Founded byJason Blum, the production companyBlumhousehas released various types of movies to critical acclaim. Blumhouse produced a handful of non-horror movies before putting themselves on the mapwithParanormal Activity(2007). Ever since, they’ve become synonymous with the horror genre, even if they’ve produced films of every type (that’s right, the studio behindSinisteralso producedTooth FairyandBenji).
And sure,Whiplash(2014) andBlackkklansman(2018) continued their trend of producing critical darlings outside the horror sphere. But the films on this list showcase the true brand identity of Jason Blum’s studio and its many recurring collaborators (Jordan Peele, Mike Flanagan, James Wan, M. Night Shyamalan). These are among the most popular movies of their respective years, regardless of genre, and they hold up wonderfully today. Here are Blumhouse’s 15 best horror movies, ranked.
15Split (2016)
Continuing hisUnbreakabletrilogy, M. Night Shyamalan crafted the first supervillain origin movie:Split(2016). The villain’s name is Kevin Wendell Crumb — a manwith dissociative identity disorderwho harbors 23 disparate personalities. He’s played to a career-defining degree by James McAvoy, who truly shines when Kevin’s final personality, known as The Beast, reveals himself with superhuman powers.
A Compelling Plot Renewed Shyamalan’s Career
In an underground compound, the man with many names holds three girls captive: Casey, Claire, and Marcia. They’re played by Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson, and Jessica Sula, with everyone involved bringing a compelling plot to convincing life. This is among the all-time great Shyamalan flicks and, after his small-scale hitThe Visit, helped re-launch the director’s career after roughly a decade of poorly received films.Rent on Google Play, Apple TV, YouTube, and Vudu.
14M3GAN (2022)
Read Our Review
With Gerard Johnstone as director,M3GAN(2022) was written by Akela Cooper from a story she developed alongside James Wan. It chronicles the creepy invention of Model 3 Generative Android, also known as M3gan: a children’s doll that comes to life by dint of artificial intelligence. The project is overseen by Gemma, who’splayed by Alison Williams.
A Chaotic Premise
Gemma assigns her niece Cady (played by Violet McGraw) as M3gan’s primary user. The toy then develops a bond with her new companion, and protects her at all costs. Though not the scariest movie of the Blumhouse bunch,M3GANis well-written until its final frame, and the doll’s demented demeanor nonetheless provides some fright.Stream it on Prime Video, Rent on Google Play, Apple TV, YouTube, and Vudu.
13Paranormal Activity (2007)
Paranormal Activity
The movie that put Blumhouse on the map wasParanormal Activity, a supernatural horror film. Oren Peli wrote, directed, and shot the project, then also sat in the editing room to piece the final product together. The work of a true auteur, he crafted a compelling plot that facilitated inventive elements of found-footage films.
The Birth of a Popular Horror Franchise
After experiencing supernatural happenings in their home, protagonists Katie and Micah set cameras up to document the haunting. And rest assured, fans were eager to see it play out. Off just a $15,000 budget,Paranormal Activityaccrued nearly $200 millionat the worldwide box office, spawning a massive franchise. And while the sequels run the gamut of quality, the first entry holds up as a classic of Blumhouse horror.Stream it on Max, Rent on Google Play, Apple TV, YouTube, and Vudu.
12Sinister (2012)
Another entry in the supernatural subgenre,Sinister(2012) features two staples of the Blumhouse stable: Scott Derrickson, the director, and Ethan Hawke, the lead actor. The latter plays Ellison Oswalt, a true crime writer who moves his family into a haunted house in order to chronicle the real-life hangings that took place therein.
Ethan Hawke Becomes a Scream King
This is the first notable horror film of Ethan Hawke’s career, and it’s one of his most impressive performances, period. He’s gone on to secure himself as a bona fide Hollywood scream king, and for many fans,Sinisterrepresents the scariest movie in which he’s ever appeared, though he would deliver a better performance in a later Blumhouse film from Derrickson. With a haunting premise and a charismatic performance from Hawke, it’s easy to see why.Rent on Google Play, Apple TV, YouTube, and Vudu.
11Happy Death Day (2017)
Happy Death Day
One of the great modern slasher directors is Christoper Landon, and his most famous film isHappy Death Day(2017). Its script was penned by Scott Lobdel, revolving around college student Tree Gelbman, who’s played by Jessica Rothe. After being murdered on her birthday, she wakes upvia a time loop, and begins searching for the killer to stop her never-ending death.
