The horror genre has been booming over the past couple of decades, with everything from a myriad of strange and successful A24 movies to a rise in tv horror anthologies. Audiences have been able to see all sorts of fears and terrors come to life on screen. Filmmakers have been exploring every dark corner of humanity and creating new twists and styles for the genre. Horror movies are ever expanding the limits of film, especially thanks to directors of the modern era. Here are a handful of modern horror movie directors that are some of the best creators for the genre.
7 Leigh Janiak
Netflix
Last summer Netflix released the Fear Street trilogy, which is based on the books by R.L. Stine (though these three movies are NOT written for kids). The series centers on a group of teens trying to end a curse on their town where a witch turns people into killers. Each movie takes place during a different time period in the town as the origins of the curse and the impact it has begins to unfold, all of it circling back around at the end, so the group of friends can defeat the sinister witch. For teenagers and adults that want a unique set of slasher films, this trilogy is a great spot to start. Leigh Janiak creates a relatable set of characters while adding new elements to a beloved genre.
6 Alice Waddington
Nostromo Pictures
An underrated horror film is Paradise Hills. Led by a talented (almost entirely) female cast that includes members like Emma Roberts and Milla Jovovich, this film is unsettling in all the best ways and has a lot of commentary on society and how women are treated as objects. The film is set in a dystopian world where young women who are imperfect by the standards of their family or society are sent away to a treatment center called “Paradise” where they are to be reformed. This facility has a chilling headmistress and frightening ulterior motives, as girls who are sent to their graduation overnight suddenly become an entirely different person by the next day. This film has gorgeous cinematography, an incredibly talented cast, and has impactful feminist themes about women’s strengths and identities. This was Alice Waddington’s debut movie back in 2019, and hopefully she will be creating more eerily intriguing films with powerful messages in the future.
5 Robert Eggers
Universal Pictures
This director quickly became known among fans of horror movies after the release of his movie The Witch, starring Anya Taylor Joy. As his name and skills rose in acclaim, he became even more revered after The Lighthouse made its way to audiences. Robert Eggers’ passion for film and storytelling is evident in his work. He cuts no corners when it comes to making something truly and beautifully haunting. While Eggers does have films that belong to other categories, his horror and thrillers have definitely become staples of the genre; his films show some of the darkest parts of the human heart while also making it all seem otherworldly. He blends elements together perfectly in his films to create a story that is completely captivating from start to finish.
4 Jordan Peele
Many viewers were taken by surprise with Jordan Peele’s dive into horror, as many people will recognize him as a comedian and star of the show Key & Peele. Though he does have a lot of comedic talent, he also has a gift for horror. Peele was celebrated for his skills after the release of Get Out, which quickly became a horror phenomena and an interesting exploration into the racism and struggles of African Americans. His films continue to follow these kinds of themes, creating a repertoire of incredible stories that scare audiences so much they learn something from it. His movies have had a lot of impact on the art world over the past few years, and he doesn’t show any signs of stopping.
3 Jennifer Kent
Umbrella Entertainment
Whether a fan of horror or not, many will shudder at the recognizable name of The Babadook. This film was the debut of Jennifer Kent’s abilities, and it took audiences by storm. This film is terrifying in a myriad of ways. It centers around a single mother and her son struggling with the grief and trauma of losing their husband and father. The son battles a lot of constant paranoia about the world around him and the monsters he believes in, so much so that he gets in trouble at school for bringing in handmade weapons to defend himself. As the mother tries to connect and deal with her son, a storybook about a monster called the Babadook appears in their home. As soon as they read it, the son believes in the monster, and both of them become increasingly erratic and paranoid as they feel haunted by this pale-faced monster. The film carefully walks the line between reality and invention, keeping audience members on edge throughout the whole story. This is truly one of the most iconic and unforgettable movies of the horror genre.
2 Guillermo del Toro
Legendary Pictures
This director has a wide variety of films under his belt, everything from Pan’s Labyrinth to Crimson Peak– as well as an upcoming anthology series. Guillermo del Toro is a master of his craft and an incredible storyteller. His movies tend to blend the styles of fantasy and horror, creating films that are visually stunning as well as narratively enticing. He makes movies for all ages, each of them directed with the perfect amount of eeriness for the target audience. Del Toro knows exactly how to play around with genre and style, making projects that are experimental and unique compared to other pieces under the same genre.
1 James Wan
FilmDistrict
Often regarded as one of the most successful horror directors, James Wan has captivated audiences with The Conjuring film series as well as the Insidious franchise, and the terrifying film Malignant. His films tend to center around threats from the supernatural– some of them nothing more than a casual demon, and some of them entirely other. Wan is able to create a world in which these supernatural elements feel anchored and (more or less) make sense as the characters in the story learn and fight against them. His films make things that seem normal or recognizable suddenly feel very suspicious and scary, creating an atmosphere that keeps audience members on the edge of their seats. As his success with franchises and individual stories continues, there’s no telling what kind of terrors await viewers next.
