3. The Descent (2005)
Widely considered one of the best horror movies of the ‘00s, The Descent is an excellent example of one of the scariest films in the genre. A British film written and directed by Neil Marshall, The Descent was a massive success, earning positive reviews and box office success. It’s also deeply terrifying.
The Descent follows a group of female friends who go spelunking to cheer up the grieving Sarah one year after the death of her husband and daughter. While exploring an unmapped cave system, the friends become trapped. Lost in the dark beneath the Earth, they find themselves hunted by vicious, sightless, bloodthirsty creatures known as Crawlers.
The film’s use of darkness and claustrophobia certainly helps its ability to frighten its audience, but it’s more than that. The Descent’s story has remarkable depth that has fuelled multiple fan theories about its true meaning or significance. It may not always receive the recognition it deserves, but it’s by far one of the scariest horror movies of all time.