EntertainmentMoviesHorror MoviesThe 10 best monster movies of all time, rankedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesHorror MoviesThe 10 best monster movies of all time, rankedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Universal)
For as long as people have told stories, they’ve told terrifying tales of creatures lurking in corners and beings beyond belief hiding in the dark. It was probably inevitable then that these beasts would find their way to the silver screen, and the best monster movies have delighted and frightened film fans for nearly a century now. Indeed, some of the first films ever made – like Der Golem and early adaptations of Frankenstein – were monster movies. Since those early black-and-white pictures, these creature features have evolved into big-budget blockbusters that compel thousands of horror hounds to flock to cinemas every year.
Like the monsters they star, though, this is a genre with a lot of variety – spanning some of thebest horror moviesto thebest thrillers– and it can be hard to know which films are worth your time. Luckily, if you’re looking for help choosing where to start with the most monstrous of movies, you’re in the right place. We’ve gone back through the cinematic archives to bring you a comprehensive and carefully curated list of the 10 best monster movies which showcase what the genre has to offer.
10. The Mist
(Image credit: Dimension Films)
Director: Frank DarabontReleased: 2008
9. Troll Hunter
(Image credit: SF Norge A/S)
Director: André ØvredalReleased: 2010
8. The Little Shop of Horrors
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
Director: Frank OzReleased: 1986
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7. Tremors
(Image credit: Universal Pictures)
Director: Ron UnderwoodReleased: 1990
6. The Blob
(Image credit: TriStar Pictures)
Director: Chuck RussellReleased: 1988
5. The Fly
(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
Director: David CronenbergReleased: 1986
4. Jaws
(Image credit: Universal)
Director: Steven SpielbergReleased: 1975
The film that made Steven Spielberg a household name, Jaws, is a terrifying thriller about a man-eating shark that terrorizes a coastal town just as the summer holiday season is about to begin. While not as gory as the other films on this list, Jaws is no less shocking thanks to Bill Butler’s innovative underwater camera work and Verna Fields' clever editing. It was their work that allowed Spielberg to tease the shark’s presence and build tension until the film’s explosive climax, when the hungry beast finally emerges for its close-up.
Jaws8.1/10$5.75at Amazon$15.51at Amazon
Jaws
8.1/10
8.1/10
8.1/10
$5.75at Amazon$15.51at Amazon
$5.75at Amazon
$15.51at Amazon
3. King Kong
(Image credit: RKO Radio Pictures)
Director: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. SchoedsackReleased: 1993
King Kong$13.35at Walmart$24.99at Walmart$29.49at Amazon
King Kong
$13.35at Walmart$24.99at Walmart$29.49at Amazon
$13.35at Walmart
$24.99at Walmart
$29.49at Amazon
2. The Thing
(Image credit: Universal Pictures)
Director: John CarpenterReleased: 1982
The Thing$9.99at Amazon$17.99at Walmart
The Thing
$9.99at Amazon$17.99at Walmart
$9.99at Amazon
$17.99at Walmart
1. Godzilla
(Image credit: Toho)
Director: Ishirō HondaReleased: 1954
Listen, we love Kong as much as the next film fan, but there can only be one King of the Monsters, and it’s Godzilla. While you could have put almost any of the great lizard’s films on this list (except the Roland Emmerich one, for obvious reasons), we’ve decided to choose the one that started it all and gave us the kaiju genre, Godzilla ‘54.
An incredible piece of filmmaking that balances some truly impressive technical achievements – most notably pushing the boundaries of ‘suitmation’ to new extremes – with a surprisingly deep parable about the dangers of nuclear weapons, Godzilla has gone on to become an icon of pop culture. A large part of the film’s enduring legacy is the elegance of Godzilla’s design, which manages to walk the fine line between terrifying and charming at the same time.
For more movies that’ll scare you silly, check out our ranking of thebest found-footage horror movies– or all of the fantasticupcoming horror movieson the near horizon.
Godzilla$19.85at Walmart$19.99at Walmart$854.93at Amazon
Godzilla
$19.85at Walmart$19.99at Walmart$854.93at Amazon
$19.85at Walmart
$19.99at Walmart
$854.93at Amazon
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
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4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”