The world is terrifying sometimes. But one of the best ways to manage the horrors of the real world is to contain those extremes in a movie. Unlike life, horror movies actually end, and so, even if you're scared out of your mind while watching,

Given the data-driven nature of contemporary Hollywood, it should not be a surprise that multiple late-franchise horror sequels hit theaters in 2025. And indeed, they were safe bets, as two of them—one celebrated,

It may be hard to believe, but the best horror movie of 2025, according to Rotten Tomatoes, has slid over the finish line in the last week of the year.

Welcome to Horror Explorer, a curated column showcasing the month’s best movies, series, books and everything else spooky worth checking out. I’m William Earl, the executive digital director of Variety and the publication’s resident horror enthusiast.

Guillermo del Toro ’s Frankenstein was the first book-to-screen adaptation of the Mary Shelley novel I’d ever seen, and I was absolutely stunned. While I was blown away by Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi’s performances as Victor and The Creature, respectively, what truly took my breath away was how expansive and visually stunning this world was.

From the depravity of "Don't Open Till Christmas" to the haunting "Krampus," the best holiday horror movies have something for every genre fan. List.

This isn't limited to one particular country or one particular era, either, as countless horror films from all over the world have gone on to influence horror in its entirety, with legacies spreading to all the corners of the globe.

Not just one of the best horror movies of 2025, but one of the best movies of 2025 full stop, Sinners is a celebration of genre and cinema. Writer/director Ryan Coogler reimagined vampire lore as a way to explore what it means to be young, Black, and gifted in America.