The 6 Best Horror Movies of 2026 So Far

We horror fans have been eating well going into 2026, with the genre dominating the box office, bringing some excitement back to theaters. It has been great to see the resurgence, and it has given me a chance to nerd out. Directors like Curry Barker and Kane Pixels are finally getting the recognition they deserve after I found myself captivated by their YouTube films and shorts.

To pick these entries, I simply did what I usually do and tried to watch as many horror movies as possible, from small indie films to big blockbusters. Only picking the six best that have come out so far this year is difficult, so I also included some honorable mentions I had a blast with that were just edged out by my top choices. From folk horror to bloodbaths to an absurd gem you need to check out, I present to you the best horror films of 2026 (so far).

Honorable mentions

• Exit 8
• Backrooms
• Send Help
• Hokum
• They Will Kill You

Why You Should Trust Me: I have been obsessed with horror films since my early teens. I’ve watched thousands of movies in the genre over the past two-plus decades, and have written on the subject for over a decade now. This includes mainstream, classic, cult, foreign, and experimental films. My interest in the genre runs deep.

‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’

A Bloody Battle to the Death That Stays Consistently Chaotic

I ended up watching Ready or Not 2: Here I Come back-to-back with They Will Kill You, which is an amazing double bill if you’re looking for some gory, action-led horror. It’s unlikely that anyone will go into this one without knowing anything about it, as it serves as a continuation of the first film. It brings even more chaos to the premise of surviving a cult’s deadly hunt.

Samara Weaving gives another phenomenal performance as the bloody bride, and this time, she goes up against an ensemble cast including fan favorites like Elijah Wood and Sarah Michelle Gellar. There are several notable highlights here, including a washing machine scene, Maia Jae’s fight with Weaving, and the phenomenal conclusion. I would argue the sequel is better than the original, so check it out for yourself.

‘Cold Storage’

Exploding Zombies From Space

From one fun feature to another, Cold Storage certainly flew under the radar compared to others on this list. It received a limited theatrical release and only moderate fanfare. That’s a shame, as the movie is an entertaining mix of sci-fi and body horror. It has its own distinct and exceptionally goopy form of violent zombies who are both terrifying and funny.

The cast here is phenomenal. Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell play a perfect pair of delinquents who accidentally uncover a government conspiracy involving a brain-controlling, body-expanding virus from space. Of course, Liam Neeson, as a gruff ex-operative, is an ideal casting choice to help the pair. While it’s a silly splatter comedy, if you go in expecting only that, Cold Storage is one of the most entertaining movies you can watch.

‘Buffet Infinity’

Offering Everything You Will Ever Need… At a Price

Buffet Infinity debuted at Fantasia 2025 but wasn’t released until 2026 (just in case there is any confusion). While there are layers to the story here, I’ll try to set it up as vaguely as possible. When two restaurants go to war through escalating commercials, they set off a chain of events that slowly turns horrific and intertwines with other businesses in the area. The story is told largely through commercials, with some fourth-wall-breaking segments chronicling an ever-growing evil taking over an entire town.

Two things you should know: you don’t want to know much more about the plot than that, and I have to admit that the ending is a bit of a miss. However, Bullet Infinity is quite a ride, and the impeccable editing, the dark comedy, and the combination of cosmic and gross-out horror is sublimely strung together, filtered through commercials of a bygone era. I watched it with a group of friends, and it was also an entertaining, macabre puzzle as we slowly began to realize how every business’s operations and commercials fed into a deeper, darker evil. This little indie gem from Canadian director Simon Glassman is a must-watch for fans of more experimental horror.

‘Primate’

Sometimes, All You Need is a Killer Monkey

Sneaking in at the start of 2026, Primate certainly got its fair amount of praise. But since the box office continues to be dominated by horror titles, it may slowly get pushed out, which is a shame. It’s a straightforward horror story with no deeper context (well, aside from suggesting you shouldn’t own wild animals), no comedy, and no deep character study. However, it delivers what it promises: a killer monkey turning on its family.

This is stripped-back horror in the way that I love: a simple concept executed to perfection with plenty of gore and suspense. The subgenre of creature features has been in an awkward place, with many aiming for the comedic route or a quick cash grab (insert the names of 200-plus shark films on Tubi here). Sometimes you just want to turn your brain off and enjoy some well-crafted chaos, and Primate is one of the best movies to do just that.

‘Undertone’

The Devil Is in the Details

I understand the divisive reactions to Undertone. It’s a minimalistic horror movie largely based on sound design, which isn’t going to appeal to everyone. I’m fairly obsessed with aural horror movies, with some of my favorites being Masking Threshold, Berberian Sound Studio, and Pontypool. So, this entry is a personal delight as it melds mysterious recordings with supernatural happenings.

Undertone is thick with atmosphere and dread, which permeates every scene as the viewer’s eyes wander in search of the sinister force implied. If you can tune into its frequency, Undertone is one of the best horror movies to come out of A24. If you’re watching this one solo, consider a good pair of earphones, as the sound design is essential to enjoying it. A love-or-love-to-hate entry, I know there will be many who have my back on this and many who will say it’s “boring.” It’s all good.

‘Obsession’

Be Careful What You Wish For

If you have followed Curry Barker’s YouTube shorts the way I have, then Obsession playing out as well as it does on the big screen is no surprise at all. Barker’s feature debut takes the simplest of hooks (a lovesick guy who wishes his crush would love him back), and twists it into something far nastier than its premise lets on. It’s a modern monkey’s paw scenario that goes to some disturbing lengths.

Michael Johnston is great at walking the line between pathetic and sympathetic. Inde Navarrette is hypnotic here, with a performance that swings from charming to skin-crawling. The ending here is gruesome and a true crowd-pleaser. As someone who appreciates smaller, indie horror productions, the fact that the movie was made for under a million dollars and is a box-office smash gives me hope for the future of horror at the cinema. We don’t want new entries in a franchise; we want fresh, original ideas from talented up-and-comers.

Want to see how these films stack up financially? Here are the numbers as of May 31, 2026. Note that Obsession and Backrooms are still in theaters, and both could surpass Scream 7. Obsession is on track to become one of the most profitable ever made.

Make sure you let us know what your favorite horror films of 2026 are so far this year in the comments.