As soon as the new year hits, we’ll look back fondly on what 2024 offered as far as horror media goes. 2024 has been quite the year for fans of the genre as we’ve seen dormant film franchises zoom back into the scene. We saw a return for the Alienverse with Alien: Romulus, the origins of Damien with reproductive horror sensation The First Omen, and other horror properties, old and new. But we have also been graced by a slew of original horror movies in 2024.
Original horror can be described as horror media that is not attached to a franchise. Therefore, there are no horror movies that are spinoffs, sequels, requels, etc. They are merely treats that occasionally take big swings (Cuckoo) with their plots and creative vision and typically exist in their own universes.
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There are more than a few 2024 original horror films to be celebrated and loved. Please keep in mind that there are some films that might not make this list (for one reason or another). Without further ado, here are some of the best original films that came out this year.
Infested
Director: Sébastien Vaniček
Writer: Sébastien Vaniček and Florent Bernard
Synopsis: A young man named Kaleb makes a grave mistake when he brings home a desert spider that escapes and triggers a deadly infestation in his complex.
Tackling social issues like xenophobia by using spiders is fascinating and genius. French horror tends to be unflinching, and while Infested isn’t New French Extremity, it certainly could hang with some of them. Instead of a slog of CGI spiders that aren’t convincing, Infested combines (real spiders) and CGI in this legitimately terrifying horror film. The ambition of director and co-writer Sébastien Vaniček is visible on screen, the performances, as well as scares, are on point, the cast is diverse, and the social commentary is woven in so expertly.
It’s a creature feature that is by far one of the best and most effective in recent years. Not just for the combination of real spiders and CGI spiders but also for how it makes proper use of a poorly managed apartment complex. Infested uses the spiders as a metaphor for xenophobia, doesn’t paint the police force as heroes, and tackles how marginalized people (with a major focus on people of color) are treated, especially in disastrous circumstances. Overall, Infested is perfect for horror lovers that are looking to squirm or have a fear of spiders in general. And this original horror movie will no doubt scratch any creature feature itches.
Where to watch: Shudder and AMC+
Slay
Director: Jem Garrard
Writer: Jem Garrard
Synopsis: A group of drag queens are forced to perform in the wrong venue and fight for their lives against vampires that invade the dive bar.
There’s nothing wrong with finding appreciation in a silly horror comedy. Considering Slay is a Tubi original, you might pass judgment at first. Meanwhile, it’s a genuinely endearing and unapologetically queer horror comedy. There’s something natural about the way the dive bar is depicted and the humdrum of a small town for queer residents that are longing for more. The film also cast real-life drag queens to play the drag queens.
Slay’s plot isn’t meant to be taken too seriously, so it’s a welcome break from serious films. The characters have great chemistry, there are more than a few moments of laugh-out-loud humor, and there’s a bit of messaging for queer viewers about being yourself. Slay isn’t breaking any ground as far as horror goes, and that’s alright because some films aren’t going to do that. At the end of the day, Slay is a campy original horror film that’s worth throwing on when you’re browsing Tubi.
Where to watch: Tubi
Strange Darling
Director: JT Mollner
Writer: JT Mollner
Synopsis: A one night stand, told in a nonlinear fashion, goes incredibly wrong and leads to a murder spree.
Love hurts, love scars, or, in the case of Strange Darling, “love” will have you running away from your disastrous one-night stand. Strange Darling is the perfect example of people not being all they appear to be and is full of intriguing twists. The film has something to say, and if it does register with you, then it’ll make for a treat to analyze. It’s a horror thriller that doesn’t shy away from bizarre or heart-pounding moments throughout its runtime. And the moment Strange Darling reveals one of the biggest twists of all, you’ll rethink everything you had thought prior.
As far as original horror movies go, Strange Darling is quite unique in how it tells its story and what it does with its own plot. The dreamy and grainy look that’s created by using 35mm film really aids in the viewing experience. It makes Strange Darling feels like some kind of dream-turned nightmare. Strange Darling is the type of original horror film that’s most enjoyable when you don’t know what’s going to happen. Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner knock it out of the stratosphere with their performances, so you’ll have a good time either way.
