Every Mike Flanagan Horror Movie, Ranked

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Mike Flanagan is a talented storyteller, but his television series are generally more celebrated than his movies. While viewers often immediately think of shows like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, he’s also created some truly memorable horror films over the past decade and a half. He’s well-known for adapting the works of Stephen King, and his latest film, The Life of Chuck, was a bit different – a moving story that wasn’t strictly horror, though it still had a haunting quality.

Mike Flanagan is a celebrated horror director known for films that spark debate among fans about which is his best. While his style isn’t for everyone, his devoted audience considers every movie he’s made to be excellent. Though ‘best’ is a matter of opinion, Flanagan consistently delivers strong writing, genuinely frightening stories, and expertly crafted suspense. His films are consistently well-received by critics, who admire his ability to combine scares with heartfelt emotion, and by audiences, who appreciate his deep understanding of the horror genre.

It’s tough to rank Mike Flanagan’s horror films because so many of them are excellent. While both critics and fans generally appreciate his well-developed characters, it’s also important to consider what makes a horror movie effective – things like building suspense versus relying on sudden scares, and the overall quality of filmmaking. Fortunately, even Flanagan’s weaker movies are still good, and his best work is truly outstanding within the horror genre.

7
‘Before I Wake’ (2016)


Relativity Media/courtesy Everett Collection

Before I Wake is a visually captivating and unsettling film, reminiscent of a dark fairy tale. It centers around a boy whose dreams manifest into reality while he’s asleep, creating a world of both wonder and hidden terrors. Director Mike Flanagan delivers a stunning movie that uses creative dream sequences to explore profound emotional pain. The film prioritizes strong characters and building suspense, opting for psychological tension over cheap thrills.

This horror film faced a long and difficult journey to reach audiences. Filmed in 2013, its release was delayed for years because of the financial problems at Relativity Media. The movie was originally titled Somnia, but the director, Mike Flanagan, didn’t agree with the change to Before I Wake. When it finally appeared on Netflix, it didn’t get much attention. Despite being a well-made horror film, Before I Wake clearly shows the effects of studio meddling that impacted Flanagan’s vision, making it a fitting place to start this list.

6
‘Absentia’ (2011)


Phase 4 Films

Absentia is a quietly unsettling horror film that uses a terrifying situation to delve into themes of grief and emotional pain. Though director Mike Flanagan had worked on smaller projects before, this film is considered his first major work. Made with a very limited budget – even filmed near Flanagan’s apartment – it demonstrates his resourcefulness. Considering it was largely funded by fans through Kickstarter, Absentia showcases Flanagan’s early talent for building stories around compelling characters.

Though the story starts with a straightforward missing person case involving two sisters, Absentia quickly takes a dark turn as the reason behind several disappearances comes to light. The show expertly builds suspense, leading to a truly unsettling third act filled with disturbing visuals and a terrifying fate that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Absentia is a powerful and anxiety-provoking mystery that remains compelling and worth watching.

5
‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’ (2016)


Universal Pictures

Ouija: Origin of Evil is a prequel to the 2014 horror film Ouija, which wasn’t very good. The first movie felt like a typical, mass-produced horror film designed to appeal to a broad audience, so its quality was low to begin with. The surprise came with the 2016 sequel, Ouija: Origin of Evil, which is far superior thanks to a skilled writer and director who truly understand the horror genre and the supernatural themes it explores.

Origin of Evil features excellent acting, especially from Lulu Wilson, who carries much of the film. Director Mike Flanagan expertly builds suspense and dread rather than relying on cheap jump scares, though it’s still quite frightening. Despite the Ouija movies not being particularly successful, Flanagan demonstrates how to revitalize a franchise and execute a concept well. While some fans might prefer his earlier film, Absentia, Ouija: Origin of Evil is a remarkable achievement considering the source material.

