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The Best Indie Horror Movies to Stream Right Now, from ‘X’ and ‘Terrifier’ to ‘The Strangers’ and ‘Fresh’

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The crisp creepiness of October is upon us. With the colder months comes not only Halloween but also a new sort of setting perfect for watching horror movies. With the punishing wind whipping chill into the air outside, and the crisp leaves keeping fireplaces ablaze and blankets at the ready, this time of year is just right for inviting fear into your home and snuggling up with something spooky.

Fortunately for indie movie fans, there are dozens of low-budget chillers (and in the case of Luca Guadagnino’s “Suspiria,” not-so-low-budget thrillers) waiting to be streamed on Netflix , Hulu, Max, Peacock, AMC+, Showtime, Shudder, Amazon Prime Video, and a variety of other streaming platforms right now. From contemporary horror classics (see Robert Eggers’ “The Witch” or Bryan Bertino’s “The Strangers”) to beloved horror anthologies (“Southbound,” “Tales From Halloween”) and non-English language movies (“Train to Busan,” “Piggy”), the major streaming platforms offer no shortage of great indie horror movies.

The best indie horror movies are the ones that totally envelop viewers in their nightmarish fantasies while impressing cinephiles with their bold vision, original stories, and commitment to craft. Practically synonymous with indie horror, A24 makes a sizable contribution to this list with the aforementioned Anya-Taylor Joy starring “The Witch” appearing alongside Rose Glass’ “Saint Maud” and Ti West’s “X” and “Pearl,” as well as Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” and “Midsommar.” Other studios — chiefly, Neon — also appear with some frequency on this list. But so do one-off projects championed by individual auteurs, from Adrian Tofei’s “Be My Cat: A Film for Anne” to Damien Leone’s gleefully gory “Terrifier.”

Whether you’re interested in watching an indie horror favorite or want to take a chance on something new, use IndieWire’s streaming guide below to find the best frights streaming in fall 2023. The following films are listed in no particular order and represent 50 of the best (critical distinction!) indie horror movies currently streaming. Also check out IndieWire’s complete guide to the best horror movies ever made.

With editorial contributions by Ryan Lattanzio and Kate Erbland.

[Editor’s note: This list was published in October 2019 and has been updated multiple times since.]

“The Outwaters” (Streaming on Tubi and Screambox)

A memorably nasty found footage experiment, Robbie Banfitch’s “The Outwaters” begins with a burst of energy through a panicked and chaotic 9-1-1 call that makes it pretty obvious something horrible  is about to happen to its cast of four young dummies heading to the desert to shoot a music video. Presented as the combined footage of three memory cards from one of the crew member’s cameras, the film then goes into a slow build-up, keeping the danger in the periphery during the group’s camping trip. But even when things escalate suddenly in the film’s centerpiece scene, the danger remains out of sight and unexplained — in favor of a kaleidoscopic series of surreal terrors that reflect the protagonist’s increasingly delirious fear. The result is slippery and hard to define, which is part of what makes it so scary. —WC

“Skinamarink” (Streaming on Hulu)

A viral sensation that became a shock box office success, “Skinamarink” is a micro-budget title that looks more gorgeous than almost anything else in its genre. Kyle Edward Ball’s directorial debut focuses on two children who wake up in the night to discover their father has disappeared. Slowly, an entity controlling the house reveals itself, blocking them from receiving outside help and tormenting them as its playthings. The film’s languid pacing and faceless protagonists have drawn divided reactions, but “Skinamarink” hits for the people who get on its own particular wavelength. It’s a unique experiment that captures the singular fear and powerlessness that comes from childhood. —WC

“We’re All Going to the World’s Fair” (Streaming on Max)

