Watchworthy

The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era 

Ranker Film
Updated February 14, 2020 6.3k votes 463 voters 10.4k views 56 items

List Rules Vote up the best monster movies that have been released since 1990. No zombies.

This list contains information on the best modern monster movies, ranked from best to worst by user votes. The best films about new monsters come in many forms. Some monster movies made after 1990 find characters fighting for their lives against alien invaders while other good monster movies feature flesh-eating zombies. Many of the best new giant monster movies are remakes of classic horror films.

 

What films will you find on this top modern monster movies list? Godzilla has to be near the top. Dinosaurs, werewolves, aliens, goblins, basilisks, and even a terrifying unicorn are among the monsters featured in the best new monster films - not to mention a whole host of brand new monsters.

 

Cloverfield used a found footage narrative to demonstrate the fear characters felt facing off against a horrifying monster. Other good films featured on this top modern monster movies list include Super 8, The Mist, War of the Worlds, and Kong: Skull Island.

 

How will we ever determine which modern monster movie is the best? Help us decide by giving your favorites a thumbs up and get in on the conversation in the comments section.

Data-driven recommendations based on voting from over 40 million monthly visits to Ranker. Try the free app
list ordered by
1
Jurassic Park is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Samuel L. Jackson, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough

Released: 1993

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is the first installment of the Jurassic Park franchise. It is based on the 1990 novel of the ...more

More Jurassic Park ❯

20 Things You Didn't Know About the Jurassic Park Franchise #3 of 349 'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetimelisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever

2
Kong: Skull Island is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Kong: Skull Island Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman

Directed by: Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Kong: Skull Island is a 2017 American monster film directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. The film is a reboot of the King Kong franchise and will serve as the second film in Legendary's Godzilla–Kong ...more

More Kong: Skull Island ❯

#230 of 233 The Worst Sequels Of All Time #91 of 163 The Best Science Fiction Action Movies #107 of 212 The Best Adventure Movies

3
Godzilla is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, Juliette Binoche

Released: 2014

Directed by: Gareth Edwards

Godzilla is a 2014 American science fiction monster film directed by Gareth Edwards. It is a reboot of the Godzilla film franchise and retells the origins of Godzilla in contemporary times as a ...more

More Godzilla ❯

#108 of 568 The Greatest Disaster Movies of All Time #32 of 104 The Greatest Movie Remakes of All Time #2 of 14 Movie Trailers Are Lying To You

4
Tremors is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Kevin Bacon, Reba McEntire, Fred Ward

Released: 1990

Directed by: Ron Underwood

Tremors is a 1990 American western monster film directed by Ron Underwood, written by Brent Maddock, S. S. Wilson and Underwood, and starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross, ...more

More Tremors ❯

#180 of 493 The Funniest '90s Movies #85 of 847 The Best Horror Movies Of All Time #414 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies

5
Pacific Rim is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman

Released: 2013

Directed by: Guillermo del Toro

Pacific Rim is a 2013 action sci-fi film directed by Guillermo del Toro.

More Pacific Rim ❯

Pacific Rim Fan Theories #44 of 191 The Best Alien Movies Ever Made #285 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made

6
Jurassic World is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Vincent D'Onofrio

Released: 2015

Directed by: Colin Trevorrow

Jurassic World is a 2015 American science fiction adventure film directed by Colin Trevorrow, it is the fourth installment in the Jurassic Park film series. 22 years after the events of Jurassic ...more

More Jurassic World ❯

21 Easter Eggs Hidden in Jurassic World #626 of 1,208 The Absolute Funniest Movies Of All Time #442 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made

7
Hellboy is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
John Hurt, Selma Blair, Ron Perlman

Released: 2004

Directed by: Guillermo del Toro

Hellboy is a 2004 American supernatural superhero film, starring Ron Perlman and directed by Guillermo del Toro. The film is loosely based on the Dark Horse Comics graphic novel Hellboy: Seed of ...more

More Hellboy ❯

#341 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made #35 of 185 The Greatest Comic Book Movies of All Time #42 of 187 The Best Superhero Movies Ever Made

8
King Kong is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody

Released: 2005

Directed by: Peter Jackson

King Kong is a 2005 epic monster film and remake of the 1933 film of the same name. Directed, co-written, and produced by Peter Jackson, it stars Naomi Watts as Ann Darrow, Jack Black as Carl ...more

More King Kong ❯

#335 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made #145 of 293 The Top Tearjerker Movies That Make Men Crylisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever

9
The Cabin in the Woods ... is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Chris Hemsworth, Sigourney Weaver, Amy Acker

Released: 2012

Directed by: Drew Goddard

The Cabin in the Woods is a 2012 American horror comedy film directed by Drew Goddard in his directorial debut. Five college kids (Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, ...more

More The Cabin in the Woods ❯

12 Fan Theories About 'The Cabin in the Woods' That Could Anger The Ancient Ones #992 of 1,208 The Absolute Funniest Movies Of All Time #36 of 847 The Best Horror Movies Of All Time

10
The Mist is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden

Released: 2007

Directed by: Frank Darabont

The Mist is a 2007 American science fiction horror film based on the 1980 novella of the same name by Stephen King. The film was written and directed by Frank Darabont, who had previously ...more

More The Mist ❯

#50 of 191 The Best Alien Movies Ever Made #48 of 847 The Best Horror Movies Of All Time #57 of 157 The Best Movies You Never Want to Watch Again

11
Pan's Labyrinth is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Ivana Baquero

Released: 2006

Directed by: Guillermo del Toro

Pan's Labyrinth is a 2006 Spanish-Mexican dark fantasy film directed by Guillermo del Toro. It was produced and distributed by Esperanto Films. In the Falangist Spain of 1944, the bookish young ...more

More Pan's Labyrinth ❯

#139 of 250 The Best Psychological Thrillers of All Time #109 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Madelisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever

12
Cloverfield is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Odette Annable, Lizzy Caplan, Jessica Lucas

Released: 2008

Directed by: Matt Reeves

Cloverfield is a 2008 American science fiction found footage monster film directed by Matt Reeves, produced by J. J. Abrams & Bryan Burk, and written by Drew Goddard. Before settling on an ...more

More Cloverfield ❯

'Cloverfield' Theories To Read Up On Before Streaming 'The Cloverfield Paradox' #42 of 191 The Best Alien Movies Ever Made #139 of 163 The Best Science Fiction Action Movies

13
The Lost World: Jurassic... is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Julianne Moore, Steven Spielberg, Camilla Belle

Released: 1997

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

The Lost World: Jurassic Park is a 1997 American science fiction adventure directed by Steven Spielberg. It is the second installment in the Jurassic Park franchise. The film was produced by ...more

More The Lost World: Jurassic Park ❯

#630 of 1,208 The Absolute Funniest Movies Of All Time #110 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Madelisted on The 50 Highest Grossing '90s Movies, Ranked

14
The Descent is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
The Descent Gabi Golan, Keren Miedzinski, Shosh Miedzinski

Released: 2009

Directed by: Shai Miedzinski

The Descent is a 2009 short drama film written and directed by Shai Miedzinski.

More The Descent ❯

#201 of 847 The Best Horror Movies Of All Time #53 of 128 The Best Horror Movie Franchises #4 of 20 Horror Movies That Originally Had Much Darker Endings

15
Lake Placid is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Betty White, Mariska Hargitay, Bridget Fonda

Released: 1999

Directed by: Steve Miner

Lake Placid is a 1999 American monster horror comedy film. The film was written by David E. Kelley and directed by Steve Miner, starring Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt, Brendan ...more

More Lake Placid ❯

#78 of 568 The Greatest Disaster Movies of All Time #7 of 135 The Scariest Animal Movies Ever Made #171 of 181 The Greatest Animal Movies Ever Made

16
Reign of Fire is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey, Gerard Butler

Released: 2002

Directed by: Rob Bowman

Reign of Fire is a 2002 post-apocalyptic action fantasy film directed by Rob Bowman and starring Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey and Gerard Butler. It takes place in the year 2020 in ...more

More Reign of Fire ❯

#1,139 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies #28 of 568 The Greatest Disaster Movies of All Time #78 of 91 The 35+ Greatest Dystopian Action Movies

17
Alien vs. Predator is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, Tommy Flanagan

Released: 2004

Directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson

Alien vs. Predator is a 2004 American science fiction action film directed by Paul W. S. Anderson and starring Sanaa Lathan and Lance Henriksen. It is the first installment of the Alien vs. ...more

