Though the 2010s feel like a bygone era, the era left an indelible mark with innovative and occasionally unsettling monster movies. Iconic creatures like Godzilla and King Kong underwent modern reinterpretations, and the frightful monsters from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark transitioned from pages to the big screen, delivering a fresh kind of scare. Whether you lean towards dark comedy with Colossal or revel in the depravity of the V/H/S franchise, these monster movies affirm that the 2010s were indeed a stellar decade for horror.
15 Late Phases
Blind Vietnam veteran Ambrose McKinley settles into an apparently ordinary retirement community in the 2014 film “Late Phases.” However, normalcy takes an unexpected turn when Ambrose and his neighbor face an attack by a werewolf. Devastated by the loss of his cherished German Shepherd, Ambrose resolves to uncover the identity of the werewolf within the community and find a way to eliminate the threat.
“Late Phases” offers a unique blend, akin to envisioning “Cocoon” with a werewolf twist. The surprising transformation of senior citizens into fanged, furry creatures during a full moon defies expectations. While some critics may find the concept a bit unconventional, the movie stands out as a distinctive and memorable horror experience.
14 Annihilation
In the 2018 sci-fi horror film “Annihilation,” a meteor collides with a lighthouse, birthing an alternate dimension named “The Shimmer.” When an initial investigative team meets a tragic end within The Shimmer, another group embarks on a perilous journey to the lighthouse in search of answers. It becomes evident that The Shimmer alters DNA, giving rise to monstrous creatures that mercilessly att*ck and annihilate humans.
Arguably the most frightening entity in “Annihilation” is the bear that assaults Cassie. Transformed by The Shimmer, much of its skeleton is exposed, creating a ghastly sight. A close second in terms of horror is the character whose internal organs exhibit autonomous movement.
13 Monsters
Commencing the 2010s, the British horror film “Monsters” unfolds with an alien incursion in Mexico. Photojournalist Andrew Kaulder is tasked with rescuing Samantha Wynden, the daughter of Andrew’s employer, in the aftermath. Their attempts to return to the United States are repeatedly thwarted by the aliens and other obstacles. Seeking refuge at a Texas gas station, Andrew and Samantha witness the approach of an alien, resembling a walking giant octopus, soon joined by another. These extraterrestrial beings communicate through tentacles and electricity, appearing relatively harmless despite their destructive potential.
The aliens in “Monsters” possess an oddly beautiful quality as they emit a radiant glow while exchanging energy. However, the film’s conclusion, looping back to its opening scenes, serves as a stark reminder of the creatures’ deadly nature.
12 The Void
In the 2016 film “The Void,” a man named James is urgently brought to an almost deserted hospital after a br*tal attack. Within the hospital, both staff and patients become aware of a group of cultists surrounding the premises, clad in white robes adorned with black triangles. Unveiling a shocking revelation, it becomes clear that one of the doctors is entwined with the cult, which claims to have discovered the secret to eternal life. This revelation takes an unexpected turn, as it involves people transforming into grotesque skeleton-tentacle monsters, a move that adds a modern twist to classic movie monsters.
“The Void” resonated with audiences for its adept homage to 1980s B-horror, skillfully capturing the nostalgia of the era. Despite a modest budget, the film successfully blends elements of disgust and fear, with the added intrigue of a cult for good measure.
11 V/H/S/2
In 2013, “V/H/S/2” delivered another unsettling array of short films, notably “Safe Haven.” Within this found-footage segment, a documentary crew—Malik, Lena, Adam, and Joni—sets out to infiltrate the Paradise Gates cult in Indonesia. Initially innocuous, the cult takes a dark turn when its leader initiates a mass suicide, claiming the life of Joni. Malik meets a gruesome end too, leaving Adam and a pregnant Lena to navigate their escape. However, Lena’s birthing process takes a horr!fying turn as she delivers a fully-grown demonic entity. To complicate matters further, Adam, the reluctant father, is confronted with the chilling reality of his new son actively seeking his “papa.”
While the demon baby trope is well-trodden in h*rror, Lena’s unconventional delivery of a fully-grown monster searching for his father provides a disturbing yet innovative twist.
10 A Quiet Place
In the 2018 film “A Quiet Place,” the Abbott Family resides on a farm in upstate New York, navigating life after an alien onslaught decimates most of the world’s population. These highly sound-sensitive aliens pose a deadly threat, and even the slightest noise can lead to fatal consequences, as tragically witnessed early in the film with one of the Abbott children. The creatures meet their downfall when exposed to a sound that prompts them to reveal their vulnerable, unarmored skin, allowing the Abbotts to eliminate one of them.
While the monsters in “A Quiet Place” faced criticism for resembling the Demogorgons from “Stranger Things,” their undeniably eerie presence is heightened by the unsettling silence maintained throughout the movie.
9. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
In the film adaptation of “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,” a group of teenagers becomes ensnared in a parallel universe, thrust into horrifying narratives from the eponymous book. Discovered within a journal penned by Sarah Bellows, a young woman executed for witchcraft, Chuck, Auggie, and Stella confront a nightmarish array of monsters unleashed by Sarah. From spiders erupting from a girl’s skin to The Jangle Man, The Toe Monster, Harold The Scarecrow, and The Pale Lady, each creature proves more chilling than the last.
“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” masterfully resurrects the monsters from the 1981 book, known for traumatizing generations of children. Particularly unsettling is the slow-moving, dead-eyed Pale Lady, leaving a lasting impression of dread.
