At the dawn of the 21st century, the horror genre found itself in a weird place. After Scream reinvigorated the genre with its clever take on the classic slasher tale, the late 90s was dominated by copycats. While there were some solid followups (I Know What You Did Last Summer) and great twists on the formula (Final Destination), nothing could quite top the Wes Craven masterpiece.

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While America was struggling with where to take the genre in a post-Scream world, the United Kingdom stood up and began producing original horror tales. This UK horror invasion was particularly strong in the early to mid-2000s, before the zombie craze birthed by The Walking Dead. If the horror section on Netflix is looking pretty barren, here are ten British modern horror classics to keep you up at night (and leave you in stitches).

Severance (2006)

The cast of Severance staring at something off-screen
Image Via Pathe Distribution

Combining the nightmare of being forced to go on a workplace team-building retreat with the threat of psychotic murderers, Severance is a great horror-comedy. Described as being a mixture of The Office and Friday the 13th, Severance works by taking the time to establish its characters before the bloodshed begins.

The cast is memorable, such as Gordon (Andy Nyman) the classic employee who gets on everyone's nerves by being overly enthusiastic, and Richard (Tim McInnerny), the bumbling boss with no self-confidence. Though it contains some grisly scenes, Severance is full of laughs and a great pick for a group movie night.

Host (2020)

The cast of Host in a Zoom call

Released at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Host is an ingenious concept. Taking place entirely through Zoom, the movie follows a group of friends as they perform a séance over the web service. After an evil spirit joins the meeting, it becomes more terrifying than a Monday morning work call.

Shot entirely over Zoom, the film is a technical marvel as each actor set up their own cameras, lighting, and stunts due to forced social distancing. Only running for 56 minutes, the film moves at a brisk pace as the friends are taken out one by one.

Eden Lake (2008)

Michael Fassbender tied up in Eden Lake
Image via Optimum Releasing

Easily the most depressing movie on this list, Eden Lake follows a young couple (Kelly Reilly and a pre-Hollywood Michael Fassbender) who journey to the remote countryside for a holiday. While there they run afoul of a group of teens, who torment the lovers with murderous intent.

Eden Lake is a tough watch. The violence is realistic and often inflicted on those who do not deserve it, showcasing that the worst monsters are always human. A well-made and well-acted film, Eden Lake is worth a watch for any budding horror fan. Just be prepared to need a shower afterward.

28 Days Later (2002)

Brendan Gleeson, Cillian Murphy, and Naomi Harris holding weapons in 28 Days Later

A highly influential film, 28 Days Later is cited as being a key part of the revival of the zombie genre. Set in London, bicycle courier Jim (Cillian Murphy) awakens from a coma twenty-eight days after a virus has devastated the country. Discovering the virus has turned its victims into rage-consumed killers, Jim works with a small group of survivors to seek safety.

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The film's presentation of an abandoned Britain overrun by a viral outbreak has been re-evaluated in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scenes of the survivors roaming deserted city streets hit harder due to current events.

Attack the Block (2011)

John Boyega leading his crew in Attack the Block

Set amongst the culturally diverse council estates in South London, Attack the Block follows a teenage gang as they are forced to protect their home from a swarm of alien invaders. More Sci-Fi action-comedy than a straight-up horror film, Attack the Block still offers scares as the locals battle the extraterrestrials.

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Director Joe Cornish cast mostly young, unknown actors to try and accurately represent the South London area. Attack the Block helped launch the careers of John Boyega (in his feature film debut) and Jodie Whittaker, before their appearances in Star Wars and Doctor Who respectively.

Saint Maud (2019)

A woman on the floor, covering her eyes
Image via A24

After failing to save the life of a patient, young nurse Katie (Morfydd Clark) converts to Catholicism and moves to a seaside town. Becoming a private carer for a former dancer, Katie becomes obsessed with the other woman as she attempts to save her soul.

Clark is fantastic in the lead role, as the seemingly meek Katie's obsession moves from caring to creepy, interfering in her patient's life in the name of God. The audience is unsure whether to pity or fear the unpredictable protagonist, leading to a shocking finale that will linger long in your memory.

28 Weeks Later (2007)

Robert Carlyle running away from the infected in 28 Weeks Later
Image via 20th Century Fox

As a follow-up to one of the most acclaimed horror movies of the 2000s, 28 Weeks Later had a lot to live up to. Fortunately, the movie is a worthy sequel and in some fans' eyes (including this author's) is a superior film to the original. Set six months after the original virus devastated Britain, the film follows a second wave that engulfs the supposed safe zone.

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Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Jeremy Renner, Rose Byrne, Idris Elba, Imogen Poots, and Robert Carlyle, 28 Weeks Later is a bigger and bolder sequel.

Dog Soldiers (2002)

A soldier shoots at a werewolf in Dog Soldiers
Image via Pathe

Often treated as lesser creatures to zombies and vampires, werewolves are yet to have their moment in the cinematic sun. Dog Soldiers follows a small unit of British soldiers as their training exercise in the woods runs afoul of the bloodthirsty beasts.

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Retreating to a nearby cottage, the soldiers join forces with a local farmer to try and survive the night. The film harkens back to classic horror films such as The Evil Dead with its use of gory practical effects, while its siege story resembles John Carpenter's Assault on Precinct 13, just with more fur and teeth.

The Descent (2005)

Shauna Macdonald bloodied on the floor in The Descent
Image via Lions Gate Films

Director Neil Marshall's follow-up to Dog Soldiers, The Descent is a claustrophobic nightmare. After the tragic deaths of her husband and young daughter, grieving Sarah is convinced by her friends to take part in a cave-exploring expedition. Eventually becoming trapped inside the uncharted cave system, the women are also forced to evade the cannibalistic creatures that live within the earth.

The film was notable for featuring an all-female cast at a time when women were usually misrepresented in the horror genre. The theme of female friendship is core to the film, as the group is forced to rely on each other as they attempt to return to the surface.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

The cast of Shaun of the Dead pretending to be zombies
Image via Rogue Pictures

Arguably the greatest horror-comedy of all time, Shaun of the Dead is also the best British horror film of the 21st century. When the zombie apocalypse hits Britain, slacker Shaun (Simon Pegg), alongside his couch-surfing best friend Ed (Nick Frost) is forced to become the hero as he attempts to win back his ex-girlfriend while avoiding the hordes of the undead.

The debut of director Edgar Wright, the film kick-started his career as well as Frost and Pegg's, who co-wrote the film alongside Wright. The screenplay itself is genius, bursting with hilarious scenes and clever callbacks to prior scenes, helping the film find the right balance between gut-busting laughs and genuine horror.

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