It’s hard to properly depict the internet on film, but “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair” is steeped in the language of niche forums and viral creepypastas. Jane Schoenbrun’s feature stars Anna Cobb as Casey, a lonely teenager taking part in a viral horror-themed internet challenge whose grasp on sanity is constantly in question. Reached out to by the adult “JLB” (Michael J. Rogers), Anna forms a slippery, confusing bond with their internet friend, but the true nature of that relationship remains in question. The film uses its horror trappings to explore the vulnerability and confusion of life on the internet, and how you never truly know the person behind the other screen. —WC

“It Follows” (Streaming on Netflix)

It’s an age-old trope that anyone who has sex in a slasher is doomed to die; “It Follows” makes that a bit more literal than most. David Robert Mitchell’s film stars Maika Monroe as Jay, a teenager who loses her virginity to her boyfriend and gets targeted by an entity that pursues young people who have sex. A divisive title thanks to its slow, psychological approach to its seemingly lurid premise, “It Follows” nonetheless holds together thanks to Monroe’s strong central performance and Mitchell’s controlled, powerful direction. —WC

“Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” (Streaming on Peacock)

Have you ever wondered what would happen if A. A. Milne’s beloved storybook bear Winnie the Pooh left the Hundred-Acre Woods and began a killing spree? That is the question Rhys Frake-Waterfield dared to ask with “Blood and Honey,” a violent take on the Pooh mythos that imagines a world where Christopher Robin abandoned his friend, killed (and ate) Eeyore, and became a vicious killing machine. Five years later, Pooh and Piglet are silent beasts, who stalk and murder a group of young college kids that make the fatal mistake of vacationing in the Woods. “Blood and Honey” is maybe not the highest-brow film on this list, but it’s good for a cheap thrill. And with a sequel in development, you might as well get on board for the newest big slasher franchise around. —WC

“Relic” (Stream it on AMC+ and Shudder)

When it comes to matters of monstrous kin, modern horror movies tend to turn on the “bad seed” angle, viewing demonic or killer children through the eyes of their feckless parents. But rarely do we see the opposite — an elder parent’s devolution into madness through the eyes of their adult brood. Enter “Relic,” the feature debut from Japanese-Australian filmmaker Natalie Erika James co-written by Christian White, which shows an 85-year-old matriarch’s descent into otherworldly insanity from the points of view of her daughter, Kay (Emily Mortimer), and granddaughter, Sam (Bella Heathcote). —RL

Read IndieWire’s full review .

“Hatching” (Stream it on Hulu)

Tjina (Siiri Solalinna) seems to like animals, but they don’t much take to her, from the squawky crow that crashes straight into her house to the chubby new French bulldog next door. Mostly, the rail-thin Finnish tween seems to be seeking connection outside the fraying bonds of her family, including her simpering father (Jani Volanen), annoying (but probably sanest of the bunch) little brother Matias (Oiva Ollila), and her morally empty mother (Sophia Heikkilä). The foursome are the stars of Tjina’s unnamed mother’s blog, hilariously titled “Lovely Everyday Life,” and as Hanna Bergholm’s clever, confounding “Hatching” opens, those lives are about to cease being lovely. —KE

Read IndieWire’s full review.

“Terrifier” (Streaming on Amazon Prime, Peacock, Tubi, The Roku Channel)

Damien Leone conjured up the menacing Art the Clown for 2013’s anthology film “All Hallows’ Eve,” but the vicious jester wouldn’t fully shine until his standalone flick: “Terrifier.” The low-budget splatter fest sees a silent stalker (David Howard Thornton) seriously disrespect some restaurant workers before pursuing two women (Samantha Scaffidi, Catherine Corcoran) into the night for a truly torturous game of cat and mouse. Though it’s profoundly graphic, “Terrifier” is also full of camp: delivering giggles along with gags. Heroine Tara (Jenna Kanell) would be replaced by sequel star Sienna (Lauren LaVero) for a super-sized follow-up that practically pulled off miracles at the 2022 box office . —AF

“Fresh” (Stream it on Hulu)

