Netflix’s horror section is about to go through a pretty major franchise swap in July. If you have been meaning to revisit the Saw movies, you may want to start clearing some time, because a huge chunk of Jigsaw’s bloody legacy is leaving the streamer. The good news? Another horror icon returns to take Billy the Puppet's place just a few days later. We’re talking Ghostface people.

According to an official release, all eight Saw installments currently listed on the service will leave Netflix's streaming lineup on July 19. Then, on July 24, the service will add the first three Scream movies, which, for my money, are still the best when I’m ranking the series. More specifically, Wes Craven’s original Scream, Scream 2 and Scream 3 are all dropping for folks with a Netflix subscription.

That is a very funny trade for horror fans, if you ask me. One franchise built its reputation on grimy traps, moral tests and Tobin Bell’s eerie little puppet speeches. The other helped revive the slasher movie by combining horror with comedy and making the fans the targets with its meta commentary.

Depending on your taste, July is either a loss, a win or a perfect excuse to squeeze in two completely different horror marathons. The Saw departure is the bigger immediate news because Netflix is losing so much of the franchise at once. Eight movies are an entire pile of traps vanishing from the service in one day. For viewers who like watching horror series in order, July 19 is the date to circle in red marker because, obviously, after that, your chance is out the window. Those first eight installments are listed as follows:

• Saw
• Saw II
• Saw III
• Saw IV
• Saw V
• Saw VI
• Saw: The Final Chapter
• Jigsaw

The first Saw remains one of the great low-budget horror success stories of the 2000s, a nasty little thriller that gradually became the foundation for one of the genre’s most recognizable modern franchises. The sequels are more elaborate and increasingly tangled in timeline gymnastics, but that is part of the appeal. Half the fun is watching the franchise try to turn every grisly device into another piece of Jigsaw mythology.

While the loss of the Saw movies will undoubtedly sting many horror fans, the arrival of the original Scream trilogy softens the blow.

The first Scream is still a landmark slasher, and it remains one of the rare horror movies that is both genuinely scary and genuinely funny without either tone cannibalizing the other. Scream 2 is also one of the stronger horror sequels out there, building on the original’s meta premise while moving Sidney Prescott’s nightmare to college. Scream 3 is definitely the oddball of the trilogy, but even its Hollywood-set chaos has its defenders. Heck, I’m a fan of that movie far more than the rebooted trilogy's latest entry, the 2026 movie release Scream 7. I think the less said about that film, the better.

Netflix also has other horror-friendly titles coming and going in July, making the month feel a little like Halloween in midsummer. Krampus, Talk to Me and The Witch are set to arrive July 1, while Night of the Living Dead leaves July 4. Later in the month, Hannibal Seasons 1-3 hits the service July 27, followed by The Exorcism on July 28. So, needless to say, horror hounds will have plenty to enjoy on the streamer this summer even with the loss of the Saw films.

Acting is a tough profession. Sure, those who enter the field aren’t exactly digging ditches for a living, but they also are usually without steady jobs and even if they do hit what most of us would consider the big time and end up starring in, say, films on the 2026 movie schedule or new TV premieres, there’s always the pressure of choosing the right projects for their future career hopes. In fact, history has shown that lots of actors have left gigs in movies or shows that went on to become long-running franchises, and fans have been calling out the ones who “stupidly” left eventually beloved parts.

Actors Fans Are Calling Out For Leaving Hit Franchises

Obviously, whether an actor is well-established or new to the business, they’re going to have thoughts about how they like to work, their particular talents, and how those things should coincide with the projects they appear in. Sometimes, this means saying no when offered a part, or deciding not to return to a role for future movies or seasons of a television show.

Well, fans are now taking to Reddit to throw some shade at the actors and actresses who, seemingly, had it made, but turned down or left what went on to become major franchises. The question posed to those in the AskReddit group was, “What actor or actress stupidly left a movie franchise or tv series thinking they were too good for it, only to be never popular again?” And, man, people had a lot of answers:

• Ja Rule was offered $500,000 to reprise his role as Edwin in 2 Fast 2 Furious but turned it down.
• The original actor for the Mountain in GoT left to be the lead Orc in the Hobbit trilogy, then they replaced him last minute with a shitty CGI character
• Mike Butters was originally going to play Jigsaw in Saw, but turned it down because the role was too small. He was then cast to be the first victim, Paul Leahy, with an accumulative screentime of 10 seconds in the first film.
• Stuart Townsend was originally cast as Aragorn in LOTR. He didn't want to play nice with the cast and refused to learn how to ride horses and train with sword, etc. They fired him and replaced him with Viggo Mortensen, and the rest is history.

From what I can see, all of these tales are basically true. Ja Rule did turn down the chance to reprise his role, but when he spoke with 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony last year, he said that there was a period of time where The Fast and the Furious sequel was in flux, because both the director of that original and Vin Diesel had stepped away. During that time, the rapper set up a tour which was set to make him $14 million, and that’s why he turned down 2 Fast.

As for Stuart Townsend’s part in Lord of the Rings, he was fired, with most reports noting that Peter Jackson simply decided late in the pre-production process that he looked too young for Aragorn. Sean Astin had a very different take in his autobiography (via SlashFilm), where he said that while he and his family liked Townsend, he clearly had a lot of trouble figuring out what he needed to do in the all-important role, and ended up as “a black hole of negative creative energy.”

There is one more tale of an actor turning things down, which might be one of my favorites just for the wild ripple effect it had, and it involves the legendary original star of the James Bond movies, the late Sean Connery. Look at this exchange between Redditors:

• I remember hearing that Sean Connery had been the first choice for Gandalf, but he turned down the role because he didn’t understand it.
• You're half right. It's true that Connery had that reaction to the script for Lord of the Rings. But it was not understanding the script to The Matrix (he was offered Morpheus) and then seeing how successful it was that made him think, ‘Okay, I clearly don't know what's successful anymore, I'll just say yes to things I don't understand,’ and then he signed onto League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. And then when nobody liked that film, he said, ‘Okay, I clearly don't understand this industry anymore,’ and he retired.

Yes, Connery turned down Gandalf in LOTR, but he did the same with Morpheus/the Architect (some reports note he was offered both). While that might seem bad enough, his confusion over what might actually become successful led him to sign on for The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which was a huge flop and also reportedly not great to film (he eventually said he hated the movie), so he retired afterward.

There is no shortage of actors who’ve left franchise roles, and whether we understand the reasons or not, sometimes it’s for the best.

The Saw franchise is currently in the midst of a massive shift – and while we’ve seen major changes in this particular horror franchise before, the current one may be the biggest. After over 20 years of the movies being produced by Twisted Pictures, Blumhouse Productions purchased the company’s stake in the movies last year, and now the brand is back in the hands of James Wan a.k.a. the director who launched the franchise. Because of this big move, there have been a lot of question marks about what the future will look like, but now we know one thing for sure: Jigsaw is coming back.

This extremely welcomed news comes straight from James Wan and screenwriter Leigh Whannell, who vaguely spoke about plans for Saw while recently speaking with Bloody Disgusting at the Sundance Film Festival. The former offered an assurance to fans that we shouldn’t expect another movie like Spiral: From The Book Of Saw (the notorious failed 2021 retooling of the franchise), and added that the movie will fully embrace the legendary villain at the core of the canon. Said the OG Saw director,

It doesn’t seem that the name “Tobin Bell” specifically came up in the conversation, but I’m going to choose not to read into that and instead be stoked that the franchise is already making some very smart choices.

The importance of Jigsaw’s presence in these movies was very strongly proven with the release of Saw X in 2023 – which will be remembered as the last movie in the Twisted Pictures era. That title earned some of the best reviews of the entire series in part because it made the choice to tell a prequel story with the notorious John Kramer as its protagonist.

In the making of the next chapter, James Wan says that the aim will be to make a movie that is more akin to the original Saw than the sequels – which is to say really bore down on the horror that is the mind of the cancer-afflicted engineer – but he is also promising that we won’t just see a rehash of material we’ve already seen. He added,

The timetable for this plan is presently murky. While it’s clear that the next Saw movie is in active development, we know virtually nothing about how it’s coming together (beyond the involvement of Wan and Leigh Whannell) or when we can expect to see it. That being said, it was only last June that Blumhouse Productions acquired the franchise, so it’s definitely best to let the creatives cook and hopefully create another great film for the rejuvenated canon.

The Saw franchise has come a long way since James Wan’s original film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. Since then, the indie hit has become a major horror franchise in its own right. The lore is as deep in the world of Saw as any other franchise, but James Wan, who directed the first film, would like to bring the next one back to basics.

The future of the Saw franchise is in a weird place now. Following the underperformance of Saw X, plans for Saw XI were scrapped, resulting in Lionsgate dropping the franchise and Blumhouse coming in to pick things up. One thing Jason Blum has said he wants from the franchise is the return of James Wan. Wan recently spoke with Letterboxd, and while he didn’t reveal any specific details of what might happen in the future, he did indicate that he would like to see a future Saw film be more like the original. He explained…

James Wan has technically been a producer on every Saw movie in the franchise, though he admits in the interview that he really hasn’t been directly involved in the production of the movies since Saw III. He does believe this distance would be a benefit as it would allow him to come at the franchise without the baggage of everything that came before.

With a new studio at the helm and James Wan wanting to take the franchise back to the beginning, it certainly makes one wonder if a reboot is in store. Certainly, the story of the Saw franchise, all of Jigsaw’s various apprentices, and all the different games have become somewhat convoluted. There’s just a lot that a future Saw movie would need to unpack, and it might be easier to just not do that.

Still, James Wan is absolutely right that a return to the psychological horror of the early franchise is much needed. There’s a reason that the first movie, which didn’t focus a great deal on the wild and bloody traps nearly as much as later installments, resonated with fans. The concept of Jigsaw as a man who, at least believed he was doing people a service, by making them make great decisions about not wasting their lives, has largely been overlooked in favor of gore.

For a franchise that once had annual installments, there seems to be no rush to get into the next installment of the Saw franchise. Hopefully, that’s a good thing, and whatever comes next will be worth the wait.

We’re still over a week away from Christmas, and by looking at this week’s streaming releases, you can kinda tell. This week is a bit light when it comes to new streaming releases, making one wonder if everybody is holding their best for the holiday. That said, there are absolutely some great streaming movies hitting this month and some series that fans won’t want to miss.

Fallout Season 2 - December 17 (Prime Video)

It’s possible that the reason many streaming platforms don’t have any big titles dropping this week is that nobody wants to compete with what will certainly be the biggest streaming series of the month. Fallout Season 2 arrives for your Prime Video subscription this week, and considering how warmly Season 1 was received, you can bet fans will be tuning in every week to follow this one.

Emily In Paris Season 5 - December 18 (Netflix)

In the era of streaming, it's far from uncommon for even a high-profile series to fail to make it past its first season. This makes Emily in Paris something of an anomaly, as it has achieved five successful seasons. Unlike many of Netflix’s recent releases, the entire series is set to drop on December 18, giving fans something heartwarming to binge just before Christmas.

Jake vs. Joshua: Judgment Day December 19 Netflix

Live entertainment has increasingly become a popular avenue for streaming platforms, and following its last big boxing match with Jake Paul, this week your Netflix subscription will once again provide a match, this time with Jake Paul going against former champion Anthony Joshua.

Saw Franchise - December 19 (Peacock)

December is usually the time for heartwarming and romantic movies with a holiday theme, but if you’re sick of the snow and hot cocoa, your Peacock subscription can offer you something quite different when the entire Saw franchise drops this week, including the most recent Saw X. If you wanted to binge every horrific Saw death, you could do that, though I have, and I don’t necessarily recommend it.

Born To Be Wild December 19 Apple TV

Sometimes you just need cute animals on your TV, and if you have an Apple TV subscription, then you’re covered. Born to Be Wild follows six baby animals, and each episode follows a newborn born in captivity learning how to survive in the wild. It looks and sounds absolutely adorable, nd possibly more than a little heartbreaking too.

Next week it will be Christmas, and while you’ll likely be spending lots of time with family, streamers will certainly be hoping you spend a bit of time in front of the TV as well, as all the major platforms have something new to entice you over.

I love horror movies, but especially the Saw series (I actually think it's one of the greatest horror franchises of all time). That said, even though there are more Saw movies than famed franchises like Friday the 13 and Nightmare on Elm Street, I still think the franchise peaked overall at Saw II.

Yes, there have been some highs and some lows in the series, which is natural for a series with 10 (and unfortunately, not 11) Saw movies. (I'm looking at you, Jigsaw). But overall, I think the franchise has been mostly successful in making us feel icky inside, while not always getting other things right.

As such, I want to lay out some reasons why 2005's Saw II is the best movie in the franchise. So just ignore that big needle pit over there and answer me this…are you ready to play a game?

This Movie Arguably Has The Best Twist In The Entire Series

Will any twist ending to a Saw movie ever top the original's? Probably not, because many fans agree that the first movie is still the best. In fact, when we ranked the Saw movies, we put the first film at number 1, and I think a lot of that is because of how freaking amazing that ending is. I mean, Jigsaw was in the room the entire time? Gnarly.

However, much like how I think M Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable has a better twist than The Sixth Sense, I also think that Saw II takes viewers for a wilder spin than its predecessor. Firstly, Saw II is more complex than the first movie, which was actually more of a mystery thriller than a horror flick at times.

In the sequel, a corrupt cop named Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg) has his son kidnapped by Jigsaw, and Matthews is on the hunt for him. Meanwhile, Jigsaw has captured seven criminals, and is keeping them in a house and recording their progress. So, in order for Matthews to get his son back, he has to follow along with the “games” (i.e torturous activities to acquire antidotes). Oh, and if the victims don’t get out in two hours, then nerve gas is released and everybody in the house dies. Good luck!

The twist, however, is that the recording is not live, and Matthews’ son is secured in a safe with an oxygen mask, leaving his corrupt father trapped in the wrong house to die. Not only that, but one of the victims was actually working with Jigsaw, so it’s like a double twist. It’s the best!

The Torture Devices In Saw II Are Some Of The Most Gruesome In The Series

The Saw series is known for its traps. Everybody knows that. However, an unfortunate thing about the franchise is that it always felt like each new movie was trying to one-up the last one, and it got to a point where it started to feel ridiculous (Like the public execution trap in Saw: The Final Chapter). But, Saw II really feels (to me, anyway), like the last time the series was firing on all cylinders when it came to every trap.

The film starts the right way, as a man is trapped in a spiked death mask that’s basically going to puncture his entire head if he doesn’t get it off. The catch – and what makes this series so special – is that he has the ability to take it off. He just needs to get the key…which is lodged behind his eye.

That’s right, as with most of the kills in this film, it’s plot related, as Jigsaw has a new appreciation for life after his cancer diagnosis, and he wants to (forcibly) get his victims to appreciate life, too.

This leads to some absolutely heinous torture scenes, like the glass box, the furnace trap (Which melds my fear of tight spaces AND burning alive), and the worst of them all, the pit of needles *shivers*. Other Saw movies have had gruesome devices, but Saw II definitely takes the cake.

This Was Before They Killed Off Jigsaw And The Series Went Crazy

Now, here’s the thing about me and sequels. I like when they go forward, not backward. And, with the first three Saw movies, we got that. John Kramer aka Jigsaw, is dying in the first three films, and eventually perishes in the third movie. For that reason, I know some people only like the first three Saw films, since they make for a worthy trilogy before the series kept jumping back and forth.

However, Saw III is where the problems start for me, because even though I like the film and consider it the last great Saw movie, I also don’t like how the series kind of had to work itself around the ending of III by adding new killers, while still going into Jigsaw’s past to flesh out the story.

Which is why I much prefer Saw II, as its narrative is more straightforward. We learn more about Jigsaw, and why he does what he does, but also get a sense that this is a man with morals (Like, Matthews’ son really is innocent, so he doesn’t “deserve” to die, but is more there just to lure his father into the games). The events also feel more organic and focused, which I can’t say for many of the later films.

So, in every way, I think Saw II succeeds where the later sequels falter, which is why I think it’s the peak of the series.

It Is An Excellent Follow-Up To The Original Movie

The compelling thing about Jigsaw is that he’s not like Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees or Micahel Myers. In other words, he’s not just a killer. I mean, he WILL kill people, but he always wants to give them a chance first. They just have to want it badly enough.

It’s like, remember that scene in Fight Club where Tyler put a gun to that man’s head, and asked him what he wanted to be? Well, Tyler gets the man to confess that he wants to be a veterinarian, and Tyler promises that he will let the man go, but that he will find him and kill him if he isn’t enrolled in veterinarian school in six weeks. Well, Jigsaw is like that to the extreme, and in the first movie, he actually let a woman named Amanda Young live when she got out of one of his traps.

The thing is, she’s also in the second movie, and for a lot of the film, you think she’s screwed (She’s even the one who gets thrown into the above-mentioned needle pit). However, Amanda is actually in on the games, and she's training to be the next Jigsaw once he succumbs to cancer.

And, I love this continuity! Saw II is an excellent follow-up to the original, and in my mind, the best sequel to any other film in the franchise.

The Pacing Is The Best Of Any Saw Film

Lastly, as much as I'd hate to admit this, some of the Saw movies are boring. And, I think a lot of this is due to world-building, which in theory, sounds like a good thing, but from Saw IV onward (well, excluding Saw X, which is my fourth favorite Saw movie), I think there's been a bit too much world-building in most of the Saw movies.

I really miss the straightforward storytelling of the first film, and I think Saw II is the last movie in the franchise to have such great pacing. It never slows down, and I miss that about the Saw series.

Plus, Saw II is always compelling since you worry about the protagonist's son, as you want to know if an innocent character will survive. It's for this reason that Saw II has the best pacing in the series.

But, what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

A little less than two years ago, the Saw franchise looked ready to usher in an exciting new chapter. Following the disappointing 2021 release of Saw: Spiral: From The Book Of Saw, the call was made to go back to basics, and the return of Tobin Bell as John Kramer in Saw X not only saw big results at the box office, but the movie earned the best reviews of any title in the series. Because of this success, it was a big shock back in March when it was reported that Saw XI had stalled, and it was even a bigger shock in June when we learned the franchise was being sold to Blumhouse.

So what happened behind the scenes that led to such a big pivot at a crucial time for the upcoming horror movie? The short answer to that question is that there were disagreements about the execution of Saw XI , and it got to the point that the rights holders at Twisted Pictures opted to sell the property instead of moving forward. Details have come out thanks to a Fangoria interview with Twisted Pictures co-founder Oren Koules.

How The Development Of Saw XI Fell Apart

Following the all-around success of the 2023 movie, the plan with Saw XI was to make another in-between chapter – allowing audiences to see John Kramer in action again despite the fact that the character dies in Saw III. Kevin Gruetert (who returned to the franchise for Saw X after making Saw VI and Saw 3D) was hired to return, and screenwriters Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton (who wrote the scripts for Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI and Saw 3D) penned the script.

Per Oren Koules, he and fellow Twisted Pictures co-founder Mark Burg liked what was coming together from the creatives involved... but they couldn't agree on what he calls the "execution." He told Fangoria,

Precisely what that means isn't clear, and the vagueness invites curiosity. It sounds like the creative direction of Saw XI wasn't an issue, so it's unclear what the sticking point between Oren Koules and Mark Burg was. Was it a question of budget? Shooting location? That answer is not provided in the interview, but what is made clear is that the disagreement was big enough for Twisted Pictures to wash its hands of everything Saw.

More than just letting go of future movies, the entirety of the multimedia franchise was sold to Blumhouse. In Koules' words,

It appeared as though the franchise was ready to start a new era with Saw X, but now there is going to be a new-new era built with the franchise at a new home.

What Is The Saw Franchise's Future At Blumhouse?

What makes Blumhouse a particularly interesting new home for the Saw franchise is the fact that it's now back in the hands of one of the key filmmakers who brought it to life: James Wan. Directing Saw was Wan's gateway into Hollywood when it was released in 2004, and while he didn't return to helm any of the sequels, he is now back in affiliation when the series thanks to the merger between Blumhouse and Wan's production company Atomic Monster that was made official early last year.

Oren Koules says in the interview that Blumhouse/Atomic Monster was the "right place" and the "logical place" for the Saw franchise thanks to James Wan's affiliation. As for what the plan is, that remains cloaked in mystery. The producer notes that the existing script for Saw XI written by Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton remains in play, as it was included in the expansive acquisition of the franchise... but whether or not it will ever go in front of cameras is unclear.

Koules says that he made a point of not actually asking Jason Blum about what the plan is for future Saw movies, saying,

Had things gone as originally planned, Saw XI would be on the way this spooky season, as Lionsgate announced September 26, 2025 as a release date last spring... but now that film is in limbo, and we don't even know if the next installment of the franchise will keep that title. There remain plenty of unanswered questions about the future of Saw to keep our interest in the franchise piqued, so stay tuned here on CinemaBlend in the months ahead as new updates surface.

Ahead of the M3GAN 2.0 release date being the latest of upcoming horror movies on the way, as it arrives this Friday, it looks like the killer doll herself is doing press for her new movie. As you can imagine, her answers to journalists’ questions are beautifully unhinged. For example, she was asked about other iconic dolls and fellow Blumhouse property Five Nights At Freddy’s, and she dished out all the shade.

M3GAN Was Asked To Play Kiss, Marry, Kill With 3 Iconic Movie Dolls

When M3GAN was interviewed by popular media personality Trisha Paytas for the Just Trish Podcast, she was asked to play a little game of Kiss, Marry, Kill with a twist. Rather it being about our favorite movies/TV leads, she asked the A.I. robot to play the game with Billy the Puppet from Saw, Annabelle from The Conjuring universe and Chucky. Here’s what she said:

Well, there you have it. M3GAN is not looking for any kind of romance in the realm of other killer dolls, but she has the utmost confidence she would slay them all if given the chance. I mean, M3GAN does seem rather capable of taking down Annabelle and Chucky on size alone, and when it comes to Billy the Puppet, I don’t think she’d be very concerned with his sorts of limb-chopping games considering she doesn’t feel pain. The killer doll calling the beloved horror icons “ancient relics” is just too good as well.

But, I'm Especially Living For Her Answer About Whether She'd Spend Five Nights At Freddy's

But if you thought Billy, Chucky and Annabelle got a beating from M3GAN by means of her words, just wait until you read her Five Nights At Freddy’s comments. The doll was asked if she’d like to spend five nights at Freddy’s and she responded with these words:

Isn’t she just wonderfully brutal? Even more than wanting to see her interact with characters from Child’s Play, Saw and Annabelle, I feel like it would be rather satisfying to see M3GAN tear up the abandoned pizzeria crowded with creepy animatronic mascots. Given that both M3GAN and Five Nights At Freddy’s now belong under the same Blumhouse umbrella (with Five Nights 2 coming to theaters this December), it’s not impossible for the two properties to collide. Is this what the third M3GAN movie should be?

While M3GAN is a cold-blood killer in the first movie, the sequel’s plot actually charts a different path for the killer doll. Inspired by Terminator 2, she’ll become the hero this time around when an even worse robot is created from Gemma’s plans. Check it out for yourself this weekend.

If plans had held up, we’d likely be talking about a new Saw film heading to the 2025 movie schedule, maybe even with a trailer released at this point. Unfortunately, with the removal of its sequel from Lionsgate's slate, Saw XI’s rumored cancellation wove itself into beliefs that the revitalized series was in serious jeopardy.

With the recent announcement that Blumhouse is in talks to acquire the long running franchise, one can see why committing to Saw X's follow up has been somewhat of an issue. While this business move would be pretty awesome, it does cause some concern over whether or not that tenth sequel will ever see the light of day.

Blumhouse Is ‘In Talks’ To Buy The Saw Franchise, Which Is Good News

Let’s start off with the good news first, shall we? According to THR, the recurring negotiations between Blumhouse and Lionsgate that sparked up last year might “actually be far enough to close.” It probably won’t surprise anyone that the cause of the back and forth, according to this very report, has been a price tag on the legacy franchise.

Should that matter be close to a resolution, Saw heading to Blumhouse feels like a step in the right direction. Similar to how horror loyalists wish that Jason Blum’s company would take over A Nightmare on Elm Street, bringing Jigsaw back home to series co-creator James Wan could feel nice and cozy for the fans at home.

As the 2022 merger between Wan’s Atomic Monster and Blumhouse has been buzzed about since M3GAN’s trailer released in that same year, that particular investment would also seem to have paid off. But before we cue Charlie Clouser’s iconic theme tune in celebration, there’s something that needs to be discussed sooner than later.

If Blumhouse Buys Saw, Will It Reboot The Series?

So this feels like good news all around, yeah? It does when you take it at face value. But after Saw X’s sequel friendly success at the movies, one has to wonder what’s going to happen to the franchise? If the acquisition goes through, it would be assumed that the Blumhouse brass would want to reboot it in some fashion; potentially a la Halloween 2018’s selective retconning that could disregard some (if not all) the sequels to the 2004 original.

Which poses the question, is Saw XI truly dead and buried? The answer to that scenario is kind of important, as writer Patrick Melton’s Saw XI story tease made the next chapter sound rather intriguing. And with the mojo regained through the returns of Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, and Costas Mandalor, Saw X’s ending looked to be sending the franchise in a specific direction.

All any Saw fan really wants is for the series to keep going with the sort of energy and excitement that earlier entries brought to the table. That halcyon era before the timeline got too convoluted, the traps were still fresh, and apprentices weren’t hiding in every corner.

If Blumhouse closes this deal, then no matter how that concern above is addressed, the foundation laid out above will be key to the road ahead. But to borrow from John Kramer himself, whether this franchise lives or dies will be determined by this very choice.

You used to be able to set your watch to the notion that, “If it’s Halloween, it must be Saw.” Yet here we stand, in the early act of the 2025 movie schedule, with the report of Saw XI’s alleged cancellation seeming to confirm that isn’t quite the case anymore.

While horror fans might be a bit upset that John Kramer’s crusade isn’t as clockwork driven as some of his devices, franchise co-writer Patrick Melton has shared his reasons for why we shouldn’t give up hope just yet. Should the gist of his own viewpoint on the matter carry water, there may still be a chance this outing could appropriately be saved at the eleventh hour.

Why Saw XI Still Needs To Happen, According To Patrick Melton

From where I stand as a fan, Saw X’s ending was enough evidence I needed to want more mid-quel adventures. But after reading what Mr. Melton had to say about this potential next chapter to THR, as well as the previous sequel it compliments, I have to say I’m even more invested. Here’s what he had to say:

For those of you who may need some of the cobwebs dusted off of your Saw movie memories, Saw VI was the one where Tobin Bell’s avenging angel of morality took his battle to the insurance companies. The reason for that particular round of bloodsports came from his own treatment for cancer rejected by his carrier at the time - which is definitely a timely subject, for better or worse.

Seeing as the man known as “The Jigsaw Killer” trusted a fly-by-night operation that claimed it could cure him in Saw X, I’m kind of surprised I didn’t put this together previously. Considering Costas Mandalor’s Mark Hoffman show up in the end credits sting for Saw X, bringing it all back to the sixth chapter in the series is a very on-brand move for this Gordian Knot of recursive continuity.

Like any good horror fan with a shred of franchise loyalty, I need to see how this plays out. And again it just might, provided Patrick Melton's somewhat encouraging update on Saw XI's development holds up.

Patrick Melton’s Update On Where Saw XI Stands At The Moment Is Kind Of Hopeful

While what we know about Saw XI has been rather mysterious to this point, Patrick Melton’s new comments are now really intriguing - especially as he has his own update on where things stand with the Saw saga’s current troubles. For reference, the reports that inspired the most recent twists in this long rumored cancellation seemed to suggest that the plug was pulled as of January 2024.

However, this account coming from the co-writer of Saw IV - Saw: The Final Chapter, is a bit different:

So the good-ish news is that Saw XI doesn’t sound as cancelled as we previously thought; so there’s a non-zero chance we could still see it happen. In terms of the bad-ish news, those “higher-level things” Melton alludes to could be the potential sale of the Saw franchise, which sounds very similar to Warner Bros.’ alleged Looney Tunes deal.

Should that scenario move forward, I don’t think this sequel would be on the table anymore - as who wouldn’t want to reboot that story in some way, shape, or form? That would honestly kind of suck, especially since we've been reunited with Det. Hoffman and Amanda (Shawnee Smith), and that post-credits trap tease still needs to play out.

Admittedly, it would be fitting to see Saw XI land the potentially biggest twist it could by righting the ship, getting things back on track. As the supposed infighting sounds as perilous as when Jigsaw’s various disciples squabbled over several of the sequels Melton co-wrote with Marcus Dunstan, that could be a tall order. We’ll have to wait and see, as there are plenty of upcoming horror movies to keep us occupied in the meantime.

It doesn’t matter if your franchise is trying to get off the ground, or has an established rhythm like that of clockwork, sometimes movies get canceled. Today’s example of that fact upsets me because, after 2023’s Saw X gave new life to John Kramer, it appears that the 2025 movie schedule will not mark the release of its long-promised sequel. At least, that’s what new claims challenging what we know about Saw XI are alleging, and the news just gets worse the deeper you dig.

An unnamed source made several shocking claims when speaking to Bloody-Disgusting about where this upcoming horror movie stands in its lifecycle. Deep rooted Saw fans are going to want to sit down for this, as here’s what was said about the eleventh entry in the franchise:

That’s not even the worst part. If this anonymous Saw XI source is to be believed, then their claim of the ultimate nightmare scenario is going to chill you to the bone. Allegedly, not only could Lionsgate be selling the franchise they helped build back in 2004, but that might also trigger a reboot of the entire saga.

I don’t know about any of you fellow Saw fans, but I’m ready to say “Oh good gory grief” in frustration. Ok, I’m lying…I already said that, both out loud and in my head; and that’s to be expected. I’d hope anyone who loves this saga was thrilled with not only the tenth film's theatrical success, but also Saw XI’s initial announcement sending us back to the good old days.

The franchise was reportedly primed to go back to dropping a new chapter every year, each exploring an entirely new point in the Jigsaw timeline. Instead of posthumous flashbacks that got even more complicated in how they brought John Kramer back into the picture, Saw X's would provided mid-quel story possibilities too good to pass up.

Of course, we’ve now endured a year-long postponement, which may have led to a flat out cancellation. Again, these sources are unnamed, and without official studio statements, it’s hard to say for sure that Saw XI is now locked up in a desolate warehouse that won’t be discovered until several sequels down the line.

Looking to the bright side of death, I do have one inkling of hope that I want to throw out there. If this is indeed the start of Saw being shopped around for a reboot, that does open the door to some interesting possibilities. On the higher end of things, maybe a Blumhouse-produced iteration could get things back to basics; which would be the perfect excuse for James Wan’s hypothetical Saw return.

Or maybe the series can return to its true indie roots and become a Terrifier style saga that pushes the boundaries of censors and audience's tolerance for gore alike. It will never take the place of what Saw X’s ending promised us all, but at least there are options to keep the IP alive. Much like John Kramer's infamous ultimatum of "Live or die, it's your choice," I choose to keep my mind open until a full and proper "Game Over" has been called.

The genre of horror has existed since the beginning of film. While it's certainly grown more intense or psychological as time has gone on, it's always been there, scaring audiences in their seats one way or another. A pivotal time for the genre was in the 2000s when so many horror films came out that made an impact. Here are some that I'm sure we all remember very well.

Final Destination (2000)

I'm 99% sure that the Final Destination movies perpetually scarred most Millennials. Now, I look at everything as if it could kill them because it could, as this movie has shown multiple times. Final Destination gave a new idea that death will always come when it's meant to come, and you can't avoid it, no matter how much you try.

Cloverfield (2008)

The marketing for Cloverfield was out of this world. Even when I was a little kid at the age of ten, I remember seeing billboards and trailers for this and not knowing what the heck was going on. Only after I watched it years later did I truly understand. It's still a great found-footage horror film and one that defines the genre.

The Strangers (2008)

So many people forget The Strangers because other films have been released with the same basic concept, but this was the original. Inspired by real-life events, the movie is about a couple enjoying a vacation when three masked intruders break into their home and ruin everything. It's eerie and creepy, and it became a colossal hit.

Zombieland (2009)

When you think of some of the best horror comedies out there, I can think of no better than Zombieland. It was released during a massive intake of zombie content within the media but only cemented that we love those brainless monsters and that, sometimes, horror can seriously make us laugh.

Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

Directed by Zack Snyder and written by James Gunn, two big shots in Hollywood nowadays, Dawn of the Dead was when these two were starting in the industry and trying to make it big. The film, based on the original Dawn of the Dead by the same name, brought the creepiness of zombies back to the big screen and added plenty of gore to it.

Lake Mungo (2008)

If you're looking for a good psychological horror film from the 2000s, Lake Mungo certainly made its impact. Hailing from Australia, the film follows the story of a young woman who drowns and the family who must deal with her death while experiencing supernatural events. It just gets more twisted as time goes on. Australian horror films have certainly made an impact over the last few years, but this is one of the best.

American Psycho (2000)

I can't have a list of the most impactful 2000s horror films without including American Psycho. Based on the novel of the same name, this film follows the life of a Wall Street investment worker by day and a serial killer by night. It was a game-changing film for female directors, with Mary Harron at the helm. To this day, people believe this to be one of Christian Bale's best performances.

Saw (2004)

Do you want to talk about changing the game? Saw is definitely one of those horror films that made an impact. While the Saw franchise has existed for two decades now, the first film redefined what it was like to witness blood, death, and horror on the big screen. And from there, the movies only got bloodier.

The Ring (2002)

If you're a fan of horror movies from Japan, then The Ring is really the movie to thank for that. While this movie itself is a remake of another Japanese film, Ring, it ended up bringing a lot of attention to Japanese horror films across the sea and allowing people to really expand their mindset when it came to what horror is. Also, an entire franchise followed after its success.

Drag Me To Hell (2009)

While Drag Me To Hell is the kind of film that isn't necessarily groundbreaking, it certainly made an impact when it first came out. The idea of something happening so suddenly just because you're trying to prove yourself at work and then being sentenced to hell because of it – now that is just terrifying. Of course, when Sam Raimi directs it, one can only wonder what will come from his twisted mind.

The Descent (2005)

The Descent is another film that really tests the limits of what you can do with a horror film. With plenty of gruesome moments, the film follows six women who are trying to make it out of an underground cave system to escape cannibals. It's really the ending that makes it such a great film and something that I won't spoil if you've never seen it.

Slither (2006)

Slither is really the reason we were given James Gunn as a director in the first place and why we've gotten so many amazing films from him since. It was his directorial debut and followed the story of a town getting infected by a parasite. This is a body horror movie to the max, but it's an excellent one at that.

Wolf Creek (2005)

Wolf Creek is an Australian movie about three backpackers who are held captive and hunted down by a serial killer in the outback. If you've never seen this movie, you're probably wondering how it made an impact, but let me tell you—this film is violent. It's perhaps one of the most violent Australian movies out there, and for that, I have to give it the warped flowers it deserves.

The Devil's Backbone (2001)

Oh, you knew I'd find a way to put Guillermo del Toro on here. He's a master of horror and fantasy; it would be a sin for me not to place him on this list. The Devil's Backbone is a fantastic horror film that follows a boy who a dead child haunts as he stays at an orphanage during the Spanish Civil War. It was a great gateway into the world of Mexican horror films – many of which are excellent.

The Mist (2007)

Frank Darabont is a king of horror, and The Mist is one of his subjects, which brings one of Stephen King's most beloved novels to life. What really makes The Mist have such a profound impact is the ending. If you haven't seen it, I won't spoil it, but it packs a hard, Karate Kid-style punch that will knock you on your back for 5-7 business days. It's painful in so many ways – and brilliant in a horror movie aspect.

The Cell (2000)

If you're looking for other movies that really made a dent in what you can show on screen and can't, then The Cell is an excellent choice. Starring Jennifer Lopez, the movie really tests the boundaries of horror and its strange stylistic choices while also emerging into the world of sci-fi. Its plot centers on a social worker entering into the mind of a serial killer.

Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

There are so many great horror comedies out there, and Shaun of the Dead is really the blueprint for many of them. I feel like many of the horror parody movies we have now would not exist if not for Shaun of the Dead. It's hysterical in many ways, with some kills I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams, and unlike many other horror movies, it is a film that I will willingly rewatch.

Hostel (2005)

When I first watched Hostel I regretted everything, I knew I'd never watch it again because this film is just…gory. It's very gory, but what else could you expect from Eli Roth? The movie takes leaps and bounds for its gruesome tale and certainly made an impact with two sequels and a TV show that is reportedly in the works. But if you're looking for impactful films, this is the one to glance at.

Insidious (2009)

I genuinely don't think a movie franchise from the 2000s has made more of an impact than the Insidious movies. These films opened up a whole new interest in the paranormal landscape of horror, and now, years later, we are still getting Insidious films. There's nothing quite like that red demon jumpscare.

The Loved Ones (2009)

Hailing from Australia, The Loved Ones is a mix between horror and campy at specific points, but it paved the way for many other films with similar styles to come out. The movie follows the story of a high schooler who now has to attend a twisted party when he doesn't accept a dance date and the twisted adventures he goes on. It's harsh in its delivery of gore, and I loved watching it.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

While found-footage films existed before Paranormal Activity, this movie sky-rocketed into fame and led to several other Paranormal Activity films. It really renewed the entire genre of found footage and gave us many good—and bad—films from that subdivision. We haven't gotten a new film in some time, but it's only a matter of when.

Martyrs (2008)

Coming from France this time around, Martyrs is one of those movies that really paved the way for horror films to take a step back from just pure gore and scares and really dig deep into the mind of the subject we are viewing. The film focuses on the story of a young woman who was tortured as a child and seeks revenge against those who did it alongside her friend. While it does take twists, it's the message beyond that which genuinely made an impact and gave us very great emotionally-driven horror movies.

Ginger Snaps (2000)

I sometimes forget that Ginger Snaps came out in the 2000s just because of its '90s aesthetic, but it did, back in 2000, and it really was a great werewolf movie. It felt like, for years, we weren't getting the kind of werewolf films we deserved from what I've seen of the 1990s, and this was the kind of refresh that we needed for the genre.

Orphan (2009)

Oh, you knew I'd put Orphan on here. Orphan is the kind of film that makes you rethink everything. Children were already creepy in horror movies, but the one in this? Esther? Ooooh, keep her away from me with a ten-foot pole. Orphan redefined how to use children as a scare tactic within horror movies, and I can't complain one bit.

Trick 'R Treat (2007)

While it bombed at the box office, this is the type of film that has gained a cult following over the years and has only gotten better with age. Trick 'r Treat is an anthology movie that follows several different people on Halloween, and all run into Sam, a trick-or-treater who enforces the rules of Halloween. Without this film, there wouldn't be as many anthology horror movies as we have now. We may not have even gotten the Terrifier series.

Jennifer's Body (2009)

The Jennifer's Body cast is freaking iconic, and I will not stand for any other slander against them. This movie is what I would define as girl-boss horror – because who doesn't want to watch a girl kill literally the words kinds of men? All right, jokes aside, Jennifer's Body is the kind of film that made it possible for other movies to really dig deep into the comedy aspect of horror while also creating a film that is undeniably sexy in its delivery as well as its kills.

Let The Right One In (2008)

When you think of the best vampire movies out there, Let The Right One In is probably one of the first that pops up. The film, telling the story of a friendship between a boy and a vampire girl, is one of the first that really allowed for emotionally driven vampire stories to become as big as they did, and it's something I can appreciate.

