie follows a man named Matt whose girlfriend Lisa disappeared two years ago. After returning to Chicago with his new fiancé, Matt's obsession with Lisa begins again when he thinks he hears her at a restaurant. He then spirals into a full investigation as he tries to figure out what happened to her. Things become more and more complicated as he searches for the truth, meeting a woman who pretends to be Lisa but looks nothing like her.

WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Tubi, Pluto TV, MGM+, Amazon Prime Video with the MGM+ add-on

Which Josh Hartnett horror movie will you be watching this weekend?

To stay up to date on thrillers, sci-fi, and horror, bookmark 1428 Elm and follow our Facebook page and Twitter account!