4
‘Gerald’s Game’ (2017)


Netflix

Flanagan’s Gerald’s Game marks his first film based on a Stephen King novel. Many thought the story was impossible to adapt for the screen due to its challenging nature, but Flanagan proved them wrong. He transformed King’s 1992 novel into a terrifying and intensely claustrophobic experience. The film heavily uses the character’s inner thoughts to explore her desperate situation – being handcuffed to a bed after her husband’s death. Flashbacks add depth to the story, and the director skillfully makes this contained setting feel expansive and frightening.

Carla Gugino gives an incredible performance, especially considering she’s on screen for much of the film by herself. She portrays vulnerability with subtle details that powerfully enhance the story. Director Mike Flanagan also includes some genuinely shocking and graphic scenes – one involving a hand is particularly unforgettable. Gerald’s Game is a step up from Flanagan’s previous work, proving his talent for turning a difficult novel into a compelling and memorable film – something many other directors would have struggled with.

3
‘Hush’ (2016)


Netflix

Flanagan’s Hush demonstrates his ability to elevate a familiar horror premise – in this case, a home invasion – with original concepts and effective scares. While not a new idea, the film centers on a deaf protagonist who must defend herself against a masked attacker. She’s also remarkably resourceful, which sets Hush apart from typical genre tropes and aligns it with films like You’re Next, where a clever and capable main character presents a genuine challenge to their attacker, even under difficult circumstances.

As a critic, I’ve been consistently impressed with how Mike Flanagan challenges himself with each film, and Hush is a perfect example. What really stood out to me was the sound design – or rather, the lack of it. It’s a bold move, going against typical horror tropes, but it brilliantly puts you right in the protagonist’s shoes, amplifying the tension in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time. It’s fascinating because Flanagan is known for his lengthy, dialogue-heavy scenes – think Midnight Mass – yet Hush relies on almost complete silence for much of the movie. It’s a testament to his skill that he can excel at both extremes. Ultimately, Hush isn’t just another home-invasion thriller; it’s proof that even the most familiar genres can be revitalized with a talented director and a bit of creative freedom.

2
‘Oculus’ (2013)


Relativity Media

Oculus is a gripping and unsettling story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Though not based on a Stephen King novel, director Mike Flanagan has said it’s heavily inspired by King’s 1408. He took the haunted-room concept and moved it to a house, centering the horror around a terrifying mirror. The film explores deep-seated family trauma and features some of Flanagan’s scariest work yet. Oculus relies on building suspense, and its most frightening moments come from visually disturbing scenes.

The movie jumps between past and present, creating a complex story that showcases the director’s skill. Similar to Christopher Nolan’s Memento, Oculus uses clever editing to disorient the audience, mirroring the characters’ own confusion. It feels like the director is intentionally playing with viewers, much like the haunted mirror manipulates those within the story. While the constant sense of dread in Oculus might not appeal to all viewers, it’s a remarkably well-made horror film and stands out among the director’s other work.

1
‘Doctor Sleep’ (2019)


Warner Bros. Pictures

Mike Flanagan and Stephen King are a perfect creative pairing, and Doctor Sleep truly showcases that. King famously wasn’t a fan of Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film, The Shining, even though it’s considered a horror masterpiece. It’s remarkable, then, that Flanagan managed to adapt King’s sequel novel while also creating a film that directly continues the story of Kubrick’s version. Perhaps most surprisingly, King actually loved Flanagan’s adaptation, going so far as to say it corrected the issues he had with Kubrick’s take on the material.

Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep is a masterful sequel to The Shining, meticulously recreating iconic locations like the Overlook Hotel. The film delves into the protagonist’s profound emotional trauma, forcing him to face difficult truths about his past, and features one of Flanagan’s most compelling villains in Rose and her chilling cult. Many consider Doctor Sleep to be Flanagan’s best work to date – his most faithful adaptation of Stephen King and his most accomplished film overall. It delivers everything fans expect from the director: genuine scares and deeply affecting emotional moments.




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2026-02-26 06:35