My Top 10 Horror Movies of 2020

Even though 2020 was, for the most part, a dumpster fire, at least it gave us some truly excellent horror films. Before I get into my favorites of the year, I would be remise if I didn't address my long absence. I haven't written since October, and even then my posts were much less in frequency than in the past. With all the anxiety that 2020 wrought, in addition to a demanding role at work, I really wasn't in the mood to write. I've also stepped back from social media for the same reasons. To be honest, I'm not sure if 2021 will result in me posting more or not. While that is yet to be seen, I did want to at least share my favorite horror films of 2020 with you, since there are so many that delighted and frightened me and helped me get through such a beastly year.

Since there were so many incredible films in 2020, I will share my top 10, but after that I'll share many more favorites I saw in 2020.

A few things to note before we begin:

1. This is a personal list of MY top 10 films of the year. That being said, I don't mind hearing about your favorites in the comments.
2. I have only included films that have had wide releases in the United States in 2020. There are some films that technically were released in 2019 since they played at festivals, but their wider releases occurred in 2020, which I count as their official release.
3. I've watched a lot of horror movies in 2020, but of course have not seen every single one that was released.

With that housekeeping taken care of, here are my favorite horror films of 2020...

Horror Movies to Watch Now on Shudder

Who else has been on the search for something to watch while self-quarantining due to COVID-19? I haven't left the house for days while trying to do my part to help halt the spread of the disease, so I have definitely been on the hunt for movies to watch. I've already shared lists of some of my favorite horror films streaming now on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, but I also wanted to share recommendations from Shudder, who in my opinion has the best curated horror selection! And guess what?! In an effort to bring some joy to horror fans during this trying time, Shudder is offering a FREE 30-day trial for new members with the code SHUTIN. Believe me, if you are a horror fan you will love Shudder!

You can spend hours browsing through Shudder's film collection, but I've compiled a list of my top recommendations to save you the time. Check out my recommendations for horror movies streaming on Shudder as of March 19th, 2020 in the US below!

Horror Movies to Watch Now on Hulu

I'm back with a third installment of horror movies to watch on streaming platforms, this time featuring Hulu (check out my posts on Netflix and Amazon Prime that were previously posted). With it being such a scary time in the world, we must all do our part to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which includes staying away from others. For most of us that means staying at home and entertaining ourselves with movies! Horror movies are my favorite escape, I've rounded up some of the best ones that are now streaming on Hulu in the US as of March 16th, 2020. Check them out below!

Horror Movies to Watch Now on Netflix

As we all spend more and more time at home until the COVID-19 virus pandemic is contained, we are all looking for something to pass the time and something to take our minds off the troubles of the world. I've been escaping reality by watching horror movies and have been spending a lot of time searching Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and more looking for something to watch. No doubt you have been doing the same thing, so I wanted to make things a little easier for you by sharing a list of recommended horror movies you can stream now (at least in the US as of March 15th, 2020).

In addition to a list of horror films to stream on Amazon Prime I shared recently, I wanted to also post a list of horror movies available on Netflix! While Netflix doesn't have as much horror as other platforms might, there are still many great titles on the streaming service. Whether you are looking for something new (or something new to you) or want to revisit an old favorite, there are plenty of horror films to watch now on Netflix, check them out below:

Horror Movies to Watch Now on Amazon Prime

Many people (including myself) are keeping to themselves and staying home in order to help halt the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. That means that many of us are looking for entertainment to pass the days and nights at home. I've spent long hours scrolling through Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Shudder, and so forth to find something to watch, and I figured why not share the fruits of my labor with others who are seeking to temporarily escape our scary reality.

Below, you'll find horror films streaming on Amazon Prime (in the USA as of March 14th, 2020) that I recommend. Amazon Prime has a lot of excellent horror films available to stream for free (if you have an Amazon Prime membership) from all eras and sub-genres, from 1920's The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari to recent films like Midsommar. The films listed below are ones I personally recommend, from silly to gruesome to scary and everything in-between! I've added dates to some of the titles to differentiate them from remakes/originals or other films with the same name.

