joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... the recap!

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

The Recap!

13) Before I wake
12) Southbound
11) Lights Out
10) He Never Died
9) The Shallows
8) Night of the Living Deb
7) Don't Breathe
6) Blair Witch
5) Green Room
4) 10 Cloverfield Lane
3) Darling
2) 31
1) Train To Busan

Close, but no guitar:
Hush
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Carnage Park
Yoga Hosers
The Monster

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #1

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

1) Train to Busan

Our final entry and the one that holds the highest honor this year is the Korean zombie film, 'Train to Busan'. Now, before you say that you've seen every zombie film under the sun, I'm going to tell you that you need to see this one too. The premise is simple, a train on it's way to Busan, is quickly overrun by a zombie apocalypse. No, that's not as far as this goes, but that's all you really need to know. What happens from there is sheer madness. Unlike anything I've ever seen before, 'Train to Busan' creates a whole different level of undead terror. Little to no CGI and a whole lot of extras, create a jaw dropping experience that you will not soon forget. This film has you on the edge of your seat within minutes and doesn't let you catch your breath until the final credits roll. It's easily in my top 5 zombie films ever and with repeated viewings, could create a tie for first place. There's so many things going on in this film, that I can't even begin to write about them all. Some of it may not be new ground, but rest assured, that's it's ground breaking all the same. If you don't see any of the other films on this list, be sure and see this one. (and '31' and 'Darling') It's an emotional roller coaster terrifying thrill ride that is unlike anything that's come before. If this doesn't take the top spots on almost all of the horror recaps of this year, then there truly is no justice in this world. Go and find this one right now.... before it finds you!



Suggested snack to eat while watching: head cheese and kidney beans

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #2

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

2) 31

Rob Zombie's films are polarizing, to say the least. No matter what you feel about his work, you can't deny his vision. He makes the films he wants and always puts his heart and soul into them. Every aspect is hands on for him, from screenwriting, to directing, producing, casting and art direction. Every single film is pure Zombie. '31' is his first foray into the idea of crowdfunding a project. When 'Broad Street Bully's' got stalled in development hell, he took to his fans to help him got this project made instead. Combining all of the elements of his prior films, he made a hybrid, containing all of the best things from the past and bringing them into the present. He filled out the cast with some of his trusted regulars and many new faces, to bring this carnival of terror to life. He also brought to life, one of the more iconic villains of recent memory, 'Doom-Head', played brilliantly by Richard Brake. He demands your attention every time he's on the screen and breathes life into the entire project. Is it perfect? No. However, it's better than most of the other films released this past year. I may be a little biased, but there's something so satisfying about everything he does. It's like one of his songs brought to life, in glorious technicolor. This isn't one that everyone will enjoy, but it it's another solid notch in Mr. Zomie's belt.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: popcorn!

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #3

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

3) Darling

The horror genre is often seen as a form of escapism that has no real artist merit. A way for people to exorcise their demons through monsters and madmen. What is often taken for granted, is what it's actually capable of. Just look at the films of Alfred Hitchcock, those are marveled at as masterful tales of suspense and cinematography. However, they're never even thought of in the same breath as the modern works of horror. It's a shame, really, because with the 'Deathwave' movement and some of the rising stars in the genre, we're seeing some new ground being broken on a daily basis. Mickey Keating is another one of the directors on this list that is pushing those boundries. Every one of his films is entirely different from the next. Never one to settle for any specific prototype, he's doing what he wants and it's amazing. 'Darling' is his latest outing and surely to be considered as a masterwork in his body of work. It's a spiritual successor to Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' and has some of the most beautifully shot sequences of any film to date. I can't say enough good things about this film and Lauren Ashley Carter's portrayal as the lead. It's not only a character study in psychosis, but a film about the occult, and a meditation on loneliness. I know that's saying a lot, but you have to see it to understand. This is one not too miss.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: coffee and cigarettes

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #4

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

4) 10 Cloverfield Lane

'Cloverfield' brought the found footage genre to the big budget arena and made it an event. However, no one was expecting a sequel or possible trilogy. '10 Cloverfield Lane' came out of nowhere and caught everyone by surprise. When I first saw it, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It appeared to be an end of the world drama set underground, with a very unclear enemy. As the story unfolds, we begin to question everything that's come before. Never quite seeing the evil outside, you begin to wonder if maybe the evil is only in the bunker, in the form of man. Without spoiling the ending, let me say that what's outside, is nothing you would or could ever expect. A bit of a crossover film, but one that I absolutely loved. Well worth a placement on my list of this year and one that takes the original concepts laid out in 'Cloverfield' and takes them in a brand new direction.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: K-ration's

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #5

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

5) Green Room

Jeremy Saulnier is a director to watch. His work with Macon Blair has produced some of the more interesting films of the past several years. 'Green Room' is his newest outing and one that further stakes his claim as a man with a future. This film is entirely unique in it's premise and it's execution. There's so many moments of extreme tension and adrenaline, that you'll have to wait until it's over to catch your breath. It's borderline, in terms of being classified as horror, but it's more than a thriller and can be quite terrifying. If you're looking for something new that you've never quite seen before, this is one to watch. Not too mention, Patrick Stewart creates a character that's unforgettable in modern cinema. A classic all it's own.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: beer

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #6

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

6) Blair Witch

I'm not one to keep quiet about my love of 1999's genre changing 'The Blair Witch Project'. This continuation of the story, was kept secret until almost before it's release. I'm not sure the reason why, but once the cat was out of the bag, I was in 100%. With Adam Wingard behind the lens, I knew that no matter what, it was going to be good. I was not wrong. The story may re-tread a lot of the same ground as the original, but not in the same way. If you've seen it, then you'll already know what you're in for. However, this one did something that the original never did and that no other film has ever done. It made me physically uncomfortable to watch. I almost had to turn it off, several times, because of one particular scene underground. Sadly, it got mixed reviews and didn't do the box office everyone was expecting, but that doesn't make it any less deserving of being on this list. 'Blair Witch' is a winner in my book and one that I look forward to owning soon.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: trail mix

