It’s an age-old story that horror is not always the most well-received genre by critics. Although certain classics like Alien and Scream, as well as some modern takes on the genre like Hereditary and Midsommar, have amassed much-deserved recognition from critics, there are countless more that can’t get past the critical hump, especially on Rotten Tomatoes. This aggregator site is often an effective resource for audiences, who use its score to determine whether they tune into a film or not. That being said, sometimes the Tomatometer gets it wrong.
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More often than not, a horror film’s critics score pales in comparison to its audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. As such, the genre has always relied heavily on audience approval to achieve mainstream success. Here is our list of 20 horror films that are certified “Fresh” in our eyes, even if Rotten Tomatoes-approved critics disagree.
20 Sinister (2012) — 63% on Rotten Tomatoes
Sinister‘s 63% score on Rotten Tomatoes is pretty average. However, the film itself excels beyond this score. Starring Ethan Hawke as Ellison, this film follows a true crime author, who is on the hunt for his next big story. However, after moving his family to the site of countless gruesome murders, he awakens a dark and twisted secret that puts his entire family at risk. After watching a series of old tapes of these murders, Ellison’s descent into madness is accompanied by the arrival of a sinister spirit.
What Makes It Great
Sinister encompasses the atmosphere of a true modern horror film. The brutal deaths in this film are executed through found tapes that effectively add a layer of mystery. As the sinister spirit creeps closer and closer into Ellison’s life, the film gets darker and darker. There is nothing lighthearted or funny about this film. There are jump scares, haunting imagery, and an engaging plot that will send chills down your spine despite what the critics may say. Rent on YouTube
19 Would You Rather (2012) — 61% on Rotten Tomatoes
Would You Rather is a 2012 psychological horror film that has a 61% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film centers around a woman named Iris, played by Brittany Snow. Iris decides to risk everything in a gruesome game of “would you rather” in a rich man’s mansion, with a promise of riches if she wins. However, standing between her and the money are seven other contestants and impossible decisions that test her will and morality.
What Makes It Great
Would You Rather is no masterpiece. However, this twisted child’s game film is so much fun for a horror narrative. The movie is designed to have you on the edge of your seat as you root for certain characters to make it through each round of the diabolical mind game. There are some truly hard-to-watch scenes in this film. However, the gore fits perfectly into the plot, and with so much of the truth hidden from the audience the entire time, you are thrown into a blender of twists and turns, with an ending that will have your jaw on the floor. Stream on Hulu
18 Unfriended: Dark Web (2018) — 59% on Rotten Tomatoes
Like the first film in the franchise, Unfriended: Dark Web takes place entirely on a computer screen. After taking a laptop from a coffee shop, a young Matias utilizes the laptop’s tech to launch an ASL translator program he designed for his deaf girlfriend. While exploring the background of the laptop’s owner during an online game night with some friends, Matias finds out that he is in much more trouble than he thought, as the laptop owner’s association with the dark web comes to light.
What Makes It Great
When it comes to audience perception, this sequel scored similarly to the first Unfriended film, but, with critics, this one sports a 59% on the Tomatometer. The movie explores an almost untouched topic in found footage horror: the dark web is one of those real-life mysteries that, in extremes, plays out like it does in the film. It is full of twists and turns and some stomach-turning gore that make it an unforgettable watch. Also, if movie with multiple endings are your thing, this one has a few you can choose from! Rent on Apple TV
17 Alucarda (1977) — 60% on Rotten Tomatoes
Beware of Alucarda. This 1977 horror film has a 60% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, there is nothing that should stop you from checking this one out. Alucarda follows the life of a young woman after her parents die, and she ends up in a convent. There, she sparks curiosity about satanic worship and cultivates a friendship with another girl named Alucarda.
What Makes It Great
Throughout history, ghosts, possessions, and satanic worship have been common tools in the horror genre. Alucarda is a fantastic display of some great supernatural horror. The performances are great, but it is the atmosphere this film creates that stands out. It is dark, creepy, mysterious, and deserves a much higher score on the Tomatometer. Stream on YouTube
16 In the Mouth of Madness (1995) — 58% on Rotten Tomatoes
Mystery, horror, and fantasy? Look no further than 1994’s In the Mouth of Madness. This film follows a man named John Trent (Sam Neill) who takes it upon himself to lead his own investigation to uncover the truth about a missing horror novel writer named Sutter Cane. John travels to a town in New Hampshire with Sutter’s editor to track down the missing author, with the looming presence of the novels eating away at his sanity.