Where to watch: VOD
Longlegs
Director: Osgood Perkins
Writer: Osgood Perkins
Synopsis: Lee Harker (Maika Monroe), an FBI agent is tasked with solving ritualistic murders committed by a mysterious serial killer.
It’s safe to say that Osgood Perkins continues to be a fascinating filmmaker committed to moody and atmospheric horror. Longlegs blends several subgenres, and the end result is deliciously dark for viewers. Just like with his previous films like for example: The Blackcoat’s Daughter, Perkins isn’t afraid to make his audience increasingly uncomfortable. Longlegs is weird, unsettling, and twisted in a way that’s not always evident in films that could be considered mainstream. The film will make you want to lock your doors, close your windows, and not go down into your basement (if you have one).
Monroe’s performance as Lee is reminiscent of The Silence of the Lambs’ beloved Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster). Her performance is part of why Longlegs is absolutely one of the best original horror films to come out this year. We need more neurodivergent characters that are viewed as capable in horror. Other than that, Longlegs has a great cast overall, and the reveals are interesting enough. It’s worth checking out if you want to return to the ’90s for a bit.
Where to watch: VOD
The Substance
Director: Coralie Fargeat
Writer: Coralie Fargeat
Synopsis: An aging celebrity experiences extreme consequences after she takes a black market drug.
The Substance is one of those body horror movies that falls into the “you have to see it to believe it” category. The film isn’t for people who have a hard time with body horror, are too squeamish, or generally don’t like gross-out visuals. But the goopy and deliberately absurd moments make it an incredibly memorable feature. While The Substance might not say anything too new surrounding aging or misogyny in the entertainment industry, it delivers as far as the body horror goes.
On top of the film itself being a worthy addition to the body horror canon, the performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley are praiseworthy. They perfectly capture both sides of the spectrum for how the entertainment industry views women, the pressures that come with being “marketable,” and how much that destroys people (physically and otherwise). The desire to maintain youthfulness forever is still so prevalent in our society, and the film fully understands that. The Substance is worth multiple viewings if you can stomach it and, yes, believe the hype.
Where to watch: Mubi and VOD
Dagr
Director: Matthew Butler-Hart
Writer: Graham Butler, Matthew Butler-Hart, and Tori Butler-Hart
Synopsis: A pair of YouTubers find themselves in a perilous and supernatural situation when they try to steal from a film crew.
In this day and age, there are so many more ways to incorporate social media or influencers into found footage. Dagr does it well with its YouTubers that aren’t merely vapid people, instead they’re stealing partially to give to those in need. Unlike all the other times Louise (Riz Moritz) and Thea (Ellie Duckles) tried to do this, the situation became< deadly. The premise in and of itself is relatively unique, and how the events play out will satisfy people who appreciate folk horror. And the filmmakers were inspired by other found footage like The Blair Witch Project for example.
While Dagr may not be everyone’s cup of tea due to the minimal amount of gore and the slightly slow pacing, it’s still an intriguing enough found-footage film. The characters’ fear as everything goes wrong is believable. Dagr uses folk horror in a way that feels fresh enough. If you’re looking for an original horror film with some scares and a very bleak ending, Dagr will scratch an itch.
Where to watch: VOD
Milk & Serial
Director: Curry Barker
Writer: Curry Barker
Synopsis: A birthday prank goes horribly wrong for a pair of YouTubers and their lives take a turn for the worse.
Milk & Serial is one of those found footage horror films that will satisfy and shock fans of the subgenre. On an $800 budget, Curry Barker does quite a bit with very little. The practical effects, especially the kills, are effective, and the film feels like it’s really happening. Milk & Serial went viral at one point, and it shined a spotlight on Barker’s other YouTube work, which is incredibly impressive, all things considered.
Milk & Serial taps into originality with its twists and the ending that’ll leave you entirely startled. There’s nothing supernatural at play, and the characters aren’t unbelievable in terms of their personalities. Especially not where YouTubers are concerned because more than a few take things too far. And that directly plays into the disturbing events that unfold throughout Milk & Serial’s short runtime. Milk & Serial is worth a little over an hour of your time. You might find yourself very surprised by the end.
Where to watch: YouTube
The rise in original horror is great for fans and helps further inspire more original horror to be made. Therefore to see quite a few gems come out of this year was exciting.
