Believe it or not, 2026 is right around the corner! Before we close off the year, I thought it’d be nice to go back 20 years to take a look at some of the best horror movies from 2005.
What makes 2005 and the years around it so interesting to me is that this time period was all pre-streaming. For the most part, our options were buying DVDs, visiting Blockbuster (or our favorite local video rental shop), watching the Sci-Fi channel, and occasionally catching a new horror movie at the theater.
You had to be intentional about what horror movies you were going to watch instead of letting streaming menus take you down a path of movies you’ve never heard of. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn’t, but I think it’s safe to say that if you were around and watching at this time, you sure had fun along the way.
2005 was a very interesting year for horror! We saw surprising sequels, modernized reimaginings, new original properties, questionable video game adaptations, and the birth of one of the most influential horror TV shows ever created.
It’s safe to say there’s something for everybody on this list. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned horror veteran looking to relive this era, or someone younger wondering, “What was horror like in 2005?” I’ve got you covered! Here’s my roundup of the wide variety of horror films 2005 had to offer:
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Land of the Dead
Land of the Dead (2005) is the fourth of the legendary George A. Romero’s Living Dead movies. I’m a big fan of all six movies in the franchise, and I’d have to say that this one is smack dab in the middle for me personally.
This horror film takes place several years after Night of the Living Dead (1968), Dawn of the Dead (1978), and Day of the Dead (1985). At this point, humans have found a few safe havens that keep them relatively safe from the ongoing zombie apocalypse. The sanctuary followed here is in Pittsburgh, PA, which makes sense considering George A. Romero’s filming history.
There’s the usual zombie movie shenanigans: a big bad is taking advantage of the dire situation for personal gain, a group of people in varying desperate situations are brought together by fate, and the zombies have their moment when stuff hits the fan.
What makes Land of the Dead movie shine is the practical effects. The zombies look absolutely amazing, the attacks are brutal and gory, and the sound effects that go along with the attacks (like bones crunching) absolutely sell the kills.
If you haven’t gotten around to seeing Land of the Dead, right now is the perfect time!
Where to watch Land of the Dead:
Land of the Dead | Runtime 1h 33m | Rated R | Released on June 18, 2005
BloodRayne
BloodRayne (2005) is based on a 2002 video game originally released on Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube. They’ve since remastered BloodRayne 1 and 2 if you want to experience them before or after watching the movie. (Not sponsored – I got inspired to replay the games after watching the movie and thought you might like to as well!).
This 2005 horror movie follows Rayne, a hybrid vampire-human. Her goal is to hunt down her father and put an end to him before he sets off a chain of events that humanity may never recover from.
Along the way, she meets an interesting cast of characters, both good and bad. Kristanna Loken plays Rayne, and she does a great job nailing the look, attitude, and style of her video game counterpart. But she’s far from the only engaging character. In fact, BloodRayne is pretty stacked with stars like Ben Kingsley, Michelle Rodriguez, and even Meat Loaf. They all do an excellent job bringing the story to life.
There are kickass fight scenes, creepy monsters, wonderfully-crafted set pieces, and some good ol’ fashioned vampire slaying. So, if you’re looking for an action-packed vampire movie, look no further than BloodRayne.
Where to watch BloodRayne:
BloodRayne | Runtime 1h 35m | Rated R | Released on October 23, 2005
2001 Maniacs
Next up is 2001 Maniacs (2005), which is a remake of Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964). This horror/comedy follows several groups of 25-year-old teenagers on a road trip. Along the way, they encounter a town full of cartoony southerners, and they’re getting ready to celebrate their “Guts ‘N’ Glory Jubilee” festival.
As you can probably guess, things quickly take a turn, and the “teens” are taken out one by one in comical, over-the-top fashion. The practical effects and kill scenes in 2001 Maniacs are entertaining and hold up well, even 20 years later. In terms of acting, Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street) shines as the confederate eye-patch-wearing mayor, George W. Buckman.
2001 Maniacs is reminiscent of the Wrong Turn movies and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, with the key difference being that the ugliness of what they do is hidden behind the facade of quaint Southern hospitality.
The bottom line is, if you’re into the movies I mentioned above, you’ll like this one too. But here’s a caveat: if you’re sensitive to (fake) mice getting smushed and similar atrocities, it might be a good idea to check DoesTheDogDie first.
