Some of the best modern horror movies have come out in 2015 and 2016. Horror movies from 2015 and 2016 offered audiences high-quality ghost stories, deranged killers, and a couple of them were completely unsettling. The films on this list are based on the scores received by critics from Rotten Tomatoes, by taking the top five horror movies from each year. Though many of the titles listed will be expected, there are a few that made the list that may come to a surprise to some fans.
The Conjuring 2 (2016) 80 Percent
This highly-anticipated sequel was more elaborate and dramatic than its predecessor, and it delivered plenty of terrifying visuals and jump-scare moments.
Deathgasm (2015) 86 Percent
This horror-comedy is one of the most overlooked movies of 2015. With a name like Deathgasm , one might skip over it thinking it’s just going to be a blood and guts gore-fest — and they would be right. But it’s a well done blood and guts gore-fest, and the violence often adds to the humor. If you’re a fan of horror, or of heavy metal music, then this is a must-watch.
Don’t Breathe (2016) 87 Percent
The “home invasion” subgenre of horror is overdone and often unoriginal, but this film found a way to make it good again. Don’t Breathe blurs the line between suspense and horror, and it continues to put audiences on the edge of their seat.
The Devil’s Candy (2015) 89 Percent
This homage to occult films is another gem that is often overlooked. Like Deathgasm , heavy metal is the driving force in this haunted house story.
Green Room (2016) 91 Percent
Coming in at No. 5 on the list (tied with the next movie) is a film featuring the great Patrick Stewart, and the late Anton Yelchin. The Seattle Times describes why this is one of the best horror movies of 2016 .
“It’s a no-frills thriller that chills with the remorseless intensity of its storytelling… Writer-director Jeremy Saulnier (whose previous movie, 2013’s ‘Blue Ruin,’ has earned a reputation as a gritty, well-observed indie cult classic) keeps the focus tight. One room! Throbbing with fear! And within that room his actors reveal unexpected depths of their characters.”
The Witch (2016) 91 Percent
This is often described as one of the most unsettling horror movies of all-time, and it would be hard to disagree with that statement. Just like how The Exorcist had audiences nauseated and frightened in 1973, The Witch did the same for many in 2016.
We Are Still Here (2015) 95 Percent
This film treads on familiar ground, but it adds enough unique twists and turns to set it apart from other ghost stories. This is a slow-build film that leads to a rewarding climax.
Creep (2015) 96 Percent
Like the “home invasion” subgenre of horror, the “found footage” genre is also overdone; but Creep found a way to breathe new life into it. With a runtime of 80 minutes, the buildup of this story doesn’t feel slow. Most of the suspense is found toward the end of the film, but the story told along the way is very entertaining.
It Follows (2015) 97 Percent
It’s hard to find a modern film that is truly scary while telling a superb story — It Follows does this. Buzzfeed News explains why this is one of the highest-rated horror movies of 2015 .
“It’s a testament to how scary a movie It Follows is that for days after watching it, you walk around thinking up survival plans — should you hide, stay on the move forever, pass the haunting on to someone else?”
Hush (2016) 100 Percent
With a perfect score Hush is not only highest-rated horror movie of 2015 and 2016, but it is one of the highest-rated horror movies of all-time. This terrifying cat-and-mouse film tells the story of a deaf woman who lives in seclusion in the woods. A killer begins stalking her, but soon realizes that he’s underestimated his would-be victim — the two are in for a very long night. Hush is genuinely scary, very tense, and it is exclusively streaming on Netflix.
OTHER HORROR MOVIE ARTICLES FROM THE INQUISITR
The Top 10 Best, Highly-Rated Thriller And Horror Movies On Netflix
The Best Horror Movies Of 2016 Available On Demand Or To Stream
The 13 Best Horror Movies That Will Scare You Witless
The Best Horror Movies Of 2016 That Are Overlooked
With titles like Hush , The Witch , and It Follows , some of the best horror movies have been released in 2015 and 2016.
[Featured Image by IFC Midnight]