Notable horror films within the last 5 years (since 2017)

The horror genre is in a very good place. We’re seeing a diverse array of stories and I’m not sure if this current era can be categorized into a single sub-genre like in previous eras. Teen slasher dominated the 80s in a way that possibly no other sub has. Late 90s/early 00s saw a resurgence of teen horror. The mid 00s shifted to psychological horror over jump scares. 2010-2016 was dominated by found-footage films. Around 2017/2018, found-footage kind of lost its steam. Not to the point that they weren’t being made but non-found-footage films started to take the spotlight.

In the last 5 years, I think the horror genre has moved into one of the better times of its existence. We’re seeing more diversity in casting, unique stories, and very importantly, it’s started to distance itself from the tropes, stock characters and stereotypes that have saddled the genre in the past. I don’t know if I’d go so far to say that it’s a Golden Age (the 1980s have that title), but I do think we’re in a strong time. Here are 15 films - some popular and others that are flying under the radar – that show that the horror genre is in a really good place.

1. Get Out

This, in my opinion, is when the shift started and made horror films raise the quality and nature of their films. Jordan Peele’s Get Out is a groundbreaking film that sent reverberations through the horror industry. It’s far from the first film that engaged in social commentary, but this film could not have been more relevant as it hit theatres during the nascency of Trump’s president. The five years following the film saw racial stratification within the county reminiscent of the early 90s. This film captured some of those conversations and anxiety regarding race and racism. Aside from this, it’s an excellent film and in my opinion, a modern classic.

1. It Chapter 1

The first of two installments of the feature-length adaptation of Stephen King’s legendary novel is It: Chapter One. This is the highest-grossing horror film of all-time and rightfully so. This could very well be the finest horror film of the 2010s. An argument can be made the It is King’s magna opus and the film could not have done a better job in brining it to the big screen for the first time. It’s a phenomenal film and a great example of how the horror genre has risen its quality in recent years.

1. Hell House LLC 2: The Abbadon Hotel

Hell House LLC 1 is one of the greatest found-footage films of all-time. No exaggeration. It’s surprisingly great, yet it’s not frequently discussed. The first film would be on this list but it came out in 2015, just missing the cut. Hell House LLC 2: The Abbadon Hotel is right on par with the first. It’s an excellent follow-up because it seems that the writers wrote the trilogy sequentially, so each film feels necessary. They perfectly utilize cliffhangers, so when the next film comes along you’re in full anticipation of it. The 2nd is a great film because it builds upon the first while crafting a new story that opens up the plot even further while staying concise with its overall endpoint.

1. Hell House LLC III: Lake of Fire

The third film of the Hell House trilogy is by far the lowest in terms of quality but it’s still a good film that’s entertaining that does a nice job of concluding it. There’s an argument that can be made that the Hell House Trilogy can be matched up film-for-film with almost any other trilogy. All 3 films are good. With many other franchises there is a drop off by the third film. There is a decline in quality by Hell House III but it’s not nearly as steep as others.

1. Halloween

Halloween 2018 really does need any introduction or explanation. This is the GOAT horror franchise and its reboot did it justice. That’s really all that needs to be sad. Go watch if you haven’t yet.

1. Summer of ‘84

This is a good example of the new kind of horror films being made. This is more mystery than anything else. It centers on a group of boys in 1984 who come to believe that one of the boy’s neighbors is a child-murderer. It’s twisty and turny and takes a more amateur detective approach over conventional horror but its unsettling enough to be classified as such. This is strong cinema.

1. The Cleansing Hour

Demonic possession films can regrettably be trite, so it’s easy for the sub-genre to get bloated with generic copy-cats. Unfortunately, there isn’t always a lot that can be done with the sub, so it was refreshing to see The Cleansing Hour. Just off the top of my head this might be my favorite possession film since the homerun that was The Taking of Deborah Logan. If you’re looking for a fresh take on demonic possession then you’ve found your film right here.

1. Haunt

This will make you think twice about going to one of those haunted house attractions this October. The villains were…..surprising. This would be an excellent addition to watch during Spooky SZN.

1. Malignant

The third act of Malignant is such a wild ride. The first two acts are good, although it does lull a bit in the second. Whatever interest you lost will be violently regained when shit starts to go off the rails The best way I can describe this film is that it’s unexpected. What you think this film is about is not what it’s about. It’s crazy creative and has a wonderous twist.

1. X

X is another example of new stories being told. There’s some strong characterization and a vantage point from the elderly that is uncommon to say the least from a genre that has a predisposition for youth. The great Kid Cudi is in it too, so there’s that.

1. Scream 5

Scream has solidified itself as a top 3 horror franchise of all-time. Scream 5 makes the franchise 5/5. Halloween is my GOAT but Season of the Witch is head-scratching 40 years later. Even if you removed that film, because even though it carries the Halloween name, it’s not a Michael Myers film, and if instead you jumped to the 6th film Curse of Michael Myers, I’m still not sure if it’s 5/5. Halloween 5 is nice but kind of trite and it pales in comparison to its predecessor. Also, if you cross-compare it to Scream 3 – my pick for the weakest of Scream – it doesn’t measure up at all.

Scream 5 keeps itself relevant. In this era of “requels”, reboots, reimaginings, remakes and sequels, I find myself frequently asking “why was this made?” or “did we really need this?”. I asked no such questions after Scream 5. The film has actually renewed excitement not just for film number 6 but also in the tv show. That’s how rock solid the film is.

1. Fear Street Part Two

I could have put the entire Fear Street trilogy here but I instead decided to focus on number 2 which is arguably the strongest of the three. The first makes it a tough battle but I ultimately gave the edge to the second because of inconsistencies with the rules of magic in the first. The second is a throwback to the very first Friday the 13th. The influences of Friday the 13th are strong in Fear Street: 1978. The era, setting at a camp in the woods, and it being a teen slasher all harken back to the original Friday the 13th. This film provided a much needed jolt of life to the teen slasher sub.

1. The Invisible Man

This is an unsettling film about emotional abuse within a romantic relationship and the lengths that an obsessive man will go to prevent a former flame from leaving. I’m not sure if the MonsterVerse will take off but if it doesn’t it won’t be because of this film.

1. Queen of the Black Magic

Asian horror is killing the game. They’re on a winning streak and Queen of the Black Magic adds to it. This is an Indonesian film that tells the story of a group of men who bring their families to the orphanage that they were raised at to pay their respects for the dying caretaker who took care of them. All isn’t what it seems and shit gets witchy.

1. Veronica

A really good story that is allegedly based on true events. This is another international film, this time being Spanish. The premise isn’t anything groundbreaking per se, being about a group of kids playing a Ouija Board and shit going south. However, the build up to the demonic assault that takes place is beautifully placed and isn’t reliant on jump scares. It doesn’t feel like a Paranormal Activity copycat, either.