I hope the following is helpful to you when seeking out horror films to watch on Amazon Prime (and check out my lists for Netflix and Hulu too!).

My Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2020

I think that 2019 was a stellar year for horror films (so much so that I had such a hard time narrowing down my favorite films into a top 10 list!), so 2020 has a lot to live up to. I've been keeping my ear to the ground to catch any buzz on upcoming horror films, and I think I've rounded up quite a big list of horror films I'm excited to see. When I do these kinds of lists, I really delve deep into research, checking festival schedules, scouring message boards and horror groups, listening to horror podcasts, reading horror sites, and talking to friends in the horror community to see what upcoming horror films people are most excited about. I definitely do my homework, and I try to keep up with the horror outlook all year long. I'm excited to report that 2020 looks like it will continue the trend of quality, varied horror we've seen in past years!

Before I share over 60+ horror movies I'm looking forward to, a few things to keep in mind:

• Some films appeared on last year's list - though they may have been released at festivals in 2019, 2020 is where they will have their proper, wide release in the United States so I am including some of those again on this list.
• I started compiling this list months ago, so some of the films listed have already been released. Despite this, I've still included some of these on this list.
• The films below are arranged chronologically by release date, but keep in mind the release dates listed may change.
• At the time I wrote this, some films' release dates are yet to be determined, and it's possible their release dates could get pushed to a 2021 or beyond release.
• As I start seeing films on this list, I'll be updating this post with quick thoughts on the movie. 
• Finally, just a reminder that this is a personal list and in no way comprehensive of all horror films coming in 2020. I am looking forward to all of the surprise films I'm not even aware of yet!

If you have other horror films you are looking forward to that aren't mentioned below, please feel free to leave a comment and let me know what they are!

My Top 10 Horror Movies of 2019

You think that choosing 10 favorite films from 2019 is an easy task, but it really isn’t! There were so many great horror movies this year, I found it extremely hard to whittle it down to just the top 10. If I'm honest, I've been agonizing over this list for months (which is why I'm posting this so late!).

However, what is easy is recognizing that we were definitely not at a loss for great horror films in 2019. If you start exploring the horror genre in 2019, You'll see that there were some incredible gems released, from big studio films to smaller, independent films.

Of course, I haven’t seen every single horror film released this year (though I did make a very valiant effort), so I’m sure I’ve missed some excellent films. I’ve also seen other films that were on other top 10 lists, however they were personally disappointing to me, so obviously they won't appear on my list.

13 Days of Lesser-Known Holiday Horror Movies

Looking for some holiday horror films to count down the remaining 13 days until Christmas but don't feel like watching the same old stuff? I wanted to share 13 lesser-known holiday horror films, including some new releases as well as some you may have missed or forgotten about. Watch one a day as a countdown to Christmas, or feel free to binge-watch or pick and choose as you please!

Below I've noted if the movies are available to stream as well as including links to the respective films' DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon as well.

Christmas Horror Movies to Stream Now

'Tis the season for some killer holiday horror movies! I love browsing streaming services this time of year for seasonal horror flicks, and this year we have quite a few to choose from on Hulu, Shudder, Amazon Prime, and Netflix. Below I've rounded up some that are available on these streaming platforms now or are coming soon to stream. Don't have these streaming services or prefer physical media? No problem, as I've included links to each film's Amazon when possible.

Check out the Christmas Horror Movies to Stream Now:

Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film Exhibit

This past weekend I was lucky enough to check out Scared to Death, a horror exhibit at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington. This installation at MoPop features over 50 props and costumes from horror shows and movies like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Walking Dead, The Shining, Pet Sematary, Frankenstein, Hostel, Blair Witch, and many more. I was so incredibly excited to get to see this exhibit, and it didn't disappoint! I got to geek out over the props and costumes from some of my favorite horror films, watch video clips of well-known creators talk about notable horror films, and immerse myself in the delightfully macabre atmosphere of the exhibit.