More Alien vs. Predator ❯

#34 of 191 The Best Alien Movies Ever Made #255 of 847 The Best Horror Movies Of All Time #28 of 45 The Best Alien Horror Movies Ever Made

18
A Quiet Place is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
carlybobarly added John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Noah Jupe

Released: 2018

Directed by: John Krasinski

A Quiet Place is a 2018 American supernatural horror film directed by John Krasinski. A family living on a farm hides from a supernatural evil attracted to sound by avoiding making sound and ...more

More A Quiet Place ❯

#557 of 847 The Best Horror Movies Of All Time #236 of 410 The Best Rainy Day Movies #31 of 114 The Best Intelligent Horror Movies

19
Independence Day is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Vivica A. Fox

Released: 1996

Directed by: Roland Emmerich

Independence Day is a 1996 American science fiction disaster film co-written and directed by Roland Emmerich. The film stars Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirsch, ...more

More Independence Day ❯

13 Things That Prove Pacific Rim And Independence Day Are The Exact Same Movie #8 of 191 The Best Alien Movies Ever Madelisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever

20
Godzilla, King of the Mo... is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
DugoNinja added Raymond Burr, Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata

Released: 1956

Directed by: Terry O. Morse, Ishirō Honda

Godzilla, King of the Monsters! is a 1956 Japanese American science fiction kaiju film co-directed by Terry O. Morse and Ishirō Honda. The film is a heavily re-edited American adaptation, ...more

More Godzilla, King of the Monsters! ❯

#79 of 568 The Greatest Disaster Movies of All Time #30 of 135 The Scariest Animal Movies Ever Made #18 of 22 The Most Unlikely Cartoons Based on Live-Action Movies

21
Jurassic Park III is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Téa Leoni, William H. Macy, Laura Dern

Released: 2001

Directed by: Joe Johnston

Jurassic Park III is a 2001 American science fiction adventure monster film. It is the third installment in the Jurassic Park franchise and a sequel to the 1997 film The Lost World: Jurassic ...more

More Jurassic Park III ❯

#448 of 599 The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made #505 of 1,699 The Most Rewatchable Movies #127 of 233 The Worst Sequels Of All Time

22
Alien 3 is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Sigourney Weaver, Charles Dance, Paul McGann

Released: 1992

Directed by: David Fincher

Alien 3 is a 1992 American science-fiction horror film and the debut feature film of director David Fincher. The film is the third installment of the Alien film series. The film takes place ...more

More Alien 3 ❯

#39 of 191 The Best Alien Movies Ever Made #111 of 163 The Best Science Fiction Action Movies #187 of 847 The Best Horror Movies Of All Time

23
Super 8 is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Elle Fanning, AJ Michalka, Kyle Chandler

Released: 2011

Directed by: J.J. Abrams

Super 8 is a 2011 American science fiction horror film written, co-produced, and directed by J. J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Joel Courtney, Elle Fanning, and Kyle ...more

More Super 8 ❯

#30 of 191 The Best Alien Movies Ever Made #48 of 99 The Greatest Kids Sci-Fi Movies #433 of 581 The Greatest Film Scores of All Time

24
TrollHunter is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Knut Nærum, Otto Jespersen, Robert Stoltenberg

Released: 2010

Directed by: André Øvredal

Trollhunter is a 2010 Norwegian found footage and dark fantasy film directed by André Øvredal. A group of students investigates a series of strange bear killings and follows a ...more

More TrollHunter ❯

#12 of 110 The Most Horrifying Found-Footage Movies #50 of 116 The Scariest Giant Monster Movies #59 of 182 The Best Monster Movies

25
Monsters, Inc. is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era
Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi

Released: 2001

Directed by: David Silverman, Pete Docter, Lee Unkrich

Monsters, Inc. is a 2001 American computer-animated comedy film directed by Pete Docter, produced by Pixar Animation Studios, and released by Walt Disney Pictures. John Lasseter and Andrew ...more

More Monsters, Inc. ❯

Fan Theories About ‘Monsters, Inc.’ #6 of 601 The Best Animated Films Everlisted on Every Oscar Winning Film Ever