18 Best Horror Flicks from the 2000s

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Horror films have always held a special place in society. Fans who dare to delve into the genre’s darkness are often rewarded with unique viewing experiences that cannot be found elsewhere. The dawn of the 21st century brought on a new generation of horror that changed the genre forever.

From psychological thrillers that burrow under the skin to blood-soaked torture sessions, the 2000s left a lasting mark on the world of horror that continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers. We have compiled a list of the most influential films from this decade that will make your skin crawl. We hope you have a spooky time.

1. REC

This Spanish zombie flick is considered one of the best found-footage films ever made. REC follows a television journalist and her cinematographer as they follow the local fire department on their nightly rounds. Things soon go wrong when the team is forced to quarantine a hotel that harbors a mysterious virus.

REC’s found footage approach allows for an element of realism that isn’t often found in the zombie subgenre. The film’s setting creates a claustrophobic atmosphere and high-tension levels during its runtime. REC was remade for American audiences as Quarantine in 2008, but it fails to capture the original’s magic.

2. Martyrs

Probably the most well-known entry into the French extremism movement, Martyrs is a brutal film not for the faint of heart. The film focuses on a religious cult that believes that those who have suffered greatly will see God the moment before they die. So, they implement extreme forms of torture on captured victims to try and gain insight into the afterlife.

Martyrs is a tense, slow burn with an unpredictable ending. Fans love the film’s fantastic use of practical effects and limited locations. However, the film was considered too violent for American theater audiences. Martyrs was only permitted to be sold in DVD format in the States. Even with this setback, Martyrs routinely makes the cut for one of the best horror films ever made.

3. Inside

Another entry in the French extremist movement, Inside provides audiences a terrifying scenario. The film follows a young mother as she attempts to hide from a deranged woman who seeks to cut out her baby and take it from her.

Inside is a brutal and disturbing film that some audience members may have a hard time sitting through. But if you make it to the end, the film provides a viewing experience like no other. The film was remade for American audiences in 2016, but it failed to grasp the disturbing nature that made the original so satisfying.

4. Fear Dot Com

Capitalizing on the public’s growing fear of the dark web, Fear Dot Com highlights the worst the internet offers. The film follows a police outfit as they attempt to find the location of a snuff website targeting young women. What the police don’t know is that there is a supernatural element to this case.

Fear Dot Com focuses on the fear of new technology and how it can be used against us. The film utilized the best visual effects of the time and quickly rose to cult classic status. Fans love Fear Dot Com for its exploration of themes of guilt and redemption.

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5. Lake Mungo

This indie film won over fans for its genre combination and unique approach to horror. Lake Mungo is a beautifully tragic mockumentary about a family whose daughter tragically died in a lake. Soon after her death, the family begins to think they are being haunted.

Lake Mungo’s use of found footage and interview format makes it feel like a local documentary about a tragic incident. Fans applaud the film for its realistic approach and unsettling atmosphere. Lake Mungo is a horror hidden gem that all genre fans should experience.

6. The Grudge

J-horror dominated the landscape in the 2000s. The Grudge is one of the best examples of why this subgenre is considered so terrifying. The film follows a family settling into a new home in Tokyo only to learn that the house is cursed.

The Grudge is an effective horror because it relies on tense, subtle horror instead of the in-your-face jump scares American audiences were accustomed to at the time. Both this and the original film, Ju-On: The Grudge, are terrifying films that are great introductions to the world of J-horror.

7. Eden Lake

In the world of film, bad things happen to good people, but there is always a way for the hero to overcome the odds and save the day. Eden Lake disagrees with this narrative and provides the audience with a heart-wrenching film about the randomness of life.

Eden Lake follows a young couple who go on a camping adventure but run into problems with a gang of young boys. The film quickly escalated into a brutal nightmare for the couple that is sometimes difficult to watch. That being said, it is still a fantastic horror film that everyone should see.

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8. May

This cult classic favorite follows a young woman navigating adult life away from her overbearing mother. May is a fantastic coming-of-age story highlighting the difficulties of forming friendships and finding love. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of lust and obsession.

May combines aspects of romantic comedies with classics such as Frankenstein’s Monster to create a unique horror film that is still cherished today. The film was well-received upon release and is still praised for its originality and unsettling narrative.

9. The Mist

This film is what happens when Stephen King takes on Lovecraftian nightmares. The Mist follows a small town that is trapped by a mysterious fog. As the town members seek shelter in a local grocery store, they soon discover otherworldly creatures dwelling within the mist.

