32 BEST Horror Movies That Will Terrify You

2019 closes out an uncommonly strong decade for horror movies with some potential future classics of its own, and we took all of the Fresh and Certified Fresh hits with critics to give you the full list of the 32 Best Horror Movies of 2019.

Happy Death Day 2U was the first 2019 horror movie to connect with critics, even if its Tomatometer score didn’t approach the original’s high mark. In fact, virtually all of this year’s sequels all fell around in the same area: You’ll see Annabelle Comes Home, It Chapter Two, and Zombieland Double Tap all clumped together in this guide. An exception: Doctor Sleep, the three-decades later sequel that actually falls only slightly behind The Shining‘s Tomatometer score.

Original scary stories was the way to go this year, the most obvious example being Us, Jordan Peele’s follow-up to Get Out. Midsommar stranded us in the Swedish sunlight. Ready or Not turned a hide-and-seek game into a literal bloodbath. And even unabashed genre offering Crawl clawed its way into critics’ hearts and jugulars. And, of course, The Lighthouse, a black-and-white hybrid headtrip that reminds us to always compliment the chef. And there’s Tigers Are Not Afraid from Mexico, which gives new perspective into the dark.

SATANIC PANIC (2019)

#32

Critics Consensus: It isn’t terribly devilish or particularly pulse-quickening, but Satanic Panic remains an entertaining midnight movie that forgiving genre enthusiasts will enjoy.

Synopsis: Sam’s first day as a pizza delivery driver is not going according to plan. At the end of a long…

Starring: Ruby Modine, Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O’Connell, Arden Myrin

Directed By: Chelsea Stardust

ST. AGATHA (2019)

#31

Critics Consensus: St. Agatha makes admittedly uneven use of its story’s well-worn religious tropes, but the overall effect may still be just chilling enough for horror fans.

Synopsis: It’s the 1950’s in small town Georgia, a pregnant con woman on the run seeks refuge in a convent hidden…

Starring: Sabrina Kern, Carolyn Hennesy, Courtney Halverson, Lindsay Seim

CHILD’S PLAY (2019)

#30

Critics Consensus: Child’s Play updates an ’80s horror icon for the Internet of Things era, with predictably gruesome — and generally entertaining — results.

Synopsis: A contemporary re-imagining of the 1988 horror classic, Child’s Play follows Karen (Aubrey Plaza), a single mother who gifts her…

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Brian Tyree Henry, Gabriel Bateman, Mark Hamill

Directed By: Lars Klevberg

IT CHAPTER TWO (2019)

#29

Critics Consensus: It: Chapter Two proves bigger doesn’t always mean scarier for horror sequels, but a fine cast and faithful approach to the source material keep this follow-up afloat.

Synopsis: Evil resurfaces in Derry as director Andy Muschietti reunites the Losers Club in a return to where it all began…

Starring: James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa

Directed By: Andy Muschietti

ANNABELLE COMES HOME (2019)

#28

Critics Consensus: Fun for fans even if it isn’t as frightening as some of its predecessors, Annabelle Comes Home suggests there’s still some life left in the Conjuring franchise.

Synopsis: Determined to keep Annabelle from wreaking more havoc, demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren bring the possessed doll to the locked…

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, McKenna Grace, Madison Iseman

Directed By: Gary Dauberman

ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP (2019)

#27

Critics Consensus: Zombieland: Double Tap makes up for a lack of fresh brains with an enjoyable reunion that recaptures the spirit of the original and adds a few fun twists.

Synopsis: A decade after Zombieland became a hit film and a cult classic, the lead cast (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail…

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin

Directed By: Ruben Fleischer

HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U (2019)

#26

Critics Consensus: A funnier follow-up with a sci-fi bent, Happy Death Day 2U isn’t as fiendishly fresh as its predecessor, but fans of the original may still find this a sequel worth celebrating.

Synopsis: Jessica Rothe leads the returning cast of HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U, the follow-up to Blumhouse’s (Split, Get Out, The Purge…

Starring: Jessica Rothe, Ruby Modine, Israel Broussard, Phi Vu

HAUNT (2019)

#25

Critics Consensus: Haunt is spooked by the spirits of its obvious influences, but still packs enough thrills and chills to satisfy horror fans up for a haunted house excursion.

Synopsis: A group of friends look for the thrill of a lifetime when they enter a haunted house that supposedly brings…

Starring: Katie Stevens, Will Brittain, Lauryn Alisa McClain, Andrew Caldwell

Directed By: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods

GWEN (2019)

#24

Critics Consensus: Gwen’s relentlessly grim outlook may wear on some viewers, but it remains a reasonably gripping, solidly assembled descent into atmospheric period horror.

Synopsis: Gwen is a young girl desperately trying to hold her home together–struggling with her mother’s mysterious illness, her father’s absence…

Starring: Maxine Peake, Eleanor Worthington-Cox, Mark Lewis Jones, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

Directed By: William McGregor

PIERCING (2019)

#23

Critics Consensus: Stylish with a sadistic streak, Piercing pairs gripping lead performances with a smartly macabre story that delivers unpredictable thrills.