About thirty minutes into “Fresh,” a deliciously jangly horror movie, the opening credits roll. Up until then, the movie, which premiered in the Midnight section of the Sundance Film Festival, unfolds like an edgy romantic comedy. In the opening scene, Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones, with a bite) shows up for an app date, which turns out to be a dud: A vain cheapskate who’s brusque with the waiter, the guy tells Noa between bites of their meal that her sweater looks shlumpy and a dress would suit her better. Reading the disagreeable signs, Noa bids him a polite goodbye, but not before Mr. Conceited Civility, upon rejection, can shout, “Good luck finding a guy, you stuck up bitch.” —RL

“Barbarian” (Streaming on Max)

In writer/director Zach Creggers’ “Barbarian,” a creepy misunderstanding at a rental property leaves a young woman (Georgina Campbell) stranded with a man she doesn’t know (Bill Skarsgård). But what lurks behind the shuttered-windows of the dilapidated Detroit home is far more menacing than your average case of stranger danger. Overwrought with gruesome twists and turns, and featuring a laugh-out-loud satirical performance from scream king Justin Long, “Barbarian” not only builds an incredibly scary atmosphere, but manages to sneak in a genuinely funny comedic centerpiece that heightens the terror.  —AF

“Watcher” (Stream it on Hulu, AMC+, Shudder)

Chloe Okuno could have= struck gold when production of “Watcher” was relocated from New York to Bucharest, Romania. The Eastern European city’s mix of bleak, brutalist architecture and baroque government buildings only add to the isolation that the film’s protagonist, Julia (Maika Monroe), feels as she tags along when her half-Romanian husband is transferred there for work. Add to that a stark language barrier and a neighbor who may or may not be spying on her from across the street, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a taut paranoid thriller. —RL

“Titane” (Streaming on Hulu)

Julia Ducournau’s “Titane” is a melancholy, but still jaw-dropping study of Agathe Rousselle’s dazzling Alexia: an alluring stripper-turned-vicious killer who has sex with cars. The 2021 shocker won the Palme d’Or in 2021, making Ducournau the second woman to receive the top prize at Cannes. Vincent Lindon delivers a heartbreaking performance as a firefighter grieving his missing son, who unknowingly accepts Alexia into his home as that missing child. Meanwhile, the fiery antiheroine tends a unique pregnancy that landed “Titane” on IndieWire’s list of the scariest body horror movies about women. —AF

“X” (Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime)

The renegade intensity of Ti West’s “X,” another homage by the “House of the Devil” writer-director to independent cinema’s past, and his first horror film in over a decade, is his willingness to ask: What if a slasher, but with porn? That genre bending — in a rollicking, wicked dark horror comedy about intrepid filmmakers just barely scraping by, the fetishization of youth, and how the weight of aging into a sexless marriage can lead to mayhem — brings the spirit of the rule-breaking 1970s moviemaking back to modern audiences. While West isn’t always operating on the same levels as his influences, his signature flair for tension through simmering slow-burn pacing remains unparalleled. —RL

“Censor” (Streaming on Hulu)

Grainy VHS footage has become a popular trope in the horror genre for years, with its deteriorating quality often enhancing the impression of an ominous, otherworldly realm on the verge of collapse. Yet “Censor,” the engrossing and disturbing first feature from British director Prano Bailey-Bond, may be the first of its kind to put the VHS horror phenomenon in historical context. The story of a troubled British film censor circa 1985 eventually settles into the kind of subjective descent into lunacy the genre’s offered up many times before, but there’s a certain immersive thrill to the way this character’s unraveling takes place within the same dilapidated material she’s been forced to watch for her job. —RL

“Possessor” (Streaming on Hulu)

A queasy and intriguing horror-inflected techno-thriller that gets lost somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle between “Mandy,” “Inception,” and “Ghost in the Shell,” Brandon Cronenberg’s “Possessor” is drunk on its own sick potential in the best way possible. Behold 90 minutes of Andrea Riseborough and Christopher Abbott engaging in ultra-gory psychic warfare over control of the latter’s body. —RL

