30 Overrated Horror Movies Everyone Seems To Like

Modern audiences often flock to theaters for the latest horror sensation, though critical acclaim does not always match personal enjoyment. Many films receive glowing reviews and massive box office returns while leaving a segment of the audience feeling underwhelmed. This list explores several high profile horror titles that have garnered significant praise despite being polarizing among fans. Each entry has been verified through industry sources to reflect its release history and reception.

‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999)

Three film students travel to a small town to document a local legend and disappear in the woods. Their recovered footage became a cultural phenomenon that popularized the found footage subgenre. While it was praised for its realistic approach and viral marketing, many viewers found the lack of visible scares disappointing. The constant camera movement also caused motion sickness for some theater audiences during its original run. It remains a significant piece of cinematic history regardless of how modern audiences react to its pacing.

‘Hereditary’ (2018)

A grieving family discovers terrifying secrets about their ancestry after the death of their secretive matriarch. The story focuses on the psychological breakdown of each family member as unsettling supernatural events unfold. Many critics praised the film for its intense atmosphere and the lead performance by Toni Collette. Some viewers argue that the shift into overt occult themes in the final act feels jarring compared to the earlier grounded drama. It is often cited as a cornerstone of the modern elevated horror movement.

‘The Babadook’ (2014)

A widowed mother struggles with her young son’s erratic behavior while a sinister figure from a children’s book haunts their home. The film serves as a metaphor for the exhausting nature of grief and unresolved trauma. Critical reception was overwhelmingly positive upon its release in various international markets. Many fans find the high pitched screaming of the child character to be an obstacle to their enjoyment. The creature design has since become an iconic image within the horror community.

‘Midsommar’ (2019)

A group of friends travels to Sweden for a fabled midsummer festival at a remote and sunlit commune. What begins as a peaceful retreat soon turns into a series of disturbing pagan rituals and sacrifices. The film is famous for its bright daylight setting and intricate floral production design. Some audiences feel the long runtime makes the narrative feel unnecessarily drawn out for the story it tells. It explores themes of relationship toxicity and the search for belonging in a radical environment.

‘It Follows’ (2014)

A young woman is pursued by a supernatural entity after a sexual encounter and must pass the curse to someone else. The entity can take the form of any person and constantly walks toward its victim at a slow pace. Many critics praised the film for its 1980s aesthetic and tense electronic musical score. Some viewers point out that the internal logic of the monster appears inconsistent during certain scenes. The movie uses its unique premise to create a sense of constant paranoia for the characters.

‘The Witch’ (2015)

A Puritan family living in 1630s New England is torn apart by the forces of witchcraft and black magic. The dialogue uses period accurate language to immerse the audience in the historical and religious setting. It received high marks from critics for its slow burn tension and authentic cinematography. Many casual viewers were disappointed by the lack of traditional jump scares throughout the story. The ending provides a definitive and dark resolution to the family’s spiritual struggle.

‘A Quiet Place’ (2018)

A family must navigate their lives in absolute silence to hide from creatures that hunt by sound. They use sign language and sand paths to move quietly through their isolated farm. The film was a massive commercial success and helped establish its director as a major talent in the genre. Some viewers find the logic of the creatures’ hearing abilities to be inconsistent or distracting. It relies on tension and visual storytelling rather than heavy dialogue to build its world.

‘Us’ (2019)

A family on vacation is confronted by a group of doppelgängers who look exactly like them and wear red jumpsuits. The story expands into a larger conspiracy involving underground tunnels and mysterious government secrets. Critics lauded the lead performance and the underlying social commentary regarding class and privilege. Some fans believe the explanation for the doubles becomes overly complicated during the final exposition. The film uses striking symbolic imagery like golden scissors and rabbits to enhance its themes.

‘Skinamarink’ (2022)

Two children wake up to find their parents missing and the windows of their home disappearing into a void. The movie features experimental shots of ceilings and corners with extremely grainy film quality. It became a viral sensation after leaking online before its official theatrical release. Many audience members found the lack of a traditional plot or visible characters to be tedious over the full runtime. It remains one of the most polarizing horror films of the current decade due to its minimalist style.

