16 Best Blumhouse Horror Movies Ranked

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Paranormal Activity (2007)

This film introduced a new style of horror, making use of found footage to heighten the sense of realism and unease. The story follows a young couple experiencing disturbing events in their home, leading to a terrifying conclusion that left audiences on edge.

The use of subtle scares, coupled with the slow build of tension, allowed Paranormal Activity to create a genuine sense of dread. It became a massive success, spawning multiple sequels and cementing its place in modern horror cinema.

The Purge (2013)

The first Purge film presents a chilling concept where all crimes, including murder, are legal for one night each year. The story centers around a family who must survive the chaos outside their home while grappling with their own moral dilemmas.

The tension in the movie is palpable, as it explores the breakdown of societal rules and the human capacity for violence. The minimalist setting and the moral questions raised about the nature of violence and security make The Purge an unnerving and thought-provoking experience.

Insidious (2010)

Directed by James Wan, Insidious blends supernatural elements with psychological horror. The film tells the story of a family who moves into a new home, only to find that their son has become the target of malevolent spirits.

The chilling atmosphere and eerie visuals play a huge part in making Insidious so frightening. With an unforgettable villain in the form of the demon “Lipstick-Face,” the film is one of Blumhouse’s standout supernatural entries.

Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele’s Get Out is a masterclass in horror that combines social commentary with psychological tension. The film focuses on Chris, a Black man who visits his white girlfriend’s family estate, only to uncover horrific secrets lurking beneath the surface.

It blends racial commentary with the unsettling tone of horror, making it one of the most unique and impactful films of the decade. Get Out uses its suspense and satirical elements to craft a story that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Happy Death Day (2017)

A slasher film with a time loop twist, Happy Death Day follows Tree, a college student who must relive the day of her murder until she can solve the mystery of who killed her. The combination of horror and dark humor makes it stand out in the slasher genre.

The film is cleverly structured, blending mystery, horror, and a touch of comedy. The repetitive day structure allows for a fresh take on a familiar concept, keeping the audience engaged and entertained as the plot unfolds.

The Visit (2015)

M. Night Shyamalan’s The Visit is a found-footage horror film that tells the story of two children who visit their grandparents, only to discover that something is horribly wrong with them. The film’s slow build-up adds a layer of suspense that keeps viewers at the edge of their seats.

The eerie atmosphere is built through unsettling interactions between the children and their grandparents, slowly revealing the terrifying truth. Shyamalan’s use of humor and dread, as well as the film’s unexpected twists, makes The Visit a standout in the Blumhouse catalog.

Sinister (2012)

Sinister follows a true-crime writer who discovers a box of home movies that depict grisly murders linked to a demonic entity. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a terrifying force that begins to haunt him and his family.

The film’s haunting visuals and unnerving soundtrack are key to its chilling effect. The tension mounts as the protagonist unravels the dark history behind the mysterious murders, making Sinister one of the most unsettling films in Blumhouse’s horror lineup.

The Gift (2015)

The Gift is a psychological thriller that follows a married couple whose life is turned upside down when an old acquaintance resurfaces, bringing with him a series of unsettling gifts. The film slowly builds suspense as the past and present collide in a disturbing way.

The strength of The Gift lies in its slow-burn tension and the performances of its cast, particularly Joel Edgerton, who also wrote and directed the film. It keeps the audience guessing, providing a psychological depth that makes it more than just a typical thriller.

The Conjuring (2013)

The Conjuring is based on the real-life investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators who are called to a farmhouse to help a family plagued by sinister forces. The film’s eerie atmosphere and frightening set pieces have made it a modern classic in the supernatural genre.

James Wan’s direction, coupled with stellar performances from the cast, makes The Conjuring an incredibly effective horror film. It builds tension in a way that feels natural, drawing the audience into the story while delivering scares that stay with you.

The Belko Experiment (2016)

The Belko Experiment takes the concept of a corporate environment to a terrifying extreme, where employees are forced to kill each other as part of a twisted social experiment. The film mixes suspense with horror, creating a tense atmosphere where survival becomes the ultimate goal.

The social commentary on human behavior under extreme pressure is evident throughout, making it more than just a gory thriller. The Belko Experiment keeps the tension high, offering a bloody and thought-provoking look at the lengths people will go to when survival is at stake.

The Invisible Man (2020)

This psychological thriller follows Cecilia, who escapes an abusive relationship only to believe that her ex-partner is stalking her, despite his apparent death. The film cleverly blurs the line between psychological trauma and supernatural horror, making it both thrilling and disturbing.

The film’s use of suspense and the unseen villain creates a constant sense of paranoia. Elisabeth Moss’s performance is central to the film’s tension, as she navigates the blurred line between reality and terror, keeping viewers on edge throughout.

The Craft: Legacy (2020)

A sequel to the 1996 cult classic The Craft, The Craft: Legacy explores the world of witchcraft through a new group of teenage girls who begin to discover their powers. While it lacks some of the edge of the original, it still brings an interesting mix of horror and coming-of-age drama.

The film taps into the themes of empowerment and control, with a modern twist on the witchcraft narrative. It blends supernatural horror with issues like bullying, identity, and acceptance, making it a thought-provoking addition to the Blumhouse library.

Cam (2018)

Cam explores the story of Alice, an adult webcam performer who discovers that a doppelgänger has taken over her online persona. The film takes a psychological turn as Alice tries to reclaim her identity, questioning her sense of self in a digital age.

The film’s surreal narrative and themes around privacy, identity, and technology make it stand out. The constant tension between reality and the digital world adds to the horror, keeping viewers captivated with its unsettling premise and unpredictable twists.

The Vicious Brothers: Grave Encounters (2011)

Grave Encounters is a found-footage horror film that follows a crew of ghost hunters who enter a psychiatric hospital to film an investigation, only to discover that the building is far more dangerous than they anticipated. The film blends supernatural elements with the tension of survival horror.

The use of claustrophobic spaces and eerie visuals helps to build the sense of dread. As the crew becomes trapped, the film ramps up the tension, showcasing the terrifying unknown that lurks behind the walls of the hospital.

The Lazarus Effect (2015)

This sci-fi horror film follows a group of researchers who discover a way to bring the dead back to life. When one of their own dies in an accident, they attempt to bring her back, only for things to take a dangerous turn as she returns with more than just a second chance at life.

The film explores themes of life, death, and the consequences of playing with forces beyond human control. Its eerie atmosphere and disturbing images make it a chilling exploration of the unknown consequences of defying death.

The Night House (2020)

In The Night House, a widow begins to unravel disturbing truths about her deceased husband, leading her to question everything she thought she knew about him. The film blends supernatural horror with psychological drama, creating a story full of twists and chilling moments.

The haunting atmosphere is enhanced by Rebecca Hall’s gripping performance, which brings emotional depth to the horror. As the mysteries of the house and her husband’s life unfold, the film maintains a constant tension that keeps viewers guessing.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.