“In the Earth” (Streaming on Hulu)

“Ben Wheatley’s fun, gnarly, and resourceful micro-budget pandemic movie redefines what it means to commune with nature,” IndieWire’s David Ehrlich wrote in his review . Wheatley’s horror movie follows a scientist and a park scout who venture deep into the words for equipment during a pandemic and discover something mind-melting and disturbing. Ehrlich’s review continues: “The result is a micro-budget horror movie every bit as ancient and elemental as its title suggests; a gnarly and largely satisfying nightmare about someone who tries to leave the coronavirus behind, only to wander into the dark heart of an eternal struggle.” —RL

“The Eyes of My Mother” (Streaming on Amazon Prime, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi)

Nicolas Pesce’s black-and-white stunner “The Eyes of My Mother” was named the big discovery of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival by IndieWire. Pesce’s minimalist script tells the story of a disturbed young woman (the revelatory Kika Magalhães) who, following a traumatizing encounter, keeps a murderer locked up in her barn and forges an unusual relationship with him. The movie’s crisp black-and-white photography and terrifying character dynamics create a chill that’s hard to forget. —RL

“Spree” (Streaming on Hulu)

Director Eugene Kotlyarenko’s “Spree,” co-written with Gene McHugh, centers on “Stranger Things” star Joe Keery as a Gen-Z wannabe influencer whose thirst for internet fame turns him into a serial killer who live-streams his murders while posing as a friendly-faced rideshare driver. “Spree” is a found-footage horror movie for the “Joker” age, mean-spirited and heartless. What’s the point, you might ask? The point is that there isn’t one. —RL

“His House” (Streaming on Netflix)

Remi Weekes’ thrilling feature directorial debut “His House” filters the immigrant experience through a terrifying horror lens in a film that follows two Sudanese asylum-seekers who arrive in Britain with their demons in tow. A critical favorite upon release in October, “His House” boasts riveting performances from Sope Dirisu and Wunmi Mosaku that ground Weekes’ supernatural leanings in trauma and emotions that feel far too real. As David Ehrlich wrote in this B+ review, “‘His House’ is an urgent and spine-tingling ghost story about what it means to begin anew in a home that may not want you to live in it.” —RL

“The Alchemist Cookbook” (Streaming on Kanopy, Topic, Tubi)

Joel Potrykus’s “The Alchemist Cookbook” follows young outcast Sean (Ty Hickson) who has isolated himself in the woods in order to pursue his alchemist pursuits without distractions. Though his experiments start out innocent enough, they soon turn to black magic in order to crack the secrets of nature. Naturally things go awry, awakening something far more sinister and dangerous. —RL

“Baskin” (Streaming on AMC+, Tubi)

Turkish horror movie “Baskin” starts off like a buddy cop film before plunging viewers into a nightmarish world filled with brutal, unflinching violence and bloody horrors. The movie follows a five-man cop unit that enters an abandoned building and are slowly killed by the terrors awaiting them. The movie earned comparisons to “The Human Centipede” when it debuted at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. —RL

“The Blackcoat’s Daughter” (Streaming on Max)

“The Blackcoat’s Daughter” is the directorial debut of Osgood Perkins, son of Anthony Perkins (yes, Norman Bates), so it’s a safe bet the filmmaker knows a thing or two about scaring the crap out of audiences. Perkins’ debut is a stirring exercise in style dripping with tidbits of Gothic horror. The movie pairs Emma Roberts and Kiernan Shipka as two Catholic schoolgirls who get left behind at their boarding school over winter break, only to discover the nuns are rumored to be satanists. —RL

“Body at Brighton Rock” (Streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Pluto TV)