The House Of The Devil (2009)

Before the X franchise, Ti West directed The House of the Devil, a horror film that follows a college student who takes a babysitting job but forces her life out of her control in the house. This movie is the definition of a slasher but also dares to combine that with paranormal aspects that make it such a fun watch. If you haven't seen it, check it out.

The Others (2001)

While Nicole Kidman is known for plenty of other roles nowadays, her starring part in The Others is one of my favorites. When a mother and her children arrive at a new manor, they start to experience supernatural events, but the scares are delivered in such a way that they make me jump even now, years later.

28 Days Later (2002)

If you think of some of the best zombie films of the last few decades, one that always comes up is 28 Days Later. Focusing on someone who wakes up from a coma and now suddenly has to deal with a virus that has broken his society, the movie uses interesting filming techniques and horrifying zombies that truly up the scare game.

REC (2007)

Found footage horror really hit its stride back in 2007, and REC was a great example of that mixed with zombies. It follows the story of a reporter who goes with her camera crew to an apartment that is festering with a zombie infection. It's creepy and scary and gets your heart pumping in the best way.

Inside (2007)

Coming from France, Inside was a big step in the right direction for women-leading horror films. It details the story of a pregnant widow whose life is threatened on Christmas Eve by an intruder. It's scary in all the right ways and makes you double-check every time you lock your door.

There are so many other horror films that made an impact, but these are just some that will get you interested. Now it's time for a horror movie marathon. It's time to get my blanket and snuggle up with popcorn.

Twenty years ago, Saw—one of the scariest and best movies of the 2000s—burst onto the scene with its shocking twists and the best brutal traps, introducing audiences to the talents of horror mastermind James Wan. This original 2004 horror movie quickly expanded into a sprawling franchise, spawning nine sequels that ranged widely in quality but consistently delivered inventive and horrifying twists and turns. While reflecting on his complicated relationship with the horror movie franchise he helped create, Wan shared thoughts on possibly returning to direct another installment.

Reflecting on his journey with Saw, the Salem's Lot producer revealed to People that while he feels a deep sense of pride in his creation. And, even though he's somewhat far removed from the IP at this point, he isn’t entirely ruling out the possibility of returning. According to the filmmaker:

While James Wan’s words leave the door open for a potential Saw return, his focus is clearly on new projects that drive his creative vision forward. And let’s face it—he’s got a packed schedule. In the realm of upcoming horror movies, he is primarily producing, with The Conjuring: Last Rites, which concludes Ed and Laran Warren's story, in his popular Conjuring Universe, on the way. Additionally, he's overseeing the highly anticipated sequel M3GAN 2.0. On the directing front, the Malignant filmmaker is set to tackle an adaptation of The Call of Cthulhu and an untitled The Creature from the Black Lagoon project.

The Aquaman director’s producing skills extend beyond film; he’s also made his mark on the small screen. He served as an executive producer for this year's Teacup, a new addition to the lineup of new horror TV shows. The series has been well received, holding a solid 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. If it’s renewed for a second season, it’s yet another project that could keep James Wan busy.

While discussing his original creation, the 47-year-old horror mastermind admitted that while he's proud of Saw, he can’t help but see the film through a critical lens. His directorial involvement ended with the first movie, though he’s maintained a connection to the series in various capacities, from executive producing to contributing story ideas, even doing so for the latest film, Saw X. However, since he stepped away, the Australian-born movie maker has never shied away from the franchise's direction:

James Wan acknowledged that he "would’ve taken certain things on a different path" had he stayed with Saw, but his respect for the franchise’s legacy is evident. Now streaming for anyone with a Max subscription or a Peacock subscription, Wan's inaugural isntallmnt remains a landmark in horror, showcasing the creative ingenuity that launched his career. Though his return to the series seems unlikely, fans can be confident that the inventive spirit he brought to the franchise endures in his ever-growing body of work.

Over the years, there has been no shortage of movie villains with a tragic backstory so great that it makes it a little harder to root against them. Look at iconic scene-stealing villains like Thanos, Hannibal Lecter, Roy Batty, and countless others, and it won’t take long to see their heartbreaking and unforgettable personal histories have allowed them to withstand the test of time despite being terrible people (or aliens).

Here are 32 movie villains with a tragic backstory…

Erik Killmonger (Black Panther)

Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger helped make Black Panther one of the best Marvel movies as well as a landmark comic book movie thanks in no small part to his tragic backstory. The unknown cousin of Chadwick Boseman’s King T’Challa and son to a wayward prince killed by the former king, Killmonger spent his life searching for himself and his elusive homeland of Wakanda. Sure, he tried to take it over and bring chaos to the world, but he had every right to do so.

Lotso (Toy Story 3)

On the surface, Lotso (Ned Beatty) seems like an iron-fisted ruler of the toys stuck at Sunnyside Daycare, but his heartbreaking personal history adds a whole other level to the Toy Story 3 antagonist. After being left at a rest stop by his “faithful” owner long ago, Lotso went to great lengths to find the little girl, only to discover he’d been replaced. Traumatized by the experience, the once kind-hearted stuffed bear went through a radical transformation.

Gollum (The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy)

Though not the central antagonist in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, Gollum (Andy Serkis) is up there. In the third and final film – The Return of the King – it’s revealed that Gollum was once a hobbit who became consumed by the powerful ring, being transformed into a deformed and deranged creature with one purpose in life: hold onto his “precious.”

Jason Voorhees (The Friday The 13th Movies)

Jason Voorhees is one of the most recognizable horror movie villains of all time with a kill count that is up there with the best of them. However, like other great horror icons, this masked, undead killer has a heartbreaking story behind his path of blood, guts, and revenge. Cast aside by society and the counselors of Camp Crystal Lake, a young Jason drowned with no one watching.

Roy Batty (Blade Runner)

Roy Batty, or model number N6MAA10816, is one of those characters played by the late Rutger Hauer that will live on forever, and that’s because the Blade Runner villain was a sympathetic antagonist like no other. Forced into slavery upon his inception, the vengeful replicant suffered years of unimaginable abuse and danger to help the bottom line of the Tyrell Corporation. That was until he led a rebellion for a better life for himself and others of his kind.

The Grinch (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

One of the best things about Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the way the 2000 movie expanded Jim Carrey’s titular character and provided a more in-depth look at the green recluse and what led him to live alone on Mount Crumpit. The story of a young Grinch being picked on by his schoolmates for no reason besides his appearance is utterly heartbreaking and is impossible to watch with a dry eye.

Carrie White (Carrie)

An antagonist or protagonist depending on how you look at it, Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) in Brian De Palma’s adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name is one of the most sympathetic and justified characters in the history of horror movies. Through no fault of her own, the teenage girl with awe-inspiring and deadly powers, is thrust into a murderous rampage after being tormented and humiliated by her fellow students.

Hannibal Lecter (The Silence Of The Lambs)

Hannibal Lecter will forever go down as one of the most chilling horror movie icons of all time, but he also has one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking backstories. Long before he became the infamous cannibalistic at the center of The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal was a young boy when he narrowly survived an encounter with a group of starved and desperate Nazi soldiers who attacked and ate his sister.

Magneto (The X-Men Movies)

Magneto (Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender) was one of the most complex characters in all of the X-Men movies and had one of the most unsettling backstories. In X-Men: First Class, we saw the origins of the legendary comic book villain who was forced to watch his mother being brutally murdered in a German concentration camp.

Thanos (Avengers: Infinity War)

Perhaps the best comic book movie villain of all time (at least in the MCU), Thanos (Josh Brolin) wasn’t your average big bad. Inspired by the traumatic event where he watched his civilization rip itself apart due to a lack of resources, the Mad Titan put a plan into effect to prevent that from happening ever again. It’s just that his plan temporarily resulted in the deaths of billions of living beings.

Severus Snape (The Harry Potter Movies)

Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) will always be one of the most complex and beloved characters in the Harry Potter series, even if he’s viewed as a villain for most of the books and movies. Madly in love with Harry’s late mother, Lily, a young Severus was also bullied by the Potter’s father and his friends, pushing him to the dark side.

Candyman (Candyman)

Daniel Robitaille (Tony Todd), aka Candyman, is a terrifying figure in the world of horror, but that’s because he also has an incredibly tragic backstory in which he was was lynched, disfigured, and killed by bees before his body was burnt by an angry mob.

Frankenstein’s Monster (Frankenstein)

Frankenstein’s monster in Frankenstein was just enjoying being a dead man when he was reanimated and unleashed upon the world in the 1931 horror classic. Though viewed as a monster by most, this tragic figure had a heartbreaking existence.

Darth Vader (The Star Wars Movies)

Losing your mother and being responsible for the death of your wife is enough to make anyone turn to the dark side, and that’s what happened to Anakin Skywalker, aka, Darth Vader, in the Star Wars movies. Sure, Lord Vader is all but void of humanity, but that’s because of the pain, suffering, and tragedy that filled his life, both before and after being defeated by his mentor in battle.

Bane (The Dark Knight Rises)

The Dark Knight Rises is a bit of a mess, but Tom Hardy’s Bane is one of the most interesting characters and sympathetic villains in all of comic book movies. Taking over Gotham was bad and there were a lot of unnecessary deaths, but the masked figure was doing it for Talia al Ghul (Marion Cotillard), whom he nearly died protecting years earlier.

Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty)

Sleeping Beauty leads us to believe that Maleficent is a force of pure evil, but the character got her due in Maleficent. In this live-action Disney film starring Angelina Jolie, we learn that the character was only acting out the way she did because her former friend and current king betrayed her long ago.

Mr. Freeze (Batman & Robin)

Batman & Robin isn’t the first movie that comes to mind when you’re thinking about tragic villains, but Arnold Schwarzenegger’s take on Mr. Freeze in this 1997 comic book movie has a heartbreaking backstory. All of his antics, destruction, and puns are part of an attempt to reconnect with his wife, who’s long been in a coma, caught between the living and dead.

Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street)

Before he was Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp), Benjamin Barker was a talented barber sent into exile by a powerful and corrupt judge who lusted after his wife. In Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, it is revealed that Barker’s wife took her own life and their daughter is under the control of his nemesis, which kicks off his bloody tour of revenge.

Zemo (Captain America: Civil War)

Daniel Bruhl’s Zemo in Captain America: Civil War, though different from his comic book counterpart, quickly became one of the best and most complex villains in the MCU. Instead of being gifted with superpowers or awesome tech, this antagonist used his grief from the death of his family (at the hands of the Avengers) as his motivation to tear the team apart from the inside.

Kayako Saeki (Ju-On: The Grudge)

Kayako Saeki is Ju-On: The Grudge is one of the most terrifying horror movie characters of the 21st century but also one with an absolutely gut-wrenching origin story. Once a living person, the film’s antagonist became a ghostly undead figure after she and her family were viciously murdered and left to haunt their former home for all eternity.

Scar (The Lion King)

If you only take into account the events of The Lion King, then Scar is a vengeful, jealous, and bitter brother of the king of the Pride Lands. However, learn more about his upbringing in which he was originally named Taka (a name that essentially means “trash”) and how he was cast aside for Simba, and his actions start to make sense.

Norman Bates (Psycho)

Though vicious and sadistic, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) in Psycho had quite a tragic backstory, one filled with jealousy, revenge, and unaddressed mental illness. This does not justify his actions, but it does offer some insight into why he carried out the way he did.

John Kramer (The Saw Movies)

John Kramer (Tobin Bell), aka, Jigsaw, is one of the most devilish and inventive serial killers in cinematic history, but he’s also oddly enough one of the most sympathetic. The death of an unborn child, a divorce, a terminal illness, and a slow descent into madness helped turn the civil engineer into a murderous madman.

Ms. Collins (Last Night In Soho)

Last Night in Soho, one of the best horror movies of 2021, had what can best be described as one of the most shocking endings in recent memory when it was revealed that Ms. Collins (Diana Rigg), the seemingly normal owner of Ellie’s (Thomasin McKenzie) small apartment is a vicious killer preying upon less-savory men. However, it turns out that Ms. Collins’ motivation for the crimes is even more tragic.

Cruella De Vil (Cruella)

Estella Miller (Emma Stone), who later becomes the Cruella de Vil we all know and love (to hate) from 101 Dalmatians, had quite a tragic backstory in Cruella, a 2021 prequel that explained her hatred for a certain breed of dogs. Losing a parent to a pack of the spotted pups is enough to drive one mad.

Scarlet Witch (Doctor Strange And The Multiverse Of Madness)

After witnessing the death of her best friend and lover, not once but twice, before being turned to dust for five years and then returning to a world she no longer understands, it’s easy to see how Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) could turn into a monster of her own creation in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Add in the deaths of her children (don’t tell her they don’t exist), and it gets even darker.

Two-Face (The Dark Knight)

The Two-Face story has always been one of tragedy, but no version is as heartbreaking as the one that plays out in The Dark Knight. Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) goes from being Gotham’s last hope against crime and corruption to one of its most violent and disfigured villains. The loss of the love of his life and a chance at normalcy push him over the edge.

Ghost (Ant-Man And The Wasp)

Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen), better known as Ghost, was introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp as a young and tormented villain still suffering from the effects of a quantum explosion that left her in state of physical limbo and her parents dead. Sad, confused, and angry, Starr turned against S.H.I.E.L.D. after the organization began taking advantage of her powers.

The Vulture (Spider-Man: Homecoming)

Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton), aka, The Vulture, quickly made an impact in Spider-Man: Homecoming, providing an all-time great movie villain in the process. After the Department of Damage Control essentially puts his small salvage operation out of business, Toomes goes to great lengths to provide food, shelter, and security for his family… even if it means taking a more villainous path.

Syndrome (The Incredibles)

One of the best Pixar villains, Syndrome (Jason Lee) in The Incredibles has a great and unforgettable backstory that adds another dimension to his character. After being turned down by his longtime idol, Syndrome turns to a life of villainy against Mr. Incredible after his whole worldview is shattered in an instant.

Arthur Fleck (Joker)

Not knowing your father has to be one of the most traumatic events someone could go through, but that’s just a part of Arthur Fleck’s (Joaquin Phoenix) story in Joker. The unhinged and violent loner in Todd Phillips’ 2019 comic book movie lived a life of loneliness, misery, and confusion before making a name for himself in a shocking way.

Draco Malfoy (The Harry Potter Movies)

Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) is one of the most annoying Harry Potter characters, but he’s also a villain who’s rather sympathetic once you consider his backstory. Subjected to all kinds of torment by his father and the expectations of his family, poor Draco never stood a chance.

I imagine that there might be some people out there curious if they can find other movies like The Platform on Netflix (one of the best streaming services to subscribe to today). The Spanish-language sci-fi drama's new sequel, The Platform 2, is killing it on the streaming service, which is not much of a surprise, since the original – set in a vertically stacked prison that feeds its inhabitants once a day from a platform descending from the top level – was quite a hit in 2020.

If the Platform ending left you wanting more from its bleak world (let alone with a few head-scratching questions), I might be able to point you in the right direction of where to watch other films that remind me of one of the best thrillers on Netflix. These are a few essentials that fans of The Platform (and The Platform 2) might enjoy taking a bite out of.

Snowpiercer (2014)

Director: Bong Joon-ho

Starring: Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton

What it’s about: A fight over social oppression breaks out on a self-sustaining bullet train housing the last of the human race.

Why it is a movie worth checking out if you are a fan of The Platform: The prison setting of The Platform serves as a metaphor for classist oppression, similar to the socioeconomic commentary in the dystopian movie favorite, Snowpiercer, which sees the poor residents of the caboose fight their way to the top car.

How to watch Snowpiercer

• Stream Snowpiercer on Amazon Prime
• Stream Snowpiercer on Tubi
• Buy Snowpiercer on Blu-ray Amazon

High-Rise (2015)

Director: Ben Wheatley

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons

What it’s about: In 1975, a young doctor moves into a London apartment complex with an extremely rigid social hierarchy that soon begins to fall out of control.

Why it is a movie worth checking out if you are a fan of The Platform: Based on the novel by J.G. Ballard, High-Rise is another surreal, claustrophobic satire of dog-eat-dog economics set in, instead of a prison like in The Platform, a place the characters call home.

How to watch High-Rise

• Stream High-Rise on Max
• Rent or buy High-Rise on Amazon
• Buy High-Rise on Blu-ray on Amazon

Dark City (1998)

Director: Alex Proyas

Starring: Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland

What it’s about: After waking up in a strange, dismal world with no memory of who he is, a man struggles to clear his name in a murder case.

Why it is a movie worth checking out if you are a fan of The Platform: Also considered a movie like The Matrix despite pre-dating it by a year, Dark City is another economically satirical sci-fi thriller that, instead of a prison like in The Platform, imagines an entire metropolis under the control of mysterious forces.

How to watch Dark City

• Rent or buy Dark City on Amazon
• Buy Dark City on Blu-ray on Amazon

Circle (2015)

Director: Aaron Hann, Mario Miscione

Starring: Allegra Masters, Aimee McKay

What it’s about: After inexplicably waking up in a dark, mysterious chamber, fifty random people are tasked with choosing the one among them who deserves to live.

Why it is a movie worth checking out if you are a fan of The Platform: Like The Platform, Circle (also available with a Netflix subscription) is a claustrophobic, socially conscious, sci-fi thriller about a group of trapped strangers fighting for survival, but with a stronger emphasis on themes of mob mentality.

How to watch Circle

• Stream Circle on Netflix

Cube (1997)

Director: Vincenzo Natali

Starring: Nicole de Boer, Maurice Dean Wint

What it’s about: After waking up in a mysterious, high-tech maze where one wrong turn leads to death, six strangers must work together to find a safe way out.

Why it is a movie worth checking out if you are a fan of The Platform: Lighter on social commentary than The Platform but equally heavy in claustrophobic thrills, Cube is a great, underrated '90s movie set entirely in a bizarre, minimalist, and dangerous, prison-like environment.

How to watch Cube

• Stream Cube on Tubi
• Stream Cube on Freevee through Amazon
• Buy Cube on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015)

Director: Kyle Patrick Alvarez

Starring: Billy Crudup, Michael Angarano

What it’s about: Twenty-four male, college-age volunteers are randomly assigned to pose as prison guards or incarcerated individuals for a psychological study that leads to shocking findings in 1971.

Why it is a movie worth checking out if you are a fan of The Platform: One could also interpret The Platform as a dark experiment in human behavior, which was exactly the purpose of the infamous, eponymous true event that inspired The Stanford Prison Experiment.

How to watch The Stanford Prison Experiment

• Stream The Stanford Prison Experiment on Paramount+ with Showtime add-on
• Stream The Stanford Prison Experiment on AMC+
• Rent or buy The Stanford Prison Experiment on Amazon
• Buy The Stanford Prison Experiment on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Belko Experiment (2016)

Director: Greg McLean

Starring: John Gallagher Jr., Tony Goldwyn

What it’s about: Trapped in their corporate office, a group of co-workers are forced to fight to the death.

Why it is a movie worth checking out if you are a fan of The Platform: From the mind of writer James Gunn, The Belko Experiment is a fictional and much more uproariously violent study in human behavior, set in a locked-down office building.

How to watch The Belko Experiment

• Stream The Belko Experiment on Paramount+
• Stream The Belko Experiment on Tubi
• Rent or buy The Belko Experiment on Amazon
• Buy The Belko Experiment on Blu-ray on Amazon

Saw (2004)

Director: James Wan

Starring: Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell

What it’s about: Two men wake up chained up in a dirty bathroom and are each given instructions to kill the other if they want to survive.

Why it is a movie worth checking out if you are a fan of The Platform: The Pit (the nickname for the prison from The Platform) also serves as a test of endurance and the will to live, much like the deadly scenarios orchestrated by Jigsaw in the Saw movies.

How to watch Saw

• Stream Saw on Max
• Stream Saw on Peacock
• Buy Saw on Blu-ray Amazon

You can dive even deeper into the world of The Platform by exploring the same themes and tones with these movies.

The slasher movie genre is still alive and kicking, with a good deal of credit given to the success of the Terrifier franchise. Writer and director Damien Leone's 2017 original became a modest cult favorite but 2022's Terrifier 2 made its sadistic harlequin, Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton), one of the scariest horror movie villains of the modern day, if not all time.

Blood is hitting the screen again with the upcoming 2024 movie release of Terrifier 3, which also stars Lauren LaVera as Sienna Shaw. The upcoming horror movie is likely going to get fans of these creepy clown movies in the mood for more of the most viscerally brutal B-movies imaginable. The following recommendations for great horror movies like Terrifier and its sequels might satisfy your bloodlust.

All Hallows’ Eve (2013)

Director: Damien Leone

Starring: Mike Gianelli, Katie Maguire

What it’s about: A trick-or-treater brings home a mysterious VHS tape containing a trio of increasingly strange and horrifying stories.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: Before the Terrifier movies made him an icon, our true introduction to Art the Clown (then played by Mike Gianelli) was the underrated anthology horror movie, All Hallows' Eve, in which he serves as the connective tissue for each segment.

How to watch All Hallows' Eve

• Stream All Hallows' Eve on AMC+
• Stream All Hallows' Eve on Tubi
• Rent or buy All Hallows' Eve on Amazon
• Buy All Hallows' Eve on Blu-ray on Amazon

Hell Fest (2018)

Director: Gregory Plotkin

Starring: Amy Forsyth, Reign Edwards

What it’s about: A group of young friends go to a horror-themed event unaware that true terror awaits them there.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: The first two Terrifier movies involve young partiers whose Halloween celebrations are ruined by a mysterious killer, which is also the plot of Hell Fest, which features a cameo by horror movie icon Tony Todd.

How to watch Hell Fest

• Stream Hell Fest on Peacock
• Rent or buy Hell Fest on Amazon
• Buy Hell Fest on Blu-ray on Amazon

Haunt (2019)

Director: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods

Starring: Katie Stevens, Will Brittain

What it’s about: A group of friends find an extreme haunted house attraction that proves to be a little too real.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: From the writers of A Quiet Place, Haunt is another grisly thriller pitting Halloween partiers in a fight for their lives that may lack the intense gore of Terrifier but makes up for it in captivating suspense.

How to watch Haunt

• Stream Haunt on Amazon Prime
• Stream Haunt on Tubi
• Buy Haunt Blu-ray on Amazon

Wrong Turn (2003)

Director: Rob Schmidt

Starring: Eliza Dushku, Desmond Harrington

What it’s about: A car accident leaves six people stuck in the middle of a wood, which proves to be only the start of their problems.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: While the original Terrifier sees our protagonists stranded in a part of the city where Art lurks, the unapologetically gruesome Wrong Turn strands its characters far away from civilization, where grotesque, cannibalistic assailants lurk.

How to watch Wrong Turn

• Stream Wrong Turn on Amazon Prime
• Buy Wrong Turn on Blu-ray on Amazon

Halloween II (1981)

Director: Rick Rosenthal

Starring: Donald Pleasance, Jamie Lee Curtis

What it’s about: Moments after terrorizing her, Michael Myers follows Laurie Strode to a hospital to continue his killing streak.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: In Terrifier 2, modern final girl icon Sienna Shaw discovers she has a strange connection to Art the Clown, similar to how Laurie discovers she is related to Michael Myers in Halloween II – the first follow-up to John Carpenter's seminal slasher classic.

How to watch Halloween II

• Stream Halloween II on AMC+
• Stream Halloween II on Peacock
• Rent or buy Halloween II on Amazon
• Buy Halloween II on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Collector (2009)

Director: Marcus Dunstan

Starring: Josh Stewart, Andrea Roth

What it’s about: A thief-turned-handyman trying to make a score at his new client's home discovers someone has broken in first and turned the house into a maze of terror.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: Like Terrifier's Art, the titular villain of The Collector is silent but oh so deadly, inventing some creative kills with his homemade traps.

How to watch The Collector

• Stream The Collector on Amazon Prime
• Stream The Collector on Tubi
• Buy The Collector on Blu-ray on Amazon

Laid To Rest (2009)

Director: Robert Hall

Starring: Bobbi Sue Luther, Kevin Gage

What it’s about: A young amnesiac woman must band together with other strangers in a fight against a masked killer.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: At one time, the original Terrifier was a relatively overlooked slasher gem admired in the horror community for its visceral kills, much like Laid to Rest, which saw its central antagonist, ChromeSkull, return for more carnage.

How to watch Laid to Rest

• Rent or buy Laid to Rest on Amazon
• Buy Laid to Rest on Blu-ray on Amazon

In A Violent Nature (2024)

Director: Chris Nash

Starring: Ry Barrett, Andrea Pavlovic

What it’s about: After a locket keeping his soul at rest is stolen from where he lays, Johnny is resurrected and hell-bent on retrieving it no matter who gets in his way.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: While boasting a slower pace than Terrifier, In a Violent Nature (also available with a Shudder subscription) is a slasher uniquely told from the point of view of a silent killer who delivers some kills that give Art a run for his money.

How to watch In a Violent Nature

• Stream In a Violent Nature on AMC+
• Rent or buy In a Violent Nature on Amazon
• Buy In a Violent Nature on Blu-ray on Amazon

Wolf Creek (2005)

Director: Greg McLean

Starring: John Jarratt, Nathan Phillips

What it’s about: Three friends traveling through Australia are taken captive by a crazed pig hunter.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: While Mick Taylor is certainly more talkative than Art, the main antagonist of the Australian horror movie classic, Wolf Creek, has a lot in common with the clown, as he also boasts egregiously sadistic characteristics without any discernible cause.

How to watch Wolf Creek

• Stream Wolf Creek on Amazon Prime
• Stream Wolf Creek on Pluto TV
• Stream Wolf Creek on Plex
• Buy Wolf Creek on Blu-ray on Amazon

Inside (2007)

Director: Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury

Starring: Alysson Paradis, Béatrice Dalle

What it’s about: The home of an expectant mother grieving her husband's death is invaded by a strange woman who wants claim her unborn baby as her own.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: Like Terrifier 3, the French import, Inside, is a Christmas horror movie that pulls absolutely zero punches when delivering shockingly brutal and and blood-soaked violence.

How to watch Inside

• Buy Inside on DVD on Amazon

The Saw Movies (2004-Present)

Director: James Wan, Darren Lynn Bousman, David Hackl, Kevin Greutert, Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig

Starring: Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith

What it’s about: Kidnapped people find themselves forced to partake in life-threatening challenges.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: While not a slasher like Terrifier, the Saw movies are known for their extreme gore and central antagonist who hides behind a clownish visage.

How to watch the Saw Movies

• Stream the Saw movies (1-7) on Max
• Stream the Saw movies (1-7) on Peacock
• Stream Jigsaw on Netflix
• Stream Spiral on Hulu
• Stream Saw X on Starz

Dead Alive (1992)

Director: Peter Jackson

Starring: Timothy Balme, Diana Peñalver

What it’s about: A New Zealander's mother contracts a strange virus from a Sumatran rat-monkey bite, which turns locals into ravenous monsters as it spreads.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: While also not a slasher, Peter Jackson's funny zombie movie classic, Dead Alive (also known as Braindead) is an insane gorefest that Terrifier fans will eat right up.

How to watch Dead Alive

• Rent or buy Dead Alive on Amazon
• Buy Dead Alive on Blu-ray on Amazon

Stitches (2012)

Director: Conor McMahon

Starring: Ross Noble, Tommy Knight

What it’s about: Mysteriously resurrected from the dead, a birthday clown seeks revenge on those who caused his death when they were children.

Why it is a great movie to check out if you like the Terrifier movies: In case you are looking for another slasher with a clownish antagonist that is a bit lighter in tone than Terrifier, the underrated Irish thriller Stitches might be the great horror-comedy movie you are looking.

How to watch Stitches

• Stream Stitches on Amazon Prime
• Stream Stitches on Tubi
• Buy Stitches on Blu-ray on Amazon

If the Terrifier movie do not terrify you like other horror fans, maybe these will do the trick.

The horror genre's renaissance has lasted for years now, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Some of the best horror movies returned to theaters with new sequels, including the Saw movies. Franchise legend Tobin Bell recently confirmed that he'll once again be back for the developing Saw XI movie, and as a longtime fan I've got questions.

Those of us who have seen the torture-heay franchise recall that John Kramer/Jigsaw was killed in 2006's Saw III. Since then the franchise has had to jump through hoops to include the beloved villain, like Saw X going back in the timeline. During a recent interview with LA Times, Bell confirmed that he's once again going to be back as the mastermind of pain. In his words:

While this news is surely exciting for longtime Saw fans like myself, I have to wonder exactly how Jigsaw will be back for the upcoming eleventh movie in the franchise. We'll just have to wait and see what comes next.

I have to assume that the next movie will take place after Saw X's ending, which definitely left some narrative threads to pull from. And since that project was a interquel set between the first and second movies, Tobin Bell's character John Kramer is still very much alive.

The saw movies (many of which are streaming with a Max subscription) mess with time quite a bit. For example: both Saw III and Saw IV essentially happen at the same time, which was a huge twist when the movies arrived in theaters. As such, it seems like there are actually a variety of ways that Jigsaw could be brought back. Although Bell's comments about exploring the character make me think that the eleventh movie in the franchise will continue with the same story and point in the timeline as Saw X.

If Saw XI does in fact use this strategy, it could also open the door for another returning legacy character: Shawnee Smith's Amanda Young. Fans were hyped when she returned for the last movie, despite her character also biting the bullet in Saw III.

The ending of Saw X also featured another surprising cameo, with Costas Mandylor appearing briefly as the villainous Mark Hoffman. The horror movies regularly introduced new protégées of Jigsaw, and fans would no doubt be thrilled to see the inner working between John, Amanda, and Hoffman that we weren't privy to.

Saw XI is currently expected to arrive in theaters on September 26th, 2025, just in time for next year's Spooky Season. For now, check out the 2025 movie release dates to plan what other titles you might want to see.

Is there anything more frightening than a really smart villain in a movie or a TV show who always seems to be one step ahead of the hero? Whether it's TV shows like Breaking Bad and Dexter, or movies like Mission: Impossible 3, and Silence of the Lambs, a smart villain is always the most dangerous kind. This list is made up of villains just like that, the smartest ones in Hollywood. 

Hannibal Lecter (Silence Of The Lambs)

you certainly can't have a list like this without Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). When we first met him (really), in Silence of the Lambs, we knew just how smart he was before Clarice (Jodie Foster) even encountered him. It only gets more pronounced as the movie goes on. He's also one of the scariest ever in just how evil he is. 

Moriarty (Sherlock)

Among the most intelligent villains in all of Western culture is Moriarty. He is Sherlock Holmes' main nemesis in countless stories, movies, and TV shows. Maybe the best and smartest version of Moriarty comes from the BBC show Sherlock with Andrew Scott absolutely nailing the role of the brilliant, eccentric criminal. 

Lex Luthor (Superman: The Movie)

Another classic bad guy in entertainment history is Lex Luthor. He's played foil to Superman for over 80 years and every time we see him, whether on TV, in the comics, or on the big screen like in Superman: The Movie, where he's played by Gene Hackman, we know Superman is going to be in for a wild ride. You can't beat Superman with brawn, so you better outwit him. 

Tom Ripley - The Talented Mr. Ripley

There are a lot of great movies about con artists out there, and one of the smartest con men on screen has to be Tom Ripley in The Talented Mr. Ripley. He's terrifyingly cold and calculating and Matt Damon's performance enhances just how scary and smart Ripley is. 

John Doe - Se7en

It's hard to imagine a criminal mind as devious, patient, and scary as John Doe (Kevin Spacey) in Se7en. He takes two detectives on a wild ride, knowing exactly when and how the whole thing will end, weeks before it does. People joke about politicians playing "3-D chess" but John Doe isn't even playing chess, he's on a much higher level. 

Owen Davian - Mission: Impossible III

Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has faced a lot of really smart villains over the life of the Mission: Impossible series, but none are smarter - or scarier - than Philip Seymour Hoffman's Owen Davian in Mission: Impossible III. No one expects anyone to get the jump on Hunt, but from the intense opening moments of Mission: Impossible III, it's clear that Davian is a different animal. 

Cersei Lannister - Game Of Thrones

In the game of thrones, you either win or you die. For most Game of Thrones, Cersei Lannister wins. She is one or two or even three steps ahead of all her rivals and continues to hold on to power almost - almost - until the very end. Her death was nearly satisfying enough for most fans, as it didn't really do justice to how good she was at the game. 

Blofeld - No Time To Die

There are a lot of James Bond villains that could qualify for this list, but we have to go with the one who has most often shown to be ready to take on 007. Ernst Stavro Blofeld is so iconic, he was the main inspiration for Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers series - and a character who does not qualify here. Blofeld, especially the version played by Christoph Waltz in No Time To Die definitely does deserve to be here. 

Kilgrave - Jessica Jones

David Tennant is mostly known for playing a hero, Dr. Who, on the classic BBC show. It turns out he's just as, and maybe even better, as a villain. Kilgrave, Jessica Jones' antagonist in the first season of the former Netflix show, is absolutely terrifying. His powers to manipulate are exceeded only by his wicked intelligence. A combination that is truly the stuff on nightmares. 

Ben Linus - Lost

Lost had a few villains over the years, and sometimes it was simply The Island. The most iconic of the villains though, has to be Ben Linus, played by Michael Emerson. He's so smart that Sawyer's nickname for him is "Yoda." That's high praise. 

Magneto - X-Men

When you going to be a villain who goes up against Professor X often in the X-Men universe, you better be up to the task, mentally. Magneto, played by Michael Fassbender, among others, is just the kind of villain who is ready for Charles Xavier. He meets him beat for beat as they try to outwit each other. 

The Trinity Killer - Dexter

On Dexter, our anti-hero Dexter goes up against some truly diabolical killers, but none come close to matching his wits like Arthur Mitchell aka The Trinity Killer. There is an argument to be made that Mitchell may be the most brilliant villain in TV history but luckily we're not here to pick a winner. 

Nina Myers - 24

The only way Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) on 24 was ever going to lose was by a betrayal. Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke) shocked everyone when she made her move and revealed her treachery. It almost works too. She calculated out the whole thing and almost get it right, but Jack was just too good. 

Amy Dunne - Gone Girl

Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) in Gone Girl is unique on this list. One on hand, it's easy to understand why she's so vengeful against her adulterous husband (Ben Affleck). That doesn't mean she should get away with what she did to him, but she does, and its because she's stone-cold brilliant in the planning and execution of her diabolical plan. 

Gus Fring - Breaking Bad

There aren't many people smarter than Walter White (Bryan Cranston) in Breaking Bad. One of the only rivals who comes close is Gus Fring, played by Giancarlo Esposito. He matches wits - and even outwits - Walter time and time again on the show and almost wins. Almost. 

The Master - Doctor Who

Every great hero needs a nemesis and for Dr. Who it's most often The Master. No one knows The Doctor quite like The Master, as they've been battling each other for, well, almost forever, really. They were childhood friends, but lifelong enemies.  

Ozymandias - Watchmen

Ozymandias has been the central villain of The Watchmen in the book, the movie, and on the TV show. Some fans don't think the screen version of the villain lives up to his character in the graphic novel. He's still incredibly smart, able to keep up with and sometimes ahead of Dr. Manhattan in almost every way and that's no easy feat, to say the least. 

Keyser Söze - The Usual Suspects

Verbal Kint aka Keyser Söze has to be on this list. He pulls a trick that only the devil could have pulled before by convincing everyone he didn't exist. Throughout the movie, the cops and the audience are sucked into his tall tale and when the truth was revealed in the end, it instantly became one of the best moments in Hollywood history. Poof! 

Khan - Star Trek

Of all the villains in Star Trek history, few have a place in Trekkie hearts like Khan, played by the great Ricardo Montalbán. Not only is his episode on the original show, called "Space Seed," considered among the best, but he returned for the second Star Trek movie and saved the entire franchise after a controversial, and often derided first movie. 

HAL 9000 - 2001: A Space Odyssey

Not every brilliant villain is a person, either. In fact, one of the smartest of all time is Stanley Kubrick's early take on artificial intelligence, Hal 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Hal outwits some of the smartest astronauts in the universe and toys with them as it does, leading to a wild ending. It's an idea that was pure science fiction in 1969 when the movie came out. It seems less so fantastical today. Yikes. 

Wilson Fisk - Daredevil

The Netflix Marvel shows, like Daredevil were, at best, uneven. One of the real high points in that universe has to be Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk. He's an imposing figure, physically and mentally, as smart as he is physically strong, making him one of the most formidable opponents a superhero would ever want to face. 

Hans Gruber - Die Hard

Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) in Die Hard comes up with an unbelievable plan to rob a lot of money. He even plans it right down to counting on the FBI cutting the building's power at the right time. However, this entry comes with a caveat. Hans' brother Simon, played by Jeremy Irons in Die Hard With A Vengence actually may be more diabolical. It's a tough call. 

Neil McCauley - Heat

One of the greatest cat-and-mouse games to ever play out on the big screen is between Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) and Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino). McCauley's planning of the heist is meticulous and he leaves nothing to chance. It's something only years on the job and a superior mind could come up with. 

Auric Goldfinger - Goldfinger

Ernest Blofeld may be James Bond's most common antagonist, but Auric Goldfinger  (Gert Frobe) might be the smartest of them all. Even Bond admits that Goldfingers plan to make all the gold in Fort Knox worthless is a stroke of genius. The plan is almost perfect, but it's tough to outwit 007. 

Cyrus The Virus - Con Air

Leave it to John Malkovich to play a villain so well in a movie as over-the-top and ridiculous as Con Air that we have to include him on this list. Cyrus The Virus is truly one of the great villains in action movie history and it's all due to Malkovich's amazing performance of the brilliant but psychopathic bad guy. 

The Joker - The Dark Knight

Batman is considered among the smartest of superheroes. That's what makes The Joker, especially Heath Ledger's legendary version of the Clown Prince of Crime, so critical to a list like this. Over the years, in every medium, The Joker and Batman have gone toe-to-toe in desperate bids to outwit each other. 

Aaron Stampler/Roy - Primal Fear

Edward Norton's first role came as Aaron Stampler aka "Roy" in Primal Fear alongside Richard Gere. His manipulation of the trial to convince everyone that he is nuts shows just how stone-cold brilliant he is. It's scary how smart he is. Literally. 

Clyde Shelton - Law Abiding Citizen

Hell hath no fury like a man coming after his family's murderer. Clyde Shelton is more of an anti-hero than a villain, but his planning and patience fit right on this list. His desire to make sure those who killed his family get the retribution they deserve is intense, and his level of planning is simply next level. 

Francis Underwood - House Of Cards

Because of Kevin Spacey's legal problems, we never saw the true conclusion to Frank Underwood's story on House of Cards, but before he died, we did see him stop at nothing in his quest for absolute power. He met and vanquished all his enemies in his rise to the top and who knows where he would've gone from there. 

Loki - Marvel Cinematic Universe

Let's be honest, most of the villains in the MCU aren't really that smart or really that great. In the history of the behemoth franchise, villains have often left audiences longing for more. One notable exception has always been Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston. He's always great, and always up to the task when taking on all the smartest guys in the Avengers over multiple movies and his own TV show. 

Marlo Stanfield - The Wire

On HBO's The Wire, it's rare that anyone wins in the end. Good guys, bad guys, and everyone in between usually don't win. The lone exception is Marlo Stanfield. His rise to power on the streets of Baltimore is a combination of his street savvy and his fearlessness. It's that savvy that keeps him on top, right up until the end. 