Where to watch 2001 Maniacs:
2001 Maniacs | Runtime 1h 27m | Rated R | Released on October 21, 2005
Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis + Rave to the Grave
It’s no secret that the Return of the Living Dead franchise is one of my favorite horror film franchises – I’ve already written extensively about both of these 2005 zombie horror movies (and the rest of the ROTLD franchise) right here on HorrorFam! So, I’ll keep this short and sweet:
In 2005, both Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis and Return of the Living Dead: Rave to the Grave were released directly to television, specifically on the Sci-Fi (Now SyFy) Channel. Both movies are connected by a few characters, though they have drastically different tones.
Necropolis reminds me a lot of Resident Evil, including the cheesy dialogue! Rave to the Grave, on the other hand, is about what would happen if a bunch of kids found out they could get high off Trioxin and decided to sell it at a rave. Yeah, I’m sure you already know things go south pretty fast.
Both movies are fun and entertaining, even if they’re not the best Return of the Living Dead films in the franchise. It’s worth mentioning that when you watch these movies, start with Necropolis and then Rave to the Grave, since the survivors from the former movie are the main characters in the latter.
Turn off your Braaaiiinnssssss and watch!
Where to watch Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis:
Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis | Runtime 1h 28m | Rated R | Released on October 15, 2005
Where to watch Return of the Living Dead: Rave to the Grave:
Return of the Living Dead: Rave to the Grave | Runtime 1h 26m | Rated R | Released on October 15, 2005
Saw II
I’m a firm believer that Saw II (2005) is the reason the Saw franchise truly took off, and why Saw X is around today. This 2005 horror movie builds upon the formula introduced in the first movie and expands on it in virtually every way.
Instead of two people in one room, Saw II follows eight people in a house that’s the morbid equivalent of a game of Mouse Trap. One of these people just so happens to be the son of Detective Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg).
Things escalate inside the house as people are eliminated one by one in increasingly brutal ways. The traps are awesome, and it for sure sets the stage for every Saw movie that came out after it. Meanwhile, Det. Matthews is in an intense faceoff with John Kramer, Jigsaw himself.
It all culminates in a thrilling ending that most people didn’t see coming. If you haven’t sat down and watched Saw II (or the rest of the franchise, for that matter), I highly recommend you have a late-night movie marathon!
Where to watch Saw II:
Saw II | Runtime 1h 33m | Rated R | Released on October 28, 2005
Hostel
Hostel (2005) is a suspenseful and cringe-inducing horror movie written and directed by Eli Roth. It follows a few friends on a backpacking trip across Europe. They eventually end up in a hostel in Slovakia, where they learn that things are not as they appear.
The hostel, in fact, is a trap to capture people, so they can be sold to a group of twisted individuals with a deadly hobby.
The overtly sexual nature of the movie, along with the extreme violence, means Hostel is 100% NOT for everyone. Without getting too specific, it’s THE definition of “torture porn horror,” for better or for worse.
Most of the characters are a bit obnoxious, but they do a nice job of humanizing the main character as the movie progresses.
It’s difficult to watch Hostel at times, but I still vividly remembered the characters, kills, and key scenes during my rewatch, even though it’s been 20 years since I first saw it. In my mind, that means they must have done something right!
Where to watch Hostel:
Hostel | Runtime 1h 34m | Rated R | Released on September 17, 2005
The Gingerdead Man
The Gingerdead Man (2005) is a very unique horror/comedy that you should see at least once.
The plot sounds crazy when you say (or type) it out, but I’ll do my best: The Gingerdead Man is essentially Child’s Play (1988). But instead of a Good Guy doll, it’s a gingerbread man, and instead of Ray Lee Charles’ spirit, it’s a serial killer named Millard Findlemeyer, played by Gary Busey. With all of that in mind, it’s a pretty wild ride.
It’s also hilariously self-aware. The acting is goofy, the one-liners will have you groaning, and overall, it’s great if you want to turn your brain off and laugh.
The Gingerdead Man also has a runtime of 75 minutes, which means it certainly doesn’t overstay its welcome, and I laughed out loud quite a few times during my viewing!
Where to watch The Gingerdead Man:
The Gingerdead Man | Runtime 1h 10m | Not Rated | Released on November 8, 2005
Doom
Doom (2005) is an adaptation of the 1993 video game series of the same name starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Sarge, Karl Urban as Reaper, and Rosamund Pike as Samantha Grimm. The film follows a group of Marines responding to a distress call on Mars. Before long, they discover that things have gone a bit off the rails, and a demonic force is spreading through the research facility.
