How does Rest Less make money
We make money through advertising and commission from affiliate links, which enable us to offer Rest Less as a free service to our users. The content on this page may use affiliate links, which track traffic from our website to a third party provider and enable us to receive a commission or payment from any traffic we refer.
* Affiliate links on this page have an * next to them. We place enormous importance on our editorial independence and the integrity of our content which means that we will never change how we write about something as a result of an affiliate link.
If you love horror films, there’s no better time to hunker down with a scary movie. As the nights draw in and the witching hour creeps closer, few things beat curling up with a Halloween-themed film, a bowl of popcorn, and maybe a pillow to hide behind. But which films are worth your time this year?
While the 20th century gave us plenty of timeless horror classics, the new millennium has been a hotbed for chilling, inventive, and sometimes downright terrifying films. From psychological thrillers and arthouse horrors to blood-soaked monster movies, there’s something for every horror fan.
So, if you’re hunting for fresh scares this October, you’re in the right place. Here are 15 modern horror films to watch this Halloween.
1. Hereditary (2018)
Billed as “the scariest film since The Exorcist”, Ari Aster’s feature debut received universal acclaim on its release – and not just for Toni Collette’s harrowing performance. At its heart, Hereditary is a story about a family unravelling under the weight of tragedy and grief, but it’s also packed with unforgettable nightmare imagery, including a man set alight, a now-almost-iconic severed head, and a blood-curdling act of self-decapitation.
The film opens with Annie (Collette) burying her mother, and from that moment, a creeping sense of dread takes hold. What begins as a portrait of family dysfunction slowly twists into a descent into despair, darkness, and supernatural terror. If horror films were recognised by awards bodies as often as other genres, there’s little doubt Collette would have swept the board, and her portrayal of a grief-stricken mother on the brink of madness lingers long after the credits roll.
2. The Babadook (2014)
The theme of grief also lies at the heart of The Babadook, Jennifer Kent’s haunting psychological horror from Australia. The film follows Amelia (Essie Davis), an exhausted widow struggling to raise her troubled young son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman). When Samuel discovers a mysterious pop-up book featuring a sinister, top-hat-wearing ghoul (the titular Babadook), strange and unsettling events begin to unfold.
As Samuel’s erratic behaviour intensifies, so does the terror, and what starts as an exploration of grief gradually transforms into a chilling study of how parental love can curdle into resentment. As Amelia’s sanity frays, the story builds to moments of genuine horror. Yet the climax delivers an unexpected catharsis, leaving us to wonder whether some monsters are not meant to be defeated, but endured.
3. The Orphanage (2007)
Sometimes only a classic haunted-house movie will do, and few are as chilling or moving as The Orphanage. Set in a remote Gothic mansion (a former orphanage) perched beside a desolate beach, with ominous caves and a lonely lighthouse, this fantastic Spanish film drips with atmosphere. Produced by Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth), his signature dark fairytale style is evident in almost every frame.
The story follows Laura (Belén Rueda), her husband Carlos (Fernando Cayo), and their angelic son Simón (Roger Príncep). The family moves into the empty orphanage, intending to convert it into a home for children. But tragedy strikes when Simón disappears, unleashing the film’s true tension. While The Orphanage features plenty of horror tropes – creepy dolls, eerie children, and creaking roundabouts – it never feels clichéd. Instead, it pairs suspense with emotion, making it a haunting, deeply affecting watch.
4. It Follows (2014)
If you’re a fan of slashers with a twist, David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows is essential viewing. This slow-burning modern classic ditches the usual masked men and killer gangs in favour of something far more unsettling: a supernatural force that can take the form of anyone…even someone you know. When high schooler Jay (Maika Monroe) has sex with her boyfriend, she unwittingly inherits a curse – and from that moment on, the entity begins to follow her.
The terror lies in its relentlessness: it never stops until it catches and kills its victim. Worse still, there’s no predicting what form it will take. Is that a harmless old woman walking toward us, or is it the monster? By making you second-guess every figure in the frame, It Follows creates a nerve-shredding sense of dread. But this is also a beautifully shot film (the 360-degree pan is especially impressive) with a unique retro feel and strangely dreamy ambience.
5. Midsommar (2019)
Another film by Hereditary director Ari Aster now – but while both films share similarities, they’re also very different. Midsommar, like Hereditary, is a depiction of grief; when Dani (Florence Pugh) loses her family in terrible circumstances, she accompanies her checked-out boyfriend to a festival in Sweden. But while Hereditary’s nightmare visions are cloaked in darkness, in Midsommar they unfold in broad daylight. The sun doesn’t set on this folk festival, and the horror is dragged right into the light.
