The 10 Best Horror Films of 2020

2020 was weird and fucked up year to say the very least. With movie theaters closed from March and beyond here, in New York City, I mostly only saw horror movies. As such, for the first time ever in the history of this site, the best movies of the year will only take into account horror flicks, and not other genres. Don't be surprised if this happens again come time to the list for this year. Anyway, despite all the shitty occurrences there were some legitimate amazing genre releases. Now, I did not, for one or another reason, see a couple of horror movies, including Freaky, The Dark and the Wicked, and Relic. Think of that as your heads up. You will also notice that this was a great year for horror movie docus, as three of them appear on here! It is also a great for those who like a little bit of artistry in their horror content. Plus, if you liked truly graphic splatter, there was some really good and gruesome gore to dive into.

Honorable Mentions:
1BR
Color Out of Space
The Cleansing Hour
The Hunt
GoodBoy
Impetigore

10. Bliss- The first of two Joe Begos movies to make this list, Bliss is everything most modern horror simply isn't. This includes being metal as fuck, with killer, headbanging tracks in the soundtrack. The movie is also sexy with copious amounts of nudity, lesbianism, and a hot threesome. It is also graphically gory with intense amounts of bloodletting. Another highlight is the excellent acting, especially from the film's beautiful and insanely talented lead, Dora Madison. Meanwhile, the directing by Begos is beautiful, stylish. hallucinogenic, and trippy. All of this is wrapped around a movie that serves as an artistic allegory for drug addiction. 

9. Fulci for Fake- The first of two documentaries that Severin Films put out to appear on this list, Fulci for Fake is honest, touching, and intimate. It, of course, deals with Lucio Fulci, one of my favorite directors of all time, and one of the biggest influences in my life. After watching it, I felt that I had learned much about both he as a persona and as a director. This is all achieved through captivating and excellently done interviews. The film captured both my whole attention and heart. And, by the end I wanted to learn even more about this legendary master of horror.

8. Tales of the Uncanny- The other docu from Severin is this wonderfully entertaining and loving look at anthology horror flicks. Countless of horror experts and masters of the genre talk about their favorite anthology movies and segments, therein, as well as chiming with their overall thoughts and words. Throw in some really cool movie clips, and you have a docu that is a blast to watch. It's one that will make you want to revisit all your favorites, as well as add movies that for whatever you reason you ain't seen yet to your must see list.  

7. Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on THE EXORCIST- A Shudder exclusive, Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on THE EXORCIST is a profound and deep talk with the master director on one of the greatest horror movies ever made. My full review is here.

6. Yummy- This well acted, super gory, and hilarious Dutch zombie flick is one of the most underrated horror movies of the year. My full review is here. 

5. Random Acts of Violence- I seriously don't get why this one has split the horror community so much, I especially didn't get those who had a more negative reaction to it. It is brutal and savagely serious and is, thankfully, way more than just another slasher movie. Well acted and powerful, it doesn't fuck around, and, as an added bonus, has little to no humor. Instead, it has substance and sticks with you all the while dripping with graphic splatter. 

4. VFW- The second Joe Begos movie included here is one badass motherfucker and absolutely my type of movie. A loving homage to John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13, VFW is an ultra-violent and fast-paced, unrelenting mix of action and horror. It is led by the always awesome Stephen Lang in what is one of my favorite heroic roles of last year. Bonus! This flick one of 2020's goriest horror flicks and has some truly great kills!

3. Host- Made during these quarantine times, Host, surprised me with how fucking good it is! Featuring some excellent acting, this tech/ found footage movie is a lot of fun, as well as intense and wonderfully frightening. And, at little under an hour, this nail-biting and creepy ass flick, is the perfect length!

2. The Invisible Man-The last movie I got to see in the theaters, Leigh Whannell's The Invisible Man, is one of the most intense horror flicks, I had seen in many a moon. It really had me on the edge of my seat with its white-knuckle suspense. Whannel's directing really knows how to build the terror and fear. Meanwhile, Elisabeth Moss' performance is perfection and perhaps my favorite acting in a horror movie last year. This, dear readers, is how you bring a classic story to modern times.  

1. Possessor- Brandon Cronenberg (son of David) has delivered an intelligent, original, and impressively gruesome sci-fi/ horror movie. It sucks you right in keeps building itself up with a wonderfully captivating plot and story. It also pulls no punches whatsoever, as it features full frontal nudity, both of the female and male variety, and the gore is amongst the most graphic I saw last year. This one gives me hope that horror movies with skin and that hit a 10 on the splatter-meter are still alive and well. All of this is done with style and an artful look from Cronenberg and is further aided by excellent acting from the whole cast. In all honesty it is a fucking masterpiece and unlike most genre films from any year!

What were your favorite horror movies from last year? Let me know in the comments section below!

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Yummy (Review)

Director: Lars Damoiseaux
Writers: Lars Damoiseaux and Eveline Hagenbeek
Cast: Maaike Neuville, Bart Hollanders, Benjamin Ramon, Clara Claymans, Annick Christiaens
Year: 2019
Min: 96  

Alison (Maaike Neuville) is a pretty, young lady who heads to a cheapo Eastern European clinic with her boyfriend, Michael (Bart Hollanders), and her sexy mom Sylvia (Annick Christiaens). Alison wants to get a breast reduction, meanwhile her mom wants to get yet another face life. Michael, meanwhile, is wandering around the hospital, while being led by a young, junkie, male orderly. Together, they head into an abounded ward.

There, Michael finds a young, topless woman gagged and strapped to an operating table, He takes the gag off of her and soon realizes that something is wrong with her as she turns aggressive. Both of the dudes leave immediately, and the naked lady frees herself. She is, of course, a zombie, and soon an infection that cause the contaminated to be flesh hungry and nearly unstable (save for the classic destroy the brain scenario) are unleashed in the hospital. Soon all of these characters, along with doctors, nurses, and other patients, must ward off the deadly and ever growing and spreading zombie horde.

Yummy is a Dutch (though the majority of the movie is in English), horror/ comedy/ zombie/ contamination movie. And, it's an awesome one at that! The humorous flick is really funny and gory. It is an immensely good time to be had, and I, honestly, loved it!

The script, by director Lars Damoiseaux and Eveline Hagenbeek, has some really witty dialogue that adds to the fun. The movie's story develops nicely. And, while it is very humorous, it also knows when to take itself seriously. For like most of the best horror/ comedies, the flick realizes that the horror should remain an actual threat.

As a director, Damoiseaux keeps the movie really well paced. The action scenes are very exciting and well shot. I also love that the movie turns darker and more serious as it moves along. But, thankfully, it never feels morbidly depressing, even if some turn of events will shock you. A great example of this is how the the contamination/ virus aspect feels very timely in our world today. But, thankfully the movie is so much fun that this never brings you down or adds to your current feelings of uneasiness.

It's such a wild movie, too! For example, there is a scene where some zombie dude, quite literally, eats out a chick, guts and all! Speaking of guts, this one really amps the splatter content with flesh munching, head bludgeoning, an arm put through a shredder, impaling, axe to the head, and more! But, it is a scene involving fingers is gonna have even the most hardcore of gorehounds wince! This is all achieved through excellent make-up FX, that also manage to make the zombies look menacing and really cool.

There are also some really beautiful Euro-women in this. And, bonus, there is even some boobage on-hand! Leave it to the Europeans to actually have nudity in a horror movie. It's a nice and welcome surprise. That said, the movie is equal opportunity, in its nudity though, as there is a scene involving a penis. However, I think it's safe to say, that it is a prosthetic. Because what happens to said dick one of the flick's craziest and most laugh out loud moments!

The acting is quite good, especially from the beautiful and voluptuous Maaike Neuville, in the lead, as Alison. She adds a lot of heart to a believable and extremely likable heroine. Bart Hollander really brings Michael to life, who is easily one of the most unlucky heroes in modern horror. You definitely like the guy, even if you are laughing at him. After all, Michael is a good dude with a well meaning heart. The absolutely gorgeous Clare Cleymans plays Janja wonderfully cold and stern and really brings that character to life. Everyone else in the cast also deserves credit for their performances.

For as sick as we maybe of zombies, it's nice to see a movie like Yummy come out to reinvigorate and make the sub-genre cool again. It's well acted and the plot develops nicely. The movie is also a prime choice for those of us who yearn for horror flicks that rank a "10" on the splatter-meter. Throw in some nudity and you have what really could only come from Europe these days. In all, this is one gorehounds, zombie lovers, and fans of fun horror/ comedies need to put at the top of their to-see list. Which is something you all will be able to do this starting this Thursday, June 25, 2020 on Shudder (US and UK).

3.5 out of 4

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Shudder: June 2020 Highlights

titles also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK as noted

SHUDDER ORIGINAL/EXCLUSIVE MOVIES

SCREAM, QUEEN! MY NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (premieres Thursday, June 4)

Some have called it the 'gayest horror movie ever made,' but for Mark Patton, the star of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, it was anything but a dream come true. 30 years after its initial release, Patton sets the record straight about the controversial sequel that halted his career before it even began. Detailing the homophobia and AIDS-phobia of 1985 as a closeted actor in Hollywood, Mark retraces his obstacles, missteps, and detractors on the pathway to stardom. Confronting the cast and crew for the first time, Mark attempts to make peace with his past as well as embrace his legacy as cinema's first male scream queen. Starring Mark Patton, Robert Englund, Kim Myers, Robert Rusler, Marshall Bell, Clu Gulager and Jack Sholder. Directed by Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen. A SHUDDER EXCLUSIVE (Also available on Shudder Canada) Trailer:  https://youtu.be/Ia5togt44l8 

