The 2000s brought some of the best horror movies and introduced several longstanding horror franchises audiences still enjoy. Gory slasher movies became popular, like the Hostel franchise, while audiences also enjoyed intense, psychological horror movies like The Others. Horror movies of the 2000s had something for everybody, but many of them were overlooked or forgotten about among the decade’s greatest horror movies.
Many horror fanatics have a special place in their heart for movies about haunted houses or crazy twist endings where they learned their beloved main character was dead all along. There are some horror movies that have an impactful story that will always be worth a watch or re-watch. Among the huge blockbusters, there are a few hidden gems that people might have overlooked, and many of them incorporate the compelling twists audiences love to see on their screen.
10
The Others (2001)
Directed by Alejandro Amenábar
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9.2/10
The Others
PG-13
MysteryThrillerHorror
Alejandro Amenábar wrote and directed this cult-classic 2001 Horror film starring Nicole Kidman and Fionnula Flanagan. The premise follows a mother and her two young photosensitive children as they attempt to deal with a mysterious and possibly sinister presence in their New Jersey home.
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Release Date
August 10, 2001
Runtime
104 minutes
Cast
Nicole Kidman
, James Bentley
, Alakina Mann
, Christopher Eccleston
, Fionnula Flanagan
Director
Alejandro Amenábar
Writers
Alejandro Amenábar
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Nicole Kidman is no stranger to starring in creepy horror movies. Three years after Dead Calm, The Others was released and was an immediate audience favorite that earned Kidman award nominations. Playing the role of a mother and military spouse waiting for her husband’s return, Grace and her two children experience supernatural phenomena in their countryside home while the new housekeepers start to wreak havoc on their quiet lives.
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The Others Ending, Explained
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Released in the same year as Thirteen Ghosts and Jeepers Creepers, The Others stands out among them for the cold, gothic atmosphere and ghostly twist ending. The Others is a contained, ghost story that allows all the characters to shine in their own creepy, dramatic way. The horrors come from the simple scares like curtains going missing, fleeting apparitions, and low whispers. Even if rewatching this psychological horror film, the ending is incredibly powerful and leaves audiences wondering if the movie they’ve just watched was disturbing, a horror masterpiece, or even both.
9
The Devil’s Backbone (2001)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
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The Devil’s Backbone
HorrorFantasyDramaThriller
The Devil’s Backbone is a Spanish Gothic horror film directed by Guillermo del Toro. Set during the Spanish Civil War, the film follows a young boy named Carlos who is left at a remote orphanage. As he navigates the eerie and troubled environment, Carlos uncovers the dark secrets of the orphanage, including ghostly apparitions and hidden pasts. The film explores themes of loss, betrayal, and the lingering effects of war.
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Release Date
April 20, 2001
Main Genre
Horror
Cast
Marisa Paredes
, Eduardo Noriega
, Federico Luppi
, Fernando Tielve
, Íñigo Garcés
, Irene Visedo
, José Manuel Lorenzo
, Francisco Maestre
, Junio Valverde
, Berta Ojea
, Adrián Lamana
, Daniel Esparza
, Miguel Ortiz
, Juan Carlos Vellido
, Javier Bódalo
, Víctor Elías
Character(s)
Carmen
, Jacinto
, Dr. Casares
, Carlos
, Jaime
, Conchita
, Marcelo
, ‘El Puerco’
, Santi
, Alma
, Gálvez
, Marcos
, Domínguez
, Ayala
, ‘Búho’
, Orphan
Director
Guillermo del Toro
Writers
Guillermo del Toro
, Antonio Trashorras
, David Muñoz
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In the same dark atmosphere as The Others, The Devil’s Backbone is a ghost, gothic horror movie from the 2000s. Set in the late 1930s during the Spanish Civil War, the movie is about a young boy in an orphanage who is haunted by an apparition with dark secrets. The Devil’s Backbone explores childhood fears and the feeling of helplessness, all while telling an eerie ghost tale over the typical tormenting ghost narrative.
The Devil’s Backbone explores childhood fears and the feeling of helplessness, all while telling an eerie ghost tale over the typical tormenting ghost narrative.
Released in 2001, supernatural horror movies were dominating the big screen with other movies like Donnie Darko and The Others. These movies, including The Devil’s Backbone, are all about the internal struggles of the main characters and their morality. While the movie is slower-paced, the tension constantly builds and allows audiences to connect with the characters and sympathize with their ordeals.
8
The Hole (2001)
Directed by Nick Hamm
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The Hole
R
CrimeDramaHorrorThriller
The Hole is a psychological thriller exploring the harrowing experience of four teenagers at a British private school who clandestinely investigate an abandoned underground bomb shelter. Released in 2001, the film delves into themes of trust, fear, and deception as the group navigates their precarious situation.
