6 Critically Panned Horror Movies from the 2010s That Are Worth a Watch

Film criticism has never been an exact science, and movie critics themselves are still fallible human beings. That’s why it’s no surprise that some horror movies only find a welcoming audience years after being dismissed during their initial release. While the rise of the internet means that it’s now much easier to recommend underrated flicks to like-minded fans (like our previous list of unfairly maligned horror films of the 2000s), some great movies still manage to slip through the cracks.

That’s why we’re back with another six critically panned horror movies that are still worth a watch, this time focusing on underrated gems from the 2010s. These films might not be that old, but enough time has passed for horror fans to re-evaluate some of the negative criticism that was thrown their way by mainstream reviewers.

Like last time, we’ll be using Rotten Tomatoes scores to try and measure how harshly these films were treated upon release, though readers should try and remember that this list is based purely on personal opinion. That being said, don’t forget to share your own unfairly maligned favorites with us in the comments below, as one horror fan’s trash might be another horror fan’s treasure.

Now, onto the list…

6. The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018) – 40% on Rotten Tomatoes

Bryan Bertino’s The Strangers wasn’t exactly a critical darling back in 2008, but Johannes Roberts’s underrated sequel had trouble finding support even among die-hard fans of the original. I think that’s a huge shame, as The Strangers: Prey at Night is one of the most entertaining Slasher flicks in recent memory, pitting a likable family against genuinely threatening killers in a thrilling love-letter to 80s horror.

While it’s an entirely different beast when compared to Bertino’s somber take on masked home invaders, there’s no denying that the flashy thrills of Prey at Night make it a must-watch for fans of classic Slashers. Hell, that unforgettable pool scene was the last time I heard a theater audience audibly cheer for a horror movie protagonist, so I think it’s safe to say that this one is worth the price of admission.

5. Hell Fest (2018) – 39% on Rotten Tomatoes

Some of my favorite movie-going experiences involve showing up for a film I don’t expect to be good, only to be pleasantly surprised by the filmmakers. Hell Fest may not be a masterpiece, but it was definitely one of those experiences, providing tons of bloody fun all wrapped up in a nice and creepy bow.

Hell Fest doesn’t necessarily reinvent the Slasher wheel, telling a familiar story about teenagers being pursued by a deranged killer in a spooky carnival, but the creative kills and atmospheric setting make this a consistently entertaining romp that’s sure to get you hyped up for any Halloween season. As if that wasn’t enough, the movie also benefits from memorable performances by both Tony Todd and the always-lovable Bex Taylor-Klaus, plus a killer score by Bear McCreary!

4. Knock Knock (2015) – 38% on Rotten Tomatoes

Featuring practically no gore, Knock Knock is one of Eli Roth’s most subdued productions, but it’s also one hell of a weird movie that I think deserves more love. A stealth remake of Peter S. Traynor’s 1977 erotic thriller Death Game, Roth’s take on the story follows Keanu Reeves as he’s tested by a pair of sociopathic party girls played by Ana de Armas and Lorenza Izzo.

The film’s uncomfortable undertones may not be to everyone’s liking, but I think most horror fans can appreciate how it slowly builds to a terrifying crescendo by misleading audiences with sex and humor. If you’re still not convinced, I’d recommend checking out GoodBadFlicks’ deep dive into the movie’s production, as there’s a lot to unpack about this throwback to the exploitation flicks of yore.

3. Exists (2014) – 33% on Rotten Tomatoes

Directed by Eduardo Sánchez, one half of the duo behind The Blair Witch Project, Exists might not boast the cultural significance of its Found Footage predecessor, but it’s still one hell of an entertaining monster movie about everyone’s favorite bipedal cryptid.

A fun yet straightforward creature feature boasting effective scares and a memorable finale, not to mention some genuinely convincing practical effects, I honestly don’t get why Exists didn’t make a bigger splash when it came out back in 2014. Good Bigfoot movies are few and far in between, so I’d recommend this one to any fan of cryptozoological terrors.

2. The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) (2011) – 29% on Rotten Tomatoes

Despite its exaggerated reputation as one of the most disturbing movies ever made, Tom Six’s original The Human Centipede isn’t as graphic as its detractors would have you believe. The sequel, on the other hand, features disturbing amounts of gore and gruesome body horror in a nightmarish depiction of fandom gone wrong.

Famously crowned as the worst film of 2011 by Roger Ebert, Full Sequence‘s reliance on shock value won’t be to everyone’s liking, but I’d say that Six’s meta sequel is obviously using the absurd levels of violence to comment on violent media itself. The excessive brutality also provides the film with some memorable moments that will likely haunt viewers long after the credits roll, making it a legitimately effective horror flick. Just don’t watch this one on a full stomach.

1. As Above So Below (2014) – 26% on Rotten Tomatoes

Brilliantly combining an Indiana Jones styled adventure with the real claustrophobic horror of Paris’ underground catacombs, John Erick Dowdle’s As Above So Below is a must-watch Found Footage movie with more than a few occult tricks up its sleeve. That’s why I think it’s absurd that most mainstream critics dismissed the film as a yet another generic scary movie back when it first came out.

While there’s no accounting for taste, I think the negative reviews were mostly a case of bad timing, as many critics had grown tired of the Found Footage trend after the yearly entries in the Paranormal Activity franchise. Regardless, As Above So Below is a highly effective supernatural horror flick and a worthy successor to Dowdle’s other Found Footage classic, The Poughkeepsie Tapes.