Anyone who loveshorrorand has the dedication to follow the genre’s notable projects every year must remember that every year that passes, horror connoisseurs tend to say the following: “It was a great year for horror, probably the best in years.“In 2022, the argument was validatedby films likeNope,Pearl,andSmile. All were released through the studio system and delivered to audiences on a silver plate.
The truth is, every year, the evolution of the genre is notable enough to make the present year the best year. Audiences don’t care about a discussion about one year canceling the previous ones, because all they care about is getting their fix. Whether it is a franchise film or one based on an original IP, it’s still horror, and the reverence for the genre is enough to make distinguishing something secondary.
However, usually one of those two worlds wins. Balance is necessary for commercial reasons, but legacy sequels aren’t always great returns, and there are new films spawning into franchises that are more complicated endeavors than producers admit. It’s still a business, and as it should happen when seeking business, a concept is only as good as the market’s reception of it. There are no good horror movies that the public doesn’t like. It is still themost popular film genreof all time.
Some important horror releases of 2023:
Evil Dead Rise
Five Nights at Freddy’s
The Exorcist: Believer
Infinity Pool
Knock at the Cabin
When addressing this obligatory conversation in 2023, something funny happens. This year saw the release of remarkablehorror pieces in legacyand original horror. The balance is very peculiar, and the scale doesn’t tilt one way or the other. It sits beautifully in the middle. Nevertheless, it’s still a matter of subjectivity and overall taste. Many stayed within the boundaries of their favorite franchise, while others only saw original horror. And you know what? It’s perfectly alright.
Still, we like to stay in the middle of this. By opposing the selection of a side in the unnecessary conversation of “what kind of horror movie is better?” we have the pleasure of being open to horror and the great surprise it should be. After all, it’s how a great horror adventure begins. Was 2023 the best year for both legacy and original horror? The following proves it could be.
A Solid Return for Horror Franchises with Legacy Sequels
Legacy sequels were seriously huge in 2023. Franchise fans got their fix with movies that prove that the market still trusts a familiar title, a producing studio, and even concepts that were thought to be dead before another adaptation was planned.Important horror franchise sequelsreleased in 2023 include:
They vary in quality, production value, and overall level of scariness. But an extremely relevant aspect of those and others from 2023 is that they received theater releases worldwide. Even if it only lasted a couple of weeks, seeing these films in theaters means that distribution studios are recognizing their potential, even if it’s only from a commercial perspective. We, the fans on the other side of the spectrum, simply get excited as we wait in our favorite movie theater to see our favorite character return to the big screen. Horror buffs don’t usually ask for too much, but seeing their favorite franchises on the big screen is very satisfying.
Franchise horror is always a safe bet, but 2023 felt like a great deal, as most of the legacy sequels were very successful at the box office. From the point of view of critics, it wasn’t as good. But the great thing about horror is that it never seems to comply with their requirements and will always feel secondary to most critics. So, we’re used to it, and it’s OK.Nobody expectedThe Exorcist: Believerto be a hit among critics, and it surely wasn’t. Luckily, original horror was there to save the day.
Related:10 Movies to Watch if You Loved The Exorcist: Believer
Five Nights at Freddy’s
Most people would think that with the safe formula of legacy sequels in horror, original horror wouldn’t be produced at the same level. It happened once, whenremakes flooded the theaters, and it became impossible to see an original horror film anywhere. Multiplexes were either showing the fifth sequel to a franchise or a remake of a J-horror film. What’s even worse is that, at the time, VOD releases weren’t exactly known for being a worthy alternative. Fortunately, it all changed, and we arrived in 2023 to see extremely notable original horror in theaters and streaming services.
Some of the important original horror releases of 2023 include:
These are only a handful of original horror films that were released in 2023. There are many, many more that should grab your attention. The large number of original horror films that were released in 2023 proves that the genre is growing outside of market-based boundaries. From indie horror tohorror TV shows, the genre is growing at an unstoppable pace. Curiously, the basics of scary movies have remained untouched by cancel culture, and while some rules have changed, this hasn’t exactly modified schedules or plans. The people are hungry, and creative filmmakers will deliver.
