{
  "id": 17094242,
  "title": "10 of the Year’s Best Horror Movies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/10-of-the-years-best-horror-movies",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-29T17:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Atlantic",
    "slug": "the-atlantic",
    "url": "https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/2026/10/best-horror-movies-2026-video-village/689207/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "10. Buffet Infinity, directed by Simon Glassman, is an intriguing film that channels the atmosphere of a local TV broadcast. With an 80s aesthetic, it starts with cheap graphics, tinny music, and bizarre commercials before revealing an inexplicable plot about a mysterious sinkhole in Westridge County, Alberta. While it may take some time to get used to, the unsettling ending makes it a worthwhile watch.\n\n9. Damian McCarthy's Hokum introduces a cynical writer named Adam Scott who checks into a haunted hotel in Ireland to finish his final novel. The hotel's haunting takes an eccentric and visually impressive turn, featuring multiple creative scares built into its architecture. Although the film has too many plot threads, the final act delivers some standout thrills.\n\n8. Curry Barker's Obsession surprised the box office this summer with its wily take on horror, adding a darkly comedic twist. Played by Inde Navarrette, the protagonist's obsession with his love interest turns sinister as she pursues him with incredible intensity. While some viewers may find it unpleasant and discomforting rather than scary, its success at the box office and potential Oscar campaign make it worth revisiting.\n\n7. It Ends, directed by Zach Cregger, is a low-budget indie that excels at stretching its limited budget to create chilling, existential scares. Centered around a group of friends stranded on a road they can't leave, the movie relies on mounting dread and aimless uncertainty to create tension. Its innovative approach to scares sets it apart from more gore-centric indies.\n\n6. Exit 8, directed by Genki Kawamura, blends liminal horror with video-game adaptations. The film transports viewers into an eerie, endlessly repeating subway station where the protagonist must solve a confusing puzzle to escape. While the narrative may feel vague and mysterious at times, Kawamura effectively uses the surreal setting to explore the protagonist's feelings of being stuck in a major life decision. Be prepared for some unsettling imagery towards the end.\n\n5. Backrooms, a viral YouTube series adapted into a movie, takes viewers into a liminal horror experience inspired by the disturbing \"creepypasta\" videos it originated from. Directed by Kane Parsons, the film features Parsons' exceptional control of mood and tone through its production design and visual effects, plunging viewers into looping hallways and disorienting office spaces that feel like half-remembered dreams. Its success has led to a wave of imitators, but Backrooms stands out due to Parsons' ability to create an immersive atmosphere.\n\n4. Resident Evil, the latest video-game adaptation, delivers intense action and creative CGI gore. Directed by Zack Cregger, the film brings the beloved horror-video-game franchise to the big screen with an approachable hero played by Austin Abrams. Cregger's attention to detail captures the sweaty experience of gaming, making it a thrilling watch for fans and newcomers alike.\n\n3. Jane Schoenbrun's Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma offers a satirical take on horror movies, specifically addressing the ways studios and fans reinterpret them for new generations. The film maintains its sharpness and chemistry between leads Hannah Einbinder and her co-star without becoming overly academic or self-referential. With its strong script and performances, the movie successfully balances its academic approach with engaging storytelling.",
  "summary": "The genre’s most compelling picks from 2026 (so far) involve existential dread, liminal spaces, and zombies.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}