The 8 Best Horror Movies of the Past Decade: Get Out Tops List
A recent evaluation of the top eight horror films in the U.S. from 2016 to 2026 takes into account critical acclaim, box office performance, cultural significance, and rewatchability. Leading the ranking is Jordan Peele's Get Out (2017), produced for $4.5 million and earning over $250 million, which garnered four Oscar nominations and secured Peele the Academy Award for best original screenplay, featuring Daniel Kaluuya. Following closely is Ari Aster's Hereditary (2018), which made around $80 million on a $10 million budget. Zach Cregger's Weapons (2025) comes in third, also grossing over $250 million. A Quiet Place (2018) ranks fourth with over $340 million, while Talk to Me (2023) is fifth at over $90 million. Barbarian (2022) is sixth, and The Substance (2024) is seventh with five Oscar nominations. Finally, Train to Busan (2016) holds the eighth spot. Notably, Midsommar and The Invisible Man were not included.
Key facts
- Get Out (2017) ranks No. 1; it grossed over $250 million worldwide on a $4.5 million budget and won Jordan Peele the Oscar for best original screenplay.
- Hereditary (2018) ranks No. 2; it grossed about $80 million on a roughly $10 million budget and stars Toni Collette.
- Weapons (2025) ranks No. 3; it grossed more than $250 million worldwide and stars Julia Garner and Josh Brolin.
- A Quiet Place (2018) ranks No. 4; it grossed over $340 million worldwide and stars John Krasinski and Emily Blunt.
- Talk to Me (2023) ranks No. 5; it grossed more than $90 million on a budget of about $4.5 million.
- The Substance (2024) ranks No. 7; it received five Oscar nominations including best picture and won best makeup and hairstyling.
- Train to Busan (2016) ranks No. 8; it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's midnight screenings.
- The list covers U.S. releases from 2016 to 2026 and excludes Midsommar, The Invisible Man, Nope, Longlegs, and Sinners.
Entities
Artists
- Jordan Peele
- Daniel Kaluuya
- Allison Williams
- Bradley Whitford
- Catherine Keener
- LilRel Howery
- Ari Aster
- Toni Collette
- Gabriel Byrne
- Alex Wolff
- Milly Shapiro
- Zach Cregger
- Julia Garner
- Josh Brolin
- Alden Ehrenreich
- Austin Abrams
- Benedict Wong
- Amy Madigan
- John Krasinski
- Emily Blunt
- Millicent Simmonds
- Danny Philippou
- Michael Philippou
- Sophie Wilde
- Georgina Campbell
- Bill Skarsgård
- Justin Long
- Coralie Fargeat
- Demi Moore
- Margaret Qualley
- Dennis Quaid
- Yeon Sang-ho
- Gong Yoo
- David Cronenberg
- Rob Griffin
Institutions
- A24
- Blumhouse
- The Whitest Kids U' Know
- RackaRacka
- Academy Awards
- Cannes Film Festival
- The Office
Locations
- South Korea
- Seoul
- Busan
- Detroit
- United States
Sources
- Quartz —