Top 20 Thrilling Horror Movies you shouldn't miss out on

Embrace the Unknown of Horror Movies:

If you’re a lover of all things horror or just a newbie first timer with an interest in horror movies, this article is the perfect fit for you. From psychological thrillers and supernatural horror to sci-fi horror and slasher films, this article has handpicked 2025’s top 20 horror films for your ease.

Consider this list as your go-to movie watchlist for when you’re looking for movies to review on Letterboxd or for binge-worthy films to watch during the weekends!

Also, read about the buzz and controversy around the film ‘Materialists’ (2025) here.

Horror Movie Sub-Genres that are trending in 2025:

In the year 2025, there are several technologically forward entries among 2025 horror movies that explore the increasingly dangerous advancement of Ai, and the results of its exploitation to gain control over the human mind.

Aptly named as “Techno-Horror”, films such as M3GAN (2022) and TV shows like Black Mirror have perfectly captured the human fear of having body parts replaced with AI devices or a society that determines your social status depending upon the number of followers you have, a theme that resonates with modern psychological thrillers and sci-fi horror.

Other trending sub-genres are analogue horror, which mimics the 1980s and 1990s aesthetics filmed through VHS cameras, and supernatural horror with films that blend vampirism in religious contexts. Most popular films that have been featured in the best horror movies on the Netflix section.

Horror Comedy has also made its comeback with Bodies Bodies Bodies and The Blackening, which feature otherwise marginalised characters and have given them fleshed-out storylines.

In the upcoming sections, we will be listing the scariest horror movies to watch from each of these sub-genres and where to access these binge-worthy horror recommendations to add to your Letterboxd movie watchlist.

Also, read about the popularity behind the Labubu Dolls here.

Super Natural Horror Movies:

Supernatural horror movies are not just those that focus on fictional dangerous creatures or spirits that can be awoken from the dead through ritualistic murder, but can also take place in modern-day settings with evil that lives in the very same neighbourhood.

These supernatural horror films often blur the lines between psychological thrillers and paranormal storytelling, making them ideal additions to any movie watch list.

Some of the binge-worthy supernatural films to watch:

Final Destination Bloodlines

When you think of Final Destination, you might think of that one scene in which a car accident is waiting to happen as the camera pans to a large truck carrying giant logs of wood or the scene from Final Destination 1, which focuses on the survivors of a violent plane crash.

Well, get ready to be branded with a new nightmare situation as Bloodlines, which is a part of the 2025 horror movies slate, continues the legacy of the Final Destination franchise by introducing new characters and delivering fresh terror with unexpected twists that keep fans of slasher films and psychological horror movies constantly on edge.

Squeamish viewers, be warned, as there’s a lot of body horror associated with body piercings that doesn’t go too gory. 

Companion (2025)

Companion is a 2025 sci-fi horror thriller film starring Yellowjackets star Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid as a couple on a weekend getaway with friends at a remote cabin. This eerie film addresses the extent to which human beings can go for intimacy, especially in this day and age when AI bot girlfriends are a thing. 

With undertones of psychological horror and supernatural horror, this film appeals to fans looking for something beyond traditional scares. 

Black Phone 2 (2025)

Following the success of its first film, Black Phone 2 is a sequel to its most anticipated first film, which was deemed one of the scariest horror movies.

The original Black Phone is a 2021 supernatural horror film set in the 1980s and follows the main character Finney, a teenage boy who had been abducted by a serial killer targeting children. 

In captivity, Finney encounters a mystical black rotary phone—a chilling concept that had letterboxd enthusiasts buzzing. The sequel then dives deeper into the psychological thriller elements, which offer haunting new dimensions to the story.

The Conjuring: Last Rites

The Conjuring: Last Rites is the ninth instalment in The Conjuring Universe that follows the real-life cases of paranormal investigators and authors Ed and Lorraine Warren ( Played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga). It is a sequel to The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, released in 2021. Watch as the power duo fight against a demonic force one last time. 

For fans of the best horror movies on Netflix, this is highly recommended.

Together (2025)

Together is a 2025 supernatural horror and body horror film written and directed by Michael Shanks, in his directorial debut. The film stars real-life married actors Dave Franco and Alison Brie as a couple who moved to the countryside and find themselves encountering a mysterious force that horrifically causes changes to their bodies.

The film is a chilling blend of psychological horror and physical terror, perfect for fans of foreign horror films looking for experimental horror genres.

Also, highly binge-worthy for your horror recommendations list. 

