As always, it was a struggle getting my list down to ten films. It was even stranger because when I first started going through my list of movies I watched this year, at first, I thought I was going to have trouble even coming up with five titles. But the more I looked into them, the more I realized that not only did I have more than ten, but almost like last year, most of the films I have listed here came out in the last few years. I’ve only got two “old” ones and the rest from 2020 to 2023. I would like to say that it gives me hope for modern films, but really mainly if you look outside the country! Six of my films are from foreign countries, which does give me a LOT of hope of the horror genre as a whole.

Let’s get started, shall we? These are listed in alphabetical order to make it a little easier for me, since narrowing it down to ten was hard enough!

Against the Grain (2023) – This amazing documentary should be watched by anybody that is a film collector, cinephile, or anybody that appreciates film in general. There is so much work that goes into putting out a film that every single collector should know, because not only is it time consuming, but the care and love that goes into it, even when the films are what most would consider a waste of time. These archivists go above and beyond to keep these films alive. And this documentary shows just that. Some of the scenes in here are truly heartbreaking, seeing how some of the films were stored, covered in rust, water damaged, and what looks like something that should just go in the garbage, but then shows what these film lovers go through to save them from being a lost title.

The documentary also shows the impact that Mike Vraney and Something Weird Video had on film lovers, which cannot be overstated. Granted, there are plenty of amazing people covered in this documentary, but Vraney was one of the first that realized how important it was for these films and shorts be saved. It is more than worth the watch. It is available in the Lost Picture Show box set that Vinegar Syndrome recently put out.

Blood Flower (2022) – This is a Malaysian film that I stumbled across on Amazon Prime and just loved it. It’s about a young boy named Iqbal who has the gift of seeing spirits and demons, that he inherited from his mother. She uses her gift to help those that are afflicted by possession, but it scares the hell out of young Iqbal, especially after he witnesses his mother sacrifices herself to save him. A short time later, another demon is released in the apartment complex he lives in, that threatens the rest of his family, as well as his friends. Lots of great makeup effects, with some incredible performances, especially by a younger cast, and an interesting look into a different take on possession and mysticism than what we’re used to here in the States.

Cobweb (2023) – While maybe not the most original idea, I found this one pretty creepy with a family secret that you’re not sure at first what that secret really is. Seems obvious at first but the more the story plays out, you realize it is not as it seems. Great performances by Antony Starr and Lizzy Caplan as the parents, which really makes me wonder why it didn’t get more attention than it did, especially since Seth Rogen was one of the producers, and with Starr (The Boys‘ Homelander and Caplan (the young Annie Wilkes in the Castle Rock series). Plus, it has an incredible score by Drum & Lace (aka Sofia degli Alessandri-Hultquist) that I really enjoyed, and it helps create the atmosphere in the film.

Voces aka Don’t Listen (2020) – Another film I just stumbled upon, this time on Netflix, without even realizing it was made is Spain, which has just been killing it when it comes to genre films over the last few decades. This story is about a couple and their young son who buy a large home on the outskirts of town to flip it. But it doesn’t take long for them to realize there is something darker living inside the house. Not the feel-good-film of the year, but a very good story, very creepy, and really well done as we learn more and more about the house as the characters do. Director Ángel Gómez Hernández is one to keep tabs on.

The Ghost of Sierra de Cobre (1964) – This is a made-for-TV movie that shows you never know what “old” films you are going to discover that you might not remember ever hearing about! I stumbled upon it one evening and decided to give it a try, not having any clue as to what the film was about, and then it shot to one of my favorites for the year! Martin Landau plays an architect who is also an amateur paranormal investigator. He’s hired to investigate a haunting after a woman who is terrified of being buried alive has a phone installed in her crypt in case she wakes up alive. Shortly after her death, the phone starts ringing.

Not knowing what the story was about, I was surprised at how scary the film actually is! Written and directed by Joseph Stefano, of Hitchcock’s Psycho fame, it was supposed to be a pilot for a proposed TV series, like The Twilight Zone but scarier. Apparently, it didn’t get picked up because the TV station received too many complaints that it was too disturbing!  Great discovery and a really creepy film.

The Grandmother aka La Abuela (2021) – Spanish director Paco Plaza gives us a story that is not original at all, but still played out really well. I figured the story out in the first 5 minutes, but it is how the story progresses, the acting by our main characters, is what makes this such a nice little film. Very moody, slow-paced, creepy, and effective. Once again, not going to give you the warm and fuzzy feelings, but shows how well Plaza can craft a film, drawing the viewer in, no matter what they think might happen. Also check out Plaza’s other more recent film, Sister Death (2023).

The Innocents (2021) – A very intriguing story from writer/director Eskil Vogt about a group of young kids who all live in an apartment complex in Norway, who seem to each have a special gift. The film starts off making me think it is about a little girl who is a sociopath, but then changes into a completely different story, one that most can relate. A very different and sometimes terrifying story, and really well done. Kudos to the child actors because they really do keep the story focused and going.

I See You (2020) – This is a strange one. During the first act, I really didn’t care for the movie, even debated turning it off. It didn’t seem like anything different and honestly most of the characters weren’t anybody I cared about. Then the second act starts, from a first-person perspective, which I hate even more, but goes back and replays the first act but allowing us to see stuff we weren’t allowed to see the first time around. By the time the third act started, I was totally invested in the characters and was anxiously waiting to see how the story would play out. Very different than what you’d expect, so definitely worth your time. Not to mention having more than a few creepy elements in it.

No One Heard the Scream (1973) – This is a Spanish giallo that I had never heard of until seeing at the Music Box Theatre during their January Giallo festival and just loved it. It is one of those that has a simple set up, where you’re pretty sure you know what’s going on, but I found myself completely fooled by reveal. Well done. Director Eloy de la Iglesia does a great job keeping the viewers on their toes during this twisted storyline that will keep you watching to see what is going to happen next.

When Evil Lurks (2023) – And now, for the real feel-good-movie of the year, or even the decade, and my # 1 film of 2023! I had director Demián Rugna 2017 film Terrified in my Top Ten Viewings from last year, so when I heard about his new film coming out, I was very excited, hoping he could replicate what he did with his previous film. Boy, did he do that and more. I can’t remember the last time I watched a film that filled me with such a sense of dread, especially during a couple of scenes. He does an exceptional job using Hitchcock’s “time bomb” theory, showing us the ticking bomb and letting us sit there and squirm while we wait for it to explode. And when it does, it goes beyond what you were expecting.

A very highly original and unique story, giving us a very new and different way to look at possession, throwing little details out there, but never bothering to explain each and every one of them, which I just loved. Very effective, very scary, and again, one that will leave you feeling like you just want to spend the rest of the day hugging puppies. Though, maybe not a Pitt Bull.