As we reluctantly bid farewell to another spine-chilling year of horror flicks, it’s time to delve into the darkness and unveil the bloodcurdling gems that sent shivers down our spines in 2023. Unflinching screams echoed through cinemas worldwide as bone-chilling tales disrupted our sleep and tested our nerves.

Powered by IMDb scores, we bring you an exclusive countdown of the top horror films that left audiences trembling in fear – a macabre trip down memory lane you won’t want to miss! Grab your popcorn (and perhaps a friend’s hand for comfort), as we embark on an electrifying journey through the ultimate fright fest of 2023.

10The Last Voyage of the Demeter 6.1/10

Photo: The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) – Directed by André Øvredal/Filmdb.co.uk

Plot: The crew of the merchant ship Demeter attempts to survive the ocean voyage from Carpathia to London as they are stalked each night by a merciless presence onboard the ship.

Starring: Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, David Dastmalchian

9The Pope’s Exorcist – 6.1/10

Photo: The Pope’s Exorcist (2023) – Directed by Julius Avery/Filmdb.co.uk

Plot: Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican, investigates a young boy’s terrifying possession and ends up uncovering a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep hidden.

Starring: Russell Crowe , Daniel Zovatto, Alex Essoe

8Knock at the Cabin – 6.1/10

Photo: Knock at the Cabin (2023) – Directed by M. Night Shyamalan/Filmdb.co.uk

Plot: While vacationing at a remote cabin, a young girl and her two fathers are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand that the family make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. With limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost.

Starring: Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge

7No One Will Save You – 6.3/10

Photo: No One Will Save You (2023) – Directed by Brian Duffield/Filmdb.co.uk

Plot: An exiled anxiety-ridden homebody must battle an alien who’s found its way into her home.

Starring: Kaitlyn Dever, Elizabeth Kaluev, Zack Duhame

6Renfield – 6.4/10

Photo: Renfield (2023) – Directed by Chris McKay/Filmdb.co.uk

Plot: Having grown sick and tired of his centuries as Dracula’s lackey, Renfield finds a new lease on life — and maybe even redemption — when he falls for feisty, perennially angry traffic cop Rebecca Quincy.

Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina

5M3GAN – 6.4/10

Photo: M3GAN (2023) – Directed by Gerard Johnstone/Filmdb.co.uk

Plot: A brilliant toy company roboticist uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to emotionally bond with her newly orphaned niece. But when the doll’s programming works too well, she becomes overprotective of her new friend with terrifying results.

Starring: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Ronny Chieng

4Scream VI – 6.5/10

Photo: Photo: Scream VI (2023)/Paramount Pictures
Photo: Scream VI (2023) – Directed by Matt Bettinelli, OlpinTyler Gillett/Filmdb.co.uk

Plot: Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter.

Starring: Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown

3Evil Dead Rise – 6.6/10

Photo: Evil Dead Rise (2023) – Directed by Lee Cronin/Filmdb.co.uk

Plot: A reunion between two estranged sisters gets cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.

Starring: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies

2Saw X – 6.9/10

Photo: Saw X (2023) – Directed by Kevin Greutert/Filmdb.co.uk

Plot: Between the events of ‘Saw‘ and ‘Saw II’, a sick and desperate John Kramer travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer, only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, the infamous serial killer returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through devious, deranged, and ingenious traps.

Starring: Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Synnøve Macody Lund

1Talk to Me – 7.2/10

Photo: Talk to Me (2023) – Directed by Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou/Filmdb.co.uk

Plot: When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.

Starring: Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird

Conclusions

As we reflect on another year of spine-tingling cinema, it’s clear that the horror genre continues to captivate audiences and push the boundaries of fear. With a mix of classic franchises and new, terrifying tales, 2023 was a year to remember for horror lovers. From demonic possessions to twisted psychological thrillers, these top films proved that nightmares can become a reality on the big screen.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this countdown based on IMDb scores and perhaps added some future movie nights to your must-watch list. Till then, happy haunting!