Voldemort - Harry Potter

You knew we couldn't have this list without he who shall not be named. Lord Voldemort is the only villain in the Harry Potter series who has the abilities and smarts to conquer Harry and his allies. Sure, he fails in the end, but it's close, and matching wits with all of Hogwarts is still incredibly impressive. 

Jigsaw - Saw

In a lot of horror and slasher films, the main villain is less appreciated for their brains as they are for their unrelenting desire to kill. Jigsaw in the Saw series is so much more than that. He is brilliant. Terrifyingly brilliant. His ability to come up his insane games and manipulate people is just the scariest thing in the history of horror. 

Some of my favorite movies are also considered some of the best horror films and some of the best horror comedies. I love a good scare. However, I have limits and those include too much gore and human (or animal) torture. The Saw franchise seemed like those types of movies, and that would not be my thing. I have seen only one Saw movie before and it was Spiral (yes, the Chris Rock one), and I don’t think many consider it one of the best Saw movies. I have never seen any in the original series. 

I was sure it would not be for me, but I like to give all movies, especially ones with many entries in a franchise, a fair chance. I can now confidently say the Saw movies are not for me. According to many fans of the franchise, the first one isn’t even nearly as gruesome as it becomes, so I know to stop on a high before traumatizing myself. I think Saw is a good movie if you enjoy these types of films; it’s just not my type of movie, but it did have a cool aspect that I really enjoyed.

Warning Saw movie spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

The First Saw Movie Feels More Like A Mystery Thriller Than A Horror Movie 

Saw is a horror movie because you can’t really have someone saw off body parts and not consider that horror. However, I do think it leaned more towards the mystery thriller realm. Much of the film focuses on figuring out what Jigsaw planned to do with Lawrence (Cary Elwes) and Adam (Leigh Whannell), and whether they could beat his game. I like that it had this aspect because I love mystery thrillers. It immediately sucked me into the film as not just a viewer but a participant. I want to know whether I can figure out what’s going on before the characters.

Unfortunately, Saw was over 20 years old when I finally watched it. Therefore, I already knew some spoilers about the film just from accidentally seeing videos that included spoilers. This meant I knew the major ending twist, but that didn’t stop me from being engaged while watching. I still knew so little about it. Heck, I didn’t even know Danny Glover and Michael Emerson were in it. The film had plenty of surprises even with the few spoilers I discovered over the years, including Jigsaw’s motives. 

It Invites The Audience To Play Along 

I don’t think Saw is just geared towards viewers like me, those who like to solve the mystery before the characters. I think it’s created to make the audience immediately pay attention and begin the game with Adam and Lawrence. It unites characters and the audience. We’re all trying to figure out what Jigsaw plans to do, and if there is any way to escape his devious intentions. 

This kind of storytelling forces engagement from the audience and I think that’s a good thing. Film watching is often a passive experience, so it’s thrilling when one almost makes you become more of an active and reactive viewer. You’re forced to immerse yourself in the story. 

I Tried To Figure Out All The Roles Of The People In Jigsaw’s Game 

Saw lets you know that Jigsaw is the main villain, and definitely one of the scariest modern horror movie villains we saw in the early aughts. However, you don’t know if this madman works alone. At different points, the film makes you think various people are working with Jigsaw. You think Adam is at one point, then Tapp (Danny Glover), and we eventually learn that he’s forcing Zep (Michael Emerson) to work with him. 

The film easily makes you distrust everyone. It also makes you wonder if this entire game is just about testing Lawrence. You’re also trying to figure out the person behind Jigsaw. I got tricked with a few red herrings only to discover they were not in cahoots with him. He works alone, at least in this movie. 

The Saw Puzzles Intrigue Me 

I wish Saw had more puzzles. You can’t have a main villain named Jigsaw and only have a few actual puzzles. I wanted to see more complex riddles and puzzles in the film. It almost felt like some potential puzzles got sacrificed to allow more character development, and not confuse the viewers or make the plot convoluted. I understand that decision and appreciate the few puzzles the film had, but it could have included more. 

I also learned after seeing it that the franchise includes some video games. I hope those are full of complex puzzles because that would spark my interest in the Saw franchise.

The Setting Was Gross But Felt Like An Escape Room 

The whole dirty room (including the gross toilet) is not the prettiest setting. However, it wasn’t so disgusting that you couldn’t stare at it for nearly two hours. It also had the vibe that it could double as the setting for a really complicated escape room. Smartly, someone cashed in on the Saw escape room idea and there is at least one, in Las Vegas. 

Hopefully,  without deadly twists. As a simple escape room concept, the setting has a lot of potential. It’s an open space room with plenty of places to hide clues without making them too obvious. It’s almost like when designing the setting, the filmmakers predicted its escape room possibilities.

I Wanted To Know If Jigsaw Would Win In The End

Look, obviously I know there are like 4,000 Saw movies. Therefore logically, Jigsaw has to win to some degree but, I also know that sometimes the main villain dies in the first film. Then in sequels, everyone pretends it never happened. Plus, one of the spoilers I knew was that Lawrence appears in multiple movies.

However, I didn’t know if he survived to appear in them or flashbacks. Therefore, the anticipation and uncertainty remained as I watched the events unfold. And, even with minor spoilers, I only knew things that happened but not how they played out in the movie. I fully committed to Saw and wanted to know how it all concluded.

I have no interest in continuing the Saw franchise and eventually understanding the lore, but I am glad I watched the first film. I get the appeal and it was an entertaining movie, just not for me. 

Stream Saw on Max.

The end of May and the beginning of June means it’s everybody’s favorite time: the time to shuffle all the movies and TV shows as many leave streaming, or jump services, while a host of new content arrives. There’s so much moving around, along with all the brand-new original content, that it can be difficult to keep track of what’s going on. Whether you subscribe to only one of the best streaming services or all of them, it’s still a lot.

Netflix subscribers have a new series with Benedict Cumberbatch to enjoy. It’s a great month for documentaries on multiple streamers. Jeremy Renner also returns to the screen with his first big role following his nearly fatal injury. Here are some of the highlights of what’s streaming this week.

Netflix This Week: Benedict Cumberbatch And More

Netflix this week brings a pair of brand new series. One is seriously heavy and dramatic, the other significantly more fun.

Eric - May 30

Fans of Benedict Cumberbatch may be used to seeing him as Doctor Strange or Sherlock Holmes, but they’re in for something very different with Eric. The crime drama casts Cumberbatch as a puppeteer whose son goes missing. In his grief, he creates a new puppet for his show in hopes it will lead him to his son.

Geek Girl - May 30

Fans looking for something a bit lighter than missing children and grief may enjoy another new Netflix series hitting the same day. Geek Girl stars Emily Carey as Harriett Manners, a teen geek who finds herself thrust into the world of high fashion.

Disney+ This Week: Jim Henson And More

Of all the franchises that Disney owns, one of the most criminally underutilized is the Muppets. Fans love Jim Henson's creation, and until we have more series or movies with them, we have a film that will remind us why we love them.

Jim Henson: Idea Man - May 31

The newest film from Ron Howard, Idea Man, is a documentary on the life of Jim Henson. The film takes a look at the life of the Muppet creator from his early days in puppeteering through the runaway success of the Muppets. Muppet fans, or really anybody with a Disney+ subscription, will certainly want to bring tissues to this one.

Max This Week: MoviePass And More

A pair of very interesting looks at real life are among the highlights for Max subscribers this month. First, a documentary film about a great idea and its spectacular failure, and second, a series that lends reality and fantasy, much like its subject matter.

MoviePass, MovieCrash - May 29

It wasn’t all that long ago that MoviePass, the company that tried to revolutionize movie ticket purchasing, was a major player in the industry. It also wasn't that long ago that Moviepass completely fell apart. Documentary MoviePass, MovieCrash, takes a look at the original idea for the service and how it all went wrong.

Ren Faire- June 2

Renaissance Fairs are popular all over the country, but none are quite like the Texas Renaissance Festival, which King George has ruled over for half a century. Ren Faire follows the King as he attempts to find a real successor to his thrown, which, as the majority shareholder of the festival and mayor of the town he created, has real implications.

Hulu This Week: Saw Movies

With the first of the month, a slew of new movies come to Hulu, and that includes nearly every entry in a major franchise that is celebrating a significant anniversary.

Saw I-VII - June 1

Maybe June isn’t the time that most people want to sit down and dive into a massive horror franchise. However, the original Saw is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and now that the first seven entries are available on Hulu, you can dive in and watch them all together. I’ll warn you, however, that watching every Saw movie at once isn’t necessarily the best idea.

Paramount+ This Week: Jeremey Renner Returns And More

One thing that streaming has done that is truly wonderful is the way it has made entertainment from all over the world more accessible. A new South Korean series might help scratch that Squid Game itch for some. For everybody else, there’s the long-awaited return of Jeremy Renner.

Pyramid Game - May 30

Dealing with popularity in high school can be brutal in any country, but in Pyramid Game, the fight to be on top becomes an actual fight. When one student finds herself on the bottom, she decides to take on the entire system. While not everybody is willing to deal with subtitles, those that are have a lot more to choose from.

Mayor of Kingstown, Season 2 - June 2

When Jeremy Renner was seriously injured a year and a half ago, it was anybody’s guess when we’d see him again. The first project he went to work on once he was well enough to do so was the second season of Mayor of Kingstown, and now the new season is here for everybody with a Paramount+ subscription to welcome him back.

Prime Video This Week: Kevin Hart And More

The newest addition to Prime Video is an interesting one, as it is both a brand new movie starring Kevin Hart and a previously existing series starring Kevin Hart. Either way, there’s a pretty good chance you haven’t seen it.

Die Hart 2: Die Harter - May 30

Die Hart was originally a show created for the short-lived Qubi streaming service that saw Kevin Hart play a fictionalized version of himself on a quest to be an action hero. After the first season of the show was re-edited into a film for Prime Video subscribers, the streamer is now giving the second season the same treatment.

If none of these work for you, there’s plenty more where that came from. Check out our complete list of everything coming to Netflix, as well as what’s new on DIsney+ and what’s coming up on Hulu. June is already shaping up to be a great month for streaming.

We know that it is customary to root for the more resourceful and heroic horror movie characters, but there have been a number of times when we could not help but feel sympathy for the maniacs and monsters they came at odds with. You could even argue that what makes some of the best horror movies so great is when they involve an antagonist whom you can actually identify with, or at least have some understanding of why they became the way they are. 

Now, to be clear, we are in no way justifying the heinous and horrifying actions of any of these iconic horror movie villains, but by taking a deeper look at their back stories, you may never be able to see them in quite the same light (or, more accurately, darkness) again.

Carrie White (Carrie)

In Brian DePalma's 1976 adaptation of Stephen King's Carrie, Sissy Spacek's title character uses her telepathic powers to cause an explosive massacre on prom night. However, after facing unwarranted torment from her merciless classmates, constant judgment from her fanatical mother, and getting pig blood poured on her on stage, it is easy to interpret her as the hero of the story.

John “Jigsaw” Kramer (Saw)

Despite the deadly nature of his homemade traps, it is not really John Kramer's (Tobin Bell) intention to actually kill anyone in the Saw movies. The terminally ill criminal — otherwise known as Jigsaw — wants to give his "subjects" a new appreciation for life by bringing them dangerously close to death.

Pamela Voorhees (Friday The 13th)

Jason Voorhees drowned to death in Crystal Lake because his camp counselors were too busy indulging in debauchery. Therefore, while there are better answers than violence, you cannot blame his mother, Pamela (Betsy Palmer), for attempting to put an end to such behaviors in the original Friday the 13th.

Jason Voorhees (Friday The 13th Movies)

As we discover in Friday the 13th Part 2, Jason Voorhees never actually died (Or was resurrected as immortal, maybe?), but is still mad about his counselors' neglect. Throw in the fact that his mother is dead — at the hands of another teen — and he has more than enough reason to be Camp Crystal Lake's worst nightmare.

Sam (Trick 'R Treat)

Not enough people see Halloween as the sacred time of year it deserves to be treated as — a mistake that Sam (Quinn Lord) intends to correct in the 2007 cult favorite anthology, Trick 'r Treat. The mischievous trick-r-treater may go a little too far in his attempts to teach people a lesson in honoring All Hallow's Eve traditions, but his passion for the holiday is unmatched and, for that, we believe he should be recognized as its official mascot.

Pale Man (Pan's Labyrinth)

Who likes to share food anyway? Doug Jones' grotesque ghoul from Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth certainly does not, as seen from when he catches Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) stealing some of his grapes.

The Mother (Barbarian)

In Zach Cregger's 2022 horror favorite, Barbarian, Georgina Campbell's Tess discovers her accidentally double-booked Airbnb is also hiding a revolting mutant woman (Matthew Patrick Davis) who takes her prisoner. When you think about it, though, she was born into a world of isolation and abuse and grew up to be the kind of person who just wants someone to care for (hence the credited name of "The Mother"), which is an undeniably admirable quality to have.

The Facility (The Cabin In The Woods)

Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins' characters in the clever horror-comedy movie classic, The Cabin in the Woods, work for an organization tasked with preventing the apocalypse. It is not their fault that the only solution is letting deadly creatures loose on a group of five young, archetypical vacationers to appease the gods.

The Thing (The Thing)

In director John Carpenter’s 1982 paranoia-driven alien invasion movie classic, The Thing, a group of researchers are forced to question which one of them is still human when a shape-shifting alien infiltrates their base in the arctic. While the creature’s imitation of multiple characters does suggest that its ultimate goal very likely could could have been a global takeover, at the end of the day, it seems that it just wanted to survive. Quite often, the most effective method is blending in.

Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street)

Anyone who has seen director Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (or the Broadway musical it is based on) knows that Johnny Depp's titular hairdresser is not just some natural born killer. He was falsely convicted of a terrible crime by a judge (Alan Rickman) who wanted to steal his wife, leading him down a vengeful path.

The Shark (Jaws)

Like any animal, a shark has to eat and, sometimes, humans just happen to be around when the aquatic apex predator from Jaws is hungry. In fact, as many fans of Steven Spielberg's 1975 blockbuster agree, the story's true villain is the greedy Mayor Larry Vaughn (Murray Hamilton), who keeps Amity Island's beach open despite the warning signs.

Queen Xenomorph (Aliens)

Out of all the different Xenomorph variations seen in the Alien movies, few would disagree that the Queen is the most terrifying by her appearance alone. Yet, how truly threatening is she when unprovoked? In 1986’s Aliens, she is merely minding her own business laying some eggs until Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), after rescuing Newt (Carrie Henn), takes a flamethrower to her children. Would that not get you pretty riled up?

Daniel Robitaille (Candyman)

Tony Todd's titular urban legend from Candyman was savagely murdered over his romance with a white woman, igniting a vengeful fury that allowed him to live beyond death. The Clive Barker-inspired 1992 thriller's themes of racial discrimination were expanded upon in the 2021 requel, which suggests that people who die unjustly are resurrected as part of the "hive."

Alex Forrest (Fatal Attraction)

They say that love makes people do crazy things, even boiling the pet rabbit belonging to the family of the man you had a one-time fling with. Of course, you could argue that Manhattan editor Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) was already mentally unstable before crossing paths with Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas) in 1987's Fatal Attraction, but the married lawyer should have known better than to toy with a woman’s feelings in the first place.

The Tethered (Us)

Jordan Peele’s 2019 thriller, Us, comments on classism, as represented by The Tethered — a group of people who really want nothing more than to live a life of their own beyond their underground home, like they surface-dwellers they resemble and have been forced to mimic. Not to mention, the central antagonist, Red (Lupita Nyong'o), absolutely deserves her revenge, given what we discover about her true identity at the end.

Kevin Wendell Crumb (Split)

In M. Night Shyamalan’s 2016 hit, Split, James McAvoy gives a transcendent performance as Kevin Wendell Crumb, who takes three teenage girls captive in his home. However, the real Kevin — a patient with Dissociative Identity Disorder — actually had nothing to do with the kidnapping, which was really orchestrated by the more villainous personalities living inside him that manifested out of him being subjected to years of abuse.

Stitches (Stitches)

It is very rare to find a creepy clown movie with a sympathetic antagonist, but the horrifying harlequin from the Irish slasher, Stitches, comes closest. It stars comedian Ross Noble in the title role — a birthday clown who falls prey to a fatal joke and, years later, returns to exact revenge on the pranksters who caused his death.

Belial Bradley (Basket Case)

The grossly deformed Belial was separated from his twin brother, Duane (Kevin VanHentenryck), against his will, forcing him to be kept hidden in a basket — hence the title of Frank Henenlotter’s 1982 cult classic, Basket Case. If the doctors who performed the procedure had respected the siblings' wishes to remain conjoined, they would still be alive.

Winslow Leach (Phantom Of The Paradise)

In Brian DePalma's 1974 musical horror comedy movie, Phantom of the Paradise, Winslow Leach (William Finley) is a talented musician whose compositions are stolen by record producer Swan (Paul Williams). After an attempt to stop the situation leaves his face disfigured, he is forced to haunt Swan's concert hall, the Paradise, where he seeks vengeance against him.

Alex Hammond (Prom Night)

One of the few teen slashers with a somewhat sympathetic villain is Prom Night, which stars Jamie Lee Curtis and follows a group of teens targeted by a masked killer during the big school dance. Their assailant is actually Alex Hammond (Michael Tough), who wishes to punish the teens in question for causing the death of his sister years earlier.

Clover (Cloverfield)

Imagine being a lonely, helpless, confused child prematurely woken up from a nap. It seems that a temper tantrum would be the natural response, right? Well, according the creators of 2008's found footage horror favorite, Cloverfield, that is the reason why New York falls prey to a strange monster, and not for any malicious intent.

Herbert West (Re-Animator)

While we do not particularly agree with the idea of cheating death, the idea of giving people a second chance at life or the chance of a longer life is an admirable goal. Thus, we cannot deny that Dr. Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) created his resurrection serum with good intentions in Re-Animator.

Eva Galli (Ghost Story)

In 1979's Ghost Story, four elderly men are reminded of a terrible mistake from decades earlier when they become a acquainted with a woman named Alma Mobley (Alice Krige). However, they come to realize that Alma is really the spirit of Eva Galli — a woman from their past who has returned to avenge her death.

Lord Summerisle (The Wicker Man)

At the infamous, shocking conclusion of 1973's The Wicker Man, we discover that Sgt. Howie (Edward Woodward) was duped into coming to Summerisle as a sacrifice for the island’s crops. While the idea of murder magically benefitting agriculture is obviously ridiculous, we can at least admire the community's leader, Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) for going to far lengths for the sake of his people, even if his methods are horribly misguided.

Laura Barns (Unfriended)

In the surprisingly scary "video call horror" favorite Unfriended, a group of teens hanging out over Skype are taunted and killed one by one by an unwanted visitor.  It turns out to be the vengeful spirit of Laura Barns — a student who took her life after they embarrassed her with a viral video a year earlier.

Anton Phibes (The Abominable Dr. Phibes)

One of the most overlooked characters played by horror icon Vincent Price is the tile role of The Abominable Dr. Phibes, who seeks revenge on the doctors responsible for his wife's untimely death. To punish them, he takes inspiration from the Bible, setting rats, locusts, and other unusual curses on them.

Angela Baker (Sleepaway Camp)

After losing his father and sister in a skiing accident, Peter Baker was sent to live with his aunt, who forcibly raised him as her daughter under the name of his dead sibling, Angela. When "Angela" (Felissa Rose) was sent to the eponymous Sleepaway Camp, her fellow campers' merciless torment and inappropriate advances by some adult employees was the final straw, driving her to murder.

Victor Crowley (Hatchet)

While we are certainly not justifying the sadistic, indiscriminate murder streak of Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder), we cannot help but feel a bit bad for the antagonist of 2006’s Hatchet and its sequels. Because of his grotesque facial deformity, he was hidden from the public against his will until the day he died and was resurrected as an undead vessel of vengeance.

Rusty Nail (Joy Ride)

In 2001’s Joy Ride, Paul Walker, Steve Zahn, and Leelee Sobieski’s characters are stalked by a mysterious trucker referred to as Rusty Nail after pranking him over a CB radio. In Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead, another group of travelers feel his wrath after stealing a car from his house. In Joy Ride 3: Roadkill, he is lured by a young couple intending to rob him. In conclusion, this killer trucker only messes with people who mess with him first.

Willard (Willard)

Bruce Davison plays the title character of 1971’s Willard — a lonely, poorly treated young man who finds unexpected kinship in a litter of rats. When his cruel boss (Academy Award winner Ernest Borgnine) ends up killing one of his new friends, named Socrates, he and an army of furry vermin retaliate.

Mama (Mama)

The eponymous, mysterious entity from 2013's Mama becomes the guardian to two young girls she saved from their own father, until they are discovered in the woods and taken in by their aunt and uncle five years later. So, it makes perfect sense that "Mama" would feel her adoptive children were stolen from her and want them back.

May Dove Canady (May)

Due to her awkward personality and lazy eye, the titular character from May, played by Angela Bettis, had no friends but a twisted doll named Suzie, until she becomes broken. We cannot blame her for wanting to find a replacement for Suzie, even though her solution is creating a new friend out of an assembly of human body parts.

Next time you watch a horror movie, instead of immediately writing off the villain as irredeemable, try to see things from their perspective. However, we also recommend trying to deal with your own problems in a calmer and more mature manner, as well.

Are you ready to play another game? Because Saw XI is confirmed, and this is what we know.

I'm sure plenty come to mind when it comes to some of the best horror movies out there. One of the most iconic horror films ever was Saw, which spawned an entire franchise, a new horror movie villain, and endless sequels. Now, Saw XI – or Saw 11 – is confirmed, and there’s plenty that we know about the upcoming horror movie.

What Is The Saw XI Release Date?

When updating this in November 2024, Saw XI's set release date is September 26, 2025, as confirmed by Deadline in April 2024. Originally it was supposed to come out in September 2024 but was pushed back. .

It is a great day to see this coming out as part of the 2025 movie schedule, and September 2025 has plenty of great films that are set to come out, including the next Conjuring film, another Downton Abbey movie, and more. Saw XI joining that is another great addition.

What Is Saw XI Going To Be About?

As of updating this in November 2024, we still don’t know what the actual plot of Saw XI will be. The film was announced in early December 2023, but little else has come out regarding the new movie when it comes to the story.

However, it may end up being a direct sequel to Saw X. In an interview with SFX (via GamesRader), producer Oren Koules told the outlet that there are plenty of characters that are still around at the end of Saw X, which would make the most "natural" sense to lean into that:

For those who don't remember, Saw X was a prequel film, not a direct sequel to the previous Saw film -- Saw: Spiral, released in 2021 and starred Chris Rock. The ending of Saw X left many questions that we don't know the answer to just yet, so maybe Saw XI will give us the answers we oh-so-want. We'll have to wait for more information to know for sure if this new movie will connect directly to the last one.

The Saw XI Cast

There has only been one confirmed person coming back for Saw XI so far, and that is Tobin Bell:

Tobin Bell as John Kramer

Tobin Bell played John Kramer – otherwise known as Jigsaw – in the Saw films, and he returned to the role of Saw X. The actor confirmed he would be back for the movie in an interview with the The Los Angeles Times in October 2024, saying that Kramer’s story wasn’t done yet:

He's also appeared in films like Mississippi Burning, Walker Texas Ranger, and more. He even had a role in The Sopranos.

It’s not that surprising that Kramer will be back, but at the time, we still don’t know who else will return. However, if this is a sequel to Saw X, there are two familiar faces we might see:

Shawnee Smith as Amanda Young

Shawnee Smith also reprised her role as Amanda Young for the prequel film Saw X. She's also appeared in other shows like Becker and The X-Files. The character, Amanda, was featured in the first three Saw films and the fifth.

Synnøve Macody Lund as Cecilia Pederson

Synnøve Macody Lund plays Cecilia Pederson, a new character in Saw X and one of the few alive from the end. The actress has appeared in Ragnarok and the TV series Riviera.

The next film could continue Saw XI, meaning it would likely be another prequel, and with Bell confirmed, it looks like it might be heading in that direction.

Mark Burg, a producer for Saw X, even spoke to Dexerto in September 2023 that they have gotten calls from former actors who have requested to come back to the franchise if they are planning on doing a prequel again:

If we get another prequel, it's going to be epic.

Kevin Greutert Will Direct

As confirmed by an interview with Screen Rant in June 2024, the writer of the film, Marcus Dunstan, confirmed that Kevin Greutert would return to direct Saw XI.

Greutert has heavy connections to the Saw franchise, where he has edited several of the Saw films and directed both Saw VI, Saw 3D, and Saw X, which was major news when he decided to come back to the series. Aside from that, he's also directed Jessabelle, Visions, and Jackals.

Marcus Dunstan Co-Wrote The Script, But Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger Will Not Be Back For Saw XI

The last thing we know for sure is that Marcus Dunstan has co-written the script, as confirmed by that Screen Rant article above. He’s worked on several other Saw installments in the past, teasing that this new film is “angry:”

We also know that Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger, the writers behind the story of Saw X, which was well-received in 2023, will not be returning for this film. Stolberg confirmed it in a Twitter post in December 2023, saying that he and Goldberg would sit "this chapter out:"

He also continued to thank fans for their support and "kind words" in another Twitter post despite them not coming back for the eleventh chapter in the Saw franchise:

Either way, if this new script is going to be “angry,” I’m curious to see what it’s about.

The release of Saw XI isn't that far away, and I don't think we will be prepared for how epic and bloody it will most likely be.

It doesn’t matter if it’s Halloween or any season on the calendar for that matter: when the hunger for horror hits, it must be heeded. And as it just so happens that we here at CinemaBlend have our fingers on the pulse of that blood-soaked genre.

However, if you want something past our rundown of the 50 best horror movies of all time, and you’re into the gory details, you’re in luck. Here, without further interruption, is 12 of the goriest horror movies and how to watch them, no matter when the mood arises.

Dead Alive (1992)

Oh, Peter Jackson. Before he was running around with Hobbits or making documentary history with The Beatles, the man was indulging in some extreme tastes in horror. Dead Alive, or Braindead, as it’s sometimes known, is one of his most notable classics in such a realm, as the blood and body parts fly after a zombie plague hits a small town. You’ll never look at lawnmowers the same way again. 

Buy Dead Alive on Blu-ray on Amazon

Evil Dead (2013)

Among the various points of order in Evil Dead 2013’s history and legacy, one of the things that always comes up is the blood. As poor Mia (Jane Levy) fights for her life through a particularly massive crimson rain with chainsaw in hand, director Fede Alvarez’s legacy-quel to Sam Raimi’s classic horror series comes to a heart-stopping conclusion. According to reports from Bloody-Disgusting before its release, 50,000 gallons of fake blood were used on that scene alone, so revisiting this one from time to time makes those efforts worth the mess.

Rent/Buy Evil Dead (2013) on Amazon
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Terrifier 2 (2022)

Our own Eric Eisenberg's Terrifier 2 review mentions the fact that when writer/director Damian Leone’s sequel hit theaters, people were vomiting and/or passing out during early screenings. The mega-sized return of Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) goes big when it comes to running time, as well as pure gory horror. With kills as visceral as they are absolutely painful to watch, you won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for a bloody good time.

Stream Terrifier 2 on Screambox
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Saw (2004)

Hey readers, want to play a game? For almost two decades, the Saw series has been doing just that, using audiences as its guinea pigs to see how far it can take things when it comes to the cinematic loss of blood and other vital organs. Director James Wan and writer/star Leigh Whannell created an anti-hero for the ages with John Kramer (Tobin Bell), as his potentially deadly traps test every victim’s drive for survival. The original still cuts pretty deep after all this time.

Stream Saw on Pluto TV
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Society (1989)

It’s not easy to talk about director Brian Yuzna’s Society without ruining the big surprise. Though it’s a decades-old horror-thriller about a young man (Billy Warlock) who senses a sinister conspiracy in his ritzy Beverly Hills community, it’s a film that’s obscure enough that many haven’t seen it yet. If you’re in that group, I suggest going in as cold as possible. However, I’ll give you this small bit of food for thought: not all gore has to involve blood, especially when there are plenty of fresh bodies to... perhaps I’ve said too much.

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Hellraiser (1987)

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser is the epitome of horror films that earn qualifiers like “exquisite,” “meticulous” and, yes, “bloody.” Originating the story of everyone’s favorite pain dealer Pinhead (Doug Bradley), the very first entry in this iconic saga doesn’t skimp out on the blood and guts. At the same time, the way this literally bloody hell is exacted upon its victims is so exacting that this picture should be considered the gold standard of gore with a purpose.

Stream Hellraiser (1987) on Prime Video
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Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Is it cheating to have two different installments of the same loosely bound anthology on the same list? Who can really tell? All I know is that Evil Dead Rise earned its title as one of 2023’s best horror movies, and it did so with a horrific amount of possessed red sauce. Director Lee Cronin claimed 1,700 gallons of fake blood were used in the film. While that doesn’t eclipse Evil Dead (2013)’s potentially record setting amount, that’s still a pretty huge drop in this frightfully bleak, but fun bucket.

Stream Evil Dead Rise on Max
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Hostel (2005)

One of our own writers, Alexandra Ramos, once provided her thoughts after watching Hostel for the first time. Without spoiling too much, her assessment of the gore being “on another level of disgusting” is a pretty neat summary of what to expect in Eli Roth’s torture porn opus. Just beware, although it takes a little while for the bloodletting and dismemberment to start, it gets pretty intense once it does.

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The Fly (1986)

The words “body horror” almost automatically conjure two images: bloody transformations beyond the laws of nature and director David Cronenberg. As the Canadian auteur is a mythic purveyor of all things grisly, yet thought provoking, his 1986 remake of The Fly sits square at the crossroads of those thoughts. Watching the tragic metamorphosis of the brilliant, but cocky Dr. Seth Brindle (Jeff Goldblum) from man into beast is assuredly terrifying, but it’s also a study in sadness as he loses his humanity and the woman he loves (Geena Davis).

Rent/Buy The Fly (1986) on Amazon
Buy The Fly (1986) on Blu-ray on Amazon

Possessor (2020)

Much like his father, writer/director Brandon Cronenberg has a habit of making the human body a thoughtfully playground of destruction and mutilation. That’s just the beginning of what to expect from his film Possessor, which starts with a concept that feels more at home in an espionage thriller. Following assassin Tasya (Andrea Riseborough) and her jobs that require hijacking another person’s body as a cover, what starts as a novel concept becomes a nightmarish experience with plenty of blood and flexible skin to spare.

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Tokyo Gore Police (2008)

Here’s another movie that feels like an automatic home run when it comes to the subject of “goriest horror movies.” The operative word is right in the title for co-writer/director Yoshihiro Nishimura’s Tokyo Gore Police, and that’s not all you should expect. Blood, mutations and apparently a killer sense of humor fill this horrific tale of a world where viral terror has caused people’s bodies to spontaneously change. Again, with the word “gore” prominently displayed in the title, potentially squeamish audiences have been fully warned.

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Demons (1985)

Let’s close out our rundown of the goriest horror movies with a subgenre that’s an old favorite: demonic possessions! Lamberto Bava’s Demons takes that phenomenon and puts a lot more blood and body horror into it, as a random infection at a movie screening turns into a full on apocalypse. Also, the movie being shown within Demons is a flick that mirrors the events of the film, so you’re kind of getting a “2 for 1” deal here on gory wonders. 

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And there you have it, dear readers! If you're in the mood for vicious, horrific delights that'll make your skin crawl, you have your orders. So be sure to stock up on the essentials, like popcorn, soft drinks and barf bags, before diving into these shocking cinematic offerings. Don't say we didn't warn you though!

Over the years, there have been movies with endings so shocking, so hard to believe, and so wild, that audiences have been left with their mouths agape and heads filled with all kinds of questions and emotions. We’ve seen Academy Award-winning films do it, some of the best Marvel movies have wrapped up with unforgettable conclusions, as have countless others.

Here are 30+ movies with totally wild endings that we just can’t help but talk about after all this time. There are some massive spoilers throughout this article…

Se7en (1995)

The Se7en ending, with its unforgettable “What’s in the box?” cry from Brad Pitt’s David Mills, is one of those traumatic cinematic experiences no one who’s seen the 1995 David Fincher crime thriller will ever forget. Seeing the hot-headed detective become part of John Doe’s (Kevin Spacey) game while William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) tries to stop the “Seven Deadly Sins” plan from coming to fruition is gutting.

Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock, a filmmaker known for plot twists and heightened drama, used both of his hallmarks for the Psycho ending. The scene where it’s discovered that Norman Bates’ (Anthony Perkins) mother has been dead (and in the basement) all along is one of those moments that’s just as shocking 60-plus years later.

Parasite (2019)

Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite, which went on to win multiple Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director, is a remarkable slowburn thriller with a nervous energy present throughout as you wait for something to happen to the Kim family. And when things do go south during the Parasite ending – Kim Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho) becomes the “parasite” of the Park family home – you’re left with all kinds of questions and immediately want to go back and rewatch the whole movie.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Superhero movies are supposed to end on a happy note, or at least with a sense of closure. But that was not the case for the Avengers: Infinity War ending, which wraps up on an incredibly somber note after Thanos (Josh Brolin) snaps and wipes out half of all living creatures. Watching so many beloved MCU characters disappear was such an unforgettable and unexpected moment, one that could very well never be outmatched in a comic book movie. 

The Usual Suspects (1995)

“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled,” the iconic line from Verbal Kent (Kevin Spacey) at the end of The Usual Suspects is one that will never get old. Finding out that the seemingly harmless and uninteresting man with a limp was actually the mysterious crime lord Keyser Söze is a revelation that’s so wild, and so out of left field, that we just can’t stop thinking about it nearly 30 years later.

Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

George A. Romero revolutionized the zombie genre with his all-time great horror movie, Night of the Living Dead. Released in 1968, a time in which racial and social tensions were at an all-time high, Romero ended his thriller in a manner that shocked audiences and opened the door to all kinds of discussions. The Black hero, Ben (Duane Jones), survives the zombie onslaught but is shot and killed by a White deputy the following morning.

The Mist (2007)

Talk about a gut punch, The Mist ending sees David Drayton (Thomas Jane) make the decision to kill his young son to prevent him from being tortured and killed by monsters only for the army to arrive and save him moments later. Upsetting is an understatement in this case.

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Undeniably the best Star Wars movie, as well as one of the greatest sequels of all time, The Empire Strikes Back ends without a lot of closure as it sees our heroes left in perilous and unknown situations. Oh, and we learn that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father. 

The Sixth Sense (1999)

M. Night Shyamalan is known for his twist endings at this point, but audiences didn’t have a big reveal in mind when watching The Sixth Sense back in 1999. The moments leading up to and following Malcolm Crowe’s (Bruce Willis) realization that he’s been dead the whole time are so riveting you almost forget how terrifying and well-crafted the rest of the movie is.

The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining is a movie that fans and critics are still discussing and debating more than 40 years after its release. One of the topics that comes up the most is The Shining ending, especially the shot of the Overlook Hotel in the 1920s with a man looking like Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) in the middle of the frame. 

Planet Of The Apes (1968)

The 1968 sci-fi action film, Planet of the Apes, ends with astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) on his knees yelling into the sky in front of the Statue of Liberty after realizing he’s not in an extraterrestrial land, but on Earth, just thousands of years later.

The Prestige (2006)

The best Christopher Nolan movies are those that wrap up in a way that leaves you thinking about the story long after the credits roll. That’s very much the case with The Prestige ending where it’s revealed that Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) didn’t pull off his teleportation trick with theatrics but with the help of his identical twin, Bernard Fallon (Bale). But the trick is just part of the complicated and miraculous plan.

Gone Girl (2014)

David Fincher and Gillian Flynn made some key changes to the Gone Girl ending when adapting the psychological thriller from book to movie, but one thing that stays the same is Amy (Rosamund Pike) revealing she’s pregnant (as a form of blackmail) with Nick’s (Ben Affleck) baby. There’s no clean escape in this one.

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)

The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood ending is wild, not because of Quentin Tarantino’s display of bloody and charred violence, but because it strays from the viewer’s expectations (Margot Robbie’s Sharon Tate isn’t brutally murdered like in real life).

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2011)

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 has one of those endings that probably didn’t throw the uninitiated for a loop but causes the heads of those who read the books to explode in disbelief. Basically, there’s a giant battle where numerous characters lose their lives, but it’s all just a vision of what could happen, not what actually does.

Fight Club (1999)

The big reveal that Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) is the Narrator’s (Edward Norton) split personality in Fight Club, is one of the biggest “Wow” moments of the past quarter-century. However, that’s not even the ending of David Fincher’s book-to-screen adaptation. That comes later on when Project Mayhem carries out its plan of destroying multiple skyscrapers while the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” blasts through the speakers.

The Others (2001)

For the majority of The Others, we’re led to believe that Grace Stewart (Nicole Kidman) is being tormented by spirits who won’t leave her and her young children alone. However, in the film’s final moments, it’s revealed that Grace and her kids are the ghosts tied to the tortured home.

Arrival (2016)

Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival throws a major twist at the audience in the film’s final moments when it is revealed that Louise Banks’ (Amy Adams) memories of her deceased daughter aren’t flashbacks but premonitions of her child who hasn't been born yet.

Promising Young Woman (2020)

Emerald Fennell was more than deserving of her Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the way she crafted the Promising Young Woman ending. This whirlwind of scenes sees Cassie (Carey Mulligan) get her revenge against the men who raped her best friend in the most unlikely of ways.

No Country For Old Men (2007)

The No Country for Old Men ending is cryptic, to say the least, and wraps up with Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) describing a series of dreams he had. This follows a wild turn of events that saw Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) getting killed by a random cartel member, not the man pursuing him, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem). We don’t even see Moss meet his maker.

Black Swan (2010)

Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan is a drama about the price of perfection and the obsessive behavior of those seeking it. In the final moments, it’s revealed that Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) didn’t stab her rival, Lily (Mila Kunis) with a broken mirror, she stabbed herself, putting into question the entire conflict between the two dancers.

Us (2019)

Jordan Peele’s sophomore effort, Us, is a wild thrill ride from start to finish, with the big reveal at the conclusion of the film being the icing on the cake. In the final moments of Us, Adelaide "Addy" Wilson (Lupita Nyong'o) reveals that she was the clone the whole time after switching places with the original version of herself.

Oldboy (2003)

Near the end of Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy, it is revealed that the woman who helped Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) in his quest for revenge, and later became his lover, was actually his daughter. He later goes to a hypnotist to have those memories erased, but the film ends in a way where you never know if it actually worked.

Uncut Gems (2019)

The Uncut Gems ending is one of those that hits you like a brick to the face, or in the case of Adam Sandler’s Howard Ratner, a bullet to the cheek. This comes after the gambling addict wins a $1.2 million bet. In the span of a few seconds, he goes from having the best day of his life to his last.

Primal Fear (1998)

The Primal Fear ending is dark, twisted, and one of the most legitimately shocking reveals of the 1990s. The movie plays out like a standard courtroom drama until the final scene when Edward Norton’s Aaron Stampler reveals to defense attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) that he pulled off a pair of murders with no remorse. The way his voice and demeanor change mid-scene is the stuff of legend.

Saw (2004)

The Saw movies are full of devilish tricks, twists, turns, and even more terrifying traps. The first movie in the saga also has an incredibly wild ending when the apparent suicide victim in the room the whole time rises up and reveals himself to be John Kramer (Tobin Bell), aka, Jigsaw, the mastermind behind it all.