What Makes It Great
In the Mouth of Madness is a horror experience that you cannot miss. This underrated film is a stunning play on the idea of the glorification of horror novelists. The truly terrifying part lies in the blurred lines between reality and the nightmare that exists in this author’s work. This thrilling premise was a hit, even if the Rotten Tomatoes critics did not think so. Rent on Prime Video
15 Saw (2004) — 50% on Rotten Tomatoes
Saw
- Release Date
- October 1, 2004
It’s both ridiculous and believable that Saw has a 50% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. It came out in 2004, and the eponymous franchise has not looked back since. This slasher horror follows two men as they wake up chained to a pipe in a disgusting bathroom. Soon enough, they learn that they have been chosen against their will to play a sadistic game with a serial killer who goes by the name, “Jigsaw.” The film jumps back and forth between past and present to give audiences some background on how these two men got to where they are, as well as the lengths they are willing to go to, to be the one that gets out of their predicament alive.
What Makes It Great
Say what you want about the drawn-out Saw franchise, there is no denying that the first Saw movie created a mainstream blueprint for modern, gory slasher films. There are a lot of routes filmmakers can go to scare and shock audiences. The level of gore and visceral violence exhibited in Saw is something that has lasted over time. This film, in particular, is dark, mysterious, unnerving, and so creatively gory that it has left a lasting impression on movie-lovers. Stream on Prime Video
14 The Resurrected (1991) — 40% on Rotten Tomatoes
The sci-fi horror film, The Resurrected, came out in 1991. It follows a woman whose world comes crashing down on her in an instant. Her husband’s suspicious actions start raising her alarm bells as deliveries of what looks to be human remains start coming in. With all that, the old cabin that his family owns is being used for some odd and terrifying experiments. Enlisting the help of a private detective, the woman is dedicated to finding out the truth. The film, despite being a hit with viewers, scored only 40% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
What Makes It Great
The Resurrected is structured to be a great horror film. Even after years since its release, the questionable CGI comes across as much more charming than irritating, especially as a horror film from the ’90s. The storyline is suspenseful, and there are enough scares to make your skin crawl. Not Currently Available to Stream or Purchase
13 Jennifer’s Body (2009) — 46% on Rotten Tomatoes
Can you believe the cult classic and theatrical horror masterpiece, Jennifer’s Body, has a 46% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes? This horror comedy film follows the possession of a high school it-girl named Jennifer (Megan Fox). Jennifer finds herself with an unsatiable hunger for the flesh of her high school’s male students, leaving her friend Anita/Needy (Amanda Seyfried) to find a way to help pick up the pieces.
What Makes It Great
Jennifer’s Body took a while to finally get the flowers it deserves. There is a sense of women empowerment hidden underneath a brutal horror film that makes it such an enjoyable and compelling watch. Ultimately, Jennifer’s Body is one of the best mixtures of horror and comedy, and continues to be a feel-good movie with all the dark undertones needed for the genre. Stream on Max
12 Eaten Alive (1976) — 35% on Rotten Tomatoes
Eaten Alive came out in 1976 and has a 35% on the Tomatometer. This horror film is quite odd in its premise. However, body horror and slasher films were a hit during this time, and Eaten Alive is a great entry in that world. In the film, a motel manager named Judd has a quick trigger when disposing of some of the motel guests. Starting off with a sex worker, Judd brutally murders her and feeds her to a crocodile. Soon enough, the croc’s belly continues to grow as the murders continue.
What Makes It Great
There’s something refreshing about having a horror film center more around the actual villains of the story rather than naive and clueless protagonists. This film is unapologetically brutal and violent with what can be considered a quirky plot in the realm of horror. Eaten Alive feels like a classic slasher with the undertones of a creature flick. In hindsight, there is no way that this film deserves the low 35%. Stream on Tubi
11 Demon Knight (1995) — 42% on Rotten Tomatoes
Demons, magic keys, great evil, and the apocalypse — Demon Knight is a fun horror fantasy film that scored a 42% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. In this film, there is a key being protected by a former soldier named Frank, played by William Sadler. The key can be a weapon used to unlock evil, and there is a demon, known as The Collector, who is trying to steal it. After years of hiding, Frank is preparing for an ultimate face-off with The Collector to protect the key.
