As we enter 2024, it’s time to take a look back at the great horror films of 2023. It seems like with each year, horror fans are treated to more wonderful works of horror covering many different subgenres with varied budgets. This makes picking my favorites for the year even more difficult! Historically when I do these lists, I also put my top 10 horror films in order of how much I enjoyed them. This year, with so many great options, I could barely narrow it down to 10 films, so it’s nearly impossible to put them in any kind of order. Instead, I will randomly list my top 10 favorite horror films along with my favorite short horror films, horror TV shows, and horror books of 2023, in no particular order. As always, remember that this is a list of my own personal favorites from the year. TASTE IS SUBJECTIVE. If something you love isn’t on here, it doesn’t mean I didn’t also love it, it just didn’t make my personal list. With that being said, let’s dive right in!

FAVORITE HORROR FILMS OF 2023

Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism

This Australian horror film, based on true events, completely took me by surprise. It’s creepy, it’s intense, and it’s an emotional punch to the gut. Exorcism films are a dime a dozen in the horror space, but director Nick Kozakis and writer Alexander Angliss-Wilson delivered a film that stands out by giving audiences something unique that is much more grounded in reality. With a compelling plot and fantastic performances, Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism is one you won’t want to miss. Full review here.

Scream VI

I will admit, while I enjoyed the 2022 Scream, it was a bit lackluster for me. Luckily, Scream VI completely knocked it out of the park in ways I never expected. This film did such a great job of making the audience feel more connected to the “core four” characters, allowing them to shine rather than relying more on the legacy characters. The new setting and twisted plot gives audiences something thrilling and new, while still following many of the same beats as Scream 2. It quickly rose towards the top of my Scream franchise ranking. Full review here.

Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor

Anyone who knows me knows the original Hell House LLC is a favorite of mine and, to me, it is the most consistently terrifying horror film. While I’ve enjoyed the sequels, Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor is the first entry that I feel lives up to the original. It’s frightening, has a compelling cast, and tells an entirely new story that still connects to the original and expands the lore perfectly. It’s the kind of film you can watch again and again, noticing new things with each watch and never losing the fear.

Stopmotion

This is a film I almost didn’t catch at Fantastic Fest, but boy am I glad I did. This film falls into the subgenre of horror depicting an artist descending into madness as they attempt to create a perfect piece of art. In this case, it’s a stop-motion animator. The combination of a powerhouse performance by Aisling Franciosi and stunningly grotesque stop-motion animation is perfection. The trajectory of the plot might not be all that surprising, but the journey is disturbing, horrific, and memorable. This one is technically still on the festival circuit, but when it is released I hope horror fans seek it out. Full review here.

Skinamarink

Love it or hate it, Skinamarink was one of the most talked about horror films of 2023. While I understand why many viewers didn’t enjoy it, this film worked for me. I’ve had a lifelong fear of the dark, and I’m also neurodivergent with auditory sensitivities. Writer and director Kyle Edward Ball created something that feels entirely singular and different with odd camera angles and intense sound design. Everything combines to create a constant feeling of unease and danger, making for an uncomfortable, terrifying, and unforgettable viewing experience.

Huesera: The Bone Woman

This hauntingly beautiful Mexican horror film uses the supernatural to challenge the traditional ideas of sexuality, family, and motherhood. This means audiences get to experience something that is both thought-provoking and frightening. The true highlights are the superb performance by Natalia Solián and the spine-chilling sound design. It’s hard to believe this is the feature-film debut for filmmakers Abia Castillo and Michelle Garza Cervera, and I can’t wait to see what they do next. Full review here.

Evil Dead Rise

2023 was a year with a lot of legacy sequels, remakes, requels, etc from beloved horror franchises. While most of them were enjoyable to watch, Evil Dead Rise is definitely a standout. It not only delivered all the deadite carnage Evil Dead fans know and love, but the film also gives plenty of newness. We get new interesting characters, there’s a new setting that allows for a lot of creepy set design, and the practical effects are like an adrenaline injection right to the eye. The filmmakers make you care about the characters, which makes the appalling gore and mayhem even more intense.

Godzilla Minus One

I have never in my life cried while watching a Godzilla film, but I sure did with Godzilla Minus One. Going back to the original roots of the massive franchise, this film shows the WWII origins of our favorite Kaiju. What really makes this film so impressive was how they made some minor yet impactful updates to Godzilla himself, while also telling a compelling human story. It’s packed with commentary on the American government, the Japanese government, and the lasting impacts of war. It’s a monster movie with heart that appeals to a wider audience, not just horror fans (even my parents loved it).

Talk to Me

Seeing Talk to Me on this list is probably no surprise. The Philippou brothers created something magical with this film, and we’ve already seen the cultural impact it has had in the horror realm. There are plenty of serious beats, with the supernatural terrors and with the protagonist struggling with grief and guilt, but this is also just a fun film. It captures the carefree, party mentality of youth when you feel invincible with your friends, either unaware or unwilling to acknowledge the potential consequences. The performances, makeup effects, and haunting imagery elevate this party horror flick to a disturbing masterpiece. Full review here.

The Sacrifice Game

I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for holiday horror films, but this Christmas-time story is so much more. Director Jenn Wexler and writer Sean Redlitz tell a story that begins with Manson family-like crimes, but as the plot progresses it becomes clear there is something more sinister to The Sacrifice Game. It’s a tense holiday mystery filled with murder, demonic rituals, and plenty of twists and turns. The two young leads, Madison Baines and Georgia Acken, give fantastic performances and are definitely actors to watch in the future. Of all the films on this list, The Sacrifice Game is the only one to make me squeal with glee as the credits rolled. Full review here.

Honorable Mention (non-horror and/or genre-bending favorites): Barbie, Joy Ride, Saltburn, Oppenheimer, The Artifice Girl

FAVORITE SHORT HORROR FILMS OF 2023

Night Shift – Written Karlee Boon & Shade Standard, Directed by Karlee Boon

The Shining Example – Written and Directed by Clarke Wolfe

He Watches – Written and Directed by Joshua Conkel

VRDLK: Family of Vurdulak – Written by Ellery Vandooyewert, Directed by Sam Chou

Hims – Written and Directed by Krsy Fox

FAVORITE HORROR SHOWS OF 2023

The Fall of the House of Usher (Limited)

The Last of Us (Season 1)

What We Do in the Shadows (Season 5)

Yellowjackets (Season 2)

Gen V (Season 1)

Honorable Mention (non-horror and/or genre-bending favorites): Reservation Dogs, Silo, The Great British Baking Show, The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Ahsoka

FAVORITE HORROR BOOKS OF 2023 (New to Me)

Slewfoot by Brom

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

White Horse by Erika T. Wurth

Jackal by Erin E. Adams

Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison