The Best Horror Films of the 2000s You Forgot to Watch
- Renee
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 8
The 2000s were a chaotic decade for horror, marked by post-9/11 fear, digital disruption, and a surge of remakes. But hiding under all that noise were some absolute gems - films that slipped through the cracks but still pack a terrifying punch.
Here are five underrated horror films from the 2000s you might have missed, and why they're worth revisiting now.
Session 9 (2001)
Set in an abandoned asylum, this psychological horror gem leans on atmosphere, isolation, and dread. The horror doesn't jump - it seeps. It's one of the best examples of less-is-more storytelling.
The Orphanage (2007)
Produced by Guillermo del Toro and directed by J.A. Bayona, this Spanish-language ghost story is emotionally devastating and visually haunting. If you loved The Others, this one is essential.
The Descent (2005)
You might remember the premise - women trapped in a cave with monsters - but forget how raw and relentless this movie is. Claustrophobia, betrayal, and survival instincts collide in one of the scariest films of the decade.
May (2002)
A slow-burning character study of a woman descending into madness. May is unsettling, unique, and disturbingly sympathetic. Think Carrie meets Frankenstein - but lonelier.
Lake Mungo (2008)
Told as a faux-documentary, this Australian horror film will crawl under your skin and stay there. It's grief horror at its finest, with one of the most effective final scares you've likely never seen.
Final Thoughts
Not all great horror gets the spotlight it deserves. If you're looking for deeper cuts to fuel your next script - or just want a good scare - these films prove the 2000s had more to offer than you remember.
-Renee
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