My biggest issue with Doom the movie is that it simply didn’t feel like Doom the game to me most of the time. It felt closer to an Alien (1979) clone than to the fast-paced, bloody, intense shooter the movie was named after.
There are quite a few nods to the games, though, like the UAC employee Pinky. If you’re a fan of any of the Doom games, you probably know what happens to him. I also enjoyed the “first-person” scene, and honestly, I wish more of the movie were filmed like that!
Overall, if you’re not familiar with the Doom video game franchise and can get past the dark shots, you’ll find a decent action alien movie. If you are a fan of the Doom games, you can expect the same, but with a few Doom easter eggs.
Where to watch Doom:
Doom | Runtime 1h 45m | Rated R | Released on October 17, 2005
Dark Water
Dark Water (2005) is a supernatural horror/mystery starring Jennifer Connelly, John C. Reilly, Tim Roth, and Ariel Glade. It’s an Americanized remake of the 2002 Japanese film of the same name, sort of like The Ring (2002) vs Ringu (1998). Koji Suzuki, Ringu’s writer, also wrote the short story Dark Water is based on.
This 2005 horror movie follows a mother and daughter (Connelly and Gladel) as they move to an extremely neglected apartment building after a divorce. Things go from bad to worse when the daughter gets an imaginary friend who seems to be closely linked to the building.
The mystery aspect of Dark Water was interesting, and the acting was strong; however, in my opinion, it runs a little longer than necessary for the story they’re trying to tell.
Still, if you’re into mysteries and enjoy a good ghost story, this would make a decent pick!
Where to watch Dark Water:
Dark Water | Runtime | Rated | Released on July 8, 2005
Boogeyman
Next, we have Boogeyman (2005), a horror-mystery revolving around a man named Tim (Aaron Murphy). He has a very intense fear of the Boogeyman, even as an adult. It turns out there might be a reason for that.
When Tim’s mom dies, and he’s forced to return to his childhood home, he has to confront his fears as the Boogeyman starts attacking people close to him. The effects of the monster are a bit iffy, but I still had a good time watching this one.
The characters are interesting, and Tim is likable, which goes a long way when you’re trying to sell a movie with trauma and grief as a focal point. To top it all off, Boogeyman (2005) runs 1 hour and 29 minutes, making it a good choice for people in the mood for quick scares who might not have the time to watch a 2+ hour film.
Where to watch Boogeyman:
Boogeyman | Runtime 1h 29m | Rated PG-13 | Released on February 4, 2005
An American Haunting
An American Haunting (2005) tells the story of a little girl and her family being haunted by an aggressive spirit, but with a twist. It’s, for the most part, set in the 19th century and follows the ancestors of the character you meet in the first few minutes of the film.
The set pieces and acting are well done. It all looks and feels authentic. In terms of horror, it’s supposed to be a lot like many of the other possession/haunting-style movies out there, like The Exorcist. However, it’s nowhere near as disturbing or tense.
I would suggest watching An American Haunting if you enjoy ghost stories or appreciate well-crafted period pieces, but be warned that the ending may leave you scratching your head.
Where to watch An American Haunting:
An American Haunting | Runtime 1h 23m | Rated PG-13 | Released on November 5, 2005
Constantine
Constantine (2005) is a supernatural thriller based on the Hellblazer comic book series. It tells the story of John Constantine, a wry, standoffish, chain-smoking exorcist who can see half-demons and half-angels.
When the balance of Heaven and Hell threatens to come undone and disrupt the world as we know it, Constantine uses his quick wit and experience in demonology to get to the bottom of the case.
It’s a very engaging story from beginning to end and stars big names, like Keanu Reeves as Constantine. Shia LaBeouf, Rachel Weisz, and Tilda Swinton are a few more recognizable names who appear throughout the 2-hour runtime.
While the movie doesn’t exactly follow the comic series, there’s no doubt that everyone in this 2005 horror film did a great job of selling the story and their place in it. The CGI is really neat, though admittedly dated. We also get to see some nice practical special effects from Stan Winston, whose award-winning work was featured in Aliens, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Jurassic Park, among others. Check it out!
Where to watch Constantine:
Constantine | Runtime 2h 1m | Rated R | Released on February 18, 2005
House of Wax
House of Wax (2005) is an excellent small-town slasher movie, loosely based on the 1953 movie with the same name. The original starred the legendary Vincent Price, and the 2005 remake also brings in big names like Jared Padalecki, Paris Hilton, Elisha Cuthbert, and Chad Michael Murray.