International horror productionsare expanding to other territories, and each day, American audiences are more welcoming of foreign films that raise the stakes and only require viewers to read subtitles. In horror, this has never been a problem because true horror fans are able to recognize a good horror film regardless of the language. Noteworthy horror films from other countries include:
The Best of Both Worlds United in a Beautiful Premise: Smart Horror
The Boogeyman
The"best of” lists have been unveiled, and while they have some surprises, the trend speaks for itself. Original horror seems to take most of the spots from the perspective of overall quality. But don’t get us wrong, legacy sequels are also there.Saw XandEvil Dead Riseare undoubtedly good horror movies that resonated among audiences in the entire world, but they were also struck by releases likeNo One Will Save You,Talk to MeandThe Outwaters.
Considering the importance of the genre and how broad it is, it’s safe to say the right call is a tie between original horror and legacy sequels. The truth is, people prefer different things, and while some like to experiment with new films, others sit in the comfort zone of horror iterations that don’t exactly change the landscape but just provide the same old formula. Films likeHell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael ManorandThe Wrath of Beckyare designed to be sequels, but they work really well as standalone films because that’s the way they’re written. Some of them are good enoughto spark spinoffs.
Additionally, when analyzing horror from an objective standpoint, there’s an important aspect to consider. In some ways, the genre has evolved. In others, it has stayed the same. But one thing that’s grown smoothly throughout the years, is the relationship between horror and the audience. Goofy horror movies are not as present in today’s times, because audiences have also changed. They don’t like to be approached with dumbed-down products, and horror movies have gone through something revolutionary. Horror screenwriters are now able to grasp that relationship with much more confidence and without much studio intervention, in order to deliver smarter horror films, regardless of them belonging to a franchise or not.
Today, horror is more serious, and while we have some black sheep likeTerrifier, they are designed for a very specific audience that doesn’t mind the inconsistencies. The beautiful thing is that the offer is huge, and there’s something tailor-made for everyone. You just have to take your time to search.
Related:16 Horror Movies We Can’t Wait to See in 2024
Will 2024 be as Good for Horror?
Nosferatu is a remake of the 1922 silent film of the same name from director F. W. Murnau. Robert Eggers is crafting his own version of the story for the reboot as writer and director, with Bill Skarsgård stepping into the shoes of Count Orlok. Nosferatu tells the tale of a young woman who falls victim to a vampire utterly infatuated with her.
As we mentioned before, every year someone says, “This is the best year for horror.” We won’t actually complain when it seems that every year has something for everyone. If it means horror is growing outside of the circle, then we have no option but to celebrate the acceptance of a world that has always been deemedblasphemous, offensive, and trashy. If only they knew what they were missing.
We just proved 2023 was great for bothfranchise sequelsand original horror. But how about 2024? Does it have the potential to reach the heights of a very important year for the genre? The business models are still being adjusted to weird release schedules and the acquisitions of corporations between each other. But so far, this is what’s keeping us excited about the upcoming year:
2024 will see the expansion get stronger. Original horror and legacy sequels will definitely return, but remakes will also have their place on the watchlists you’re currently tuning into. It’s still too early to know which side of the coin will win, but in the meantime, we’ll give you a topic to discuss: How about if we celebrate horror for what it is without so many labels and adjectives? Whether it’s a remake, sequel, reboot, ret-con, or something you’ve never heard of before, the chances of being spooked are there.Good horror doesn’t have to follow an agenda.It just has to follow some rules and break others.
So grab those calendars and start filling out the spots. While you do that, you may want to rewatch some of those 2023 horror movies. Surely there are some details you missed, or you just want to indulge in one of the best years for horror ever.
If you’re still in the mood for horror, here’s a video with a couple of freebies you’re able to catch on YouTube today:
