2006 wasn’t the greatest year for the horror genre. Many horror films were often overlooked or still in the midst of Hollywood trying to remake all classic horror films, especially the Japanese ones.
As with any year, there are a few diamonds in the rough. This list will look at some of the best of 2006, with the ranking being based on the film’s IMDb score. Here are ten the best horror movies of 2006.
Saw III (6.2)
Saw III is the second sequel in the long-running series. The original film was a low-budget smash hit, and, as expected, the studio knew they had a franchise on their hands. Saw III picks up where the second one left off and follows Jeff as he works his way through Jigsaw’s house of deadly games, confronting his past in more ways than he expected.
Saw III is where the overarching storyline starts to get a little convoluted, however. The traps also started getting a lot gorier, something that would continue with the rest of the sequels going forward. Coincidentally, this is the third highest-rated film in the franchise on IMDb.
The Hills Have Eyes (6.4)
2006’s The Hills Have Eyes is one of the better horror remakes out there. The film follows a family road trip that takes a deadly turn when they become stranded in the New Mexico desert and fall prey to a group of mutant cannibals affected by nuclear testing decades earlier.
One key difference between the remake and the original is the high level of violence. Director Alexandre Aja’s remake is unapologetically brutal and bloody compared to Wes Craven’s original film, which relied more on psychological terror. This isn’t too surprising considering this remake came out during the “torture porn” era of the genre. Still, that doesn't make any less of a movie as the violence fits the story. Later on, it becomes a satisfying revenge tale.
Slither (6.4)
Before he would grace the MCU with Guardians Of The Galaxy, James Gunn was a writer for Troma Entertainment, known for their exploitative B-movies. James Gunn would make his first film directorial debut with Slither, a hilarious body horror flick about an alien parasite that infects a small South Carolina town.
Slither was praised among horror fans, but it’s definitely not for everyone. The grotesque and stomach-churning practical effects on display may turn some people off, despite the film being very tongue-in-cheek. Still, it’s a great throwback to 80s horror!
Silent Hill (6.5)
Perhaps the most underappreciated entry on this list, Silent Hill is a tale about a mother searching for her adopted daughter in an eerie and desolate town. The early 2000s were rife with terrible cash-grab video game adaptations, which Silent Hill was unfairly associated with.
It’s a shame, really, as Silent Hill is a pretty good atmospheric horror film that is clearly made by a director who respected the source material. The impressive visuals matched with a terrific score make this film worth watching. It shouldn’t be written off as “just another video game adaptation.”
Severance (6.5)
Severance is a British horror-comedy about an office team-building retreat for Palisade, a military arms corporation. Their “vacation” gets worse as they are hunted down by a group of killers using the very weapons Palisade has created.
Severance has been described as The Office meets Deliverance. The humor works thanks to its cast of awkward and unique characters. The horror side of the film doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to the kills, though It’s clear that the humor is there to offset the more grisly violence displayed on the screen. If you’re a fan of dark comedy, definitely check this one out.
Fido (6.7)
Fido is a heartwarming tale of a boy and his... zombie. The film takes place in the 1950s where space radiation brought all of the living back to dead. After the humans won the “Zombie Wars,” zombies were captured and eventually become domesticated for suburban neighborhoods.
Fido is an excellent zombie parody that pokes fun at the constant paranoia prevalent in the 1950s. It does have all the gore expected in a zombie movie, but it still manages to have a lot of heart and charm.
Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon (6.7)
Behind The Mask: The Rise Of Leslie Vernon is a mockumentary in which some of cinema’s greatest slashers—Michael, Jason, and Freddy—all exist within the same universe and have seemingly changed the game for serial killers. In an effort to understand what these slashers do, a film crew follows Leslie Vernon, an up-and-coming serial killer.
He comes complete with his own mask and backstory. You really can’t get more self-aware than Behind The Mask. It pokes fun at all the tropes you expect in a slasher film such as the amount of cardio Vernon is required to do in order to keep up with running victims while he’s still walking.
The Host (7.1)
The Host is a South Korean satirical monster movie from Bong Joon-Ho, the director of the 2020's Best Picture winner Parasite. It centers around a father as he tries to find his daughter who was snatched up by a giant squid-like monster that arose from the Han River.
As with most Bong Joon-Ho films, there’s no one specific genre on display. Bong Joon-Ho is able to mix in satire, comedy, horror, and suspense all into one perfect package. It’s just as much a family drama as it is a creature feature.
The Descent (7.2)
The Descent is one of the most intense and anxiety-inducing horror films in recent memory. This British horror film follows a group of cave-divers who find themselves trapped and hunted by unknown humanoid creatures. It’s a relatively simple premise, but that’s all it needs to be for an effective experience.
The set and sound design really draws viewers in with its claustrophobic tone and makes you feel just as trapped as the characters do. Also, make sure you’re watching the original U.K. version for its original—and far superior—ending.
Pan’s Labyrinth (8.2)
Guillermo del Toro’s films are typically more than just you’re average horror. 2006’s Pan’s Labyrinth is no different. It’s a perfect blend of fantasy and terror that paints a grim picture of the horrors of war.
Set early on during the Francoist regime, Pan’s Labyrinth is about a young girl named Ofelia and how her terrifying real-life circumstances are intertwined with a dark fantasy world that follows her. It’s a beautiful film made all the more impressive by the creature designs, most notably the frightening Pale Man.