I don’t want to spoil too much of the plot here, so all you need to know is that House of Wax (2005) follows a group of friends on their way to a sporting event when they end up in a very small town with a wax museum where everything is just a little bit off.
The House of Wax soundtrack is great and very of the era, with bands like Disturbed, My Chemical Romance, and the Deftones featured throughout. If you were a teenager/young adult when this came out, there’s a good chance you’ll hear a ton of nostalgic music throughout the movie.
House of Wax also has one of the most creative and carefully crafted finales I’ve seen in a horror movie. If you’re looking for something that’s a little cheesy, very creepy, and all-around entertaining, House of Wax (2005) is an excellent choice!
Where to watch House of Wax:
House of Wax | Runtime 1h 53m | Rated R | Released on May 6, 2005
The Ring Two
The Ring Two (2005) is a supernatural thriller and a sequel to The Ring (2002). It takes place six months after the first movie and once again stars Naomi Watts as Rachel Keller and David Dorfman as Rachel’s son, Aidan Keller.
The mother-and-son duo moves to a different city with hopes of starting a new life, and honestly, who could blame them? Samara has different plans when a copy of the infamous VHS tape pops up before they’ve even settled into town.
It isn’t long before Rachel figures out Samara’s plan and has to do everything she can to stop it.
I’ll be honest, aside from a few scenes that are laugh-out-loud funny (including a very strange encounter with three CGI deer), the first half of The Ring Two is pretty slow. In the second half, there’s a bit more action and a highlight kill scene that made my skin crawl.
If you liked The Ring or are just a fan of ghost stories, The Ring Two might be for you!
Where to watch The Ring Two:
The Ring Two | Runtime 1h 50m | Rated PG-13 | Released on March 18, 2005
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
My adorable wife and her parents are all really into Wallace & Gromit! Personally, I struggle with (or fully give into?) the “extremely cozy vibes,” and tend to nod off.
That said, I do appreciate the quality of the claymation! I’ve grown even more in awe of claymation and stop-motion animation, watching Lauren craft her own animations for HorrorFam.com over the past few years. It’s a lot of work, and some of the visuals they manage to pull off in this one are stunning. It’s no wonder Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film in 2005 (and the it was the first stop-motion animation to win an Academy Award at all!).
I also appreciate that the Wallace & Gromit film series likes to parody different genres like film noir mysteries, thrillers, and, in this case, old-fashioned horror films. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit shares a lot of DNA with classic Universal Monster films like The Wolf Man and King Kong.
If you’d like to know more about this kid-friendly horror film (it’s rated G!), Lauren wrote about it at length.
Where to watch Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit:
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit | Runtime 1h 25m | Rated G | Released on October 7, 2005
Cursed
Speaking of were-creatures, Cursed (2005) is a werewolf horror movie directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson that follows a brother and sister duo (Christina Ricci and Jesse Eisenberg) who have an unfortunate run-in that leaves them both, well, cursed. Now they have to figure out who caused it and how they keep themselves in control once the moon is full.
Cursed is pretty fast-paced, with plenty of mystery as you try to figure out who in their friendship circle is the werewolf that started it all.
Of course, there are some pretty awesome werewolf transformations, though they do look a little funny at points since 2005’s CGI was a bit more hit-or-miss. Firing practical FX wiz Rick Baker in favor of this…
…was probably a mistake in my opinion. But I appreciated the CGI for what it achieved at the time and even when it looked dated, it wasn’t enough to completely take me out of the movie and, overall, Cursed was a fun watch and is a must-see for fans of werewolf movies or even folks who just like some good ol’ fashioned body horror.
Where to watch Cursed:
Cursed | Runtime 1h 37m | Rated PG-13 | Released on February 25, 2005
Red Eye
Wes Craven directed TWO major 2005 horror movies! Only six months after Cursed was released, we got Red Eye. My wife Lauren’s top three favorite Wes Craven films are Scream, Red Eye, and A Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors. I get it. Red Eye is a lot of fun!
Red Eye starts out like a stereotypical romance movie, with Rachel McAdams (Send Help) and Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later) meeting at an airport, flirting, and then – surprise! – being seated next to each other on the same flight.
Then, things take a turn. Cillian Murphy isn’t such a great guy after all. In fact, he’s pretty much the opposite.