The Departed (2006)

Near the end of The Departed, it seems like Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) is going to get away with being Frank Costello’s (Jack Nicholson) mole in the Boston Police Department. However, when the embattled detective goes home, Sean Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) is waiting for him with a little surprise: cold steel revenge. 

Frailty (2001)

At the end of Bill Paxton’s 2001 psychological thriller, Frailty, it is revealed that the FBI haven’t been interviewing Fenton Meiks (Matthew McConaughey) for the “God’s Hand Killer” case the whole time, they’ve actually been speaking with his brother, Adam, who killed the real Fenton and is now targeting his next victim. 

Cabin In The Woods (2012)

The Cabin in the Woods was one wild ride from start to finish, but it’s over-the-top ending seriously is something else. After the surviving college students survive all the various monsters and traps throughout the property, they learn they are part of a sacrifice to appease the gods so they don’t destroy the planet.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

The final stretch of 2001: A Space Odyssey is a wild, technicolor, and complex series of events that see David Bowman (Keir Dullea) transform from an astronaut to an old man to a star child floating above Earth. 

Wild Things (1998)

The 1998 thriller, Wild Things, has an ending so wild and so convoluted, that you need to keep notes to keep track of everything. When it seems like Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell), Kelly Lanier Van Ryan (Denise Richards), and Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon) were all behind one plot, it’s revealed that Suzie was orchestrating it all. The deaths (even her own faked murder), the scandal, and the massive court settlement were all hers.

The Menu (2022)

The Menu ending could best be described as an explosive dessert, quite literally in this case. At the end of the twisted dark comedy, Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) makes a strange yet simple request for an order of cheeseburger and fries to go, and she escapes the island on a boat. For everyone else? Well, they are treated to s'mores and a massive fiery explosion.

These are just 32 great movies with wonderful and wild endings, as including every single film with plot twists in the final act would take a very long time. However, it wouldn’t be shocking for this list to go through some changes in the coming months, especially with all the upcoming releases on the 2023 movie schedule.

It’s a good time to be a horror fan, as the genre has been experiencing a renaissance for a number of years now. The genre is known fot long-running franchises, with many of the best horror movies returning to theaters with reboots or new sequels. That inclues the Saw franchise, which brought back franchise villain Tobin Bell with its latest installment. And Saw X’s director recently admitted “there is regret” over killing off Jigsaw earlier in the franchise. Seriously, the Saw franchise’s timeline is a lot.

The main antagonist of the Saw franchise is John Kramer aka Jigsaw, played to pitch perfection by actor Tobin Bell. But he was actually killed off back in the third movie, with Saw IV opening on his autopsy. Still, the franchise has continued for years, writing around Kramer’s death via flashbacks and apprentices. Saw X director Kevin Greutert was asked by THR if the powers that be regret killing Jigsaw off so early for this reason, and he responded honestly by offering:

Points were made. It looks like the Saw franchise (which is streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription) was originally intended to be a trilogy, rather than a franchise without any real ending. If that’s how it went down then it would have been fitting to see John Kramer perish. But instead there’s been a ton more movies produced, the tenth movie was recently released. Whats more, Saw X has even being praised as the best in the franchise. 

While Chris Rock’s Spiral didn’t include Tobin Bell, every other installment of the long-running franchise has found creative ways to bring John Kramer into the story… despite his death back in Saw III. This was done rather seamlessly for Saw X, which was a prequel set in between the events of the first and second film. We’ll just have to see if another sequel comes, and when it’s set on the timeline.

Saw III wasn’t the only time that the gory property was expected to end its run in theaters, only for more movies to be produced. 2010’s Saw 3D was subtitled The Final Chapter, and there were a number of years without a new movie hitting theaters. But Jigsaw arrived in 2017, and there’s been two more installments since then.

Saw X is still playing in theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

It’s a good time to be a horror fan. The genre has been thriving for years now, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Some of the best horror movies returned with new sequels, including the torture porn property Saw. The latest installment Saw X has been getting praise as the best movie of the entire franchise, but fans are crazy for sleeping on another sequel. Someone cue the theme music.

Tobin Bell’s Jigsaw has returned to the big screen (as well as the franchise itself) in Saw X. The movie is much more focused on him than other installments, and is set in between the events of the first and second Saw flicks. While it was definitely higher quality than we’ve seen from other movies (I’m looking at you Chris Rock’s bomb Spiral), I wouldn’t call it the best movie of the entire franchise. In my mind, that honor goes to the very first sequel, Saw II. 

Legendary horror filmmaker James Wan helmed the original Saw movie, establishing John Kramer’s methodology as Jigsaw in the process. But I felt that the franchise as we knew it was really born in Saw II, which was bigger, bloodier, and told a more ambitious two-pronged story. And it’s the one I’ve most returned to over the years.

Saw II (which can be streamed with an Amazon Prime subscription) sees John Kramer apprehended by Donnie Osmond’s Detective Eric Matthews, while his son is in the middle of Jigsaw’s big game at a poisoned house. Matthews and Kramer watch it all play out in front of them, but the twist is that the footage was actually on a time delay. The movie also reveals that Jigsaw has a protege in the form of Shawee Smith’s Amanda Young. 

The traps in Saw II are super iconic. I mean, the needle pit was true nightmare fuel. Who could forget the scene where Addison traps her arms between two blades when trying to find an antidote to the poison? And to top it all off, one of the villains fighting for their life is Seventh Heaven star Beverly Mitchell.

While Saw X might be a cleaner and more capsulated story, The complexity and multiple puzzles from Saw II was part of why it was such a fun moviegoing experience. The new sequel is also deeply connected with it, with Shawnee Smith even back as Amanda– and in a significant role. You wouldn’t return to the iconography of Saw II if it wasn’t such a great chapter of the long-running franchise.

It should be interesting to see if another sequel is greenlit, and if more Saw legacy characters end up appearing. Saw X’s credits scene featured another familiar face, which was fun as a longtime fan. Although I doubt another sequel could come that would dethrone Saw II as my favorite.

Saw X is in theaters now and Saw II is streaming on Amazon. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

I’m a fan of sequels and long-running franchises…to a certain point.  

You see, when it comes to most horror franchises, like the Friday the 13th series, or something like every Halloween movie, I’m usually all for long, drawn out series, since the later movies in said series usually become more and more ridiculous (It’s Jason…in spaaace. Or, it’s Leprechaun…in the hoooood!), which I get a guilty pleasure out of watching.    

But when it comes to other genres outside of horror, I usually have less tolerance for a series that may have worn out its welcome two or three movies ago, such as with The Expend4bles. Honestly, The Expendables probably shouldn’t have made it past the second movie (And apparently, I’m not the only person who wonders how The Expendables franchise has made it this far). So here are just a few movie series that probably should have been put out to pasture a couple of movies or so ago.      

The Expendables Series 

Critics haven’t been holding back on their feelings of The Expend4bles, and from what I’ve read, I don’t blame them. The Expendables arguably wore out its welcome by only the first movie, though I feel l’m a bit more charitable when it comes to the franchise.

The greatest appeal of The Expendables, at least at the beginning in 2010, was that it was old action heroes from the ‘80s basically coming back and having “one last run” (To their credit, those are my words, and not theirs). 

But, there just felt like there was something off about the first movie, as even though it had Stallone, Jet Li, and Dolph Lundgren, the rest of the cast, which consisted of names like Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Terry Crews, and Randy Couture, just felt like it was missing something. Like, there were too many modern faces, rather than faces aged with wrinkles. 

And that’s where The Expendables 2 delivered, since we got most of the heavy hitters with that one. I’m talking Bruce Willis, Jean-Claude Van Damme (as the villain!), Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Chuck freaking Norris! I mean, seriously, where do you go from there with a cast of legends like that? 

Well, not with the abysmal (and PG-13 rated) The Expendables 3, which added Ronda Rousey, Wesley Snipes (A nice addition, but poorly utilized), Harrison Ford, Antonio Banderas, Mel Gibson (as the villain this time), and…Kelsey Grammer. 

The problem with this movie, besides it just being bad, was that it also felt tired. Like, the idea of getting all of these old stars together again for another action movie had already grown stale, possibly even after the first movie (Though again, I support the second). So, for there to be a fourth film just seems like overkill, with the tagline even being, “They’ll die when they’re dead.” It might have been better if the tagline for the third movie had been, “After this, we’re retired. For realsies.”   

The Fast Series  

The Fast series is an interesting case study, to be honest. Though I’ll always say that Tokyo Drift is low-key my favorite film in the franchise, there’s definitely a case to be made that the series really kicked into overdrive with the fifth movie, with many people agreeing (including CinemaBlend) that the fifth Fast & Furious movie, Fast Five, is the best in the series.    

So, this is definitely a case where a series was finding its legs (or rather, its tires) late in the game, as 2001's The Fast and the Furious feels like a time capsule since it's so scaled back and different. In fact, the series completely changed with the fourth movie, Fast & Furious, becoming more of an action series rather than a street racing franchise. 

That said, since we were all rocked by Paul Walker’s death, Furious 7 would have been a good place to end the series if they had chosen to do so. In the final moments of that film, Paul Walker’s character, Brian O’ Conner, and Vin Diesel’s character, Dominic Toretto, bid farewell to each other and drive off in separate directions.    

It was honestly the perfect ending to the series, but as time went on, the movies have just gotten more and more ridiculous, to the point that it almost seems like a parody of itself these days (I like Jason Voorhees in space, but I don’t like my Fast movies in space). Honestly, I tried watching Fast X, and gave up halfway through. I guess I’m just done with this franchise. And really, I was probably done by The Fate of the Furious.   

The MCU Series 

Okay, so let me explain this one. My favorite MCU movie is Eternals, so make of that what you will. But I think a major reason why I loved that movie so much (and still do) was because it felt distinctly different from anything else in the MCU, and I really felt we needed that after the franchise crescendoed with Avengers: Endgame.    

At the time, I didn’t really think the MCU was in trouble. Honestly, Avengers: Endgame seemed like the perfect place to end the MCU as we knew it and move onto something else entirely, which Eternals felt like at the time. But since then, I feel like the MCU has kind of gone downhill.  

When I ranked the first four phases of the MCU, I put Phase 4 toward the bottom, and Phase 5 has really just been disappointment after disappointment for me. Sure, there have been some highlights since Endgame, like Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 for many (I didn’t particularly like it, though).

But overall, I think the MCU should have pivoted in a completely different direction after Avengers: Endgame, which just seemed to wrap up everything nicely since the franchise started back with 2008’s Iron Man.    

So, maybe the MCU shouldn’t have “ended,” per se after Avengers: Endgame, but it definitely should have changed. It might have made it feel fresh again.  

The Saw Series 

So you know how I said that I’m all for most horror franchises having long-running series? Well, I do feel that way, but maybe not for the Saw series. And I didn’t always feel this way. A while back, I ranked the best horror franchises, and I put Saw at number 5. But in hindsight, I take that back, because honestly, Saw needs to just die already.   

I think I feel this way because they keep bringing it back. The seventh Saw was called "The Final Chapter," but now we have three more movies after that. And even though I hear that Saw X is actually pretty good (And I’ll definitely end up seeing it), I really feel like it’s a franchise that probably would have made for an absolutely KILLER trilogy. 

A lot of the Saw movies after the first one are pretty lame, and Spiral really should have been a death knell for the franchise, but I think this is more of a case of a “just okay” horror series that could have been amazing if it hadn’t gotten so many sequels.   

The Indiana Jones Series  

Now look, I’ll defend Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. But just because I’ll defend it, that doesn’t mean that I think it necessarily needed to exist.   

In fact, just like with the Saw series, I really think Indiana Jones would have been perfect if it only had three movies, as there is no better way to end the franchise than they did with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. For many years, that was where the series ended, and that’s where I think it should have stayed finished. 

But then, we got a fourth Indiana Jones movie, and really, the series hasn’t been the same since. I have nothing against an older Indiana Jones, but in a lot of ways it felt like Indy was taking a backseat to other characters in the fourth movie (Like his son, Mutt).  

And, while I skipped the last Indiana Jones movie, The Dial of Destiny, I really had no interest in seeing another Indiana Jones adventure, since I felt like it’s just better to think back to the original trilogy, as Crystal Skull seemed unnecessary enough as it was (Even though I found it fun). I’ll probably just catch The Dial of Destiny when it eventually comes home to Disney+. Maybe. We’ll see. If there’s nothing else to watch.

And that’s the list. What movie franchises do YOU think probably should have ended a while ago? For more news on all things cinema, make sure to swing by here often!  

WARNING: Some spoilers for Saw X's ending are going to be in play. If you're still anticipating the next chapter of John Kramer's legacy, you've been warned.

While PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie ruled this past weekend's box office results, there was still some cause for fans of horror movies to celebrate. Saw X heralded the return of Tobin Bell's John Kramer, and the film earned second place at the BO in its debut, which could hint at some long, un-amputated legs for this picture. Should a sequel actually happen, producer Mark Burg admits he has two people on deck that are hoping to return for a potential XI installment, and I think I know exactly who's being referred to in those comments. 

What Mark Burg Said About More Potential Returning Legacy Characters

As he chatted with EW, the producer -- who's been with the series since 2004's origin story -- admitted to some forward thinking. While he didn't drop any specific names, the subtext was loud and clear (to me) regarding those people who want to be kept in the loop. Mark Burg revealed that much with this short and sweet remark:

Now, considering Saw X took us back in time to a period set between director James Wan's original film and 2005's Saw II, a lot of characters could return. If the creative team really wanted to, they could reach back and bring Donnie Wahlberg's Detective Eric Matthews into the fold for another ride. That being said, I think I know exactly which characters would be most likely to return for the next round.

The Legacy Characters I'm Almost Certain Could Return In Saw XI

Going into the tenth installment, fans knew Shawnee Smith was returning, as her character, Amanda Young, was revealed as a part of the game via the early trailers. And while he was rumored to be in the movie, we didn't know for sure until Saw X's wild ending that Costas Mandylor's Detective Sergeant Mark Hoffman was along for the ride after all. 

With that in mind, if my Jigsaw senses are correct, the legacy characters I'm almost certain would return in Saw XI would be Jill Tuck (Betsy Russell) and Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes). Both were last spotted in 2010's Saw 3D, which was also “The Final Chapter” of the series, and there are very different reasons for possibly wanting to revive these series stalwarts. 

In the case of Betsy Russell's character, the beloved ex-wife to John Kramer has always played an important role in keeping other disciples of Jigsaw in line. Her rivalry with Mark Hoffman played out over the course of the last couple of installments and ended with a confrontation that saw Jill die and Hoffman thrown into a game as punishment. 

Seeing these two working together pre-spat would be a rather novel angle, which also leads to our other potential reunion. It was such a big deal for The Final Chapter to get Cary Elwes back into the cast to close the proceedings off that first time around. It would be ridiculous not to have him back in this pool of participants, especially since around this point in time, he was hard at work helping execute John Kramer's traps with expertise.

Admittedly, you're probably in need of a refresher course on the entire run of Saw movies; which is why I highly recommend using a Peacock subscription to catch up on as many as you can fit in. But for die-hard fans, the moment Mark Berg mentioned two actors ready to jump back in might've induced visions of that final chapter's close back through their minds. 

Saw X has opened the door for both Betsy Russell and Cary Elwes to return for more adventures alongside Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith. While they're not named directly, my money would be on their characters being the ones that are being kept in the back pocket for either a full on revival, or another slow burn tease that leads to another massive post-credits sequence.

If this series is going to return to its annual tradition of employing kills and thrills in the name of Halloween excitement, such strategies need to be weighed. For now, it's just good to have John Kramer and his network of nasties back and working towards their eventual fates. We might just hear Billy the puppet's tricycle wheeling down a hall near us sooner than later but, for now, know that Saw X is still playing in a theater near you.

If you're a fan of horror movies, you're likely well aware that in the twisted world of the Saw franchise, gruesome traps and moral dilemmas take center stage. So it's no surprise that the creative minds working behind the scenes must conjure up some macabre ideas. But what happens when these creative discussions spill into public spaces? Per interviews with producers Oren Koules, Mark Burg, and director Kevin Greutert, it can lead to some shocking reactions. And in on instance, there was even a visit from the police. That's right; apparently, the Saw X editor had the cops called on him!

Masterminds behind the latest Jigsaw outing revealed a number of interesting off-camera moments during separate interviews. While speaking to People, Mark Burg and Oren Koules recalled the (somewhat) secret public meetings  the creative team would have ahead of a new installment in the series. Speaking with the outlet, producer Marc Burg said: 

Can you imagine sitting in a restaurant, casually enjoying your meal, when you overhear a conversation about designing some of the most celebrated elaborate traps? Well, according to the producers, that was a real possibility. Oren Koules added:

If you were close by, you could apparently overhear a conversation about ears being lopped off -- discussions bound to turn a few heads and raise some eyebrows. Mark Burg shared more insight into the awkwardly morbid situations, saying:

As strange as those restaurant discussions might sound, they're overshadowed by the unbelievable story Saw X director Kevin Greutert recounted to NME regarding editor Steve Forn's run-in with the police. Greutert explained that Forn had an unexpected visit from the police department when concerned neighbors overheard his work and genuinely believed someone was being harmed. The filmmaker shared:

The interaction that followed was truly surreal, as the editor attempted to clarify the circumstances. Kevin Greutert went on to elaborate:

While their creative discussions and work may draw curious looks in public or calls to the authorities, the dedicated teams behind one of the best horror movie franchises and standout films of the 2000s appear to have reaped the benefits of their unwavering commitment. Following its lead editor's bizarre encounter with the law, the latest Tobin Bell-led installment is earning overwhelmingly positive reviews. As someone who grew increasingly skeptical of the series, the favorable reactions to Saw X have ignited my anticipation.

The team constantly pushes the boundaries of horror, sparking conversations in restaurants and even prompting police visits. If you’re as eager as I am for the next chapter of John Kramer’s diabolical plan, you can immerse yourself in the entire Saw saga through streaming. And don’t forget to explore our schedule of 2023 new movie releases to find out which upcoming horror films will soon grace theaters near you.

I’ll be honest, fellow horror movie lovers – my excitement for the Saw series had waned in recent years. This franchise, which once delivered thrilling and thought-provoking horror, produced some of the standout movies of the 2000s. Regrettably, as time passed, the long-running series started to feel repetitive, almost like a never-ending soap opera introducing new disciples of John Kramer just to keep the story chugging along. However, a surprising twist occurred when the buzz around Saw X began to circulate. With the movie now in theaters and critics weighing in, the Tobin Bell-led movie is garnering overwhelmingly positive reviews, earning its place as the highest-rated installment in the entire series. I'll admit it – now I can’t wait to see it!

How Saw X's Reviews Compare To Its Predecessors'

The Saw franchise has had its fair share of ups and downs. From its gritty, groundbreaking debut in 2004 to its increasingly convoluted sequels, it seemed like Jigsaw's twisted games might have overstayed their welcome. But here comes Saw X, defying expectations, and according to Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer, it has earned higher reviews than any of its predecessors. As of this writing, it has an 87% freshness rating, which is significantly higher than those of its counterparts.

The original movie, which was directed by James Wan, received a mix of praise and criticism. While some lauded its innovation and shock value, others were put off by its gratuitous gore. To date, it has a 50% critical approval rating on the Tomatometer. Yet it's safe to say that it left an indelible mark on the horror genre. 

The critical reception fluctuated as the franchise continued with Saw II and beyond. Aside from the first and latest flicks in the series, the installments haven't been able to move higher than the 30% range. 2010's The Final Chapter has the lowest total, with a 9% critic approval rating. Some entries were celebrated for elaborate traps and intricate plotting, while others were deemed repetitive and formulaic. Jigsaw's legacy endured, but it felt like the series was treading water, trying to recapture the magic of the early films. So, with all of that in mind, it's definitely great to see the newest movie pick up so much positive momentum.

Why This Wave Of Positive Reviews Makes Me Excited As A Fan

Now, why am I, someone who had grown somewhat disillusioned with the series, suddenly brimming with anticipation for this latest movie? It all comes down to the newfound wave of positive reviews.

As of writing this article, Saw X not only boasts that impressive 87% approval rating from critics but also an even higher 90% rating from audiences. CinemaBlend's own Eric Eisenberg, in his review of the torture porn horror revival, awarded it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. He commended the movie for refocusing on its characters, a move that has been well-received. Witnessing all this positivity -- which highlights the movie’s fresh approach to the series, inventive traps and clever storytelling -- has genuinely rekindled my excitement. As a fan, I've been yearning for the franchise to recapture the essence of the original film, to deliver that unique blend of visceral horror and psychological tension that made me squirm in my seat.

Even more remarkable is that all the enthusiasm surrounding the tenth movie in the gritty series has managed to do something extraordinary – it's transformed me from a jaded fan of the series into someone genuinely enthusiastic about seeing what new horrors Jigsaw has in store. 

If you have already seen the film, check out our Saw X ending breakdown. And, if you haven't, check your local listings for times to see the flick, which now playing in theaters nationwide. You can also prepare for this newest installment by revisiting streaming the entire Saw saga.

Also, be sure to check out our schedule 2023 new movie releases to see what upcoming horror movies are headed to a theater near you. 

Saw is officially back, with the 10th installment of one of the best horror movie franchises hitting theaters just in time to welcome in the month of Halloween. This offering, however, won’t feature Jigsaw copycats or students of John Kramer’s twisted games like in previous offerings. Saw X is actually centered around Tobin Bell’s character, with its story set between the first two films — a timeline that surely appeals to OG fans. Critics had the chance to screen the movie ahead of its September 29 release, so let’s see what they’re saying.

Along with Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith will reprise her role as Amanda Young, John Kramer’s victim-turned-protégé, and as the franchise returns to the beginning, is it possible we could see some other familiar faces? That’s just one of the questions we had after watching the trailer, so let’s see what the critics can tell us. In CinemaBlend’s review of Saw X, Eric Eisenberg says this offering stands out from its predecessors for actually attempting story and character development. He rates it 3.5 out of 5 stars, writing: 

However, Neil Smith of GamesRadar isn’t quite as impressed, giving the upcoming horror movie just 2 stars out of 5. While some will surely be pleased with Tobin Bell’s return to the series, Smith says, the movie isn’t good enough to justify resuscitating John Kramer. The critic continues: 

When the first reactions came out following screenings of Saw X, many were calling it a return to form and one of the best films in the franchise, and Kofi Outlaw of ComicBook.com agrees, writing that the film feels meaningful and thrilling in the way that fans used to love-- albeit with some brutal new DIY traps. In the critic’s words: 

Travis Hopson of Punch Drunk Critics rates Saw X 3.5 stars out of a possible 5, warning that this installment (like the others) is not for the easily squeamish; however, it makes both the franchise and its infamous killer relevant again. Hopson continues: 

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com says the 10th movie feels more grounded than the other sequels, as it lets John and Amanda involve themselves openly in the process. This in turn allows Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith to dig into the roles like never before. Tallerico writes: 

With Saw being one of the best movies of the 2000s, any return to form for the 10th installment sounds very promising, and the Rotten Tomatoes score adds to that optimism, with Saw X garnering an 84% Fresh rating from 64 critics so far. Saw X is in theaters now if this sounds like a sequel/prequel you need to check out for yourself, and be sure to also take a look at our 2023 movie release calendar to see what else is hitting the big screen soon. 

On the whole, the Saw movies are not about story and characters. They are primarily plot driven narratives that serve the grander purpose of the brand, which is to showcase variations of contrapasso torture devices that deliver as much shock value as possible. There’s no modern horror series better at playing this particular game, but there’s an obvious reason why popularity has petered out over the years – which is that people get sick of seeing what amounts to the same thing over and over again. Stagnation leads to death, and while there are some fun ideas in play in the later Saw sequels, the reality is that the films tend to all blend together in one’s memory.

In 2021, Darren Lynn Bousman’s Spiral: From The Book Of Saw was meant to be the title that provided a breath of fresh air to the franchise, and it ended up being failure in just about all respects… but such is not the case for the latest swing: Kevin Greutert’s Saw X. The new title has been sold as a return to original form for the canon, most notably by featuring the return of Tobin Bell’s John Kramer a.k.a. Jigsaw, but what actually makes the film stand out compared to its predecessors is an actual attempt at story and character development. There’s a real effort made to let the audience understand why it is that the psychotic engineer/demented life coach does what he does.

It’s certainly messy – and I’m not just referring to the gallons upon gallons of blood that pour so that John’s victims can understand the value of life. The effort made to properly portray Jigsaw’s perspective is a touch too strong for the movie’s own good (suggesting a little too hard that the character is justified in what he does), and while there is an attempt at constructing a classic Saw twist ending, it’s not one that ranks among the series’ best. Altogether it’s an odd cinematic experience, but it’s still easily one of the greatest from the Saw franchise thus far.

Further helping take Saw X back to its roots is the fact that it’s a prequel that takes place between the events of Saw and Saw II. John Kramer (Tobin Bell) is months away from dying because of the unrelenting tumor that is growing in his brain, and he is willing to do anything to try and extend his life. When he is at his most desperate, he ends up running into an old acquaintance from a cancer support group (Michael Beach), and this friend tells him about a miraculous procedure that is being performed by a place called The Pederson Clinic.

Accepted into the program for the cost of $250,000, John heads down to Mexico City for an experimental surgery procedure and drug trial, and in the aftermath, he feels so blessed to be alive that he plans to give up his Jigsaw activities. As it turns out, however, Dr. Cecilia Pederson (Synnøve Macody Lund) and her colleagues are nothing more than con artists, and John decides to use his special skills to get back at the people who preyed upon his hope.

For better or for worse, Saw X manages to add a bit of legitimacy to what John Kramer does.

Motive has always been one of the weaker aspects of the Jigsaw modus operandi – with victim choices sometimes feeling petty as filmmakers clearly imagined trap designs first and worked backwards from there – but Saw X is obviously a different beast. The movie is not only unique because of it featuring John Kramer as its protagonist, but because it’s a Saw chapter that works with the morality of movies like Death Wish or The Punisher. While normal people don’t act/react in the extreme ways that John does in his particular circumstances, there is no question that screenwriters Peter Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg are inviting the audience to understand where he’s coming from – and it’s disturbingly effective. He might be evil, but we certainly love seeing evil going after greater evil, don’t we, folks?

There is an ickiness in Saw X’s sympathy for the devil, but it also has an undeniably interesting way of reframing what John does: on a surface level this is a revenge story where a main character gets payback for a wrong that has been done to them, but the funny little wrinkle is that John isn’t hoping any of his targets die; he’s hoping that they live and are motivated to change their ways in the aftermath. With past films all keeping focus on the victims and having John in the background pulling strings, a suggestion of sadism has always most prominent, but as we watch him witness his work up close in this latest chapter, it’s fascinating to see him express a perverse kind of optimism (right up until a game’s countdown clock hits zero and heads both metaphorically and figuratively roll).

Saw movies have always inspired the desire to take a shower following your viewing experience, but Saw X generates that feeling in a different way.

As far as traditional elements of the Saw series go, Saw X is a bit of a mixed bag.

The close look at John Kramer is a welcomed change of pace in this franchise, but it also means that fans looking for blood and guts may want to be warned going in that there are long stretches in this movie (particularly in the first and second acts) where people aren’t testing their pain threshold or seeing body parts maimed. It ultimately works because the peace early on adds depth to the chaos later – but it also can’t be said that the traps overall are the best examples we’ve seen from the continuity.

There is plenty that will make you squirm in your seat or instinctively want to avert your eyes (such as when a character is forced to perform open cranial surgery on himself), but there also isn’t anything with the ingenuity of the classic reverse bear trap from Saw or the slow horror of the razor box from Saw II. It’s a case where audiences who are new to this series and not previously desensitized to the egregious and insane violence of these movies will probably get more out of it than the die-hards, though I can imagine both being underwhelmed by the developments that unfurl in the final scenes.

I can’t say I’m totally sure how Saw X might rejuvenate the Saw brand going forward, as there’s only so much prequel juice that can be squeezed from the canon (let’s not forget that John Kramer dies in Saw III and is given a full-on autopsy in Saw IV). Even if it ends up being the final chapter of this franchise, though, it can at least be said that the Saw movies went out on a better-than-expected note. It’s never going to appear on any lists of the best horror films of all time, but it will regularly place near the top when people rank the installments of the sries.

Nobody does October like scary movie fans, but one of the most anticipated upcoming horror movies isn’t even waiting until Halloween month officially arrives to get audiences in its traps. Saw X is bringing Jigsaw back to theaters to close out September, having shifted to an earlier release from its former date due to good word of mouth from studio execs and more. Now that the release is almost here, fans who were lucky enough to catch an early screening of the movie have started sharing their reactions online, and the praise definitely isn’t limited to those who were involved with the sequel behind the scenes.

Let's go ahead and further rip the Band-Aid right off to just say that reactions are not just good, but almost shockingly fantastic, and other fans of the Saw franchise may want to make sure this isn't some amazing dream, possibly by swallowing a key or a tape recorder or something. Anyway, check out the first wave of praise below, which won't be the last to place it among the best of the franchise's offerings. 

• #SAWX is bound hands down one of the best in the franchise. Putting John Kramer centre stage more than ever works brilliantly and Tobin Bell slays. Amanda’s ‘return’ is executed brilliantly and the traps are amongst some of the best, even when quite simple, plus the story is 👍👍 - @ShowbizSimon

For those who may be unaware, Saw X is set in the timeline between the first two films — a choice that really helped our own lapsed Saw fan Mike Reyes get reinvested — and has Tobin Bell's John Kramer taking revenge on a Mexican medical team whose promises to aid in his cancer with a new treatment were proven to be untrue. The flashback story is what allows Shawnee Smith's Amanda to return

The focused story seems to be a draw for those who viewed the screening, as well as having Bell back in control, with something new being added to the lore, as shared by the fan below:

• While I was at Universal today, the social embargo lifted so I can tell you now that #SawX is gruesome, hard-to-watch, and probably the best Saw sequel in about 15 years. It wedges perfectly between 1-2 and unveils a side of Jigsaw we haven’t seen before. Saw fans will enjoy it - @chriskillian

More from horror vet Tobin Bell is a treat, since this franchise's character work can be hit or miss at times. But obviously the people in this film series are only as important as the manners of violence and torture being utilized. Appropriately enough, the traps in Saw X are getting big praise, such as in the reaction below, with respect going to screenwriters Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger, director Kevin Greutert, and the design team. 

• #SawX is a glorious return to form for the series. Not only are the traps absolute perfection, but we get to see a very different side to John this time around. It’s deep, emotional, gory, it feels like OG SAW. Also, Score is INCREDIBLE! - @BurowPatrick

Like the one above, the fan reaction below likens the tenth film to the one that started it all from James Wan and Leigh Whannell, which should be exciting for a lot of fans who have waited to see the franchise circle back to telling a smaller story after so many exposition-filled, lore-expanding sequels. 

• Now that the social embargo has lifted I'm happy to announce that #SAWX is one of the BEST additions to the franchise. It brings back the original essence of the first film while also allowing the audience to gain deeper insight into Kramer. Plus, the traps are *chef kiss* - @shannon_mcgrew

Speaking of the first film, it sounds like Saw X will indeed follow suit by incorporating a twist in the mix, although I guess the person below doesn't say it happens at the end specifically. But they do hammer home that fans should stay and watch the post-credits scene, which will reportedly bring other familiar characters back.

• Saw X is the most character driven installment of the franchise. Having Tobin Bell throughout is a huge boon. You feel the longer length but the twist is among the series’ most satisfying. An upper echelon installment. Stay for the credits! - @JoeyMagidson

The best way to prepare for the new flick is to stream all the Saw movies online ahead of the theatrical release on Friday, September 29, so that you’ll be sure to catch all the references and easter eggs strewn throughout. 

As someone who revels in keeping track of what upcoming horror movies are in play, there was a phrase from the past that used to return as a comfort around this time of year: “If it’s Halloween, it must be Saw.” For seven years in a row, the franchise originated by James Wan and Leigh Whannell gave us clockwork entries in the book of John Kramer’s legacy of pain. It was good for a while, but at a certain point, not even my OG fandom could guarantee me showing up for the next chapter.

We're about to see it happen again, and for the first time in a while, there are several reasons why I’m actually glad to see Saw X’s release approaching. Part of it has to do with the entry's place on the franchise timeline happens, and the possibilities it opens up. As we approach this next round of the seasonal bloodletting, which has aptly brought back the official Saw Blood Drive as well, it’s a good time to cut into why this new story holds so much promise in my eyes. 

But to do that, I have to face down the demons of what turned me off of the franchise in the first place. 

Where The Saw Franchise Lost Me

In my defense, I hung in with the Saw movies pretty damned long. How long you may ask? Well, I saw the first six movies theatrically, considering this yearly horror show as an appointment I was always glad to keep. By the time Saw V rolled around, I was starting to feel the theoretical noose tighten around the increasingly convoluted story; a timeline I would be delighted to try and untangle in full some day. 

However, Saw VI was the one that pushed me away. It wasn’t because of the gore, because how the hell does one get to the sixth movie being squeamish? Let’s not forget that in the litany of ranked Saw movie traps, there are some pretty nasty devices. Rather, it was the story that made me check out. More specifically it felt like the vendetta John Kramer (Tobin Bell) held against his insurance company was out of character.

Sure, I can understand his point, but it felt like this plot was extremely separated from the original code of Jigsaw. The traps weren’t supposed to be acts of revenge or merciless killing, as that’s the stuff for which he’d kill disappointing disciples. Rather, people were supposed to learn something and potentially walk away with some scares or missing parts.

By the time Saw: The Final Chapter came around, I waited for the DVD, which really pissed me off because I missed seeing it back when it was billed as Saw 3D. And I’ll admit, I only saw Jigsaw and Spiral: From the Book of Saw because it’s kind of part of my job. Those too felt like misfires, but Saw X has given me hope based on how I interpret what I've seen so far. 

Saw X Takes The Story Back To Those Early Golden Days

If you want to keep the story for Saw X straight, you only need to see the first movie and maybe 2017’s Jigsaw. As we were shown in the trailer for Saw X, John Kramer’s plot to wreak havoc on a scam cancer clinic is from an earlier part on his timeline; one where he’s actually living and breathing, instead of existing solely through flashbacks and audio tapes, which is something we haven’t seen in a while.

How’s that going to affect the overall Saw timeline? I don’t know yet, as I haven’t seen the movie. I don’t need to know to be excited, because the run of Saw II through Saw IV is where the gold is, in my opinion. Being able to watch the original film with a Peacock subscription at the time of this writing makes the prospect of seeing Saw X all the more attractive, as I can revisit the rest of the lore at my leisure. Not to mention, this new film also includes another welcomed blast from the past for old time’s sake.

We’re Going To See More Of Amanda’s Apprenticeship

You know a Saw movie is heading for a jaw dropping finale when Charlie Clouser’s “Hello Zepp” starts playing in the third act solution. Like a twisted version of Hercule Poirot’s drawing room scenes, unraveling how the latest piece of the puzzle fit the overall legacy of Jigsaw always came with a huge reveal. 

Perhaps the greatest was at the end of Saw II, when it was revealed that Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith) had become John Kramer’s apprentice. Almost immediately, we saw Ms. Young struggle with adhering to the code of Jigsaw, which eventually saw her die at the end of Saw III the next year.

It was a fitting end and added a nasty twist that kept things fresh; but it was also a bummer to watch. We never really got to see Amanda’s skills fully at work, despite her assistance in Saw II’s game also counting towards her tenure. But now that she’s returned for Saw X, we’ll see a little more of this fan favorite in action. For this franchise, that’s a huge return to tradition, and as sick as it sounds, it’s kind of cozy.

Tobin Bell Is The Saw Franchise

Bringing back Tobin Bell to the Saw franchise is also something that’s exceedingly comfortable. I’ll admit that Spiral’s ending showed it was going for something new, while also trying to engage OG Saw fans who may have been disillusioned. I’ll even grant points to the fact that while the movie on the whole didn’t grab me, Max Mingella’s Detective William Schenk showed a lot of promise for a new recurring villain. 

And yet, Tobin Bell is the nasty antagonistic heart of the Saw saga, there's no question about it. I don’t care if John Kramer’s aging process mirrors that of Lucas Black from the Fast Saga, seeing John in the flesh and ready to do some damage is intriguing enough to bring me to the table. Also, Mr. Bell has one of those voices that can truly feel threatening, even with the most mundane pieces of dialogue.

Some Twists Might Correct The Mistakes Of Subpar Installments

There are rumors already starting to take hold that Saw X might also mark the return of Detective Lieutenant Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor). This is another character who wound up surprising everyone as a member of Jigsaw’s inner spiral, and some are convinced that the trailer previously released may hint at his second coming. If that’s the case, this is a good opportunity for Hoffman’s arc to be properly enriched. 

Having someone on the inside of law enforcement is a slick move, and I remember Saw V making good use of this plotline back in the day. But now that there’s another adventure cropping up in a simpler time in the legacy’s overall plot, perhaps there’s a chance to work some “future” elements in more organically.

Hell, John Kramer’s war against his insurance carrier might be more justified by what we see happen in Saw X. If we can get “Justice for Han,” then why not hold out hope a better reason for Kramer’s revenge? 

Newcomers To Saw Can Catch Up Really Easily

At this point, I haven’t done a proper rewatch of the movies preceding Saw X in quite some time. The series is supposedly moving away from the tight continuity to do something new in Spiral, and with Jigsaw’s ending placing it so far back in the timeline, there hasn’t been a need to refresh that knowledge since Saw 3D’s release in 2010. A new generation can now start itself off on the right foot, only needing to see Saw before heading out. 

It’s a move reminiscent of David Gordon Green’s Halloween trilogy. Taking the direct sequel route has given this saga a chance to have fresh blood pumping through its veins, without necessarily needing to ignore the canon that comes after. Whatever happens next could be just the ticket to make this old Saw new again; which is something to consider as two milestones are being crossed off the list of uncharted territory. 

As Saw X is confirmed to have a post-credits scene, and is now the longest entry in the series, the word “epic” is already being thrown about quite a bit. We’ll find out just how the tenth chapter in the book of Saw plays out when it opens in theaters this weekend. Watch or not, it's your choice.

Fans of the Saw franchise are all undoubtedly excited for the upcoming Saw X release date of this Friday. The new movie not only adds to the surprisingly profound lore of the franchise but does so by bringing back two iconic characters, John Kramer and Amanda Young, despite the fact that both are canonically dead. However, it sounds like those two aren’t the only franchise characters we’ll see in the new film, as several more will appear in a post-credits scene.

While Saw X is the tenth film in the franchise, it’s set much earlier in the story, which explains why the characters we know to be dead no longer are. How the movie will tie into the larger franchise is anybody’s guess at this point, but some questions may be answered in a post-credits scene as Producer Mark Perg tells Cinepop that Saw X has a scene after the credits roll that will include characters from other films that franchise fans will want to see. He explained (via Google translate)… 

What Berg means by this is, of course, anybody’s guess. Several of the Saw movies have found interesting ways to bring characters from early films back in new ways. Not the least of which was Shawnee Smith’s Amanda herself, who appeared to be a victim in the first movie, and a generally inconsequential character, only for her later to turn out to be a disciple of Jigsaw and a major part of the series.

