The Noughties breathed some new life into the horror genre. There were game changers and low budget gems a plenty! What was your favourite horror film from the Noughties? Did it make our list?
We have done our best to avoid spoilers just in case you haven’t seen any of the following.
- Shaun Of The Dead
Released: 2004
Written By: Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright
Directed By: Edgar Wright
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Edgar Wright, Kate Ashfield
It’s funny, it’s gory, and it somehow makes you feel all warm and cozy by the end. It’s not your average zorror film, and that’s what makes it so good! Many have tried, but few have come close to conquering this Rom-Zom-Com classic.
2. Ginger Snaps
Released: 2001
Written By: Karen Walton
Directed By: John Fawcett
Starring: Emily Perkins, Katharine Isabelle, Kris Lemche, Mimi Rogers
This low budget gem is campy and delightful, and one of the best films within the rather under saturated Werewolf sub-genre. Katharine Isabelle is amazing in this amongst an equally great cast. Watching this as a teenage girl, it honestly felt like a badass coming of age story.
3. Rec
Released: 2007
Written By: Paco Plaza, Luis A. Berdejo, Jaume Balagueró
Directed By: Jaume Balaguero and Paco Plaza
Starring: Manuela Velasco, Pablo Ross, Jorge-Yamam Serrano, Ferran Terraza
This is one of the best found footage horror films you’ll ever see, and the second zombie film to make this list. A non-stop shocking adrenaline ride. This film feels very ‘real’ in it’s story and tone, especially in light of recent events.
4. Donnie Darko
Released: 2001
Written By: Richard Kelly
Directed By: Richard Kelly
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze
This creepy coming of age story is simultaneously relatable and so wacky it’s unrelatable. A film worthy of several re-watches, if only to figure out exactly what the ending means. Jake Gyllenhaal is excellent in this film, and the argument between him and his real life sister Maggie will never not be funny. If you disagree you can go ‘suck a fuck’.
5. The Others
Released: 2001
Written By: Alejandro Amenábar
Directed By: Alejandro Amenábar
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Fionnula Flanagan, Elaine Cassidy, Christopher Eccleston
This film was talked about a lot when it came out then just seems to have been forgotten about. However, it’s unique story and surprising twist means it should not be forgotten. All the performances are spot on, and there’s plenty of great spooks.
6. Signs
Released: 2002
Written By: M. Night Shyamalan
Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: M. Night Shyamalan, Mel Gibson, Rory Culkin, Joaquin Phoenix
One of my favourite films, but one I often find is underrated by far too many. The thing about this alien film, is that it’s not really about aliens. It’s this interesting, deeper concept that we love so much about this film. It’s really a beautifully written piece, which is well acted, and the score is just *chefs kiss* honestly one of the best.
7. Cloverfield
Released: 2008
Written By: Drew Goddard
Directed By: Matt Reeves
Starring: Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas, Odette Annable, T.J. Miller
The second found footage horror on this list, and personally my favourite found footage film. The best way to watch this is by going in blind; you’re just plonked into the same situation as the characters and that’s a big part of what makes this flick so scary. The gloomy ending just tops it off as well.
8. Saw
Released: 2004
Written By: Leigh Whannell
Directed By: James Wan
Starring: Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith
It’s probably no surprise at this point that here on Dead In The Web we LOVE Saw, we’ve spoken about it many times. A low budget gem with such a great and unique concept they managed to get some fairly big name actors to star in this first installment. From creepy Billy, to the iconic theme by Charlie Clouser, to THAT ending which will give you chills. Every. Single. Time.
9. The Devil’s Rejects
Released: 2005
Written By: Rob Zombie
Directed By: Rob Zombie
Starring: Sid Haig, Sheri Moon Zombie, Bill Moseley, Danny Trejo
Easily the best film by musician and director Rob Zombie is this sequel to the lesser known House Of 1000 Corpses. The good thing is that you can watch this without seeing the first film, although we do recommend you watch it anyway as its really good. Very few horror films are told from the perspective of the bad guys, even fewer make you kinda like them and then hate yourself for liking such horrible people.
10. Pan’s Labyrinth
Released: 2006
Written By: Guillermo Del Toro
Directed By: Guillermo Del Toro
Starring: Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú
Technically not a horror, it’s fantasy, but some moments in this film are genuinely terrifying so we decided to include it. Essentially a fairytale for edgy kids, this film introduces us to some really interesting and unique monsters. The most memorable for most of us being The Pale Man.
11. The Ring
Released: 2002
Written By: Scott Frank and Ellen Kruger
Directed By: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Naomi Watts, David Dorfman, Daveigh Chase, Martin Henderson
Although it’s the marmite of horror, few can deny that it’s ridiculously creepy. Based on the book and Japanese film of the same name, this American remake is one of the best you’ll see of Asian Horror remakes. You know how when you watched something scary as a kid and you’d lie awake that night telling yourself it’s just a film? Yeah, The Ring flips that idea on it’s head.
12. The Descent
Released: 2005
Written By: Neil Marshall
Directed By: Neil Marshall
Starring: Natalie Mendoza, Shauna Macdonald, MyAnna Buring, Saskia Mulder
Another British horror flick for this list, and this one is particularly scary for those who are claustrophobic, and for those who aren’t? Well, you will be by the end of this. This film is intensely captivating, and it’s great to see a group of ladies being badass.
13. American Psycho
Released: 2000
Written By: Mary Harrow and Guinevere Turner
Directed By: Mary Harron
Starring: Christian Bale, Bret Easton Ellis, Chloë Sevigny, Jared Leto
This film captures its 80s setting perfectly – which honestly is a big deal as so many films do a bad job at really convincing the audience that it’s a different era. Christian Bale is amazing as Patrick Bateman, being somehow funny and terrifying all at once. Bateman gave me the excellent idea of excusing myself out of a situation by stating that I have to return video tapes.
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