That being said, here is my list...
I am a huge fan of the Saw franchise, and ever since the ending of Saw VII (The Final Chapter) I’ve been chomping at the bit for another movie in the series. Well, after seven long years we finally have a sequel with Jigsaw. This entry didn’t really wow me like the others in the series did the first time I viewed them, but it was still fun to watch and to be in that universe again. The ending was a little lacking compared to the previews entries. Here’s hoping to another sequel with perhaps some returning faces.
Life may be like the movie Alien in the sense that they are both sci-fi horror that take place in space where people discover some type of new life form, then all hell breaks loose. However, the execution of those plot elements and how everything all plays out is what makes them so different from one another. I really enjoyed Life, and found it to be a creepy, messed up movie. Although I kind of saw the ending coming, I give the filmmakers credit for doing an ending that isn’t typical. (Trying to be as vague as possible here to avoid spoiler territory.)
The thing I find funny about Annabelle: Creation is that it’s a similar situation to the Ouija movies. The first Ouija movie and the first Annabelle I did not like whatsoever. However, the second film, Ouija: Origin of Evil and Annabelle: Creation are awesome horror movies. What’s even more funny is that Origin of Evil and Creation are both prequels. Oh, and they both star Lulu Wilson. I don’t know, I just find that interesting. Annabelle: Creation, as you could guess, explorers the creation of the Annabelle doll and how things came to be. Creation has a much spookier vibe that I felt the first Annabelle was lacking.
This movie had a lot of hype surrounding it by the time I got to sit down and watch it. However, I ended up just enjoying the movie, instead of loving it like everyone else seemed to be. I must say that I praise it for it’s originality. It does have some clever twists and turns in it that will keep you guessing. I am usually pretty good at guessing what is going to happen in movies, but this is one of those movies you could never guess how things will ultimately play out.
Some might not consider The Babysitter a horror movie because it features comedy, but so did Shaun of the Dead and I consider that a horror movie. Horror isn’t defined by one thing, but a movie where a boy discovers that his babysitter is part of a cult, wants to perform a satanic ritual with human sacrifice in his home, and wants to kill him as well, sounds like a horror movie to me. The Babysitter is completely bat-shit crazy, and hilarious. You will never guess what is going to happen next. The only negative thing that I can say about The Babysitter is that it’s a Netflix original movie and I can’t buy it on blu-ray.
Gerald’s Game is a weird movie, but I like weird, so that’s a compliment coming from me. Based on a novel by Stephen King, and directed by Mike Flannagan. (who has made some great horror movies like Hush, which made my 2016 list.) With such a simple premise of a woman stuck tied to a bed, Gerald’s Game does a great job at keeping things fresh and thrilling. As with The Babysitter, Gerald’s Game is a Netflix original movie therefore I cannot buy it on blu-ray. Keep up the great work Netflix, but could you please start releasing things on blu-ray. (I’m still waiting on Hush.)
I’m not usually a fan of slow-burn horror movies, but I guess some surprise me from time to time. The Blackcoat’s Daughter is one of those movies. The premise of the movie is simple, but the films story unravels with such tension and mystery that it keeps you firmly engaged, even if it is moving along slowly. The definition that a great story is key. I found myself drawn into it, wanting to know what the hell was going on, and just how the story was going to wrap up. To me, it didn’t disappoint, a slow-burn done right.
I know The Poughkeepsie Tapes was technically released in 2007. However, it was only released at a film festival, which meant not everyone could go and see it. The movie was supposed to have a theatrical release in February of 2008, but it was pulled for unknown reasons. Now in 2017, the film has finally been released to the masses, thanks to the heroes over at Scream Factory. I got to see this movie awhile back and absolutely loved it, but since it was never officially released I never added it to any of my top 10 lists. I always told myself that the year it was finally released would be the year it would make the top 10. Since this year is that year, I now consider The Poughkeepsie Tapes a 2017 film for the sake of this list. Anyway, this movie is completely messed up and downright disgusting. The documentary style really adds to the unsettling nature as it feels like what you are watching actually happened. To me, this is possibly one the best found footage movies ever made.
A movie about a crazy serial killer, demonic-esque possession, with heavy metal music as the soundtrack? Where do I sign up? The Devil’s Candy is a great, twisted horror movie. It takes the cliché of a family moving into a new home only to have weird things begin to happen to them and flips it on its head. Without spoiling anything, the way the serial killer was depicted in the film gives the movie some genuinely disturbing scenes. Also, the use of the metal music in the soundtrack adds credence to the film. The songs aren’t just thrown into the movie to be edgy or cool; yeah, it’s cool, but the songs serve a purpose and is almost an extension of the movies characters.
I must be honest, when I first heard they were making a movie based on Stephen King’s IT, a remake of the 1990 mini-series, I wasn’t excited in the slightest. Also, when I first saw the official photo of the new Pennywise, it did nothing for me. However, I still went and saw it, because the previews had something about them that I couldn’t explain. They drew me to it and gave me this feeling that it might be good after all. I guess my subconscious was right, because it was. Pennywise looks goofy if you look at him out of the context of the film, which I guess makes sense, because he is a clown after all; but within the movie he is one creepy son of a bitch. He definitely steals every scene he is in, like how the Joker did in The Dark Knight. I really went into this movie with my expectations low and left loving the hell out of it. There were a few great horror movies this year, but none of them really wowed me like IT did when I left the theater.
Honorable Mentions: 47 Meters Down, The Void
So there it is, my Top 10 Horror Films of 2017. If you haven’t seen or even heard of any of these films, then I suggest you really look into them. If you’re into horror, then you should at least give them a rent.
Disclaimer: I would like to add that although I watch a lot of horror films and I try to see everything, I didn’t get to see every single horror film that was released this year. This is not my job; it’s just a hobby of mine. So if you don't see something great on this list, it’s most likely because I did not get to see it... yet. Also, this list is my opinion and my opinion only. If you do not agree with it, then that is okay. Feel free to post your top 10 in the comments, but please, let's not start a war over this. It is just a list.
Check out last years list, Top 10 Horror Films of 2016.
Check out the rest of my lists on my page A List of Lists.
Check out the rest of my lists on my page A List of Lists.