One possible answer is that a Saw X credits scene could set up the next movie, as Mark Berg is more than open that, if Saw X proves the audience is still there, there will be more movies, and that Smith’s Amanda will be key to them. He continued… 

The Saw movies, while they have always been violent horror movies first, have a surprisingly complex story of near soap opera proportions. Each film has left open questions that the next movie would then answer. Loose threads from early films that had seemed to be forgotten would come back around several movies later. This makes the idea of sticking a new film in the middle of the previous ones potentially more difficult, but also potentially more interesting just to see how it all gets explained.

It will also be interesting to see how Saw X might tie itself back into Spiral, the previous movie in the franchise was more spinoff than sequel to the series, and while it wasn’t a major hit, the global pandemic was at least partially to blame for that. Perhaps we could see a post-credits scene that connects the Spiral ending more directly to the main series.  

It's time to dust off those old DVD and VHS collections and rediscover the hidden treasures that made the 2000s a standout era in horror cinema. (Some even earned a spot on our list of the top 100 movies from the decade.) While there have been some amazing horror movies over the years -- see our list of the best horror movies of all time for evidence of that -- the early aughts marked a period of innovation and growth in the genre, thanks to filmmakers pushing boundaries, blurring the line between reality and nightmare, and crafting unforgettable spine-chilling experiences. 

Whether you're into paranormal thrillers starring Harrison Ford, or the emergence of "torture porn" in James Wan's Saw and others, this was a time when horror took on more captivating and diverse forms as it left the '90s behind. So, dim the lights, grab your popcorn, and join me as we explore the 15 best horror movies of the 2000s. (Note that the list is ordered by year of release, and is not ranked by quality.)

What Lies Beneath (2000)

Let's kick off our spooky journey with Robert Zemeckis' What Lies Beneath, a suspenseful masterpiece starring the charismatic Harrison Ford and the ever-enchanting Michelle Pfeiffer. The story follows Claire Spencer (Pfeiffer), who suspects her dream house by the waterfront is haunted. Zemeckis skillfully weaves through the atmospheric thriller with expertly built tension in a way that straddles the line between psychological and supernatural horror. Pfeiffer's captivating performance and Ford's descent into madness help cement What Lies Beneath as an enduring classic, keeping viewers on edge until the chilling climax. Unsurprisingly, this movie ranks among the highest-grossing supernatural horror movies of all time.

American Psycho (2000)

Another standout horror film in 2000 delved deep into the darkest recesses of the human psyche. American Psycho, directed by Mary Harron, introduced moviegoers to Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a wealthy New York investment banker who may or may not be a completely unhinged serial killing sadist, depending on your interpretation of the chilling ending. Christian Bale's unforgettable portrayal of Bateman, a charismatic and profoundly disturbed character, cements American Psycho as a horror classic, with the actor earning his place as a genuinely terrifying modern horror villain. The film, adapted from Bret Easton Ellis' novel of the same name, hinges on a satirical exploration of materialism and the superficiality of society, adding layers of depth to its disturbing narrative.

The Others (2001)

The Others, directed by Alejandro Amenábar and starring the incomparable Nicole Kidman, earns its spot on our list as one of the best one-off horror films, as well as one of the most atmospheric flicks of the early aughts. Kidman takes on the role of Grace Stewart, a woman who becomes increasingly convinced her house is haunted. Amenábar's masterful storytelling weaves a tale brimming with suspense and dread, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The confirmation dress scene is one of the scariest scenes in cinematic history, and the highly lauded shock of a twist will leave you speechless.

Frailty (2001)

The late, great Bill Paxton wears multiple hats in this 2001 thriller. Not only does he star alongside Matthew McConaughey, but he also steps into the director's chair. The story revolves around a father who becomes convinced he has a divine duty to eliminate demons hiding among ordinary people. Frailty stands out for its deep exploration of faith, morality, and the hazy boundaries between good and evil. Paxton's direction and the exceptional performances by the cast elevate this film to the status of an underrated gem, one certainly meriting a revisit.

May (2002)

Lucky McKee's May invites us on a chilling exploration of its eponymous protagonist, brought to life by the talented Angela Bettis. This film unfolds as a dark character study, delving into the unsettling depths of isolation and the powerful yearning for human connection. Through the lens of a lonely young woman, we witness her obsessive quest to craft the ultimate companion. Angela Bettis, who impressively portrayed Carrie in a less-remembered Stephen King adaptation the same year, delivers a genuinely Award-winning worthy performance in this gripping psychological horror.

One Hour Photo (2002)

One Hour Photo, directed by Mark Romanek, deviates from supernatural horror, diving into the unsettling world of obsession and voyeurism. Robin Williams crushes it in this unexpected role, giving a chilling performance as Sy Parrish, a photo technician obsessed with a family whose pictures he develops. It's a slow-burning psychological thriller, capitalizing on Williams' ability to play charming and deeply disturbed characters. The film's exploration of loneliness and the consequences of obsession lingers long after the credits roll.

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

Before Zack Snyder embarked on his ambitious Star Wars-inspired two-part saga, Rebel Moon, he breathed new life into the zombie genre with Dawn of the Dead. This reimagining of George A. Romero's iconic classic thrusts a band of survivors into a shopping mall, where they face relentless waves of the undead—only this time, the zombies are sprinters! Snyder's dynamic direction and the film's unrelenting momentum combine to deliver a heart-pounding and spine-tingling zombie adventure, an exhilarating rollercoaster of survival horror.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

While Shaun of the Dead is often celebrated for its comedic elements, it's also a love letter to the zombie apocalypse movie genre. Directed by Edgar Wright, the film stars Simon Pegg as Shaun, a slacker who must save his loved ones from a zombie apocalypse. Shaun of the Dead blends humor and horror, delivering a unique and delightful experience. Wright's sharp wit and clever references to classic zombie films make this a must-watch for horror fans with a sense of humor.

Saw (2004)

James Wan's Saw ushered in a fresh era of horror, blending intricate puzzles with challenging moral choices, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. At its core, the film follows two men trapped in a harrowing room by the sadistic Jigsaw killer. Saw reshaped the horror landscape thanks to its complex narrative and bone-chilling traps, and even after two decades, it continues to captivate fans. Saw X promises to keep the terror alive on the big screen this Halloween season. Tobin Bell's iconic portrayal of Jigsaw still lingers in our nightmares, and the film's unparalleled ability to grip viewers in suspense remains undiminished.

10. The Descent (2005)

Neil Marshall's The Descent takes us underground into claustrophobic terror. A group of friends explores an uncharted cave system, but their adventure takes a horrifying turn when they encounter deadly creatures. The movie is a masterclass in tension-building and creature features and is one of the best horror movies of the century.  Marshall's direction, combined with solid performances from the female-led cast, makes this film a nail-biting and unforgettable experience.

11. Trick 'r Treat (2007)

It's rare for a more modern movie to join the esteemed ranks of great holiday classics, but Trick 'r Treat manages to do so. This horror anthology skillfully interlaces a collection of stories all unfolding on the mystical night of All Hallows' Eve, firmly establishing itself as a contemporary Halloween masterpiece. Directed by Michael Dougherty, the film delves into the traditions, legends, and supernatural phenomena that define the holiday, all while paying homage to Halloween folklore through a series of clever and spine-tingling tales. Its anthology format keeps the audience engaged, and Dougherty's genuine affection for the holiday radiates from every frame. We eagerly await the long-anticipated sequel to manifest.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

After its release, Oren Peli's found-footage horror film Paranormal Activity became a cultural phenomenon. The film follows a couple, Katie and Micah, as they document their haunting experiences at home. A low-budget triumph, this movie proves sometimes less is more. With its deliberate pacing, steadily mounting tension, and authentic chills, the film unexpectedly struck a chord with audiences, morphing into a sleeper hit. It left an indelible mark on the found-footage subgenre and stands tall among the best demonic possession films ever made.

The Mist (2007)

Frank Darabont, known for his exceptional Stephen King adaptations, continues his streak of excellence with The Mist. In this film, we follow a group of townspeople who find themselves confined within a supermarket, surrounded by an enigmatic mist teeming with lethal creatures. The Mist skillfully merges creature horror with a profound examination of human psychology and morality. Darabont's talent for crafting well-rounded characters and weaving suspenseful narratives elevates this movie to remarkable heights, delivering some of the most bone-chilling content ever seen in a King film.

The Strangers (2008)

According to director Bryan Bertino's claims, The Strangers delves deep into the primal terror of home invasion, drawing inspiration from real-life events. The film revolves around a couple, portrayed by Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, who masked attackers hunt at their remote vacation residence. This movie is an unrelenting and atmospheric thriller, capitalizing on the unsettling vulnerability of one's home and the sheer dread of arbitrary acts of violence. Its minimalist style and chilling authenticity deliver a genuinely harrowing cinematic experience.

Jennifer's Body (2009)

Megan Fox faced heavy criticism upon the release of Jennifer's Body in 2009, but over the years, the movie has discovered its dedicated following. Under the direction of Karyn Kusama, the film features Megan Fox in the role of Jennifer, a high school student possessed by a malevolent entity. Penned by Diablo Cody, the writer of Juno, Jennifer's Body seamlessly combines elements of horror and dark comedy, all while delving into themes of female camaraderie and empowerment. Megan Fox's captivating and wicked portrayal adds a unique dimension to this horror-comedy blend, making it a perfect choice for a revisit during this Spooky Season.

Honorable Mentions

These honorable mentions may not have made it into the top 15, but they each bring something unique and memorable to horror cinema. If you want to expand your horror watchlist, remember to try these chilling titles.

• 28 Days Later (2002) - Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later reinvigorated the zombie genre by introducing fast-moving, rage-infected zombies. The film follows Jim (Cillian Murphy) as he wakes up in a post-apocalyptic London and must survive the infected hordes. It's a pulse-pounding and intense survival horror film that explores themes of isolation and societal collapse. 
• Wrong Turn (2003) - Directed by Rob Schmidt, Wrong Turn is a gruesome and unapologetic slasher, taking us on a terrifying journey through the backwoods of West Virginia, where a group of friends encounters a clan of deformed and cannibalistic mountain men.
• Hostel (2005) - Eli Roth's Hostel is not for the faint of heart. It follows a group of backpackers who fall victim to a sinister organization, offering wealthy clients the opportunity to torture and kill tourists.
• The Hills Have Eyes (2006) - Alexandre Aja’s remake of Wes Craven's classic, The Hills Have Eyes, follows a family stranded in the desert who becomes the prey of a group of mutated and cannibalistic mutants and is a brutal, unrelenting survival horror film that doesn't pull any punches.
• 1408 (2007) - Directed by Mikael Håfström, this Stephen King adaptation centers on Mike Enslin (John Cusack), a skeptical writer who checks into a notoriously haunted hotel room to debunk its supernatural claims. John Cusack's stellar performance and the film's mind-bending narrative make it a standout in the haunted hotel subgenre.

And there you have it, a chilling journey back in time through the 15 best horror movies of the 2000s. Whether you prefer jump scares, psychological dread, or eerie atmospheres, the 2000s had something to offer every horror enthusiast. So, the next time you're in the mood for spine-tingling entertainment, consider revisiting these timeless classics from a bygone era of fear.

Horror hounds should make sure to check out our schedule of upcoming horror movies, so that the future can always remain filled with promising new flicks.

John Kramer has always been different than most slasher villains. While the majority of the genre's greatest monsters – Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, etc. – are regularly given the spotlight in their movies, "Jigsaw" has always been more of a backstage player (in fact, he's canonically dead in more sequels than alive given that he kicks the bucket in Saw III). That in mind, the director of the upcoming Saw X is teasing that the film is going to be different than any other in the franchise, particularly because it puts star Tobin Bell front and center.

During a recent interview with Empire, Kevin Greutert spoke directly to that special element of the upcoming horror movie. In fact, he specifically highlights the film's extreme use of Jigsaw in contrast to Spiral: From The Book Of Saw – which is notably the only film in the Saw franchise that doesn't feature Tobin Bell at all. Said the filmmaker (with a bit of sass),

Kevin Greutert previously directed both Saw IV and Saw 3D, but the new movie is notably a prequel of sorts that takes place between the events that transpire in Saw and Saw II. Rather than simply torturing people to teach them life lessons, John Kramer in the story is on the hunt for revenge. In an effort to kill the cancer that is quickly killing him, Kramer travels to Mexico to take part in an experimental procedure, but it turns out that the whole operation is a con. Dying but still alive, he makes moves to find the people responsible and have them each play one of his special games.

For a very different kind of Saw movie, a very different approach was taken to Saw X. In the recent interview, Greutert discusses making the film more realistic, smaller, and more emotional:

He adds that he even thinks that Saw X "has a good chance of appealing to people beyond gore freaks.," though he acknowledges that there will be plenty of movie-goers who won't be able to tolerate the on-screen blood and guts.

Though it was originally supposed to be released in late October (a.k.a. right around Halloween), Saw X is now less than one month away from hitting theaters – set to make its debut on big screens around the country on September 29. To learn about all of the freakiest films set to come out during 2023's spooky season, check out our Upcoming Horror Movies guide.

Ten movies in, Saw X comes at a time when the franchise it’s representing has tried to mix things up to varying degrees. With a surprise prequel, a pseudo-spin-off, and now another surprise return to the past in the project on the 2023 movie schedule, director Kevin Greutert is returning for his first entry since 2010’s Saw: The Final Chapter. It sounds like we're in for a treat, too, because he’s promising something that sets John “Jigsaw” Kramer’s latest exploits apart from his past history. 

In the case of Saw X, fans who have been sitting with this morality play since the beginning are going to see the longest installment in franchise history. Speaking as a guest at Midsummer Scream 2023 (via The Direct), the film’s director promised this wasn’t just a case of padding the film’s length, as there’s a good reason for the subjectively lengthy experience: 

What we know about Saw X and its plot suggests that length comes from a rather inspired place. As this tale takes place between the first two stories, and sees John Kramer (Tobin Bell) fighting a corrupt clinic that falsely claimed it could remove his cancer, the pain he’s going to inflict is personal. Knowing the methodology of Kramer and his disciples, that sort of motivation doesn’t sound like it’ll make for quick and easy amputations. Otherwise, what would any of the potential victims learn?

Before you go crazy looking for the answer, we don’t know how long Saw X is going to run just yet. You may as well chalk that up among the questions we have about Jigsaw’s return, and believe us, there are quite a few. However, the report breaking the news of its record-setting length does cite Saw III as the longest in the bunch, at 1 hour, 48 minutes. So at the very least, one could guess that we’ll be getting our first two-hour Saw movie, if not longer. 

While we wait for Saw X to debut a little earlier than intended, as it’s set to start trapping audiences when it opens on September 29th, there’s just one more question this whole matter opens up. If this is going to be the longest piece to this puzzle of horror soap opera drama, will what we see affect the Saw apprentice rankings at all? The return of Shawnee Smith's Amanda could shake up the pecking order, and it sounds like there's plenty of time in this game for such unpredictability amid the gore.

There’s no single CinemaBlend opinion on anything. Through countless arguments over the years, I’ve learned we’re not even on the same page about how to define the word best, from our choices for the top 100 '90s movies to our picks for the best horror movies of all time. What makes a movie the best is impossible to nail down from one person to the next, though it's perhaps easier to consider when thinking about a decade of movies that came and went and can't be added to anymore. But for the most part, it's all about what you like.

It’s because of those clashing perspectives that this Best Movies Of The 2000s list is unlike any list that a single person from our team could have crafted, taking into account both Oscar-worthiness and popcorn-friendliness. The list accounts for movies that have aired 5,000 times on cable, and movies that have been shared lovingly from generation to generation. It’s a retro-hodgepodge of what we loved then and then, from Adam Sandler's raunch to Daniel Day Lewis' aplomb.

This list is CinemaBlend’s collective celebration of the 2000s, in all its neon-hued glory, and we hope everyone will find plenty to love, though a few disagreements and good-natured debate never hurt anyone. Let the arguments begin…

100. Avatar (2009)

While it's the last on this list, there's no denying Avatar's impact on the film industry back in 2009. The movie is a sci-fi masterpiece that features incredible visuals, mainly following the tale of Jake Sully, a human who finds love and acceptance within the world of the Na'vi, the native people of Pandora.

The film takes the audience on a wild ride for two and a half hours. While the story of saving a planet from foreign invaders could be more groundbreaking, the unique visual effects that fans get to see are. And now, with a successful sequel out more than ten years later, it's the perfect chance to revisit the original.

99. Erin Brockovich (2000)

Julia Roberts had established herself as one of the most beloved actors in the world in the 1990s, and as calendars flipped over to the year 2000, she didn’t waste any time starring in yet another critically acclaimed box office hit. Hitting theaters in March 2000, Erin Brockovich tells the story of the titular lawyer who started a landmark case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company for groundwater contamination, and it’s a stellar work that further cemented the clear talents of director Steven Soderbergh. It’s thrilling and dramatic, but also funny and fun – in large part due to Roberts’ charm and charisma.

98. The Hangover (2009)

The Hangover is part travelogue and part comedic shitshow. It races its characters through what feels like an entire TV season’s worth of odd locations and ridiculous scenarios, somehow finding time for hospital visits, naked gangsters, weddings, Blackjack heaters, stolen tigers, missing babies and stun gun demonstrations. It sounds like way too much plot for an hour and forty minute movie, but the key to a good comedy isn’t the situations the characters find themselves in, it’s the rapport and natural chemistry between the actors/characters going through those situations. And Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms are fantastic together. Their clashing vibes, energy levels and comedic sensibilities somehow blend into a perfect cocktail, and with Oscar-nominated director Todd Phillips stirring the drink, The Hangover is able to turn its B-movie premise into one of the funniest comedies of the 2000s.

97. Cloverfield (2008)

The first decade of the Aughts saw one word playing into many of its most cherished cinematic successes: reinvention. For director Matt Reeves’ Cloverfield, two different types of genre favorites were mashed together to create a wildly new, very mysterious product: monster movies like Godzilla and found footage pictures such as The Blair Witch Project. 

Amping up the scale of what a handheld camera could cover, Cloverfield’s ingenious marketing campaign kept audiences guessing about what its true intentions were. In the wake of a mysterious/title-free teaser, it was anyone’s guess what writer Drew Goddard’s movie was about. To live up to the hype after stoking such anticipation for an unknown quantity only cemented Cloverfield as a certified success. In a market where it felt like the trailers gave everything away, a major studio movie broke with the norm, all in the name of a monstrous triumph. 

96. National Treasure (2004)

The race to steal the Declaration of Independence was on in 2004 as Nicolas Cage and his team of treasure hunters went on a high stakes mission to find the greatest treasure. This story sweeps across American history, and is held together by Cage’s protagonist and his drive to find this great prize, and protect the Declaration of Independence by stealing it, of course.

This Disney staple is a family classic, and an action adventure bound to entertain just about anyone. It was such a success that a sequel soon followed, and maybe, someday, National Treasure 3 will happen. However, let us not forget the majesty that is the original National Treasure. 

95. The Notebook (2004)

There’s a reason that when one thinks of the genre “romance” The Notebook instantly comes to mind. The 2004 Nicholas Sparks adaptation is nothing short of a timeless classic that gracefully dances between being a forbidden and second-chance love story. It’s the movie that made Ryan Gosling a Hollywood hunk matched by a passionate yet grounding performance by Rachel McAdams. Together they are a firecracker of chemistry who left a generation longing to kiss in the rain. Cliché and mushy as The Notebook can be, when the music swells on the final scene, it never ceases to remind us why it’s one of the most endearing and cathartic love affairs we’ve ever seen. 

94. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Though it's been nearly two decades since its release, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy still stands as one of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s greatest collaborations. The 70s-set movie marked McKay’s directorial debut and, with it, he masterfully injects humor and social commentary into a satirical workplace comedy set within the world of broadcast news. His screenplay is funny and occasionally, downright hilarious, but the cast truly makes the movie shine. Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell and more are just flawless. And of course, it’s Ferrell’s portrayal of the titular character that really puts it over the top.

93. Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Anyone angling for a great sports drama that not only delivers sheer emotion but also captures the spirit of the pastime it’s tackling should check out Million Dollar Baby. Director Clint Eastwood’s Best Picture-winning film tells the story of an aspiring boxer (played by Hilary Swank), who teams up with a veteran trainer (Eastwood) in the hopes of achieving in-ring glory. The result is an emotionally affecting – and sometimes brutal – story about resilience and parental bonds. This boxing flick won Swank, Eastwood and co-star Morgan Freeman all Oscars and, when you see the movie, you’ll understand why.

92. Saw (2004)

2004's Saw revitalized the horror genre years ago, thanks to James Wan and Leigh Whannell, with its shocking twists and equally astonishing violence. But while the movie did include some truly grotesque “games” for Jigsaw’s victims, this was more than the mere “torture porn” that plagued the aughts. There was intention behind Jigsaw’s pain — making people think about the lives they’d led before forcing them to, “Live or die, make your choice.” 

The audience was along for the ride, trying to figure out why Adam (Whannell) and Dr. Gordon (Cary Elwes) were chained up in a bathroom and how they could escape before it was too late. Thanks to some brilliant misdirection, the ensuing plot twist was truly gasp-inducing. These days you might not be able to get away with that ending, but don’t say you saw it coming back in 2004.

91. Super Troopers (2001)

Super Troopers From a plotting and acting perspective, Super Troopers isn’t exactly The Departed. Its basic premise, and even many of its specific scenes, are just nimbly bimbly excuses for the cast to make raunchy jokes about the natural absurdities of being a cop. That works, though, because the movie understands what we want as an audience: non-stop jokes and shenanigans about liters of cola, littering and smokin’ the reefer. From cat game to syrup fights to biker confusion, Super Troopers has its own vibe and unique sense of humor. It’s just out there, doing its own thing, and that’s why, more than two decades later, fans are still pulling over to watch it… even if they’re already pulled over and they can’t pull over any further.

90. War of the Worlds (2005)

Steven Spielberg wouldn’t be the first to adapt H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds novel for the screen, nor would he be the last. But his modern-day take on the 19th Century sci-fi novel certainly made an impression. From the main characters — led by Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier, father to Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin) — to the various settings, to the unnerving sight (and sound) of the tripods emerging from below the ground to decimate or capture any humans in their path, War of the Worlds made its mark as an epic sci-fi action movie about survival and the choices a struggling parent has to make to protect his children from a worst-case-scenario. In true Spielberg fashion, the movie is thrilling and occasionally chilling, but also offers that added layer of a family element to keep us invested from beginning to end. 

89. Sin City (2005)

Most comic book adaptations aim to reimagine the characters and events of the source material in a way that more closely resembles reality. However, when director Robert Rodriguez teamed up with famed author and illustrator Frank Miller (acting as co-director) to bring his graphic novel series, Sin City, to the big screen, they did more than just adapt it. They brought it to life.

This anthology-style collection of three interconnected stories — all of which take place in the same hopelessly down-trodden, crime-ridden metropolis — is a masterclass in noirish storytelling (the razor sharp dialogue is straight out of a Raymond Chandler classic), astonishingly unique visual design (every beautifully grayscale frame resembles a comic book panel), and flawless acting from the entire Sin City cast, including Bruce Willis, Rosario Dawson, Mickey Rourke, and so many more amazing A-listers. When it comes to non-superhero-related comic book movies, this might be the best of them all.

88. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Anticipation for the feature adaptation of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary — itself a reinterpretation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — was high, to say the least, for those of us who adored the book, when it finally made its way into theaters in 2001. Renee Zellweger’s mix of charm, determination for romance and occasional awkwardness alone are reason enough to love the adaptation. Then factor in the excellent chemistry she shares with both love interests — Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver and Colin Firth as Mark Darcy — not to mention the fantastic supporting cast, well-timed bits of hilarity and genuinely heartfelt moments of romance and what’s not to love about Bridget Jones’s Diary? 

87. Taken (2008)

Taken isn’t the most emotionally complicated or the most realistic movie, but it has a really good sense of its own strengths and leverages that particular set of skills perfectly. Liam Neeson might not be the prototypical action star, but he’s an Oscar-nominated actor uniquely good at portraying single-mindedness and determination. Taken is able to harness the badass fatherly intensity of a desperate man searching for his daughter and pair it with ruthless action sequences that rely more on craftiness than brute strength. The result is one of the best and most rewatchable action movies of the 2000s, a tight 90 minutes that’s so much fun it produced two sequels, a TV series and an unexpected late career resurgence for Neeson.  

86. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Before Will Smith earned his third Oscar nomination for King Richard, and after his nomination for Ali, he received his second Academy Award nod for The Pursuit of Happyness. Based on the real story of Chris Gardner, the movie follows Gardner's struggle to find a job to provide for his son during a year when they are homeless. 

The movie is inspiring for anyone, featuring an uplifting and memorable story. That, paired with an incredible performance from Will Smith and his son, Jaden Smith – who made his acting debut in the film – makes this the perfect movie to watch on any given day. 

85. The Bourne Identity (2002)

Before Daniel Craig came along and ushered in a new era for the James Bond movie franchise a few years later, Doug Liman’s The Bourne Identity welcomed audiences to the 21st century with this fresh, unique, and action-packed spy thriller. Matt Damon, who had already shown a great deal of depth in movies like Good Will Hunting and The Talented Mr. Ripley a few years earlier, became a bonafide action star with his portrayal of Jason Bourne, a trained killer with no recollection of his dark past.

There are few early 2000s action sequences as memorable as the movie’s iconic car chase through the streets of Paris. Audiences, used to seeing spies and assassins whipping around in souped-up sports cars were in for the ride of their lives with Bourne behind the wheel of a weathered Mini Cooper.

84. Love Actually (2003)

Love Actually has become annual holiday viewing for many since its premiere in 2004. Renowned rom-com filmmaker Richard Curtis struck gold with an A-list cast, as ten loosely connected plotlines each portray a different kind of love. Everybody’s sure to have their favorite stories within the movie, but they all strike an emotional chord, albeit in different ways. 

As these characters navigate the holidays, Love Actually tackles themes of grief, infidelity, unrequited love, workplace romance and more, while never losing its charm and eliciting tons of laughs. Throw in infinitely quotable dialogue (“Let’s get the shit kicked out of us by love!”), an infuriatingly hilarious cameo by Rowan Atkinson, and one absolutely iconic dance from Hugh Grant, and you’ve got yourself a classic.

83. (500) Days of Summer (2009)

In a decade greatly defined by bubblegum romantic comedies where audiences can take comfort in the same three act structure often ending in wedding bells, (500) Days Of Summer flipped the genre on its head. Romance and love can be a tricky, complicated thing that not only may be finite, but clouded by one’s fantasies, projections of potential and manic pixie dream girls. Marc Webb’s indie rom-com announces up front that it is “not a love story” and cleverly plays with structure as Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Tom falls for Zooey Deschanel’s Summer. Between its stunningly memorable soundtrack, creative use of mixed media against its gorgeous L.A. backdrop, (500) Days Of Summer is a dark horse of a romantic comedy that tackles the expectations vs. reality of love with a sharp wit. 

82. Knocked Up (2007)

Most romantic comedies try a lot harder at one of those two things. They’re either romantic movies with a few solid laughs sprinkled in or they’re clearly comedies that shoehorn a romance in there as an afterthought. Knocked Up works so well because it tries really hard at both. It succeeds a little more as a comedy, given it has Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, Craig Robinson, Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd, but it also takes a lot of time and care with its love story and has many thoughtful things to say about relationships and parenting. It never takes the easy way out or betrays itself for a cheap, inauthentic laugh, which lets the natural chemistry between Rogen and co-lead Katherine Heigl grow into a budding relationship you actually root for. 

81. Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

As proven decades ago by George A. Romero, slow zombies are quite scary – but in 2004, director Zack Snyder and screenwriter James Gunn teamed up to show us just how freaky fast zombies can be. Dawn Of The Dead is a movie that stays true to its source material, gathering a bunch of strangers in a shopping mall as the dead come back to life, but it has its own energy and no shortage of standout moments. The beginning is a terror, the ending is deeply unsettling (including the material in the end credits), but the baby is where this one hits its peak.

80. Remember the Titans (2000)

Remember the Titans will make you laugh, cry, cheer and feel a whole range of emotions as you go on a journey with newly integrated T.C. Williams football team to win the state championship. This incredible movie about bringing a football team together is led by Denzel Washington, and it’s not only regarded as one of his best movies, but it’s also widely known as one of the greatest sports films. 

Washington and Will Patton lead the stacked cast of Remember the Titans, which includes Wood Harris and Ryan Hurst as the team’s leaders. Along with them, the movie also features Donald Faison, Craig Kirkwood and Ethan Suplee as well as a very young Ryan Gosling and 10-year-old Hayden Panettiere, among many others. Overall, it’s an inspiring and moving movie about acceptance and determination. Let’s just say Remember the Titans always has us saying “We want some more!” 

79. Juno (2007)

While Elliot Page was an actor at a young age, Juno was the movie that made him into a household name. And for good measure, as Jason Reitman’s quirky 2007 flick delivers in both comedy and heartfelt, human moments. Page earned an Academy Award nomination at the time for his performance, which surely feels justified. 

2007's Juno centers around its title character, a teenage girl who accidentally gets pregnant. She decides to carry the baby to term, arranging an adoption with a married couple (played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman). After being filled with plenty of funny moments (and a killer soundtrack) the ending provides an emotional catharsis that puts Juno above many movies around its time.

78. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

It’s no wonder that Disney has been trying for 20 years to recapture the lightning in a bottle that was Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Inspired by a theme park attraction, but blazing its own trail, Pirates created one of modern cinema’s most iconic characters in Captain Jack Sparrow. But the rest of the cast, including Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and a scene-stealing Geoffrey Rush, is no less compelling. From sword fights to ship battles, Black Pearl’s action is near perfect, with the Johnny Depp vs. Orlando Bloom duel a textbook example of how to tell a story with an action scene. It set a bar so high that even its own sequels were never going to clear it.

77. Ray (2004)

Cinema lovers have been graced with plenty of great biopics over the decades, and Ray certainly stands as one of the best. Directed by Taylor Hackford, the movie chronicles the life and career of the great Ray Charles. James L. White’s screenplay effectively tells Charles’ story, chronicling his professional and personal highs and lows in the process. And of course, the production is (appropriately) infused with incredible music. There are plenty of great performances on display, but it’s Jamie Foxx’s uncanny – and Oscar-winning – turn as the titular musician that really makes this period drama worth a watch or two.

76. Unbreakable (2000)

M. Night Shyamalan had an unenviable task in 2000 – following up his overnight sensation, The Sixth Sense. Was that movie a flash in the pan? Or would Shyamalan live up to the billing he was receiving in the press as, “The next Spielberg?” Remarkably, Shyamalan came up with a deeper, more meaningful film that also started the bandwagon for superhero-movie fascination, only with a meditative origin story for a strong man (Bruce Willis) who doesn’t recognize his invulnerability. Pulp Fiction co-star Samuel L. Jackson tapped into his fiendish side to play Willis’s nemesis, a man plagued with brittle bones who assumed that his opposite had to exist in the world. But it was Night’s ability to generate an intense mood that boosted Unbreakable. We rode a wave of increasingly suspenseful tension until the moment Willis donned his raincoat and embraced his destiny. Unbreakable started a trilogy, but also guaranteed that Shyamalan was here to stay as one of our most original and effective storytellers. 

75. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall occasionally gets overlooked as being just another rom-com from the aughts – specifically the rom-com featuring the oddball pairing of Mila Kunis and Jason Segel, but I can’t imagine that anyone who’s lumping this movie into just another group of rom-coms has seen it recently because it is profoundly and consistently weird. 

Segel’s TV composer main character dreams of creating a Dracula musical featuring puppets called A Taste For Love. He also wants to get over his titular ex-girlfriend - hilariously played by Kristen Bell, who somehow ends up in the hotel room next to him having loud sex with her new rock star boyfriend. That messy journey of acceptance and moving on, amidst all its weirdness or maybe because of all its weirdness, never feels like a cliche. It’s consistently funny and has so many thoughtful things to say about relationships, break-ups and finding yourself. Don’t write it off.

74. School of Rock (2003)

Jack Black was many things in 2003, though many wouldn’t have considered his comedic stylings family-friendly until School Of Rock. Black’s musical abilities from his band Tenacious D paired with the wholesome story of teaching some kids how to rock, was fun for everyone and really skyrocketed him further into the mainstream and into more roles for younger audiences like Kung Fu Panda and Nacho Libre. Sure, he’d still do raunchier stuff like Tropic Thunder, but this movie was imperative to show the range he had as an actor. 

Let’s also not forget this movie boasted other celebrities who are notable talents in 2023, like Miranda Cosgrove and The White Lotus showrunner Mike White. Oh, and the music is still as great as it was then, even decades later. There’s a strong message here about the importance of teaching children about music and helping them follow their passion, and it’s that message that will keep this movie relevant for decades to come. 

73. Up (2009)

Pixar Animation Studios, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, has always been known for its films that have reached a broad audience, starting with their debut full-feature film, Toy Story. However, in 2009, the studio released Up, the first Pixar film to receive a nomination for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Up is mainly about Carl, an older man living a lonely life, and to fulfill his promise to his late wife, he travels across the world in a floating house to South America – with the help of a local wilderness explorer who tags along for the ride. 

A lot can be said about Up, from its stunning animation to the beautiful soundtrack, but nothing beats the story. It's a tale of a found family and of finding love and compassion in places you would never expect. And you must always remember – the wilderness must be explored!

72. District 9 (2009)

Coming in at 72 on the list might just be an indicator of how underrated District 9 is, considering it’s one of the best science fiction movies of the 2000s. Neill Blomkamp’s feature walks the line between messaging about the various mistreatment marginalized groups are subjected to, to how humanity would respond if aliens were really discovered to be on Earth. Given recent reports at government hearings, it isn’t all that unbelievable that it wouldn’t take long for humanity to get back to normal after finding a bunch of alien refugees on Earth. 

Perhaps the best compliment to pay District 9 is that it’s a phenomenal standalone sci-fi movie with no sequels or prequels. This could be why it’s typically lower on the sci-fi lists as there may be a community of people that simply forgot about it as the years went on. Now is the time to revive the credit it deserves and maybe bump it up a few notches on future top lists. 

71. Shrek (2001)

Think of every DreamWorks Animation movie you can think of – I bet Shrek is one of the first that pops into your head. 

Shrek was a momentous occasion for DreamWorks Animation when it was released. It was a huge box office success, received rave reviews, and was even the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature winner. The movie mainly follows Shrek, an ogre whose swamp is suddenly overrun with fairytale creatures, and to get them out, he must save Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a dragon on a mountain of lava and bring her to Lord Farquad. 

The DreamWorks Animation film created an empire of Shrek success. With numerous sequels and spinoff movies, Shrek is one of the most successful animated franchises ever. The first film featured some great CGI animation for 2001 but also had the hilarity of adult jokes that parents would get while their kids enjoyed the fantasy, animation, and love story. Besides, who wouldn't love listening to Eddie Murphy crack jokes as Donkey for an hour and a half? 

70. Mulholland Drive (2001)

There are two sides to David Lynch: the fairly normal filmmaker who wants to tell a linear story in a somewhat straightforward manner (examples include The Elephant Man and The Straight Story), and the absolute bonkers off-the-wall batshit fever dream of an avante-garde video artist (examples include Eraserhead and Inland Empire). What makes Mulholland Drive such a beautiful film, is that it’s the perfect balance of these two sides of the iconic writer/director. In fact, without spoiling anything, the film even has a pivotal moment where it completely changes tonally, effectively showing these two distinct sides of Lynch. Perhaps more importantly, this tonal switch is expertly pulled off by the film’s star Naomi Watts, who, between this and 2001’s 21 Grams, was at a point in her career where she was showing off her chops with an authenticity that was hard not to notice. Mulholland Drive will show you the full range of skill you need to see from both Watts, and the legendary auteur that is David Lynch. 

69. Watchmen (2009)

“Unadaptable” is a word that’s been used when approaching the most ambitious literary adaptations. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ landmark graphic novel Watchmen was one such project, earning that brand after decades of potential adaptations failed to tackle the ambitious superhero narrative properly. 

Even in light of multiple cuts, and the ending being substantially altered from what was depicted in the 1985 source material, Watchmen is a miracle to behold. Somehow, the complicated narrative told through various mediums in that graphic novel was streamlined into a product that didn’t water down the full story. 

Only Zack Snyder’s third directorial effort, Watchmen is a powerful statement of the man’s developing skills in that point of his career. Arriving in the wake of Iron Man and The Dark Knight, it proved comic adaptations could be more than market-driving crowd pleasers. In the case of Watchmen, such movies could also be masterpieces.

68. Sideways (2004)

How the hell did Sideways, a dialogue-driven dramedy about a schoolteacher who loves wine, become such a mainstream pop-culture phenomenon? Try going wine-tasting without hearing a joke about drinking from the spit bucket, or somebody saying, “I am not drinking any fucking merlot!”

Sideways’ writer and director, Alexander Payne, has always told stories that are rather grounded in reality. Aside from Downsizing where he literally shrank Matt Damon, these are movies about common issues that most folks can relate to. The Descendants is about grief, About Schmidt is about aging, and Sideways is about letting go. With the script came Payne’s first Academy Award, a life-changing role for Paul Giamatti, and one of the best films of that decade. The bleak nature of the ending with just a dash of hope is a testament to real-life, and relatable for the average person. That is how a movie about a failed middle-aged writer with a drinking problem managed to cement its place in film history. 

67. Lost In Translation (2003)

Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is an American actor past his prime. Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is a young, married, recent college graduate. Both are in Tokyo — Bob to shoot promos for a Japanese whiskey and Charlotte to follow her photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi) on his latest assignment — and overcome with feelings of loneliness and disillusionment until a chance meeting at their hotel bar gives the unlikely duo a sense of fulfillment when they both need it most.

Lost in Translation is one of the first films produced by Focus Features and is still considered to be one of the production company’s best releases two decades later for the refreshingly unique — albeit, unlikely — love story that still manages to warm hearts from its unforgettable opening shot to its cryptic, much-debated final moment. The charming, invigoratingly honest dramedy also managed to be a major turning point for Murray (who earned his sole Academy Award nomination), Johansson (a breakthrough performance), and second-time writer and director Sophia Coppola, who earned a well-deserved Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

66. The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

In the mid-2000s, big screen comedy underwent a titanic shift. Through the late ‘90s and the turn of the century, the genre was dominated by the so-called Frat Pack (Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson)… but then along came The 40-Year-Old Virgin, the directorial debut from Judd Apatow. The film is hilarious and sweet, with a collection of wonderful characters exploring the high highs and low lows of sexuality and romance in the 21st century – and while not everything about it has aged perfectly, it does a tremendous job at leaning into the talents of its stars. And it’s a game-changer.

While it’s Steve Carell’s movie, a huge part of its legacy is featuring the breakout performance by Seth Rogen. In the wake of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Rogen and Apatow became the biggest names in funny, with not just their own comedic voices becoming popular, but also their improvisation-heavy styles.

65. Hot Fuzz (2007)

Hot Fuzz is the kind of action movie where every second feels crafted by a team of action movie fans, as opposed to a cast and crew just going through the motions. Co-written by the A+ pair Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, starring Pegg opposite frequent co-star Nick Front, Hot Fuzz is mostly set far from metropolitan skylines and endless high-rises, and its quaint Wicker Man-esque village makes for a wildly unique setting for any story filled with this many Point Break references.