What Makes It Great
Demon Knight was a film that critics slept on. It showcases some impressive performances from Jada Pinkett Smith and Billy Zane, as well as a well-crafted plot that focuses on intricate world-building. The film is visually impressive and has the makings of a cult classic horror flick. Rent on YouTube and Apple TV
10 Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) — 39% on Rotten Tomatoes
Insidious: Chapter 2 may boast a sad 39% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, this sequel is one of the best installments in the franchise. The film takes place right after the events of the first Insidious. The Lamberts are left in shambles after Elise is found dead in their home without a real explanation. As the family recovers from the trauma of Dalton’s (Ty Simpkins) coma, Josh’s (Patrick Wilson) past comes back to haunt him and threatens the safety of his entire family. Now, Renai (Rose Byrne) and Josh’s mother Lorraine (Barbara Hershey) are in a race against the clock to bring Josh back before it’s too late.
What Makes It Great
The Insidious franchise has gone through its ups and downs over the years. However, Insidious: Chapter 2 is veritably underrated. The film completes broken parts of a storyline established in the first installment seamlessly. With the introduction of an even more threatening demonic spirit, the Insidious sequel expands on the horror of the further with nightmare-inducing imagery and frightening plot twists that will make anyone hide under their covers. Rent on AppleTV
9 I Come in Peace / Dark Angel (1990) — 38% on Rotten Tomatoes
Coming in with a 38% on the Tomatometer is the horror sci-fi film I Come in Peace, also known as Dark Angel. In the film, a cop goes rogue to take on an infamous gang that goes by the name, “White Boys.” However, the further he dives into the investigation, it comes to light that the drug enterprise is more “out of this world” than he thought.
What Makes It Great
I Come in Peace is a great example of the extraterrestrial horror subgenre. This film is suspenseful, action-packed, and easy to get through. The film will satisfy audiences that love sci-fi, the ones that love horror, the ones that love action, and the ones that love crime. For that alone, the low Rotten Tomatoes score just does not make any sense. Stream on Prime Video and Tubi
8 Zombie (1979) — 41% on Rotten Tomatoes
1979’s English-language Italian western horror film Zombie is so good — do not let the 41% Rotten Tomatoes score sway you. The film follows a reporter who travels to an island where a doctor is trying to come up with a cure for an epidemic that sees the dead coming back to life.
What Makes It Great
Mainstream media is no stranger to the zombie subgenre, but this film exceeds all expectations, especially for a low-budget horror film. The film is fast-paced, simple to watch, and gory in all the right places. If you are looking for a classic-feeling horror flick, Zombie will not disappoint. Stream on Pluto TV and AMC+
7 Urban Legend (1998) — 27% on Rotten Tomatoes
The crime horror, Urban Legend, scored a 27% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The 1998 film follows a strain of brutal murders at a university. However, this is not some typical serial killer rampage: each death closely resembles an urban legend, and the young Natalie will soon take it upon herself to track patterns and catch the killer before she becomes the next headline.
What Makes It Great
If you like the teen slasher vibes that Scream has, this could be your new favorite watch. The mystery of the plot effectively builds suspense, and as the film goes on, the kills get more and more entertaining. Urban Legend encapsulates ’90s horror perfectly, too, offering both a nostalgic trip through the genre’s past and a thrilling watch experience.
6 Dead Silence (2007) — 21% on Rotten Tomatoes
2007’s Dead Silence has a 21% on the Tomatometer. The film follows a man named Jamie, who ventures back to his hometown to uncover the secrets surrounding the murder of his wife. While he is there, the legend of Mary Shaw haunts his every step. He soon finds out that this legendary ventriloquist is behind a deadly curse that claimed his wife’s life and is now after him.
