Brilliantly Entertaining Monster Movies
Cut the lights and turn up the sound. Get ready for a wild ride. Herein lies my favorite monster flicks, everything from aliens and vampires to classics and contemporaries; the cheesy goodness and the award-winning films. Creature features are my absolute favorite horror subgenre, overlapping with my favorite science fiction films. I love the chase, the heroes, the monsters, and I especially love the variety which the monster genre offers, sometimes even within a single film.
If you haven't seen some of these flicks, I highly recommend each. There are a lot of great monster films that I skipped from this list, not because they aren't awesome, but because I wanted to create a highly curated list of my absolute favorites.
Buckle up for some wild rides and suggest any missing monster flicks in the comments!
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
2012
Ok, hold on. Let me explain. If you haven't seen this film, you're probably thinking, "huh?" That can't be good. Oh but it is. It's really good. I missed this film for over a decade because I was sure it would be downright ridiculous. And it is. I finally popped it on one night looking for a few hours of escape and all my preconceived notions about what this film may or may not be were immediately thrown out the window. Don't take my word for it. If you've been hesitant to give Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter a shot, the time is now—you might be surprised.
Alien
1979
Brilliant, enthralling, and quintessential. You've probably seen it (and probably the sequels), but if you are just getting into monster movies, Alien is a must-see.
An American Werewolf in London
1981
An American Werewolf in London is a classic, and while the visual effects may look slightly dated, the story and acting are well worth the watch. American Werewolf explores psychological horror from a humanistic lens: guilt, shame, and survival.
Attack the Block
2011
This film is great! Attack the Block is a well-paced, action-thriller sci-fi that one might even consider a "containment thriller". The character transformations in this film are stellar, the monster effects are perfection, and the laughs come at just the right moments.
The Cabin in the Woods
2011
Cabin in the Woods was not what I expected it to be and I loved it for that. It's one of those films you can keep rewatching over and over and not get enough of. I won't spoil even the tiniest detail from Cabin in the Woods so you can go in blind. You're going to love this movie.
Fright Night
2011
A remake of the 1985 film of the same name: Fright Night. Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Toni Collette, and David Tennant all deliver. This vampire flick is creepy, fun, and just ridiculous enough. If you've got that vampire movie itch and you haven't seen the 2011 version of Fright Night, a watch is recommended.
Jaws
1975
A masterpiece monster pic, Jaws keeps you grounded in the possibilities of reality—making it that much more freaky. Jaws is a timeless piece of cinematography with A+ on acting, plot, special effects, music, and horror.
The Lost Boys
1987
Such a classic. It had been over 25 years since I'd seen The Lost Boys, so I recently rewatched it. Filmed in Santa Cruz, CA, where I attended college, this vampire flick has it all: lust, violence, twists, and the classic underdog-to-hero plot. The special effects aged decently and nostalgia points are high.
Sinners
2025
Wow. Simply amazing, on so many unexpected levels. This film transcends monster horror, and yet monster horror is exactly what pushes it over the edge—in such a good way. I could rave about this film—and many have—but suffice it to say Sinners is simply a masterpiece. The music was hands down mind-bending, the cinematography was spot on, the acting was clutch, and the third act gave me strong Lost Boys and From Dusk Till Dawn nostalgia. Don't miss Sinners.
Species
1995
Species doesn't get the best reviews and I can see that, but it checked the monster movie box for me. Give it a watch and formulate your own opinion.
The Thing
1982
Possibly my all-time favorite monster movie. Ahh, it's so good. Kurt Russell crushes it as always and John Carpenter delivers. Everything from the bleak landscapes, deep suspense, special effects, and intriguing mystery is perfect.
Werewolf by Night
2022
I'll admit that I was skeptical of an MCU horror thriller, but Werewolf by Night delivered. It's dark, quirky, and unique.
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