As the second film in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, Hot Fuzz built on Shaun of the Dead's already stellar cast with a host of UK legends such as Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Bill Nighy, Edward Woodward, Billie Whitelaw, Olivia Colman, Bill Bailey, and the list goes on and on. (When you have Cate Blanchett making uncredited appearances, you're doing something right.) Unlike the other two Cornetto films, though, Hot Fuzz probably deserves another straightforward sequel set in this universe, with a new killer crime for Nicholas Angel and Danny Butterman to get crackin’ on.

64. Walk The Line (2005)

Music biopics might feel like they’re a dime a dozen, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t gems to behold in the genre, and one of those is absolutely James Mangold’s Academy Award-winning drama, Walk the Line. In it, Joaquin Phoenix portrays country music legend Johnny Cash through his tumultuous rise to fame, which includes his relationship with eventual wife, June Carter (Reese Witherspoon).

Sure, on one hand, we’ve seen music’s superstars descend into alcoholism and drug addiction on the big screen time and time again, but it’s how all the pieces of Cash and Carter’s story are put together that make the film a must watch. As such, the performances of the leads are everything here, and seeing June attempt to staunch her feelings for her married co-performer, while also trying to knock some sense into him as she watches his addictions grow and Johnny become more erratic, are some of the best parts of the movie. Witherspoon didn’t win a Best Actress Oscar for nothing, and Phoenix is at his peak here, as well.

63. Lilo & Stitch (2002)

With Walt Disney Animation fresh out of its renaissance after the ‘90s, the 2000s were a particularly experimental period for the studio which, looking back, found inspiration from numerous science fiction classics. The best 2D animated movie from the House of Mouse of the decade is a lively spin on E.T., but this mysterious alien is an intergalactic fugitive with a bad temper who falls to the Hawaiian Islands, becomes best friends with a young orphaned girl who teaches him the gospel of Elvis Presley. 

Not only is Lilo & Stitch an incredibly quotable, fun, family adventure, it’s one of Disney’s most authentic and original films that speaks to finding one’s ohana in unexpected places amidst great loss. Few Walt Disney Animation movies have felt as simultaneously intimate and commercial as Lilo & Stitch. Experiment 626 remains a gem that made Disney’s growing pains of the 2000s worth the while. 

62. Monsters, INC (2001)

Before Up, The Incredibles and even Finding Nemo, there was Monsters, Inc. Pixar’s decision to make its fourth feature a story about a company that generates scream-based power in a world inhabited by ferocious creatures may have seemed odd at the time. However, it ultimately turned out to be an inspired (and very) lucrative decision. Set in the world of Monstropolis, the film centers on two pals – both employees of the titular corporation – who must return a human child to her world in order to keep her out of harm’s way. And the result is a hilarious and heartwarming romp about loyalty and tolerance.

Pete Docter – who’d go on to direct Up, Inside Out and more – really proved himself as a filmmaker with this directorial debut. The flick is beautifully animated and populated with plenty of lovable characters. Speaking of which, John Goodman’s James P. “Sully” Sullivan and Billy Crystal’s Mike Wasowski still stand as two of Pixar’s most popular creations. The interactions between the two sometimes mirror the interplay of some of cinema’s best comedic duos. Monsters, Inc. would spawn a sequel and TV spinoff, but it’s the 2001 movie that’s truly an eclectic piece of storytelling.

61. The Hurt Locker (2008)

Best Picture award, but the voters got it right when it came to the prize handed out at the end of the 21st century’s first decade. Director Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker is a heart-stopper that tears down the wall between film and audience: when Jeremy Renner’s Staff Sergeant William James is suited up and defusing bombs, you hold your breath in fear, terrified to feel the heat of the fiery explosion that will result with one false move by the protagonist.

Screenwriter Mark Boal’s work puts us directly in James’ mind – a soldier who is incapable of leaving the battlefield behind – and Jeremy Renner’s turn is a career best. In retrospect, it’s wholly understandable why Renner’s performance changed the trajectory of his career and turned him into the Marvel-bona fide star that he is today.

60. Moulin Rouge (2001)

On paper, Moulin Rouge is a movie that just should not exist. The premise alone, a modern jukebox musical set in 1890s Paris, creates a level of cognitive dissonance on its own that suspension of disbelief should be impossible. It’s the sort of thing that only a director like Baz Luhrmann would even try, but somehow, he not only makes it happen, he makes it work.

Everything about Moulin Rouge goes hard. The performances, the songs, the sets. It creates its unreality so perfectly that it’s near-impossible to avoid being swept up by it and brought along for the ride. And the absinthe-infused magic is so far removed from reality that even 20 years later Moulin Rouge feels just as fresh. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor are perfect as the star-crossed lovers. We know how the story will end before it begins, but it doesn’t make any of it less heartbreaking. Luhrmann’s films can sometimes focus on style over substance, but there’s no lack of substance here. 

59. Elf (2003)

Elf is probably the most recent Christmas movie that became an instant classic. Jon Favreau crafted a delightful and bonkers story for the 2003 movie, with Will Ferrell offering one of his most iconic performances of all time. And it’s a movie that’s re-watched annually by countless families every Holiday Season… or other times in the year when you need a good laugh.

Elf’s concept is both ridiculous and simple; Buddy is a human raised by elves who eventually goes to New York City to find his birth father (played by Godfather icon James Caan). The juxtaposition between Buddy’s eternal optimism and the hard streets of the Big Apple is fodder for countless funny bits throughout its runtime. There’s also a touching story about family and the holiday spirit that makes Elf a true beloved Christmas movie. Plus, it’s got a pre-Game of Thrones appearance by Peter Dinklage. And of course, Santa (I know him!).

58. Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)

In the 1950s, few people were as outspoken about the threat of Communism than Wisconsin senator Joseph McCarthy, whose blacklisting of anyone he deemed suspicious was so notoriously frequent that “McCarthyism” — a term associated with fear mongering — was coined after him. One of the few people brave enough to take a stand against him was CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow, whose defiance of the politician and the Red Scare nearly cost him his career, but also made him into one of the most influential icons of his craft.

This monumental moment in journalism history is dramatized with nearly the same level of passion for truth and justice in Good Night, and Good Luck. — named after the famous concluding catchphrase of Murrow, portrayed here in an Academy Award-nominated performance by David Strathairn. George Clooney, who also plays Murrow’s producer, Fred Friendly, earned his first Oscar nominations as a director and co-writer for this riveting history lesson, made even better with Robert Elswit’s gorgeous cinematography and exquisite acting from the star-studded ensemble, which also includes Jeff Daniels, Patricia Arquette, Robert Downey Jr., and Frank Langella.

57. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Wes Anderson’s style is so distinct that it has become something of a joke in pop culture, frequently being parodied on shows like Saturday Night Live. When folks reference Wes Anderson, and the trademarks of a Wes Anderson film, they’re primarily lifting it from The Royal Tenenbaums. The point is, Tenenbaums is by far the most Wes Anderson-y film to ever Wes Anderson; absolutely jam-packed with quirkitude, a variety of eccentric characters and deadpan dialogue delivery. This is the quintessential hipster flick that helped to define a generation of indie millennial film buffs.

Aside from The Royal Tenenbaums’ effect on pop culture, it truly exists as a wonderful, honest, hilarious, and heartbreaking film. Over twenty years ago when the film was released, there wasn’t a lot like it in mainstream American cinema, with the somewhat privileged (yet painfully relatable) themes it explores being limited to conversations had by those gathering to watch Jean-Luc Godard in their NYU dorm rooms. With his first Oscar nomination, The Royal Tenenbaums introduced much of the world to Wes Anderson, and many still consider it to be his finest work to date. 

56. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Oftentimes sequels don’t measure up to their predecessor, but Spider-Man 2 is one of the exceptions. Director Sam Raimi and screenwriter Alvin Sargent kept the best elements from the first Spider-Man movie and improved upon them, with the follow-up doing an excellent job exploring how Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker handles the burden of heroism and trying to balance his web-sliding activities with his civilian life. However, Spider-Man 2’s MVP is Alfred Molina, whose more sympathetic take on Doctor Octopus quickly cemented him as one of the best superhero movie villains of all time. It’s no wonder we still have yet to see another actor play the tentacled antagonist in a live-action movie. As a bonus, I love how the movie recreated the panel from 1967’s The Amazing Spider-Man #50 of Peter Parker leaving his costume behind in the garbage. A touch like that is a great Easter egg for Marvel fans, but is also just a gorgeous shot for the casuals watching the tale unfold.

55. Ratatouille (2007)

Pixar Animation’s eighth feature film, Ratatouille, is as surprising as its premise. It came at a time when the studio was high on a winning streak, redefining how we looked at toys, bugs, monsters, cars, superheroes and fish. Sure, making an audience empathetic to rats feels like a stretch, but the 2007 movie had a fresh and quirky way in that kept Pixar at an all-time high. What if one rat was secretly a gourmet cook in Paris, France? The results are so charming. 

Fronted by a charismatic voice performance from Patton Oswalt as Remy, packed with decadent and often mouth-watering animation greatly displayed inside a top-tier French kitchen and beautifully underlined by an all-time great score from Michael Giacchino, Pixar told a hilarious underdog story with the creativity and wonder the studio remains beloved for. It’s one of those movies that has one doing a double take at every human and animal you encounter next time you walk outside in playful curiosity about the world thinking “Anyone Can Cook.” 

54. Superbad (2007)

Seth Rogen has touted himself as a “permanent teenager,” and never has that title been truer than in the 2007 teen buddy comedy Superbad. The movie — which he penned with Evan Goldberg and stars a number of the regular Judd Apatow players — carries the funky vibe of the 1970s throughout, but its story is timeless. The only thing more relatable than high-school seniors Seth and Evan (played perfectly by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera) trying to get to a party to impress some girls was their underlying anxiety over not knowing what would happen to their friendship after graduation.

The laughs come a mile a minute — some may say it’s the funniest movie of all time — with an impressive cast that also includes Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio, Emma Stone and, of course, Seth Rogen. But in the end it’s the friendship at the heart of the story that makes this one worth watching again and again. Superbad is also responsible for giving us “McLovin,” for which we should be forever grateful.

53. Catch Me If You Can (2002)

One of the most intriguing stories related to the crime of check fraud is that of Frank Abagnale Jr., who impersonated various professions, passed off millions of dollars worth of phony checks, and outran the FBI between the ages of 16 and 21. At least, that is what the fraud prevention consultant claimed in his memoir, Catch Me If You Can. The book inspired an excellent movie of the same name.

This 1960s-set crime drama stars future Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio as the young, elusive con artist, who enters an intense, enduring game of cat-and-mouse with two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks as a veteran FBI agent who will stop at nothing to bring him to justice, even if he becomes friends with him in the process. Following Minority Report, director Steven Spielberg completed his one-two punch of masterfully entertaining films in 2002 with this dazzling, devilishly charming, and even heartwarming tale. 

52. Cast Away (2000)

Everybody scream “Wilson!” with me! Now, let’s all break into violent sobs as we remember Tom Hanks losing his best friend… a volleyball with a face painted on it. Cast Away is a miracle. It’s essentially a one-man show that you can’t pull your eyes off of, because you root so hard for Hanks and want to see how he’s going to get off the deserted island on which he is stranded. Director Robert Zemeckis places us in Hanks’ sandals, so we feel frustration as he fails to get a makeshift raft over the incoming tide, and elation when he figures out how to start a fire. Hanks already was viewed as one of our greatest actors before he single handedly carried this survival story, but the gripping performance earned him his fifth Oscar nomination. (He lost to Russell Crowe in Gladiator.) Listen to this remarkable stat: Zemeckis filmed Cast Away’s first half with a chunky Hanks, then had to pause production while his leading man lost enough weight and grew enough hair to play his marooned self in the movie’s second half. During that pause, Zemeckis filmed an entire feature: 2000’s marital thriller What Lies Beneath, with Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford.

51. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

One thing to know about Ang Lee is that he keeps audiences guessing when it comes to his projects. And given his body of work leading up to the 2000s, not too many people might’ve expected him to helm a wuxia martial arts epic with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Yet movie lovers should be so glad he did. His seventh directorial effort is a masterpiece featuring beautifully choreographed fight sequences, impeccable production design, imposing performances and more.

Based on Wang Dulu’s 1942 novel of the same name, the highly ambitious production centers on a seasoned warrior and his equally skilled ally (and love interest), who aim to hunt down the former’s fabled sword so it can be delivered for safekeeping. Their quest ultimately leads them down a path neither could’ve ever imagined. Ang Lee assembled a highly formidable ensemble of actors led by Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi, who all give career-best performances. The martial arts genre features a wide array of movies, but few can meet the standard set by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

50. Legally Blonde (2001)

“What? Like it’s hard” to be one of the top 50 movies of the 2000s? It’s not for Legally Blonde, that’s for sure. Casually going to law school at Harvard to win back your ex-boyfriend is a far-fetched idea, but Reese Witherspoon’s Elle Woods doesn't just pull it off, she succeeds in grand fashion, obviously.  

Elle Woods is such an icon, she’s funny, gorgeous, and hyper-intelligent, and seeing her harness all of that to succeed at Harvard was empowering. Reese Witherspoon and the cast of Legally Blonde are also on their A-games in this movie, creating a hilariously smart and unique story. From Jennifer Coolidge’s “bend and snap” moment with our leading lady to the adorable rom-com subplot between Elle and Luke Wilson’s Emmett, the film is packed with memorable stories from fabulous characters.

Since then, Withersoon’s lawyer’s story has expanded into a sequel and a Broadway musical, because a world with more Elle Woods in it is “So Much Better.” 

49. Tropic Thunder (2008)

Tropic Thunder is a relentless and vicious commentary on the motion picture industry and all the absurdities associated with it. For two unyielding hours, Ben Stiller’s satirical action comedy mercilessly skewers the executives, the actors, the directors, the writers, the agents and even an explosives coordinator, painting them as deeply flawed and emotionally unstable people who will do anything to stay relevant and protect their own fragile egos. From blackface to stolen valor to exploiting the mentally handicapped, there’s no line they won’t cross in pursuit of their next award, their next paycheck or their next high.

Tropic Thunder shouldn’t work. From one angle, it’s a big budget, big studio action comedy filled with explosions, fart jokes and Tom Cruise dancing to Flo Rida. From another angle, it’s a deeply clever satire that repeatedly and without apology seeks out complicated and problematic subject matter. It’s a movie within a movie disguised as another movie, but instead of a disorganized mess, it somehow all comes together thanks to a fantastic script, an Oscar-nominated Robert Downey Jr. performance and the greatest little kid reaction shot in the history of movies.

48. Gladiator (2000)

Russell Crowe went on an absolute tear in the 2000s with a number of memorable movies, so it’s no surprise that the one he won the Best Actor Oscar for is on this list. Gladiator is an absolute triumph from start to finish, with knockout performances led by the direction of Ridley Scott. Maximus is an immediately likable character brought down to the lowest point of his life. He keeps fighting and survives solely because of the revenge he hopes to deliver to Commodus. 

And while Joaquin Phoenix did not win an Oscar for his nominated performance as Commodus, Maximus’ journey isn’t quite as sweet without him being every bit as unlikable as he should be. When the big scene finally comes for Maximus and Commodus to square off, how can you not be on the edge of your seat? Without a doubt one of the best gladiator movies of all time.

47. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

While not strictly a love story, Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire definitely owes a lot to the genre, as Jamal’s (Dev Patel) lifelong love for childhood friend Latika (Freida Pinto) drives much of what he does. The drama follows Jamal as he relays the events of his young life that have led him to correctly answering questions on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, after he’s arrested and tortured for cheating.

As Jamal takes us through the harrowing events of his childhood that led him not only to fall for Latika, but to compete on the show in an effort to find her again, we’re taken through an action-packed tale of survival under extreme circumstances, what a young man will go through to save the love of his life, and how we all probably know a lot more than we think we do. Definitely hard to watch at times, but inspirational nonetheless.

46. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

On one hand, Jonathan Daylon and Valerie Faris’ Little Miss Sunshine is one of the funniest movies of the 2000s, but on the other hand it’s one of the most tragic stories to come out of the decade. The “road trip from Hell” setup had been done countless times prior to the film’s 2006 release, but rarely had the subgenre been as effective, emotional, or laugh out loud funny.

Michael Arndt’s hilarious, heartbreaking, and nuanced screenplay, which earned him an Oscar, doesn’t play it safe by avoiding life’s tragedies (both major and minor), but instead faces them head-on, creating a cathartic experience for his characters and audience alike. Transformative performances by the late Alan Arkin (he also won an Academy Award), Abigail Breslin, Toni Collette and the rest of the Little Miss Sunshine cast make you feel their characters are family, which is the heart and soul of this outstanding film.

45. Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Keira Knightley’s Pride & Prejudice is hardly the first take on the novel of the same name, but the 2005 film arguably set the standard for modern Jane Austen movie adaptations. The love story between Elizabeth Bennet (Knightley) and Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) is beautifully told, and made all the more memorable for the cinematography, soundtrack, and chemistry between the stars. In fact, the cast was stacked with stars who either already had or would become big names, including Donald Sutherland, Judi Dench, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Carey Mulligan, and Kelly Reilly in addition to Knightley and Macfadyen. 

The world of the Bennet family in this Pride & Prejudice feels lived in and domestic in a way that adds a touch of modern realism to a Regency-era period drama and contrasts the more austere beauty of Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley estate. The film isn’t as faithful to the book as the beloved 1995 BBC miniseries, but it hits the important beats of the original Jane Austen story in just over two hours while also being completely accessible to viewers who haven’t read the book, with moments like the iconic hand flex of Mr. Darcy that fans far and wide know well. 

44. Adaptation (2002)

Adaptation is a book adaptation about the adaptation process. Understood? Wonderful. 

Nicolas Cage plays dual roles as the most neurotic possible version of screenwriter Charlie Kauffman, as well as his fictitious twin Donald Kauffman. Originally hired to write the film adaptation for Susan Orlean’s bestseller The Orchid Thief, Charlie Kauffman experiences a debilitating case of writer’s block, stemming from a slew of mental health issues including social anxiety, body dysmorphia and depression. This sends him on something of a tortured artist’s odyssey that leads him to write himself, and the experience, into his script. Thus, we get Adaptation, a hybrid of both the story of The Orchid Thief, and Kauffman’s experience adapting it.

These days, such a meta concept is somewhat commonplace, but over 20 years ago, this was the most bonkers script since Kauffman’s Being John Malkovich. Malkovich was even worked into Adaptation’s storyline, with John Cusack, Catherine Keener and the titular John Malkovich playing themselves. The point is, this film is WEIRD in the best of ways, yet still managed to grab Oscar nominations for Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep, as well as a win for Chris Cooper. Adaptation is perhaps the greatest cinematic insight into the creative writing process, and the effect it has on one’s psyche, ever made.

43. Love & Basketball (2000)

The best romantic comedies might get a lot of attention from fans of lovey dovey stories, but romantic dramas deserve our eyeballs as well, and Love & Basketball is one that really should be praised. This romance (which is also a fantastic sports drama) tells the story of Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps), two talented, basketball-obsessed kids who bond over their love of the sport, but have several trials as they attempt to take their relationship from friends to lovers in their high school and college years and, later, in their twenties.

Gina Prince-Bythewood’s feature-length directorial debut does an amazing job of showing how hard it can be for two people who are so dedicated to their craft to make time for one another, especially as the pressure to succeed in their sport pulls them in different directions. But, it goes much further than that, with each of their complicated family dynamics and emotional wounds taking this love story to the next level.

42. Minority Report (2002)

If you had the chance to predict and prevent a tragic crime, the choice sounds obvious, right? That is until you are faced with the possibility that the prediction is wrong and your arrestee was destined to be innocent. That provocative idea was the basis for a 1956 short story by prolific science-fiction writer Philip K. Dick, which was later adapted into one of director Steven Spielberg’s most exciting films of the decade, if not his full career.

Tom Cruise stars as John Anderton — the chief for a special police unit that uses a trio of clairvoyant siblings to detect future murders — who begins to question their seemingly “perfect” system when he makes the horrifying discovery that the potential perpetrator of his next case is himself, forcing him to go on the run. The truth behind this prediction revealed in the brilliant twist ending of Minority Report is one of the many fascinating and thought-provoking aspects of this astonishingly inventive sci-fi masterpiece that is not quite dystopian, but far from utopian either.

41. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Over the past few years, there have been great strides for representation and diverse stories in Hollywood. But back in the early 2000s, this wasn’t exactly the case. Which is why Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain was such a groundbreaking movie upon its release. Hollywood simply wasn’t telling queer love stories through major blockbusters, let alone honoring them with major Awards Nominations.

While there’s been some backlash about straight actors playing LGBTQ+ roles, Brokeback likely only got produced because of its bankable (and yes straight) lead actors. For their part, both Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger offer moving and complicated performances that still stand up today. Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway also really deliver, which is par for the course for those talented actresses. This quartet of performers tell their characters’ stories through decades of time, and to devastating results. And the acclaimed film is still so beloved that it’s being adapted for the stage on the West End, starring Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges. 

40. American Psycho (2000)

Author Bret Easton Ellis’ novel American Psycho is a shocking literary experience. There are scenes in it that will make even the most seasoned horror fan blanche – and reading it, you can understand why it was deemed unadaptable for a time after its publication. When it did finally get brought to the big screen, co-adapted by screenwriter Guinevere Turner and director Mary Harron, the material was understandably pulled back a bit, but the movie still remains a scary and biting satire that takes aim at the hardcore capitalism in the 1980s.

Years before he became a big screen legend playing Batman, Christian Bale became a horror icon with his performance as Patrick Bateman – a white, rich sociopath who enjoys torturing and slaughtering women… but who nonetheless blends in with all the rest of New York’s white, rich sociopaths. It’s a rich cinematic experience that manages to be both satisfyingly scary and surprisingly funny.

39. 28 Days Later (2002)

Certain movies can be credited as causing shifts so powerful, an entire genre felt its influence. Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland’s 28 Days Later is one such film, as this lo-fi British horror-thriller would go on to see interest in movies like Dawn of the Dead (2004) and Shaun of the Dead being boosted. 

Revitalizing the zombie genre, while not calling its own creatures by the Z-word, the normal rules didn’t apply in this horror masterpiece. In the world of the previously coma-ridden Jim (Cillian Murphy), the vicious “infected” could come from anywhere, with blazing speed. Survival, in some situations, could be measured in a heartbeat, with a drop of blood or saliva making the difference. 

Stocked with a who’s who of actors like Brendan Gleeson, Christopher Eccleston, and Naomie Harris, 28 Days Later did for zombies what Scream did for slasher films. Challenging the status quo with relentless energy, the film is all at once terrifying, heartbreaking, and hopeful. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland resurrected the undead genre with stunning results.

38. Amelie (2001)

One of the most delightful stories committed to film. French ingénue Audrey Tautou was perfectly cast as the title character Amelie, who is believed to have a delicate heart condition and so is overprotected by her doting parents. As a result of her gently-imposed isolation, Amelie develops an overactive imagination, which leads her on a series of whimsical adventures. Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet embraces magical realism as a style, with Tautou basically gliding through this giddy fantasy as she works to make the lives of everyone around her happy, and possibly find love on her own in the process. Amelie seems to transmit joy, and if you aren’t uplifted by Tautou’s effervescent performance, you might want to check to ensure you still have a pulse. Now, go borrow someone else’s lawn gnome, photograph it in front of a celebrated vacation spot, and spread the joy of Amelie with anyone who hasn’t yet seen this delightful gem. 

37. Donnie Darko (2001)

There may not be a more aggressively strange and maddeningly perplexing movie on this list than Donnie Darko. Yet, its mysterious and nearly off-putting nature may be the reason why — despite nearly becoming a cable TV movie (if not for Christopher Nolan’s praise) and ultimately bombing at the box office — it remains an enduring cult hit.

At its core, writer and director Richard Kelly’s feature-length debut is the story of an emotionally troubled young man (Jake Gyllenhaal) whose struggle to navigate adolescence in the late 1980s is worsened by visions of an apocalyptic soothsayer in a horrifying rabbit suit, but it is much more than that. It is a sharp coming-of-age satire on par with some of John Hughes’ films, a classic time travel movie, and a pervasively grim fantasy tale that serves as a perfect Halloween tradition, among other things. Above all, however, Donnie Darko is unique enough to defy categorization, resulting in a one-of-a-kind experience. 

36. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

If we’re only including one adaptation of the Harry Potter series on this list, it has to be Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The source material has our lead trio entering into their teen years with more studies than ever and higher stakes all around. New characters are introduced, major reveals transpire and there’s also that twisty bit of time travel. Oh, and let’s not forget the bone-chilling Dementors, whose powers include dredging up a person’s darkest memories and fears. 

Those things on their own give Prisoner of Azkaban an edge over some of the other books, but Alfonso Cuarón’s adaptation does more than just bring one of the best installments of the series to life. New layers of the magical world emerge on the screen thanks to the cinematography, not to mention Cuarón’s vision and patient approach to the pacing, which gives us the chance to really soak in the surroundings in any given scene. Whether it’s showing the change of seasons at Hogwarts or the stunning sight of Harry soaring over the lake on the back of a Hippogriff, it’s more than enough to set the film above its predecessors and raise the bar firmly for the adaptations that would follow. 

35. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

The Devil Wears Prada is already a classic. While the film quality itself is high, the movie has also become part of the fabric of pop culture, thanks to its quotable lines and the unbelievable performance of one Meryl Streep. Anne Hathaway is regularly transformed into a meme thanks to the scene where Annie shows up to work post-makeover in Chanel Boots.

Aside from the pop culture of it all, The Devil Wears Prada is a delightful movie romp. The fashions are aspirational, and the cast is truly on top of their game. Special points to Emily Blunt, who became a household name following her performance as Emily. And considering how light and frothy even the movie’s drama is, the rewatchability of this book to movie adaptation cannot be understated. If you haven’t watched Devil Wears Prada recently, by all means move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.

34. The Lord Of The Rings Movies (2001-2003)

There are very few fantasy movie franchises out there that have been great all the way through. They have their dips and slides, but if there’s one major fantasy franchise to rule them all, it has to be The Lord of the Rings movies. 

The film franchise mainly follows Frodo Baggins as he travels with the Fellowship on a quest to destroy the One Ring in order to take down the person who made it, Sauron. But don't take that premise at face value – there is so much more to this story than meets the eye. 

The Lord of the Rings movies are perfect in every shape and form. From the battle sequences to the visual effects to the acting, there is much to love and adore about these films. The Lord of the Rings delivers in ways fans can't even imagine. There's a reason why the franchise is so popular years later – and how spinoffs, such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, have been released in recent years. The love keeps pouring in. 

33. Casino Royale (2006)

When James Bond was given his iconic Walther PPK in Dr. No, Sean Connery’s initial incarnation is told the weapon has “a delivery like a brick through a plate glass window.” The same could be said for 2006’s Casino Royale, as the introduction to Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies wasn’t shy about changing things up, and surprising even the most experienced 007 fans with how it would depict Commander Bond’s exploits.

Director Martin Campbell’s franchise reboot was as lean and mean as they come. Casino Royale showed 007 getting his ass handed to him, and his heart broken. Such vulnerability didn’t weaken the character, but rather it humanized him and added a suspense that the Bond movies had lost for some time.

Daniel Craig stepped into the role of the modern James Bond as if it were a tuxedo perfectly tailored for his presence. Wryly funny, yet cold and calculating when he had to pull the trigger, Craig made the role his own from frame one. To see such an iconic series redefined so perfectly, after 20 movies and over four decades of history before it, is something that still astonishes as much now as it did upon initial viewing.

32. Batman Begins (2005)

One of the most notorious bombs in Hollywood history is 1997’s Batman & Robin — a movie that, despite having some fans, is so cartoonishly absurd and dismissive of the source material’s essential themes and tone that it would be the last we would see of one of DC Comics’ most important characters on the big screen for years. The Caped Crusader’s resurgence in cinema — and in modern pop culture — can be traced back to when director Christopher Nolan went back to basics and all the way back to the beginning of his war on crime in Batman Begins.

Christian Bale immediately asserted himself as one of the best actors to play Batman with his grounded and stoic performance as a Bruce Wayne desperate to rescue his beloved Gotham City — one of the most stunningly realistic and effectively grimy depictions of the burdened metropolis — from the cesspool of crime and corruption it has become. While it is not widely considered to be the absolute best of the live-action Batman movies so far (more on that one later), most would agree that Batman Begins is one of the best superhero movies in general for its refreshingly earnest and complex approach to comic book lore, exhilarating action sequences and technical mastery, and reinventing the Dark Knight for a new generation without losing sight of what made him an icon in the first place.

31. Children of Men (2006)

In a dystopian future, environmental malpractice has led to constant war, famine, and total human infertility. So imagine the surprise felt by former political activist Theo Faron (Clive Owen) when he learns that a young female refugee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) is pregnant, and is poised to deliver the first natural childbirth in eighteen years. 

Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron was coming off of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (considered by many to be the best film in that saga) when he unleashed his talents on Children of Men. His breathtaking approach to editing and cinematography propels the action forward at a feverish pitch, with Cuaron often choosing to stage his movements in long, eye-popping, unbroken shots that lure the audience to the edge of their seats. Cuaron says this is a movie about hope, but you have to endure a lot of credible despair to finally unearth it. It’s worth the effort.

30. Ocean's Eleven (2001)

As times change, what’s considered popular is as fluid as water itself. Sometimes a movie can be ahead of the curve in that respect, dictating a whole era of cool in its very existence. Director Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven did just that, as both an uber slick heist movie, and as a modernized remake of a pre-existing film. 

The 1960’s Rat Pack extravaganza about war veterans looking for one big score was turned into a gathering of thieves, assembled by one man (George Clooney) looking for something more than cash. While the stakes were changed, and the number spelled out in the title, this film nailed the breezy energy that made the original so lovely.

Be it an all-star cast including Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Andy Garcia, and Julia Roberts, the insanely slick soundtrack, or even just the way George Clooney could rock a suit without a tie, Ocean’s Eleven doesn’t telegraph its style. It presents it with great confidence, and allows you to decide if it’s worth your while. It’s a love letter to the past, while playing to the viewer of today; with a result as cool as that drink you just ordered at the bar.

29. Chicago (2002)

If you look at just about any list of the best musicals of the 21st century, it’s basically a guarantee that Chicago will be there. The adaptation of Bob Fosse’s long-running musical is one of few musical films to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Catherine Zeta-Jones took home a trophy as well for her stellar performance as the “All That Jazz” singer who killed her husband and sister, Velma Kelly. This film has intrigue, sex, murder, genius performances and a whole lot of jazz, and it's truly a masterful musical adaptation.

Rob Marshall ultimately made a musical that stays true to its stage roots, but also heightens the entire story through movie magic. Take “Cell Block Tango” for example, the majority of the song is performed on a stage, and the women singing about murdering their husbands are in black costumes similar to the wardrobe from Broadway. However, it’s bigger as a whole, and it flashes between the actual prison, and this staged dream-like sequence. By doing this for every number, the film both elevated and paid homage to its predecessor, which is just one of the many reasons it’s so incredible.

28. Iron Man (2008)

From being the first self-financed Marvel Studios production, executives initially being opposed to casting Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, and most of the dialogue being improvised since the script wasn’t finished when production began, there was a lot that could have gone wrong with Iron Man. And yet, the end result stands as a triumph in large part due to Downey’s performance as the genius/billionaire/playboy/philanthropist.

But of course, one can’t discuss Iron Man without addressing how it changed the film franchise game. Once Nick Fury emerged from the shadows and mentioned the Avengers Initiative in the post-credits scene, that was the first big tipoff that this movie was the first chapter in a shared universe, just like in the original Marvel comics. More than a decade later, the MCU still stands as a Hollywood powerhouse, and many franchises, both superhero and from other genres, have followed in its footsteps. 

27. Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

The slacker bastard child of George Romero's Dead films and Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later, Shaun of the Dead is a rarity in cinema, and not just for having the gall to sacrifice the soundtrack to 1989's Batman. It's a largely perfect amalgam of authenticity and parodical storytelling, anchored to the comedic whims and wiles of  director Edgar Wright, his co-writer Simon Pegg,  and Pegg’s co-star Nick Frost. As it goes with that trio’s other film on this list (see #65), Shaun’s biggest strength is its characters who feel real enough to legitimize the zombie apocalypse chaos, while also making viewers care about them even when the gory threats aren’t around the corner.

Shaun of the Dead may go down as the funniest horror movie to have ever existed, while also delivering some genuinely disturbing moments throughout that keep the adventure from falling too far into the funnies. Simon Pegg even transcends the dual genre description by spinning palpable emotion out of his struggle to prioritize the safety of his relationship, his BFF, and his mom. And if that wasn’t enough, it allowed moviegoers to spend some time in the Winchester, and that’s a slice of fried gold that makes everyone’s life better.

26. Moon (2009)

Whenever we sit down for a sci-fi film, especially one that takes place on a remote station somewhere away from our planet, we all know that we’re in for a twisty tale, and Moon certainly fulfills that promise. Duncan Jones’ 2009 directorial debut (he also came up with the story) focuses on Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), the lone human working a mostly automated mining facility on the far side of the moon, who begins to have troubling hallucinations as he nears the end of his work contract.

What follows is surprising, as not only does the story take several intriguingly unexpected turns, but it also examines what it’s like to be isolated from others (including loved ones), holding on to a sense of community, and one’s willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. Throw in a creepy AI, which can’t quite be determined as a helper or a hindrance for a time, and you get science fiction gold.

25. The Incredibles (2004)

Released during the early years of the superhero movie’s surging popularity, The Incredibles still holds up tremendously after all this time, despite so many other offerings from Marvel, DC and other studios being delivered nearly two decades after its release. To be sure, Pixar’s sixth full-length feature does a spectacular job at both honoring classic superhero stories and tropes, as well as poking fun at them, including the hilarious ‘no capes’ gag. But The Incredibles’ greatest feat isn’t how it handles these larger-than-life elements, but rather how it makes these characters feel relatable and complex in the midst of the action.

From Bob and Helen Parr being concerned about their children’s welfare, whether they’re living everyday life in suburbia or fighting bad guys in costume, to understanding that Syndrome’s sinister motivations stem from the hurt he endured as an adolescent, The Incredibles never pushes aside its humanity in favor of spectacle; instead, they compliment each other quite nicely. Throw in outstanding vocal performances from actors like Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter, and Brad Bird excelling as both the director and screenwriter, this movie stands out not just as a superhero movie, but as one of the greatest entries in Pixar’s library.

24. Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Join Us In Creating Excellence. More powerful than any anti-drug ad, Requiem for a Dream hit theaters in 2000 and has stood the test of time as possibly the most affecting portrayal of addiction to date. Based on the Hubert Selby Jr. book of the same name, Darren Aronofsky’s film explores more than just the heroin addictions of Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans’ characters. Ellen Burstyn’s obsession with being on television and fitting into her red dress is haunting, and there’s no questioning why the role earned her an Academy Award nomination.

The work behind the camera was equal to the all-around horrifying performances, as Darren Aronofsky and cinematographer Matthew Libatique added to the story in how every shot was framed, the choreography of the characters’ movements, and the use of sound effects and split screens. The score was worthy of praise all on its own, with "Lux Aeterna" — the song that played over the climax of the film — leaving such an impression that it has gone on to be re-orchestrated for several other movie and video game trailers. 

Combine all of this and add a little of Christopher McDonald’s Tappy Tibbons J.U.I.C.E., and you’ve got a real feel-bad movie that may never fully leave you.

23. Oldboy (2003)

Because many have such good storylines, South Korean films have become some of the biggest international movies.. A few examples could be Parasite and The Wailing. One movie in particular stands above many of them, and that's Oldboy. 

Directed by Park Chan-wook, the film is loosely based on the Japanese manga of the same name and focuses on Dae-su, a man imprisoned in a cell that looks like a hotel room, for fifteen years, without knowing who the person was behind his capture. But when he gets his chance at freedom, he makes it his mission to find out who committed the crime all those years ago – only to find out there is much more to his imprisonment than he thought. 

Oldboy is incredible. The action scenes are probably some of the best recorded on a movie screen and have been imitated many times – just the corridor fight scene itself is enough to satisfy any action-movie fan. The story is intriguing all the way until the end, which will blow the minds of first-time viewers. Truly, Oldboy is a staple of the South Korean film industry – and a fantastic movie of the 2000s. 

22. Collateral (2004)

Michael Mann had already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest directors in the world of crime thrillers, but he further made a case for himself with his 2004 thriller, Collateral. Clocking in at exactly two hours, this cool, violent, and ruthless neo-noir classic not only sees one of the best Jamie Foxx performances with his portrayal of cab driver Max (a role that should have earned him an Oscar), it also introduces one of Tom Cruise’s most unhinged characters: Vincent, a mysterious and deadly assassin.

Cruise, who was coming off movies like Minority Report and The Last Samurai, is incredibly refreshing as the film’s antagonist, and it shows a side of the star that audiences don’t get to see as much. Seeing the actor’s undeniable charm and big-screen energy used to breathe life into someone who is pure evil is quite the experience, and really messes with the viewers’ mindset. In addition to actors like Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, and Jada Pinkett Smith, the movie also treats the city of Los Angeles less like a backdrop and more as another character, one that feels more alive as the story goes on, much like Mann’s 1995 heist film, Heat.

21. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Since the early days of moviemaking, Walt Disney’s viewpoint of the fairytale has had a stake in popular culture. It’s G-rated, soft and sweet, and there’s always a happy ending. Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth brings to life a fairytale that redefined what a fantasy movie can look like with its distinct and unforgettable vision. Set in 1944 Spain as the country picks up the pieces of the Spanish Civil War, the R-rated fantasy film follows a young girl named Ofelia as she faces the violent reality of the Francoist period and stumbles upon a dark wonderland in the shadows (or at least the shadows of her imagination). 

As del Toro was coming off two more commercial movies in Blade II and Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth is a breathtaking highlight in an all-time great filmmaker’s career. Across two hours, the Spanish-language movie brings to life an extraordinary vision that beautifully balances being twisted and innocent all at once with memorable horror, gore, mythical creations and a ton of gorgeous practical creature effects. How does he balance a magical quest with political drama? Some especially memorable words in Pan’s Labyrinth answers that question: If “door is locked,” one must “create your own.” In a landscape where fairytales can be predictable, del Toro opened a wonderfully defiant world of his own with Pan’s Labyrinth.

20. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) And Vol. 2 (2004)

After turning the heist movie on its head with 1992’s Reservoir Dogs, and changing the way audiences perceive movies in general (and winning a screenwriting Oscar) with 1994’s Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino very quickly made himself into one of the most unique and esteemed icons of the medium. However, after releasing his 1997 Elmore Leonard adaptation, Jackie Brown, we would not see him direct anything for another six years. Little did we know that he was planning to come back with something big — so big, that just one movie was not enough to tell the story. Based on a character Tarantino created with star Uma Thurman on the Pulp Fiction set, Kill Bill follows a deadly assassin initially known only as The Bride — one of the greatest female action heroes — who wakes up from a four-year coma with a furious urge to punish those who tried to put her to sleep permanently, with her former boss (David Carradine) being the primary target. 

For years, it was debated whether or not the stylistically disparate halves of the story — with Vol. 1 being an ode to ‘70s kung fu movies and Vol. 2 counting as Tarantino’s first western, essentially — should count as one film. Well, even if the director had never officially clarified that he does see Kill Bill as one movie, we still would have designated one spot for both volumes of this exquisitely crafted, gorgeously choreographed, visually and emotionally breathtaking epic on this list, because that is the only way to experience "the whole bloody affair.” 