Release Date
April 20, 2001
Runtime
102 minutes
Cast
Desmond Harrington
, Thora Birch
, Keira Knightley
, Laurence Fox
, Embeth Davidtz
, Steven Waddington
, Emma Griffiths Malin
, Kelly Hunter
, Daniel Brocklebank
, Jemma Powell
, Gemma Craven
, Anastasia Hille
, Maria Pastel
, Celia Montague
, Kevin Trainor
, Lolita Chakrabarti
, Claire Fox
, Jennifer Hockman
Character(s)
Mike Steel
, Liz Dunn
, Frances ‘Frankie’ Almond Smith
, Geoff Bingham
, Dr. Philippa Horwood
, DCS Tom Howard
, Daisy
, DI Chapman
, Martyn Taylor
, Minnie (as Gemma Powell)
, Mrs. Dunn
, Gillian
, Policewoman
, Solicitor
, Boy in School
, Doctor
, Reporter
Director
Nick Hamm
Writers
Ben Court
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One of Keira Knightley’s lesser-known roles, she stars as Frances in this gritty horror movie about a group of friends who are trapped in an underground shelter and must fight to survive as they all turn on each other. The Hole is an incredibly disturbing movie all the way through since it plays on simple fears of hunger and isolation. The group of friends know they are trapped, and without any hope in sight, they start to separate and turn into the worst version of themselves.
The Hole is an incredibly disturbing movie all the way through since it plays on simple fears of hunger and isolation.
The British teen horror movie is incredibly unsettling and one of the best horror movies featuring a starvation subplot. On top of the extreme hunger the teens are facing, The Hole also portrays the catty drama of young girls, gossip, and high school bullying that people wouldn’t expect to see when fighting for survival. A movie that features simple, frightening concepts like hunger and loneliness and adds dark, relatable characters makes it an excellent horror story that everyone should watch.
7
Quarantine (2008)
Directed by John Erick Dowdle
Quarantine is a found footage horror movie featuring Jennifer Carpenter, released three years after her breakout role in The Exorcism of Emily Rose. It follows Carpenter, portraying a reporter and her camera operator documenting a story about firefighters. They find themselves trapped by the CDC in an apartment building with virus-infected residents. Quarantine brings great scares with shaky camera movements that catch glimpses of the zombie-looking monsters.
Quarantine is based on the movie REC, a Spanish found-footage horror movie released in 2007.
Released in 2008, among other found-footage style movies like Cloverfield and Lake Mungo, the POV of Quarantine stands out among the other movies since Carpenter’s character is an ordinary woman who is in the wrong place at the wrong time. While most of the movie is about her panicking and trying to escape the deadly situation, it’s an authentic portrayal of a scared woman who probably wishes she would’ve stayed home that night.
6
Thirteen Ghosts (2001)
Directed by Steve Beck
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7.5/10
Thirteen Ghosts
R
HorrorThriller
Thirteen Ghosts is a horror film directed by Steve Beck. The story revolves around a family that inherits a mysterious mansion from a deceased relative. Inside the house, they discover a complex machine designed to open the eye of hell, while being haunted by twelve volatile spirits. The cast includes Tony Shalhoub, Embeth Davidtz, and Matthew Lillard, who must navigate the perilous environment to save themselves.
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Release Date
October 26, 2001
Runtime
91 minutes
Main Genre
Horror
Cast
F. Murray Abraham
, Embeth Davidtz
, matthew lillard
, Shannon Elizabeth
, Tony Shalhoub
Director
Steve Beck
Writers
Richard D’Ovidio
, Neal Marshall Stevens
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A naive family, murderous ghosts, and a haunted house will always be the perfect mix for a horror movie. This 2000s supernatural movie is a remake of the 1960s movie, Thirteen Ghosts. After a family inherits a house with a dark past, they are trapped inside with demonic-looking ghosts that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
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In 2001, there weren’t many murderous ghost movies, and Thirteen Ghosts stood out among other horror movies. It not only featured a unique storyline with a grieving family but incorporated sci-fi elements that weren’t cheesy. The characters in the movie use “ghost glasses” to see the menacing ghosts who are haunting and killing them. By adding sci-fi components and portraying the ghosts as gritty, sinister monsters, Thirteen Ghosts is a must-watch for any horror fan.
5
High Tension (2003)
Directed by Alexandre Aja
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9/10
High Tension
R
Horror
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Release Date
June 10, 2005
Runtime
85 minutes
Cast
Philippe Nahon
, Maïwenn
, Oana Pellea
, Cecile de France
, Andrei Finti
Director
Alexandre Aja
Writers
Alexandre Aja
, Grégory Levasseur
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This French horror film is about two friends on a family farm visiting for the weekend who are terrorized by a killer. French horror movies are known for their horrifying, realistic depictions of normal, everyday characters going through extreme terror. High Tension doesn’t lack the shock value factor as the killer’s POV is kept hidden, and viewers are left wondering if the killer in the movie is someone who has a dark drudge with the family.
Director Alexandre Aja intended for High Tension to be a tribute to splatter horror films of the 70s and 80s.
Released in 2003 along with other great slashers in the same year, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and another French horror film, Dead End. High Tension stands out among them for the surprising ending that leaves horror fans speechless as it feels like one long personal nightmare. High Tension isn’t like other home invasion thrillers and one of the most overlooked gory horror movies.
4
Three…Extremes (2004)
Directed by Fruit Chan, Park Chan-wook, James Lee, Takashi Miike
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Three… Extremes
R
Horror
Three… Extremes is a horror anthology film directed by Fruit Chan, Park Chan-wook, and Takashi Miike. The film consists of three segments, each with its own unique story and style, exploring themes of fear, obsession, and the grotesque. With each director bringing distinct cultural and narrative perspectives, the film delves into the darker aspects of human nature and psychological terror.
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Release Date
August 20, 2004
Runtime
125 minutes
Main Genre
Horror
Cast
Ling Bai
, Pauline Lau
, Tony Leung Ka Fai
, Meme Tian
, Miriam Yeung Chin Wah
, Sum-Yeung Wong
Director
Fruit Chan
, Takashi Miike
, Chan-wook Park
Writers
Bun Saikou
, Haruko Fukushima
, Lilian Lee
Expand
Three…Extremes is a horror anthology movie from different East Asian countries, with each story shot by a different director. This anthology movie is very different from Western horror movies as each story strays away from typical horror tropes and tells a chilling, uncomfortable tale. Asian horror cinema excels at giving audiences scares that are symbolic rather than dramatic, jump scary.
It focuses on society’s obsession with unattainable beauty standards and tells the story in a non-linear narrative that will resonate with women everywhere.
In the first story in the anthology, a young woman is looking to maintain her youthful appearance and succumbs to eating dumplings made out of aborted fetuses as she believes it will accentuate her beauty. It focuses on society’s obsession with unattainable beauty standards and tells the story in a non-linear narrative that will resonate with women everywhere. Released in 2004, The Grudge and Shutter, other horror films based on Asian storylines, Three…Extremes pushes boundaries that, even for the early 2000s, feel extreme.
3
Dreamcatcher (2003)
Directed by Lawrence Kasdan
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7.5/10
Dreamcatcher
R
DramaHorror Sci-FiThriller
Dreamcatcher (2003) is a sci-fi horror film directed by Lawrence Kasdan, based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name. The film follows four childhood friends who reunite for an annual hunting trip in a remote cabin, only to confront a malevolent alien force. Starring Morgan Freeman, Thomas Jane, and Damian Lewis, Dreamcatcher intertwines themes of friendship, telepathy, and survival against the backdrop of a cosmic threat.
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Release Date
March 21, 2003
Runtime
134 minutes
Main Genre
Drama
Cast
Donnie Wahlberg
, Timothy Olyphant
, Tom Sizemore
, Damian Lewis
, Thomas Jane
, Morgan Freeman
, Jason Lee
Director
Lawrence Kasdan
Writers
Lawrence Kasdan
, William Goldman
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Based on Stephen King’s novel, Dreamcatcher is about a group of friends being overrun by a parasitic infection. This alien invasion movie features a star-studded cast with Morgan Freeman, Damian Lewis, and Thomas Jane. Dreamcatcher incorporates some of the best elements of a great horror movie, including a snowy, secluded setting, gore, and aliens. For fans of the Alien franchise, this movie should be on their viewing list as it’s a thrilling story with freaky, tiny-looking to large-scale aliens.
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While it’s not the most beloved Stephen King adaptation, it’s one that deserves audiences’ attention. Released in the same year as Willard and House of 1000 Corpses, this alien movie was a different type of horror movie among the slashers and other creature features. Just like other Stephen King movies, the characters are dynamic, and it feels like watching a horrifying journey between close friends rather than a simple, alien-takeover movie.
2
The Collector (2009)
Directed by Marcus Dunstan
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The Collector
R
HorrorThriller
The Collector follows a desperate man who, attempting to repay a debt, breaks into a wealthy family’s home only to discover a masked psychopath has rigged the residence with deadly traps. The narrative delves into themes of survival and moral ambiguity, presenting a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere that maintains suspense throughout the film.
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Release Date
July 31, 2009
Runtime
1hr 30m
Main Genre
Horror
Cast
Josh Stewart
, Juan Fernández
, Michael Reilly Burke
, Madeline Zima
, Andrea Roth
, Karley Scott Collins
, Robert Wisdom
, Daniella Alonso
, Haley Pullos
, Diane Ayala Goldner
, Alex Feldman
, Krystal Mayo
, Gregory Alan Williams
, Michael Showers
, Bill Stinchcomb
, Brett Forbes
, Eric Kelly McFarland
, Jabari Thomas
, Hiro Koda
Character(s)
Arkin
, The Collector
, Michael Chase
, Jill Chase
, Victoria Chase
, Hannah Chase
, Roy
, Lisa
, Cindy
, Gena Wharton
, Chad
, Bar Dancer
, Sheriff
, Deputy Sheriff
, Bar Patron
, Office Hoss Wiggins
, Firefighter
, Medic
, Medic #2
Director
Marcus Dunstan
Writers
Marcus Dunstan
, Patrick Melton
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The Collector is the first installment of the gory, sadistic franchise that centers around a psychopath’s sick fascination with entrapment and torture. After a cash-strapped man decides to break into a family home and steal their items, he realizes he broke in on the wrong night and is now stuck inside the house with no way out. With a masked serial killer who remains unknown and his over-the-top brutal traps, he gives Jigsaw a run for his money.
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Released in 2009, the same year as Saw VI and The Human Centipede, The Collector is an overlooked movie among the torture horror movies. The Collector is a thrilling cat-and-mouse journey that incorporates slasher elements that audiences love. It features a straightforward storyline, a menacing killer, and compelling characters. Arkin, played by Josh Stewart, is a hard-core protagonist who goes up against the masked killer. The characters, combined with the graphic torture plot, make it one of the best 2000s horror movies.
1
I Know Who Killed Me (2007)
Directed by Chris Sivertson
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I Know Who Killed Me
R
ThrillerHorrorMystery
I Know Who Killed Me follows the story of Aubrey Fleming, a young woman from a small town who is abducted and tortured by a serial killer. After her escape, she claims to be someone else, insisting that the real Aubrey is still in danger, unraveling a complex mystery.
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Release Date
July 27, 2007
Runtime
105 minutes
Cast
Julia Ormond
, Lindsay Lohan
, Neal McDonough
, Spencer Garrett
, Gregory Itzin
, Kenya Moore
, Garcelle Beauvais
, Michael Adler
, Bonnie Aarons
, Brian Geraghty
, Art Bell
, Michael Esparza
, Cornelia Guest
, David Figlioli
, Megan Henning
, Jason Wilburn
, Jesse Hlubik
, Jessica Lee Rose
, Rodney Rowland
, Jennifer O’Kain
, Michael Papajohn
, Colleen Porch
, Thomas Tofel
, Stacy Lynn Gabel
, Paula Marshall
Character(s)
Susan Fleming
, Aubrey Fleming
, Daniel Fleming
, Phil Lazarus
, Dr. Greg Jameson
, Jazmin
, Julie Bascome
, Dr. Alex Dupree
, Fat Teena
, Jerrod Pointer
, Himself
, Gilberto
, Dr. Hannah Sommerly
, Lanny Rierden
, Anya
, FBI Agent #1
, FBI Agent #2
, Marcia
, Kenny Scaife
, Mrs. Post
, Jacob K. / Joseph K.
, Vicky Redfeather
, Douglas Norquist
, Jennifer Toland
, Marnie Toland
Director
Chris Sivertson
Expand
I Know Who Killed Me stars Lindsay Lohan in this macabre horror movie about a girl who is kidnapped by a serial killer and escapes. After the horrifying ordeal, she’s convinced her identity is of someone else. Taking elements of body horror and body swap movies, this overlooked movie is about a dark tale of a woman who wants to be believed and goes unheard. She has to convince herself and those around her that the serial killer isn’t finished with her and he’s still tormenting her even though she’s free.
The tale of a woman’s strange journey to finding herself, combined with the visually pleasing scenes, makes this an overlooked, compelling horror movie.
Released in 2007, the same year as 30 Days of Night and 1408, I Know Who Killed Me stands out because it’s a women-led horror film about two very different women who are interconnected in a strange way. The murder mystery horror movie goes a different route than other movies from this time, including featuring dismemberment scenes and an artistic take on torture horror. The tale of a woman’s strange journey to finding herself, combined with the visually pleasing scenes, makes this an overlooked, compelling horror movie.