Every couple of years, the rest of the media world discovers horror. “Remembers” might be a better word for it, given the cyclical nature of the phenomenon, but the coverage always has a hint of disbelief to it as it reports on the latest horror movie (or movies) to break records at the box office. But fans of the genre know that horror has always been a place where independent creators can thrive.
The two titles that have dominated headlines so far in 2026 — Curry Barker’s Obsession and Kane Parson’s Backrooms — both feature on Inverse’s list of the best horror films and TV shows of the year so far. But those aren’t the only electrifying displays of originality on display here. Even the sequels on our list put fresh new spins on their respective franchises, proving that horror continues to be the most exciting genre out there.