WARNING: DO NOT PLAY (premieres Thursday, June 11)

Aspiring director Mi-jung struggles to come up with ideas for a new horror film until her friend Jun-seo tells her about a mysterious film rumored to be shot by a ghost. While researching it, she begins to write a new screenplay about her hunt for this “ghost film.” But as she gets closer to the truth, the line between her film and her life begins to blur. Starring Seo Ye-ji and Jin Sun-kyu, directed by Kim Jin-won. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK)  Trailer:  https://youtu.be/RKnDkYnWxac  

SCARE PACKAGE (premieres Thursday, June 18)

7 directors. 7 tales of terror. Zero working cell phones. In this gleefully ghoulish anthology, Chad, the owner of Rad Chad’s Horror Emporium, recounts a series of bone-chilling, blood-splattered tales to illustrate the rules of the horror genre to his newest employee. Starring Noah Segan (Knives Out), Chase Williamson (Beyond the Gates), Jocelyn DeBoer (Greener Grass), Jeremy King (Camera Obscura), wrestling legend Dustin Rhodes, Toni Trucks (SEAL Team) and Hawn Tran (Watchmen). Directed by Hillary & Courtney Andujar, Anthony Cousins, Emily Hagins, Aaron B. Koontz, Chris McInroy, Noah Segan and Baron Vaughn. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK) Trailer: https://vimeo.com/389671704 

YUMMY (premieres Thursday, June 25) — SXSW 2020 Midnighter

A young couple travels to a shady Eastern European hospital for plastic surgery. The young woman wants a breast reduction. Her mother comes along for yet another face-lift. Wandering through an abandoned ward, the boyfriend stumbles upon a young woman, gagged and strapped to an operating table; she's the result of experimental rejuvenation treatment. He frees her but doesn't realize she’s patient zero and he just caused the outbreak of a virus that will change the doctors, patients, and his mother-in-law into bloodthirsty zombies. Starring Maaike Neuville, Bart Hollanders, Benjamin Ramon, Clara Cleymans, Joshua Rubin. Directed by Lars Damoiseaux. A SHUDDER ORIGINAL (Also available on Shudder UK) Trailer: https://youtu.be/wrueAt0VR9o 

FEATURED COLLECTIONS

QUEER HORROR — available 6/1

Celebrate Pride with a curated collection of must-see LGBTQ+ horror, featuring films with queer themes, characters and/or creators. Includes the Shudder premieres of the documentary Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street (see above) and Stewart Thorndike’s Lyle, starring Gaby Hoffman.

Featuring Alena, All Cheerleaders Die, Better Watch Out, Hellraiser, Knife + Heart, Lizzie, Lyle (premiering June 8), The Old Dark House, The Quiet Room, Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street (June 4), Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama, Stranger by the Lake, Sweet Sweet Lonely Girl and The Wild Boys. 

ETHERIA 2020 SHORTS PROGRAM — available 6/19

For more than half a decade, Los Angeles-based Etheria Film Night has been one of the world’s most respected showcases of new horror, comedy, science fiction, fantasy, action and thriller films made by emerging women directors. With in-person events on hold due to Covid-19, Shudder is proud to partner with Etheria to host this year’s lineup of outstanding shorts from June 19–July 20. See www.etheriafilmnight.com for more info.

Featuring Waffle (directed by Carlyn Hudson), Maggie May (directed by Mia'kate Russell), Basic Witch (directed by Yoko Okumura), The Conversion Therapist (directed by Bears Rebecca Fonte), Offbeat (directed by Myrte Ouwerkerk), The Final Girl Returns (directed by Alexandria Perez), LIVE (directed by Taryn O’Neill), Man in the Corner (directed by Kelli Breslin) and Ava in the End (directed by Ursula Ellis). Trailer: https://youtu.be/u-HjJdJl8zk 

ORIGINAL SERIES

THE LAST DRIVE IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS season 2— Fridays at 9pm ET / 6pm PT

Proving once again that “the drive-in will never die,” iconic horror host and exploitation movie aficionado Joe Bob Briggs is back with an all-new season of weekly Friday night double features streaming live exclusively on Shudder. Over the course of ten episodes, The Last Drive-In series will offer an eclectic selection of movies running the gamut from horror classics to obscurities and foreign cult favorites along with the occasional surprise guest. Also on Shudder Canada; some episodes also available on demand on Shudder UK.

NEW MOVIES & SERIES FOR JUNE

June 1

BLACULA (Director: William Crain)

SCREAM BLACULA SCREAM (Director: Bob Kelljan)

SUGAR HILL (Director: Paul Maslansky)

Three blaxploitation horror classics join our Horror Noire collection this month. In William Crain’s Blacula, an 18th Century African Prince (William Marshall) pays a visit to Count Dracula seeking his support in ending the slave trade. Instead, the Count transforms him into a vampire and entombs him until the disco era. In the scintillating sequel, the son (Don Mitchell) of a late high priestess seeks revenge on the cultists who have chosen his foster sister, Lisa (Pam Grier), as their new leader. Hoping to curse her, he unwittingly resurrects Blacula's (Marshall again) earthly remains. And in Sugar Hill, after a nightclub owner gets taken out by the mob, his girlfriend, Diana "Sugar" Hill (Marki Bey), calls upon the voodoo high priest Baron Samedi (Don Pedro Colley) to summon the undead to carry out an unholy plan for revenge. (All three films also available on Shudder Canada)

HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES (Director: Rob Zombie)

This gore fest follows two young couples on their quest to find the truth about a mythical character known only as "Dr. Satan." Set in rural Texas in the 1970s, the group gets more than they bargained for when they find themselves stranded in an all-too-realistic house of horrors. The introduction to Zombie's now-cult Firefly clan, the director's debut remains a vicious funhouse imbued with the savage quality of 70s terror. Starring Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon, Karen Black, Rainn Wilson. (Also available on Shudder Canada)

June 4

SCREAM, QUEEN! MY NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (see above for details)

June 5

THE LAST DRIVE-IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS, ep. 207

June 8

LYLE (Director: Stewart Thorndike)

Expecting couple Leah and June move into a Brooklyn brownstone apartment with their toddler daughter, Lyle. Despite the strange baby-obsessed landlady downstairs and the group of female models who live above them, the two are happy with their new apartment until a bizarre accident leads to the death of their daughter. Months later, Leah is still grief-stricken, trying to make sense of Lyle’s death, her landlady’s odd behaviors, and her attraction to one of the models upstairs. As Leah prepares for her home birth, she begins to suspect the neighbors are involved in a satanic pact and fears for her unborn baby. Starring Gaby Hoffmann, Ingrid Jungermann. (Also available on Shudder Canada)

June 11

WARNING: DO NOT PLAY (see above for details)

June 12

THE LAST DRIVE-IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS, ep. 208

June 15

THE BONE BOX (Director: Luke Genton)

After stealing from a number of graves, Tom begins to hear and see strange things that seem to coincide with the dead people that he robbed. Starring Gareth Koorzen, Aaron Schwartz, Jamie Bernadette, Michelle Krusiec, David Chokachi. (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK)

MAUSOLEUM (Director: Michael Dugan)

The Nomed Family has been the victim of an ancient curse in which the first-born daughter of each generation has gone violently mad and then suspiciously dies. No one can explain the Nomed madness, but some say it's because of a terrible demonic force. By way of an unnatural urge during her Mother's funeral, Susan entered her family's mausoleum, and ever since an evil presence has been lurking inside of her, waiting for a chance to come out. Now an adult, something is hiding inside Susan's body, coming out to grotesquely murder anyone who comes too close to uncovering her terrifying secret. Starring Bobbie Bresee, Marjoe Gortner, Norman Burton, Maurice Sherbanee, LaWanda Page, Chu Chu Malave. (Also available on Shudder Canada)

June 18

SCARE PACKAGE (see above for details)

June 19

ETHERIA 2020 SHORTS PROGRAM (see above for details)

THE LAST DRIVE-IN WITH JOE BOB BRIGGS, season finale

June 22

GHOST KILLERS VS. BLOODY MARY (Director: Fabrício Bittar)

Four YouTubers with expertise in supernatural events seek recognition from their audience while solving the urban legend of the Bathroom Blonde Case, the spirit that haunts the schools' bathroom. Starring Dani Calabresa, Léo Lins, Danilo Gentili, Murilo Couto.

PSYCHOTIC! (Directors: Maxwell Frey, Derek Gibbons)

A group of hard-partying Brooklyn hipsters are stalked and savagely murdered by a masked maniac known as the Bushwick Party Killer. Starring Kristen Martin, Clint Keepin, Maxwell Frey, Derek Gibbons, Cirocco Dunlap. (Also available on Shudder Canada and Shudder UK).

June 25

YUMMY (see above for details)

June 29

DIG TWO GRAVES (Director: Hunter Adams)

A young girl obsessed with the death of her brother goes on a nightmarish journey where she must face a deadly proposition in order to bring him back. Starring Ted Levine, Samantha Isler, Danny Goldring. (Also available on Shudder Canada).

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