The time has come; the end of the chapter, the conclusion of the old year, and soon, the beginning of a new one. With that, we begin to see a variety of “best of” lists, including the horror genre. We at Nerdspin, of course, couldn’t pass up on this opportunity. Thus, I’ve compiled a list of the best horror films that we believe deserve a place amongst the best of 2025.
Also, check our list of 10 Best Supporting Actress Performances of 2025
Sinners
I wish I could go back in time to see Ryan Coogler’s Sinners again for the first time. Set in the 30s in Mississippi, the film focuses on Michael B. Jordan in dual roles as twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, who return to their hometown to open up a juke joint, but instead, they are confronted by a supernatural evil. Next to Jordan, we have the pleasure of seeing Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton as the twins’ cousin Sammy (in his film debut), Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo. Coogler expertly blends genres like period drama and horror while exploring themes of cultural identity, historical trauma, and spirituality.
There is not one dull moment in Sinners, and one of the most touching, memorable scenes is the dancing/singing sequence where Sammy plays and sings. Highlighting Sammy’s power while he’s in his element, we can see the ancestors of different cultures, who seem to be called by Sammy’s performance, who are awake and celebrating, thanks to Sammy’s warm vocals. The scene is extremely powerful and one of the most memorable moments of the film.
Together
Together was perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. I went in, not expecting anything. But boy, does the film deliver. Directed by Michael Shanks, the film stars real-life married couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco, who, upon getting lost in a mysterious cave and drinking well water, begin to merge and fuse together. As they attempt to figure out what’s going on, the only thing that can stop it is them not sleeping, as those are the moments in which their bodies are conscious.
Together contains an impressive and important commentary on relationships, and depending on your own personal experiences, you’ll see it differently: you can view it as a tale about co-dependency in the relationship, or the characters’ study, or even a representation of harmony when one is in a long-term relationship. No matter what you gather from it, it will leave you impressed, either by the post-reflection or because of the amazing performances by Brie and Franco.
Weapons
Blending elements of horror and comedy, similarly to his previous work, Barbarian, Zach Gregger’s Weapons is an absolute must-see for horror enthusiasts and those who simply want to have a good time. Weapons follows a story of a small town, in which all but one child from the same classroom mysteriously disappear on the same night at the same time. Mourning town is left with nothing, so the distressed parents naturally turn against the class’s teacher, Justine (Julia Garner). Trying to get to the bottom of the mystery, the townsfolk and the police recount the events, focusing on the remaining kid, Alex (Cary Christopher), and his peculiar, squeaky-speaking, redhaired aunt Gladys (Amy Madigan).
When I tell you that the entire cast ensemble is impressive, I am not lying. That includes Garner, Josh Brolin, Austin Abrams, and Benedict Wong, who all give excellent performances. That said, we can all agree that the undisputable star of Weapons is Madigan, who delivers perhaps the most creative, outlandish, terrifying, and complex performance. Aunt Gladys lives in my mind rent-free!
Bring Her Back
I have watched Zach Cregger’a Weapons before I have watched Michael and Danny Philippou’s Bring Her Back, and I thought we won’t have any other complex villains, but the directing duo proved me wrong, and I’m so happy about it. Bring Her Back tells the story of siblings Andy (Billy Barratt) and Piper (Sora Wong) who lose everybody and are forced to be placed within a foster family. But soon, they realize that their foster mother Laura (Sally Hawkins) may be hiding a dark secret that has something to do with her dead daughter, and their peculiar foster brother Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips).
The trajectory in which the film is going may be a predictable one, but Hawkins delivers one of the most terrifying portrayals as Laura. Everybody needs to experience her wrath. Additionally, the film contains an important commentary on spiritualism, grief, and loss.
Presence
Presence, similarly to Together, was also a pleasant but certainly heartbreaking surprise for me. A supernatural thriller drama directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by David Koepp is a film that is shot entirely from the perspective of the titular presence, a ghost who is roaming an empty house. Through the eyes of said mysterious entity, we see the Payne family first seeing the house, then moving in. The family includes Rebekkah (Lucy Liu), Chris (Chris Sullivan), and their son and daughter: Chloe (Callina Liang), and Tyler (Eddy Maday). Soon, the family realizes they may not be alone in their new suburban home.
If you need a constant fast pace, this film won’t be for you as it’s a slow burn, focused on small details, subtle sounds, and fleeting moments. Liu and Sullivan are fantastic, but it’s Liang and Maday that truly shine. Presence is a worthy watch, especially for its shocking, unexpected, thought-provoking, and heart-rending finale.
