GBHBL’s Top 10 Horror Movies of 2023

It’s been a mixed bag for horror this year, especially when it comes to mainstream releases. We’ve seen multiple new franchise entries, such as Scream VI, Evil Dead Rise, Saw X, and even a new Exorcist film. Films that have dominated the box office and made it feel, in some regards, as though horror is becoming a bankable area for studios again. At least until you remember that none of these releases have much in the way of originality.

That’s the mainstream market for you though, if you want to find fresh and original content, you often must dig around the indie market, and 2023 had plenty to please. Although it’s not been a great year for horror overall (in the subjective sense of quality) there have been some great movies released. Which brings us to this top ten list. Ten horror movies that we’ve seen and reviewed in 2023 that we think are some of the best released this year.

10. It’s A Wonderful Knife

It’s a Wonderful Knife is a slasher comedy horror movie that embraces the most wonderful time of the year, and pours buckets of blood over it. A parody/spin on the 1946 Christmas classic film It’s a Wonderful Life, It’s a Wonderful Knife is imaginative, fun, and delightfully festive.

A massive amount of credit must be given to It’s a Wonderful Knife for trying to stand out from the Christmas horror pack. It’s a creative watch that will raise a smile, and has a plenty of slasher horror to sate a thirst for blood. Read our full review here.

9. Killer Kites

It doesn’t get dumber than this, so why the hell is Killer Kites so damn entertaining then?

Killer Kites is a great example of how a ‘micro-budget’ horror flick can stand out simply because it refuses to take itself seriously at any point. A film where everyone, including the viewer, is in on the joke. Nobody expects this to be a good film, and by conventional standards it’s not, but through the filmmaker’s sheer passion and willingness to laugh at themselves, it ends up being quite a lot of fun to watch.

Even if you have to throw your brain in the garbage to get through its entire hour-plus runtime. Read our full review here.

8. Thorns

If we were rating Thorns based solely off imagination and doing wonders with a low-budget, Thorns would be looking at an eight or nine out of ten. Director Douglas Schulze has done a fantastic job of marrying religious dogma with an apocalyptic story, while also delivering on horror and gore.

The end result is an immensely watchable film that feels both fresh and old at the same time. Any of its niggling issues can be overlooked when such an incredible amount of effort has gone into making it feel important. Read our full review here.

7. Mind Leech

Low-budget and barely an hour long, one glance at Mind Leech and you might think you’re in for a rough ride. So, it’s a really pleasant surprise to find that it’s a delightful and fun horror movie that showcases passion and drive. One with some laughs, some gooey gore, impressive practical effects, and good acting. Read our full review here.

6. Craving

Craving is not the movie you might first think it is. Resulting in a wild and bloody romp that leaves you feeling breathless. It is part crime thriller, part creature feature; and it results in a compelling slow-burn horror that creates mystery and intrigue while building towards its exceptionally bloody ending.

Craving is a memorable movie that subverts expectations perfectly and delivers on its promises. Read our full review here.

5. Talk to Me

Talk to Me lives up to the hype, even that hype did get a little out of control at times. A film that provides a fresh feeling concept in a genre that is so very tired. Strong acting, good scares, great gory visuals, and some really clever moments of cinematography, Talk to Me leaves an impression. In fact, it makes you that if demonic possession was ever discovered to be real, it might be abused in this way. Read our full review here.

4. Older Gods

Older Gods is an exemplary example of low-budget horror relying on imagination and tone to fill the viewer with dread. A horror movie that calls to the darkness that surrounds the universe and suggests that we really are just nothing in the grand scheme of things.

The entire film oozes menacing atmosphere and dread. Yet, there are also moments of peace and serenity too, emotional touches that really highlight the quality in acting.

It’s slow pacing and subtle storytelling will not appeal to everyone though. This is one of those horror movies you must sink into, to really enjoy. Thankfully, it does a hell of a lot to make that possible. Read our full review here.

3. Cobweb

On first glance, Cobweb looks like nothing more than your standard ‘kid haunting/ghostly-goings-on’ horror and nobody wants another one of those. However, what it actually turns out to be is a smart, dark, twisted, and frightening mesh of different genre ideas. Held together by a tense story that keeps you guessing right up to the last minute, and a very strong cast.

Cobweb does a fantastic job of subverting expectations and hinting at numerous potential revelations. Drip-feeding clues with its slow-burn story, before ramping up the carnage for a frenzied finale. It is a compelling watch that draws you into the darkness, feeling both trepidation and excitement for what awaits. It’s not about twists, but rather reveals, and that makes for a much more satisfying watch. Read our full review here.

2. Evil Dead Rise

Be prepared to be assaulted by a cacophony of gleeful violence and delightfully excessive gore. It is absurdly bloody. That almost all of this comes from practical effects too, is even more eye-widening.

Of course, the Evil Dead movies have always been bloody, so to differentiate itself, Evil Dead Rise showcases some original ideas too. While paying homage to the movies that came before it. There are plenty of groovy references and links throughout but at its core, Evil Dead Rise is all about moving the franchise forward.

Something it nails, thanks to a simple but smart story, and expansions on the lore. Evil Dead Rise is better than anyone could have expected or even hoped for. Read our full review here.

1. V/H/S/85

A found-footage horror anthology film, the sixth instalment in the V/H/S franchise and in our opinion, the best one to date.

Featuring five unique horror stories with interludes in between, one area that V/H/S usually nails is the feeling of authenticity in their twisted stories. It’s important to be able to immerse yourself in the footage and attempt to buy into the idea that what you’re seeing could be real. This latest entry in the franchise executes this better than any that have come before it. It does a tremendous job of giving you the sense that you’re watching some kind of late-night documentary or something.

It, and the individual stories, being set in the 80s was an inspired decision. The acting, costumes, props, sets and general vibe is just perfect. A hell of a lot of effort was made to make you feel like you have been transported back to the golden era of horror. This latest entry is truly outstanding and if this is going to be the effort put in and overall quality heading forward, keep them coming. Read our full review here.