‘Smile’ (2022)

A doctor begins to see people with unsettling grins after witnessing a bizarre incident with a patient. She discovers that she is the latest victim of a curse that feeds on personal trauma. The film utilized a successful marketing campaign involving actors smiling at various professional sports games. Some critics noted the story bears a strong resemblance to other horror movies like It Follows. It features several intense jump scares that were a major draw for mainstream moviegoers.

‘Paranormal Activity’ (2007)

A young couple documents the strange occurrences in their home using a handheld camera on a tripod. The film focuses on static shots of the bedroom while the characters sleep throughout the night. It became one of the most profitable movies ever made due to its tiny production budget and massive returns. Some viewers feel the slow pacing and lack of action make it less effective upon subsequent viewings. The franchise helped cement found footage as a staple of the modern horror industry.

‘Saw’ (2004)

Two men wake up in a dilapidated bathroom and are forced to play a deadly game by an anonymous serial killer. The narrative uses a non linear structure to reveal how the various characters are connected. It launched a long running franchise known for its increasingly complex traps and narrative twists. Some critics argue the focus on visceral gore in later entries overshadows the suspense of the original concept. The character of Jigsaw became a highly recognizable figure in modern horror history.

‘The Conjuring’ (2013)

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren help a family living in a heavily haunted farmhouse. The film is based on a real life case file from the history of the famous investigative duo. It was praised for its old school approach to horror and the chemistry of the lead actors. Some fans believe the movie relies too heavily on predictable genre tropes and loud noises for scares. The success of this film led to the creation of an entire shared cinematic universe.

‘Insidious’ (2010)

A couple tries to save their son from a comatose state while being haunted by malevolent spirits. They eventually learn the haunting is tied to their son’s ability to travel through a spirit realm called The Further. The movie is famous for its sudden jump scares and haunting string music. Some viewers feel the second half loses its scare factor when the ghosts are shown in clear detail. It revitalized interest in the supernatural haunting subgenre during the early 2010s.

‘Barbarian’ (2022)

A young woman discovers her rental home has been double booked and contains a hidden basement with a dark secret. The story takes a drastic and unexpected turn halfway through the runtime that changes the tone completely. It received widespread acclaim for its unpredictable nature and blend of horror and dark humor. Some viewers found the tonal shift in the second act to be too jarring for their personal taste. The film explores themes of urban decay and the hidden dangers of the unknown.

‘Talk to Me’ (2022)

A group of teenagers discovers how to conjure spirits using an antique embalmed ceramic hand. They become hooked on the thrill of the possession until one of them stays connected for too long. This Australian horror film was a breakout hit that earned significant praise for its practical effects. Some critics feel the ending leaves too many questions unanswered for the viewer. It highlights the dangers of peer pressure and the influence of modern social media culture.

‘Longlegs’ (2024)

An FBI agent is assigned to a case involving a series of murder suicides linked by cryptic occult symbols. She discovers a personal connection to the suspect who has been active for several decades. The film received praise for its dread filled atmosphere and the artistic direction of each scene. Some audience members felt the marketing promised a more traditional slasher experience than what the film delivered. It incorporates elements of psychological thrillers into a supernatural framework for a unique tone.

‘Terrifier 2’ (2022)

Art the Clown returns to stalk a teenage girl and her younger brother on Halloween night. The movie gained notoriety for its extreme gore and a long runtime that exceeds two hours. Many fans appreciate the practical special effects and the silent performance of the lead villain. Some critics argue the plot is too thin to sustain the lengthy duration of the film. It became a surprise box office success through strong word of mouth among dedicated horror enthusiasts.

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ (2023)

A security guard starts a job at an abandoned pizza restaurant where animatronic mascots come to life at night. The story follows his attempt to survive while uncovering the dark history of the building and its creator. It was a massive financial success driven by the large fan base of the original video game franchise. Many general audiences found the movie lacked enough genuine scares to be effective as a horror film. The production stayed very faithful to the lore established in the games over the years.

‘Evil Dead Rise’ (2023)

Two estranged sisters try to survive an onslaught of demonic creatures in a Los Angeles apartment building. The discovery of an ancient book releases entities that possess family members one by one. It features a high level of blood and creative use of household items as improvised weapons. Some fans felt the urban setting lacked the atmosphere and charm of the original cabin in the woods. The film serves as a standalone entry that expands the mythology of the long running franchise.

