'Insidious' Not Scary Enough? These 2020s Horror Hits Will Fix That — Critics Are Obsessed With One That Scored 98% on Rotten
From Xenomorphs to Vampire Bluesmen — top-rated horror picks.
Tired of horror films that recycle the same old tricks? You're not alone — and luckily, you’ve got options. From feral vampires to underground monsters, these four recent hits don’t just scare — they slice through the genre with style, nerve and a whole lot of flesh. Even Stephen King might raise an eyebrow.
Barbarian (2022)
What starts as an Airbnb mix-up turns into a descent into an underground labyrinth with one unforgettable resident. Director Zach Cregger channels Wes Craven and John Carpenter for a horror ride that’s scary, smart and strangely sympathetic.
IMDb: 7.0
Prey (2022)
Forget high-tech weapons — this Predator prequel drops us into 18th-century Comanche territory, where a young warrior named Naru battles the iconic alien using sheer instinct and grit. It’s primal, powerful and pulses with tension.
IMDb: 7.1
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Fede Alvarez isn’t here to philosophise — he’s here to terrify. Set between the Scott and Cameron chapters, this film traps teenage orphans on a derelict space station with a xenomorph or two (plus a dodgy android). Think deep cuts from Aliens, turned up to 11.
IMDb: 7.1
The Sinners (2025)
Two brothers open a blues club in the middle of nowhere — until a pale Irishman named Remmick walks in, all teeth and no shadow. Ryan Coogler's vampire thriller blends social commentary with Southern Gothic dread. And that 98% on Rotten Tomatoes? Deserved.
IMDb: 7.7