Roxanne Benjamin’s feature directorial debut “Body at Brighton Rock” feels like a throwback to a time when horror movies weren’t afraid to bop around and have fun. The film, which centers on a state park employee who must confront horrors after getting lost in the woods, feels ready-made for a Friday night on your couch. It’s a total slumber party of a movie, told with plenty of skill, even more potential, and an utter lack of preciousness from its delightful opening moments to its enjoyable last-minute twist. —RL

“Creep” (Streaming on Netflix)

Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass were a match made in indie horror heaven with “Creep,” a found footage nightmare in which Duplass’ madness goes to a rattling extreme. Part of the film’s success is how it subverts the found footage horror genre. Almost always, found footage movies are used to investigate alleged paranormal phenomena or superstitious entities (see “Blair Witch” and “Paranormal Activity”). “Creep,” however, is all about the terror of one man. The way Duplass uses the found footage style to charm and terrify is impressive. —RL

“1922” (Streaming on Netflix)

Thomas Jane gives his best performance in ages in this poetic take on the Stephen King novella of the same name. In “1922,” a guy kills his wife and feels guilty about it. That’s the gist of its premise, and while nothing groundbreaking, the story mines a degree of profundity out of the traditional supernatural thriller tropes at its core. As directed by Zak Hilditch (whose 2013 debut “These Final Hours” was an expressionistic apocalyptic tale), “1922” has the merits of a solid “Tales From the Crypt” or “Masters of Horror” episode, with a straightforward story that folds the delicate visual language of a rural Terrence Malick drama into the mold of existential horror. The result suggests what might happen if Malick took at stab at “The Tell-Tale Heart,” with a mentally disturbed male protagonist straight out of King’s “The Shining.” So while not the most original or surprising King story, it hits a lot of the right notes. —RL

“Climax” (Streaming on Cinemax)

Gaspar Noé’s “Climax” stars Sofia Boutella as the leader of a dance troupe that finds itself thrown into madness after one of its members spikes the water cooler with a hallucinogenic drug. The boldness of Noé’s set pieces are dazzling to behold (the movie opens with an astonishing one take that soars through the dance troupe’s rehearsal), and his camera takes on a frenetic quality that matches the delusion of his characters. —RL

“The Ritual” (Streaming on Netflix)

Horror favorites like Guillermo del Toro and Mike Flanagan took to social media in 2018 to champion David Bruckner’s lost-in-the-woods chiller “The Ritual.” The film stars Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier, and Sam Troughton as four friends who get together to honor the memory of one of their late pals by setting out on a hiking trip through Sarek National Park in northern Sweden. The forest, however, is hiding some dark secrets, and it doesn’t take long for the group to be put in jeopardy after they discovery something terrifying is lurking about. Del Toro “highly recommended” the movie to his followers and called it “amazing and scary.” Flanagan, meanwhile, said the film was “seriously great” and “dripping with tension.” —RL

“Emelie” (Streaming on Peacock, Amazon Freevee, Tubi)

Get ready to meet the worst babysitter imaginable. As played by Sarah Bolger in “Emelie,” the character’s end goal seems to be to destroy the innocence of the children she’s babysitting, or to just destroy them altogether. Playing around with “the call is coming from inside the house” horror motif, director Michael Thelin has a field day manipulating the psychological disturbances of his leading lady. —RL

“Evolution” (Streaming on Pluto, Youtube)

What would happen if you mixed art house cinema with the kind of body horror every David Cronenberg fan loves? The result would look something like “Evolution.” The second feature from French director Lucile Hadžihalilovic is a mesmerizing and maddening coming-of-age horror movie that has the look of a beautiful nightmare. The story centers around 10-year-old Nicolas (Max Brebant), a young boy living in a remote seaside hospital where he and several other children are subjected to an alarming medical process. —RL

“Be My Cat: A Film for Anne” (Streaming on YouTube, Tubi, The Roku Channel)

Filmmaker Adrian Tofei crafts something uniquely sinister in the found footage outing “Be My Cat: A Film for Anne.” Playing a fictional version of himself, Tofei puts out a call for amateur actresses who look like Anne Hathaway: the real star he wants to convince to work with him through the proof of concept project. But what follows isn’t a sizzle reel; it’s a nonstop nightmare that feels not only deeply real, but like a threatening artifact from a sick mind. You can watch the film for free on YouTube. —AF

Read IndieWire’s guide to the best found footage movies.

