Top 10 Horror Movies of the 2000's

Which horror movies were the best from this decade? It may seem impossible to narrow a list to only ten from the 2000's. When it comes to this genre, how good the movie scares is up to personal interpretation. Here are my picks for the best horror movies of the decade.

The Others (2001)
Nicole Kidman plays a mother of two light sensitive children. Odd things begin to happen when three servants move in. They believe the house is haunted, but the twist ending is the real shock to the characters and the audience. The Others is a classic example of what makes a horror movie. It's a different take on the ghost story that is very well made and with a suspenseful atmosphere.

Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Fast paced with many "jump" worthy moments, this remake of the 1978 movie is fantastic. The special effects on the re-vamped running zombies are well done. The story differs quiet a bit from the original, but it still focuses on being holed up in a shopping mall as the undead take over. The movie has excellent music. I also enjoyed the natural interaction between characters.

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
This South Korean horror movie has plenty of uncomfortable, scary moments. Two sisters are taken home from a mental hospital where they endure their uncaring, abusive stepmother. The stepmother insists strange occurrences started since their return. This movie has an amazing twist that begs to be watched again in order to absorb it all.

Devil's Rejects (2005)
The sequel to House of 1,000 Corpses follows the aftermath of the raid on the Firefly house and explores the characters of Baby, Otis and Captain Spaulding. These killers are on the run from the police. It's a classic slasher flick, but you also feel for the villains. The '70's Southern rock music used through the movie adds to its appeal. It's no wonder why Devil's Rejects has a huge horror cult following.

The Orphanage (2007)
The Spanish movie, The Orphanage, focuses on a woman and her family buying the orphanage she grew up in. After playing with an imaginary friend, her son disappears. The story follows her desperate search for the boy. It's great at creating a suspenseful atmosphere and does not rely on gore to scare.

Funny Games (2007)
A remake of the 1997 cult horror classic, Funny Games is a suspenseful, high tension thriller. It focuses on two psychopaths holding a vacationing family hostage. Its gripping 'this can happen to anyone' premise makes for an uncomfortable, terrifying movie to watch.

Let the Right One In (2008)
This Swedish horror movie revolves around the friendship of a boy and a centuries old vampire girl. It's not a typical vampire movie. There's a touching, almost sweet quality to the development of the characters and their budding friendship. If you're sick of the Twilight hype, but love a good vampire story, this movie is worth watching.

Devil's Backbone (2001)
Taking place in an orphanage during the Spanish Civil War, this horror movie is a twist on the classic ghost story. Suspenseful and scary without being gory, it's full of supernatural atmosphere. This is an early movie of director Guillermo del Toro and one of his best. It relies on strong character and plot development instead of cheap thrills.

Zombieland (2009)
Even though it was just released in October, Zombieland has all the makings of a classic horror/comedy. From the clever, funny inclusion of the zombie survival list to heartfelt moments, this a great mix of genres. Starting off right in the middle of the zombie apocalypse, this fast paced film is full of action. The characters that are not the typical one-dimension horror movie fare. Another honorable horror/comedy movie is Shaun of the Dead.

28 Days Later (2002)
This horror movie takes a look at the break down of society after the "Rage" virus infects Britain. The survivors struggle against zombie like creatures as they try to get to safety. 28 Days Later isn't the typical zombie or virus epidemic movie, it's a unique mix of both. It also touches on social issues and shows just how depraved the human race can get when in crisis.

While there are many other wonderful horror movies made in the last decade, I feel these ten stand out above the rest. I have watched all the films on this list multiple times and enjoyed them. They linger in your head with their scare factors and gripping stories.

Sources:

http://www.imdb.com