Black Phone 2
While I get that The Black Phone franchise isn’t for everybody, I was a big fan of the first installment and Black Phone 2 as well. Something about Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber utterly terrifies me, and he’s even more powerful in the sequel. In the second installment, Finn “Finney” Blake (Mason Thames) tries to return to normal life, but the trauma of his kidnapping by The Grabber still has him in a vice grip. Especially when Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) begins having harrowing visions of three boys being murdered at a remote Christian youth camp. Fearing that The Grabber might somehow be involved, Gwen, Finn, and Robin’s younger brother, Ernesto (Miguel Mora), travel to Alpine Lake Youth Camp to uncover what’s really happening.
The new installment ties tightly to its predecessor while delivering a different kind of scare, a supernatural, dreamlike, Freddy Krueger–esque terror. For some, it may feel familiar, but thanks to a fresh storyline, even the Nightmare on Elm Street-style elements feel elevated and just as frightening.
Companion
Drew Hancock’s directional debut, Companion, is more of a sci-fi thriller, but it contains plenty of gore, so it definitely suits our list. The film starts off as a typical romance budding between two people, Josh (Jack Quaid) and Iris (Sophie Thatcher), but it’s anything but. In reality, Iris is an android, an artificial intelligence robot companion that was bought by Josh. It comes with a variety of settings that one can change from the volume of submissive traits, high or low intelligence (really?), or tone of voice. But the fun ends, and a chain of consequences begins after the pair is invited for a weekend getaway with friends (in those roles: Lukas Gage, Harvey Guillén, Megan Suri, and Rupert Friend) during which Iris goes haywire.
If you’re a fan of sci-fi, dystopian narratives, or horror films, Hancock’s Companion is definitely worth your time. At its core, the film explores the theme of control (whether in relationships or at work) and how, in our desire to control others or situations, we often face disastrous consequences. Not only that, but the film also sparks important conversations about technology’s impact on our lives and delivers a solid dose of horror, with standout kills and plenty of gore to satisfy any horror aficionado.
The Monkey
As an enthusiast of Osgood Perkins’ work, I was very excited for The Monkey, and I wasn’t disappointed. Based on a short story by Stephen King, the film focuses on a sinister cymbal-clapping toy monkey that brings death and disaster to anyone who discovers it. In Perkins’ story, we jump from past to present as we get to know two twin brothers (both portrayed by Theo James) who find said monkey within their dad’s stuff, which leads to a series of tragic events, the brothers’ eventual estrangement, only for the monkey to come back to terrorize the next generation.
The Monkey also stars Tatiana Maslany, who is simply phenomenal, albeit on-screen for a short while. Perkins’ horror, while not extremely scary, is definitely bloody and contains an intriguing narrative about generational trauma, and how often we don’t want to become our parents just for us to do exactly that.
Frankenstein
While I appreciate Guillermo Del Toro’s work, his filmography is often a “hit or miss” situation for me. Frankenstein was certainly a hit. Starring Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, Oscar Issac, and Christoph Waltz, the film retells the story that we all know: the creation of The Monster (Elordi) and its aftermath. Full of breathtaking cinematography, practical effects, and memorable camera angles, Frankenstein is constructed into two parts: a story from Victor Frankenstein’s perspective (portrayed by Isaac), and from the perspective of its Creation.
Through the characters of Dr. Frankenstein and The Monster, Del Toro expertly highlights the themes of bodily autonomy, control, God complex, and consequences of our actions. Frankenstein is not only beautifully made; it’s simply a beautiful but heartbreaking story, and one that provokes a reflection regarding our actions and the way we treat all the living creatures.
Final Destination: Bloodlines
I will never forget the first time I truly saw all the parts of the Final Destination franchise, especially the first one. It was weeks before I was flying to the States, and it was my very first flight. I know, smart, right? Nevertheless, I fell in love with them, even though some installments are better than others. I believe the reason the films from the franchise are so scary is that they focus on real-life fears and situations that can happen in reality, just like death, unexpectedly. The theme of cheating death continues in Final Destination: Bloodlines, directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein. The story follows a college student, Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana), who is plagued by a violent and recurring nightmare. The visions are so intense that Stefani is forced to head home to track down her estranged grandma (Gabrielle Rose), who might be able to help, especially as grisly accidents begin to happen that slowly but surely kill off her family members.
Final Destination: Bloodlines is a franchise-worthy installment and a true love letter to fans, but also great fun for those who will be able to discover older films because of this one. Not only that, but the film is also greatly sentimental due to the fact that it’s Tony Todd’s last acting role before his passing. As the film’s dedication is to Todd’s legacy, his character’s final line is ever more chilling and thought-provoking: “I intend to enjoy the time I have left, and I suggest you do the same. Life is precious. Enjoy every single second. You never know when… Good luck”
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