I’m not going to say more than that since it’s only 85 minutes long. You should just watch it. In its short runtime Red Eye goes from cheesy romance to incredibly tense psychological thriller to full-on slasher movie by the end. It’s great! If I didn’t love The People Under the Stairs so much, I’d be with Lauren in placing Red Eye in my top three Wes Craven movies.
Where to watch Red Eye:
Red Eye | Runtime 1h 25m | Rated PG-13 | Released on August 19, 2005
The Cave
The Cave (2005) follows a pair of cave divers, a professional rock climber, a scout, and some scientists as they venture into a cave with an underwater entrance in search of an undiscovered ecosystem. They quickly get more than they bargained for when they learn the cave is home to a deadly parasite.
I would describe this horror movie as a half-hearted mix between Alien (1979) and The Descent (2005). The themes are all there, but it’s done in a way that comes off as unintentionally cheesy.
The actual creatures are pretty cool when you can actually SEE them. I know the title implies darkness, but they took it a little too far. At certain points, it’s almost impossible to tell what’s going on.
The Cave wraps up nicely, though, with an ending that I didn’t fully expect, but appreciated. The bottom line is that if you’re into horror cheese and enjoy creature features, this would probably make for a good rainy-day watch.
Where to watch The Cave:
The Cave | Runtime 1h 37m | Rated PG-13 | Released on August 26, 2005
The Descent
Of the two cave-focused horror movies released in 2005, I preferred the UK’s The Descent to the USA’s The Cave. While the latter is fun for its unintended cheesiness, The Descent brings some actual scares to the table!
The Decent follows six women (I love when there are only a few characters to keep track of!) as they go on a Girls Only spelunking weekend. The friend in charge of their trip lies, claiming they’re all headed to a well-known cave in the area, but she’s actually tricked them all into exploring completely uncharted territory. That’s a huge problem when they start running into monsters, have no idea how to navigate out of the cave system they’re stuck in, and only brought enough food for the weekend!
The cave monsters in The Descent look absolutely amazing. They made them by fully decking out the creature actors in makeup and prosthetics and the result is awesome (and you can SEE them, unlike The Cave). The horrified reaction from the actresses when the monsters show up is genuine, too. They kept the creatures’ designs a secret from the cast until they were unleashed for the first time when filming.
The Descent has an extremely tense build-up, starting out focusing on the strained relationship dynamics between the six characters and the real-world dangers they’re contending with (if you’re even a tiny bit claustrophobic, The Descent will have your palms sweating!), and then it adds an extra layer of horror once the monsters show up, but it never loses that initial tension.
Where to watch The Descent:
The Descent | Runtime 1h 39m | Rated R | Released on July 8, 2005
Fragile
Fragile (2005) is a unique Spanish-British horror film that follows a nurse with a troubled past who takes a job at Mercy Falls Hospital. The hospital is preparing to shut down, with only the children’s ward still operational while they work to find new places for the patients.
Soon after she starts her job, Amy Nicholls (Calista Flockhart) befriends a young girl named Maggie with a severe case of cystic fibrosis. Maggie can see and feel a menacing force throughout the hospital, and it isn’t long before Amy has no choice but to believe her.
I was very surprised at how good Fragile is, especially considering I hadn’t heard of it until I started putting this list together. The acting, set pieces, atmosphere, and intrigue over what exactly is happening are all very well done. You can feel the dread from the moment the movie starts. I was instantly invested, and it held my attention until the credits rolled.
I highly recommend checking out Fragile, but be warned, this isn’t a “happy” horror movie by any means, and the ending is a bit strange. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the more interesting horror films released in 2005!
Where to watch Fragile:
Fragile | Runtime 1h 41m | Rated PG-13 | Released on October 14, 2005
White Noise
White Noise (2005) is a supernatural thriller starring Michael Keaton (Beetlejuice) and Deborah Kara Unger (Silent Hill). It follows Jonathon Rivers (Keaton), who, in a roundabout way, starts communicating with spirits via Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) after the tragic passing of his wife.
What starts out as a path to closure sends Jonathon spiraling as he begins hearing from spirits who are less than happy about their current situation. The pacing, acting, and camera work in White Noise are pretty good. In terms of plot, it starts off interesting, but gets a little nonsensical toward the end.
Despite this flaw, White Noise is still a decent PG-13 horror movie that would probably be a fine pick for teenagers who want to dip their toes into spooky movies to see if they’re for them.