“Ghost Stories” (Streaming on AMC+, IFC Films Unlimited, Tubi, Pluto TV)

Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman’s anthology horror film “Ghost Stories” stars Nyman as the host of a television program that applies rational explanations for ghostly encounters and exposes modern day charlatans. The movie tells three ghost stories, one of which stars Martin Freeman as a man whose house is haunted by a poltergeist with a chilling message to relay about his pregnant, hospitalized wife. The three stories weave together and expertly build tension toward a shocking finale that that pays off in spades. —RL

“Goodnight Mommy” (Streaming on Amazon Prime, Pluto TV, Tubi)

The expertly crafted Austrian horror film “Goodnight Mommy” is a visceral nightmare about a twisted cat-and-mouse game that forms between a mother and her children. The story follows a pair of identical twin brothers (Lukas and Elias Schwartz) whose mother (Susanne Wuest) has just undergone facial reconstructive surgery. But the mother who returns to their isolated countryside home is not the same as the mother who left in the first place. Her face is obscured with a haunting bandage, and her personality seems to have changed for the worse. —RL

“Green Room” (Streaming on Max)

Jeremy Saulnier’s “Green Room” pits a young punk rock band against a gang of white power skinheads who’ve trapped them in a secluded venue after the rockers witness a horrific act of violence, and all witnesses must go. Saulnier’s script might fit more into the thriller genre, but his unnervingly alive performance from the late Alton Yelchin proudly carries on the tradition of horror teenagers who fight to the death to survive a night from hell. —RL

“Hellions” (Streaming on Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi)

Bruce McDonald’s hallucinatory horror movie “Hellions” is a visual and auditory nightmare. Chloe Rose gives a memorable performance as a 17-year-old girl who discovers she’s pregnant on Halloween night, only for a group of killers to show up on her doorstep with the goal of taking her unborn child. —RL

“Hereditary” (Streaming on Max)

Before it becomes an ultra-creepy haunted house movie, Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” is an almost-unbearable study of the grieving process. A family copes with traumatizing loss, screaming, crying, and growing apart as the scariest aspect of their lives becomes the actual hardships of each passing day. Then something far more terrifying happens. Despite some occasionally clichéd jump scares, “Hereditary” excels at evoking a convincing environment of despair along with first-rate horror. —RL

“High Tension” (Streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, Pluto TV)

Before Alexandre Aja found success with American horror films such as “The Hills Have Eyes” and this summer’s “Crawl,” he made a name for himself in the genre with his grisly French horror offering “High Tension.” The movie centers around two best friends who must fight for survival after a serial killer shows up at the doorstep of one of their parents’ homes. “High Tension” is so graphically terrifying that it was released internationally with an NC-17 rating. —RL

“The Hole in the Ground” (Streaming on Max)

Horror lovers kill for a good demonic child narrative, from “The Omen” to “Hereditary,” and A24’s “The Hole in The Ground” is a worthy addition to the long-running subgenre. Directed by Irish filmmaker Lee Cronin, who wrote the script with Stephen Shields, “The Hole in the Ground” follows a mother who is slowly driven to the brink of sanity as she suspects her son isn’t himself. —RL

“Hounds of Love” (Streaming on AMC+ and Shudder)

