While the 1990s revitalized the slasher genre and brought international terror into the spotlight, 2000s horror took a more outside-the-box approach, with a wide variety of subversive and original films that often flew under the radar. Franchises like Final Destination, Saw, and Hostel were the high-profile headliners, grabbing audiences with gore and grisly deaths.
However, plenty of other horror films from the 2000s have been unfairly overlooked. From inventive creature features to psychological suspense thrillers, these underrated horror movies from the 2000s deserve more attention. Here is a ranked list of some of the best ones.
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10 When a Stranger Calls
Sony Pictures Releasing
This 2006 remake of the 1979 cult classic was horrifying in its simplicity. When a Stranger Calls opens with a young babysitter receiving a series of disturbing phone calls from an anonymous stalker who may or may not be in the house with her. Much of the success in this movie is in the small ways it stays true to the original while giving it a more modern spin.
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Instead of relying on jump scares and gory set pieces, director Simon West crafted a genuine psychological horror, as suspense slowly builds as the babysitter’s terror grows. With solid pacing and an unforgettable ending, When a Stranger Calls is a masterfully crafted 2000s film that shouldn’t be missed.
9 Cabin Fever
Lions Gate Films
Cabin Fever is a 2003 horror film co-written and directed by Eli Roth, just a few years before he became a household name with his Hostel franchise. This plot follows as five college friends take a getaway to the woods and find themselves terrorized by a flesh-eating virus. It’s a somewhat simple story, but Roth does an impressive job of creating suspense and horror with the special effects and the atmosphere.
What makes Cabin Fever stand out is its blend of horror and comedy, which ranges from gory slapstick to dark humor. It’s a unique take on the classic cabin-in-the-woods trope and features a twist of cannibals for added shock value. If you’re a fan of Roth’s other movies, this is one to add to your watch list.
8 Wrong Turn
20th Century Fox
This often-overlooked franchise has numerous entries, but the original Wrong Turn movie from 2003 is still one of the best. It stars Elisha Cuthbert and Desmond Harrington as two of six friends who get lost in the Appalachian Mountains after a car accident and are hunted by a family of deformed cannibals. Wrong Turn creates an intense atmosphere of suspense and dread as the group is stalked through the woods by their assailants.
The highlight of the movie is the suspenseful final act, as the survivors desperately try to escape the cannibals while evading their deadly traps. It’s a thrilling ride that has spawned six sequels, with the latest being Wrong Turn reboot released in 2021.
7 White Noise
Universal Pictures
White Noise is a 2005 horror drama starring Michael Keaton as an architect who finds solace in electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) recordings after the sudden death of his wife. He begins to believe that her spirit is somehow communicating with him through the recordings, yet as he delves deeper into the mysterious recordings, he discovers they are coming from an evil supernatural force.
This movie is part psychological thriller, and part ghost story that is extremely well-paced and filled with no shortage of jump scares and suspense. White Noise (not to be confused with the weird new Adam Driver masterpiece) is a great example of how to mix horror and drama effectively while still delivering plenty of tension throughout.
6 Scream 3
Dimension Films
The third installment of the Scream franchise may not be as beloved by fans as its predecessors, but it deserves credit for how it perfectly ties together all the plot threads from the previous two movies. With Scream originally meant to be a trilogy, the series comes full circle in this movie with Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) fighting back against the return of Ghostface. It has the perfect mix of comedy and horror, with important undertones of the dark side of Hollywood.
Scream 3 is arguably one of Neve Campbell’s best performances, as she brings her character to a new level of strength and determination. It was the perfect conclusion to what arguably should have just been a trilogy, and it has the touch of Wes Craven’s signature style that make the first films of the franchise timeless.
5 Ghost Ship
Warner Bros.
The 2002 horror movie Ghost Ship by Steve Beck stars Gabriel Byrne as the captain of a salvage team that discovers a seemingly abandoned cruise ship in the Bering Sea. As they explore the ship, violent supernatural forces start to attack the crew, uncovering a mysterious past that the ship had been hiding. It features Julianna Margulies and Ron Eldard as two leaders of the salvage crew, as well as Emily Browning as the ghost of a young girl who haunts the ship.
With one of the greatest cold opens in horror movie history, Ghost Ship is a ride full of intense action and special effects. It may not be the scariest movie on this list, but the ghost ship sequences are sure to keep viewers engaged until the shocking ending.
4 The Poughkeepsie Tapes
MGM Distribution Co.
This 2007 found footage horror movie is directed by John Erick Dowdle and follows the investigation into a serial killer who records his murders on videotapes. His snuff films are found in an abandoned apartment, and his victims include both adults and children. The movie is a powerful exploration of the inner workings of a serial killer’s mind and features some truly horrifying scenes.
The Poughkeepsie Tapes is a unique movie that is as much a psychological thriller as a horror movie, focusing on the killer’s motivations and his gruesome methods. While some horror movies focus too much on jump scares and gore, this film is a disturbing insight into the mind of an unhinged killer.
3 Vacancy
The excellent 2007 thriller Vacancy follows a couple played by Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale. After suffering a series of unfortunate events, they find themselves having to spend the night in a hotel miles away from civilization. Once settling into their room, it’s clear that something is off about the hotel and its staff. The couple realizes they are being watched by cameras in their room, and are soon targeted by the hotel’s sadistic owner.
Vacancy is truly an edge-of-your-seat movie experience. While some parts of the script are a bit weak, the film is still incredibly intense and full of suspense thanks to the excellent direction from Nimrod Antal, who followed up his incredible train-based thriller Kontroll with this English-language film. The performances of Wilson and Beckinsale stand out as they are put in increasingly dire situations throughout the movie. The way the film builds to its climax is powerful and satisfying, proving that Vacancy is great for fans of thrillers and horror.
2 Lake Mungo
Arclight Films
This 2008 Australian mockumentary is a found-footage-style horror movie that follows a family trying to uncover what caused the mysterious death of their daughter. The investigation leads them to Lake Mungo, where they soon discover dark secrets about her past that have been hidden for years. It’s just as much of a ghost story as it is a psychological thriller, providing a look into the family’s struggles as they deal with her death.
Lake Mungo is a wonderfully crafted film that creates a truly unsettling atmosphere throughout. The way the family’s story is told through found footage gives it a powerful and intimate feel, resulting in a hauntingly effective movie. It’s different from most other horror movies on this list, but it’s a great watch overall.
1 Session 9
USA Films
The 2001 psychological horror movie Session 9 is directed by Brad Anderson and stars David Caruso and Peter Mullan. It follows an asbestos removal team that has to clean up an abandoned mental institution, though each member of the team is struggling with personal issues of their own. This makes it difficult for them to focus on the job, especially when they start listening to tapes from old therapy sessions.
Session 9 is another excellent example of horror without excessive gore or a built-up storyline. The film is more of a slow burn, relying on its deep characters and intense atmosphere to keep viewers engaged. It builds suspense slowly and has an overwhelming sense of dread throughout. If you’re a fan of horrifying slow-burn movies like The Shining or The Exorcist, then be sure to add this to your list.
