With Halloween fast approaching, we're taking a look at 10 of the best horror movies released in 2018 so far.
Some of these are in theaters now, others are already available on Blu-ray, VOD or Netflix, and one has yet to go on general release - but all are well worth a look if you're in the market for a good scare this All Hallows' Eve.
We won't discuss SPOILERS too much, but if you haven't seen a particular film listed and want to go in knowing as little as possible, best to skip over the write-up.
To view the list in its entirety, simply click on the VIEW LIST (ONE PAGE) button below!
Hereditary
Hailed as one of the scariest movies of all time by some, Ari Aster's Hereditary is out now on Blu-ray and is a must-watch if you missed it in theaters.
Granted, it does lose its way a little towards the end and the final twist has proved to be divisive, but the film still contains some extremely disturbing imagery and a few genuine shocks along the way.
Don't lose your head!
A Quiet Place
Another must-see if you happened to skip in in theaters is John Krasinski's A Quiet Place, which manages to wring maximum tension from its terrifying premise.
Krasinski also stars alongside real-life wife Emily Blunt as a couple who must protect their family in a world where even the slightest noise means certain death.
Though it may be a little too frightening for the little 'uns, A Quiet Place dispenses with the gore for the most part and would make a suitable Halloween watch for the whole family.
Mandy
It's debatable whether Panos Cosmatos' utterly insane follow-up to Beyond the Black Rainbow really qualifies as a horror movie, but we reckon it's easily gory, disturbing and downright weird enough to make this list.
Nicholas Cage gives one of his best performances as a man seeking revenge when his lady love is kidnapped by a religious cult and some demonic(?) bikers.
Brutally violent, but also visually stunning with a strong emotional core, the masterful Mandy is definitely a trip worth taking.
Apostle
The Raid director Gareth Evans' Apostle is a sometimes sickeningly violent period horror film in the vein of The Wickerman... only even more [frick]ed up!
The Netflix feature stars Legion's Dan Stevens as a man who is tasked with travelling to a remote Welsh island to rescue his sister, who has been kidnapped and held for ransom by a mysterious cult.
Apostle shows its hand a little to early and you'll need a strong stomach, but the performances and cinematography are worth watching for alone.
Ghost Stories
This British chiller from directors Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson (based on their 2010 stage play of the same name) is a bit of a mixed bag, but when it works it is downright terrifying.
Nyman also stars as a man who sets about investigating three unexplained paranormal events with the intention of debunking them as hoaxes, only to... well, you can probably guess the rest.
The ending is, quite frankly, abysmal - but Ghost Stories is still worth seeing for some of the most effective jump scares you'll ever experience.
Suspiria
Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria is less a remake of Dario Argento's classic as it is a more cerebral re-imagining, but the premise remains largely the same.
Dakota Johnson stars a young American dancer who enrolls at a prestigious academy in Berlin which is seemingly besieged by sinister forces. There she meets Madame Blanc (Tilda Swinton) who becomes enamored by her raw talent.
Suspiria 2018 is never scary, exactly, but it does contain some shockingly grotesque scenes and boasts a suitably elegiac score from Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke.
The film has proved to be divisive among critics and it's easy to see why, but if you're a fan of the original we recommend giving it a shot this weekend.
Errementari: The Blacksmith And The Devil
This Spanish Netflix offering is a re-telling of an ancient fable about a volatile Blacksmith who manages to capture the demon he made a pact with years before.
More a twisted fairytale that an out-and-out horror, Errementari still has its frightening moments and features excellent performances from young Uma Bracaglia and Eneko Sagardoy as the demon Sartael.
Pyewacket
This one was released early in the year and seems to have flown under the radar since, but Adam MacDonald's (Backcountry) chilling Pyewacket makes this list for good reason.
The plot focuses on a troubled girl with a strained relationship with her mother who decides to summon a demon to help with her problems... as you do.
Not too surprisingly, she comes to regret that course of action.
Annihilation
If you're looking for something a little different this Halloween, we recommend Alex Garland's incredible Annihilation.
Starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson and Tuva Novotny as a group of scientists who venture inside a a mysterious "shimmer" that has appeared on earth, Garland's film masterfully combines sci-fi and horror for a truly captivating experience.
Oh, and that bloody screaming bear will haunt your dreams.
Halloween (2018)
Obviously David Gordon Green's Halloween revival was going to make the cut!
There are problems (one twist is a major misstep and some of the humor falls flat), but overall Halloween 2018 comes the closest to replicating the atmosphere of the original while also serving as a satisfying continuation (conclusion?) to Laurie Strode and Michael Myers' twisted story.
Jamie Lee Curtis is excellent, and she's backed up by a solid supporting cast which includes the always watchable Judy Greer and newcomer Andi Matichak as Laurie's granddaughter.
Very tense, gory, funny, even moving at times, it's difficult to imagine any fans of the franchise being disappointed.
What do you guys think? Would you add anything to this list? Be sure to let us know in the comments down below.
About The Author:
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.