Midsommar is a slow movie – so slow you’re not even sure it’s a horror at first. But as the truth about this unknowable Scandi cult emerges, Wickerman-style, the rug is ripped from under you. Florence Pugh is exceptional, and as her devastation and anxiety increase, the tension builds towards a fiery, flower-wreathed conclusion that will have you holding your breath. Although never really scary (unlike Hereditary), Midsommar is deeply unsettling, and will likely stay with you for a while.
6. Bring Her Back (2025)
If bleak, emotionally charged horrors that explore trauma are your thing, Bring Her Back might be for you. The second film from Australian brothers Danny and Michael Philippou is darker than their debut, Talk To Me (2023), and follows 17-year-old Andy (Billy Barratt) and his younger stepsister Piper (Sora Wong), recently orphaned after their father’s sudden death. The two teens are placed in the care of Laura (Sally Hawkins), a former social worker tormented by the drowning of her own daughter.
Hawkins is brilliant as the sinister Laura, shifting seamlessly from off-kilter humour to outright menace. She also cares for a mute boy, Oliver, whose thousand-yard stare and tendency to do…graphic things to himself, will have you watching through your fingers. Rather than relying on cheap jump scares, Bring Her Back cultivates dread through psychological unease, stomach-turning imagery, and an increasingly suffocating atmosphere until it culminates in a truly crushing conclusion.
7. Oddity (2024)
If you’re a fan of independent horrors, Oddity is a must-watch. This second feature film from Irish writer-director Damian McCarthy (whose debut Caveat is also worth seeking out) opens with Dani (Carolyn Bracken) and her husband Ted (Gwilym Lee) renovating their country home. One night, while Dani is alone, a creepy glass-eyed stranger appears at the door, warning her of danger and begging to be let inside. The encounter is unnerving, and the film wastes no time establishing a mood of claustrophobic dread.
We don’t know whether Dani lets him, although we do find out she died that night. The film then switches to the perspective of Dani’s clairvoyant twin sister Darcy (also Bracken), who’s determined to find out what happened to her sibling. Darcy invites herself to the country home, bringing along a terrifying, life-size ventriloquist dummy – but the truth about her sister’s fate is even scarier. Expertly shot, this gothic-style horror is admirably original, full of mystery, twists, and truly horrifying moments.
8. The Descent (2005)
Some horror films take place in beautiful, light-filled environments, and some monsters look like normal, unthreatening people. But others take a very different route, and The Descent is the latter. It tells the story of a group of women who decide to explore a remote Appalachian cave…with horrendous consequences. The setting is a dark, cramped, claustrophobic cave system far beneath the Earth’s surface, and the monsters, when they appear, are grotesquely terrifying.
After a tragic accident leaves our protagonist bereaved (there’s definitely a grief theme in many modern horrors) at the start, British filmmaker Neil Marshall sets the pace; the women descend into the caves, become lost, get caved in, and quickly discover they’re not alone. This near panic-attack-inducing survival horror is a claustrophobe’s worst nightmare, and the women begin to descend not just into the Earth, but perhaps into madness, too.
9. 28 Days Later (2002)
Though it came out 23 years ago, Danny Boyle’s iconic zombie film holds up just as well today, so even if you’ve already seen it, it’s worth a rewatch (especially if you’re planning to watch the newest film in the series). 28 Days Later turned the traditional undead formula on its head. Instead of slow-moving, mindless zombies, the monsters here are alive: fast-moving, flesh-eating, and infected. They’re not only driven by an unquenchable bloodlust but filled with a ferocious rage.
This fast-paced film amps up the terror in blood-chilling, adrenaline-pumping ways; infection is quick, the infected are quicker, and some survivors are more of a threat than the ‘zombies’. The film’s opening shots of London’s deserted streets seem even more iconic after the Covid lockdowns, and Boyle’s then-pioneering use of digital cameras gives everything a grainy, post-apocalyptic feel. The jittery editing will have you on edge just as much as the infected.
10. Get Out (2017)
When it was released, Get Out quickly became more than just a horror film. It tapped into the pulse of political consciousness and entered the wider cultural conversation, while never losing its sense of fun. The film balances clear thematic concerns with dark wit, memorable set pieces, haunting images, and moments that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. It’s no surprise it won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, along with nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.
British actor Daniel Kaluuya plays Chris, a black American man who’s meeting his white girlfriend’s parents for the first time. While seemingly liberal (“I would’ve voted for Obama for a third time if I could,” the father tells Chris), all is not what it seems, and a festering racism lurks beneath the surface. Get Out expertly subverts the ideas that all racists are neo Nazi thugs, and suggests that perhaps the scariest form of prejudice is a type of racism that doesn’t believe it’s racist at all.
11. The Invitation (2015)
The Invitation went largely under the radar in the UK…which is all the more reason to check it out a decade after its release. The premise of Karyn Kusama’s film is simple: a group of friends meet for a dinner party, awkwardness ensues, and the hosts’ real intentions turn out to be most surprising…and sinister. Logan Marshall-Green plays Will, a man whose marriage broke down after the loss of their child. When he and his new partner attend his ex-wife’s dinner party, old wounds begin to resurface.
The discomfort deepens as the evening progresses, but at first, you can’t decide whether Will’s unease is valid or a result of his trauma. This is a slow simmer of a film, and the build is, at times, almost unbearable. But while it takes a while for the real nightmare to become apparent, when it does, the shock and violence will leave you reeling. A film you’ll be encouraging all your friends to watch after…although perhaps not at a dinner party.
12. The Witch (2015)
If you’re really looking to scare people – create a sense of dread and terror that gets under the skin and stays there – you need both realism and atmosphere. The Witch has both in spades. Set in 17th-century New England, Robert Eggers’ folk horror is eerily believable, from the period-accurate language spoken to the antique cloth used to make costumes. Even the score uses musical instruments from that era, and the resulting authenticity puts you right into the story.
What’s also very believable is the puritanical fear of witches that was then so pervasive – because The Witch is a story about how fear can consume us. Anya Taylor-Joy, in her breakout role, plays Thomasin, the eldest daughter of a pious family whose religious beliefs are as oppressive as the bleak landscape surrounding them. As their misfortunes mount, the family blame Thomasin, not realising that a diabolical – and very real – force is lurking in the words. A slow burn leads to a truly shocking finale.
13. A Quiet Place (2018)
Fans of traditional monster movies shouldn’t miss A Quiet Place – if they haven’t caught it already. On its release, actor-director John Krasinski’s post-apocalyptic film was a box office smash, and a sequel quickly followed in 2020. The concept is uncomplicated: flesh-eating aliens with super-sensitive hearing land on Earth and begin to hunt down the human race via sound. If you can stay quiet, you might just stay alive.
The story follows a family with young children, and the addition of a heavily pregnant mother and a deaf daughter is powerful; how can you stay silent when you can’t hear what makes a noise – or when you’re going into labour? Usually, sound is key in horror films, from blood-curdling screams to grating scores, but the lack of it sets A Quiet Place apart from other films. You might even be able to hear your own heart pound.
14. 28 Years Later (2025)
The sequel to 28 Days Later was released in 2007, but it didn’t quite hit the heights of the first film, and fans had to wait 18 years for a third instalment. This time, however, the wait proves worthwhile, and the new chapter feels distinct and daring. The infected have evolved into two forms: bloated, hairless crawlers that drag themselves across the ground, and the swift, savage predators that evoke the earlier films. With the virus confined to Britain, the movie follows a group of survivors living on a fortified island.
The story begins with 12-year-old Spike (Alfie William) and his father (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) venturing to the mainland, where their run-ins with the infected are as frightening as they are visually striking. But the film’s second half shifts focus, following Spike’s mother (Jodie Comer) in a storyline that delivers genuine emotional weight. After such a long wait, fans could have been forgiven for expecting disappointment. But fortunately, this third film doesn’t just live up to the legacy; it expands it.
Check out our full review of 28 Years Later.
15. The Coffee Table (2024)
Another Spanish film to add to the list is 2024’s The Coffee Table. This genre-defying movie (variously billed as horror-comedy-drama, black comedy, and absurdist horror) is unlike anything you’ve seen before, and if you’re looking for a film that will push you into disbelief and dread, it won’t disappoint. The story follows Jesús (David Pareja) and María (Estefanía de los Santos), an exhausted couple grappling with the trials of new parenthood.
The humour comes early, sparked by the purchase of a gaudy glass coffee table. María hates it, but Jesús eventually gets his way. Yet when the table arrives, the nightmare begins. Around 20 minutes in, a truly shocking, appalling event shifts the film entirely. What starts as a comedic domestic squabble evolves into an emotionally brutal and unsettling journey, exposing the fragility of happiness and the lurking potential for catastrophe. Raw, bleak, and powerfully acted, The Coffee Table will leave you reeling.
Final thoughts…
If you’re a fan of horror films, you probably know there can be a strange thrill in scaring yourself while knowing you’re completely safe. Getting your heart racing and palms sweating while curled up at home can be exhilarating…even if you have to remind yourself “It’s only a film” afterwards.
If you don’t usually watch scary movies, Halloween is the perfect time to get out of your comfort zone – and the 15 films above all offer an excellent viewing experience. Whether you’re into psychological slow-burners or white-knuckle monster films, there’s something for everyone. Just remember to turn the lights down before watching…
For more inspiration, check out our articles: 16 of the best horror films and 13 true crime series to add to your watchlist.
Have you seen any of these films – and if so, what did you think? Do you have your own suggestions for modern horror films to watch this Halloween? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Read our full commenting terms and guidelines