• A Kill Bill Quote To Remember: “That's right. I killed your master. And now I'm gonna kill you too, with your own sword, no less, which in the very immediate future, will become... my sword.” (The Bride)

19. Training Day (2001)

In 100 years, when film historians look back to determine why Denzel Washington was considered one of the best actors of his generation, director Antoine Fuqua's Training Day should be at the top of any screening list. Detective Alonzo Harris is a special kind of monster, and Washington’s work offers incredible escalation and power. At first, he just seems like a hardened detective who has made some scary discoveries about how best to patrol the city of Los Angeles, but he becomes a whole different kind of beast by the end – one that King Kong ain’t got nothin’ on.

But while Training Day features an all-time great performance from one of the all-time great actors, not to be ignored is just how terrific the movie as a whole is. Ethan Hawke is also at the top of his game as up-and-coming officer Jake Hoyt, who faces death and peril as he slowly understands the real game that Alonzo is playing, and David Ayer’s screenplay is special – packing the believable character arcs and growing stakes into a limited 24-hour time frame. Even on the tenth viewing it is successful at raising your pulse and getting you to invest in the protagonist’s peril, and that’s the mark of a truly great thriller.

• A Training Day Quote To Remember: “You gotta control your smiles and cries, because that's all you have and nobody can take that away from you.” (Jake Hoyt)

18. The Wrestler (2008)

Still considered one of the best movies of 2008 more than a decade later, Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler is a grueling battle royale of emotions that doesn’t pull any punches with its story about a broken-down professional wrestler looking for one last shot at redemption. Channeling both the triumph and tragedy, and the agony and ecstasy of putting one’s life on the line day-in and day-out for decades, Mickey Rourke gave audiences the performance of a lifetime with his portrayal of washed-up wrestler, Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a one-time larger-than-life titan caught somewhere between his past and uncertain future.

There are a lot of parallels between the character and Rouke’s own journey in this semi-autobiographical drama, which adds a tremendous amount of depth to not only his performance, but also the movie in general. Though wrestling is often considered a fake sport, Rourke’s performance and Aronofsky’s commitment to portraying the industry in an honest and genuine light is incredibly real. The physical, mental, and emotional pain can be felt in each of Randy’s movements, heard in his voice, and seen in his eyes as the former champ wrestles in high school gyms and attempts to make ends meet by taking on shifts at a local grocery store deli. Then there are the religious allegories that are explored through Randy’s character, as well as Marisa Tomei’s Cassidy, which make it all even more potent.

• A The Wrestler Quote To Remember: “I'll tell you somethin', I hate the fuckin' 90's.” (Randy Robinson)

17. Finding Nemo (2003)

Pixar has created some of the greatest animated films of all time, and Finding Nemo may be the studio’s true crowning achievement. It is as beautifully animated as it is emotionally powerful. The undersea world of Nemo is gorgeous simply to look at, and that’s just as true today as it was when the film was released. 

2003's Finding Nemo’s voice casting is second to none. Nobody does neurotic like Albert Brooks. Nobody can play clueless like Ellen DeGeneres. Nobody plays a tough guy of questionable sanity like Willem Dafoe. These are the actors you would cast if you were telling this story in live-action, and they bring it all to the voice performances in a way that truly brings these characters to life.

And Finding Nemo is able to balance its emotional extremes perfectly. We’re used to Pixar movies making us cry but years before Up, Finding Nemo opened with an incredibly heartbreaking moment. But after that, it’s able to be hilarious, scary, and even exciting. Finally, it concludes with the sort of resolution that stands the test of time, as young children will see the film and relate with Nemo, then grow up, and begin to understand Marlin in a new way.  Nemo does it all, not bad for a clownfish with a bad fin. 

• A Finding Nemo Quote To Remember: “Of course I like you. It’s because I like you, I don’t want to be with you. It’s a complicated emotion.” (Marlin)

16. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

“I think this just might be my masterpiece.” That’s the final line in writer/director Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, and coming as it does at the end of 153 minutes of perfection, it’s hard not to read it as a message directly from the filmmaker to the audience. In 2009, Tarantino was coming off of a low point in his career with the disappointing theatrical release of Grindhouse, but his follow-up is a phenomenal World War II epic that only he could make: Nazi-killing action packaged in a love letter to cinema.

Two stories – the revenge of Mélanie Laurent's Shosanna Dreyfus and the mission of the titular troop – play out in parallel with equal captivating energy right up until they collide in the (literally) explosive finale. While there isn’t a star in the expansive ensemble who doesn’t deliver a memorable performance (from Brad Pitt to Michael Fassbender to even Mike Myers), there isn’t a person who can watch the film and not walk away mesmerized by the work done by Christoph Waltz in his star-making turn as Hans Landa. It’s not an easy thing to blend a vibe of dastardly evil with sharp charisma, but Waltz is a force in the role, and it remains the best thing he has done in his career.

• An Inglourious Basterds Quote To Remember: “Well, you don't got to be Stonewall Jackson to know you don't want to fight in a basement.” (Lt. Aldo Raine)

15. Spirited Away (2001)

Studio Ghibli is one of the world's most-known anime film studios. Co-founded by legendary anime director Hayao Miyazaki, the studio has created some of the best anime films of all time, one of which is Spirited Away – which Hayao Miyazaki directed. 

Spirited Away is about a journey into the spirit world following the young Chihiro. Taking place in Japan, we follow the little girl, who happens to be moving to a new neighborhood with her family. When her parents decide to take a shortcut to their new home and explore what looks to be an abandoned amusement park, Chihiro is forced to go along. However, there's magic everywhere, and her mom and dad turn into pigs against their will for eating a gluttonous feast. For her to get them back, she must work for the spirits in the bathhouse, so they can return to the human world. 

The premise itself sounds like a lot at first, but it's become Studio Ghibli’s – and Hayao Miyazaki's – highest-grossing film. It’s also the only anime film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the only hand-drawn film (so far) to accomplish the task. The movie features themes about love and learning to grow up and be brave. It's the perfect gateway movie into the anime film – indeed, one of the best movies of the 2000s. 

• A Spirited Away Quote To Remember: “I don't need any help; this place is full of soot.” (Kamaji)

14. The Prestige (2006)

The Prestige is a battle of wills between two talented and irreparably flawed magicians, who can’t stay out of each other’s lives. Their differing roles in a shared tragedy push them apart and then repeatedly back together, as their initial determination to succeed steadily gives way to an obsession for vengeance. That obsession drives them to sacrifice and abandon everything healthy about their lives until they’re each left with only a singular drive to sabotage the other.

Based on that description, The Prestige sounds like a really dark movie. In many ways, it is, but in director Christopher Nolan’s hands, it’s also often really fun. It has a sense of wonder and mystery about it, as it not only dives into the idiosyncrasies of magic but also the exciting possibilities of science in the 1890s and early 1900s. It was a time and place in which anything felt possible, and you really feel that hopeful uncertainty thanks to a timeline that jumps to and fro and fantastic performances from Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall and a perfectly cast David Bowie as Nikola Tesla. Like a great magic trick, the first time you watch The Prestige, you’re fascinated by the spectacle and simply along for the ride. Then every time you rewatch it afterwards, you’re blown away by all the subtle skill required to pull it off.

• A The Prestige Quote To Remember: “Nobody cares about the man in the box.” (Robert Angier)

13. There Will Be Blood (2007)

Looking back, 2007 was one of the best movie years in recent memory, considering classics like No Country For Old Men, Zodiac, and Superbad all premiered on the big screen. But one of the biggest, baddest, and most arresting of those releases was Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood. An epic period drama about oilman Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) doing everything in his power and stepping on anyone in his way in his quest for wealth in the early 20th-century oil boom, the movie is a deep and vast exploration of a man’s psyche and desire to become the biggest player in the game.

While Day-Lewis’s performance is tremendous and more than deserving of the Oscar he received, it’s made even better thanks to his character’s conflict with Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), a religious zealot who is just as tenacious and hungry for power as his counterpart. Several of the movie’s most iconic scenes (like the oil-town baptism and shocking ending sequence) are the result of the actor’s tremendous chemistry and ability to play off each other’s words. The pair, who get along like oil and holy water, create a dynamic that’s not quite a battle between good and evil, but instead something much deeper than that, which adds another level to this incredible cinematic achievement.

• A There Will Be Blood Quote To Remember: “You're an orphan from a basket in the middle of the desert, and I took you for no other reason than I needed a sweet face to buy land.” (Daniel)

12. In Bruges (2008)

Prior to 2008, Martin McDonagh was established as a talented and popular playwright, but he had ambitions to make his way into movies. In 2004, he directed the incredible short film Six Shooter (which won an Academy Award), and then he moved to features. He made his debut with In Bruges, and anyone who saw it instantly recognized McDonagh’s potential to become one of the best filmmakers working today (potential he has made good on with the genius of Seven Psychopaths, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and The Banshees of Inisherin).

In Bruges takes a high concept premise – two hitman hide out in Belgium waiting for instructions after a job goes bad – and weaves a remarkable meditation on life and death. It’s a dark comedy (and a hilarious one at that), but it has a beautiful blend of tones that radiate from the genius work of stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. Farrell and Gleeson have a unique chemistry that works on both comedic and dramatic levels (it’s far from a mystery why McDonagh reunited them for The Banshees of Inisherin) and the bizarrely rage and logic-filled energy that Fiennes brings in the third act is icing on the cake.

• An In Bruges Quote To Remember: “I kinda like hearing people having sex. Means at least somebody around here's happy.” (Ray)

11. Almost Famous (2000)

If a 15-year-old going on tour with a raucous rock band wasn’t enough of a hook, Almost Famous also happens to have one of the most memorable posters/ DVD box covers of all time. It focuses on the enigmatic Penny Lane, the heroine of Cameron Crowe’s film, whom everyone loves to love and admire and most don’t bother to understand. With distinct shades and tendrils of blonde hair, she draws you into her world of Humble Pie and heartbreak, and in between commentary on what made the ’70s the ’70s and a slick soundtrack including Led Zeppelin, The Who and of course Elton John, she helps turn the film into one of the best of the 2000s.

It’s a career-defining performance for Kate Hudson, and she’s not the only one who delivers. Jason Lee grows a mustache and long hair to fall into his hilarious lead singer role while Billy Crudup is similarly unrecognizable as the talented and moody Russell Hammond. Patrick Fugit plays William Miller, younger than most but wiser than some, and he finds a terrific foil in Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays famed music writer Lester Bangs. Throw in great work from Frances McDormand, Zooey Deschanel and even Jimmy Fallon and it’s a masterclass of terrific performances. If it’s been a while since you’ve revisited the movie, maybe throw on some purple-tinted sunglasses and kick back to the tune of Simon & Garfunkel’s “America.” Settle in, you’re almost home.

• An Almost Famous Quote To Remember: “If you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. If you never get hurt, you always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, you just go to the record store and visit your friends.” (Penny Lane)

10. No Country For Old Men (2007)

No matter what kind of film genre is up for discussion, the power and breadth of the Coen Brothers' filmography is worthy of inclusion, and they don't make 'em much better than 2007's No Country for Old Men. An adaptation of Carmac McCarthy’s 2005 novel that’s every bit as faithful as it is chilling, the film meticulously dips its toes most heavily into the cinematic waters of crime thrillers and westerns. That said, Javier Bardem’s unflinching hitman, Anton Chigurh, would be at home in any horror narrative, with his Two-Face-esque coin flips and an unstoppable drive that rivals Jason Voorhees or Michael Meyers. At least if a big ol’ stack of cash was also their end goal.

Despite being one of Joel and Ethan Coen’s driest films regarding their signature screwball humor, the movie is an exercise in tension that thrives on its lack of levity, though it’s hard not to smile whenever Woody Harrelson is on the screen in any capacity. With a stellar cast including Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt and more, No Country for Old Men is, to date, the only Coen brothers masterpiece to win them the Oscars for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture, with Bardem taking the gold for Best Supporting Actor. It’s not the awards that best signify its impact, however, but the bolt pistol gripped in Chigurh’s ever-steady hand.

• A No Country For Old Men Quote To Remember: “Well all the time ya spend trying to get back what's been took from ya, more is going out the door. After a while you just have to try to get a tourniquet on it.” (Ellis)

9. Memento (2000)

Talk about a movie that you definitely need to watch without your phone in your hand. Christopher Nolan’s Memento is a mind-bending combination of different angles that demands and deserves your entire attention. The story is told backward, broken up by clips of a black and white, forward-moving montage of a mysterious one-sided phone call in a hotel, led by Guy Pearce, whose character Leonard, also happens to have anterograde (or short-term) amnesia, stopping our protagonist from creating new memories as he looks for his wife’s killer, who also gave him this debilitating injury.

As mentioned, Nolan basically begins at the end and works his way back, for the most part. The juxtaposition of the timelines bring the audience into the obvious confusion that Leonard lives with every day. "Even if you get revenge, you're not going to remember it," he's told by his new friend Teddy (played by Joe Pantoliano) but his reply shows just how far his love and determination will go, stating "My wife deserves revenge whether or not I remember it."  Toss in Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss) to add some confusing sympathy (or treachery) and you will probably want a second viewing just to wrap your mind around what you might have initially dismissed as unimportant plot points from this Nolan classic. You’ll notice that Nolan has popped up numerous times on this list (and rightfully so) and he has also once again recently hit it out of the park with 2023’s Oppenheimer.  

• A Memento Quote To Remember: “So you lie to yourself to be happy. There’s nothing wrong with that. We all do it.” (Teddy G.)

8. Wall-E (2008)

Do you know who is a genius? Sound designer Ben Burtt. You might not know his name, but you certainly know the movies he contributed to over the years, including Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and 2009’s Star Trek. Burtt designed the “vocals” for R2-D2, Darth Vader’s heavy breathing, and the “voice” of E.T. But, his work truly soared when he lent dialogue to the adorable Waste Allocation Load Lifter assigned to an abandoned Earth. MIraculously, the first half of Pixar’s ingenious WALL-E works as a silent film, following our main character as it goes about its daily routine with a pet cockroach in tow. WALL-E’s life is upended when another robot named EVE arrives, searching for any sign of life. 

From there, the fate of humanity starts to be revealed, and it’s rather grim. Director Andrew Stanton’s animation for the film ranks as some of Pixar’s most magnificent, embracing the scorched orange of a deserted Earth and then painting with vivid colors for WALL-E’s eventual outer-space adventure. The environmental messages of the film are important without ever being preachy. And, the eventual romance felt and shared by WALL-E and EVE will lift every single heart, with the lovers sharing hardly any words. 

• A Wall-E Quote To Remember: “I see the ship's log is showing that today is the 700th anniversary of our five year cruise. Well, I'm sure our forefathers would be proud to know that 700 years later we'd be... doing the exact same thing they were doing.” (Captain B. McCrea)

7. The Departed (2006)

There are crime films and then there are Martin Scorsese crime films, and when it comes to The Departed, the director doesn’t let us down. A remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, the 2006 movie gives us a range of characters to root for, root against or simply watch just to see what they’ll do or say next. That includes Leonardo DiCaprio’s undercover cop character Billy Costigan, Matt Damon’s sneaky, spying Colin Sullivan, Jack Nicholson’s mob boss character Frank Costello, and Vera Farmiga’s well-meaning therapist Dr. Madolyn Madden. To say that things get complicated might be understating it, but it’s the complexity of the characters and their roles in this story that makes The Departed such a fantastic and gripping movie from beginning to end. 

In a way, it’s all business for everyone involved, but it’s also personal for each character on some level or another. It’s impossible not to feel anxious for DiCaprio’s character as he attempts to navigate the criminal world without being caught for who he really is, just as it’s impossible not to grow increasingly frustrated by Matt Damon’s character for posing as an upstanding law enforcer who’s actually up to no good. It’s thrilling, stressful, riveting and ultimately satisfying, and that’s not even factoring in Mark Wahlberg’s character every time he has something to say (that’s just a bonus). 

• A The Departed Quote To Remember: “You know what I like about restaurants? . . . You can learn a lot, watching things eat.” (Frank Costello)

6. Best In Show (2000)

Nobody does mockumentaries like Christopher Guest, and 2000’s Best in Show is an absolute masterclass. The mundane musings of everyday conversation combine with outlandish characters and awkward situations to deliver one of the best movies of the decade. The dog show is the event that brings these unique and individually brilliant characters under one roof, but it’s no Maguffin. As bonkers as each dog-lover’s trip is to get to the show, everything is turned up to 11, if you will, when they all come together, and the event itself is perfectly colored by Fred Willard’s commentary.

There’s a reason this phenomenal cast has stuck together to appear in other projects. The chemistry between Eugene Levy’s Gerry and Catherine O’Hara’s Cookie (with her “hundreds” of boyfriends) left people begging for more, which they got in A Mighty Wind. Jennifer Coolidge was excellent in her attempts to substantiate her marriage to her ancient sugar daddy husband by saying they bonded over a love of soup and the ability to “not talk or talk forever.” The genius casting of John Michael Higgins and Michael McKean gave audiences the married couple they never knew they needed. 

Best in Show exploits the banal in some situations while heightening reality in others, to where Harlan Pepper naming nuts and the couple describing how they met at Starbucks (but two different Starbucks) land laughs just as hard as Gerry’s literal two left feet or Cookie walking with her knee out of socket.

• A Best In Show Quote To Remember: “Why don’t they put the bloodhound — put on one of those Sherlock Holmes hats and put a little pipe in his mouth? Are they ever allowed to do anything like that? Dress up the dog in a funny way? It would really get the crowd going. You know what I mean? The Sherlock Holmes hat with a pipe. I don’t know if you could make it look like smoke is coming out of the pipe.” (Buck Laughlin)

5. Zodiac (2007)

David Fincher’s greatest accomplishment, and that’s saying a lot. The director has spent countless hours analyzing the compulsion that drives people to seek the truth – be it lawyers parsing through statements to figure out who invented Facebook (The Social Network), or detectives tracking a serial killer who is inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins (Seven). But Zodiac is Fincher’s magnum opus, an engrossing true-crime thriller based on the books of Robert Graysmith tracking the diligent work of three men consumed by the search for the identity of the Zodiac Killer. 

Jake Gyllanhaal serves as the ideal audience surrogate, a puzzle designer for the San Francisco Chronicle who gets swept up in the mystery of the serial killer, who antagonized the police and the media as he committed vicious murders around San Francisco in the 1970s, Fincher painstakingly recreates the time period with breathtaking visuals and top-notch costuming and set design. His emphasis on the bustle of a newsroom is particularly spot on. The film also lingers in the haze of fear, anxiety, and suspense that comes from a killer on the loose. But it’s the supporting roles of Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo, as well as an inability to truly deliver a concrete ending, that makes Zodiac such a rewatchable movie, and a captivating masterpiece.

• A Zodiac Quote To Remember: “I am not the Zodiac. And if I was, I certainly wouldn't tell you.” (Arthur Leigh Allen)

4. Mean Girls (2004)

From wearing pink on Wednesdays to shouting “You go Glen Coco” it’s undeniable that Mean Girls has seriously influenced pop culture over the last (almost) two decades. So, “get in loser,” it’s time to appreciate this beloved coming-of-age comedy from Tina Fey.

This movie is a classic teenage tale about a girl who moves from Africa to the United States where she experiences the rude awakening that is high school by way of The Plastics. While it’s your typical coming-of-age story, it’s infused with the signature sense of humor from Fey – who was in the midst of her legendary run at Saturday Night Live – and it shows the high school experience in a totally unique way with a cast of characters played by actors who have since become icons. 

Not only did the film solidify Lindsay Lohan as an early 2000s star, it also simultaneously jumpstarted the careers of many in the Mean Girls cast, including little known actresses like Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried. On top of that, its legacy has lived on, as it was adapted into a Broadway musical, and is eventually coming back to the screen with an adaptation of said stage production. To say this film is a quintessential 2000s classic almost feels like an understatement because of the lasting impact it has managed to have on people of all ages since its release in 2004. 

• A Mean Girls Quote To Remember: "She doesn't even go here!" (Damian)

3. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

You could argue that Jim Carrey makes much better dramatic movies than he does comedic features. And that opinion is coming from someone who adores Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, as well as Dumb & Dumber. But when you factor in the dramatic detours he embarked on for The Truman Show, Man on the Moon, and this incredible romance, you begin to wonder how many Oscars Carrey might have if he got the industry to treat him seriously, instead of talking out of his ass (literally). 

Carrey and Kate Winslet are magnificent as Joel and Clementine, two soul mates who undergo a radical procedure to have their memories of each other erased after a bitter argument. Only screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) could keep such a twisty premise from flying off the rails. And while the side-mission actions of the memory technicians can get a little silly, we remain wholly invested in Joel and Clementine’s complicated journey because of the heartbroken and beautiful chemistry shared between Carrey and Winslet. It’s a real challenge presented to these stars, as we’re not supposed to know whether Joel and Clementine are better off together or apart. But the satisfying resolution says as much about fate as it does about the existence of true love, so long as we remember how and when to look for it.

• An Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind Quote To Remember: “Constantly talking isn’t necessarily communicating.” (Joel Barish)

2. The Dark Knight (2008)

It’s been said before, but it’ll be said again – The Dark Knight is one of the greatest superhero films (and one of the greatest movies) ever made. Christopher Nolan’s ambition as a filmmaker has been well-noted, but even he outdid himself with his 2008 follow-up to 2005’s Batman Begins. The second chapter in the journey of Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne sees the iconic DC Comics hero going up against the dangerous and unpredictable Joker. All the while, the Caped Crusader and his allies must also contend with mob bosses and Harvey Dent, Gotham City’s honorable district attorney who becomes the deformed Two-Face.

Where does one even start when it comes to singing this movie’s praises? There’s the impeccable screenplay, massive set pieces, engrossing score and much more. Yet I suppose what stands out the most are the performances, especially that of the late Heath Ledger. The actor, who posthumously won an Oscar for his work, fully committed to his role as the Clown Prince of Crime and is absolutely mesmerizing. His villainous turn is just one of the many reasons why Nolan’s film is a thrilling and compelling piece of work that’s still incredibly entertaining now, over a decade later.

• A The Dark Knight Quote To Remember: “Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it! You know, I just...do things.” (The Joker)

1. City Of God (2002)

Making its Brazil and festival run in 2002 and eventually hitting theaters in the U.S. and elsewhere  in the year that followed, Fernando Meirelles’ City of God, based on Paulo Lins’ semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, served as an inflection point in the world of cinema and served as a preview of what the the next few years would look like. Told through the eyes of young photographer Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues), the movie explores the life of street kids in the Cidade de Deus (City of God) favela in Rio de Janeiro, an expansive slum filled with endless supplies of drugs, ruthless gangsters, and corrupt cops who allow the madness to continue. One of the most violent movies of the 2000s, City of God is a lesson in brutality, especially whenever depicting the exploits of Li’l Dice (Douglas Silva), a ruthless and sociopathic young criminal who stops at nothing in his quest for complete control. Oddly enough, the older version of the character known as Li’l Ze (Leandro Firmino) never comes off as cold blooded as his younger self, which further illustrates the movie’s point about youth and violence. 

At the same time, City of God is also one of the most beautiful movies of the 2000s, and not just on an aesthetic level (though César Charlone’s cinematography is out of this world). The endearing spirit of those who wish to escape a life of crime, ranging from Rocket to the ill-fated drug dealer Benny (Phellipe Haagensen), adds a level of heart and soul one may not expect from a two-hour crime drama about young criminals with short fuses and, in many cases, tragically  shorter lifespans. 

• A City Of God Quote To Remember: “You need more than guts to be a good gangster; you need ideas.” (Rocket)

How we put this list together

Using a combination of internal recommendations and other best of lists, we compiled a spreadsheet of all the movies from the 2000s that we considered to be culturally relevant and/or critically well-reviewed. We pushed together some multi-part movies like Kill Bill and Lord Of The Rings and then had our staff of almost 30 go through and assign a score for each movie they’ve seen based on their own personal opinions. We disqualified any movies that didn’t get a minimum number of ratings and dropped the lowest score for each, as if we were judging a figure skating competition. We then ordered the top 100 based on average score and had someone who gave that movie a particularly high score write up a paragraph explaining what’s so great about it. This rigorous scientific process resulted in Idiocracy being slotted at 101, an omission I’m still furious about.

While it seemed like the Saw franchise might continue veering into new and different directions following the release of 2021’s Spiral, any such expectations were flipped on their heads with the upcoming arrival of Saw X. The latest project from returning director Kevin Greutert will feature the longtime star Tobin Bell reprising the role of John “Jigsaw” Kramer, this time for a story that’s outwardly being promoted as a prequel narrative set between the timelines of the first two films. And we now have our best idea yet of what to expect, thanks to the release of Saw X’s first trailer.

After watching the preview for the upcoming horror movie, which is now set to release in September after it was shifted forward from its Halloween week premiere, I have some questions about how the story will shake out for Jigsaw, his victims, and the apprentice(s) we’ll see. Check out the trailer again, or for the first time, and join me in pondering a few things below. 

How Much Will We See Of Shawnee Smith's Amanda?

Saw X’s first trailer confirmed beyond the mask of a pig, er, beyond the shadow of a doubt that Shawnee Smith’s Amanda Young is back in action as one of Jigsaw’s most doting apprentices. But since she only shows up for the briefest of seconds in the promo, one has to wonder how much we’ll see of her in the prequel. Considering Amanda’s involvement isn’t being set up as a surprise third-act reveal, that could mean she’ll pop up early on and will work closely with John. Perhaps fans will see more of what caused Amanda to start shifting away from her mentor’s teachings to aim for more intentionally violent traps and schemes.

What Other Saw Characters Will Return?

With Saw X taking place early on in this franchise’s timeline, the chances are high for other longtime characters to pop up in some capacity. With Amanda already checked off, the next most likely return we’ll see would be from Cary Elwes’ Dr. Lawrence Gordon, the focus of the first film whose return in Saw 3D confirmed he’d been working with John since being nursed back to health. (He might not even be back to feeling healthy, depending on how far after the first film’s events this takes place.) 

Other than Lawrence, the sequel could also feature Matt Passmore’s Dr. Logan Nelson, the physician who accidentally sealed John’s cancer-ridden fate with an X-ray mix-up. His existence was only revealed in Jigsaw, so this could allow for the franchise to play up how involved he was with Jigsaw’s trap construction and setting up the victims. Obviously there are plenty of other surprise characters who could show up, but the trailer does also seem to feature dialogue delivered by Costas Mandylor’s Detective Mark Hoffman, whose five-film stretch went from Saw III through Saw 3D. So will he be back as well?

How Will Saw X Reference The First Two Films?

One of the weird joys of the Saw franchise is seeing all the wacky connections the screenwriters make with each successive film. With this being a prequel, it’d take a lot of work to make a Spiral reference work, but fans can no doubt expect plenty of direct connections to James Wan’s initial entry and its Darren Lynn Bousman-helmed sequel. Hopefully there will be something fresh involved, since we’ve seen quite a bit from that early era already. I’d put money on the upcoming tenth film ending with someone from Team Jigsaw setting up the peephole-gun trap that kills Tony Nappo’s Gus in the second film. 

How Will Saw X Add Fresh Context To John Kramer's Legacy?

Is it just me, or is it bizarre for a film franchise to devote this many movies to justifying a monster's sadistic crimes while at the same time showing off more of his monstrous actions. Saw X is being touted as a personal tale for Jigsaw, and will take place at a Mexican medical facility where he went for an experimental procedure to cure his cancer, only to realize it was all a scam. So viewers already know going in why and how John was screwed over, and why and how he's going about avenging such wrongdoing. 

And so, coupled with the fact that this trailer seems to show off a lot of what we can expect to see regarding the medical staff, I'm confused about how this prequel will add anything necessary to Jigsaw's lore. Unless, of course, the plot synopsis is only offering up part of what fans will see in the finalized film, with the story going in different and unknown directions later in its runtime. There will obviously be a big twist, as is the norm, but wouldn't it be cool if the twist was that the trailer only showed off what happens in the first 10 minutes of the movie?

Has John Kramer Ever Has A Positive Experience With Medical Professionals?

To piggyback off of the previous entry, maybe Saw X's endgame twist is that everything we know about John's life has been a lie, and the reality is that all of the doctors, nurses, and medical examiners he's ever dealt with were completely honest professionals who never mishandled anything, and delivered the best service and advice possible. It's just been the Jigsaw part of John's brain making him think that all of these people are responsible for his trunctated lifespan. 

But since that's probably not going to happen, I do have to wonder if there's an idea for a scene out in the ethers in which John has a rash, goes to a clinic for the rash, and gets some medicated cream that clears it up immediately. It's not a good scene, I'l agree, but this franchise has been shockingly fixated on making sure roughly half of Jigsaw's targets come from the medical world. He could have feasibly just made that his whole gimmick. If only Leigh Whannell had just made the educated guess in 2004 that the first film would lead to a follow-up 19 years later that would directly follow those initial events, while also incorporating all of the details from the other 8 films that hadn't come out yet. 

Most of the above questions will be answered when Saw X hits theaters on Friday, September 29, 2023. While waiting, check out where to stream the first nine Saw films, including Jigsaw and Spiral. 

In the early 2000s, the Saw franchise became a tradition for All Hollows Eve, as it released each of its first seven installments in October. Now, the chilling world of Jigsaw is ready to make its mark on the horror genre once again, even if it's straying from the Halloween season. Fans are overjoyed as the long-awaited trailer for the tenth installment, Saw X, has finally been released. Social media is abuzz with excitement over the 2023 new movie release, particularly because it teases the return of a specific character -- and no, it's not the returning Tobin Bell.

In the newly released trailer, fans are thrilled by what appears to be the haunting voiceover of a familiar character and one of the best Jigsaw apprentices: Detective Lieutenant Mark Hoffman. Played by Costas Mandylor, the second apprentice to John Kramer played a significant role in the franchise, serving as both a secondary antagonist in Saw IV and the main antagonist in Saw V, VI, and 3D. Interestingly, a line of dialogue in the trailer seems to be delivered in Costas Mandylor's voice. There's also a gripping scene where a character seems to be kidnapped by someone with a notably large hand, most likely belonging to the cop-turned-villain himself.

Twitter erupted with excitement, and fans couldn't contain their joy over the potential return of Mark Hoffman. User @isaacmajn tweeted:

Similarly, @bloodiedcandy expressed their enthusiasm with a hilarious meme. They’re convinced of the actor's return being teased in the trailer, and you can see the humorous photo they used to express their excitement below:

Another user, @ghostfacewayne, declared it the best day ever. They posted to social media:

One particular moment from the trailer that caught the attention of fans was the chilling line delivered by a mysterious voice, "Of all the men to cheat, you picked John Kramer." Many are convinced that the voice belongs to none other than Hoffman himself. Twitter user @MichaelxMyersx exclaimed:

The speculation surrounding the pig mask-wearing baddy’s return has ignited discussions on the interwebs. According to user @STC9892, they’re dissecting every second of the trailer, hunting for more clues and hints about the character's involvement in the upcoming film. They wrote:

As the beloved horror franchise approaches its 20th anniversary, Saw X aims to deliver the spine-chilling frights and mind-bending twists that fans adore. The newly released trailer tantalizing hints at the possible return of Mark Hoffman but confirms the already rumored appearance of another fan-favorite Jigsaw apprentice, Amanda Young, portrayed by Shawnee Smith. The tenth movie retcons the mythology like the sequels before it, fitting in between Saw and Saw II. It also appears to be a dream come true for fans craving a triumphant return to the iconic saga.

Mark your calendars because Saw X will hit theaters on Friday, September 29, 2023. While eagerly anticipating Jigsaw's return, catch other upcoming horror movies that are hitting the big screen this year. Additionally, indulge in the best horror movies of all time to keep the thrills alive until the release date.

In recent years, cinematic universes have expanded beyond comic-book movies, with horror movie franchises gaining popularity; captivating audiences with chilling tales. From masked killers to sinister creatures, these franchises have left a mark on the genre and pop culture. As we delve into the dark recesses of horror history, we'll uncover the best and worst aspects of some of the most iconic horror franchises ever spill blood on the silver screen.

Saw (2004 - Present)

Busting onto the scene in 2004, Saw, helmed by James Wan and Leigh Whannell, offered a fresh and twisted take on the genre and, for better or worse, ushered in the rise of the “torture porn” subgenre in the early 2000s.

Best Thing: The Innovative Puzzles - At the core of Saw's appeal were Jigsaw's elaborate and mind-bending puzzles, challenging victims' morals and pushing them to their limits, making the audience eagerly anticipate the next twisted puzzle and driving each movie to outdo itself with gruesome set pieces.

The Worst Thing: The Convoluted Mythology - As the series advanced, it grew more complex, particularly after John "Jigsaw" Kramer (Tobin Bell) died in the third film, causing writers to get creative to fit him into the narratives. The intricate backstory and interconnected plots created a convoluted mythology, challenging both new and longtime fans with confusing webs of characters and timelines. Bell is set to return (again) in the forthcoming Saw X. 

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974 - 2022)

The 1974 OG film, directed and produced by Tobe Hooper, and written by Hooper and Kim Henkel, is a low-budget slasher set in rural Texas, revolving around a family of cannibals who abduct gas station customers, and is considered one of the best '70s movies and a great summer horror watch.

The Best Thing: The Sawyer Family - The series’ enduring legacy lies in the terrifying and deranged Sawyer family. Led by the iconic Leatherface, a chainsaw-wielding maniac with a penchant for human skin masks, the family’s grotesque and unpredictable nature made them standout in the horror pantheon.

The Worst Thing: Leatherface’s Character Inconsistency - While Leatherface remains a horror icon, the character's portrayal suffered from inconsistency across the franchise. In some films, he was a mindless brute; in others, he showed signs of vulnerability and complexity.

A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984 - 2010)

Wes Craven’s 1984 A Nightmare on Elm Street centers around Freddy Krueger, a vengeful apparition of a former child killer, terrorizing and killing Springwood, Ohio's teenagers in their dreams after being burned alive by their parents.

The Best Thing: The Iconic Dreamscapes - Elm Street revolutionized horror with its dream-based terror, blurring the line between reality and nightmare. Freddy's invasion of victims' dreams resulted in unforgettable and imaginative horror sequences, and some incredibly gruesome kills.

The Worst Thing: The Evolution to a Comedic Tone - As the franchise wore on, it gradually shifted from bone-chilling horror to a more comedic approach. While Freddy's dark humor initially added to his sinister charm, it eventually led to a tonal shift that diluted the terror and alienated some die-hard horror enthusiasts.

Child’s Play/Chucky (1988 - Present)

Created by Don Mancini, the Child's Play franchise centers on a notorious serial killer who transferred his soul into a "Good Guy" doll named Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) using a voodoo ritual. Since the original film's release on November 9, 1988, the franchise has expanded with six sequels, a successful television series, a remake, comic books, a video game, and tie-in merchandise.

The Best Thing: Writer/Creator Don Mancini - What makes Child’s Play one of best scary doll movies is the creative genius of Mancini, whose vision brought to life the possessed doll with a wicked sense of humor, and his ongoing stewardship of his creation keeps the franchise fresh and engaging.

The Worst Thing: The Shift in Focus to Chucky as a Lead - Chucky became a prominent lead character as the franchise evolved, losing some of the tension from earlier films. However, the fantastic recent TV series has found a more balanced tone.

Friday The 13th (1980 - 2009)

In 1980, the Friday the 13th movies introduced Jason Voorhees and his vengeful mother, who targeted camp counselors for her son's supposed drowning. Decades later, the "cursed" lake becomes the backdrop for a series of mass murders perpetrated by the resurrected Jason.

The Best Thing: The Iconic Villain, Jason - Though it took three movies to solidify the look, the hockey-masked killer with his signature machete became synonymous with the franchise and a pop culture icon.

The Worst Thing: Lack of Compelling Franchise Leads - The franchise struggled to create compelling lead characters that could match Jason's fearsome presence, with Tommy Jarvis being the closest to a recurring lead. As a result, the focus often returned to the killer, leaving some films with lackluster protagonists.

Halloween (1978 - 2022)

Committed to a sanitarium as a child for murdering his sister, on Halloween 1978, the masked Michael Myers returns to Haddonfield to wreak havoc among the townspeople.

The Best Thing: John Carpenter’s Music - Director John Carpenter’s eerie piano melody became synonymous with the masked killer, setting the stage for one of history's most influential slasher films. When the series was rebooted (again) 40 years later, he returned to provide a killer soundtrack.

The Worst Thing: The Many Differing Timelines - The series' convoluted timeline, including reboots, sequels, a standalone, and alternate continuities, can be confusing and frustrating for casual and die-hard fans. So, no shame if you need a guide to the timeline. 

Alien (1979 - 2017)

Ridley Scott's Alien (1979) is one of the best sci-fi movies ever and tells the story of Sigourney Weaver’s warrant officer, Ellen Ripley, and her battles with the extraterrestrial lifeform known as the Xenomorph.

The Best Thing: The Xenomorph - Audiences were introduced to the perfect killing machine designed by the late H.R. Giger, with its sleek, biomechanical design and acidic blood, becoming a symbol of extraterrestrial horror and one of cinema's most iconic creatures.

The Worst Thing: The Prequels (Prometheus and Covenant) - Criticism emerged for the prequels deviating from the original films' horror roots and spending too much time on Xenomorph's origins.

Paranormal Activity (2007 - 2021)

Oren Peli's low-budget original found footage flick is set in October 2006 and follows a young couple, Katie and Micah, terrorized by a demon that has haunted Katie since childhood.

The Best Thing: The Low-Budget and Real-World Approach to Found Footage - Paranormal Activity revitalized the found footage subgenre, proving that a low-budget approach and a clever premise could achieve massive box office success and even become one of the best-haunted house movies of all time.

The Worst Thing: The Lack of Time Between Sequels - If you have watched the Paranormal Activity series in order, then you know quick turnaround between sequels led to diminishing returns.

Psycho (1960 - 2017)

Starting with Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 original, the Psycho franchise revolves around the life of truly terrifying classic horror villain, Norman Bates, a deeply disturbed young man running the Bates Motel. His mentally unstable nature stems from a twisted split personality resulting from his domineering relationship with his mother, leading him to occasionally commit murders.

The Best Thing: Anthony Perkins’ Performance - Psycho's enduring legacy is largely attributed to Anthony Perkins' iconic portrayal of the disturbed innkeeper. His unsettling and nuanced performance made Bates one of the most memorable villains in cinematic history.

The Worst Thing: The Gus Van Sant Remake - Gus Van Sant's color shot-for-shot remake of the masterpiece faced skepticism and failed to capture the essence of the original, feeling like an unnecessary imitation lacking the tension and brilliance of the original film, with Vince Vaughn unable to match Perkins' portrayal.

The Conjuring Universe (2013 - Present)

Beginning with James Wan's 2013 first entry, the films dramatize the real-life cases of Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators linked to prominent yet controversial haunting cases.

The Best Thing: Strong Initial Core Films (Conjuring 1 & 2) - The first two flicks are pillars of the modern horror genre, renowned for expertly crafted scares, engaging characters, and Wan's effective storytelling, setting the standard for the expanding universe. The clap sequence from the original remains memorable and chilling.

The Worst Thing: Weak Spinoffs of Varying Quality - While The Conjuring films thrived, some spinoffs, such as The Curse of La La Llorona, struggled to maintain the same quality and scares. The universe's expansion led to some Conjuring movies not living up to standards set by the core entries.

