My Top Ten Best Horror Movies of 2025
2025 was a solid year for horror overall. Sure, this year had its share of bombs and busts, like Wolfman and Hell House LLC: Lineage (not to mention the colossal disappointment Fear Street: Prom Night), but there was certainly more good than bad.
The main thing that jumps out to me is the number of original films in this list. Some franchise flicks performed well this year (especially The Conjuring: Last Rites, although it wasn’t one of my top favorites), but only two made my list. This year was mainly about fresh new stories. That’s a great sign for the genre’s future if it continues.
Another interesting factor – the enduring popularity of the 1980s as a period setting for horror films. Two of the movies below, and part of a third, are set in the ’80s. Why does this era continue to fascinate horror filmmakers and audiences? My “why is ’80s horror so popular” post offers some suggestions.
I have two special shoutouts to make. The first is to Shudder. Despite mixed results for their Shudder Original lineups, the horror streaming service had a strong year. Four of their ’25 efforts made my top ten. The second is to Warner Bros. which, incredibly, was the distributor of the top four movies in my rankings!
Here are my top ten favorite movies of 2025. I’ve briefly summarized my thoughts on each. The full reviews are linked in each section.
10. Night of the Reaper
Night of the Reaper is a lean, mean retro Halloween slasher filled with tricks, treats, and twists.
9. Bring Her Back
This year’s most disturbing horror film. One of the most chilling and well acted genre movies of recent years.
8. Good Boy
Good Boy is one of the year’s most innovative horror films. Indy gives the canine performance of the century!
7. VHS Halloween
Although it’s not quite as creepy as some of the previous installments, VHS Halloween is teeming with deliciously spooky thrills and chills.
6. Frankenstein
I’ve seen remakes and adaptions this year that lacked a compelling reason to exist, but Frankenstein is not one of them. This is a worthy addition to the lore began by Mary Shelly’s classic novel.
5. Dead Mail
Dead Mail is an innovative ’80s throwback that sets itself apart with a bizarre plot, unique villain, and unusual setting.
4. Final Destination Bloodlines
Final Destination Bloodlines, the best installment since the original, is punctuated by a fantastic final scene with Tony Todd and ingeniously inventive set pieces.
3. Weapons
Weapons is the most atmospheric horror film of 2025. Director Zach Cregger avoids the sophomore slump with an effort that cements him as a rising star in the horror genre.
2. Companion
Companion is a creative, amusing, and thought-provoking sci-fi horror with a standout performance by Sophie Thatcher.
1. Sinners
Sinners is a stunning triumph that works as both a vampire movie and an allegory.
Creativity Wins the Day (and the Year)
When you watch as much horror as I do, you gain a special appreciation for originality. Four of my top five films are original properties. In each case, these movies tackled their themes in interesting and innovative ways.
Sinners uses vampires to tackle racism, Companion uses androids and AI to discuss misogyny and the nature of humanity, and Weapons uses witchcraft to handle societal issues like gun violence. These movies handle their themes effectively while also remaining entertaining horror films. The ability to do both is what vaults them to the top of my list.
Hopefully 2026 will have plenty more innovation to keep the genre fresh!