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #7

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

7) Don't Breathe

The hype train is a cruel mistress. It can make a film or break a film. Not enough hype, can cause people to miss an excellent film. Too much hype can make a film successful. However, on both sides of that coin, it can have the opposite reaction. 'Don't Breathe' is one of those films that succeeded because of all the massive hype, but also kept some people away because they felt it could never live up to all praise it was getting. What made me keep the faith was the man behind the movie, Fede Alvarez. He's the man who made the amazing 'Evil Dead' film from almost 3 years ago. Once again, he's turned the written word into cinema gold. This one is a bit hard to categorize, but don't let that keep you away. My only concern, is that a sequel is already being talked about. If Fede stays on board, I'm in, but if not.... I'm going to proceed with caution. 'Don't Breathe' is a nail bitingly twisted cautionary tale and one that will make you uncomfortable in your own skin.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: three 100 Grand bars

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #8

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

8) Night of the Living Deb

I would almost bet money, that you've not heard of this one before. Honestly, I hadn't either, until it popped up on Netflix as a recommended view. I put it in my queue and promptly forgot about it. Why? Because there are so many zombie films out there now and this one looked like a 'Shaun of the Dead'/ 'Warm Bodies' rip off. Wow.... I was wrong. This may have similarities to those other movies, but it's a wonderful slice of rom-com-zom fare that it demands that you watch it as soon as possible. It's got a love story, zombies, action, great characters and a nice little twist that won't change zombie films forever, but is a happy little treat for fans of the genre. If you think you've seen them all or you've skipped this one because it just looked generic and forgettable, I have two words: Ray Wise. Queue this one up, grab your best girl or boy and enjoy! You won't regret it.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: organic vegetables, before they go bad

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #9

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

9) The Shallows

Take 'Jaws', 'Open Water' and 'Blue Crush', mix them into blender and this is what you get. A may get a little over the top and silly at the end and carries on about 5 mins too long, but you couldn't justifiably end it any other way. Blake Lively carries the film makes you believe every minute of the situation she endures. It's basically a solo film that revolves around her being stuck on a rock only a short distance from the shore. However, the drama that ensues is on par with any other film with a longer run time and a whole lot more going on. It may have all the earmarks of something that should be skipped, but don't let the PG-13 rating taint your judgement. This one is a diamond in the rough.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: shark steak

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #10

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

10) He Never Died

I love Henry Rollins. Ever since the Black Flag days, through his spoken word performances and his staunch views on nearly everything, I love the man. He's crossed over several times into major motion pictures, but this was the role he was born to play. It's one of the most original stories I've seen and without giving away the premise, this is one that you need to add to your queue. He plays the character almost completely straight and deadpan, but it works. 'He Never Died' is part cannibal movie, part undead anti-hero, part action film and part dark satire. It's all woven together into a tapestry of fascination that you can't look away from. A solid contender on this list.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: blood sausage

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #11

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

11) Lights Out

It's amazing today, the power of social media and fan reaction. People can make their own short and feature length films and upload them onto the web and let the viewers do the rest. 'Lights Out' is one of those short films that caught the attention of the public and soon was optioned to be a feature length movie. Does it carry over to the long form medium and still hold up? I think so. It may not be quite the same simple story anymore, but you can't turn something that short into 90 mins, without expanding on your base storyline. It may not go down as a classic in the horror genre, but it's well worth your time to invest in watching it. The scares are solid, the story is good and the atmosphere is spot on. I'm looking forward to what David F. Sandberg has to offer us in the future.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: dark meat chicken and dark chocolates

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #12

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

12) Southbound

Anthology films are tricky and the good ones are few and far between. 'Southbound' kind of came in below the radar, but should have been heralded as one of the good ones. All the stories are interesting and tie together beautifully at the end. It can be a bit rough at times, with the blood and guts, but totally worth it. If you haven't heard of this one or already seen it.... consider this your wake up call. This one is a classic in the anthology subgenre.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: mixed nuts

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #13

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

13) Before I wake

To kick off this countdown of horror's best offerings for 2016, I give you Mike Flanagan's 'Before I Wake'. A film I previously reviewed for The Creepercast and one of the most original films on this list. Not only did it provide decent scares and great atmosphere, it also provided something not seen in most horror.... beauty. A simple story that spoke volumes to love, loss and imagination. It may have lost something in the end, with a bit too computer animated and underwhelming monster. However, that shouldn't detract from everything that came from before. If you want to see something that you've never seen before, than 'Before I Wake' is one journey you'll want to take.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: butterfly pork chops

joel.'s top 13 horror films of 2016.... #Honorable Mention

Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2016 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2016! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2015.)

Honorable Mention) Microwave Massacre

Every year, yeilds some new treasure. Something that didn't come out in the past year, but something unearthed from another time. This years find is from 1983, a “classic” called 'Microwave Massacre'. A simple story about cannibalism, a microwave and the voice of Frosty the Snowman. Yes, you heard me right. I'm not sure what it is about this movie that made me include it on this list, but there is something very charming about how silly and terrible it is. The acting is terrible, the script is sub par and the special effects are pretty low budget. However, what it lacks in all of those areas, it makes up for in fun. It's just a goofy little artifact from a different era. Something about it just seems to hit the right chords. I can't explain it, but I recommend that if you like this sort of thing, to check it out. An oddity and something that has to be seen to be believed. Fire up the microwave and get ready for a trip you won't soon forget.



Suggested snack to eat while watching: mixed nuts