Well….we’ve reached the end of 2019, and in turn the decade. 2019 has felt VERY long. BUT a lot of great horror content hit us in 2019 from movies, to books, to casting news, to future projects, to moving forward in important conversations. It’s been a good one for us ghouls.

For my little site it’s been a HUGE year. I hired 20 writers, did our first giveaway, set up a newsletter, and continued to support unique voices in horror and promoted lots of indie authors! I’m very proud.

Some of the writing team at Horror Bound have decided to share their personal top 5 horror flicks of the year, and instead of doing a battle royale to come together and choose just 5, everyone is sharing their top 5.

So….dive into some lists, let us know on social media what your personal favorites are, and don’t forget this is PERSONAL favorites. So ya know…don’t attack. Just make your own list!

BUD’S TOP 5 OF 2019

#5 - Pilgrim

Two words ‘EVACUATE THYSELF’ If you've seen it, then you know. If not, get on it! This begins relatively tame with a Pilgrim living with a suburban family during the Thanksgiving season and then escalates into a bizarre home invasion type horror. The whole thing then shifts wildly into a bloody, gory nightmare which is soundtracked by a mix of both hard electronic and gospel music. Absolutely insane!

#4 - Annabelle Comes Home

I absolutely love The Conjuring Universe! I always refer to these films as “Standard American Horror” as they are simply something spooky. Jump scares get a lot of flack but what else do you want to be scared of? A sense of dread in your mind about how the film portrays a sense of insurmountable grief? BORING. I wanted haunted wedding dresses, a fog that turns into a werewolf, a haunted TV that shows you an alternate dimension and I want a backstory movie for all these things that are haunted in the Warren house.

#3 Eli

Is this thing still too new to talk about those last 15 minutes without it being a spoiler? Part standard american horror, part psychological thriller and part all out crazy “The devil is my baby daddy” exorcism film. Probably the best devil child since The Omen and one of the best twists in horror in recent years. Sorry for the spoilers.

#2 - Depraved

Honestly? Probably the best Frankenstein movie since the 1930’s. A completely new and modern take on both the doctor, the monster and the method for recreating life. Absolutely dark and fascinating with an interesting plot point that’s a discussion of good and evil as well as the overall definition of human nature. Yeah, not your “Standard American Horror” but an amazing film that's full of wonderful cinematography in a unique story with an amazingly insane climax that will absolutely break your heart. Oh and a subtle homage to ‘The Bride’ makes it that much better.

#1 - Crawl

Alexandre Aja strikes again! Nature horror, you know “When Animals Attack” was all the rage back in the 1970’s but the genre has been hit or miss since then. Crawl is the movie that brings the whole thing back! You've seen the trailers, you get the idea, Alligators + Hurricane = insanity. The surprising thing that the trailers don’t show you is that the majority of the movie is that our heroes are trapped in a flooded crawl space whilst surrounded by alligators in a hurricane. Gory, violent, claustrophobic and an absolutely wild ride from beginning to end. This thing does not skip a beat as it escalates from moment to moment until finally hitting a crescendo that smashes through the stratosphere. The #1 horror movie of 2019 is CRAWL!

DAHLIA’S TOP 5 OF 2019

#5 - Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

From the pages of a classic, childhood favorite collection of short stories comes this beautiful film. The plot was well crafted to include each remembered tale, and the effects brought to the life the original illustrations.

#4 - Midsommar

A horror film that also acts as a cathartic examination of grief, and of human connections. You will not want to look away, and you’ll want to talk about it immediately after.

#3 - Brightburn

Super-villains have always been a fascination but we rarely see an in depth origin story. Fans of both superhero and horror films can enjoy this unique film. (Check out Lorenzo’s review HERE)

#2 - Tigers are not Afraid

This dark fairy-tale film follows alongside a dark realism of Mexico’s drug wars. Adding a ghostly shadow over the film, and we get a horror that is chilling and heart-wrenching all at once.

#1 - One Cut of the Dead

A low budget zombie movie crew is attacked by actual zombies, and it gets betters. The film is a Japanese comedy horror that will surprise you with the turns it takes, and have you loving every character's unique part. (Check out Douglas’s review HERE)

LORENZO’S TOP 5 OF 2019

#5 - Midsommar

Combining folk horror with grief is something Aster did exquisitely in 2018 with Hereditary. His follow-up to that continues the theme of a woman dealing with grief, but also giving us some really messed up visuals and violence in a way we were never prepared to witness before…and it’s all brightly lit so we don’t miss a darn thing.