Psychological Horror Movies:

Psychological horror movies tap into the deepest corners of the human mind, helping to unravel fears rooted in trauma, paranoia and distorted realities. As a part of the rise in 2025 horror movies, this genre continues to thrive across streaming platforms, with many titles becoming binge-worthy additions to anyone’s movie watchlist.

These films usually blend elements from supernatural horror, psychological thrillers, and even sci-fi horror that go beyond the typical scares, delivering narratives that are haunting and thought-provoking. 

Some of the binge-worthy Psychological Horror movies to watch:

The Home (2025)

The Home is a 2025 Horror Movie that delves deep into the realm of psychological horror movies, following the main character, Max, a troubled man who starts working at a retirement home and realises that its residents and caretakers are harbouring sinister secrets. 

As he starts to investigate the building and its forbidden fourth floor, he starts to uncover connections to his past and upbringing as a foster child begin to surface, making this a perfect binge-worthy watch for fans of psychological thrillers.

Hell House LLC: Lineage

Hell House is an upcoming American horror film written and directed by Stephen Cognetti. It serves as the fifth and final instalment in the Hell House LLC franchise. 

The 2025 horror movie follows the story of Vanessa Shepard, who is haunted by visions and nightmares in the town of Abaddon. As mysterious deaths start to occur around her, she uncovers connections to the Abaddon Hotel and the Carmichael Manor, delving into decades of unexplained murders.

The chilling legacy of supernatural horror and unexplained murders makes it a top pick on many Letterboxd and horror recommendations lists. 

The Ritual (2025)

The Ritual is a 2025 horror film that is based on a true story. It follows priests Theophillus Riesinger and Joseph Steiger as they attempt to put aside their differences to save an allegedly possessed young woman named Emma Schmidt through a series of exorcisms. 

This intense depiction of faith and possession adds a terrifying layer to the psychological horror movie canon, blurring the lines between supernatural horror and real-life terror.

The Strangers—Chapter 2

The Strangers Chapter 2 is the second instalment of a new trilogy of films, and a direct sequel to The Strangers: Chapter 1. It stars the former Riverdale star Madelaine Petsch as she reprises her role for part 2. 

In part 1 of this slasher film, it ends with Maya being stabbed and left for dead, but we haven’t seen the last of her just yet, as the post-credit sequence portrays her surviving the ordeal but traumatised by the event. This binge-worthy film is ideal for anyone looking to enter the horror movie sphere without watching the hardcore stuff.

Note that it’s best to watch Part 1 before watching the second part.

Bring Her Back:

Bring Her Back is a 2025 Horror Movie with Australian origins, merging supernatural horror and psychological thrillers that follows the storyline of step-siblings Andy and Piper, who find themselves orphaned and placed in the middle of an occult ritual by their new foster mother.

Its themes largely focus on the fear of vulnerability, the shame and guilt that follow abusive situations and the survivor’s sense of loyalty towards their abusers.

This foreign horror film follows the attitude of other films with similar themes like Hush (2016) and Don’t Breathe (2016) that really play on the fear of the viewers, best for a first timer’s horror recommendations list.

Slasher Films:

Slasher films have been a fan favourite Horror movie genre since the 90s, but 2025 brings in a new, fresh take of brutal deaths, stylistic choices, and binge-worthy titles that continue to push boundaries. 

Whether you’re revisiting masked murderers or discovering family killers, this sub-genre of Horror movies has been a staple for fans of some of the scariest horror movies on the list.

Some of the binge-worthy Slasher Films to watch:

Ash (2025):

Ash is a unique blend of sci-fi horror and psychological horror movies, directed with music composed by Flying Lotus. The plot follows an astronaut who awakens aboard a station on a strange planet with all her crew killed. Subjected to amnesia and paranoia, she has to determine whether or not to trust the man who claims he knows her and was sent to rescue her.

This film is perfect for any movie watchlist looking for cosmic tension and eerie suspense.

Fear Street: Prom Queen (2025):

Fear Street: Prom Queen is a 2025 American slasher film directed by Matt Palmer from a screenplay that he co-wrote with Donald McLeary based on the novel The Prom Queen (1992) from the Fear Street book series. This film is the fourth instalment in the Fear Street film series.

Set in 1988, the plot focuses on a masked killer who targets the prom queen candidates of Shadyside High on the night of their senior dance. It follows the classic slasher films and psychological thrillers template with its focus on high school students coming of age with a Carrie (1976) like twist.

