10. “The Mist”
What sets “The Mist” apart from most monster movies is how the supernatural elements take a back seat to the true horror; human nature gone awry. With a hopelessly nihilistic ending and a flawless performance from Marcia Gay Harden, this Stephen King adaptation will completely envelope the viewer.

9. “House of the Devil”
Director Ti West’s homage to early 60’s and 70’s horror does not rely on gore, fast editing or jump scares to create a sense of unease and terror. Instead, he slowly builds the suspense and focuses on creating an aura of atmosphere before releasing hell; which few modern horror films do.

8. “Kill List”
The scariest hitman movie ever made, “Kill List” manages to seamlessly blend multiple genres while still creating one unnerving experience. The abrupt tonal shifts are meticulously crafted and transition organically. Director Ben Wheatley keeps the viewer on edge throughout entire film, all the while guiding them to a deeply disturbing climax.

7. “Rec”
“REC” delivers pure terror in an immediate and visceral manner. Directors Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza’s POV zombie gem escapes the trappings usually found in this subgenre of horror. Balancing the scares with strong acting and camera work, “REC” is one of the scariest spanish horror films ever recorded.

6. “The Orphanage”
Juan Antonio Bayona’s Spanish film takes a different approach than “REC” to terror through a quieter and more elegant interpretation with what “horror” means. Taking cues from Guillermo Del Toro’s earlier work, “The Orphanage” is an impressive ghost story that also offers unexpected emotional layers. Boosting exquisite set designs and cinematography, this is one ghost story that you can get lost in.

5. “The Cabin in the Woods”
Offering equal amounts of meta-infused wit while also delivering on the scares, “Cabin in the Woods” subverts the horror genre’s paradigm while also staying one step ahead of the viewer. Co-written by “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” creator Joss Whedon and directed by Drew Goddard, “Cabin in the Woods” is the most clever American horror film in years.

4. “The Descent”
Not since Ridley Scott’s “Alien” has a film elevated the fear of claustrophobia to the next level. Just like in “Alien,” director Neil Marshall takes his time to get to the scares. He allows the characters to develop before dropping them into the pits of hell. When the terror does take place, there is no letting go. Offering up impressive creature and make-up effects, this all-woman lead cast proves that you don’t need men or horror cliches to deliver a brutal and truly frightening film.

3. “Martyrs”
Though extremely hard to watch at times and not for the casual horror fan, this French import is visceral and disturbing. If one can get past the embodiment of the French wave of ultra violence and gore, there is an underlying layer of sadness and tenderness to the brutality. Few films can truly transcend the genre, let alone the audience as well; “Martyrs” is that exception.

2. “Let the Right One In”
Tomas Alfredson’s adaptation is the best vampire movie of the millennium. Not only does the film solidify itself within the vampire genre – it also serves as a coming of age story, and showcases the terrors of growing up. The real monsters of the film aren’t the vampires; they come in human form. With great production design, “Let The Right One In,” is a well-written, and beautifully acted modern day masterpiece.

1. “The Babadook”
Not only is “The Babadook” a terrifying and eerie film, it is also a poignant story on loss, madness and parenting. The complexity of themes combined with genuine frights set this film above most in the genre. No other psychological horror has the layers of depth and subtle nuances than Jennifer Kent’s directorial debut. “The Babadook” paints an atmosphere of dread and hopelessness, while also forging it’s way around horror cliches.