Monster Movies: Best Since 2000

With a focus on the current decade (2000-Present) to keep it manageable, this list of monster movies includes five great monster films, in honor of the October 13th DVD and Blu-ray release of Monsters vs. Aliens. In order to be considered among the best movies about monsters, each film features monsters or a prominent monster in movies.

Other criteria for the best monster movies list for those films that pass the basic qualifications includes that the films have a high level of entertainment value, they must be appealing to a broad audience looking to be frightened. The film must have a memorable plot, story, or characters.

Here are five great movies with monsters from the decade (in no particular order) that pass the test:

1. Cloverfield (2009) – Also one of the best New York movies, this amazingly original and frightening monster movie follows five young New Yorkers attending a going away party on the night that a gigantic monster attacks the city. What really makes this movie great is the unique way in which it is filmed from the vantage point of one of the characters.

2. The Cave (2005) - Some argue that this is not a “great movie”, but as far as monster movies goes, it offers everything you’d want. It is a story of a group of divers sent into a deep, dark cave to figure out what a team that went in to explore never came out. What they find is shocking, intense, and monster-ific. (Watch The Cave Movie Trailer)

3. AVP: Alien vs. Predators (2004) - While certainly not one of your traditional films on a list of monster movies, Alien vs. Predators is an intense action saga that brings together two of the most terrifying non-human characters to ever hit the silver screen in epic battle for supremacy.

4. Monsters, Inc. (2001) – Here is the curve ball on the monster movies list. Also among the best animated movies ever, this very clever and intriguing cartoon pokes fun at the traditional childhood fear of monsters. A very enjoyable film for people of all ages, it is also likely the most popular movie on this list.

5. The Descent (2005) - This is arguable the best of the traditional monster movies of the last decade. It certainly receives support in public opinion. This very creepy and intense film is about a caving expedition that goes horribly wrong, as the explorers become trapped and ultimately pursued by a strange breed of predators.

While happy with the quality of this list of monster movies, there is no question there are other great monster movies that could have been included. If you have other favorite monster films, simply add a comment and share your thoughts. Let us know the name of the movie, why you liked it, and a little bit about it! While this best monster movies list includes films from 2000-Present, you are welcome to include other films before 2000.

Best Monster Movies feature article written by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

See also:

Best Scary Movies

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