Synopsis: Reed (Christopher Abbott) is going on a business trip. He kisses his wife and infant son goodbye, but in lieu…

Starring: Christopher Abbott, Laia Costa, Mia Wasikowska, Marin Ireland

Directed By: Nicolas Pesce

I TRAPPED THE DEVIL (2019)

#22

Critics Consensus: A slow-burning horror story that takes spine-tingling advantage of its setting and cast, I Trapped the Devil marks an auspicious debut for writer-director Josh Lobo.

Synopsis: Christmas is supposed to be a time for peace and joyful family reunions. But when Matt (AJ Bowen) and his…

Starring: AJ Bowen, Jocelin Donahue, Scott Poythress, Susan Burke (VIII)

Directed By: Josh Lobo

PLEDGE (2019)

#21

Critics Consensus: Pledge leaves a certain amount of potential untapped in its extreme take on collegiate hazing, but the end result is still well-executed enough to be worth a watch.

Synopsis: Three friends get the chance to live the college dream when they’re invited to join an elite fraternity-but first they’ll…

Starring: Zachery Byrd, Aaron Dalla Villa, Cameron Cowperthwaite, Jesse Pimentel

Directed By: Daniel Robbins

DOCTOR SLEEP (2019)

#20

Critics Consensus: Doctor Sleep forsakes the elemental terror of its predecessor for a more contemplative sequel that balances poignant themes against spine-tingling chills.

Synopsis: “Doctor Sleep” is the continuation of Danny Torrance’s story 40 years after the terrifying events of Stephen King’s The Shining….

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Carl Lumbly

Directed By: Mike Flanagan

NIGHTMARE CINEMA (2019)

#19

Critics Consensus: Admirably eclectic yet more consistent than most horror anthologies, Nightmare Cinema should entertain viewers in the mood for a good old-fashioned creepshow.

Synopsis: In this twisted horror anthology, five strangers are drawn to an abandoned theater and forced to watch their deepest and..

Starring: Mickey Rourke, Annabeth Gish, Maurice Benard, Richard Chamberlain

Directed By: Alejandro Brugués, Joe Dante, Ryuhei Kitamura, David Slade

SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK (2019)

#18

Critics Consensus: Like the bestselling series of books that inspired it, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark opens a creepy gateway into horror for younger genre enthusiasts.

Synopsis: It’s l968 in America. Change is blowing in the wind… but seemingly far removed from the unrest in the cities…

Starring: Zoe Margaret Colletti, Michael Garza, Gabriel Rush, Austin Abrams

Directed By: André Øvredal

GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR (2019)

#17

Critics Consensus: Girl on the Third Floor proves a good old-fashioned haunted house story can still be entertaining — and put a fresh spin on established genre formula.

Synopsis: At the heart of the film is Don Koch (CM Punk), a man who is failing as a husband.

Starring: C.M. Punk, Elissa Dowling, Karen Woditsch, Sarah Brooks

Directed By: Travis Stevens

THE WIND (2019)

#16

Critics Consensus: Imperfect yet intriguing, The Wind offers horror fans an admirably ambitious story further distinguished by its fresh perspective and effective scares.

Synopsis: An unseen evil haunts the homestead in this chilling, folkloric tale of madness, paranoia, and otherworldly terror. Lizzy (Caitlin Gerard)…

Starring: Caitlin Gerard, Julia Goldani Telles, Ashley Zukerman, Dylan McTee

Directed By: Emma Tammi

CRAWL (2019)

#15

Critics Consensus: An action-packed creature feature that’s fast, terrifying, and benefits greatly from a completely game Kaya Scodelario, Crawl is a fun throw-back with just enough self-awareness to work.

Synopsis: When a massive hurricane hits her Florida hometown, Haley (Kaya Scodelario) ignores evacuation orders to search for her missing father…

Starring: Kaya Scodelario, Barry Pepper, Morfydd Clark, Ross Anderson

Directed By: Alex Aja

MIDSOMMAR (2019)

#14

Critics Consensus: Ambitious, impressively crafted, and above all unsettling, Midsommar further proves writer-director Ari Aster is a horror auteur to be reckoned with.

Synopsis: Dani and Christian are a young American couple with a relationship on the brink of falling apart. But after a…

Starring: Florence Pugh, Liv Mjönes, Jack Reynor, Vilhelm Blomgren

Directed By: Ari Aster

LUZ (2019)

#13

Critics Consensus: Luz takes a refreshingly unique approach to horror possession tropes, elevated by a chilly mood and minimalist scares.

Synopsis: In this slick and disturbing horror film, Luz is a young cab driver fleeing from the grasp of a possessed…

Starring: Luana Velis, Jan Bluthardt, Nadja Stübiger, Johannes Benecke

Directed By: Tilman Singer

THE HOLE IN THE GROUND (2019)

#12

Critics Consensus: The Hole in the Ground artfully exploits parental fears with a well-made horror outing that makes up in sheer effectiveness what it lacks in originality.

