10 Highest-Rated Horror Movies Released in 2023

It was another phenomenal year for horror movies. The genre has enjoyed a resurgence the past few years which means scary movies are no longer just limited to October.

Here are the 10 highest-rated horror movies released in 2023:

#10 Infinity Pool

Infinity Pool was one of the first scary movies to make headlines in 2023. The Brandon Cornenberg film took a classic remote/secluded theme and flipped it on its head.

The horror movie doesn’t ease up from there, putting the couple in a lose-lose situation and leaving audiences feeling nearly as tense and uneasy. It’s the signs of a good scary movie which is further vindicated by a rare NC-17 rating.

#9 Talk to Me

Talk to Me was a summer blockbuster in a year that included Barbie and Oppenheimer. The film takes another timeless trope (group of friends trying to conjure up evil spirits) and takes an unexpected twist from there.

Talk to Me is not only frightening but also tackles some important issues such as grief over the loss of a loved one and drug addiction. As a result, it's not your typical scare fest filled with cheap gimmicks.

#8 The Boogeyman

It wouldn’t be Halloween without a little Stephen King. Thus, the annual Stephen King adaptation, The Boogeyman, arrived this fall to mixed reviews. The Boogeyman also deals with the grief of losing a loved one and grappling with the fallout.

Sure, it may not be the best Stephen King book-turned-movie of all time, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a watch this October.

#7 Renfield

Renfield is an intriguing new take on classic Dracula story. Even better, it features Nicolas Cage in the lead role. Released in early spring, Renfield has been overlooked in a year full of horror movies.

Despite it, it’s worth checking out if you are into the famous narrative. Renfield is a light, entertaining shift on the legendary tale without abandoning the elements that make it famous.

#6 The Nun II

The Nun II was the much anticipated sequel to the original film based on the Conjuring movie. And, while it opened to mixed reviews (per the norm of most sequels), it still was worth the price of admission.

The fall release upped the ante in terms of frights. Consequently, the 1950s-set horror movie takes the story to France, where a priest is murdered and an evil force is discovered.

#5 Run Rabit Run

Netflix, despite all the good it produces, is not renowned for creating the best horror movies. Nevertheless, Run Rabit Run is the streaming platform’s major attempt at a 2023 scary movie.

Run Rabit Run has some dark, deep themes about estrangement and the afterlife. While it didn’t exactly amaze critics, it was also far from the worst horror movie of 2023.

#4 Insidious: The Red Door

The latest chapter in the Insidious franchise was a huge success at the box office. The Red Door not only performed well at the box office, but was well received by audiences, too.

Insidious: The Red Door is perhaps the best part in the series and was worthy of a summer 2023 release. Patrick Wilson took this dark and ominous movie and transformed it into one of the best of the year.

#3 Evil Dead Rise

Evil Dead Rise was the horror movie to watch on the big screen if you got the opportunity. If not, viewers can catch up on streaming apps.

The Lee Cronin directed film sticks to the true essence of the franchise by making it bloody as hell. The gore fest lived up to the hype.

#2 Scream 6

The latest installment of the classic Scream series opened this year to mixed reviews. Scream 6 was the first without Neve Campbell, yet did feature the return of Courtney Cox and Hayden Panettiere.

Thus, while fans of the iconic franchise may not have been able to eat their cake and enjoy it too, the sixth edition did inspire plenty of nostalgia.

#1 The Exorcist: Believer

The trailer alone of The Exorcist: Believer was enough to scare the hell out of most people. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the latest chapter in The Exorcist franchise ranks as the scariest of 2023.

The sequels of The Exorcist have never been great until Believer arrived. It’s a must-see horror movie in theaters this Halloween.