The Best Scary Movies of 2025

Señor Scary
1 day ago
3 min read

Every year, my list of “Scary Movies” grows more expansive as filmmakers toss genres into a blender and whip up increasingly devious delights. I love straight horror, but I’m just as drawn to horror-adjacent films: sci-fi with a streak of ick or existential dread, dramas steeped in chewy folklore, and comedies that gleefully splash the screen with buckets of blood. Lists like these usually offer something for every taste, though I’ll admit that the more tasteless, schlocky B-movies rarely make the cut (looking at you, Terrifier 3), even if I can still enjoy the occasional Sharknado sequel for what it is.

Best Dark, Strange, Horror and Horror-Adjacent Films of 2025

Bring Her Back - Bleak, grief-driven tale of a mother's love is terrifying and visceral.
Weapons - Terrifying and strangely humorous tale of a missing children and a very odd lady.
Sinners - A glorious spectacle of music, family drama, race and vampires.
The Monkey - A stylish, sharp and gooey horror comedy, with mean wit, and a great lead performance(s).
Frankenstein - An epic story of father/son betrayal set in an exquisite, fantastical world created by Del Toro.
Dust Bunny - Whimsical horror with a great characters, a giant monster, hitmen, and Sigourney Weaver!
Presence - Inventive storytelling with a POV rarely explored on film with a deep emotional core.
The Long Walk - A classic Stephen King dystopian world with a deep emotional core & gnarly deaths.
Together - Love is tested in this body horror exercise with somber tone and a surprising trajectory.
The Black Phone 2 - Snowbound sequel that cleverly transitions the antagonist to a new realm.
28 Years Laters - Veers far from zombie tropes & instead is a coming of age story at the end of the world.
Companion – A thrilling entry of tech run amok with killer twists and two stellar performances.
The Damned - Cold, desolate and chilling period drama with a dastardly deed done at the edge of the world.
Heart Eyes – A rom-com-horror hybrid that elevates slasher tropes with heart-felt shenanigans.

Honorable Mentions of 2025

Whether it was style, concept, writing, or production values these films nailed so much right and while not for every taste, each has something valuable to offer.

The Ugly Stepsister - A grotesque and sad but absorbing reimagining of a classic fairytale gone super dark.
The Woman in the Yard - A disorienting morality lesson and when it lands, it does so roughly and tragically.
It Feeds – A retro-feeling supernatural yarn akin to Insidious with some frightening moments.
Borderline – Pitch-perfect dark comedy about fame and crazy stalkers with a great, zany cast.
The Wailing – Stylish, dark and chilling story told in disorienting manner about abuse and inherited trauma.
Keeper - A bizarre cabin in the woods set up with a truly bizarre creature and story.
Good Boy – Novel approach, adorable pup, unrelenting menace all add up to an entertaining time.
Frewaka – A slow burn of family drama, inherited trauma, and what may be madness or folklore magic.
The Rule of Jenny Pen – Disturbing performances anchor this unflinching exploration of aging and madness.
Death of a Unicorn – Outlandish, surreal vibes, a fun cast makes unicorns greatly terrifying again.
The Surrender – Grief takes us to dark places and this movie spends time exploring one terrifying realm.
Clown in a Cornfield – Absurd small town antics in this goofy and fun slasher comedy.
Final Destination: Bloodlines – Grisly deaths, likable characters and compelling story.
Queens of the Dead - Surprisingly well-shot and fun take on the undead from the spawn of horror royalty.

Sci-Fi Mentions of 2025

Mickey 17 - Comedic absurdity set in the distant future with a terrific lead performance.
Bugonia - Eat-the-rich comedy about abduction, conspiracy, and ultimate reckoning with two great leads.

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