Top 5’s – Best Horror Films Of 2009

Reviewed on March 4th, 2010 By Jigsaw (contributor) & filed in the Top 5's vault "We all go a little mad sometimes"

Maybe this would have been more appropriate at the beginning of the year but with the Oscars looming I decided to look at the genre that is always overlooked. This Top 5’s only lists films that were released in 2009 (even if they were made two years prior) but it doesn’t matter whether it was theatrically released or went straight to DVD. I would love to hear what other people’s favourite flicks of 2009 were as I’m sure there are many I’ve overlooked.

5) My Bloody Valentine 3D
A remake that’s better than the original? You bet’cha. But considering the first’s pedigree it’s not a hard task. This film doesn’t attempt to be more than it was, a goofy slasher. The carnage is off the charts and is the first horror film that uses 3D effectively. If that wasn’t enough this film has the longest nude scene ever (in 3D no less) and Jaime King stars, only not in the same scene. Shame.

4) Orphan
This was a nice surprise and was actually a lot better than I expected. I like demonic children movies and Esther is probably the most evil child I have ever seen on screen. I say screen as I’m from Bethnal Green and all the children there are a lot more savage.This is a gore hound’s dream with surprises around every corner – at the halfway point you’ll doubt that anyone will survive this brat’s wrath. The only thing letting this one down is the twist ending that wasn’t really needed but all in all a great time was had.

3) Zombieland
This was probably the film I was most looking forward to last year and it defiantly lived up to the hype. I never expected to find another zomcom movie that I would like after Shaun of the Dead but here we are. Zombieland has a unique narrative style and is not just one of the best horror movies of last year but the funniest film of 2009. We have a new horror movie Bad Ass to rival Ash in Tallahassee and the ultimate cameo appearance of all time (I won’t ruin it here).

2) Saw VI
I had begun to lose faith in the Saw series and dragged myself to see this out of obligation. Amazingly this restored the series back to its original greatness by answering all the lingering questions that had been raised over the years. Rather than just follow the usual formula a real life topic was incorporated into the storyline (health insurance). Jigsaw’s presence was actually justified, we saw the return of Amanda (spin off please) and Hoffman became much more than the dull turd we had become accustomed to. Saw VI – best sequel yet.

1) Trick ‘r Treat
There was never any doubt that this was going to be the best film of the year. Unjustly released on DVD this should have had a theatrical release. Anthology films are a staple of horror but have become stale and repetitive. While Trick ‘r Treat’s tales are hardly the most original they are presented in such a compelling way (that replicates the style of Pulp Fiction). There are thousands of horror movies out there but only a few that you can watch over and over again (Nightmare On Elm Street, Halloween etc). This is one of those movies that I will be watching every Halloween from now on. The film also crafts a new icon of horror who deserves to appear in multiple sequels so show your support and buy this on DVD. Long live Sam.

Disagree with our choices? Then why not post your own below.

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