The 2010s saw a renaissance of horror cinema, with each year bestowing upon audiences films that were as innovative as they were terrifying. Here’s a breakdown of the best horror movie for each year in the 2010s.

2010: “The Last Exorcism” – A found footage film that revitalized the exorcism genre, blending seamless acting with gut-wrenching scares that leave viewers questioning reality.

2011: “Insidious” – This film introduced audiences to The Further and showcased director James Wan’s skill at creating high tension without relying on gore.

2012: “The Cabin in the Woods” – Deconstructing horror tropes with its meta-commentary, this film combined humor and horror to deliver a fresh take on the genre.

2013: “The Conjuring” – Marking the beginning of a new horror universe, ‘The Conjuring’ proved haunted house stories could still be deeply unsettling with its focus on atmosphere and character.

2014: “It Follows” – This indie horror gem used its unique premise to create an omnipresent sense of dread, symbolizing inescapable adolescence fears.

2015: “The Witch” – A New-England folktale come to life, ‘The Witch’ provided an eerie exploration of paranoia and religious extremism set against the backdrop of 1630s America.

2016: “Train to Busan” – South Korea delivered this intense zombie thriller that combined social commentary with heart-pounding action and emotional depth.

2017: “Get Out” – This critically acclaimed film by Jordan Peele mixed horror with biting social satire, turning the spotlight onto race relations in America with a terrifying twist.

2018: “Hereditary” – With its unflinching portrayal of grief and familial tension, ‘Hereditary’ was both a psychological terror and a supernatural nightmare.

2019: “Midsommar” – Closing out the decade, ‘Midsommar’ took viewers into broad daylight for a festival of pastoral horror that dissects human relationships and cultural norms.