It was a shockingly good year for big-budget horror films in 2025. Several of the year’s best films were horror, and thanks to the creators attached, drew in new viewers to a genre they may not have as openly explored otherwise, which I love to see.
Even with releases like Sinners, Weapons and 28 Years Later being some of the biggest horror films in the cinema this year, there were still plenty of indie horror films to check out this year, including Good Boy, which stars a dog, something I definitely can’t say I’ve seen done before, proving there’s plenty of unexplored ideas out there still. And other than the aforementioned 28 Years Later film, there are no other sequels, reboots, or remakes on this list, which is really a big sign for the quality to be released in 2025.
Here’s my picks for the best Horror films to be released in 2025.
10.) Good Boy
One of the most intriguing horror projects of 2025 was Good Boy, which, instead of focusing on the human characters, follows a dog named Indy. And it’s something of a special performance from Indy the dog playing Indy here, shockingly good that’ll make you think it’s been some CGI to make it work, but no, it’s all the dog. What’s behind the paws here, however, is a study of isolation and that dogs are, truly, man’s best friend. The film doesn’t rely on jumpscares or putting the dog in any sort of hard-to-watch scenes either, it’s the discomfort of watching Indy witness what’s happening to its owner that causes all of the dread.
9.) Together
I’m not in any relationships currently, and watching Together is the type of cinematic experience that can turn you off getting into one ever again. In fact, it’s a great, yet terrible pairing with the film below, but we’ll get to that one in a moment.
With Together, we follow a real-life couple, Alison Brie and Dave Franco, as they’re tested in ways they haven’t been before. The reliance on each other, the trappings that can be felt in a relationship, and the push-and-pull of trying to follow your own dreams while supporting a partner are all pushed to real limits in Together.
8.) The Shrouds
David Cronenberg’s latest body horror film isn’t as horrific because of the many moments we see dead bodies, corpses decaying in the ground below; it’s the obsessive nature of Vincent Cassel’s character has in being able to stay as connected as he can to his passed-away wife as he can be. Using technology to create an app and cameras that allow family and friends to look upon the body within the grave is a unique concept, and Cronenberg has used this project to project his own feelings after losing his Wife in 2017, and that deep sadness and, and how it’s used here is what makes the film feel at most times rather unsettling.
7.) The Long Walk
The Long Walk tells you what’s going to happen from the get-go. There’s fifty odd young-adults who have all signed up to take part in a walk that won’t end until there’s just one person standing. The concept allows for a perfect time for Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummeer, Ben Wang, and other young stars to all shine, as it’s a heavy dialogue-driven film. The characters discuss what we, as the audience, ask straight away: why would you do this? With each answer being enlightening for each character seen, and the persistence needed to make the journey, paired with the new bonds and friendships made, which are the heart of the film.
6.) The Rule of Jenny Pen
A rather cruel film that’ll get under your skin with how it sees the elderly characters all treated by John Lithgow’s puppet-wearing resident. Geoffrey Rush does a great job at playing a man who is used to being in conrol, until he’s not and now stuck in a claustrophobic centre with no escape from the torteous and nasty character of Lithgow’s.
5.) The Ugly Stepsister
Playing in a similar territory to last year’s The Substance, but from within the confines of the classic Cinderella story. Here we see Lea Myren play one of the stepsisters obsessed with achieving the looks and skills necessary to land the prince and get the life that her mother has set her up to desire. This included 18th-century torturous body modifications and mystical substances to keep her weight down. We’re far from being past the point where films criticising our culture’s obsession with the perfect body image, as chosen by men, aren’t necessary, and The Ugly Stepsister is the latest in a line that challenges and asks what the point of it all is.
4.) Bring Her Back
Talk to Me was a dark yet funny feature debut from the Philippou brothers, but their follow-up ditches the lighter tone entirely for an eerie and emotionally disturbing story. As is the cup-of-tea for A24 releases, the focus on dealing with grief could be seen as an overdone subject, eventually, in the wrong hands, but the Philippou brothers have crafted something bewitching in the ability to make you feel like crap while watching, yet not have the ability to look away, even in the films more intense and unreleenting scenes.
3.) Weapons
A unique voice in horror right now, Zach Cregger’s follow-up to Barbarian was highly anticipated, and it didn’t disappoint. From the narrative structure to the unique, non-horror casting choices, Weapons is like nothing we’ve received in recent years. It’s a film that lives in the unknown for most of its runtime before delivering a finale that more than makes up for the unrelenting dread of the 90 minutes that precede it.
2.) 28 Years Later
Danny Boyle returns with Alex Garland to the series the two started, without missing a beat. All of the smart, politically charged choices from Garland’s original story are still here, and the decision to film with an iPhone in such a unique way continues the raw tone of the original film. But what’s most surprising about the film isn’t that Boyle can still do this horror film stuff with such ease; it’s that the heart of the story is love for mothers and what they give us.
1.) Sinners
Sinners was a new instant classic the second it was released in theatres. A modern take on a vampire story with a strong new and exciting voice behind the camera in Ryan Coogler. How the film is able to deliver the scares, thrills and gothic vampirism while also exploring historical racism, generational trauma, and the effect of Blues on all of music is a stunning mix of ideas. The film is a thrilling foray into a new genre for Coogler and hopefully one he won’t just touch once, and we’ll see him return too soon enough.
Find all of Explosion Network’s Best of 2025 coverage right here, and be sure to let us know your thoughts on any of our lists in the comments section.
