A24 is an independent entertainment company created in 2012 specializing in film and television production. While there are many great A24 films outside of the horror genre, the company has produced and distributed some of the most popular scary movies of the past decade, though these films are not always straightforwardly horrific. What makes these films so popular, and how are they redefining the horror genre?
A24’s horror films are known for their unique perspectives and innovative storytelling. The company tends to take risks on new and upcoming filmmakers, which has paid off in a big way with several surprise hits. Often referred to as “elevated horror films,” these movies break the mold set by slashers and monsters of the past and introduce new ideas to the genre. They are smart, scary, and offer something new for fans to enjoy.
Here are the 10 best A24 horror movies, ranked, to help you plan for your next movie night.
10 The Blackcoat’s Daughter
A24
Released in 2015, The Blackcoat’s Daughter is one of the decade’s most atmospheric and unnerving films. It tells the story of two girls (Kiernan Shipka and Lucy Boynton) who are left alone at their boarding school over winter break and the sinister events that happen to them. The slow-burn nature of the film makes it all the more terrifying, as we see the girls spiral into madness.
Director Oz Perkins (son of famed Psycho actor Anthony Perkins) expertly builds the tension throughout the film, leading to a truly harrowing finale. The Blackcoat’s Daughter is a must-see for fans of psychological horror.
9 Lamb
Lamb is one of the most unique films on this list, and one of the weirdest movies of 2021. The alarming Icelandic folktale follows a husband and wife who live on a desolate farm; after discovering a strange newborn in their barn, they decide to take it in and care for it. While this seems to be the missing piece to their struggling marriage, things quickly take a dark turn. Lamb is a slow-burn horror film that will leave you feeling disturbed long after it’s over. The film’s eerie atmosphere and chilling visuals make it a must-see for horror fans.
8 The Monster
Another from 2016, The Monster is a slow-burn horror film that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It tells the story of a mother (Zoe Kazan) and daughter (Ella Ballentine) who are stranded on a remote road after their car breaks down. As they wait for help, they’re terrorized by a creature that is lurking in the woods, with the film deconstructing their destructive, emotionally painful relationship in the process.
The Monster is a terrifying film that expertly builds suspense. Writer and director Bryan Bertino creates a truly touching story of a mother and daughter struggling to connect, making this effective movie scary good.
7 The Lighthouse
A truly nightmarish film, The Lighthouse is one of the best horror movies in recent years. It tells the story of two lighthouse keepers (Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson) who slowly lose their sanity as they’re isolated on a small island. Director Robert Eggers created a visually stunning film that will leave you feeling disoriented and disturbed. The brilliant performances from Dafoe and Pattinson are the highlight of the film, as they convincingly portray two men as they lose their grip on reality.
6 Saint Maud
Saint Maud is a 2019 religious horror film that will leave you feeling both disturbed and captivated. It tells the story of a young nurse who becomes obsessed with saving the soul of her dying patient. However, as Maud’s obsession grows, she loses touch with reality. Saint Maud is a brilliantly written and directed film that explores the thin line between faith and madness. Jennifer Ehle gives a standout performance as the title character, who slowly descends into the clutches of demonic possession.
5 X
A 2022 release, X was one of the most anticipated horror films of the decade, being written and directed by Ti West as his return to horror after ten (or Roman numeral X) years. The bizarre but brilliant film is set in 1979 and follows a group of adult film entrepreneurs shooting a new production in rural Texas.
As the cast and crew start to experience strange occurrences with the elderly property owners, they quickly realize they may be in over their heads. X is a slow-burn horror film that nods to slasher classics like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
4 It Comes at Night
It Comes at Night is a horror film that will leave you feeling both terrified and heartbroken, and was considered by many as the most unsettling horror experience of 2017. The story follows a family struggling to survive in the aftermath of a global pandemic. As they attempt to protect themselves from the outside world, they’re forced to confront the darkness that lies within.
The film is expertly directed by Trey Edward Shults, who also wrote the screenplay after his breakthrough debut Krisha. The performances by Joel Edgerton and Kelvin Harrison Jr. are particularly standout, as they portray the father and son at the center of the story.
3 Midsommar
Perhaps one of the most well-known and heavily discussed A24 horror films, Midsommar is a 2019 release that follows a group of American tourists who travel to Sweden to attend a summer solstice festival. What starts as an idyllic trip quickly turns dark as the group realizes they may be in over their heads. Florence Pugh gives a breakout performance as the central character, Dani Ardor. Midsommar is a visually stunning film that will leave you disturbed yet captivated.
2 The Witch
One of A24’s first foray into horror, The Witch is a 2015 release that tells the story of a Puritan family living on the edge of a forest in 1630 New England. When their newborn son goes missing, they suspect something evil is at work. As the family starts to turn on each other, the film takes a dark and twisted turn. The Witch is a slow-burn horror film that gains much of its success from Anya Taylor-Joy’s brilliant performance as Thomasin, the family’s eldest daughter. It’s a purposefully ambiguous film that expertly recreates the Puritan days, and remains one of the best movies about witches.
1 Hereditary
Hereditary is a 2018 horror film that earned the top spot on many lists, audience and critics alike. The story follows a family who is still reeling from the death of their grandmother. When the matriarch’s final wishes are revealed, they start to unravel long-hidden secrets about their family history, causing even more tragedy.
Toni Collette gives a career-defining performance as Annie Graham, the mother at the story’s center. Her character is struggling to grapple with her own grief, and the dark legacy passed down to her. Director Ari Aster created an unsettling and thought-provoking film that will leave you contemplating its many themes long after the credits have rolled.