What Makes It Great
Don’t confuse this with Slappy the Doll from Goosebumps! Dead Silence is a refreshing take on the used-up concept of a talking and haunted ventriloquist doll. The film is just creepy and lacks any sort of levity and brightness. Dead Silence takes on horror that is completely unforgiving and leans on being tense, scary, and stomach-churning. Rent on YouTube and Apple TV
5 As Above, So Below (2014) — 28% on Rotten Tomatoes
What Rotten Tomatoes did to this found footage film is an injustice. As Above, So Below is a found footage horror film that follows a young explorer and devoted archaeologist named Scarlett as she sets her sights on finding Flamel’s Philosopher’s Stone. She narrows her search down to the Paris Catacombs, where she enlists the help of some companions and friends to navigate the tunnels. However, the deeper the exploration goes, the more the crew finds themselves in the fiery rings of hell, where the only way out is through.
What Makes It Great
A 28% score is not right — not for this film. As Above, So Below knows how to build tension. It is set up as a sort of adventure before the descent into chaos. The found-footage genre is hard to do right, but this film does a great job of taking an already horrifying place that exists in our world today and twisting it into a supernatural journey through hell itself. The deaths are brutal, and the stakes feel so unbelievably high as audiences are forced to watch a woman’s unyielding ambition and determination put her life and the lives of others in danger. Rent on YouTube and Prime Video
4 Final Destination (2000) — 36% on Rotten Tomatoes
With how present Final Destination is in mainstream media, it comes as a surprise that the Rotten Tomatoes score is a low 36%. The first film in the Final Destination franchise came out in 2000, and set the stage for a unique perspective on horror and death. On his way to Paris for a trip, a premonition comes to Alex Browning (Devon Sawa) that is every traveler’s worst nightmare: he has a vision that the plane explodes. He, then, frantically tries to get the passengers to exit the plane. Sure enough, the plane explodes after taking off, and the chain of events after is a back-and-forth between cheating death and questioning their fate.
What Makes It Great
There is a sense of nostalgia in Final Destination that has lasted through the test of time. At the time when the first film came out (pre-9/11), the plot was what drove this film’s success with audiences. The quiet integration of supernatural components into a suspenseful plot allows this film to build with every minute. Rent on YouTube and Prime Video
3 Deadly Blessing (1981) — 33% on Rotten Tomatoes
Wes Craven’s 1981 slasher film Deadly Blessing follows a woman whose husband suffers an inexplicable death. She grows increasingly suspicious about the actions of a neighboring cult and believes that their sights are now set on her.
What Makes It Great
Deadly Blessing creates an admirable sense of atmosphere that stands out among other slasher films. The integration of a religious cult ups the horror level. The film’s mystery and thriller aspects create suspense that makes for a great movie-watching experience. Stream on Tubi
2 House of 1000 Corpses (2003) — 21% on Rotten Tomatoes
House of 1000 Corpses
- Release Date
- April 11, 2003
- Cast
- Chad Bannon , William Bassett , Karen Black , Erin Daniels , Joe Dobbs III , Judith Drake
House of 1000 Corpses is a 2003 horror slasher that received a 21% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film follows a classic horror plot: there are two couples that are left stranded after their car breaks down. They end up at the door of the twisted House of 1000 Corpses. Here, the couples encounter a family that has been accumulating their own collection of corpses, their sights now set on adding the couples to it.
What Makes It Great
House of 1000 Corpses is now a beloved horror classic despite its low Rotten Tomatoes score. The horrifying characters in this film are so odd and unique. It is such a circus of a horror film, and adds a creative and colorful change of pace in the realm of slasher horror. The gore is intense, the camera work is overwhelming, and the characters are unnerving. What more could you ask for? Stream on Prime Video and Tubi
1 The Boy (2016) — 30% on Rotten Tomatoes
We all remember 2016’s The Boy and the ending that shocked us all. This film follows a young woman who takes on a job to be a nanny for an older couple’s son. Upon arriving with instructions for the eight-year-old’s care, she discovers that she is actually taking care of a doll. However, what she thinks is some joke that gets her a sweet paycheck turns out to be her worst nightmare as the doll starts acting with a mind of its own.
What Makes It Great
There is something about the ending of The Boy that had audiences reeling. Plot twists in horror films are a great tool to shock and horrify, and the film took the haunted doll concept and elevated it. Lauren Cohen’s performance sells this story, and as the movie goes on, the more you are misled about what is really happening. This film is a solid horror film that is a much better watch than a 30% rating. Rent on Apple TV
