2024's best horror movies have been low-budget, smaller releases – and it's all down to the horror community

EntertainmentMoviesHorror MoviesTerrifier 32024’s best horror movies have been low-budget, smaller releases – and it’s all down to the horror communityWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentMoviesHorror MoviesTerrifier 32024’s best horror movies have been low-budget, smaller releases – and it’s all down to the horror communityWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: IFC Films/Shudder) Let me ask you a question: did you know about a lot of this year’s best horror movies before you saw other fans celebrating them online? I’m talking about movies likeLate Night with the Devil, Oddity, and Stopmotion. Given your answer is probably no, that makes it all the more impressive that these smaller releases have beaten big-budget giants in becoming some of the best horror movies of the year. A lot of them have had plenty in common, with their experimental nature helping them transcend their budget. However, it seems clear to me that a lot of their success can be pointed back to the online horror community shouting about them too. And what better time than Friday the 13th to celebrate these outstanding scary flicks? Make way big studio movies (Image credit: Shudder) Like most horror fans, at the start of every year, I make a note of what movies to keep an eye out for. This year’s list consisted ofThe Strangers remake, Nosferatu, andThe First Omenamong other big releases. But now, more than halfway through the year, I have to admit that my favorite scary movies of 2024 so far were not even on my radar. It was down to the power of social media, clever marketing tricks, and word of mouth that I first heard about the strange creature feature Oddity or Shudder’s Stopmotion, just to name a few. The Longlegs phenomenon (Image credit: Neon) No matter how much it made, you have to admit that the biggest horror movie of the year so far isLonglegs. The cultural phenomenon this movie turned out to be is truly incredible. But long before its release, the studio cleverly used the power of social media to get people talking, with cryptic clues and videos being posted to entice fans. While it’s important to note this isn’t the kind of low-budget flick we’ve mentioned so far (hello, Nicolas Cage), there’s no denying that word of mouth is what helped make this film as big as it is. You have to acknowledge how amazing it is that a film that few of us ever saw a promotional poster or advertisement for, stirred up so much attention. This is why fan support and enthusiasm is so important, especially in this genre. In an interview withGamesRadar+, Robert Morgan, director of one of this year’s more experimental horror movies Stopmotion, expressed just how important the horror community’s support is when it comes to releasing more obscure movies. “It’s very important,” said Morgan, “If you think about making films like this, it’s an unusual genre of film, it’s kind of, it’s out there." It can catapult a film into major success and help it turn into a bigger franchise, just like Terrifier. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox The success of the Terrifier franchise (Image credit: Iconic Releasing) The best this year could be yet to come too, as this Halloween season Damien Leone will release the third film in the gory Terrifier franchise. But Terrifier has very humble beginnings, starting from a short that the filmmaker posted onYouTube. Through crowdsourcing and special funding, the first movie was able to get made which quickly grew a large online following, promoting outside influences to fund a second movie. This October, for the first time, Terrifier will get a wider theatrical release withTerrifier 3hitting UK and Ireland cinemas too. But if it wasn’t for the support and push from fans, the Terrifier movies could have been much different. In an interview withTotal Film Magazine, Leone revealed that a big studio approached him and tried to remake his movies into watered-down, less gory versions. “They wanted to reboot it for a wider audience,” said Leone. “I knew they’d never let me shoot the first 10 minutes of what I wanted to do [in Terrifier 3] so I thought, ‘Let’s just stay true to what this franchise is.'” There is no doubt that the Terrifer franchise wouldn’t be where it is today without the backing of the horror community. This only makes me more excited for what’s to come too. During the last few months of this year, we have JT Mollner’s Strange Darling and action-horror Azrael starring Ready or Not’s Samantha Wearing. Maybe the latestDisney-inspired slasher, The Mouse Trap, will blow us away too. Who knows what kind of surprise lies next? I for one can’t wait to see this genre keep breaking through in new and exciting ways. That is why it is so important that we as moviegoers keep on supporting smaller releases and continue to give filmmakers who continue to push boundaries the spotlight they deserve. For more scares, here’s all theupcoming horror movieson the way in 2024 as well as our round-up of thebest horror moviesof all time. 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decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”