Where to watch White Noise:
White Noise | Runtime 1h 41m | Rated PG-13 | Released on January 7, 2005
The Fog
Next up is The Fog (2005), which is a reimagining of John Carpenter’s The Fog (1980). This film involves (surprise!) an unusual fog that rolls into an island town in Oregon, bringing with it deadly spirits seeking to right a wrong that affected them over 100 years ago.
If you needed any evidence that this movie was, in fact, made in 2005, all you need to know is that one of the very first scenes opens with the song “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” by Fall Out Boy.
I was shocked to see that The Fog (2005) has a 4% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Is it corny? Of course. Is the CGI weak at points? You bet. Is it better than John Carpenters’ version? Eh, that depends on your taste. But I think 4% is WAYYY too harsh given what they’ve done in this movie.
I went into this blind, and I enjoyed the mystery, characters, and quite a few of the kill scenes. If you’ve never seen the 2005 version of The Fog, I say give it a shot.
Where to watch The Fog:
The Fog | Runtime 1h 40m | Rated PG-13 | Released on October 14, 2005
Santa’s Slay
If you were a fan of professional wrestling in the late 1990s and early 2000s, you’re probably familiar with wrestler Bill Goldberg and his finishing move, the Goldberg Spear. I know he was one of my personal favorites!
Well, Santa’s Slay (2005) features Goldberg as the real, unhinged, Santa Claus coming down on Christmas Eve to kill as many people as possible in violent, cartoony ways. Yes, it’s as hilarious as it sounds. I found myself laughing out loud constantly during the very short 1 hour and 18-minute runtime.
I don’t want to spoil too much, because it really is about the element of surprise and the sheer level of goofiness. You never know what’s going to happen next!
If you’re looking for an R-RATED horror/comedy Christmas movie this holiday season, this is one you NEED to check out!
Where to watch Santa’s Slay:
Santa’s Slay | Runtime 1h 18m | Rated R | Released on December 20, 2005
Urban Legends: Bloody Mary
Urban Legends: Bloody Mary (2005) is the third film in the Urban Legends franchise. Despite this fact, it’s not connected to the other two movies, so you can freely watch this one without seeing the other two first.
As you can probably guess by now, Urban Legends: Bloody Mary is a spin on the original urban legend about a vengeful ghost girl who appears to anyone who says her name three times in the mirror.
This version follows three teens who unintentionally summon Mary and watch in horror as she takes out their classmates one by one. The story itself is fine; it gets more interesting as it goes on. The actors are the usual 20-something teenagers who do a decent job for a direct-to-DVD horror movie.
What really stood out to me in Urban Legends: Bloody Mary were the kills. They were almost always cringe-inducing (in a good way) and highly entertaining. I am wondering, though, if one kill in particular was an inspiration for one of the deaths in Final Destination 3 (2006). Either way, if you’re into urban legends and ghost stories, this isn’t a bad choice.
Where to watch Urban Legends Bloody Mary:
Urban Legends: Bloody Mary | Runtime 1h 33m | Rated R | Released on July 19, 2005
Corpse Bride
Moving out of urban legends and into folklore, we’ve got Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride! This stop-motion animated ghost story was also up for 2005’s Best Animated Feature Film at the Academy Awards.
Unlike the other films on my list of 2005 horror movies, Corpse Bride was one I wasn’t able to watch before writing about it. However, Lauren has written about it both as a horror movie musical and as a good potential first-time horror film for kids.
Where to watch Corpse Bride:
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride | Runtime 1h 17m | Rated PG | Released on September 23, 2005
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
If you’re looking for a compelling twist on the classic exorcism film genre, look no further than The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005). Instead of following the possession and attempts to remove the demons in real-time, this movie instead takes the angle that the victim, Emily Rose (Jennifer Carpenter), has already succumbed to the demons.
Now, Father Richard Moore (Tom Wilkinson), who conducted Emily’s exorcism, is set to go to trial for negligent homicide. An agonistic lawyer named Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) is set to defend him against an aggressive prosecutor who wants to see Father Richard Moore behind bars.
A vast majority of the story is told through witness testimony on both sides, which makes this a very interesting watch. I really enjoyed seeing both sides of the story and watching Bruner come to grips with the possibility that there are forces out there we don’t fully comprehend.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose claims at the beginning that it’s “Based on a True Story,” which you should always take with a grain of salt. However, there is a real foundation for the movie: A German woman named Anneliese Michel underwent 67 exorcisms leading up to her death. When she passed away in 1976, her priest was convicted of negligent homicide.
