Ask any millennial and they’ll tell you that the 2000s served as a booming era for horror. The decade ushered in so many films across a plethora of subgenres. Horror remakes were extremely popular, breathing new life into classics like House of Wax, Black Christmas, and Friday the 13th, as well as American renditions of Japanese horror movies like The Ring and The Grudge. The aughts were a time, as well, for torture porn, found footage flicks, and low-budget sleepers.
During those years, there was a rise in fresh and gripping new projects, many of which have gone on to garner cult status or critical acclaim. In the early part of the decade, many filmmakers were experimenting with their approach, resulting in films with a lasting impact. These pictures pushed the boundaries of what horror could be, and are still revered today for their impeccable atmosphere, layered storytelling, and unique approach to horror.
These 10 horror movies from the early 2000s are some of the best that stand the test of time.
‘Ginger Snaps’ (2000)
Co-dependent sisters Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) and Brigitte Fitzgerald (Emily Perkins) made a pact as kids to leave their suburban town of Bailey Downs or die together by 16. Obsessed with death and the macabre, the outcast teens spend their time making horror flicks. On the eve of Ginger’s first period, she’s attacked by a wild creature, causing her to undergo physical and personality changes. She gains confidence, acts aggressively, and becomes sexually active, driving her away from the reclusive Brigitte. As her transformation becomes monstrous, Brigitte scrambles for a cure to save her sister.
The Movie That Inspired ‘Jennifer’s Body’
If you were a teen girl growing up in the 2000s, then Ginger Snaps was probably at the top of your horror movie list. Ginger’s lycanthropy as a multifaceted metaphor for female sexuality makes the coming-of-age horror film a truly timeless story. Its exploration of the terrifying aspects of puberty, menstruation, and female sexual awakening in a patriarchal society will always resonate with teen girls and women of all ages. To this day, its dissection of the shame and fear society imposes on female sexuality remains relevant. So does the point it makes about the punishment society inflicts upon sexually empowered women.
‘The Others’ (2001)
Alejandro Amenábar’s English debut stars the ever-so talented Nicole Kidman in a tremendous performance as Grace Stewart, a woman living with her two light-sensitive children, Anne and Nicolas (Alakina Mann and James Bentley), in a remote mansion in formerly German-occupied Jersey in the years following World War II. After hiring a mysterious trio of workers and inviting them into their home, they begin experiencing unexplained phenomena.
A Masterclass in Atmosphere and Suspense
The Others has one of the most unexpected twists in horror movie history, but even with that surprise, it remains incredibly rewatchable and still holds up. This is largely due to its masterful use of atmosphere, smart screenplay, and haunting score, and visuals. The film has a kind of restrained, psychological approach to horror that very few excel at. Its twist ending, which completely subverts every haunted house film that came before, actually encourages repeat viewings. No matter how many times one watches the film, they’re left feeling unsettled every time.
’28 Days Later’ (2002)
In 2002, director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland breathed new life into the zombie subgenre with the dystopian horror film 28 Days Later. Academy Award-winning actor Cillian Murphy stars as a bicycle courier named Jim, who, after waking up from a coma, finds himself in an unrecognizable, desolate London. Discovering that the country has been ravaged by the deadly “Rage” virus, which turns people into mindless, aggressive killers, he joins a small group of survivors fighting to stay alive.
One of the Best Zombie Horror Movies of All Time
The film spawned one of the most beloved horror film series to date, with two existing subsequent installments and two more on the way in 2026 and beyond. Its influence on both zombie and modern post-apocalyptic cinema is undeniable. Shot primarily on handheld digital cameras, 28 Days Later has a raw, documentary-like feel that never goes out of style. It works to infuse the film with gritty realism, immersing the viewer in the sheer terror and chaos. Its themes of the fragility of civilization, the human instinct for survival, social rage, and moral complexities still hold up today.
‘Frailty’ (2001)
Bill Paxton’s feature directorial debut Frailty demonstrated he’s just as much a talent behind the camera as in front of it. Using extended flashbacks, the psychological horror film tells the haunting story of two brothers being raised by a widowed father (Paxton) who claims he has been tasked by God to eliminate demons disguised by humans, roping the children into his crimes. Over two decades later, one of the siblings (Matthew McConaughey) comes to the FBI to condemn his brother for a series of eerily similar, recently committed murders.
An Impressive Directorial Debut
Emphasizing a sense of dread that slowly builds throughout the film, with a tension that doesn’t let up until the very end, Paxton’s slow and deliberate direction stands the test of time. The hidden gem comes with clever storytelling, unexpected twists, and a profoundly unsettling edge, making it one of the most underrated serial killer horror films of all time. Frailty holds up well to this day for its haunting meditation on faith, family, madness, and the line between good and evil.
‘May’ (2002)
Lucky McKee’s May stars Angela Bettis as the titular protagonist, who suffered an awful childhood due to a domineering mother and being bullied at school because of her lazy eye. As a young woman, May is shy, socially awkward and lives a painfully lonely life. The only friend she has in her life is Suzie, a glass-encased doll she received as a kid. That changes when Adam (Jeremy Sisto) befriends her, but when she bites his lip enough to draw blood, he ultimately finds her off-putting. After feeling another rejection, May embarks on a gory mission to create the “perfect” friend.
