This year's 10 top-rated horror movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes scores

As 2024 draws to a close, we're looking back at some of this year's best and most acclaimed horror movies. The following list highlights the top 10 (and a couple of others) horror movies as rated by Rotten Tomatoes critics. When 1428 Elm publishes our own ranking of excellent films from this year, it'll look a little different, but for now, it's time to see what the top critics have to say about what stood out to them the most this year.

Using this editorial piece published by Rotten Tomatoes, I've charted 2024's top-rated horror movies with a few tweaks, like adding Heretic where it belongs. Robert Eggers' Nosferatu is also receiving great feedback from the first reactions and is likely to be included on this list before the year's end.

10. The Substance (90%)

A bold and grotesque feast of body horror that demands attention from the Academy, The Substance is potentially filmmaker Coralie Fargeat's magnum opus. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley are outstanding in their dual roles as former aerobics instructor Elisabeth Sparkles and her alternate self, Sue.

The film centers on Elisabeth's ousting from her company after she turns 50 years old, thus motivating her to turn to a mysterious "substance" to counteract the effects of aging. An incisive commentary about how the blatant discrimination women face as they age, The Substance rightly deserves a place on this list. In fact, I'd argue that it should be much higher.

9. Stopmotion (91%)

Described by critics as "strange," "perverse," and "revolting," Stopmotion is unsurprisingly one of this year's most polarizing horror movies. It is also one of several where the critical score is significantly higher than the audience score.

After her abusive mother falls into a coma, stop-motion animator Ella (Aisling Franciosi) decides to finish her mother's final film, no matter what. The more obsessive she becomes in her project, the further Ella devolves into a tailspin of disturbing horrors.

8. MadS (93%)

Taking significant risks as a filmmaker is daunting enough, but it's even more impressive when those risks pay off. Such is the case with the single-take found-footage film MadS, which recently started streaming on Shudder.

High school graduate Romain is prepared to celebrate with an experimental drug that leads to a nightmarish trip he might never recover from. An inventive and vicious viral outbreak thriller, critics have praised director David Moreau for his refreshing take on the genre.

7. New Life (94%)

Sonya Walger and Hayley Erin lead this post-pandemic thriller that marks the feature directorial debut of John Rosman. Before you roll your eyes or scroll past it because of the pandemic mention, I advise you to give this one a chance.

New Life received a limited release in theaters and then went to VOD, so many people missed what turned out to be a well-acted, tightly directed film that rises above other pandemic-inspired entires with its complex female characters and bold swings.

6. Heretic (94%)

Heretic was an excellent religious thriller bolstered by its captivating lead performances, but I'm not sure I'd agree with it being so high on this list, even above films like The Substance, I Saw the TV Glow, and Longlegs. However, that's likely a controversial opinion. It's easy to see why Heretic received such high praise from critics.

The film is a masterclass in directing, and Hugh Grant delivers one of his career-best performances as the disarmingly diabolical Mr. Reed. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East are equally brilliant, holding their own against Grant and creating an eminently enjoyable film to watch unfold, even if the final act is a little weaker than what came before it.

5. Strange Darling (95%)

Boasting an Oscar-worthy performance by Willa Fitzgerald (yeah, I said it), Strange Darling is a daring reinvention of classic thriller tropes.

Unique structure, gorgeous cinematography, and an exciting plot that refuses to let up, Strange Darling is undeniably one of this year's best films and 100% deserves its spot on this list. I might even say it should be a little bit higher up. Those who don't know much about Strange Darling should keep it that way. This is a movie best watched knowing as little as possible.

4. In Flames (95%)

Haunting and spellbinding are words used to describe this Pakistani-Canadian horror film about a woman who believes evil forces are stalking her and her family.

Yes, In Flames is terrifying, but it's the social commentary and leading performances that elevate this into something more than your average supernatural drama. Screening at multiple film festivals, In Flames has picked up several nominations and accolades since it debuted last year, and now you can rent or buy the film on demand.

3. Infested (95%)

A gnarly, stylish, and squirm-inducing creature feature about a young man bringing home a venomous spider that reproduces at an alarming rate and takes over his entire apartment complex, forcing him and his friends to do whatever it takes to survive and escape.

Arachnophobes, beware. Infested is on another level of fear. Even if you aren't afraid of creepy crawlies, you'll probably still feel like something is crawling on you by the time this movie ends.

2. Oddity (96%)

Oddity and Infested are two films demonstrating horror's effectiveness with a simple but well-executed premise. This Irish horror film begins with one of the tensest opening scenes I've seen in a long time, and that tension remains throughout the entire film.

Maintaining that level of suspense is challenging when you start so strong, but Oddity manages it and builds upon that early tension. When a woman is murdered, a patient at the psychiatric hospital where her husband works is blamed for the crime. Her twin sister, a blind psychic running a curio shop, believes something is amiss and comes to the house to investigate herself.

1. Late Night with the Devil (97%)

An early contender for best horror movie of the year, Late Night with the Devil held its position as the top-rated horror movie of 2024 from its spring release date until November, and that is an achievement to be commended, especially since this is an independent film.

I enjoyed Late Night with the Devil, which is set up to show the audience never-before-seen video footage of something horrific the night of Halloween 1977. What plays out is a found-footage style film made to feel like a genuine artifact from that era of late-night television. It's dark and surprisingly mean-spirited at times, but I wasn't completely sold on this one. I felt like all the wind had gone out of its sails by act three, and what it ultimately built toward didn't feel cathartic. In other words, it is a solid, pulpy horror movie with a lackluster ending.

Runner-ups

• #11 The Devil's Bath (90%)
• #12 V/H/S/Beyond (89%)
• #13 A Quiet Place: Day One (87%)
• #14 Smile 2 (86%)
• #15 Longlegs (86%)

Some of this year's other popular movies, like I Saw the TV Glow, Abigail, The First Omen, Speak No Evil, and Alien: Romulus, are very close to the films featured above but have approval scores in the low 80s.