If you've noticed that horror movies have gotten scarier, smarter, and more inventive over the last couple of decades, you're not imagining it. The 2000s brought a real shift in how filmmakers approach fear, moving beyond simple jump scares to explore deeper psychological terror, social anxiety, and even grief.

If you're like me and you're looking for supernatural thrills or stories that will make you question reality, the modern horror era has something genuinely special to offer. Here are some great movies you have to add to your list.

Early 2000s Horror Films

"28 Days Later" (2002) revolutionized zombie films by introducing fast-moving infected creatures instead of the traditional shambling undead. Directed by Danny Boyle, "28 Days Later" follows a man who wakes from a coma to find London devastated by a rage virus. Shot on digital cameras, the film's grainy, low-fi look created an authentic post-apocalyptic atmosphere that made audiences feel like they were witnessing a real outbreak. The movie's success helped fuel the zombie popularity that dominated much of the 2000s and 2010s.

"The Ring" (2002) introduced American audiences to J-horror when it remade the Japanese film Ringu. The story follows a journalist investigating a cursed videotape that kills anyone who watches it seven days later. The iconic image of the ghost girl Samara crawling out of a television screen is one of horror's most recognizable moments. The film's success opened the door for numerous other J-horror remakes throughout the 2000s.​

"Saw" (2004) launched one of horror's most profitable franchises and introduced audiences to the Jigsaw Killer. Made on a tiny budget of just over $1 million, the film grossed $104 million worldwide and became one of the most successful horror films since Scream. Two strangers wake up chained in a dilapidated bathroom, forced to play a deadly game where they must inflict physical pain on themselves to survive.

Horror Films from 2009-2013

"Paranormal Activity" (2009) became a cultural phenomenon by using security camera footage to capture supernatural events in a suburban home. Made for an estimated $15,000, the film eventually grossed over $193 million worldwide. The movie follows a couple who set up cameras to document the paranormal presence haunting them.

"Insidious" (2010) brought traditional haunted house scares with its story of a family whose son falls into a mysterious coma and becomes a vessel for demonic entities. Directed by James Wan, the film excels at creating genuinely creepy imagery and atmosphere rather than relying on gore. The concept of "The Further"—an astral realm where the boy's soul is trapped—gave the film a unique mythology that distinguished it from typical possession stories. Critics and audiences praised the film for its old-school approach to scares and disturbing visual design.​

"The Conjuring" (2013) brought director James Wan back to haunted house horror with a film based on the real-life case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The movie follows the Warrens as they help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their Rhode Island farmhouse. The film earned over $319 million worldwide and received widespread critical acclaim for its effective scares and strong performances. Its success launched a massive franchise that became one of the highest-grossing horror series of all time.​

Horror Films from 2014-2019

"It Follows" (2014) introduced one of horror's most original concepts—a supernatural entity passed through sexual contact that slowly pursues its victims. The entity can appear as anyone and moves at walking speed, but always knows where its target is located. With its retro synthesizer score and deliberately ambiguous 1980s-inspired setting, the film achieved cult status and is considered one of the best horror films of the 2010s.​

"Get Out" (2017) used horror to explore racism and social anxiety in America. Jordan Peele's directorial debut follows a young Black man visiting his white girlfriend's family estate for the weekend, where he discovers a horrifying secret. "Get Out" received widespread critical acclaim and even earned Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.​

"Hereditary" (2018) shocked audiences with its unflinching portrayal of family trauma and supernatural horror. Director Ari Aster's feature debut follows the Graham family as they unravel cryptic secrets about their ancestry after their grandmother's death. Toni Collette delivers a powerhouse performance as a mother dealing with unimaginable grief while dark forces close in around her family. The film's shocking moments—particularly one involving a car ride—left audiences stunned.