So, you start the exhibit (which is tucked into the back corners of the Museum of Pop Culture), by descending down a staircase bathed in red, wallpapered with faces of people screaming. You enter into the exhibit and are immediately met with a body-bag maze to your right and a zombie quarantine zone to your left. Around every corner you may come face-to-face with a xenomorph, or Jason, or a bloody severed head, or a nook to sit down and watch short interviews with notable horror creators discussing the influence of specific films. You can enter into a cathedral dripping with blood highlighting vampire lore and props, holler your heart out in the sound-proofed Scream Box (which will take a photo of you as you scream), and of course take advantage of the interactive photo-ops.

Take a virtual walk through of the Scared to Death horror exhibit below:

10 Things I'm Loving This May

I'll be honest, this month has been a struggle for me. I got sick at the beginning of the month for two weeks and also found out we have to move at the end of our lease. In order to fund this unexpected move, I've been selling a large chunk of my Halloween collection. The whole month feels like one long battle against being sick and then another battle of purging belongings. I don't share this because I want pity, but just to show that life can throw us some curveballs sometimes and I just wanted to share why I've been so absent from here and social media. I know it will all work out in the end and I'm excited for a change of scenery, but it sure has been stressful.

Still, this month hasn't been all bad - I feel like even more than usual I need to focus on the positive and savor the little things I sometimes take for granted. As per my monthly tradition, I'm sharing 10 things I'm loving this month below, which encourages me to reflect on things I'm grateful for this month as well as sharing some cool things with you!

Check out 10 Things I'm Loving This May below:

Celebrate Half-o-Ween With These Halloween Movies Streaming Now

Halloween Movies and Where to Watch Them for Half-o-ween

Can you believe it is almost halfway to Halloween?! April 30th/May 1st marks the halfway point to October 31st, and every year I like to acknowledge this milestone with a little mini Halloween celebration. In past years, I've recommended ways to celebrate Halfway to Halloween, how to bring Halloween into your home, shared the history of Walpurgisnacht (aka Witches' Night, which occurs on the same date), and many more spooky spring-time shenanigans!

This year, I'm craving some Halloween films and TV shows to help spark that spooky spirit, so I thought I would share all the Halloween films currently streaming on Shudder, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime (if you are looking for more suggestions for Halloween movies, check out my Ultimate List of Halloween-themed Movies). These movies are set on or around Halloween, but I've also included TV shows that have memorable Halloween episodes as well as a few other titles that give me a spooky vibe even though they may not be set on Halloween (like Goosebumps or The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell).

Note: Listing is for US-region only. Also, I have not seen all of these, so I cannot speak to the quality (and I can't even guarantee the quality of the ones I HAVE seen, haha). However, I have noted all the ones I do recommend with an asterisk (*).

Here are Halloween Movies and Where to Watch Them for Halfoween:

10 More Irish Horror Films to Watch For St. Patrick's Day

A few years back I shared a list of incredible Irish horror movies that weren't Leprechaun (though, let's be honest, we all have a special love in our horror hearts for that film franchise) and offered something new. All those horror film recommendations still stand today, but after watching a newly released horror film The Hole in the Ground, I knew there were other modern Irish horror films that deserved a watch, too!

With St. Patrick's Day being celebrated this weekend, I thought this would be a great time to highlight 10 more Irish horror films you should watch. These vary from films set in Ireland, filmed in Ireland, Irish-directed movies, movies produced by Irish companies, etc. These films vary in tone from boisterous to moody to disturbing to gory, so there should be enough variety for everyone! Also, don't forget to check out my previous top 10 list of Irish horror for more recommendations.