Ben Young’s twisted kidnapping thriller “Hounds of Love” stars Ashleigh Cummings as cool ’80s teen Vicki Maloney, who is seemingly abducted at random by secret suburban serial killers John and Evelyn White (Emma Booth and Stephen Curry). Set in Perth during the middle of a predictably steamy summer, the Whites have been waging their own private war with the city’s women, and no one seems to realize that they’ve got a pair of serial killers in their midst. —RL

“The Invitation” (Streaming on Peacock, Tubi, AMC+, Shudder, Pluto TV)

While technically a thriller that dovetails into slasher territory for its third act, “The Invitation” maintains a unique horror intrigue that constantly defies expectations. Set in the confines of a Hollywood Hills house where a dinner party reunion takes a series of ghoulish turns, the movie finds bearded Will (Logan Marshall-Green) reuniting with his ex-wife Eden (Tammy Blanchard) along with assorted friends and their partners several years after a traumatic event. As the horror escalates, “The Invitation” becomes the definitive statement of director Karyn Kusama’s career as it lands on the suggestion that surviving one tumultuous experience only leads to more of the same. —RL

“The Love Witch” (Streaming on Mubi, Pluto TV, Peacock, Shudder)

Anna Biller’s “The Love Witch” is a spellbinding homage to old pulp paperbacks and the Technicolor melodramas of the 1960s — a throwback that’s told with a degree of perverse conviction and studied expertise that would make Quentin Tarantino blush. Shot in velvety 35mm and seen through the lens of a playfully violent female gaze, the film follows a beautiful, narcissistic young sorceress named Elaine (Samantha Robinson, unforgettable in a demented breakthrough performance) as she blows into a coastal California town in desperate search of a replacement for her recently murdered husband. —RL

“Southbound” (Streaming on Tubi)

“The Twilight Zone” for more deranged sensibilities, the anthology movie “Southbound” takes place in an eerie purgatorial desert in which various characters wind up trapped and face bizarre supernatural threats. Each macabre installment expertly segues into the next one: “Siren,” Roxanne Benjamin’s portrait of a touring band whose car breaks down, finds the group seeking refuge with an eerie couple in the wasteland, one of whom winds up at the center of David Bruckner’s brilliantly wacky “The Accident,” in which an emergency phone call following an accident on the road turns out to be a devious prank. Unlike other horror anthologies, “Southbound” creates a consistent world defined by sheer dread and unpredictability. —RL

“The Strangers” (Streaming on Netflix) and “The Strangers: Prey at Night” (Streaming on Starz)

It took a decade for writer-director Bryan Bertino to release a sequel to his cult favorite “The Strangers,” but the follow-up movie “The Strangers: Prey at Night” was surely worth the wait. Helmed by “47 Meters Down” director Johannes Roberts, “Prey at Night” plays out as both a clever followup to the first film and an homage to classic John Carpenter joints like “Christine” and “Halloween.” —RL

“Suspiria” (Streaming on Amazon Prime)

Luca Guadagnino’s “Suspiria” is a grim and severe reworking of Dario Argento’s horror classic, offering a thematically richer and more explicit interpretation of that old nightmare. Dakota Johnson stars as an aspiring dancer who discovers her international dance company is being run by a coven of witches. Guadagnino’s slow-burn approach to the storyline builds tension to a final 30 minutes that explode in an orgy of restless editing and visceral gore. —RL

“Train to Busan” (Streaming on Prime Video, Peacock, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel)

Yeon Sang-ho’s 2016 South Korean zombie film “Train to Busan” exploded into a box office phenomenon in its home country with a gross of over $10 million alone in South Korea. Mashing the wildest elements of “Snowpiercer” (passengers stuck on a train) and “World War Z” (rabid zombies that want to eat you alive), the apocalyptic horror sensation has a momentum like few other horror films this decade. Thanks to some virtuoso camerawork and adrenaline-fueled set pieces, “Train To Busan” will have you covering your eyes one moment and standing on your feet out of anxiety the next. —RL

“Trespassers” (Streaming on AMC+, IFC Films Unlimited, Tubi)

