Since its founding in 2012, A24 has built a reputation for producing award-winning dramas like Everything Everywhere All At Once and Civil War. But the studio has also revolutionized horror, earning the label 'elevated horror' for its psychologically complex and genuinely terrifying films. These aren't slow, scare-free affairs—they're some of the most unsettling movies of the 21st century. Here are the A24 horror films that are truly scary as hell.
'X' (2022)
Ti West had already made horror classics like The House of the Devil, but X brought him mainstream acclaim. Set in 1979, a group of filmmakers arrives at a Texas farm to shoot an adult film, only to be hunted by the elderly owners. With the gritty, raw feel of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, West builds tension around stars like Jenna Ortega and Kid Cudi, but it's Mia Goth's dual role as heroine Maxine Minx and villain Pearl that steals the show. Packed with gore and a shocking twist, X is a masterful slasher throwback.
'Saint Maud' (2019)
Rose Glass's directorial debut follows Maud (Morfydd Clark), a devout Catholic nurse convinced she must save the soul of her atheist cancer patient, Amanda (Jennifer Ehle). Is Maud a holy angel or a mentally ill woman spiraling into delusion? This slow-burn character study builds to a jolting final image that will haunt you long after the credits roll. It's one of the most underrated horror films of recent years.
'The Blackcoat's Daughter' (2019)
Osgood Perkins's feature debut stars Kiernan Shipka and Lucy Boynton as teenage girls stranded at their boarding school over Christmas break, where something evil lurks. A parallel story follows escaped mental patient Joan (Emma Roberts). The third act delivers a terrifying twist and a gut-punch ending, making this Perkins's most underrated film. For more on Perkins's work, check out Inde Navarrette's 'Obsession' Performance Redefines the 'Nice Guy' Horror Villain.
'The Killing of a Sacred Deer' (2017)
Yorgos Lanthimos's psychological thriller stars Colin Farrell as a heart surgeon who befriends a troubled teen (Barry Keoghan), leading to a nightmare for his family. The film's unsettling atmosphere and Keoghan's breakout performance make it impossible to look away. The tension is unbearable as the story spirals toward a tragic, frightening conclusion.
'The Witch' (2015)
Robert Eggers's debut put A24 on the horror map. Set in 1630s New England, it follows Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) as her family is torn apart by supernatural forces after her baby brother vanishes. With period-accurate dialogue and a dark, painterly aesthetic, The Witch delivers intense dread and a goosebumps-inducing finale. It's a fresh take on witch lore that remains deeply unsettling.
'Heretic' (2024)
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods's film is best experienced with minimal knowledge. Two Mormon missionaries (Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher) visit the home of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), a charming but unnerving man whose motives are far from simple. The film is a masterclass in tension, subverting expectations with a motivation that's both unexpected and chilling. For more on horror's best masked killers, see From Ghostface to Michael Myers: The Best Masked Killers in Horror, Ranked.
These films prove that A24's horror isn't just scary—it's art. Whether you're a fan of slow-burn dread or visceral terror, these movies deliver the kind of scares that stick with you. For more streaming picks, check out Best Movies on Prime Video This Week: May 11 Picks and 3 Must-Stream Netflix Movies for the Week of May 11.
