As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to take a look at the state of movie monsters in 2024. What was initially meant to be a modern bestiary turned out to resemble a trip to Walmart rather than a Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual. It seems that the monsters of this year reflect familiar fears but with a more mundane twist. This trend of revisiting old IP continued with movies like A Quiet Place, Alien, and Ghostbusters making a comeback. The return of classic monsters like Dracula and Nosferatu also occurred, despite a recent decline in vampire-themed films. The slasher genre, once considered lowbrow, has gained newfound respect, with a focus on gore effects. The release of a new Nosferatu and the rise of slashers featuring children’s characters have added a unique twist to the horror genre. Additionally, there has been a surge in movies depicting AI and technology as monstrous entities with sinister intentions. The concept of doppelgängers has also been explored in recent monster movies, adding a new dimension to the genre. Overall, 2024 has seen a resurgence of familiar monsters with a modern twist, as well as a renewed interest in classic horror themes.