Groundhog Day Becomes a Horror Film
With a science-fiction twist on slashers and inspired byGroundhog Day,Happy Death Dayhit home as a refreshing take on the fan-favorite subgenre. A sequel was released a few years later, also directed by Landon and then from his own original script. But the original stands tall as the more notable production from Blumhouse, as Landon executes an enticing premise with well-written dialogue and keen direction.Rent on Google Play, Apple TV, YouTube, and Vudu.
10Insidious (2010)
Starring Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne under James Wan’s capable direction,Insidious(2010) ranks among the most famous horror films of the 21st century. Of all time, perhaps, and with good reason. Several scenes stand out as legitimately frightening experiences, and the lead actors are convincing every step of the way.
The Fantastic First Film in a Franchise
Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne have reprised their roles as Josh and Renai Lambert, and Wilson even directedInsidious: The Red Door, but without a doubt, the first movie holds up as the highest-quality entry in the franchise. It’s a memorable and terrifyingstory about demonic possessionwith a great cast and some incredible jump scares.Stream it on Netflix, Rent on Google Play, Apple TV, YouTube, and Vudu.Check out our interview with Wilson aboutInsidious: The Red Doorbelow:
9Freaky (2020)
With an emphasis on laughs,Freaky(2020) is among the finest horror comedies in recent memory. Written and directed by Christopher Landon, it takes aFreaky Fridayapproach to the slasher subgenre as a high school girl named Millie (played by Kathryn Newton)magically switches bodieswith a serial killer known as “The Butcher.”
The Leads Share Wonderful Chemistry
The Butcher is played by Vince Vaughn, and he shares a hilarious, tangible chemistry with Newton until the film’s final frame. This is among the most uproarious performances of Vaughn’s career — undoubtedly saying something given his penchant for Hollywood comedies — and the same can be said for Newton. An essential Blumhouse horror comedy,Freakyrepresents the peak of Chris Landon’s career so far.Stream it on Peacock, Rent on Google Play, Apple TV, Prime Video, and Vudu.Check out our interview with Kathryn Newton below, where she comparesFreakywith her role inLisa Frankensteinwith her co-star Cole Sprouse.
Related:13 of the Funniest Horror Comedies Ever Made
8The Black Phone (2021)
The Black Phone
Another Scott Derrickson and Ethan Hawke collaboration,The Black Phone(2021) was adapted from a short story by Joe Hill. For those unfamiliar: Hill is the son of Stephen King, who’s of course provided the perfect canvases for dozens of horror directors to paint their respective masterpieces throughout the years. Now, Hill is joining the ranks.
A Chip Off the Old Block
Joe Hill wrote a terrifying story about a masked killer, nicknamed “The Grabber,” who kidnaps a teenager named Finney. The villain is played to a spine-chilling degree by Hawke, while Mason Thames is excellent Finney. He uses a rotary phone in his room of captivity to communicate with the former victims of The Grabber, then uses their expertise to escape. It’s a thrilling experience and a very gritty coming-of-age film.Stream it on Peacock, Rent on Google Play, Apple TV, Prime Video, and Vudu.
7Halloween (2018)
Thanks toDavid Gordon Green as the writer-director,Halloween(2018) sparked a renewed interest in the fan-favorite horror franchise. Rob Zombie attempted a reboot in the prior decade, and of course, several sequels to John Carpenter’s original had been released throughout the 20th century, but this David Goron Green iteration is the most impressive of the bunch, even if the planned trilogy was ultimately less than the sum of its parts.
A Successful Halloween Sequel
Legitimately scary moments are punctuated by humor to a convincing degree inHalloween, resulting in a motley tone that provides a sense of rejuvenation to one ofhorror’s most influential franchises. This is the greatest movie the series has seen since Carpenter started it off withHalloween(1978) — the film at hand acts as a direct sequel while throwing all other iterations to the wayside. A good move, as it resulted in an all-time Blumhouse great.Rent on Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV, and Vudu.
6Creep (2014)
Directed by Patrick Brice with Mark Duplass as his co-writer,Creep(2014) also features those two creatives in the primary roles. The former plays Aaron, who responds to an ad posted online by a man named Josef — played with intensity by Duplass. Josef is dying of an illness, so the protagonist agrees to film Josef for the day, as he hopes to record footage for his unborn child to view in the future. As the day progresses, Josef’s requests render him the titular character.
Creep Is Shocking and Unforgettable
There’s no denying the consistently creepy nature of Josef and his bizarre idea of content. Some images inCreepwill likely stick with you. But many of these shocking, off-putting scenarios are awkwardly hilarious in the moment, resonating with the audience on various emotional levels. Though not the most conventional of horror films by Blumhouse, it’s easily among the best.Stream it on Netflix, Rent on Google Play, Apple TV, and Vudu.
Related:Creep Shows How Found Footage Can Be Done Right
