The Best Horror Movies of 2019: A Terrifying Year in Cinema
Top 10 Horror Movies of 2019
Table of Contents
Midsommar
- Director: Ari Aster
- Runtime: 148 minutes
- Key Themes: Grief, cult mentality, daylight horror
Florence Pugh delivers a powerhouse performance in this daylight horror about a couple whose Swedish midsummer festival trip turns nightmarish. The film’s bright cinematography makes its disturbing content even more unsettling.
Us
- Director: Jordan Peele
- Runtime: 116 minutes
- Key Themes: Duality, classism, American identity
Lupita Nyong’o stars in this doppelgänger horror that blends social commentary with genuine scares. The film’s haunting score and mirror imagery create an atmosphere of creeping dread.
Halloween
- Director: David Gordon Green
- Runtime: 106 minutes
- Key Themes: Trauma, generational violence
Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Laurie Strode in this direct sequel to the 1978 original. The film revitalizes the franchise with brutal kills and a powerful final confrontation.
The Lighthouse
- Director: Robert Eggers
- Runtime: 109 minutes
- Key Themes: Isolation, madness, mythology
Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson star in this black-and-white psychological horror about two lighthouse keepers losing their sanity. The film’s 1.19:1 aspect ratio creates intense claustrophobia.
The Blackcoat’s Daughter
- Director: Oz Perkins
- Runtime: 93 minutes
- Key Themes: Possession, abandonment
This atmospheric horror about girls left at a boarding school over winter break builds dread through its chilling sound design and slow-burn tension.
The Prodigy
- Director: Nicholas McCarthy
- Runtime: 92 minutes
- Key Themes: Reincarnation, evil children
A disturbing take on the evil child trope, featuring a standout performance by young Jackson Robert Scott as the troubled Miles.
The Perfection
- Director: Richard Shepard
- Runtime: 90 minutes
- Key Themes: Obsession, revenge
This Netflix original takes wild twists and turns in its story of musical rivals, blending body horror with psychological thrills.
Eli
- Director: Ciarán Foy
- Runtime: 98 minutes
- Key Themes: Medical horror, supernatural
A boy undergoing experimental treatment discovers the creepy clinic may be hiding dark secrets. The film’s final twist recontextualizes everything that came before.
Pet Sematary
- Director: Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer
- Runtime: 101 minutes
- Key Themes: Grief, resurrection
This adaptation of Stephen King’s novel changes key elements from previous versions, creating fresh scares while maintaining the story’s emotional core.
Greta
- Director: Neil Jordan
- Runtime: 98 minutes
- Key Themes: Obsession, loneliness
Isabelle Huppert delivers a chilling performance as a widow who becomes dangerously attached to a young woman (Chloë Grace Moretz).
2019 Horror Trends and Themes
The year 2019 saw several notable trends in horror cinema:
- Daylight horror: Films like Midsommar proved darkness isn’t required for scares
- Psychological depth: Many films explored trauma and mental health
- Social commentary: Horror as metaphor for societal issues (Us, The Perfection)
- Revival of classics: Halloween and Pet Sematary brought franchises back
Critical Reception and Awards
Several 2019 horror films received significant recognition:
| Film | Awards/Nominations |
|---|---|
| Midsommar | Saturn Award for Best Horror Film |
| Us | NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture |
| The Lighthouse | Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which 2019 horror movie was the most profitable?
Halloween (2018) grossed over $255 million worldwide against a $10-15 million budget, making it one of the most profitable horror films ever.
Are these movies available on streaming services?
Availability changes frequently, but as of 2023 many are on platforms like Netflix (The Perfection), Prime Video (Midsommar), and HBO Max (Us).
Which film had the best jump scares?
The Prodigy and Pet Sematary featured particularly effective jump scares, while The Lighthouse relied more on psychological tension.
Why 2019 Was a Landmark Year for Horror
The horror films of 2019 demonstrated the genre’s versatility and artistic potential:
- Exceptional performances from actors like Florence Pugh and Lupita Nyong’o
- Innovative approaches to visual storytelling (The Lighthouse’s aspect ratio)
- Blending of arthouse sensibilities with mainstream appeal
- Proving horror could be both commercially successful and critically acclaimed
Whether you prefer psychological terror, supernatural scares, or slasher thrills, 2019 offered something for every horror fan. These films continue to influence the genre years after their release.