With that in mind, there’s plenty of embellishment to make the story even more interesting. Overall, I really enjoyed The Exorcism of Emily Rose, and I think you will too!
Where to watch The Exorcism of Emily Rose:
The Exorcism of Emily Rose | Runtime 1h 59m | Rated PG-13 | Released on September 9, 2005
Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek (2005) is a psychological thriller starring Robert De Niro and Dakota Fanning as David and Emily Calloway, who move to a small town for a fresh start after Emily’s mother tragically commits suicide. Soon after they arrive, Emily makes a new imaginary friend named Charlie. It isn’t long at all before Charlie starts having a serious impact on their wellbeing.
I don’t think Hide and Seek is a bad movie, but it is VERY difficult to watch. The scenarios they set up, along with strategic use of silence, mean most of the time you’re watching through gritted teeth, waiting for the scene to unfold.
It gets so uncomfortable. There’s a scene where Emily comes downstairs for dinner with her dad and a new friend he made, and she’s dressed up in all of her mom’s clothes and other possessions, and proceeds to tell David’s friend exactly what happened to her mom in the middle of dinner.
Hide and Seek wraps up nicely and is overall extremely well done. I definitely think it’s worth checking out at least once, so you can experience the nerve-wracking suspense woven throughout this 2005 horror movie.
Where to watch Hide and Seek:
Hide and Seek | Runtime 1h 41m | Rated R | Released on January 28, 2005
War of the Worlds
Odds are, you’re familiar with War of the Worlds to some degree, as it’s been expanded on and reimagined dozens of times since the original novel was published in 1898 by H.G. Wells. The most recent version of War of the Worlds (2025), which premiered on Amazon Prime, was rightfully laughed out of existence within the first month.
I’m happy to say that War of the Worlds (2005) is miles better than the 2025 version. It’s action-packed, visually compelling, and the stars, Dakota Fanning, Tom Cruise, and Justin Chatwin, who all do a great job of selling the story of a hostile alien takeover.
My favorite thing about War of the Worlds is that it moves SO fast. There’s always something getting blown up, people getting disintegrated, tense confrontations between different people, and so on. It’s hard to look away for even a second!
If you’re looking for a PG-13 sci-fi horror movie that will have you on the edge of your seat from the start, all the way to the end credits, you can’t go wrong with the 2005 version of War of the Worlds.
Fun fact: HorrorFam’s own Robert Tharp worked on the practical effects in War of the Worlds (2005)!
Where to watch War of the Worlds:
War of the Worlds | Runtime 1h 57m | Rated PG-13 | Released on June 29, 2005
The Devil’s Rejects
Next, let’s talk about The Devil’s Rejects (2005). This horror film was written, produced, and directed by musician Rob Zombie. It’s also a sequel to his movie House of 1000 Corpses (2003).
The Devil’s Rejects follows Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, and Sheri Moon Zombie as they come to terms with the fact that their sadistic way of life has changed as they’re uprooted from their family home. The trio, now on the run from the cops, including one who is dead set on revenge, travel around leaving blood, gore, and terror wherever they go.
I’ve always been a fan of these movies, so I was very excited to see The Devil’s Rejects on the list for this year. I think Rob Zombie did a great job of further humanizing these otherwise monstrous human beings, while adding twists and new layers of suspense that weren’t there in the first movie.
If you’re not a fan of any of Rob Zombie’s other movies, you probably won’t care much for this one. However, if you enjoy his other films, especially House of 1000 Corpses, you will likely love this over-the-top sequel.
Where to watch The Devil’s Rejects:
The Devil’s Rejects | Runtime 1h 47m | Rated R | Released on July 22, 2005
The Amityville Horror
The Amityville Horror (2005) is a dark supernatural thriller starring Ryan Reynolds, Melissa George, and Philip Baker Hall. It was originally based on the 1977 novel of the same name by Jay Anson. It serves as a remake of The Amityville Horror (1979), and believe it or not, it is the ninth film in the series!
If you’re not familiar with the story, it follows a couple and their three kids after they move into a house where a man murdered his entire family one year before. He claimed he heard voices telling him to do it.
With that in mind, surely nothing bad will happen with the new tenants!
Just kidding. Things pick up quickly when the father starts getting the same dark urges and acting increasingly unhinged as his family watches on in horror. It all culminates in an epic finale that will have you on the edge of your seat.
I’ve seen both versions of The Amityville Horror, and I think they’re both great watches in their own right. It might not be a bad idea to have a double feature so you can decide which you like better!
