May
Hitting screens long before the ‘elevated horror’ boom of the 2010s, writer-director Lucky McKee’s May was ahead of its time on release in 2002. Defying easy genre classification, this dark character-driven tale follows the title character, a lonely young veterinary assistant, in her struggles to find human companionship. Angela Bettis gives an incredible performance in the lead, at once deeply sympathetic yet utterly terrifying.
Dellamorte Dellamore (The Cemetery Man)
You might not think of Rupert Everett as a horror icon, but many consider his 1994 film Dellamorte Dellamore (aka The Cemetery Man) to be an unsung masterpiece. This Italian production from director Michele Soavi casts Everett as the caretaker of a graveyard where the dead have a tendency to rise again. Surreal, philosophical and darkly humorous, there aren’t many horror movies quite like it.
The Blood on Satan’s Claw
Beloved by film scholars but little seen by the wider audience, 1971 British production The Blood on Satan’s Claw is one of the most highly regarded ‘folk horror’ movies. Directed by Piers Haggard, the film sees an 18th century rural community fall into panic when a disfigured skull is unearthed, prompting the local youths to engage in witchcraft and debauchery.
Intruder
Writer-director Scott Spiegel gave the then-ailing slasher subgenre a shot in the arm with his 1989 movie Intruder, although sadly few people seemed to notice. Set in a supermarket after closing time, the darkly funny yet deeply creepy movie packs in plenty of surprising twists and grisly practical makeup effects, and boasts small acting roles from Evil Dead icons Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi.
Starry Eyes
Written and directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, 2014’s Starry Eyes was overlooked by the mainstream but is among the most intriguing and unnerving horror movies of recent memory. Alex Essoe stars as an ambitious young actress in LA who lands an audition for a mysterious new horror production, but soon finds that her movie star dreams may cost her her soul.
In the Mouth of Madness
Everyone knows John Carpenter is one of the greatest horror directors ever, yet his last truly great movie – 1994’s In the Mouth of Madness – seems all but forgotten. Equal parts Stephen King satire and HP Lovecraft homage, the film casts Sam Neill as an insurance investigator looking for a missing horror novelist, but on his search the lines between fiction and reality start to blur.
Carnival of Souls
The sole feature film from director Herk Harvey, 1962’s supernatural chiller Carnival of Souls was ignored on release but rediscovered as a cult sensation two decades later. Following a car accident, a church organist finds herself haunted by disturbing visions of the dead everywhere she goes. Shot in stark black and white, the film boasts a remarkably eerie atmosphere that builds in intensity throughout.
Night of the Creeps
Writer-director Fred Dekker’s 1986 debut is an off-the-wall yet wildly entertaining mash-up of genre tropes, showing a college campus come under attack by zombies created by parasitic slugs from outer space. Jason Lively, Jill Whitlow, and Steve Marshall give winning performances as the central college kids, but the show is truly stolen by Tom Atkins as the hard-boiled cop with the killer catchphrase, “thrill me!”
Cherry Falls
Made at the peak of the post-Scream slasher boom, director Geoffrey Wright’s Cherry Falls didn’t get the attention it deserved back in 2000, largely due to censorship problems. In a twist on the standard slasher movie, this time the killer only targets virgins. Smarter and darker than many slashers of the time, Cherry Falls also boasts an above-average cast including Brittany Murphy and Michael Biehn.
Malignant
Considering director James Wan’s success with such influential horror hits as Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring, it’s strange and unfortunate that his 2021 movie Malignant proved a flop. Annabelle Wallis takes the lead as a troubled woman who begins having visions of murders. Hinging on an audacious twist that we won’t spoil, it’s one of the most outlandishly enjoyable horror movies of recent years.
The Final Girls
Considering the success of meta-horror films like Scream, you’d imagine that a meta-slasher film poking fun at camp killers like Friday the 13th’s Jason would be a smash hit. But 2015’s The Final Girls barely made waves at all, despite a star-studded cast including Taissa Farmiga and Nina Dobrev. It’s a shame as the film is genuinely funny, touching, and delivers the scares.
The Woman
Distributed by Bloody Disgusting and directed by Lucky McKee, The Woman is a stunning masterclass in truly horrific filmmaking that still remains grounded and gripping with a shocking twist out of the gate. The Woman is a sequel to The Offspring and even received its own sequel (Darlin’), however it remains largely unknown even by genre fans.
Splinter
Body horror fans who haven’t yet seen Splinter need to sit down and rent it right now. This 2008 creature feature horror film is utterly grotesque and you will be disgusted in all the right ways, as each human is infected one by one. Ozzy Alverez did phenomenal work on the creature makeup – which was all practical!
