Someone is plucking the violin strings, the orchestra is getting louder and louder in anticipation of the jumpscare, and the audience is at the very edge of their seats. Is there a better way of preparing for the scariest night of the year than watching a good scary movie? Since 2020 had left the theaters quite barren, and production screeched to a halt, 2021 has been a great year for new releases. Both blockbusters and indie movies have been coming out left and right and we have them all on our top ten list.
10. Val
A fun indie release that will get your blood pumping
"Val," a horror-comedy, comes from Aaron Franklin and Victoria Fratz, previously well-known for their short horror films such as "Diet," "Happy Birthday," and "In the Walls." In it, a criminal on the run (Zackary Mooren) breaks into the home of a high-class escort, Val (Misha Reeves). However, only later does he realize that there is something sinister behind it all.
"Val" is a charming, funny film with just enough scares to keep us at the edge of our seats with producers well-versed in making comedic horror content. Viewers will be left terrified while trying not to burst out laughing in an authentic Social House Films experience.
9. Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Scary monster that likes making breakfast
The second installment of "Venom" is set over a year after the events of the first movie. Once again, we follow Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy), an investigative journalist, struggling to adjust to living with Venom. This alien symbiote grants him superhuman abilities, as he becomes a lethal vigilante. Trying to reignite his career, he interviews serial killer Cleetus Kasady (Woody Harrelson), who becomes the host of the symbiote Carnage and escapes prison after a failed execution.
This is the second film in Sony's "Spider-Man" universe alongside being the sequel to Venom (2018). It's the first appearance of the famous Marvel comic-book villain, Carnage, in this cinematic universe.
8. Army of Thieves
Not that many zombies but a lot of excitement
In the prequel to Snyder's "Army of the Dead," we see Ludwig Dieter (Matthias Schweighöfer) living in the early stages of the zombie apocalypse. Dieter gets drawn into the adventure of a lifetime when a mysterious woman recruits him to join a crew of Interpol's most wanted criminals. Together, they attempt to heist a sequence of legendary, impossible-to-crack safes across Europe.
Everyone's favorite character from "Army of the Dead," Dieter, got his own prequel! Directed by Schweighöfer and produced by Snyder, this film is brimming with excitement, guns, shooting, and even romance! While the zombies terrorize and strike fear into the hearts of everyone, we watch the protagonists do an impossible heist.
7. Black As Night
Who wants to go monster-hunting with me?
What is a perfectly normal summer for a teenager with self-esteem issues? It involves going to parties, embarrassing yourself, and… being bitten by homeless vampires! Sometimes, self-care is mercilessly hunting down creatures of the night as an act of revenge. It's definitely an interesting bonding experience for the group of friends.
What better way to honor Halloween month than a campy, monster-hunting movie? Especially when the monsters being hunted are vampires! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the "Buffy The Vampire Slayer"-esque style of the movie and how the heroine (Ashja Cooper) finds her self-esteem in a bit of an unconventional way.
6. There's Someone Inside Your House
Someone trying their hardest to murder you is too much stress for a high school senior
Sydney Park plays Makakni Young, a senior transfer student who moved from Hawaii to Osborne, Nebraska, to live with her grandmother. But, as graduation draws near, her classmates are killed by a murderer wearing a mask of their faces, intent on exposing their secrets.
The film adaptation of the 2017 novel written by Stephanie Perkins brings us another exciting slasher film. From the producers of "Stranger Things" and "The Conjuring" universe, it is the perfect movie if you're in the mood to cozy up under the blankets and watch as gruesome murders and the dark story unfold. Loosen up and get in the mood for some grisly fun.
5. The Manor
It's exciting to have an elderly woman as a horror protagonist
Directed and written by Axelle Carolyn, "The Manor" centers around Judith Albright (Barbara Hershey), who moves into a nursing home following a stroke. After some time, she starts suspecting a supernatural force is killing off its residents. If she wants to escape this threat, she needs to convince everyone around her that she doesn't need assisted living.
By having an elderly protagonist, "The Manor" taps into the horror that grips us as we get older. Trying to convince someone of your sanity becomes nearly impossible, and self-doubt creeps in more easily. Plus, seeing the award-winning actors such as Barbara Hershey and Bruce Davison in the same movie is enticing.