8 Colossal
In the dark comedy “Colossal,” struggling writer and alcoholic Gloria returns to her hometown, only to find herself embroiled in an odd series of events. Reconnecting with her childhood friend Oscar, Gloria discovers an unusual ability to control a colossal monster that mysteriously appears in Seoul, South Korea. Adding to the bizarre twist, Oscar has control over a giant robot wreaking havoc in the same city. Unraveling a suppressed childhood memory, Gloria determines to confront Oscar, defeat his robot, and reclaim control over her own life.
While the genre of “Colossal” may be ambiguous, the film offers a fun spectacle as Gloria manipulates the monster, even orchestrating an amusingly awkward dance. Though not a conventional horror, “Colossal” delivers entertaining moments that captivate the audience.
7 TrollHunter
The 2010 Norwegian horror film “Trollhunter” unfolds in a documentary style, following three college students investigating a man named Hans, whom they suspect of illegally hunting bears. To their astonishment, they discover that Hans is, in fact, a trollhunter. Armed with a blaster that turns trolls to stone, Hans joins forces with the students. However, when a troll bites one of them, a race against time ensues to unravel the potential consequences.
“Trollhunter” distinguishes itself with a lighthearted tone uncommon in many monster movies, mirrored in the whimsical appearance of traditional trolls. The film takes a dark turn into horror-fantasy territory with the introduction of a three-headed troll, adding an unexpected layer to the narrative.
6 Godzilla
In the 2014 film “Godzilla,” the iconic monster takes on his most realistic depiction yet. Two Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organisms (MUTOs) launch attacks on the US, prompting Godzilla to emerge from the sea not as a menace but as a savior. Engaging in an epic battle, he successfully fends off the MUTOs, earning recognition as a hero for safeguarding the world.
Released seven decades after the original 1954 film, the 2014 “Godzilla” showcases significant advancements in CGI and special effects. Riveting scenes, such as the monster’s assault on the airport and Godzilla passing by the Golden Gate Bridge, exhibit a level of realism that exhilarates and captivates audiences.
5 It Follows
The surreal 2014 horror film “It Follows” centers around college student Jay, who becomes the target of an entity after an intimate encounter with her boyfriend. Governed by peculiar horror movie rules, this entity relentlessly pursues its target, only ceasing its pursuit when the target engages in a similar intimate act with someone else. Adding to the t*rror, the entity maintains a deliberate walking pace, intensifying the fear far more than if it were to sprint after its prey.
What distinguishes the “monsters” in “It Follows” from conventional ones is their diverse forms. From the n*ked woman haunting Jay to the almost-intruding “Tall Man,” and the unsettling doppelgangers of Jay’s friends and family, the entity manifests in various ways, skillfully manipulating its victims.
4 The Cabin in the Woods
In 2011’s “The Cabin in the Woods,” a team of scientists manipulates the minds of five college students, orchestrating a twisted scenario. As the students face an onslaught from a zombie family, they succumb one by one, unwittingly becoming part of an ancient ritual. Two survivors stumble upon the scientists’ lab, inadvertently unleashing numerous trapped monsters that wreak havoc on the facility, ultimately triggering an apocalyptic event.
“The Cabin in the Woods” embraces an unpredictable narrative where virtually anything is possible, including a diverse array of monsters. The lab scene unfolds as a chaotic bl*odbath, yet there’s a darkly humorous element as the unleashed monsters exact revenge on their captors.
3 V/H/S
In the found footage film “V/H/S,” the mini-film “Amateur Night” unfolds as friends Patrick, Shane, and Clint bring two women back to a seedy motel room for an unauthorized recording. The night takes a chilling turn when Lily, one of the women, exhibits unusual traits with scaly legs and clawed feet. Terrified, Shane witnesses Lily attacking him and Patrick before pursuing Clint. Lily undergoes a monstrous transformation, sprouting wings and soaring into the air, ultimately leading to Clint’s fatal fall.
The popularity of “Amateur Night” led to the creation of its own full-length movie, “Siren,” released in 2016.
2 Kong: Skull Island
In “Kong: Skull Island,” the iconic King Kong, or simply “Kong” in this rendition, undergoes a significant image shift. Stranded on Skull Island, a group of military researchers and soldiers faces a perilous threat from prehistoric creatures known as Skullcrawlers, emerging from the ground and posing a lethal danger to the humans. The film unfolds as an alliance between the humans and Kong becomes imperative to combat the Skullcrawlers and ensure mutual survival.
“Kong: Skull Island” introduces a more humanized portrayal of Kong, fostering audience sympathy in contrast to earlier depictions. The Skullcrawlers are rendered with impressive realism, intensifying their terrifying impact. The film’s concluding scene, featuring other classic movie monsters, adds a satisfying touch to the overall cinematic experience.
1 The R!tual
In the 2017 film “The R!tual,” the narrative revolves around four friends embarking on a camping trip in Sweden to commemorate the life of a deceased friend. Lost in the woods, tragedy strikes as two of the men meet their demise, with one gruesomely !mpaled on a tree. The surviving duo is captured by a cult intending to sacr!fice them to an ancient entity named Moder, offering immortality in exchange for human lives. Though Luke manages to overcome Moder, the creature persists in the woods, anticipating new victims.
Moder, even without her mind-control abilities and impaling tendencies, is inherently horr!fying. A fusion of human, deer, and spider elements, accentuated by beady, glowing eyes, she stands as a nightmarish figure, evoking terr*r on her own.