Detention
Josh Hutcherson was already a star in 2001 after appearing in Bridge to Terabithia, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Cirque du Freak: Vampire’s Assistant, so it’s a massive shock that the meta horror-comedy Detention (which was released in 2011) didn’t get much attention. With a horrific villain, time travel, body swapping, and teen drama, it’s a perfect satire of the genre.
Let’s Scare Jessica to Death
Perhaps it’s Let’s Scare Jessica to Death’s low Tomatometer score that’s making genre fans skip this 1971 slasher film, while its contemporaries like April Fool’s Day and My Bloody Valentine have continued to grow a fanbase over the years. After being released from a mental ward, Jessica begins to experience strange events and fears she’s losing her sanity all over again.
The Burning
George Costanza in a slasher film? A villain with a great nickname? Steamy teen romances? Gory deaths? The Burning really does have it all. Jason Alexander stars in this Tony Maylam film set at a summer camp, where a horrifically disfigured former camp caretaker begins to kill the kids one by one in a quest for revenge.
Prince of Darkness
John Carpenter is a much-acclaimed director who has created genre hits such as Halloween, The Fog, and The Thing. However, his 1987 supernatural horror film Prince of Darkness failed to make much of a splash after its release. This is made even more surprising given that it features rock star, Alice Cooper. The film is entirely underrated and deserves a watch.
Alice, Sweet Alice
After Alice Spage’s younger sister (played by model and actress Brooke Shields) is found brutally murdered, the suspicion lies at her feet. The film has been hailed as an American Giallo, and the masks created for the film are eerie. Director Alfred Sole created a completely original concept that plays on catholic imagery and family tension.
Lake Mungo
If you’re looking for a film that’s going to haunt you for years after the initial watch, then Lake Mungo is the answer to your prayers. This psychological horror film follows a family trying to get to the bottom of their daughter’s death while seemingly haunted by her presence. Horror director Jordan Peele claimed it was one of the movies that scared him the most.
Hell House LLC
If you weren’t scared of clowns before watching Hell House LLC, you definitely will be after. Before the release of the It remake in 2017, Hell House LLC had people shaking in their boots in 2015 at the thought of a clown. This found-footage horror film is incredibly effective and builds a chilling, tense atmosphere before delivering on the scares.
Climax
Gaspar Noé is responsible for some of the best and most emotionally exhausting horror films to come out in the last few decades. With French New Extremity classics like Irreversible and Enter the Void under his belt, it’s no surprise that Climax is an impassioned, whirlwind experience of a film that will have you reeling, pulled in by the color palette and the intensely atmospheric soundtrack.
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair
One of the few low-budget, indie horror films to really break into some semblance of mainstream horror, Jane Schoenbrun’s We’re All Going to the World’s Fair is a suspenseful slow burn of a film. The 2021 film tackles mental health and internet parasocial relationships, and is heavily imbued with queer themes.
Housebound
Currently sitting at a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Housebound is a gem of a film that just hasn’t been seen by enough fans. After criminal Morgana O’Reilly is caught once again, she is confined to her mother’s home and trapped there for eight months. The tense, claustrophobic horror is cut by truly funny moments, making it a joy to watch.
Devil
Imagine you’re trapped inside a broken elevator with a group of strangers and suddenly, they begin dying one by one – and you must work out who is responsible or you’ll lose your own life. The premise is original and gripping, and the film builds tension with effective kills. The M Night Shyamalan-produced Devil deserves much more attention than it’s had since its 2010 release.
Circle
Perhaps more of a science fiction thriller than a horror film, the reality of Circle is truly horrific, and enough to cause a few nightmares. With 50 strangers captured and trapped in a strange room together, and forced under immense time pressure to choose who in the group deserves to live, this 2015 film seems to echo the haunting confusion of Cube and Saw.
Chatroom
Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Daniel Kaluuya, Richard Madden and Hannah Murray, Chatroom is a hidden gem that people need to see. Released in 2010, the British horror film managed to snag these actors at the beginning of their career, but their performances remain strong. Chatroom is even directed by Ringu’s director Hideo Nakata!
All Hallow’s Eve
If you’ve recently seen Terrifier and Terrifier 2 and are left in desperate need of more Art the Clown, then you have to watch All Hallow’s Eve. The 2013 Horror anthology was the villain’s feature film debut and director Damien Leone weaves a twisted collection of terrifying tales together that makes for the perfect Halloween watch.