#4 - It Chapter Two

Continuing the story of the Loser’s Club, Andy Muschietti delivers a fun story about rediscovering friendship in a nightmare world, bringing all the Losers together to put an end to Pennywise once and for all. It delivers on the scares, it continues to bring the fun, and the ending totally brought the feels for me. An excellent ending to the IT films. (Check out my review HERE)

#3 - Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Do I really need to explain why this movie was amazing? It brought back all the terror I had in my childhood while reading the novels of the same name. The film itself brings the terror for sure, but also adds in a bit of charm and childhood comedy that leaves it a light, yet scary, viewing for everyone. In other words: it’s great, don’t miss it! (Check out my review HERE)

#2 - Doctor Sleep

The latest Stephen King story to get the movie treatment, here Flanagan gives us all the drama, mystery, and terror that made the novel a bestseller. The cast is incredible and a real joy to watch. Plus, there are some really disturbing moments involving a kid and a knife that I won’t ruin. Just make sure you see it! (Check out my review HERE)

#1 - Annabelle Comes Home

The newest installment into the mega-franchise that is The Conjuring puts the spotlight back on the evil doll Annabelle and focuses on the Warrens’ daughter, Judy. This movie makes my top 5 simply because of the effect it had on me…it made me anxious and freaked me out to the point I needed to leave the theater to catch my breath. Only one other film ever did that to me (As Above So Below) and that’s because I’m kind of claustrophobic. It was a fun movie filled with great scares and some interesting artifacts I wish they had given us more of. Definitely see this!

ANGIE’S TOP 5 OF 2019

#5 - Midsommar

Watching Dani’s transformation from tragic doormat to badass May Queen was downright inspiring. Also, Christian sucked, so…he got what was coming to him.

#4 - The Lighthouse

Uncomfortable masturbation scenes, weird dialogue, Melville-esque dialects, one large vagina, some tentacles, and LOTS of seagulls. This movie made me rethink Robert Pattinson.

#3 - Crawl

I yelled at the movie a lot. But for once, it wasn’t because I was enraged. I genuinely enjoyed every moment of this movie. Alligators are scary, y’all. Also, that scene with the whole ass ATM-stealing made me miss living in Florida a little.

#2 - Nightmare Cinema

While it was released in Canada in 2018, here in the US we didn’t get it until this year. I love me a good anthology, and this one is great. My favorite entry was definitely Mashit, directed by Ryūhei Kitamura. (Check out Dan’s review HERE)

#1 - Horror Noire

It looks long and hard at the role that Black Americans have played in the horror genre over the years. They have made previously uncounted contributions to the horror genres and been in turn used, exploited, ignored, and are finally beginning to really be embraced. Horror Noire is all about tallying them up and celebrating them. As a lifelong student, and hopefully someday film historian, there was nothing not to love here. (Check out Charlotte’s deep dive into everything she learned watching Horror Noire HERE)

MIKE’S TOP 5 OF 2019

#5 - IT Chapter Two

My favorite thing about IT Chapter Two is that they went for it. They didn’t hold a thing back, and while it stumbled in a few places, I still loved it. The cast was top notch and it ended up being a lot more emotional than I expected it to be.

#4 - Us

Okay, so here we have a Jordan Peele flick with Lupita N’yongo and Winston Duke. Why aren’t you running out the door to go watch this right now?

#3 - Midsommar

This movie is bright, colorful, and deeply disturbing. It crescendos with one of the most chilling scenes I’ve ever witnessed. Florence Pugh is so phenomenal as Dani, and in my opinion, her performance is Oscar-worthy.

#2 - Annabelle Comes Home

A great conclusion to the Annabelle trilogy, which seemed to improve with every entry. Creepy dolls are one of my favorites and the The Conjuring universe has definitely delivered with every appearance of the possessed doll. The strength of the series has always been in the characters and to me that is where Annabelle Comes Home shone brightest.

#1 - Child’s Play

I was not looking forward to this movie. Not at all. The premise seemed lame to me. However, I gave it a chance and I’m so glad I did. Mark Hamill’s voice work is top-notch, the kills are crazy and creative, and the humor hits the spot. A movie worthy of the title Child’s Play. Aubrey Plaza playing a mom is really weird though.

CHARLOTTE’S TOP 5 OF 2019

#5 - Us

Another knock out by Jordan Peele, this time taking us deep into doppelganger territory. Some incredibly scary moments, some outstanding humor, and a plot twist that will make your head spin. He’s already one of the greats. (Check out Mike’s review HERE)

#4 - Gwen

A Shudder exclusive in 2019, this quiet movie came out of nowhere and hit me directly in my heart. I related so intensely to Gwen and this was a very personal watch for me. It’s a slow burn mumble flick with one terrifying scene and an ending that will leave you breathless. (Check out my review HERE)

#3 - Midsommar

Another incredible story from the great Ari Aster. This one showed me female grief in a way that felt so real to me and like nothing I’d been able to see on screen before. It means a lot to me personally and helped me work through a lot of personal trauma. (Check out my deep dive into trauma and grief and Midsommar HERE)

#2 - The Lighthouse

I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again. This movie is a 5/5 and I never want to see it again. Why is it my number two? Because I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I saw it. It was traumatizing and beautiful and incredible and frightening and mermaid vagina…..just…wow.

#1 - Child’s Play

Look, I wanted to hate this okay. I was against everything it stood for. But fuck. I’ve already watched this three times. It’s hilarious, it’s vicious, it was literally filmed 5 minutes away from my apartment. It completely captured the spirit of Chucky and I will have the Buddi song stuck in my head until the day I die. You are my budddiiii, until the end, more than a buddddiiiii, you’re my best friend…… (Check out Zo’s review HERE)

And there you have it! A lot of the same flicks for sure. And Midsommar was on pretty much every single list. It was a great year for horror and 2020 is looking just as great! Let us know your top 5 horror movies of 2019 on social media.

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