20 Incredible Modern Horror Movies That Came Out Of NOWHERE

18. The First Omen

Legacy sequels are almost always met with doubt – if not outright scorn – for feeling like desperate cash-grabs devoid of artistic merit.

While there are exceptions to the rule – such as the surprisingly good Alien: Romulus and Doctor Sleep – there are just as many misfires that justify audiences’ preemptive contempt. 

As the unexpected prequel to one of the most revered horror properties of the 1970s, 2024’s The First Omen couldn’t help but raise eyebrows accordingly when it was revealed.

Not only was it positioned to provide answers to questions few fans of the franchise were asking, but it was happening over 30 years after the last continuation of the series – not counting the 2006 remake of the original Omen – 1991’s Omen IV: The Awakening. Thus, it supposedly came far too late and with far too little justification.

Oh, how wrong we were, as The First Omen was a terrific new addition to the lore.

Fueled by an unnerving yet empathetic performance from Nell Tiger Free – who previously wowed viewers of Apple TV’s Servant – it mixed modern surrealism, grossness, and style with vintage classiness and storytelling. By the end, it’s exponentially more startling, intriguing, and audacious than it had any right to be.

The First Omen isn't flawless, but it is a clear example of how to do a legacy sequel well.