The Belko Experiment
High schools, malls, and campgrounds can all get tired as the scene of grisly murders. But the concept of a horror film set in an office not only provides a novel new viewing experience but plays on our fears, setting the gore in our safe places. The Belko Experiment is horrific in its premise, but also in the fact the danger comes from those we know.
Revealer
A recent release that deserves much more praise, Revealer is perhaps one of the most vibrant and visually intriguing horror films you’ll see this decade. The 2022 Shudder original places a nun and a stripper together to face the apocalypse. 2022’s Revealer expertly weaves together purity culture, queer themes, and unexpected friendships.
A Girl Walks Alone at Night
If you’re a fan of the intensely eerie black-and-white creature feature films of the 1920s, then you have to watch 2014’s A Girl Walks Alone at Night. It’s a new vampire classic from Ana Lily Amirpour, and while it has won many awards, the majority of genre fanatics haven’t even heard of the black-and-white Iranian horror film.
Possum
Possum is not a film that you’ll want to put on in the background. It’s definitely not a film to watch if you’re looking for a relaxing evening. The 2018 British psychological horror film will stay with you long after the credits roll. Matthew Holness has created an intensely eerie and mind-bending film about a disgraced puppeteer returning to his hometown.
The Cleansing Hour
Following the success of The Rite, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, and Paranormal Activity, possession films have slowly started to fall out of favor with audiences, perhaps explaining why The Cleansing Hour failed to make much of a buzz, despite its brilliance. Kyle Gallner and Ryan Guzman are excellent in this 2019 exorcism film that explores the world of live streaming.
Happy Birthday to Me
The boom of 70s and 80s slasher films means that often true gems can be overshadowed by the sheer quantity of films released at the time. J Lee Thompson’s 1981 slasher film follows protagonist Ginny’s friends as they begin to go missing one by one as her birthday draws closer. The kills are gory and the mystery is fun. Happy Birthday to Me is a romp of a slasher.
The Town That Dreaded Sundown
While the 2014 meta sequel to this 1976 slasher film was a success at the box office and managed to get attention from genre fans, the original film has largely been ignored in recent years, which is a massive shame. It really is one of the most overlooked horror films, based on real murders in Texarkana, and featuring great performances and solid directing.
The Serpent and the Rainbow
Director Wes Craven is well known for his smash hits Scream and A Nightmare on Elm Street. However, he had many other incredible films under his belt by the time Scream became a global phenomenon – including The Serpent and the Rainbow. The 1988 film tackles voodoo and zombies rather than masked villains, and simply has to be seen.
Strangeland
If it was Robert Englund’s performance as Freddy Krueger that first pulled you into the world of horror, then you need to catch his performance in John Pieplow’s 1988 horror film Strangeland. With a novel villain obsessed with body modification and sadism, this film written by Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider is a real hidden gem.
The Lure
It’s almost a guarantee that you’ve never seen a monster film like The Lure. While the mermaids in this Polish film remain as beautiful as the legends, the musical twist to the film is surprising, unlike anything you’ve seen or heard before. It’s a coming-of-age fairy tale with some really horrific scenes that any creature feature fan needs in their life.
Nightbreed
Fans of Hellraiser who haven’t seen Nightbreed need to fix that immediately. Based on another Clive Barker novel, Cabal, Nightbreed is an expertly executed dark fantasy horror starring David Cronenberg, Doug Bradley, and Hugh Quarshie. The creatures are stunningly designed, but it’s really the emotional journey of Aaron Boone that carries the film.
Bliss
A hidden gem that’s largely relegated to the back pages of Amazon Prime’s horror collection, Bliss deserves far more recognition and praise than it has received. Joe Begos’ film is a hallucinatory experience that thrusts you into a world of vivid colors and experiences that reflect the dark path protagonist Dezzy is going down on a quest to create her art.
I Am Not a Serial Killer
You will never see the ending to I Am Not a Serial Killer coming. This 2016 psychological horror film takes the audience on a surprising journey, as the teenage protagonist attempts to hunt down and murder a supernatural threat. Christopher Lloyd dazzles in his role, utterly earning his British Independent Film nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Tourist Trap
Fans of the House of Wax 2005 remake starring the iconic Paris Hilton are likely to find the plot of this 1979 horror film a little familiar. Tourist Trap isn’t the goriest of films, earning just a PG rating at the time, but it delivers on the scares with a few extremely creepy sequences – especially those eerie mannequins.
Curtains
While some of the cast of the 1983 slasher film Curtains have made big names for themselves such as Oscar-nominated Samantha Eggar, and BAFTA winner Linda Thorson, sadly Richard Ciupka’s horror film has gone largely unnoticed and under-appreciated. Curtains is completely unique in both story and construction but remains utterly captivating.
