All 3 Of Jaume Collet-Serra’s Horror Movies, Ranked Worst To Best

Over the course of his 20-year career, director Jaume Collet-Serra has led three horror movies, with the most recent being The Woman in the Yard; here is how it ranks among his previous two. Collet-Serra started out directing music videos and commercials in the 1990s, and eventually earned his breakthrough in 2005. His first feature film was House of Wax, which saw financial success and launched the rest of Collet-Serra’s career. Since then, he has directed notable movies such as The Shallows, Jungle Cruise, Black Adam, and Carry-On.

It has been quite a while since Collet-Serra ventured into the horror genre, but the premiere of The Woman in the Yard has officially brought him back. The Woman in the Yard is his third-ever horror movie, preceded by 2009’s Orphan and 2005’s House of Wax. In general, Collet-Sera’s movies tend to be solid box-office earners with low critical ratings, and his horror movies mostly follow the same path. However, in getting into the specifics of the films, from Rotten Tomatoes scores to audience reactions, it is clear to see how Collet-Serra’s horror movies rank against each other.

3

House Of Wax

Teens Are Threatened In A Wax Museum

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House of Wax

R

Horror

Thriller

8/10

Release Date

May 6, 2005

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Collet-Serra’s third-ranked horror movie would have to be House of Wax. This comes from a long line of remakes and adaptations, though its most popular predecessor is likely 1953’s House of Wax. The story follows a group of college students who are on their way to a football game when they get a flat tire. In a deserted area, they seek help in a nearby wax museum, only to discover that the twin brothers running the place have nefarious motives. House of Wax stars Jared Padalecki, Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray, and Paris Hilton.

House of Wax’s source material is Charles S. Belden’s short story, “The Wax Works.”

At first glance, House of Wax is considered to be a flop. The movie has a 28% critics score and a 44% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers panning the film for its lack of originality and poor writing. For the most part, people consider it to be a bad movie. However, in the intervening years, House of Wax has become notable for garnering a cult classic following. Underneath its poor qualities, House of Wax hides some compelling performances and absurd additions that make it an entertaining watch at the very least.

2

The Woman In The Yard

A Mother Is Haunted By A Mysterious Figure

The Woman in the Yard 2025 Film Poster

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The Woman In The Yard

PG-13

Horror

Mystery

5.6/10

Release Date

March 28, 2025

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Next up in the ranking is The Woman in the Yard. Just released in March 2025, this movie is about a woman who recently lost her husband in a car accident and is trying to keep up a normal routine for herself and her kids. However, their little life is interrupted by the arrival of a strange woman sitting in a chair in their yard. With a veil over her head and a lack of answers from the woman herself, it quickly becomes clear that this presence is not a positive one, and could eventually turn dangerous.

imagery-from-The-Woman-In-The-Yard

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The Woman in the Yard received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, averaging a 45% on Rotten Tomatoes. Those who were unhappy with the film noted that its messaging was too ambiguous and there were not enough scares throughout. Others admitted that the film was more eerie than outright terrifying, but felt that it was a clean and efficient horror film that was well-shot. Overall, The Woman in the Yard is a middle-of-the-road kind of movie, which makes it perfect for second place among Collet-Serra’s horror movies.

1

Orphan

A Woman Poses As An Orphaned Child

orphan

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Orphan

r

Horror

Thriller

ScreenRant logo

6/10

8.5/10

Release Date

July 24, 2009

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Finally, Collet-Serra’s best horror movie is his 2009 film, Orphan. It centers on a young couple who have just lost their unborn baby and decide to adopt a child instead. At the orphanage, they form a connection with a little girl named Esther, and end up bringing her home. However, after spending more time with her, the couple start to suspect that Esther is keeping secrets, and worse, that she might not be who she says she is. The film stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Vera Farmiga, and Peter Saarsgard.

Orphan may not be the greatest horror movie of all time, but it is an absolute classic.

Orphan may not be the greatest horror movie of all time, but it is an absolute classic. Fuhrman fully embodies her role as Esther, and infuses the movie with unending tension. The story is not only unique, but offers audiences a refreshing twist at the end. Plus, Orphan’s ties to a real-life crime of a similar capacity make this movie even more compelling. Although The Woman in the Yard recently premiered, Orphan still reigns as Jaume Collet-Serra’s best horror movie.