Horror is usually attacked for being dependent on cheap thrills, jump scares, and formulaic plots.
But then there are certain horror films and series that subvert the expectations, providing more than terror—something more, something emotional, and something distinct in their narratives.
Some of these have even received the highly sought 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, a critical aggregation platform that gathers reviewers’ opinions across the globe.
Below are some horror movies and TV shows that have attained such legendary status, acclaimed for originality, setting, and production.
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Best Horror movies with 100% rotten tomatoes
His House (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
His House, directed and written by Remi Weekes, is a supernatural horror film with a forceful social commentary.
The film revolves around Bol and Rial, a refugee couple who apply for asylum in the UK, only to realize that their new home is infested with malevolent spirits.
The actual horror is not merely the ghosts but the trauma and displacement the couple undergo, presenting a new and frightening interpretation of the refugee crisis.
Creep 2 (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
The Creep series, which is directed by Patrick Brice, demonstrates that minimalism can be truly potent in horror.
Creep 2 has Aaron, a creepy character portrayed by Mark Duplass.
The sequel takes documentary filmmaker Sara, who signs up to make a project with Aaron but soon learns how deadly he can be.
Creep 2 generates fear through tiny, meticulously constructed moments, and it illustrates the fact that a high budget is not required to make an engrossing, unsettling horror film.
The Evil Within (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
The Evil Within, a psychological horror, is directed by Andrew Getty and explores the aspects of mental illness and trauma. The movie involves Dennis, an intellectually challenged person who begins suffering from bizarre hallucinations when he comes in contact with a strange mirror.
Its dreamlike grotesque visuals as well as exploration of a damaged mind result in a hauntingly thought-provoking experience.
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%
Mike Flanagan’s remake of Shirley Jackson’s 1959 gothic horror novel is a masterful blend of psychological horror and deeply emotional drama.
The show traces the story of a family who spent one night in a supposedly haunted house as children and returned as adults to face their traumatic pasts.
The series is unique because of its well-developed characters and emotional depth as it touches on themes such as trauma and loss. It finds a balance between supernatural frights and character studies, with the best performances from Elizabeth Reaser and Carla Gugino, and it is now a modern horror TV classic.
Marianne (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
Marianne is a French horror series that follows Emma, a successful horror writer whose life is in danger from a monster from her own novel.
As she attempts to flee this monstrous creature, she finds that it’s all too real.
The series has been lauded for its creepy atmosphere, great performances, and masterful mix of supernatural horror and psychological suspense. It’s a show that doesn’t mess around with its scares and provides a dark, engrossing tale.
The Order (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
The Order is a supernatural horror show that blends dark magic and college life.
The series involves Jack, who gets involved with a secret society to find answers about his mom’s death under mysterious circumstances and ends up finding himself in the middle of monster and sorcery worlds.
Less campy than some of its horror peers, its blend of mystery, fantasy, and terror, coupled with well-developed characters and plot surprises, earned it a clean Rotten Tomatoes score.
Conclusion
Horror is too often derided as a genre that uses cheap thrills, but these shows and movies show that it can be so much more. By incorporating emotional and psychological depth, these pieces have received critical praise and perfect Rotten Tomatoes ratings. Whether it’s the emotional path of The Haunting of Hill House or the disturbing social commentary of His House, these series provide lasting, unforgettable experiences beyond mere scares.