Top 10 Horror Movies of 2009

August 25, 2010 6:33 pm 14 comments , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome to my countdown of the best horror films of each year (and decade). I am starting with 2009 and working my way back all the way until 1970 or so. If it all pans out the way I imagine, I will post one or two top 10 horror movie lists per week until I run out of years. A bit daunting, sure, but it should be fun in addition to my daily horror review.

*My rules for choosing the films are as follows: Personal preference, I must have viewed the film, U.S. release date, and the musings of random horror resources across the interwebs and beyond.

You can find all of my top horror movie lists here.

Here we go:

First off, two honorable mentions: Grace and Lesbian Vampire Killers.


10. The Children

The UK delivers an atmospheric and creepy retelling of the classic “Killer Kid” story with a lot more gusto and bloodletting than the typical fare for this genre.

9. Splinter

If you like The Thing, then you like this movie. Splinter is scary, smart, tense, and gruesome to the nth degree. A good ole fashioned creature feature that ranks right up there with the best of ‘em.

8. Pontypool

A low-budget intellectual gem of a film. This is Canada’s greatest contribution to the world since Estella Warren. A fantastic choice if you are looking for an original and interesting take on the impending zombie plague.

7. Paranormal Activity

Sometimes less is more. Paranormal Activity exemplifies that credo to the tee. Every time my house creeks at night it causes me to pause, not many films have that kind of lasting impact.

6. Dead Snow

The Norwegian Evil Dead. ‘Nuff said.

5. Zombieland

32 rules and the best cameo in the long and storied history of cameos.

4. Drag Me to Hell

Hey Sam! Nice to see you return to your roots. We needed this!

3. The House of the Devil


Holy mother of awesomesauce! This movie was made out of real bits of the 1980s.

1. Let the Right One In


It’s one of the only horror films that artsy film lovers and horror fiends can mutually discuss without wanting to punch each other out.

1A. Trick ‘R Treat


I know, it’s a cop out to have two films as #1. Sue me. Trick ‘R Treat is the best anthology ever made, by anyone ever. Sorry Creepshow, your reign is over.

Alright, that is my list. Do I suck? Is it good? What would you change?

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  • http://chucknorrisatemybaby.com Matt-suzaka

    Solid list indeed and a handful of those made my overall top ten (actually, I think I did thirteen) from last year, and my list, if it were all horror, would be almost identical. I would leave off Dead Snow…I liked it but didn’t love it. I would add, and very highly, Martyrs. Other wise, outside of a few changes in order, my list would be in there somewhere!

    Oh, and I love Trick ‘R Treat quite a bit myself, but Creepshow is still the king!

  • http://www.365HorrorMovie.com Micah

    I still haven’t seen Martyrs, despite all the praise. I trust your opinion so I will rectify that situation within the next few weeks.

    Long live Stephen King as “Moss Dude”!

  • Will

    Trick ‘R Treat should be required viewing for every Halloween.

  • http://www.365HorrorMovie.com Micah

    @Will – It would not be possible for me to agree with you more. :)

  • Radu

    Hi dude….what you are doing is really great fun,i’m also an horror movie freak since the late 70′s.I’m from Puerto Rico so i’m not that good in english,anyway looking around your top 10 and like Matt said you should watch Martyrs,it is my #1 in last year best films…and like Inside had one of the best female performances in recent horror films.BTW great selections so for the years reviewed….so i will keep reading your day by day reviews to look for the ones i missed,one never now when is going to find out an unknown horror gem….

  • http://www.365HorrorMovie.com Micah

    Hey Radu! I have Martrys in my “must watch” pile. :) I appreciate the support, if you have any other great selections I might miss, please let me know.

  • allison

    I dont know if you’ve seen human centipede but it deffinatly deserves recognition on this list. Or Thirst. But mostly the former

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Penna-Pixie-Utonih/545466890 Penna Pixie Utonih

    Ok so i know this has nothing to do with the list above but watevs im random like that :) , anyho has anyone seen the recent Freddy Krueger Nightmare on Elm street 2010 remake?…two words EPIC FAILURE!!!!!!…this movie will leave u thinkin..WTF? he first of all luks NOTHING like the original guy..ok so i knw its a diff dude and blah blah blah but the costume and makeup was jst horrid,he looked more sauteed than burnt!..and the rest of movie was just too predictable, tho not too sound like too much of a hater im not gonna lie like maybe 2 or 3 scenes actually made me jump or let out a tiny weeny bit of a scream but thats about it..anywho i think u shud jst stick to the original..much love *deuces*

  • http://www.365HorrorMovie.com Micah
  • Mina

    Watched ‘Let The Right One In’ last night for the first time and loved it! Its slow burning story of bullying and friendship lulled me into a false sense of security and then the special effects were pretty good! Really enjoyed the ending (wont give it away, but I found it hilarious and satisfying) and was loving how the vampire sounded like a dog. Most vampire movies go for the hissing snake/snarling leopard noise and it’s good to hear something different XD
    Can’t wait to see Hammer’s ‘Let Me In’ and also considering reading the book… so thanks Micah for inspiring me to watch this new addition to my horror collection :)

  • Mina

    Watched ‘Let The Right One In’ last night for the first time and loved it! Its slow burning story of bullying and friendship lulled me into a false sense of security and then the special effects were pretty good! Really enjoyed the ending (wont give it away, but I found it hilarious and satisfying) and was loving how the vampire sounded like a dog. Most vampire movies go for the hissing snake/snarling leopard noise and it’s good to hear something different XD
    Can’t wait to see Hammer’s ‘Let Me In’ and also considering reading the book… so thanks Micah for inspiring me to watch this new addition to my horror collection :)

  • coco

    drag me to hell I thought was garbage and zombieland was more funny than scary and that coming from someone who is very easily scared

  • Anonymous

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  • Wordmachinist

    Most of your picks on all of your lists are spot on.  There are a few I would remove but that is expected. Thanks for providing these and some ideas for my netflix queue!  I have a huge interest in all genres of horror and write reviews for a website, your lists and comments are refreshing and insightful.