Synopsis: Sarah and her young son Chris move to a new home in the Irish countryside, next to a forest that…

Starring: Seána Kerslake, James Cosmo, Simone Kirby, Steve Wall

Directed By: Lee Cronin

BRAID (2019)

#11

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Two wanted women decide to rob their wealthy yet mentally unstable friend who lives in a fantasy world they all…

Starring: Madeline Brewer, Imogen Waterhouse, Scott Cohen, Sarah Hay

Directed By: Mitzi Peirone

EVER AFTER (ENDZEIT) (2019)

#10

Critics Consensus: Smart, stylish, and unpredictable, Ever After puts a refreshing spin on post-apocalyptic zombie horror.

Synopsis: Post apocalypse Europe, two years after zombies have overrun Earth, only two citadels of civilization remain in the East German…

Starring: Gro Swantje Kohlhof, Maja Lehrer, Trine Dyrholm, Barbara Philipp

Directed By: Carolina Hellsgård

DEPRAVED (2019)

Critics Consensus: A thrillingly effective update on a classic story, Depraved jolts a familiar monster back to life with a potent blend of timely themes and old-school chills.

Synopsis: The legend of Frankenstein gets a provocative modern update in the stylishly disturbing new film from indie horror master Larry…

Starring: David Call, Joshua Leonard, Alex Breaux, Ana Kayne

Directed By: Larry Fessenden

THE GOLEM (2019)

Critics Consensus: A chillingly effective horror story rooted in rich folklore, The Golem blends centuries-old stories with timely themes to powerful effect.

Synopsis: During an outbreak of a deadly plague, a mystical woman must save her tight-knit Jewish community from foreign invaders, but…

Starring: Alex Tritenko, Brynie Furstenberg, Hani Furstenberg, Ishai Golan

Directed By: Doron Paz, Yoav Paz

READY OR NOT (2019)

Critics Consensus: Smart, subversive, and darkly funny, Ready or Not is a crowd-pleasing horror film with giddily entertaining bite.

Synopsis: Ready Or Not follows a young bride (Samara Weaving) as she joins her new husband’s (Mark O’Brien) rich, eccentric family…

Starring: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Mark O’Brien (IX) , Henry Czerny

Directed By: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett

BLISS (2019)

Critics Consensus: Bliss may be too narratively and visually intense for less adventurous viewers, but should trigger the titular state in those with a taste for hard-hitting horror.

Synopsis: Known for her dark and macabre artwork, painter Dezzy Donahue (Dora Madison) is in a professional rut. Unable to finish…

Starring: Dora Madison, Tru Collins, Rhys Wakefield, Jeremy Gardner

Directed By: Joe Begos

THE LIGHTHOUSE (2019)

Critics Consensus: A gripping story brilliantly filmed and led by a pair of powerhouse performances, The Lighthouse further establishes Robert Eggers as a filmmaker of exceptional talent.

Synopsis: From Robert Eggers, the visionary filmmaker behind modern horror masterpiece The Witch, comes this hypnotic and hallucinatory tale of two…

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe, Valeriia Karaman

Directed By: Robert Eggers

US (2019)

Critics Consensus: With Jordan Peele’s second inventive, ambitious horror film, we have seen how to beat the sophomore jinx, and it is Us.

Synopsis: Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, Us, from Monkeypaw Productions, stars Oscar (R) winner Lupita Nyong’o…

Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker

Directed By: Jordan Peele

HAGAZUSSA: A HEATHEN’S CURSE (HAGAZUSSA) (2019)

Critics Consensus: Hagazussa: A Heathen’s Curse weaves a spooky supernatural story that should satisfy horror fans with more adventurous inclinations.

Synopsis: In a remote Alpine village in the 15th century, the orphan Albrun grows up to become a marked woman. The…

Starring: Haymon Maria Buttinger, Aleksandra Cwen, Claudia Martini, Celina Peter

Directed By: Lukas Feigelfeld

HARPOON (2019)

Critics Consensus: A B-movie with an A-level commitment to entertain, Harpoon should hit the target with horror fans in the mood for gory, darkly humorous antics on the open water.

Synopsis: Rivalries, dark secrets, and sexual tension emerge when three best friends find themselves stranded on a yacht in the middle…

Starring: Brett Gelman, Munro Chambers, Emily Tyra, Christopher Gray

Directed By: Rob Grant

TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID (VUELVEN) (2019)

Critics Consensus: Tigers Are Not Afraid draws on childhood trauma for a story that deftly blends magical fantasy and hard-hitting realism – and leaves a lingering impact.

Synopsis: A haunting horror fairytale set against the backdrop of Mexico’s devastating drug wars, TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID follows a group…

Starring: Paola Lara, Juan Ramón López (II) , Hanssel Casillas, Rodrigo Cortes (II)

Directed By: Issa López.

(RottenTomatoes)