Cinema wouldn’t be what it is today without the horror genre. Indeed, horror is arguably the most recognizable and beloved form of filmmaking, significantly influencing pop culture since the early silent era. From its humble beginnings to the present day, it has produced a diverse array of films that have captivated audiences, providing unforgettable experiences and pushing the boundaries of the entertainment industry. Over the past century, countless horror films have emerged, varying from timeless classics to forgettable flops. There are numerous horror films to enjoy, each generating unique opinions on which are truly the best.

As a passionate horror enthusiast since my school days, I have watched a vast number of these films. Some I consider decent, while others I proudly call my favorites. Yet, there are also those that are so poorly executed that I struggle to defend them. However, there are certain films that have garnered widespread acclaim and praise from horror fans, yet I find myself questioning their merits. Below, I present ten horror movies that I believe are overrated. These films have their dedicated fans and are often hailed as groundbreaking or remarkable, but do they genuinely deserve all this recognition? From The Blair Witch Project to Don’t Look Now, here are ten celebrated horror films that I find to be overrated.

10

‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999)

Directed by David Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez

Let’s delve into what is often regarded as a pivotal moment in horror history, The Blair Witch Project, released in 1999. Although frequently celebrated for its significant influence and its role in revitalizing the genre toward the end of the 1990s, I find myself having mixed feelings about this film.

While I wouldn’t classify The Blair Witch Project as a bad movie—quite the opposite—I do acknowledge its crucial impact on the found-footage subgenre and its groundbreaking marketing strategy. However, I understand why it divides opinion among horror fans. Some viewers label it as one of the scariest horror films ever, while others criticize it for being dull and devoid of a captivating storyline. Personally, I wouldn’t call it frightening, but I find myself somewhat ambivalent. Sure, there are a few effective scares, and the film’s conclusion is genuinely chilling, yet numerous segments feel drawn out and fail to capture my interest.

9

‘Barbarian’ (2022)

Directed by Zach Cregger

Zach Cregger‘s Barbarian became one of the most talked-about horror films in the latter half of 2022. It was lauded for its unpredictable plot, sharp performances, and subversive storytelling, and naturally, my friends and I were eager to watch it in theaters. However, after viewing it, I found it to be merely “alright” and surprisingly shocking at times, but not nearly as excellent as many claimed.

I felt the storyline was stronger before the unexpected midpoint twist and narrative shift. The characters and dialogue were engaging, with genuine suspense; however, the second half felt like a downward spiral with an ending that seemed rushed and disappointing. While many viewers enjoyed how it defied expectations and took a wild turn in the bizarre second act, this twist and genre shift felt disjointed and detracted from the overall narrative. It’s not a terrible movie, but I wouldn’t rank it as the best of the decade.

8

‘A Quiet Place’ (2018)

Directed by John Krasinski

A Quiet Place is one of the most unforgettable horror films of recent years, delivering a chilling narrative that introduced something fresh and innovative to the classic alien invasion motif. It achieved both critical and commercial success, drawing many horror aficionados, myself included, to theaters. While I found it to be an enjoyable film overall, I don’t necessarily agree with the widespread belief that it is groundbreaking or among the best modern movies.

Although it was a thrilling cinematic experience featuring compelling performances and intense suspense, I don’t find it to be as extraordinary as some critics suggested during its release. The storyline feels predictable at times, and the pacing can be slow. Additionally, after witnessing so many creatively designed cinematic aliens, I struggle to understand why many find the “Death Angels” design to be particularly frightening or engaging. While I appreciate its solid execution and a few effective scares, should it truly be labeled a modern horror classic?

7

‘Split’ (2016)

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

From M. Night Shyamalan comes one of his most celebrated films of the last decade, Split, a thrilling psychological drama from 2016. It’s a gripping thriller throughout, showcasing riveting suspense and outstanding performances by James McAvoy and Anya Taylor-Joy. While I can understand why some consider it one of the director’s finest works in recent years, it does have its flaws.

It continues to exhibit some of Shyamalan’s familiar criticisms, such as clunky dialogue and peculiar direction. Although I found McAvoy’s performance captivating, I wouldn’t necessarily describe the character of Kevin as entirely compelling, as he often comes across as somewhat ludicrous at times. His final identity, “The Beast,” fails to evoke fear compared to some of his more subtle and unsettling personalities, like “Dennis” and “Ms. Patricia.” The portrayal of him as a feral creature, primarily moving on all fours, seems rather silly and diminishes the tension during his scenes. Overall, Split offers some memorable moments but remains deeply flawed.

6

‘Martyrs’ (2008)

Directed by Pascal Laugier

Hailed as one of the most disturbing horror films ever made, 2008’s Martyrs is an exceptionally graphic and intense horror film directed by Pascal Laugier. It’s a hardcore movie that can be incredibly challenging to watch at certain moments, especially during its brutal massacre scene in the first act. The film features an abundance of violence and horrific acts against its characters, which both critics and audiences have praised for pushing the boundaries of extreme violence and gore on-screen. While I acknowledge its strikingly bloody nature, I would argue that it fails to deliver a compelling story.

The plot is often convoluted and challenging to follow, making it difficult to grasp the characters’ motivations and the overall narrative. The overwhelming violence overshadows the character development and plot elements. By the film’s conclusion, after enduring so much brutality inflicted on the protagonist, it becomes hard to discern the purpose leading up to this climactic moment. The revelation that all this suffering and bloodshed was part of a plan to uncover what happens after death feels convoluted and poorly executed. While I commend the filmmakers for their commitment to intense violence, I don’t find the story particularly engaging.

5

‘The Black Phone’ (2021)

Directed by Scott Derrickson

Another recent horror film that has received considerable acclaim but left me somewhat unimpressed is 2021’s The Black Phone, directed by Sinister‘s Scott Derrickson. While it features a compelling performance from Ethan Hawke and offers a few genuine jump scares, I struggle to grasp why this film stands out so prominently today.

While I appreciated the acting and found a handful of genuinely tense moments, the overall narrative felt lackluster, and the supernatural elements detracted from the psychological tension that could have been explored more deeply. The film’s strengths lie in the intense psychological game between the lead character, Finney (Mason Thames), and The Grabber. It would have benefited from a stronger focus on this cat-and-mouse dynamic. While The Black Phone has its decent moments, it also has a lot of extraneous content that could have been omitted.

4

‘The Ring’ (2002)

Directed by Gore Verbinski

An American adaptation of a ’90s Japanese horror classic, Gore Verbinski‘s The Ring has become one of the most iconic horror films of the early 2000s and is recognized as a decent remake. It effectively captures the eerie tone of its predecessor and offers some memorable scares; however, it raises the question of whether it remains as impactful today as when it was first released.

While certainly not a bad film or anywhere near as terrible as its unnecessary sequels, The Ring feels less terrifying today compared to its original release in 2002. Sure, its iconic jump scare and unsettling conclusion are standout moments, yet it feels somewhat forgettable nowadays, with performances and elements of the plot that don’t particularly stand out as memorable. I believe it’s safe to say that the Japanese original, Ringu, remains the definitive version.

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