2001 Film Ranked the 'Best Horror Movie of the 21st Century'

Since the turn of the century, horror movies have become more mainstream and critically acclaimed. The publication Slant showcased some of the most beloved films from the spooky genre by sharing a list of "the 100 best horror movies of the 21st century."

The ranking, updated in October 2025, featured scary movies released after 2000 like Smile 2 (2024), Insidious (2010), Lake Mungo (2008), Hereditary (2018), The Babadook (2014), Drag Me to Hell (2009), and Get Out (2017). According to Slant, the top five horror films of the last 26 years include Let the Right One In (2008), Halloween II (2009), Trouble Every Day (2001), and Under the Skin (2013), with Pulse (2001) taking home the number one spot.

Pulse has a score of 76 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and a 68 on Metacritic.

Kiyoshi Kurosawa Discussed Making Horror Films in a 2025 Interview

In a 2025 interview with Studio 9, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, the director and writer of Pulse, discussed his decision to make several scary movies, like The Guard from Underground (1992), Loft (2005), and Daguerrotype (2016). Kurosawa, now 70, said that "horror is a genre [he has] loved since [he] was a child."

"I've always wanted to make scary films. And I am very happy that I have made several films in this genre. And I hope to make more in the future if I get the chance," continued the filmmaker in the 2025 interview.

Kurosawa also shared that he's aware that his horror films aren't for every audience.

"One thing I really feel, having made many films in this genre, is that when you really try to take it seriously, it becomes difficult to make something that the average person can enjoy," said Kurosawa. "You'll make something very philosophical that the general public may not understand or enjoy. I always feel this way because we are forced to deal with death, something ultimately incomprehensible to the living. It's not a concept easy to communicate. That is why it's very difficult to make a simple and enjoyable film in this genre."

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This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 1:16 PM.