The Best Monster Movies of the Modern Era

Updated November 9, 2020 8.8k votes 550 voters 12.0k views56 items

List RulesVote 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.

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Jurassic Park
Samuel L. Jackson, Jeff Goldblum
Released: 1993
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
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Godzilla
Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston
Released: 2014
Directed by: Gareth Edwards
Godzilla is a 2014 American science fiction monster film directed by Gareth Edwards. It is a... more
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Kong: Skull Island
Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson
Released: 2017
Directed by: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Kong: Skull Island is a 2017 American monster film directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. The film... more
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Tremors
Kevin Bacon, Reba McEntire
Released: 1990
Directed by: Ron Underwood
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Jurassic World
Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt
Released: 2015
Directed by: Colin Trevorrow
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Pacific Rim
Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam
Released: 2013
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
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Hellboy
John Hurt, Selma Blair
Released: 2004
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
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Godzilla, King of the Monsters!
Raymond Burr, Takashi Shimura
Released: 1956
Directed by: Terry O. Morse, Ishirō Honda
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The Mist
Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden
Released: 2007
Directed by: Frank Darabont
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The Cabin in the Woods
Chris Hemsworth, Sigourney Weaver
Released: 2012
Directed by: Drew Goddard
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Pan's Labyrinth
Sergi López, Maribel Verdú
Released: 2006
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
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Cloverfield
Odette Annable, Lizzy Caplan
Released: 2008
Directed by: Matt Reeves
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The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Julianne Moore, Steven Spielberg
Released: 1997
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
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The Descent
Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza
Released: 2005
Directed by: Neil Marshall
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King Kong
Naomi Watts, Jack Black
Released: 2005
Directed by: Peter Jackson
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Reign of Fire
Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey
Released: 2002
Directed by: Rob Bowman
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A Quiet Place
John Krasinski, Emily Blunt
Released: 2018
Directed by: John Krasinski
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Alien vs. Predator
Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen
Released: 2004
Directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson
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Lake Placid
Betty White, Mariska Hargitay
Released: 1999
Directed by: Steve Miner
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Independence Day
Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum
Released: 1996
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
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Deep Blue Sea
Samuel L. Jackson, LL Cool J
Released: 1999
Directed by: Renny Harlin
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Alien 3
Sigourney Weaver, Charles Dance
Released: 1992
Directed by: David Fincher
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Jurassic Park III
Téa Leoni, William H. Macy
Released: 2001
Directed by: Joe Johnston
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Hellboy II: The Golden Army
John Hurt, Seth MacFarlane
Released: 2008
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
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Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard
Released: 2018
Directed by: J. A. Bayona
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Kong: Skull Island

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom