The 2000s are often a forgotten time for horror movies. The ’70s and ’80s had the rise of the slashers, the ’90s had Oscar-winning horror films like The Silence of the Lambs and Misery, as well as another wave of slashers, and the 2010s saw some impressive original horror ideas come to the forefront.
That means that, in a lot of ways, the 2000s get overlooked. However, a closer look reveals that the decade was home to some true greats, with each year seeing something stand out. Some are international horror films, some are intriguing slashers, and some started major horror franchises.
2000: American Psycho
The decade got off to an intriguing start when it comes to horror. The remarkably consistent Final Destination franchise launched, a third film in the Scream series was released, and the criminally underrated Ginger Snaps came out.
That said, the best horror movie of the year was clearly American Psycho. Based on the novel of the same name, American Psycho follows the life of a vain investment banker by day who goes on a killing spree by night. Mary Harron did fantastic work as the director and it’s surprising she didn’t become a household name after it.
What makes American Psycho so chilling is Christian Bale’s performance as Patrick Bateman. He’s incredibly charismatic and comes across as a legitimate sociopath. You never know what he’s going to do from scene to scene. American Psycho is a cult classic that is held in higher esteem with each passing year.
2001: Pulse
Unfortunately, 2001 wasn’t exactly a banner year for horror. Disappointing sequels like Hannibal and Jason X were joined by the campy Thirteen Ghosts. The battle for the top spot came down to the solid Jeepers Creepers, Nicole Kidman’s The Others, and Pulse.
It was tough to narrow down but Pulse takes the slight edge here. This Japanese horror movie from Kiyoshi Kurosawa centers on ghosts who are able to invade the living world through the internet, making it the perfect tale for the modern world at the time.
Pulse was also remade into an American horror film in 2006 with far less success. The original was met with strong reviews, with most praise going to the opening 30 minutes for being an unnerving experience. Pulse was also acclaimed for how it didn’t rely on gore or cheap tricks to tell a haunting tale.
2002: 28 Days Later
Some of the biggest horror movies of the decade arrived in 2002. Original projects like Signs were a huge hit, while the American remake of The Ring was well-received, and the video game adaptation of Resident Evil proved to be successful.
It’s Danny Boyle’s zombie movie that is the best horror film of 2002, though. 28 Days Later has become an iconic staple of the genre, with a sequel arriving several years later and two more, unexpected sequels in both 2025 and 2026, proving its staying power.
28 Days Later centers around a man who awakens from a coma to find the world has been ravaged by a killer virus. This zombie movie changed the genre going forward, as the fast-moving infected were different and that made them all the more terrifying.
2003: Final Destination 2
The race for the best horror movie of 2003 is a tight one. Freddy vs. Jason pit two legendary slasher villains against each other in a bloodbath, House of 1,000 Corpses introduced Rob Zombie to the genre, there’s a solid Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot, and the solid Wrong Turn.
Alas, Final Destination 2 takes the top spot for several reasons. First, it takes what worked in the first film and improves upon it with more creative kills, callbacks, and more. Second, it’s the rare horror sequel to be just as good, if not better, than the original.
Final Destination 2 also has the added benefit of becoming a staple of pop culture. The iconic scene where a truck carrying logs kills people is something that every millennial seems to have knowledge of. Final Destination is a strong horror franchise but this is likely the best of them all.
2004: Saw
Horror was alive and well in 2004, whether it was the remakes of The Grudge and Dawn of the Dead, comedy horror like Seed of Chucky, or action horror like Van Helsing. There was also Shaun of the Dead, which parodied the zombie genre.
While Shaun of the Dead is the best movie of all of these, it’s more comedy than anything else, so the best horror film of 2004 is Saw. Born from the short film of the same name, Saw was made for a tiny budget and grossed more than $100 million, starting one of the biggest franchises ever.
Saw is an outlier in the series as it doesn’t focus on gore or overarching lore. It’s just a tale of two men trapped in a bathroom and given instructions to a deadly “game.” The film is engaging from start to finish and the twist ending of Saw is one of the greatest in horror history.
2005: The Descent
Thanks to the success of Saw, the rest of the 2000s saw a sequel arrive each year. Saw II is one of the better installments, while 2005 also played host to House of Wax, a Saw knockoff in Hostel, The Skeleton Key, and The Exorcism of Emily Rose.
There really was no other choice for the best, though, because The Descent is legitimately chilling. The premise on its own is enough to make you uncomfortable, as the film follows a group of women who get trapped in a cave system, only to find creatures lurking in the shadows.
That makes The Descent scary in two ways. First, there’s the claustrophobic nature of the caves, which is unsettling on its own, but then the creatures add a new layer of terror to it all. The Descent is one of the better reviewed horror films of the decade for those reasons.
2006: Slither
2006 is an interesting year for horror. Remakes like The Hills Have Eyes, The Wicker Man, and Black Christmas didn’t live up to the originals, while sequels like Saw III and Final Destination 3 were decent.
The video game adaptation, Silent Hill, was solid as well. It came down to The Host against Slither, with the former being Bong Joon-ho’s monster movie and the latter being James Gunn’s horror that was blended with comedic elements and sci-fi.
Slither wins out due to the body horror and terror being amplified a bit, even if The Host is a stronger overall movie. Slither boasts an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and though it failed at the box office, it holds up well two decades later and is an interesting look at Gunn’s early career.
2007: Paranormal Activity
The impressive sequel 28 Years Later, the Oscar-nominated Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and the Stephen King adaptation The Mist were all big horror movies in 2007. There was also Rob Zombie’s Halloween, the cult classic Trick r’ Treat, and the fun Planet Terror.
However, the movie that is the best horror film of 2007 actually didn’t become famous until 2009 when it received a wider release. Paranormal Activity initially debuted at Screamfest in 2007, and when it arrived wider in 2009, became a massive hit.
Paranormal Activity grossed nearly $200 million on a budget of around $200,000. The film felt realistic and terrified audiences with an unseen entity because fear of the unknown is always as scary as it gets. Watching this couple get terrorized by something supernatural is absolutely chilling.
2008: Let The Right One In
Horror took a step back of sorts in 2008, with fewer notable releases. The Happening, Mirrors, Prom Night, and Saw V were all considered disappointments, though original films like The Strangers and the hidden gem Splinter were strong.
One horror film stands out above the rest significantly in 2008, which is Let the Right One In. This Swedish movie doubles as a romance of sorts, focusing on a young boy who forms a bond with a strange child he meets, who is revealed to be a vampire.
Many consider Let the Right One In to be one of the best vampire movies ever made. The film was met with widespread acclaim, has an outstanding 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and got an American remake (to less positive results) a few years later.
2009: Jennifer’s Body
Some of the best horror movies from 2009 blended genres, with Coraline leaning into fantasy and Zombieland being one of the best horror comedies ever made. Friday the 13th was a lackluster remake, while Triangle, Orphan, The House of the Devil, and Drag Me to Hell were all possible options.
However, it’s a misunderstood project that’s actually the best. Jennifer’s Body was mismarketed with a focus on Megan Fox’s sex appeal over anything else, and when it was released, reviews were mixed and audience members were disappointed.
Time has been kind to Jennifer Body’s, with people rightfully re-evaluating it as a feminist cult classic. Mediocre men attempt to sacrifice Jennifer to further their careers, but it goes poorly. She ends up demonically possessed and gets her revenge, killing several classmates. Jennifer’s Body is finally getting the acclaim it deserves.
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