4. Last Night In Soho
"I would be okay with getting murdered if it meant I get to be Anya Taylor-Joy for a while"
Directed by Edgar Wright, "Last Night in Soho" follows Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie), an aspiring fashion designer in London. Somehow, she mysteriously transports herself back into the '60s, where she meets Sandy (Anya Taylor-Joy). But, as magical as it appears on the surface, this world reveals itself to be quite sinister behind the glitz and glamour.
One thing to get you excited about in this movie is seeing well-known celebrities take on exciting roles. There is Thomasin McKenzie, previously seen in "Jojo Rabbit," as well as Anya Taylor-Joy ("Queen's Gambit," "Emma"), who seems to be made to play a glamorous 60's starlet. There is a certain joy in seeing Matt Smith play someone from the past as well, especially since he is known for his role as the time-traveling Doctor in "Doctor Who." Even the smaller roles are filled with familiar faces, with James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George in "Harry Potter") and Jessie Mei Li (Alina Starkov in "Shadow and Bone"). The film's unique atmosphere and storytelling is something to get excited about as well.
3. Halloween Kills
Michael is back, baby!
The last time Michael Myers was on the big screen, he was caged and burning in Laurie Strode's (Jamie Lee Curtis) basement, with her believing she finally killed her lifelong tormentor. But Michael manages to stagger away unharmed, and his ceremonial bloodbath resumes. The Strodes join a group of other Michael's survivors and decide to take matters into their own hands by forming a vigilante mob that sets out to hunt Myers down, once and for all.
In 2018, David Gordon Green's "Halloween," starring Jamie Lee Curtis's icon, did well at the box office. It earned more than $250 million worldwide. The movie became the highest-grossing film in the franchise while setting a new record for the biggest opening weekend in a horror film led by a woman. This year Myers is back, but the whole town is ready for him.
2. Lamb
Raising a monstrous sheep baby may not be the best form of therapy
A24, the studio behind "Moonlight," "Hereditary," and "Midsommar," gives us "Lamb." Set in rural Iceland, the film follows a childless couple (Noomi Rapace, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson) that discovers an unnatural newborn in their sheep barn. They decide to raise it as their own, but it appears sinister forces are wishing to return it to the wilderness.
The release of the A24 film has generated quite a buzz and for a good reason. After all, they have proven themselves to be quite the professionals in making disturbing and disquieting movies. Even the trailer makes the viewer's skin crawl, and it's just cryptic enough to keep the viewers guessing whether the supernatural element is in the couple's minds. The film is also entirely in Icelandic, which will make the non-speakers feel isolated and unsettled.
1. Antlers
Feeding a monster that lives in your attic - a perfectly normal activity for a middle-schooler!
Produced by the award-winning Guillermo del Toro, "Antlers" is set in Oregon's small, isolated town. A middle-school teacher (Keri Russel) and her brother, the sheriff (Jesse Plemons), become embroiled with her enigmatic student (Jeremy T. Thomas). As it turns out, he hides a secret connected to bone-chilling encounters with a mythical, monstrous creature.
Being one of the many movies initially set to come out a year ago, "Antlers" was one of the most anticipated horrors. It is definitely the most atmospheric movie on this list, filled with mystery, darkness, and grotesque. Made by Guillermo del Toro, who previously produced "Pan's Labyrinth," "Pacific Rim," "Crimson Peak," and many others, this creature-feature film is promising to be quite an unsettling watch.
There are so many great movies that came out in 2021, it was tough to choose just top ten! That's why we tried to diversify and put in some lesser-known films as well as blockbusters. Sadly that led us to exclude some great big-budget movies like "Spiral" or "Malignant." Still, nothing beats snuggling under the blankets and watching movies that you like best, no matter if it's well-known or not.
Which of these did you like best? Do you prefer campy horror that doesn't take itself too seriously, or do you like bone-chilling horrors like "Lamb" or "Antlers" better? Let us know in the comments!
Cover photo: TopTens.fun/Midjourney