Final Destination (2000 - 2011)

Beginning in 2000, the Final Destination films revolve around a small group of people who escape the manifestation of death after one individual (the protagonist) has a sudden premonition and warns them about an impending disaster.

The Best Thing: The Memorable Kills - Final Destination's unique premise of death's design led to inventive and memorable death sequences, some based on real-life accidents, captivating audiences with the Rube Goldberg-like chain of events leading to each character's demise.

The Worst Thing: Lack of Story Innovation - As the franchise progressed, the formula became predictable, leading to a sense of repetition.

The Evil Dead (1981 - Present)

Sam Raimi's 1981 debut film and subsequent series revolve around the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, an ancient Sumerian text (now three volumes) causing havoc among a group of cabin inhabitants in a wooded area in Tennessee.

The Best Thing: The Series’ Cinematic Evolution - The Evil Dead franchise has undergone a remarkable evolution, starting as a low-budget cult classic and transforming into a polished, action-packed horror-comedy series, back to its horror roots.

The Worst Thing: The Treatment of Female Characters Early in the Series - The first movie faced criticism for its treatment of female characters, subjecting them to brutal violence, degradation, and an unfortunate sexual assault scene involving a demonic tree.

Scream (1996 - Present)

In 1996, director Wes Craven and writer Kevin Williamson jump-started a hip meta slasher whodunnit series that is still going strong nearly 30 years later.

The Best Thing: The Self-Aware Meta Tone - Scream revitalized the slasher genre with its self-referential and meta approach to horror. Characters in the film were well aware of the rules of horror movies, and the franchise's clever writing and humor set it apart from traditional slashers.

The Worst Thing: Scream 3 - Rushed into production, Scream 3 is a definite low point for the series. This Hollywood-set outing faced criticism for its weaker plot, over-the-top moments, and weak villain reveal, leading some to feel it needed to live up to the standards set by the first two.

Hellraiser (1987 - 2022)

The Hellraiser series, starting in 1987 with Clive Barker's film, centers around the Lament Configuration, a mysterious puzzle box that opens a gateway to a dimension ruled by sadistic beings known as Cenobites. Led by iconic character, Pinhead, the Cenobites bring unimaginable pain and pleasure to those who dare open the box.

The Best Thing: Clive Barker - Hellraiser owes its horrifying and twisted world to Barker, who created the novella "The Hellbound Heart," on which the franchise is based.

The Worst Thing: Miramax/Dimension’s Involvement - From the '90s to the 2010s, Miramax and Dimension Films held the rights and produced numerous direct-to-DVD sequels with questionable creative decisions, leading to lackluster entries and hindering the franchise's potential for consistent quality.

Every major horror franchise has its successes and missteps, leaving lasting memories of fear and excitement. From Saw's innovative puzzles to Friday the 13th's iconic villains, these franchises have etched their names into horror history, tapping into our deepest fears and captivating audiences for generations to come.

For the better part of a decade in the early 2000s, the Saw franchise was a Halloween staple, with the first seven installments landing release dates in late October. Jigsaw carried on that tradition, though Chris Rock’s Spiral shook things up a bit with its May 2021 drop. The tenth film, Saw X looked to be returning to form with an October 27 debut, but Lionsgate is once again breaking with spooky holiday traditions by shifting the sequel up a full month. While kind of disappointing for anyone wanting a mood-appropriate theatrical experience, at least the studio has a good reason for making the move. (Lionsgate also revealed a first-look shot of returning star Tobin Bell, as well as more details, so no grudges held here.)

Bringing the title back to its simple roots for the first time since 2010’s Saw 3D, Saw X will now trap audiences in their seats on Friday, September 29, 2023. This sequel also brings back the sixth and seventh film’s director, Kevin Greutert, working from a script penned by Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger, who also wrote Jigsaw and Spiral. Considering it’s also bringing back Amanda Young actress Shawnee Smith alongside Bell, it does seem a little baffling that Lionsgate would put the film out a full month ahead of trick-or-treating. 

But according to Deadline, the methodology behind the date change is based on how well Saw X has performed with test audiences, combined with how personally excited execs at Lionsgate are about what they’ve seen. The idea there is that whenever studios aren’t so confident in a project, it gets dumped into a weekend where expectations are at yearly lows. But pushing the film up will give it a better chance of drawing in horror fans who like to celebrate Halloween for an entire month, rather than just a day or weekend.  

Other wide releases that weekend include Disney’s The Creator, with John David Washington and Gemma Chan, and Richard Dreyfuss’ drama Abandonment, which shouldn’t be too competitive as far as similar audiences go. But it’s probably telling that Saw X shifted away from a date where it would be directly up against the highly anticipated live-action Five Nights at Freddy’s film, which is geared for younger audiences who’ve obsessed over the video games and book series. That flick has a shot at becoming a breakout smash in the same way Saw was when it debuted in 2004, so I cannot judge Lionsgate for backing away from that head-to-head, even if it’s being wholly presented as due to positive testing scores and comments.

In other news about the same news, below is the first look at Tobin Bell's return as John Kramer, and I'm feeling that facial hair for the throwback timeline.

Saw X will take place between the events of the original film and Saw II, naturally. This previously unseen time in the character's life will see him ailing and desperate on a trip to Mexico to have an experimental surgery in an attempt to cure his cancer, despite there being many risks involved. One of those risks, as he discovers, is that the whole medical charade is a scam to screw sick people out of their money. And that, as one probably expects, is what brings his Jigsaw persona back to the forefront as he goes on a trap-setting mission of vengeance. 

So grease up those tricycle wheels and get your sweat-stained Billy the Puppet masks ready, everybody, because Saw X is swapping spots and will now be out on Friday, September 29, 2023. Check out all kinds of other upcoming horror movies popping into theaters before and after Jigsaw's return and brush up on the best horror movies of all time while you wait.

Spoilers for The Blackening lie ahead, so read at your own risk.

There’s plenty to like about The Blackening, which is proving to be one of the surprise gems from the schedule of 2023 new movie releases. It has a fun premise and provides solid laughs and scares while throwing in some solid social commentary. The well-reviewed horror comedy also features an ensemble comprised of very likable characters. Seeing them go toe to toe with a crossbow-wielding killer was entertaining enough, but what about having them do battle with other iconic baddies from scary movies? Well, some of the cast would certainly love to see that, and Saw and It are among the franchises they’d relish crossovers with.

I was fortunate enough to speak with the stars ahead of their new movie’s premiere and couldn’t help but ask about ideas for potential mashups. All seemed enthusiastic when asked and, as a result, they shared some creative (and funny) concepts.

Which Character Would Be The Best Fit For Saw? 

Countless poor souls have come into contact with Jigsaw and his host of apprentices over the course of the Saw series. Some managed to successfully navigate the horrific traps and games set forth by the killers. However, others met incredibly grisly ends. Despite all of that, one member of The Blackening’s cast would love to see their character meet the aforementioned sadistic mastermind. Said person is Antoinette Robertson, who plays Lisa, and her reasoning for this crossover is sound:  

This makes a lot of sense, considering that Lisa was the most level-headed person in her friend group. Not only was she incredibly cerebral, but the young woman also served as a grounding element amid the over-the-top ordeal she and her college buddies experienced. With that in mind, I could certainly see her using the problem-solving skills she possesses to evade Jigsaw’s challenges.  

One Star Wouldn’t Mind Facing Off With Pennywise From It

Few horror movie fans would deny the assertion that Pennywise the Dancing Clown is one of the most terrifying creations in all of literature or film. The trans-dimensional being gave The Losers Club their fair share of frights but, in the end, they were able to beat the beast (twice). It’s downfall shouldn’t negate just how dangerous it is, though, and someone who seems to understand that is Sinqua Walls. The Blackening star, who delivered one of the movie’s wildest jokes, portrayed the charismatic Nnamdi. Walls wouldn’t mind Lisa’s boyfriend meeting Pennywise, because he doesn’t think the sadistic jester could handle him:  

The clown famously plays on its victims' fears, though the White Men Can’t Jump star seems confident that his character would remain unaffected. I can’t argue with the notion that bringing a weapon to the situation might help. However, I still say that the young man would have to put in some serious work, as the monster wouldn’t go down easily. 

Could A New Nightmare On Elm Street Be On The Horizon? 

If there’s any fictional character you don’t want to tangle with, it’s Freddy Krueger. Wes Craven’s burned and metal-clawed madman – who was portrayed brilliantly by Robert Englund – haunted the dreams of his victims (and by extension, moviegoers) for years. Like the other horrific figures we’ve discussed, he’s come across quite a few unlucky people. Though I’m now curious how he’d react to one particular player from The Blackening. I’m talking about Grace Byers’ militant Allison, as the actress picked Krueger as the maniac she’d like to tangle with:  

Now, this is a very interesting choice on the Harlem star’s part, considering what’s known about her character. As seen in the Tim Story-directed movie, Allison is a true fighter, proving that when she came to blows with one of the killers tormenting her and her friends. And as Antoinette Robertson mentioned after her co-star shared the response above, Allison also knows how to wield a set of claws. I don’t know about you, but I’d love to see whether she could out-slice and dice Freddy. (And if she has a little bit of “medicinal” help as she did in the movie, Krueger may be in for a rough bout.) 

Someone Is Hoping To See Another Vampire In Brooklyn 

We’re discussing yet another movie from the mind of Wes Craven, one that sometimes slips through the cracks. 1995’s Vampire in Brooklyn saw Eddie Murphy play a Caribbean bloodsucker by the name of Maximillian. In the movie, he caused terror on the streets of the titular town while in search of his bride. It’s a flick that’s developed a cult following over the years, and actor and comedian Melvin Gregg is one of the people who enjoys it. After he shared some keen thoughts on how comedy and horror intersect, he later stated that he’d love to see his Blackening character, King, find his way into the continuity of Murphy’s feature. And Gregg knows exactly how things would play out: 

For those who need context, a subplot of the film involved a numbers runner named Julius Jones, who becomes Max’s servant, turning into a decaying ghoul due to being infected with vampiric blood. In the final scene, Julius finds the ring of his former master – who meets his fate after being stabbed in the heart with a dagger. He puts it on and is instantly transformed into a vampire himself. So it sounds like Melvin Gregg would love to continue that plot thread but insert King into the narrative instead. As a person who finds the classic comedy enjoyable, I wouldn’t mind seeing that. The same is true for Gregg’s co-star, Jay Pharoah, who has an interesting idea of his own. 

Let’s Talk Underworld, And Maybe Add Some More Romance 

Unlike his co-stars, Jay Pharoah is looking to an action horror franchise for his crossover. Shawn, the character the SNL alum brought to life, met his demise early in the movie. That didn’t stop him from shouting out the Underworld as the series he’d like to drop his character into, though. However, the veteran comedian doesn’t seem all that interested in doing battle with vampires and lycans on screen. He, instead, joked that he just wants to work alongside the franchise’s leading lady:  

Kate Beckinsale led the Underworld cast in the role of Selene and, as a result of playing the heroine in five feature films, she’s become an action icon. I’m sure Shawn could use someone as formidable as her by his side while navigating the dangerous world she inhabits. But again, Pharaoh seems to have a love connection on his mind, whether it be with Selene or anyone else, including werewolves. I’m not quite sure what this project would even look like, but I wouldn’t be opposed to finding out. 

All in all, the cast of the new horror entry has some interesting ideas for cross-polination. The chances of these theoretical crossovers actually happening are very slim, if I’m being honest. Right now, the more important thing to consider is whether or not Blackening will receive its own sequel that would allow audiences to revisit Lisa, Dewayne, Nnamdi and co. We’ll just have to wait and see and, in the meantime, you can think up your own cool mashups for the ensemble.

You can also see The Blackening, which is now playing in theaters, and check out CinemaBlend’s schedule of upcoming horror movies while you’re at it. 

We here at CinemaBlend regularly rank the individual installments of a wide variety of film series, but this feature is a bit different than all of those. Instead of going from worst to best with pop culture staples, I've opted to go straight at naming all of the #1 titles in 35 different franchises. Tackling them in alphabetical order and jumping around genres, let's start with...

Alien/Predator: Aliens

Ridley Scott made a claustrophobic classic in Alien that remains one of the best sci-fi horror movies of all time, and Predator is one of the greatest Arnold Schwarzenegger films, but James Cameron gets the credit for making the top title in this particular franchise with Aliens – the epic battle between the Alien Queen and Ripley in the Power Loader sealing the deal.

Back To The Future: Back To The Future

All three films in the Back To The Future trilogy are wonderful in their own way – with Part II providing a glimpse at a fun future and Part III being a blast in the Old West – but nothing beats the classic in this case. Robert Zemeckis’ Back To The Future is one of the quintessential time travel movies, introducing and instantly endearing us to one of cinema’s most beloved duos: Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd’s Doc Brown.

Batman: The Dark Knight

Explaining this is simple: Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy is the best standalone big screen iteration of Batman, and The Dark Knight is the best film in that series. The brilliant and effective grounded approach to Christopher Nolan’s Batman and the world of Gotham is carried over from the excellent Batman Begins, but the X-factor is Heath Ledger’s Joker – a legendary interpretation of a legendary character.

Bill And Ted: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

The fun antics are non-stop in the Bill & Ted trilogy, but neither of the sequels can hit the heights of the original: a totally unserious trip around time in a special phone booth visiting famous historical figures along with a pair of righteous dudes. “Party on, dudes,” indeed!

Chucky: Child's Play 2

The original Child’s Play made us legitimately fear a possessed doll, and the most recent sequels – The Curse Of Chucky and The Cult Of Chucky – revived the series in horrific fashion prior to the 2021 pivot to television, but Child’s Play 2 remains the big screen high point for the Chucky franchise. Of all the movies, it’s the one that finds the best blend of terror and comedy, from the violent lab accident that kicks off the plot, to the final showdown in the toy factory.

The Conjuring Universe: The Conjuring 2

The Conjuring Universe has proven to be one of the most ambitious horror franchises of the 21st century, with multiple successful spin-offs branching from the core series, but to date the best title of the lot is The Conjuring 2. It deepens the terrific bond between leads Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) and delivers a terrifying based-on-a-true-story tale of demonic possession.

Evil Dead: Evil Dead II

Evil Dead II has what can be called a confused legacy in the Evil Dead franchise – being part remake and part sequel – but what’s most important is that it’s a phenomenal cinematic experience. No title in the series so perfectly blends comedy and horror, and it’s the performance that has made Bruce Campbell a genre legend.

Fast & Furious: Fast Five

The Fast & Furious franchise didn’t have much of an identity in its early years, but everything changed with the arrival of Dwayne Johnson’s Luke Hobbs and the action insanity of Fast Five. The movies pivoted from being about street racing to high stakes heists/globe-trotting crime, and director Justin Lin assured us it was the right choice by executing what remains the high point of the run.

Final Destination: Final Destination 2

Final Destination 2 starts with what is the greatest opening sequence in the entire run thus far of the Final Destination franchise, and then in proceeds to deliver the most satisfying story in the run. It’s a sequel that avoids the trap of repeating the previous movie, features many of the series’ best Rube Goldberg-esque kills, and employs an exciting twist on the rules of death.

Friday The 13th: Jason X

The biggest problem with most of the Friday The 13th movies is that they all tend to blend together: a bunch of random characters get cut up by Jason Voorhees – the murders more often than not being executed in and around the notorious Camp Crystal Lake. Jason X is the major exception, as taking the slasher action to space allows the film to both have personality and exhibit some real creativity.

DCEU: The Suicide Squad

One sign that Warner Bros. Discovery made the right choice appointing James Gunn as the co-CEO of DC Studios is the fact that he wrote and directed what will be remembered as the best chapter of the DC Extended Universe. Borrowing fun details from the canon, putting together an outstanding ensemble of misfit characters, and executing a bonkers plot that crescendos with the reveal of Starro, it’s a delight that repeatedly rewards on rewatch.

Die Hard: Die Hard

In a conversation about the Die Hard franchise, the question isn’t “What’s the best Die Hard movie?” The question is “What’s the best Die Hard sequel, because obviously the first is forever #1?” Bruce Willis became a cinematic icon with his seminal turn as John McClane, and the character’s fly-in-the-ointment tactics against the villainous Hans Gruber has basically become its own action subgenre (“Die Hard in a…”)

Ghostbusters: Ghostbusters

Every Ghostbusters sequel has made strenuous efforts to recapture the magic of the original, and all of them have come up short. The 1984 classic is a weird and wild ride with a collection of memorable characters and a script full of endlessly quotable lines.

The Godfather: The Godfather Part II

The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II are equally perfect pinnacles of cinema so great that they should defy comparison to one another, and it’s really just for the sake of this list that I’ll pick The Godfather: Part II. The thrilling and tragic saga of Michael Corleone is beautifully balanced with the origins of Vito Corleone, sewn together as a treasured gangster epic.

Halloween: Halloween (1977)

Halloween got a terrific modern rejuvenation thanks to director David Gordon Green, and I’ll forever stand up for Halloween III: Season Of The Witch, but the reality is that nothing touches John Carpenter’s franchise-starter. It’s a movie that has an important role in cinematic history as one of the key titles that kick-started the slasher movement in horror, and the impact of Michael Myers and Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode on pop culture is incalculable.

Indiana Jones: Raiders Of The Lost Ark

The rolling boulder. The Staff of Ra casting a beam of light. The chamber filled with snakes. The opening of the Ark of the Covenant. These are just four memorable scenes from Raiders Of The Lost Ark, and it barely scratches the full list. Indiana Jones is one of blockbuster cinema’s greatest creations, and his greatest story is still his first.

Jackass: Jackass 3D

All of the Jackass movies are filled with stunts and gags that are uproariously funny, but Jackass 3D stands out not only for featuring some incredible invention, but also because of its phenomenal use of 3D. Because not every “bit” is in 3D, the ones that are end up being made more special, and it’s an extremely gross but unique cinematic experience.

James Bond: Goldfinger

Everyone has their favorite James Bond, and with mine still being Sean Connery, that narrows selection down to the best of that era: Goldfinger. Great as Dr. No and From Russia With Love are, Goldfinger is the film that in many ways became the model for the sequels that followed it – from the exploration of gadgets to memorable henchmen.

Jason Bourne: The Bourne Ultimatum

The original Jason Bourne trilogy is the rare series that gets better and better with each installment… and it’s a shame that the movies didn’t stop once they hit their peak. The Bourne Legacy and Jason Bourne are both forgettable, ancillary chapters, but thankfully The Bourne Ultimatum still stands up as the perfect climax for the trilogy. Big answers are delivered, the action is crazy, and supporting cast opposite Matt Damon including Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Joan Allen, Paddy Considine, Albert Finney, and Édgar Ramirez is brilliant.

John Wick: John Wick

John Wick: Chapter 4 serves as an epic conclusion to the John Wick series and features some of the most spellbinding action anyone will ever put on a big screen… but it’s still only the best of the sequels. Made with no big ambitions to launch a franchise, the original John Wick is genius in its simplicity, and Keanu Reeves’ turn as the titular hero has proven to be game-changing in the industry.

Jurassic Park: Jurassic Park

What is it like to see a dinosaur? Steven Spielberg answered that question for movie-goers worldwide in magnificent fashion in 1993 with his adaptation of Jurassic Park, and the vision on screen remains unparalleled decades later. The introduction of the Tyrannosaurus Rex is inarguably one of the greatest creature feature moments of all time, and few straight horror movies inspire the terror of the velociraptors.

Mad Max: Mad Max: Fury Road

The Road Warrior is a great film, but nothing in the Mad Max franchise to date touches the experience that is Mad Max: Fury Road. It’s a movie-long chase sequence that features both compelling characters (special shout-out to Charlize Theron’s Furiosa) and set pieces that melt your brain and are unlike anything else we’ve seen from this action series… or any other.

The Man With No Name: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Director Sergio Leone and Clint Eastwood made one hell of a team, and the peak of their collaboration is The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly – starring Eastwood opposite Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach. It’s properly remembered as one of the best westerns of all time, from its universally recognized score by Ennio Morricone to the stunning third act showdown.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Avengers: Endgame

The Marvel Cinematic Universe was born with an ambitious vision of seeing a diverse array of heroes go toe-to-toe with the Infinity Gauntlet-powered Thanos, and while dreams don’t always work out properly in reality, that is not the case with Avengers: Endgame. The big screen crossover event balances high stakes and a wild plot with a balanced character roster and spectacular action, and it’s everything a Marvel fan could want.

Middle-earth: The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

Return Of The King may have won all of the Oscars, but one could argue those awards were really given to the grand achievement that is the Lord of the Rings trilogy as a whole – and that includes the phenomenal opening chapter that began the epic, The Fellowship of the Ring, which is the best movie in the whole of the big screen franchise. The introduction to Middle-earth is an unforgettable experience that perfectly sets up the peril and stakes of the incredible journey that unfolds in the sequels.

Mission: Impossible: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol

Everything changed for the Mission: Impossible franchise the day that Tom Cruise agreed to personally scale the world’s tallest building as part of a stunt for Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Death defying stunts have now become the norm for these movies, but still the fourth installment of the series remains the high point – with the Burj Khalifa sequence just one of many eye-popping parts of the hit blockbuster.

Of The Dead: Dawn Of The Dead (1978)

George A. Romero saw tremendous potential in the symbolism of zombies, and nowhere is his commentary better than in the second chapter of his undead series: 1978’s Dawn Of The Dead. Even after nearly half a century, the struggle for a group of survivors trapped inside a shopping mall is as scary as ever thanks to Romero’s genius, and its influence can be seen in pretty much every zombie movie released since.

Planet Of The Apes: Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes

The original Planet Of The Apes hits us with the twist that the titular world is actually a futuristic Earth, but Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes is the movie where we actually get to see them take over, and it’s remarkable. It’s thrilling and shockingly dark, and the best of both eras of the brilliant sci-fi franchise.

Saw: Saw

The Saw franchise is overloaded with horrifyingly clever traps for audiences to have nightmares about, but as far as individual chapters of the series is concerned, director James Wan’s Saw remains at the top of the top tier. The claustrophobic and simple terror of the test between two men chained up in a bathroom is a genuine nightmare, and the twist ending is one of the most memorable of ’00 horror.

Scream: Scream (1994)

Any movie is going to get special consideration if it successfully manages to save a genre, and that certainly includes Scream. Horror was in a bad place in the early 1990s as burnout on slasher sequels was pervasive, but the introduction of Ghostface was a brand new flavor of scary for movie fans to sink their teeth into, and it was an instant hit with audiences. Its satire is wicked sharp, but never undercuts the savage terror of the killer’s rampage.

Spider-Man: Spider-Man 2

“With great power comes great responsibility” is recognized worldwide as the credo of Spider-Man, and Spider-Man 2 is, to date, the most fascinating dive into the immense complications of the idea – with Peter Parker’s desire for a normal life causing his powers to fade. Combined with the awesome presence of Alfred Molina as Dr. Octopus, it’s easily the best of the non-MCU Spider-Man movies.

Star Trek: Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan

Not including Star Trek: Insurrection or Star Trek Into Darkness, all of the even-number Star Trek movies are quality, but never have we seen a big screen adventure on the U.S.S. Enterprise better than Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan. Ricardo Montalbán’s Khan is the best antagonist in the franchise’s history, and after a thrilling back and forth battle between the heroes and villains, the end delivers a powerful emotional blow with the sacrifice of Leonard Nimoy’s Spock.

Star Wars: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

People ding The Empire Strikes Back for being narratively dependent on both Star Wars and Return Of The Jedi, but those dings are far from enough to strip it of its position as the best Star Wars movie ever made. It’s the movie where all of the main characters really become full formed – from Luke’s Jedi training on Dagobah to the development of Han and Leia’s romance – and while it doesn’t offer conclusions, it has one of cinema’s best cliffhangers.

Terminator: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

The choice between The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a tough one (the rest of the Terminator movies are… fine), but if I’m going to make a final pick, it’s going to be the latter. The liquid metal design of the T-1000 can still be recognized as an extraordinary feat of filmmaking for its time, and the dynamic between the reprogrammed T-800, the enthusiastic John Connor, and the paranoid Sarah Connor alone makes for a compelling and fascinating story.

Three Colors Cornetto: Hot Fuzz

It’s hard to judge the individual chapters of the Three Colors Cornetto trilogy against each other given that Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End were all specifically designed to be wholly different, but if we’re talking about the best movie of the three, the edge goes to Hot Fuzz. It’s the title that best utilizes the tropes of its genre to humorous and loving effect, and it delivers a wild mystery that succeeds in being thrilling and funny in equal measure.

Stay tuned for our coverage of all these franchises and many more here on CinemaBlend.

With the original 2004 installment of the Saw movies, director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell, arguably, changed the horror genre and, undeniably, jumpstarted one of the most endurable and influential horror movie franchises in recent memory. By fusing themes of detective noir fiction with the tone and viscera of French horror cinema's provocative New Extremity movement, they created a clever, suspenseful, and unforgettably shocking thriller now regarded as one of the best horror movies of the 2000s.

The subsequent installments would continue to follow the horrifying challenges of morally corrupt serial killer (a term used loosely here) John "Jigsaw" Kramer (Tobin Bell) and the apprentices who sought to uphold his legacy with increasingly elaborate death traps, which the sequels become a little more preoccupied with, arguably. However, we cannot deny that we are curious about what "games" are in store for the forthcoming Saw XI, which is heading to theaters in September 2024. As we wait for one of the most anticipated upcoming horror movies, let's relive the previous Saw movies on streaming, as digital rentals, or on physical media.

Saw (2004)

Director: James Wan

Starring: Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Danny Glover

What it's about: Based on a short film of the same name, James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell’s breakout feature follows two men who wake up trapped and chained up in a disgusting abandoned bathroom and try to figure out what led to their kidnapping as they struggle to find a way out alive. As a fun brainteaser that keeps you guessing until its brutal, twisted finale, Saw is, arguably, one of the best horror movies of its time and, certainly, one of the most influential.

How to watch Saw

• Rent or buy Saw on Amazon
• Buy Saw on Blu-ray on Amazon

Saw II (2005)

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

Starring: Donnie Wahlberg, Tobin Bell

What it's about: A detective successfully locates the elusive Jigsaw but must figure out where he is keeping his next set of victims — including his own teenage son — before it is too late. Saw II is just about as suspenseful and subversive as the first but certainly ups the ante on the gore.

How to watch Saw II

• Rent or buy Saw II on Amazon
• Buy Saw II on Blu-ray on Amazon

Saw III (2006)

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

Starring: Tobin Bell, Bahar Soomekh, Shawnee Smith, Angus MacFayden

What it's about: Picking up directly where Saw II left off, Saw III sees an ailing John Kramer force a doctor to keep him alive while Amanda – one of Jigsaw’s most notorious apprentices – puts a grieving father through a horrifying test of morality.

How to watch Saw III

• Rent or buy Saw III on Amazon
• Buy Saw III on Blu-ray on Amazon

Saw IV (2007)

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

Starring: Tobin Bell, Scott Patterson, Athena Karkanis, Lyriq Bent

What it's about: Even beyond death, Jigsaw is still causing people distress — namely, a pair of FBI agents who must search for answers in the killer’s remains and a SWAT commander on a race against time to save them.

How to watch Saw IV

• Rent or buy Saw IV on Amazon
• Buy Saw IV on Blu-ray on Amazon

Saw V (2008)

Director: David Hackl

Starring: Tobin Bell, Scott Patterson, Costas Mandylor

What it's about: Five new subjects are put to the test under the tutelage of Jigsaw’s new successor, Det. Lt. Mark Hoffman, whom Agent Strahm intends to bring to justice.

How to watch Saw V

• Rent or buy Saw V on Amazon
• Buy Saw V on Blu-ray on Amazon

Saw VI (2009)

Director: Kevin Greutert

Starring: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor

What it's about: As the FBI draws nearer to closing in on his operation, Mark Hoffman attempts to bring a group of crooked insurance executives to justice in his own twisted way in Saw VI, which introduces a unique new set of traps into the mix, including one derived from a child’s playground merry-go-round.

How to watch Saw VI

• Rent or buy Saw VI on Amazon
• Buy Saw VI on Blu-ray on Amazon

Saw: The Final Chapter (2010)

Director: Kevin Greutert

Starring: Tobin Bell, Cary Elwes, Sean Patrick Flanery

What it's about: A self-help guru whose fabricated claims of being a Jigsaw survivor lead him to be put in the hot seat for real in Saw: The Final Chapter, which was originally released in 3D and marketed as the last installment of the series, which, of course, did not turn out to be the case.

How to watch Saw: The Final Chapter

• Stream Saw: The Final Chapter on Plex
• Rent or buy Saw: The Final Chapter on Amazon
• Buy Saw: The Final Chapter on Blu-ray on Amazon

Jigsaw (2017)

Director: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig

Starring: Tobin Bell, Matt Passmore

What it's about: Despite being dead for more than a decade, John Kramer becomes the prime suspect when a new series of horrific deaths caused by elaborate traps turn up in Jigsaw, which certainly has some of the most inventive traps yet.

How to watch Jigsaw

• Rent or buy Jigsaw on Amazon
• Buy Jigsaw on Blu-ray on Amazon

Spiral (2021)

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

Starring: Chris Rock, Max Minghella, Samuel L. Jackson

What it's about: Det. Zeke Banks investigates a series of deaths that suggest a new criminal mastermind is following in Jigsaw's footsteps in Spiral, which also came from the mind of producer Chris Rock and was largely inspired by David Fincher's Se7en.

How to watch Spiral

• Stream Spiral on Hulu
• Rent or buy Spiral on Amazon
• Buy Spiral on Blu-ray on Amazon

Saw X (2023)

Director: Kevin Greutert

Starring: Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith

What it's about: Taking place between the events of the first two films, Saw X sees the ailing John Kramer exacting revenge against con artists who promised him an experimental cancer treatment the only way he knows how.

How to watch Saw X

• Rent or buy Saw X on Amazon
• Buy Saw X on Blu-ray on Amazon

Congratulations. You have survived the first 10 Saw movies. Game over... for now.

The Princess Bride is one of the best romantic comedies of all time. However, according to the movie's star Cary Elwes, it's not even in the top two roles most fans recognize him from. The actor says whenever fans approach him in the real world, it's to express their love of his performance in two different types of movies. And according to the star, there aren't many crossover fans between the two.

Cary Elwes told Empire Magazine (via ComicBook.com) although The Princess Bride is a beloved classic, it's a combination of his time in the horror movies franchise Saw and Mel Brooks' comedy Robin Hood: Men in Tights which fans most recognize him from. The A Castle for Christmas star told the publication:

I'll admit it's not the two roles I would have imagined the actor is most recognized for. I still think of him as Lord Arthur Holmwood in the Francis Ford Coppola-directed Bram's Stoker's Dracula, but I suppose that's just me.

While now considered a classic comedy by some, Robin Hood: Men in Tights was mainly panned upon release and opened at number 6 at the box office. Roger Ebert, the legendary film critic with the Chicago Sun-Times, went as far as to name it one of the worst movies released in 1993. Still the movie has some big laughs, and it is worth checking out if only to see a young Dave Chappelle and for Elwes' wonderful English accent. Hey, some Robin Hoods can't even pull that off--no offense Kevin Costner.

Saw (2004) sees Elwes play Dr. Lawrence Gordon, a doctor who wakes up and finds himself chained to a dingy and abandoned bathroom across the room from a photographer named Adam, who are both forced to play a deranged game. The movie was a box office smash that launched the careers of first-time director James Wan, writer/actor Leigh Whannell. It also ushered in the era of torture porn horror cinema that dominated the early 2000s. After nine sequels, the series is still going strong, with Saw X's release right around the corner, and though Elwes only appears in two of the flicks, he had a significant part to play in the series' longevity. Horror fans can be incredibly loyal, so it's no wonder the actor is still approached about this movie. 

No matter what role you remember Cary Elwes from, and there are so many good ones to choose from, we can all agree he's an actor worthy of our attention. Lucky for us fellow Elwes fans, the actor has been cast in Zack Snyder's upcoming Netflix release Rebel Moon, which recently celebrated the start of filming. And he will be featured in the forthcoming Mission: Impossible 7 alongside adrenaline junky Tom Cruise.

Horror producer, director, and screenwriter James Wan is no stranger to incorporating killer dolls in his movies. When you look back at every James Wan movie, his breakthrough movie Saw had a creepy tuxedoed doll deliver messages to Jigsaw's victims, there was a ventriloquist dummy in Dead Silence, and a cursed doll brought to you by The Conjuring movies. With Wan's newest movie being M3GAN with the central figure being a killer doll once again, this Australian filmmaker talks about why he’s so obsessed with killer dolls.

M3GAN follows an artificially intelligent robot made by a roboticist with the intention of protecting her niece left in her care after the loss of her parents. But as robots don’t know anything about limits, this robotic doll will use any means necessary to protect whoever is in her care, including murder. As reported by EW, James Wan spoke about what inspired him to have killer dolls be prominent in his works.

Dolls really do bring out a creepy vibe. Imagine trying to go to sleep only to see a porcelain doll or even one of your stuffed animals staring straight right at you. Anyone half awake would think that doll with its hauntingly permanent grin turned its head just a little bit in your direction. All seven Chucky movies brought out the audience's fear of killer dolls. You may think an innocent doll like Chucky just involves flinging him across the room, only to discover he has a force just as strong as a human’s. While Chucky was pure fiction, the Annabelle movies were based on an allegedly haunted doll housed by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. There was even an incident when a Pennywise doll mysteriously turned up in a woman’s yard, causing her to burn it. If dolls could really be a vessel for dark spirits, you better believe the horror genre greatly benefits from that possibility.

Not only are dolls featured in James Wan’s movies, but in his home as well. The Insidious director continues to speak about a particular hobby of his that further incites his creepy doll fascination.

No wonder in the movie M3GAN, the character of Gemma has a collection of classic toys of her own. One of the best things about the horror-comedy film was that the character of M3GAN was not a figure created in CGI. If you’re wondering if she’s real or animated, you can consider her both. Every medium shot of M3GAN was done with six or seven different puppets. Every shot where she's walking or movements she does for that viral dance scene was real child actor Amie Donald wearing a mask. Moments when her face was moving, her eyes blinking, audio control, and other mechanical functions were animatronic. If M3GAN relied solely on CGI, the doll’s creepy demeanor wouldn’t have been as convincing or helped it achieve a super high rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Thank you, James Wan, for showing the movie industry that practical effects can still be very effective for a successful horror film.

James Wan’s creepy doll obsession has given us some memorable hits for the horror franchise. With a sequel of M3GAN in the works, hopefully, we’ll still see the use of killer dolls make a return to the big screen. Watch this killer doll sing, dance, and slay in the 2023 release of M3GAN in theaters now.

By now, you know the jig… want to play a game? If the answer is yes, you can get excited for the tenth Saw movie plans on hitting theaters just in time for Halloween 2023. It was previously announced that Jigsaw actor Tobin Bell will be returning to the franchise for the upcoming horror movie, but it’s now also being reported that another alum could come back as well. 

Aside from Tobin Bell’s John Kramer, Shawnee Smith’s Amanda Young has been in the most Saw movies. The Saw actress is reportedly “circling” coming back to the iconic franchise, per Deadline, but has not yet closed a deal. If Smith does shake hands with Lionsgate on reprising her role, it will be her first Saw appearance since 2010’s Saw 3D. 

Just as Tobin Bell’s return raises questions following John Kramer’s death in the franchise, so does Shawnee Smith’s. Amanda Young died back in the third Saw movie, but was later to be revealed as the apprentice of Jigsaw. Both characters have previously returned after their deaths in flashback scenes, but how will the forthcoming Saw X work? 

The movie from Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures is reportedly being filmed right now in Mexico City. The most recent reports about the casting could indicate that Saw X is either a secret prequel or some larger game that includes the original Jigsaw and his apprentice in some way. Either way, it sounds like this installment is very much looking to its roots rather than reinventing the wheel with all new characters. 

Aside from Tobin Bell’s official return and Shawnee Smith possibly being part of Saw X, a few cast members have officially been assembled. Norwegian actress Synnøve Macody Lund will also star alongside The Sandman’s Steven Brand and Dahmer’s Michael Beach. The movie will see Saw VI and Saw: The Final Chapter director Kevin Greuter return to the franchise to helm. 

The tenth Saw movie was announced back in August, about a year following the spinoff Spiral: From The Book of Saw starring Chris Rock came out. Spiral did not include Tobin Bell’s Jigsaw and suffered negative reviews from critics, including CinemaBlend’s own 2 star Spiral review. Audiences didn’t love it (or necessarily hate it) either, considering it received a B- CinemaScore. 

With Saw soon hitting its tenth entry, it is up there among the longest-running horror franchises of all time. It still doesn’t quite hold a candle to Halloween, which got to a lucky number 13 with the release of Halloween Ends, or Friday the 13th, which has 12 entries, but it’s getting up there among them not long after James Wan celebrated the first movie’s 18th anniversary this year. 

Saw X is set to hit theaters on October 27, 2023. We’ll keep you posted on all updates regarding Jigsaw’s next twisted game. 

It's hard to believe that it's been almost two decades since Billy the puppet wheeled his tricycle-loving self onto the big screen and into horror fans' hearts. The original Saw just celebrated its 18th anniversary. What some might forget, thanks partly to the deluge of inferior sequels with ever more convoluted plots, is just how innovative and stripped-down that first movie was. There's a reason, so many years later, that its is still considered one of the best horror films of all time, and that's because of the attention to detail director James Wan and writer/actor Leigh Whannell put into their 2004 thriller hit. And this weekend, the two took the time to celebrate the milestone.

James Wan took to his Instagram to post a throwback photo of him kneeling and posing in front of the original film's poster. The Aquaman director poked fun at his early 2000s look while celebrating the film's pop culture longevity:

I agree with the director. With that hairstyle, he looks like he would make a great addition to the K-Pop band BTS. However, the painfully 2000s leather jacket would be more fitting in an episode of The Sopranos than for performing "Black Swan." 

Saw was a stepping stone for James Wan, as it helped him launch the mega-successful Conjuring horror universe, which has a fourth film on the way. It also landed him high-profile jobs directing the DC Movies Aquaman and its upcoming sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. It's great that the director respects his horror roots though, even if he doesn't have much to do with the franchise these days.

Saw series co-creator, co-writer, and actor Leigh Whannell (who played Adam) turned to Twitter to share his fond memories of the movie. Check out his post:

It's nice to see that Leigh Whannell has so much affection for the long-running series, even if he stepped away from Saw for a hilarious reason. It changed the man's life because he parlayed the success of the 2004 movie into a booming writing and directing career. He recently directed the critically well-received Invisible Man reimagining for Blumhouse, and his take on the Wolfman starring Ryan Gosling is forthcoming. 

Like the two creators' careers, the long-running psychological horror franchise shows no signs of slowing down. A tenth movie is set to hit theaters on Halloween 2023, with the series' original Jigsaw actor, Tobin Bell, set to return. This character's resurrection seems somewhat tricky, considering he has been dead since the third installment. Still, Bell's iconic portrayal of John Kramer is as much to thank for the original movie's success as its creators. So, if the filmmakers deem it appropriate to bring the villain back, I am here for it. 

Like so many others I'm truly pleased that James Wan and Leigh Whannell's film has stood the test of time. If you want to honor the 18th Anniversary of Saw's release with a rewatch, or you want to see it for the first time, it can be streamed with a Peacock subscription. Also, be sure to keep up on news regarding upcoming horror movies.