VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Looking for jump scares? Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most head-turning, blood-curdling, and scream-inducing horror films of 2023. Warning - frights and spoilers ahead! Our countdown includes movies “Saw X”, “Huesera: The Bone Woman”, “Skinamarink” and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most head-turning, blood-curdling, and scream-inducing horror films of 2023. Warning - frights and spoilers ahead! What horror movie had you trembling with delight this year? Let us know in the comments!

#10: “Knock at the Cabin” (2023)

When it comes to director M. Night Shyamalan’s spotty track record, you never quite know what you’re in for. Lucky for us, “Knock at the Cabin” is Shyamalan’s most impactful work in a long time. Powered by a knockout cast including the likes of Dave Bautista, Ben Aldridge and Jonathon Groff, the film is as emotional as it is terrifying. It’s also perpetually tense. An adorable family’s vacation in the woods gets turned upside down by four strangers - all claiming that the apocalypse is upon us. Worse, apparently the only way to stop the worldly destruction is if the family sacrifices one of their own. Trust us, you’ll hug your loved ones a little tighter after this one.

#9: “No One Will Save You” (2023)

What could be more horrifying than a home invasion? Easy – have extraterrestrials do the invading. In this tense and taught survivor flick, Kaitlyn Dever plays Brynn, a troubled loner who must save her home from alien intruders. But, due to an incident in her past, Brynn feels as if she’s on her own in the dire battle – hence the ominous title. Did we mention the movie is nearly dialogue free? Yep, and it only adds to the terror. Add in the nightmarish creature designs, palpable tension, and an A-grade outing from Dever, and you’ve got one of the biggest horror surprises of the year! Now, lock your doors everyone!

#8: “Skinamarink” (2022)

In one of the most divisive films of the year, “Skinamarink” does a masterful job of recreating the fears we have all experienced as children. And, impressively, it does so on a budget of merely $15,000. And forget state-of-the-art sound stages, this movie was all shot in the director’s childhood home. That director, Kyle Edward Ball, clearly walks the line between fantasy and reality with this one. The movie follows a couple of kids who wake to find that their father (and so much more) has disappeared from their house. Also vanishing – the exit! While the techniques used to tell the story are new and innovative, the fear its selling is as old as time!

advertisement

#7: “Scream VI” (2023)

Like a great horror movie villain, the “Scream” franchise refuses to die. But hey, we’re not complaining. Especially with the stellar “requels'' we've been getting in the past couple of years. Helping the franchise remain fresh in this sixth installment is a change of scenery. And where better to create a bit of gritty chaos than in New York City! Here, we follow the surviving cast of the previous film (along with some new faces) as they once again try to evade Ghostface’s murderous onslaught. And while we are sadly without the series’ OG scream queen Neve Campbell this time around, we do get the welcome return of Hayden Panettiere’s Kirby. Now that’s something to scream about!

#6: “Infinity Pool” (2023)

We can all thank the horror Gods for the Cronenbergs, am I right? Taking after his famous father, Brandon Cronenberg has been adding his own share of twisted and mind-bending body-horror to the masses. His latest bit of cinematic depravity comes in the form of “Infinity Pool.” Starring the likes of Alexander Skarsgard and Mia Goth, the film follows a struggling writer on vacation in a strange country. It’s not long before he finds himself thrust into some truly unsettling practices. To say things get gruesomely unhinged would be an understatement. “Infinity Pool” is often violent, occasionally stomach churning, and oddly humorous. In short, it’s the perfect date movie! We’re kidding – or are we?

#5: “Huesera: The Bone Woman” (2022)

Wanna squirm for around two hours? This Spanish-language horror flick will definitely do the trick! “Huesera: The Bone Woman” follows a pregnant woman whose journey becomes uncomfortable when she gets cursed – and that’s putting it mildly. It’s a movie that explores motherhood and all the pain and pleasure that comes with it. In her directorial debut no less, Michelle Garza Cervera will not only shock viewers, but present some harsh truths along the way. Yep, as with any worthy film, there’s plenty of social commentary to be had. But with a healthy dose of body horror added to the mix, it becomes a must-watch motherhood nightmare!

#4: “M3GAN” (2022)

Even if you’ve never seen “M3GAN,” you’ve seen “M3GAN.” And we can all thank an amazing social marketing team for that. I mean, what would our lives be without “the M3GAN dance?” Thankfully, this killer doll film has more than just a killer ad campaign – it has a killer movie to go along with it. From the folks at Blumhouse, “M3GAN” became an instant crowd-pleaser upon its release. And it’s easy to see why. Not only was the titular cybernetic doll gloriously brought to life, but the film tackled artificial intelligence in some pretty interesting ways. And, with its tongue placed firmly in cheek, there are plenty of thrills and kills to go around.

advertisement

#3: “Saw X” (2023)

Just when you think this franchise has run out of gas, they rev up yet another worthy outing that gets torture fans excited. In the tenth “Saw” installment, the film goes back to basics, in both presentation and overall production. It also serves as a great deep dive into the mind of Jigsaw himself, John Kramer. And Tobin Bell plays the architect of controlled chaos to perfection, finally giving audiences a true taste of his superb acting chops. As for those dastardly “games,” they are as intense as ever. It’s all morally deranged of course, but that’s the franchise’s staple – and they nailed it once again.

#2: “Evil Dead Rise” (2023)

Of all the limb-ripping and gut-splattering movies 2023 had to offer, “Evil Dead Rise” takes the cake. Although, we don’t recommend you eat during this film. That’s because it’s nothing short of a gruesome nail-biting blood bath! Of course, there’s more to it than just gore for gore’s sake. There’s also a masterful deconstruction of the characters at play. Just don’t get too attached. Plus, it nods nicely to the long running supernatural horror franchise, while still doing its own thing. Yes, “Evil Dead Rise" stands as a real treat for horror connoisseurs. We would say you should “eat it up,” but we stand by the “no food” thing…

Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.

“The Boogeyman” (2023)

Will Make You Check Under Your Bed for Weeks After

“The Outwaters” (2022)

Found Footage Horror Done Unsettlingly Right

“The Blackening” (2023)

A Horror Comedy That Subverts the Genre Beautifully

#1: “Talk to Me” (2023)

In their feature directorial debut, brothers Danny and Michael Philippou leave a scarring impression – one that will ruin more than a few good nights of sleep. What could have simply been another exercise in cheap jump scare cinema, instead becomes a deeply affecting creep-fest. Thanks to an embalmed hand, an unwitting Mia unleashes some truly spine-tingling supernatural forces. The Philippou brothers use plenty of practical effects and clever camera work here, creating some genuinely chilling images. The filmmakers also deserve credit for not glamorizing the mental health themes at play. For the best horror film of 2023, do yourself a favor and reach out for “Talk to Me.”