Top 10 Horror Movies of 2002

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 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.

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

2002: Let’s scare up the list

I really struggled with this list – a ton of great films. Honestly, I could make a case for all the films 1-7 to be the best horror film of the year. Almost too much to handle.

Dishonorable mention: Ghost Ship and Halloween: Resurrection

Honorable Mention: Three

10. Dark Water

Good effort from the father of the new wave of Japenese horror, Hideo Nakata. Skip the Jennifer Connelly version and acquaint yourselves with the original.

9. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

Another fine South Korean horror film. Chan-wook Park (Oldboy) explores vengeance and, of course, graphic violence. I feel odd including this film, but not Old Boy in my lists. Oh well, I’ve already gotten over it.

8. Cabin Fever

For better or worse, this film was Eli Roth’s coming out party and the introduction of the phrase “torture porn” into common vernacular.

7. 28 Days Later

One of the best zombie flicks from one of the best living directors. Think about it. Danny Boyle directed Trainspotting, Sunshine, Slumdog Millionaire, this, and The Beach during the 2000s. Wait a sec. One of those doesn’t belong. F*ckin’ Leo and that Super Mario bullsh*t!

6. May

This movie is a good reminder never to date chicks who work in veterinary clinics. They are creepy and will probably try to steal your body parts. This one is one twisted and brilliant American indie horror film.

5. Dog Soldiers

Have you ever had a movie come out of seemingly nowhere and blow your brains out? Dog Soldiers did that to me. One of the top 5 werewolf movies of all time. Mark my words, before Neil Marshall is done, he will go down as one of the best directors of his generation. If only someone could give him a decent budget to work with (Hint: Leave the UK)

4.  Malifique

Horror fans are mixed on this one. I am not. An amazing atmosphere, a fresh and original script, all on a shoe-string budget. Another excellent and disturbing French film.

3. Irreversible

Not for the faint of heart. One of, if not the most brutal and disturbing films that the French put out there in the 2000s. I felt dirty after watching this. Really really dirty. Of course, I loved every depraved second of it.

2. Frailty

Bill Paxton gets back to his horror roots and absolutely turns in one the most frightening performances in all of horrordom. If you haven’t seen this, do yourself a big favor and pick it up, NOW.

1. The Ring

It’s not often that an American remake of an Asian horror movie is even worth watching. This makes it all that much more impressive that The Ring not only is worth watching, but is one of the scariest movies ever made.

For a different take, check out Guts and Grog’s Top Ten Horror films of 2002.