Blumhouse has been the staple studio for horror movies for multiple decades. The production house, started in 2000 by Jason Blum, has won numerous accolades and spawned hit franchises like Paranormal Activity and The Purge.
The studio offers a myriad of horror genres, giving us cheap thrills for a matinee watch and also elevated horror for a more intellectual experience. Here are the top 10 Blumhouse horror movies that are guaranteed to keep your night lights on.
10. M3GAN (2022)
The science fiction horror movie M3GAN came out of nowhere, with its creepy take on technology and artificial intelligence. M3GAN, the doll, acts as a companion piece for lonely children but eventually turns self-aware.
In classic horror fashion, self-awareness did not equate to anything good for its ensemble. What followed was a smart and well-written movie that acted as an allegorical warning for what A.I. and creepy dolls could inflict on the human race.
9. Paranormal Activity (2007)
You would be remiss and among a select few who haven’t seen a single one of the Paranormal Activity films. The first movie became one of Hollywood’s most profitable films, with its low budget of $215k grossing $194M at the box office, resulting in six more films (via The Hollywood Reporter).
The DIY approach to the films, combined with its Blair Witch Project-style found-footage genre, gave the movie a feeling that it was definitely a true story. The majority of the movie takes place at night, with eerie sounds and movements, shadows that trick your eyes, and an ending that would make your stomach curl.
8. The Visit (2015)
The Visit is perhaps the most underrated movie on this list, along with being the most underrated M. Night Shyamalan film. What starts out as an ordinary visit to the protagonists’ grandparents’ house takes sinister turns as all is not what it seems.
Shyamalan knows how to creep his audiences out, and how better to do it than with wrinkly old people? The Visit offers one of the best plot twists in horror history, and we do not want to spoil that for you.
7. Happy Death Day (2017)
The black comedy slasher flick gives us a horror spin on Groundhog Day. The film follows a college student who is murdered on her birthday and forced to relive the same day over and over, not knowing who her killer is.
The movie is fun, dark, and offers surprising twists throughout its 1.5-hour run. A satirical take on old slasher and science fiction films, you can definitely add this movie to a fun matinee watch.
6. Insidious (2010)
This supernatural horror film by James Wan and starring Patrick Wilson was their precursor to The Conjuring. As the title suggests, the movie takes no time to establish the haunting of a family as an insidious entity takes over a little boy.
Rose Byrne plays a medium who travels to the astral plane in search of the demonic entity, giving audiences surreal imagery that stays with you long after the movie is over. Insidious has cemented itself as an iconic horror movie, and this movie is just one of the many stories it spawned in a hit franchise.
5. Split (2016)
Split features the legendary James McAvoy taking on a role that featured multiple roles within, as his character suffers from multiple personality disorder. If there’s one thing M. Night Shyamalan knows to do, successful or not, it’s to give audiences something new, something unique.
Split does exactly that, tapping into the vast reservoir of talent that McAvoy has to offer, with him expertly switching between the multiple characters that should’ve earned him an Oscar nomination at the very least.
4. The Black Phone (2021)
The Black Phone is another creepy movie involving children and a scary return to horror for Ethan Hawke. A child is abducted by a serial killer (Hawke) and is psychologically toyed with using a black rotary phone. Through the course of the film, the protagonist communicates with the ghosts of previously abducted children to plot an escape.
The flick shines with a strong story and convincing performances by its cast. A taut thriller with a stellar soundtrack, and enough creepy children to make you wait for its sequel.
3. The Invisible Man (2020)
The Invisible Man is loosely based on H. G. Wells’ novel of the same name, offering a science fiction horror movie that is intelligent in execution and storytelling. Elisabeth Moss’ character is stalked by an abusive ex-boyfriend who can turn invisible, and tortures her psychologically as she is being gaslit by his nefarious activities.
The film has twists and suspense to keep you on edge till the very end, with some scenes that’ll make you hold on tightly for dear life.
2. Get Out (2017)
The Jordan Peele movie that saw him transition from “that funny guy” to an acclaimed writer-director offers audiences a very different horror movie. On the surface, a horror thriller, but deep down a satirical take on racism in modern America, Get Out makes wonderful use of its cast in one of the best horror films in the last ten years.
The movie does not shy away from laughs, swinging between moments of intense psychological discomfort and straight-up laugh-out-loud dialogue exchanges. The twist in this movie is one that will haunt you and remain lodged in your brain.
1. Sinister (2012)
Sinister is one of the scariest movies ever made. From the get-go, we’re introduced to disturbing images that can turn even the most resilient, squeamish.
Ethan Hawke plays the titular role of a person who is trying to write his next big novel and discovers a series of snuff film tapes that take him down a rabbit hole of supernatural horrors. Each tape is more Sinister than the last, and by the time you reach the end, your mouth is agape by the sheer horror of the unravelled story.
Here’s a summary of all the movies mentioned.
What movie are you most interested in watching? Let us know in the comments.