Universal Themes of Connections and Belonging
May is a character study of social dysfunction that paints a tragic and sympathetic figure. It addresses themes of isolation, loneliness, and the desperate search for belonging that resonate across time. Despite being overlooked upon release, May has since become a cult classic — and for good reason. The grotesque elements of the film juxtaposed with moments of tenderness and humor create something entirely unique. To this day, the film remains a standout for its emotional depth, character-driven storytelling, and queasy body horror.
‘The Ring’ (2002)
A remake of the 1998 Japanese horror film Ringu, The Ring stars Naomi Watts as Rachel Keller, a Seattle-based journalist who begins to investigate the connection between a supposedly cursed VHS tape and the death of her niece. Skeptical of anything supernatural being responsible, Rachel watches the mysterious recording, marking herself for death in the next seven days. Racing against time to save herself, Rachel uncovers the videotapes’ dark history and its ties to a vengeful spirit.
One of the Best Horror Remakes of the 2000s
There are many arguments made for which is the better film, but no matter which way you cut it, both are excellent entries in the horror genre. The Ring delivers a unique perspective while staying true to its source material. With frights that hit hard and a slow, creeping sense of dread, the movie remains relevant to modern audiences. Its most timeless aspect is its unnerving atmosphere, heightened by a muted color palette, eerie imagery, and haunting visuals. Its tragic backstory and emotional core also still hit all the right chords today.
‘Ju-On: The Grudge’ (2002)
The Grudge wasn’t the first in the Ju-On film series, but it’s certainly the most well-known. Told in a non-linear narrative, the story revolves around a house in Tokyo, where Takeo Saeki (Takashi Matsuyama) murdered his wife Kayoko (Takako Fuji) and son Toshio (Yuya Ozeki) years prior. As part of a ruthless curse, their spirits now haunt anyone who enters the home. A series of characters succumb to its horrifying, deadly curse.
An Atmospheric, Chilling Entry in Japanese Horror
Ju-On: The Grudge remains one of the most influential films of its era. The movie is responsible for the Japanese horror craze in the West in the early 2000s, alongside films like Pulse and earlier movies like the aforementioned Ringu. The movie remains creepy 23 years after its release, thanks to a palpable sense of dread, unsettling atmosphere, and somber, minimalist arthouse style. Its themes of the destructive nature of trauma, the cyclical nature of violence, and extreme rage and sorrow continue to pack a punch.
‘The Devil’s Backbone’ (2003)
The Devil’s Backbone is arguably Guillermo del Toro’s greatest film to date. Set during the Spanish Civil War, the film follows a young boy named Carlos (Fernando Tielve) who is taken to live at a remote orphanage after his father is killed. As he settles into his new life and gets accustomed to his new surroundings, Carlos comes across the ghost of a recently deceased child, Santi (Eduardo Noriega), who has unfinished business surrounding his death.
Among the Greatest Ghost Stories Ever Told
Blending elements of gothic horror with emotional storytelling, the film is an absolute masterpiece. Del Toro utilizes the supernatural as a way to symbolize how past tragedies continue to influence the present, with Santi’s ghost serving as a metaphor for the trauma, pain, and despair inflicted on children during wartime. The Devil’s Backbone remains a powerful meditation on war, fascism, and corruption of innocence. In a world still plagued by violence, injustice, and genocide, it’s as poignant and hard-hitting as ever.
‘A Tale of Two Sisters’ (2003)
The Korean horror film A Tale of Two Sisters stunningly blends psychological horror, supernatural terror, and familial bonds. It follows Su-mi (Im Soo-jung), a teenage girl who has recently been discharged from a psychiatric institution. Returning home to her family’s secluded estate, she’s reunited with her recently widowed father and beloved sister, Su-yeon (Moon Geun-young). The two siblings find themselves enduring supernatural phenomena and a haunted home, as they struggle with a strained relationship with their new stepmother, Eun-joo (Yum Jung-ha).
A Korean Masterpiece
If the premise sounds familiar, it’s because the film got an American remake in 2009, The Uninvited. The original, however, is infinitely superior to its Western counterpart — and an entirely different tale. A Tale of Two Sisters is more than just a ghost story — it’s a profound exploration of trauma, guilt, loss, and the scars of a fractured family. Standing out with slow-burn tension, emotional depth, and unforgettable storytelling, this is a classic whose power will never diminish.
‘The Descent’ (2005)
Neil Marshall’s The Descent is one of the most brutal survival horror movies to have ever been created. Shauna Macdonald stars as Sarah, a woman who, after a year of grieving for her late husband and daughter, reunites with her two best friends and three others to embark on a spelunking adventure in the Appalachian Mountains. Unbeknownst to the group, Juno (Natalie Mendoza) leads them into an unexplored cave system, where they find themselves trapped underground and fighting for their lives against sightless, flesh-eating humanoids.
A Masterclass in Claustrophobic Terror
Twenty years later, and The Descent continues to be as unrelentingly terrifying as ever. Packed with non-stop terror, nerve-wracking tension, and inescapable claustrophobia, it’s suspenseful from start to finish. The movie is a completely immersive and harrowing experience that will continue to put audiences through the wringer for decades more to come.