The film highlights how people fall into irrationality in times of fear and stress. The Mist is loved for its focus on themes such as religion, the human condition, and the struggle for power.

10. Dawn of the Dead

This 2000s remake of the classic George A. Romero film brought fast zombies to the modern era. Dawn of the Dead follows a group of survivors held up in a local mall as they try to figure out their next move during the zombie apocalypse.

Dawn of the Dead is an action-packed zombie flick focusing more on style than substance. Fans love the film for its use of comedic timing, amazing effects, and violent zombie scenes. Dawn of the Dead may not break new ground, but it’s a fun popcorn horror flick that genre fans adore.

11. Cabin Fever

Although this film is seen as problematic today, Cabin Fever was a massive hit in the 2000s. This film is the directorial debut of the master of torture himself, Eli Roth. The film follows a group of college graduates who unknowingly become infected with a flesh-eating virus while camping in the woods.

Cabin Fever features some of the best gross-out scenes of the 2000s. This imaginative body horror film would catapult Eli Roth to stardom, allowing him to create such horror hits as Hostel and The Green Inferno. If you can get past some of the film’s more offensive elements, it still stands out as one of the most disturbing entries of the generation.

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12. Jennifer’s Body

This feminist horror film is as divisive today as it was when it was released in the 2000s. Jennifer’s Body follows a young woman after a botched sacrifice attempt has transformed her into a succubus. Jennifer embraces her new power and goes on a blood-fueled rampage through high school.

Jennifer’s Body is praised for its use of feminist themes, the female gaze, and fantastic kill scenes. However, not everyone feels positive about the film’s influence. Some critics claim that it is exploitative and anti-feminist in nature.

13. American Psycho

Although the film has recently become a meme and a source of inspiration for sigma males, American Psycho is a scathing criticism of toxic masculinity and consumer culture. The film follows a psychopathic Wall Street broker narrating his life and lack of emotional depth.

Fans praise the film for its cultural criticism and marvelous directing style. American Psycho features Christian Bale at his best. His role as the dead-eyed serial killer Patrick Bateman is just as unnerving today as it was in the 2000s.

14. The Descent

Most people find the thought of cave diving frightening. The Descent cranks up that fear by adding subterranean human-like creatures. The film follows a group of women who become lost in an underground cave system and must battle their way to freedom.

The Descent is praised for creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that fills viewers with dread. The film’s focus on interpersonal relationships allowed for a slow-burn atmospheric horror with a horrifying payoff. The Descent received a sequel in 2009, but the film failed to hold up to the original.

15. Final Destination

One of the most iconic films of the decade, Final Destination is a fun ride filled with creative death scenes and an imaginative plot. The film follows a group of high school students who abandon a trip to France after one of the students has a prophetic vision of their deaths.

Unfortunately for them, getting off the plane did not remove them from Death’s list. Final Destination is an exciting popcorn horror movie accessible to all audiences. The film spawned five sequels, each with more elaborate death scenes than the last.

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16. Ginger Snaps

This unique coming-of-age tale uses werewolf transformation as a metaphor for puberty. Ginger Snaps follows two sisters navigating high school life and societal norms. Things take a turn when a werewolf attacks the eldest sister and begins to go through a transformation.

Ginger Snaps is a heartfelt film that highlights sibling love and the importance of family. The film spawned two sequels that build on the lore of the first film. Ginger Snaps one-of-a-kind storytelling and great practical effects sustain its status as a genre favorite.

17. The Devil’s Rejects

Rob Zombie first attempted to enter the world of horror with House of a Thousand Corpses, but the film received little praise upon release. But Rob knocked the ball out of the park with the film’s 2003 sequel, The Devil’s Rejects.

The film follows a family of sociopathic killers as they flee their homes following a local police raid. The Devil’s Rejects is praised for its character development, nuanced storytelling, and brutal kill scenes. The film is often regarded as one of the best horror films ever made.

18. Frailty

This iconic genre film features Bill Paxton and Mathew McConaughey in brilliant form. Frailty follows two young brothers and their father, who believes that he has received biblical revelation to kill demons wearing human skin.

Frailty is Bill Paxton’s directorial debut and shows a darker side of the family-friendly actor. The film is praised for its unexpected storyline, limited use of violence, and creative character-building. Frailty is fondly remembered as a sleeper hit of the 2000s.

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