Def by Temptation
It’s completely mind-boggling that a supernatural horror film starring Samuel L Jackson remains under-appreciated and unseen by even the biggest genre fans, but sadly Def by Temptation has skirted under the radar in recent years. The 1990 James Bond III directed film is visually stunning and vibrant, making it a joy to watch.
Yellow Fangs
Based on a true story, Yellow Fangs is an exemplary film that crosses the lines between many different genres, but the story of a town terrorized by a giant bear is the stuff of nightmares. Sadly for first-time director Sonny Chiba, the 1990 film flopped at the box office. It’s slowly building a cult following but deserves a much larger fanbase.
All-American Murder
With a star like Christopher Walken attached, it’s a shocker that All-American Murder was a straight-to-video release that’s sadly gone largely unnoticed over the years. Taking inspiration from Giallo thrillers, slashers, and teen flicks, 1990’s All-American Murder is suspenseful and deserves a place in your collection.
Love Object
The very niche subject nature of Love Object has made it a cult classic – beloved by deviants, and fans of the strange and bizarre. But Love Object is genuinely extremely unsettling as a film. The villain of this 2003 horror film starring Wrong Turn star Desmond Harrington isn’t a human, but a life-sized sex doll who becomes overcome with jealousy.
Creepshow
The Shudder original series Creepshow has made waves recently with genre fans, but the 1982 original film Creepshow is definitely an underrated gem. Coming from powerhouses of horror Stephen King and George A. Romero, this horror/comedy anthology film is morbidly hilarious and an absolute must-see.
The Taking of Deborah Logan
Found footage films can be extremely hit or miss. Everyone remembers The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, but The Taking Of Deborah Logan released in 2014 and is a shining example that should be up there among these titans. The film plays with degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and causes severe dread and terror in viewers.
Doom Asylum
It’s almost a sure bet that fans of Sex and the City haven’t seen this gem of a horror film starring a young Kristen Davis. She may not be playing Charlotte but Davis delivers a solid performance in the 1988 comedy slasher film Doom Asylum. It’s worth a watch just for the incredible soundtrack and any moment with Tina and the Tots on the screen.
Landmine Goes Click
Featuring an extremely stripped-down cast, story, and set, and instead choosing to focus on killer character development and dialogue, Landmine Goes Click is not a film to skip past so quickly. While it had very little attention from viewers, those who have seen it commend this slow-burning thriller and the sick twists and turns it takes us along.
Satanic Panic
If you’re looking for a Saturday night film to throw on with your friends that will make you laugh and wince in equal measure, then Satanic Panic is a perfect pick. The 2019 film at least had a little support from genre fans with nominations for the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, but it still definitely deserves a larger audience – if only for Rebecca Romijn’s performance.
The Odds
Fans of Saw, Would You Rather, and other bleak, claustrophobic horror movies will love The Odds. It was released in 2018 and remains writer and director Bob Giordano’s biggest credit to date, but didn’t cause much buzz. The Odds focuses intensely on the relationship between the characters so even without intense gore, viewers will find themselves horrified by the pain inflicted on the protagonist.
Chopping Mall
Perhaps the pinnacle of perfect campy 80s B-movie fun, Chopping Mall is an excellent techno slasher focusing on security robots stalking and attempting to end the lives of a group of teens in an American mall. Even the cast is impressive, starring a young Barbara Crampton. If you’ve never seen Chopping Mall, you have to watch it immediately.
Wolf’s Hole
Released in 1987, Wolf’s Hole follows a group of teens invited on a skiing retreat. However, they’re soon trapped by an avalanche and the once-picturesque location is turned into the setting for their fight for survival. It’s immensely nostalgic with a slow creeping paranoia that sweeps over both the characters and the audience, perfectly immersing you in this scene of isolation.
Let It Snow
Perhaps it’s the dramatic contrast between the warmth of holiday scenes and the stark and painful reality of what winter can hold, but films surrounding the winter season have a strange grasp on horror. The 2020 horror Let It Snow is a chilly slasher film that utilizes just enough intensity to stress the pure hopelessness of Mia’s hunt for survival.
Death Bed
Known as a ‘lost’ horror film due to the fact that it wasn’t available to purchase or played in theatres for decades, Death Bed is the only directorial effort of George Barry. Despite this, the strange film developed an underground fan base prior to its DVD release in 2003. Death Bed: The Bed That Eats is completely outlandish and wonderfully executed.
