Top 10 Horror Films of 2026: From Backrooms to 28 Years Later
In 2026, Time Out released a list highlighting the finest horror films, reflecting a vibrant and innovative genre. Among the standout titles are 'Ready or Not 2' directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, featuring Samara Weaving and Kathryn Newton; 'Exit 8' by Genki Kawamura, starring Kazunari Ninomiya; and 'Undertone' helmed by Ian Tuason with Nina Kiri. Other notable films include 'Send Help' from Sam Raimi, featuring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, and 'Hokum' directed by Damian McCarthy, starring Adam Scott. The ranking also includes 'Obsession' by Curry Barker, 'Leviticus' from Adrian Chiarella with Joe Bird and Stacy Clausen, 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' by Jane Schoenbrun, 'Backrooms' directed by Kane Parsons, and the top film, '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' by Nia DaCosta, written by Alex Garland, featuring Jack O'Connell and Ralph Fiennes.
Key facts
- Time Out published a list of the 10 best horror movies of 2026 so far.
- The list includes a range of subgenres: slasher, haunted house, supernatural, psychological, and zombie.
- Notable directors include Sam Raimi, Jane Schoenbrun, and Nia DaCosta.
- Several films are directorial debuts: 'Undertone', 'Obsession', 'Leviticus', and 'Backrooms'.
- The top film is '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple', directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland.
- The list features both franchise sequels and original concepts.
- The source is qz.com, which references Time Out's ranking.
- The article highlights the genre's creative freedom due to modest budgets.
Entities
Artists
- Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
- Tyler Gillett
- Samara Weaving
- Kathryn Newton
- Genki Kawamura
- Kazunari Ninomiya
- Ian Tuason
- Nina Kiri
- Sam Raimi
- Rachel McAdams
- Dylan O'Brien
- Damian McCarthy
- Adam Scott
- Curry Barker
- Adrian Chiarella
- Joe Bird
- Stacy Clausen
- Jane Schoenbrun
- Hannah Einbinder
- Gillian Anderson
- Kane Parsons
- Renate Reinsve
- Chiwetel Ejiofor
- Nia DaCosta
- Alex Garland
- Jack O'Connell
- Ralph Fiennes
Institutions
- A24
- Focus Features
- Blumhouse
- Time Out
Locations
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Melbourne
- Australia
Sources
- Quartz —