‘Late Night with the Devil’ (2023)

A talk show host attempts to boost his failing ratings by hosting a live occult demonstration on Halloween night. The film is presented as a lost broadcast from the 1970s complete with period accurate technical details. It received high praise for the performance of David Dastmalchian and the unique found footage format. Some viewers were bothered by the brief use of artificial intelligence in the background graphics during the film. The story builds toward a chaotic and supernatural finale during the live television taping.

‘Hostel’ (2005)

Two American backpackers traveling through Europe are lured to a facility where people pay to torture and kill victims. This film was a major contributor to the rise of the torture porn subgenre in the mid 2000s. It focuses on visceral gore and the degradation of the human body for shock value. Some critics felt the movie relied on xenophobic stereotypes to create its sense of geographical danger. It remains a controversial title due to its graphic depictions of violence and suffering.

‘Candyman’ (2021)

A visual artist becomes obsessed with the legend of a spirit who appears when his name is said five times in a mirror. The movie serves as a direct sequel to the original while updating its themes for modern society. It explores gentrification and the history of racial injustice within the city of Chicago. Some fans felt the film explained its mysteries too clearly rather than maintaining the original’s sense of ambiguity. The visual style and cinematography were widely praised by critics for their elegance.

‘Halloween’ (2018)

Laurie Strode prepares for a final confrontation with Michael Myers forty years after his initial killing spree in Haddonfield. This entry ignores all previous sequels and functions as a direct follow up to the 1978 original movie. It was a huge box office success and led to two more films in a new slasher trilogy. Some viewers feel the movie relies too much on nostalgia and fan service to maintain interest. The score features updated versions of the classic themes composed by the original creator.

‘The Menu’ (2022)

A young couple visits an exclusive restaurant on a private island for a lavish and expensive tasting menu. They soon realize the chef has planned a series of increasingly violent surprises for his wealthy guests. The film functions as a sharp satire of high end culinary culture and social class distinctions. Some horror fans were disappointed by the heavy focus on dark comedy over traditional scares. It features a strong ensemble cast that helps drive the tension of the dinner service.

‘Ma’ (2019)

A lonely woman allows a group of teenagers to party in her basement but quickly becomes obsessed with their lives. Her behavior turns from welcoming to dangerous as she reveals her true intentions and past trauma. The film was marketed as a psychological thriller with significant horror elements in the final act. Some audiences felt the plot was too predictable and lacked a satisfying payoff for the buildup. Octavia Spencer received praise for her performance as the complex and titular character.

‘Annabelle’ (2014)

A couple begins experiencing terrifying events after bringing a vintage porcelain doll into their new home. The doll serves as a conduit for a demonic entity that wants to claim a human soul. It is a spin off from the successful Conjuring franchise and eventually spawned its own trilogy of films. Many critics found the movie to be a generic addition to the supernatural horror genre upon release. The design of the doll has become a recognizable icon for modern horror fans despite the mixed reviews.

‘The Nun’ (2018)

A priest and a novice are sent by the Vatican to investigate a mysterious death at an abbey in Romania. They encounter a demonic force that takes the form of a nun to mock their faith. This film is part of the larger Conjuring universe and set in the early 1950s period. While it was a financial success, many viewers felt it relied too heavily on jump scares and loud noises. The gothic atmosphere provides a dark backdrop for the religious horror elements of the story.

‘Pet Sematary’ (2019)

A family discovers a mysterious burial ground in the woods that can bring the dead back to life with dark consequences. This adaptation of the Stephen King novel makes several significant changes to the original source material. It features a dark tone and focuses on the crushing grief of losing a beloved family member. Some fans of the book were unhappy with the major alterations to the plot and characters. The film explores the idea that death is sometimes a better alternative to a cursed life.

‘The Black Phone’ (2021)

A kidnapped teenager uses a disconnected phone in his cell to speak with the previous victims of a serial killer. The ghosts provide him with clues and strategies on how to escape before he becomes the next casualty. It features a standout performance from Ethan Hawke as the masked villain known as The Grabber. Some viewers felt the supernatural elements were not as frightening as the grounded kidnapping plot in the first half. The story is based on a short story by author Joe Hill and received generally positive reviews.

Share your thoughts on which horror films you believe are overrated in the comments.