Ellen DeGeneres now: what she’s really doing in 2026
It's 2026, and Ellen DeGeneres now finds herself in a quieter phase after her talk show empire wrapped and that final standup special hit Netflix. Whispers from LA circuits suggest she's channeling her energy into passion projects, including a deep dive into genre films. Specifically, she's curating lists of underrated horror movies from the 2020s, spotlighting hidden gems that deserve a second look. This move aligns with her love for storytelling, blending her TV savvy with cult cinema buzz.
Why horror? Insiders say it's a way for Ellen DeGeneres now to explore darker narratives post-scandal, supporting innovative filmmakers. These picks, all from 2020-2025, flew under the radar due to pandemics and streaming overloads but gained cult status through word-of-mouth and high Rotten Tomatoes scores. Perfect for fans seeking fresh scares beyond mainstream hits.
Why these horror hidden gems
The 2020s kicked off with a global lockdown, turning horror releases into digital afterthoughts. Many films landed on streaming without theatrical fanfare, missing the buzz of packed theaters. Low budgets and experimental styles kept them niche, yet critics raved, earning Certified Fresh badges. Ellen DeGeneres now highlights them for their innovative takes on fear, from social commentary to tech-driven chills.
These movies earned cult followings via online communities and horror fests. Think Reddit threads and Shudder subscribers championing overlooked titles. They innovated amid constraints, like Zoom productions or micro-budgets, proving creativity thrives in chaos. Popular opinion initially dismissed them as B-movies, but reevaluations position them as future classics.
Streaming accessibility makes rediscovery easy for U.S. viewers. Tied to broader trends, they echo prestige TV's psychological depth, like in "The White Lotus" but with supernatural twists. Ellen's curation taps into this, bridging her daytime roots with edgier content.
His House haunts refugee tales
Remi Weekes' 2020 debut follows a South Sudanese couple resettling in England, only to face ghosts tied to their trauma. The film blends supernatural horror with real-world immigrant struggles, creating a chilling narrative. It's a Netflix staple that slipped by during peak pandemic, but its 100% Rotten Tomatoes score cements its status.
Critics praise its genuine scares and thematic depth, calling it a terrifying look at specters of the past. Weekes drew from personal stories, making the horror feel authentic. Overlooked at release, it now thrives on word-of-mouth in horror circles.
Stream it on Netflix for fans of social horror like "Get Out." Ellen DeGeneres now sees it as a prime example of genre films addressing timely issues, much like period dramas unpacking societal woes.
Host summons Zoom nightmares
Rob Savage's 2020 found-footage flick captures friends unleashing a spirit during a lockdown Zoom séance. Shot remotely in just 12 hours on a shoestring budget, it clocks in at under an hour but packs relentless tension. With a 98% Rotten Tomatoes rating, it's a defining pandemic horror.
The real-time format mirrors viewers' own isolation fatigue, delivering lean, scary suspense. Critics hailed its timely premise and effective scares. Initially a Shudder exclusive, it spread via viral buzz.
Available on Shudder or Prime, it appeals to those who binged reality TV during quarantines. Its innovation links to low-fi experiments in early Vice docs, keeping prose terse and immersive.
The Empty Man uncovers conspiracies
David Prior's 2020 thriller sees a ex-cop chasing a missing girl, stumbling into an urban legend that summons an ancient entity. Shelved after poor tests and dumped during COVID, its 137-minute cut builds slow-burn paranoia. Now a Hulu cult favorite for creepypasta vibes.
Critics note its conspiracy-laden dread, drawing "True Detective" comparisons. The original three-hour version hints at deeper lore, fueling fan discussions. Release woes buried it, but online communities revived interest.
Free on Hulu, it's for philosophical horror buffs. Whispers from Cannes circles liken its revival to studio politics turning flops into gems.
The Night House reveals grief secrets
David Bruckner's 2020 psych-horror stars Rebecca Hall as a widow haunted by her husband's hidden life in their lakeside home. Visions unravel dark truths, leading to a twisty climax. Despite 77,000 IMDb views, it remained underrated, praised for Hall's powerhouse performance.
Fans call it criminally overlooked, with creepy atmosphere sans cheap jumps. Bruckner's direction, known from "The Ritual," adds arthouse flair. Word-of-mouth built its rep in horror subreddits.
On Prime, it suits viewers of grief-driven tales like "The Haunting of Hill House." Its psychological layers echo Dickensian ghost stories, subtle and haunting.
Possessor blurs identity horrors
Brandon Cronenberg's 2020 sci-fi chiller features an assassin possessing bodies via implants, losing herself in the process. Visceral practical effects drive the body horror, earning 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. A box office flop, it's poised for cult classic status.
Themes of autonomy and violence provoke thought, with captivating visuals. Cronenberg's style nods to his father's legacy, innovating in identity crises. Critical acclaim outpaced audience reach initially.
Stream on Hulu for "Upgrade" enthusiasts. Its cerebral edge fits peak TV's mind-bending plots, like "Severance" mind games.
The Mortuary Collection anthologizes macabre
Ryan Spindell's 2020 anthology unfolds in a funeral home, with a mortician spinning twisted tales. Rare for maintaining quality across segments, it boasts 97% Rotten Tomatoes. A VOD obscurity turned Shudder hit.
Critics laud its consistent scares and moral twists, evoking "Tales from the Crypt." The frame narrative ties stories neatly, blending humor and horror. Low profile kept it hidden gems territory.
Exclusive to Shudder, it's ideal for anthology fans. Relates to telenovela-style episodic drama, with cheeky vintage magazine wit.
Saint Maud obsesses with faith
Rose Glass' 2020 debut tracks a nurse's fanatic mission to save her patient's soul, descending into body horror. An A24 festival pick with 92% Rotten Tomatoes, pandemic buried its release. Now a cult psych-thriller.
Glass explores extremism through micro-budget intensity, drawing "The Witch" comparisons. Critics call it an IYKYK gem. Religious fervor builds to shocking ends.
On Prime Video, for devotees of faith-based dread. Its subtle Shakespearean tragedy vibes add highbrow depth without fluff.
When Evil Lurks spreads demonic rot
Demián Rugna's 2023 Argentine horror pits brothers against a possessing entity in rural isolation. A 97% Rotten Tomatoes breakout, endorsed by Stephen King, it gained traction post-festivals via Shudder. "Rotting" infection mechanic innovates possession tropes.
Critics note its gore and folk evil, blowing up in 2024 word-of-mouth. Rugna's style amps rural terror like "Evil Dead." Under-the-radar status shifted with horrorhead buzz.
On Shudder, for gore hounds. Ties back to outbreak fears, mirroring pandemic-era isolation in earlier picks.
Ellen's horror pivot ahead
In 2026, Ellen DeGeneres now embracing these underrated 2020s horrors signals a savvy shift toward genre curation, potentially sparking podcasts or specials. It reframes her legacy, blending empathy for underdogs with her entertainment clout, promising fresh scares for fans while nodding to Hollywood's evolving landscape.