Check out my picks for 10 more Irish horror films to watch for St. Patrick's Day below:

CANDY CORN Teaser Gives Horror Fans A Treat to Look Forward to This Halloween

A teaser trailer for the upcoming horror film Candy Corn premiered on Dread Central and has given us a treat to look forward to this Halloween! This is Josh Hasty's next film after his behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of Rob Zombie's 31. I have been looking forward to Candy Corn for quite some time and I am excited to finally get a peek at it! The film's ridiculously gorgeous poster (designed by Fright Rag's Justin Osbourne) was also unveiled, which you can see above. With this as well as the teaser trailer (which you can view below), I am even more excited to see this film, which we will hopefully get to see this year around the Halloween season. Check out the teaser and more info on the film below:

Watch Now on Netflix: Diablero (2018)

In this Netflix series from Mexico, a young priest enlists the help of a demon hunter and a paranormal expert to search for a kidnapped girl in the underworld of Mexico City. The trailer made it look like a high-octane version of the Supernatural TV show, full of demons, car chases, fun characters, witchcraft, and action, so I was intrigued. As soon as I started watching, I was hooked!

My Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2019

2018 was an incredible year for horror movies (see my top 10 horror movies of 2018), and 2019 promises to bring the same level quality to our beloved horror genre. There are already so many horror movies to look forward to this year (over 60 on this list alone!!), and I'm sure there will be so many more that aren't on our radar yet that will crop up this year and blow us all away. From original stories to anthologies to remakes to sequels and more, this year promises a wide array of scary movies, and I think there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Browse through all the horror films that I'm hoping will deliver the scares this year below!

My Top 10 Horror Movies of 2018

Looking back on 2018, it was another stellar year for horror. I love that there was such a variety of films this year and horror fans weren't limited to only remakes or slashers or ghosts or monsters, but got so many different types of horror. It is such a wonderful time to be a horror fan and I am so grateful for all the phenomenal horror films that have been bestowed on us.

I also appreciate that there were so many surprises this year that came out of nowhere. Films are no longer burdened with having to be theatrically released, nowadays they can premiere on Netflix, Shudder, or VOD and be just as successful. While I still appreciate watching certain films in theaters, nothing can beat the convenience of seeing new films in the comfort of my own home. Many of my favorite films below were released exclusively on streaming platforms rather than having traditional theatrical releases.

I am so thankful we are living in this day and age where we have so many fantastic films being released and so many different ways to watch them. Below I've included my top 10 favorites of the year, though I easily could have made a top 20 list.

10 Things I'm Loving This December

Despite how fast Christmas is bearing down on us, I have to say I am really enjoying this month. I am staying put over the holidays, so it hasn't been as crazy as it usually would be and I'm so happy I don't have to travel. It means I get to do one of my favorite things - hole up at home! I've been hunkering down, writing, watching tons of movies and TV, reading, and just enjoying the spirit of the holidays. This month, I've also seen some recent projects come to fruition, which I'm pretty proud of.

I'm so glad I've been able to finish the year out on a high note. And as I do every month on these "ten things" posts, I'll be sharing some of my favorite things I experienced this December. This month, this includes the 13 days of Creepmas, a festive new perfume, oodles of holiday movies, some dark folklore, vegan sugar cookies, and more!

See my 10 Things I'm Loving This December below:

Watch Now on Netflix: Delirium (2018)

I haven't done a Netflix recommendation post in months, partly because they have had so much good content recently it's hard to keep up, but also since I've been busy with Halloween, then Hallowvember, then Thanksgiving, and now Creepmas. However, I just watched Delirium, the 2018 Netflix film starring Topher Grace and Patricia Clarkson, and I just had to share this title as I really enjoyed it.

This film has been languishing in my Netflix queue for months and months, but I finally watched it the other night and was surprised at how good it was! I haven't heard much about this film, which is a real shame since it isn't getting the attention it deserves.

13 Days of Holiday Horror Movies

Can you believe Christmas is just 13 days away?! Eeeeek! I can't believe it is nearly here, and I can't wait to spend the holiday relaxing and enjoying some time off. During October, I sometimes do a countdown called 31 Days of Halloween Movies (check it out HERE), where I watch a Halloween-themed movie every day of October, so I thought it would be fun to do the same kind of countdown for December and invite you to play along as well!

Of course, instead of Halloween movies we will be watching Christmas horror movies! There are a lot to choose from, so I picked some old and new favorites to get us into the holly jolly horrordays spirit! Links go to Amazon to purchase the films and I've also noted if and where they are available to stream.