This is very late and I do apologize for that. Now that that’s out of the way, I’ll explain very briefly my process for this list. Some movies on this list technically came out before 2020, but they were not available to me before 2020 , so I’m counting them as having come out this past year. In the same way if something came out in late 2019 but only had a limited run in the early 2020s then it counts as a 2020 movie. Yes, this is arbitrary, but I have to make some distinctions as to what is on this list and why. Anyway, before we get to the top 10, I’ll start with a couple honorable mentions, movies that were very close to cracking this list but just didn’t quite make it. I would still definitely recommend them though!

Honorable Mentions:

Swallow

After marrying into a wealthy family, young housewife Hunter, feeling isolated and trapped, develops the eating disorder known as pica, which is the compulsion to eat non-food items. Swallow is very different from a lot of other movies on my list, it’s kind of understated, even when it gets into the more explicit bits, and more of a domestic drama which isn’t a type of story I’m super interested in. However, the performances, clever cinematography, and satirical elements here elevated it quite a lot. I suspect that if you like domestic dramas and horror-adjacent stuff, then you would love this movie.

Uncle Peckerhead

An audacious tale of a punk band going on tour with a roadie who turns out to be a flesh eating demon (not really a spoiler), Uncle Peckerhead is a perfect movie to watch with friends over some beer and pretzels. It’s a little rough around the edges, and definitely not for everyone, but Uncle Peckerhead is just the kind of weird movie I love finding, and the weirdness doesn’t overshadow the strong characters and emotional core, which is super relatable.

Now that that’s done with, let’s move onto the main event, the best horror movies of 2020! That I saw. If you loved a movie that came out this year and I didn’t list it below I just may not have seen so feel free to ask about anything you think I may have missed by leaving a comment below! Back to my list!

#10 Blood Vessel

Full review here: https://scaredsloth.com/blood-vessel/

A shipwrecked Allied crew finds refuge aboard an abandoned Nazi ship carrying some dangerous cargo. Campy vampire fun in a unique atmospheric setting with a likeable cast of characters. Excellent monster design, clever use of their low budget, and a killer ending make Blood Vessel stand out. Bonus points because the title is a pun

#9 Underwater

Full Review Here: https://scaredsloth.com/underwater-2020/

After an underwater research facility begins breaking down, the crew need to escape, and fast. Cutting out all of the fat, Underwater delivers a tense and in your face underwater (shocking, I know) thrill ride. Would’ve been a great summer movie, but in retrospect I’m glad I got to see it in a movie theatre in January, it was helped by the big screen.

#8 Gretel & Hansel

Full Review Here: https://scaredsloth.com/gretel-hansel-2020/

Unable to support two children, Gretel and Hansel’s mother sends them away, whereupon the two meet an older woman who gives them room and board in exchange for work. But Gretel soon begins to learn that this woman may not be who she appears to be. Visually rich with some excellent performances this is an exceptionally good take on what could have been a tired rehash of a familiar story. It goes to so many weird, violent, and disgusting places which just delights me. Sure, it relies on its atmosphere and visuals, but both those things are great so what’s the problem?

#7 The Rental

Full Review Here: https://scaredsloth.com/the-rental-2020/

When two couples head out for a getaway weekend, they soon realize that this won’t be the relaxing trip they all hoped for. Solid and atmospheric thriller that’s rooted in real fears of the worst vacation possible. Put over the top by the great cast, fully developed character drama, and clever foreshadowing. Doesn’t break new ground but this is a great example of simple premises done extremely well. Extra points for being the debut feature from Dave Franco.

#6 The Color Out Of Space

After a mysterious meteorite crashes in their yard, a family living in the middle of nowhere experiences bizarre changes. The Colour Out of Space has always been my favorite H.P. Lovecraft story and this film does it justice. The body horror effects are awesome, the family drama believable, and the performances all around good. What kind of centers the movie for me is a completely out there Nic Cage performance that I am 100% in love with. Nothing super deep happening here, but a very solid fun body horror film.

#5 Warning: Do Not Play

Full Review Here: https://scaredsloth.com/warning-do-not-play-2019/

While on a hunt for a supposedly haunted horror movie, an aspiring young director trying to find inspiration gets mixed up in something dangerous. An Instant classic ghost story that oozes atmosphere, Warning: Do Not Play has a really cool story that pays tribute to its predecessors without ever ripping them off, and is actually pretty scary! Also it is a movie by and for horror fans that feels authentic rather than being pandering

#4 The Pool

Full Review Here: https://scaredsloth.com/the-pool-2018/

When a man is trapped in an empty swimming pool with a crocodile, he must see how far he’s willing to go to stay alive. Capitalizing on a simple but effective premise and great character dynamics, The Pool manages to create a brutal and shocking tale of survival against all odds that has more real tension than any other film in recent memory.

#3 The Invisible Man

Full Review Here: https://scaredsloth.com/the-invisible-man-2020/

After escaping an abusive relationship, a woman finds herself haunted by memories of the trauma…and perhaps by something else. This remake of the classic franchise should be the start of a new wave of great horror movies.  Even when the material stretches your suspension of disbelief; the masterful performances, clever filmmaking, and real tension make this movie a must for horror fans.  

#2 The Lodge

When a future step-mom is left alone with her fiancé’s two children during a snowstorm, strange and threatening events begin happening. Bleak as a nuclear winter, The Lodge tells a claustrophobic tale that surprised and shocked me. Everything about this movie feels strange, but in a purposeful and disorienting way which leads to an incredibly memorable ending. Not for the faint of heart, when I say this is a ‘feel bad’ movie, I mean it.

#1 Possessor

When a corporate assassin who uses advanced technology to ‘possess’ people and commit murders using their body pushes herself a bit too far, she finds herself in a battle for control with the mind of the man she is possessing. Written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg, son of famed director David Cronenberg, Possessor is everything I could possibly want in a movie. A cool slightly futuristic setting, transcendent performances, disgusting and repellant violence, haunting visuals, a story that’s twisty without getting self-indulgent, and a very Cronenbergian take on the connections between sex, violence, and privacy in modern life. I don’t know if this is “technically” the best movie on this list, but it’s the one that pushed every single button I wanted pushed and I can only hope Brandon Cronenberg’s next movie is this good.

Wrapping Up:

I did my best to put them in order of quality, but towards the end things do break down slightly. #3-#1, hell maybe even #4-#1, are all amazing movies and I love how different they are. So many great horror movies came out in 2020 and I’m hoping that 2021 will continue that trend! I’m going to be checking out some new stuff and some movies I missed from last year soon, so as always if you have a recommendation please leave it below. Thanks for reading!