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Top Ten 2000’s Horror Films

Roger Ebert recently wrote that all “greatest” movie lists are propaganda.  He also points out that it’s useless to debate the content and the ordering of these lists. But in spite of this, BestHorror.com will continue to trudge along, creating “best of lists” like this list of the ten best horror movies of the 2000′s. As Ebert points out, the most interesting lists are the ones written by a single person, and that’s exactly what this list consists of.

You’ll notice that I have a fondness for the post-apocalyptic zombie movie, for example. You’ll also notice that I’ve given foreign horror movies from the 2000′s short shrift. I’m an American, and that’s definitely colored my list. (Although 2 of the movies included are British films, and one is Swedish.)

  1. Let the Right One In – This wasn’t just the best horror film of the year in 2008; it was the best movie of the year. The movie reinvents the vampire film with the help of a 12 year old boy who’s tired of being bullied. The 12 year old in question makes an unusual new friend, and that’s all of the plot I’m willing to share here. But please believe me when I say that Let the Right One In is a must-see film.
  2. Cloverfield – If Let the Right One In reinvents the vampire movie, then Cloverfield reinvents the giant monster movie, and it does so with artistry and grace. Think Godzilla, only told from the perspective of the little people in the streets scrambling to escape him.
  3. Frailty – Who knew that Bill Paxton could be a brilliant horror movie director? Top notch performances from Paxton and from Matthew McConaughey illuminate the unsual screenplay from Brent Hanley. Powers Boothe’s performance is also a rare treat.
  4. Shaun of the Dead – The zombie movie reinvented as a romantic comedy, and the movie works, both as a zombie film, AND as a romantic comedy.
  5. Feast – A totally unexpected treat that hasn’t been seen by nearly enough people. Henry Rollins was particularly amusing in the film.
  6. Hostel – Eli Roth’s masterpiece of torture porn will blow your mind. Hostel makes Saw look like a children’s movie.
  7. The Mist – Frank Darabont’s ending was, according to Stephen King, a lot better than the ending in the original story. Thomas Jane’s performance was particularly good. In a way, this was similar to many zombie movies.
  8. Dawn of the Dead – Zack Snyder reinvents the zombie movie for the 21st century. “Get Down With the Sickness” will never sound the same after you see this movie.
  9. Saw – All of the sequels suck, but the original was a masterpiece of the form. Cary Elwes has come a long way since The Princess Bride.
  10. 28 Days Later – Another reinvention of the zombie film for the 21st centure, directed with vigor and intelligence. And these zombies aren’t really dead either.

See also:

This entry was posted on Monday, August 17th, 2009 at 1:23 pm and is filed under Best Horror Actors, Best Horror Directors, Best Horror Movies, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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