The Best Horror Movie Of 2024 Is Not What You Think It Is

Summary 2024 has been a standout year for horror, with both domestic and international films gaining critical and box office recognition.

Exhuma, South Korea's highest-grossing film of the year, offers psychological horror with only a few jump scares.

Besides Exhuma, other 2024 horror films have received positive Rotten Tomatoes scores, making it a strong year for the genre.

While 2024 has been a great year for horror movies, one standout scary film has flown under the radar. Historically, horror movies have received little award recognition or critical acclaim. However, an impressive number of mainstream horror movies have been released in 2024. With more than a dozen domestic horror movies already in the theaters this year, and more highly anticipated films to come, 2024 has proven to be an excellent year for horror box-office performances.

Though less mainstream in the United States, plenty of international horror films strike just as much terror. Unfortunately, many international horror movies aren't widely known until they get American remakes. However, 2024 has also been a stellar year for international horror, with this Korean hit film that many Americans have yet to see being one of the standouts.

2024 Horror Film RT Score Late Night With The Devil 97% Exhuma 92% A Quiet Place: Day One 87% Longlegs 86% Abigail 82% The First Omen 81% In A Violent Nature 77% Maxxxine 73% Immaculate 70% Lisa Frankenstein 51% The Watchers 31% Imaginary 23% The Strangers: Chapter 1 21% Tarot 18%

*RT ratings as of July 24, 2024

Related The 40 Best Horror Movies Of The Last Five Years, Ranked 2019-2024 marks a strong time for the horror genre, and the best horror movies of the last five years showcases exactly why.

Exhuma Is Easily The Best Horror Movie Of 2024 (So Far)

Exhuma Is South Korea's Highest-Grossing Film Of The Year

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Exhuma is a deeply scary psychological horror film based on Korean history and supernatural lore. Written and directed by Jang Jae-hyun, it focuses on a renowned shaman and her apprentice, who are hired to investigate the cause of a disturbing supernatural illness. The origins of the affliction can be traced to a hidden family grave. The film explores national traumas and traditional shamanistic practices to generate suspense and horror.

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There are only a few jump scares and startling moments in Exhuma, with most of the film's horrific moments coming from its mystery, suspense, and extreme realism. Though it has been overshadowed by domestic horror in the U.S., Exhuma is South Korea's highest-grossing film of the year. Exhuma has been receiving high praise among other horror gurus, as it landed on Mike Flanagan's top 2024 movies list. The film is a well-loved, mind-bending thriller with a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. While it still doesn't match Late Night with the Devil's 97%, it's a much deeper film.

2024 Has Had Some Great Horror Releases Already

Horror Movies Have Received Positive Rotten Tomatoes Scores In 2024

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Besides Exhuma, 2024 has seen some stellar horror films, all taking different approaches to the genre. Some are new takes on classic horror characters (Abigail and Lisa Frankenstein), while others explore the devil and demonic imagery (Longlegs and Immaculate). Some dig even deeper and play with the slasher genre (In A Violent Nature and MaXXXine). The year is only half over, and 2024 is turning out to be one of the strongest years for horror in the last decade. With fall and winter around the corner, there's sure to be more contenders for the best horror film of the year.