The first decade of the 2000’s was an interesting time for horror. We saw the rise of torture porn, vampires, zombies, found footage, and most importantly, the end of ironic and snarky teen-driven horror such as Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Movies like Saw, Hostel, and Paranormal Activity reigned at the box office, while others possibly remembered by horror fans have seemingly been lost to time. Here are 8 of these forgotten flicks.
7. The Forsaken, 2001
A cross-country roadtripper meets a hitchhiking vampire hunter, an infected stereotypical blonde, and wackiness ensues. Starring horror and “Dawson’s Creek” veteran Kerr Smith (Final Destination, My Bloody Valentine – It’s gettin’ so early-2000s up in here!), The Forsaken is not a memorable movie by any means; yet, it deserves a mention due to its cool desert night shots and for being a vampire movie before we wanted to stake Edward and Bella.
6. Slither, 2006
The Horror-Comedy of Your Dreams would be a better title for Slither. If you’ve never seen Slither, stop everything you’re doing and watch nerd royalty Nathan Fillion fight alien slugs with Michael Rooker and Elizabeth Banks. This James Gunn-directed future cult classic is the perfect disgusting combo of body snatchers meet small-town zombie virus. Coming up on a ten-year anniversary in 2016, here’s hoping for a Blu-Ray Special Edition covered in slime.
5. The Others, 2001
This supernatural thriller is possibly the culprit behind the twist ending trend, and what a twist this one has! Nicole Kidman stars with some creepy pale kids who can’t get into the sunlight in World War II England (not that there’s much sun to begin with in that part of the world). Throw in some fog, pervasive weirdness, and a paranoid mother; and you’ve got the ultimate shock-ending ghost movie before ghost movies were cool.
4. Shadow of the Vampire, 2000
This one is borderline a lost film. Very few people know about this hidden gem. Willem Dafoe, John Malkovich, and Cary Elwes star in this fictionalized account of the filming of the silent horror classic Nosferatu. Shadow is based on the urban legend of Nosferatu actor Max Schreck’s alleged vampirism. Produced by Nicolas Cage (of course), this campy horror/drama/parody is full of one-liners and is just downright freaking fantastic.
3. The Ruins, 2008
This one is the horror movie equivalent of a Taco Bell bathroom; it’s there when you needed it, you used it, and never want to go back again. Barely making its money back upon its April 2008 release, The Ruins was a word-of-mouth movie that seemed to have gotten no one talking. I was working at a video store when this movie was released, and customers were sorely disappointed in this backpacking-trip-gone-awry with-the-worst-monster-ever movie. Hint: It’s a vine. Watch it for the effects; then forget about it.
2. Ghost Ship, 2002
Remembered for one of the best and most gruesome opening scenes in the past fifteen years, Ghost Ship is not terrible, yet not fantastic either. There’s not much to say about this one. A salvage crew goes looking for a lost ocean liner, only to find out that *SPOILER* it’s haunted. Would probably be a better theme-park ride than a movie and feels like it’s trying too hard. The tagline “Sea Evil” did not help audiences take this one seriously.
1. Bug, 2006
AKA “Ashley Judd is insane,” Bug is a movie people either loved or hated. When an unstable waitress meets a delusional and paranoid soldier, you get this claustrophobic psychological thriller that blurs the lines of reality. Bug is a powerful mind-fuck and wonderfully acted. Warning: contains disturbing dental scene.
Let us know your picks in the comments section below!