Demons
You’re going to be so glad that you’re not catching Demons on the big screen like the original viewers of this supernatural horror film. Set in a movie theater, Demons sees its characters slowly possessed by a mysterious movie. The 1985 Dario Argento-produced film is chaotic in all the best ways with thrilling moments that will keep you engaged for the entire 78-minute run time.
You’re Not Alone
In recent years we’ve seen a lot of horror films that focus on parent-child relationships succeeding at the Box Office. From Hereditary to Evil Dead Rise, and even The Babadook, the horror that lies within the family unit is intriguing to audiences and is explored further in 2020’s You’re Not Alone. The final twist is guaranteed to leave you reeling.
The Pool
Kaya Scodelario’s creature feature horror film Crawl, featuring a fight for survival against an alligator was well received by fans when it was released in 2019, but The Pool received a less welcome reception in 2018. The Thai film features a couple fighting for their lives in an empty swimming pool. They’re up against nature, injuries, the heat, and – of course – even a deadly crocodile.
You’ll Like My Mother
After the tragic loss of her husband in Vietnam, the pregnant widow Francesca travels to her in-law’s home. The 1972 horror You’ll Like My Mother starring Oscar winner Patty Duke is an effective thriller, delivering twists and turns that you’ll never see coming. Nearly every performance is impressive, with Rosemary Murphy utterly shining in her role.
Drive Thru
Sporting stars like Leighton Meester and Penn Badgley, you’d be excused for believing Drive Thru should have been much more of a hit than it was. Sadly, the 2007 horror film failed to get much recognition at all, despite centering on a very common fear: coulrophobia. For those of you who get a little creeped out by Ronald McDonald, you have to rent this ASAP.
Actress Wanted
Other than 2011’s Touch, Actess Wanted is Minh Duc Nguyen’s only directorial credit. However, they excel in perfectly portraying the expanse of emotions that grief can entail, painfully dragging the viewer along for the ride as the film explores loneliness, gender, Vietnamese American Communities, and true suspense.
Impetigore
Impetigore is an incredibly underrated Indonesian horror film by director Joko Anwar. There is some hype for Impetigore considering that Anwar’s 2017 film Satan’s Slaves has become the highest-grossing horror film of all time in his home country. The 2020 folk horror film Impetigore is smart and well-paced, with a beautifully graphic color palette.
The Empty Man
You wouldn’t be blamed for skipping out on 2020’s The Empty Man considering its vague title, lack of stars, and a director with few horror credits. However, David Prior has created a superbly haunting film that was beautifully shot. Sadly, the promotion for the film was mishandled by Disney and the cosmic horror remains largely unseen.
The Night House
If you’re a fan of films that take you on a confusing journey and will have you questioning both reality and your own mind, then you’ll adore The Night House. Released in 2020 and directed by The Ritual’s David Bruckner, you’ll find yourself holding your breath as widow Beth begins spiralling into her deceased husband’s secrets.
Session 9
Session 9 isn’t a horror film that reaches great heights or has cosmic consequences. Writer-director Brad Anderson’s 2001 film focuses on the bonds between a crew of workers (including CSI: Miami’s David Caruso), tackling asbestos in an abandoned asylum. The creeping paranoia, questions of paranormal activity, and the human follies of envy, jealousy anger, and conflict all create a horrifying climax.
Nocturne
Following the success of Euphoria, Sydney Sweeney was thrust into the spotlight and fans waited with bated breath to see what roles she would take on next. The intensely focused and slightly disturbed Juliet from Nocturne may not have been the most obvious choice, which might have affected the viewership for the 2020 film. Still, if you’ve missed Nocturne, you’ve missed out.
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon
Meta slashers are incredibly popular in the horror genre, which makes the lack of buzz for Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon all the more confusing. Despite being released almost two decades ago, there’s only a small cult following for this mockumentary about an emerging murderer. It’s funny, it’s intelligent, it’s shocking, and it deserves to be on your watchlist.
We Are What We Are
2013’s We Are What We Are (the remake of a 2010 Mexican movie, also worth seeing) is guaranteed to stick with you years after the initial watch. The slow development of the family’s practices is accompanied by an alienating tone that allows for an exterior observation of poverty, community, and family dysfunction. Director Jim Mickle does an exemplary job, as does Emmy winner Julia Garner.
The Loved Ones
How far will a father go to ensure his daughter’s happiness? When does a crush turn to obsession? How terrifying can a teenage girl in a prom dress be? The directorial debut of Sean Byrne tackles these questions in his darkly comic 2009 horror The Loved Ones. The Australian film is an instant classic with grounded and realistic characters to balance out the gruesome violence.
