Summary
While 2024 has been a great year for horror movies, one standout scary film has flown under the radar. Historically,horror movies have received little award recognitionor critical acclaim. However, an impressive number of mainstreamhorror movies have been released in 2024. With more than a dozen domestic horror movies already in the theaters this year, and more highly anticipated films to come, 2024 has proven to be an excellent year forhorror box-office performances.
Though less mainstream in the United States, plenty of international horror films strike just as much terror. Unfortunately, many international horror movies aren’t widely knownuntil they get American remakes. However,2024 has also been a stellar year for international horror, with this Korean hit film that many Americans have yet to see being one of the standouts.
*RT ratings as of June 11, 2025
The 40 Best Horror Movies Of The Last Five Years, Ranked
2019-2024 marks a strong time for the horror genre, and the best horror movies of the last five years showcases exactly why.
Exhuma Is Easily The Best Horror Movie Of 2024 (So Far)
Exhuma Is South Korea’s Highest-Grossing Film Of The Year
Exhumais a deeply scary psychological horror film based on Korean history and supernatural lore. Written and directed by Jang Jae-hyun,it focuses on a renowned shaman and her apprentice, who are hired to investigate the cause of a disturbing supernatural illness. The origins of the affliction can be traced to a hidden family grave. The film explores national traumas and traditional shamanistic practices to generate suspense and horror.
There are only a few jump scares and startling moments inExhuma, with most of the film’s horrific moments coming from its mystery, suspense, and extreme realism. Though it has been overshadowed by domestic horror in the U.S.,Exhumais South Korea’s highest-grossing film of the year.Exhumahas been receiving high praise among other horror gurus, as it landed onMike Flanagan’s top 2024 movies list.The film is a well-loved, mind-bending thriller with a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. While it still doesn’t matchLate Night with the Devil’s 97%, it’s a much deeper film.
Exhumais available to watch on Shudder.
Horror Movies Have Received Positive Rotten Tomatoes Scores In 2024
BesidesExhuma, 2024 has seen some stellar horror films, all taking different approaches to the genre. Some are new takes on classic horror characters (AbigailandLisa Frankenstein), while others explore the devil and demonic imagery (LonglegsandImmaculate). Some dig even deeper and play with the slasher genre (In A Violent Nature andMaXXXine). The year is only half over, and 2024 is turning out to be one of the strongest years for horror in the last decade. With fall and winter around the corner, there’s sure to be more contenders for the best horror film of the year.
Exhuma
Cast
When a renowned shaman (KIM Go-Eun) and her protégé (Lee Do-hyun) are hired by a wealthy, enigmatic family, they begin investigating the cause of a disturbing supernatural illness that affects only the first-born children of each generation. With the help of a knowledgeable mortician (YOO Hai-jin) and the country’s most revered geomancer (CHOI Min-sik), they soon trace the affliction’s origin to a long-hidden family grave located on sacred ground.