Heart Eyes (2025):

Heart Eyes is a 2025 American slasher film with a horror comedy twist. The film stars Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding as a pair of co-workers who are mistaken for a couple by a serial killer. 

A serial killer also known as “Heart Eyes” aka H-E-K, who moves through different cities in the United States, killing multiple couples on Valentine’s Day. The ironic humour and bloody chaos of this film make it one of the must-watch films in Letterboxd’s 2025 horror movies list.

The Parenting (2025):

Another slasher film mixed with a horror comedy, The Parenting follows a young gay couple, Rohan and Josh, as they host a weekend getaway with their respective parents in a country house rental. Things take a turn when the three couples discover the presence of a 400-year-old evil entity.

Another topic picked on many Letterboxd horror recommendations lists. 

Sinners (2025):

Sinners is a 2025 Horror Movie that has been produced, written, and directed by Ryan Coogler. It’s set in 1932 in the Mississippi Delta and stars actor Michael B Jordan playing criminal twin brothers who return to their hometown to start again, where they are confronted by a supernatural evil.  This 2025 horror movie combines powerful storytelling with a chilling premise, ideal for fans of both psychological horror movies and found footage films.

Other A-list stars such as Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Canton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo. 

Found Footage Films and Mockumentaries:

Found footage and mockumentary films have found themselves a niche spot within the world of 2025 horror movies, offering viewers an unsettling sense of realism that blurs the line between fiction and fact.

These films usually feature amateur shaky video, faux interviews, as a stylistic choice done such that the audience can follow along as the horror unfolds. For people looking for something more immersive for their movie watchlist, these eerie titles are top horror recommendations on every cinephile’s Letterboxd account. 

Some of the binge-worthy Found Footage films to watch:

As Above, So below:

As Above, So Below is a 2014 American supernatural horror film, written and directed by John Erick Dowdle from a screenplay that he co-wrote with his brother Drew. The film is presented as a found footage documentary of a documentary crew’s experience exploring the Catacombs of Paris in search of the philosopher’s stone, only to be confronted by supernatural forces hidden beneath the city.

It is loosely based on the nine circles of Hell from Dante Alighieri’s famous 14th-century poem Divine Comedy, making it to the top of the list of psychological horror movies on every horror fan’s movie watchlist.

The Taking of Deborah Logan:

The Taking of Deborah Logan is a 2024 American found footage supernatural horror film, which also serves as a feature film with the directorial debut of Adam Robitel, who co-wrote the screenplay and edited the film with Gavin Heffernan. 

The film follows the story of a documentary crew making a film about Alzheimer’s patients who uncover something sinister while documenting a woman who has the disease.

This is one of the most underrated psychological thrillers that usually show up on horror recommendations lists on Letterboxd, and for good reason!

Unfriended: Dark Web:

Unfriended: Dark Web is a 2018 American screenlife horror film written and directed by Stephen Susco in his directorial debut. Shot entirely on a computer screen, it follows a group of friends who find a laptop that has access to the dark web, only to realise that it was a ploy by the original owners, who are a group of cybercriminal hackers. 

This film is separate from its 2014 predecessor, titled Unfriended, which focuses on a completely different group of friends. Highly recommend watching both films, although there isn’t any continuity in their storyline. 

The Blair Witch Project:

The Blair Witch Project is a 1999 American psychological horror movie written, directed, and edited by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez. This film is one of the most influential independent films of all time, as its “found footage” mockumentary style followed three students as they hike into the Appalachian Mountains to shoot a documentary about a local myth known as the Blair Witch. 

A trailblazer for its genre, it remains an essential viewing in foreign horror films and horror recommendation circles. 

Host (2020):

Host is a 2020 British independent supernatural horror film directed by Rob Savage and written by Savage, Gemma Hurley, and Jed Shepherd. The story takes place entirely on a Zoom video call as it follows a group of friends who attempt to escape from a demon that they accidentally summoned during an online séance.

This film is easy to watch for those who are new to the horror genre, and interestingly, was filmed during quarantine in the United States.

Filmed during the quarantine, this binge-worthy indie film is a popular fan favourite for those looking for niche horror films. 

Overview: Don’t forget to Give Niche Indie horror films a Try

As the horror genre continues to expand into its many sub-genres, the niche indie artists with their found-footage style films are starting to gain more attention as they bring in new ideas to the genre.

Horror was always meant to be a commentary on the societal and political climate of the generation, but it can be fun and exciting in its silliness. It’s always good to keep an open mind when approaching the horror genre because that’s when the real entertainment comes from. 

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