Where to watch The Amityville Horror:
The Amityville Horror | Runtime 1h 30m | Rated R | Released on April 15, 2005
The Skeleton Key
The Skeleton Key (2005) is a supernatural horror film that follows Caroline Ellis (Kate Hudson) as she quits her job at a hospice to take a live-in position with a couple living in an old plantation house in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.
A haunting mystery begins to unfold when Caroline discovers a locked room in the attic containing hoodoo trinkets and ritualistic spells tied to the property’s dark past. The Skeleton Key is a bit of a slow burn. But once it picks up, it’s an excellent watch.
This 2005 horror movie is also PG-13 and, in my opinion, would make a great introduction to horror for someone who wants to get into it but doesn’t know where to start.
Where to watch The Skeleton Key:
The Skeleton Key | Runtime 1h 44m | Rated PG-13 | Released on August 12, 2005
Cry Wolf
Cry Wolf (2005) is a horror/crime movie starring Julian Morris, Lindy Booth, and Jared Padalecki. This horror film follows a group of high schoolers at a boarding school who decide to prank the entire school by sending out an email about a serial killer in the area after the body of a local girl is found shot in the woods.
Their harmless prank escalates, and soon they find themselves fighting for their lives while stuck in the school over the weekend. Cry Wolf very much a whodunit-style horror movie that will have you guessing until the end. But underneath the surface, a bigger mystery starts to unravel that is bound to surprise you in one way or another.
According to the reviews, not many people liked this movie. Personally, I think it had some slow points, but the payoff at the end was well worth the price of admission.
Where to watch Cry Wolf:
Cry_Wolf | Runtime 1h 30m | Rated PG-13 | Released on September 16, 2005
Devour
Devour (2005) follows the story of Dean Winchester…whoops, I mean Jensen Ackles, as Jake Gray, a college student who has been having some strange, violent visions.
Jake’s friends introduce him to a new computer game called The Pathway for his birthday. Soon after registering, Jake notices something is off when his friends who introduced him to the game start becoming increasingly unhinged, and his visions become more intense.
I’m not going to say Devour is a great movie, because it’s not. However, it’s at least engaging with some decent enough twists and effects.
What I find most interesting about Devour is that it gives us a look at Jensen Ackles before he went on to play – and in the eyes of many, become – Dean Winchester in Supernatural. FYI, this movie was released in May of 2005, and the first episode of Supernatural aired on September 13th, 2005!
Where to watch Devour:
Devour | Runtime 1h 30m | Rated R | Released on May 31, 2005
Bonus: Supernatural
I know Supernatural (2005) isn’t a horror MOVIE; however, I think it’s worth mentioning that the first season aired in 2005. This TV series is, in my opinion, the most influential horror TV show to air in my lifetime. I know people who found their way to loving the horror genre through this show, and after watching just one season, it’s not hard to see why!
Supernatural stars Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, who were featured in three of the movies I wrote about above! They play brothers Dean and Sam Winchester, who hunt all things… well, supernatural.
This iconic horror show spans 15 seasons and over 320 episodes. The brothers encounter spirits, monsters, gods, angels, demons, and (somehow) things that are much, much worse. The show starts with a “creature of the week” they need to hunt, but as the overarching story unfolds, it’s clear that something much bigger is going on with Sam and Dean.
I want to go on and on about all of the different things I love about this show, but it really is something you need to experience for yourself. I watched a lot of great 2005 horror movies, but the Supernatural TV show was by far the BEST addition to the horror genre from that year!
The bottom line is, Supernatural is truly one of a kind and something I think EVERY horror fan should see!
Where to watch Supernatural Season One:
Supernatural | Runtime 48m/episode | Rated TV-14 | Released on September 13, 2005
Which 2005 Horror Movies Are YOUR Favorites?
I’ve included a ton of great horror films that came out in 2005 here today, so you’ll for sure find something that fits your taste. My personal favorites from this year include: Land of the Dead, BloodRayne, Santa’s Slay, Cry Wolf, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Saw II, The Devil’s Rejects, Return of the Living Dead: Rave to the Grave, Red Eye, The Descent, War of the Worlds, and Hide and Seek.
If you’ve seen many of these movies, which ones were your favorites? Did I miss one of YOUR favorite 2005 horror movies? Let me know! I’m always super excited to hear from you and keep the conversation going!
Images for this review were purchased via CineMaterial and MovieStillsDB unless stated otherwise.