Orson Oblowitz’s “Trespassers” has a classic horror set up: Two couples plagued by relationship issues rent a gorgeous house in the desert to escape their issues. The night turns drug and party-fueled, escalating tensions that explode when a woman claiming to be their neighbor shows up uninvited to wreak havoc on their lives. Oblowitz’s stylish direction and neon-soaked imagery recall the hypnotic menace of Nicolas Winding Refn. —RL

“Under the Shadow” (Streaming on Netflix)

Set during the War of Cities in 1980s Tehran, Babak Anvari’s chilling “Under The Shadow” is part supernatural horror film, part mother-daughter drama, and the power of the film is how it uses one genre to effectively subvert the other. Narges Rashidi gives a bold lead performance as Shideh, a mother who refuses to abandon her home despite her husband’s protest and the increasingly violent missile strikes taking place all over the city. As tenants leave one by one, Shideh and her daughter find themselves isolated alone, forced to confront a presence that refuses to leave. —RL

“The Woman in Black” (Streaming on Paramount+)

Daniel Radcliffe’s supernatural horror movie “The Woman in Black” was a box office hit for CBS Films in 2012 (the film grossed $127 million worldwide on a $15 million production budget), but it has never become appointment viewing during the Halloween season. Directed by James Watkins, the underrated horror gem is a successful Gothic chiller set in 20th century England where a widowed lawyer must figure out how to stop vengeful spirits from haunting a remote town. —RL

“We Are What We Are” (Streaming on Pluto TV and Tubi)

Jim Mickle’s “We Are What We Are” is a cannibal movie done right. Mickle’s loose remake of Jorge Michel Grau’s 2009 Mexican cannibal tale brings the filmmaker’s distinct blend of the elegant and the macabre to its ultimate realization. Outdoing the original by a long shot, Mickle’s slow-burn take on the story is poetic, creepy and, finally, satisfyingly gross. —RL

“The Witch” (Streaming on Max)

Robert Eggers’ 2015 feature directorial debut “The Witch” was the breakout horror sensation of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. With a meticulous commitment to period authenticity, Eggers grounds the viewer in the dark and dreary world of a New England family come undone in the 1630s. The cast is led by the breakthrough Anya Taylor-Joy, whose journey from naive daughter to the dark side taps a nerve that’s impossible to forget. With “The Witch,” Eggers creates a haunting narrative of otherworldly forces made especially scary due to the realism surrounding them. —RL

“Saint Maud” (Streaming on Amazon Prime and MGM+)

Writer/director Rose Glass marries supernatural and religious terror in this two-hander starring Morfydd Clark and Jennifer Ehle. When a pious home nurse is assigned to the house of a wickedly cynical dying woman, the pair embark on a tense exchange of philosophies doomed for disaster. “Saint Maud” also boasts one of the most memorable final shots in horror history. —AF

Read IndieWire’s full review of Saint Maud.

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30+ Best Indie Horror Movies of All Time [Reviewed for 2024]

Are you a horror fan looking for a unique and terrifying movie experience?

If you love the horror genre as much as I do, you’ll know that there are tons of fantastic indie horror movies out there – ones that will creep you out and provide the jump scares and body count that you’re looking for… however, there are also tons of not-so-great independent horror movies too. So, which ones should you take the time to watch?

Well, as a genre filmmaker and writer , I’ve watched tons of indie horror flicks as research for my own movies and scripts, and I’d love to share with you the ones that I have found to be the very best!

In fact, I’ll also include my debut feature film , Spin The Wheel in the list below, too!

So go ahead, sit back, and prepare for an in-depth look at some of the best indie horror movies today!

What Are The Best Indie Horror Movies?

Standout Indie Horror Films

Let’s start with some of what I think are the very best indie horror films.

Evil Dead 2 (1987): A Perfect Blend of Horror and Comedy

Improving upon the original in every way, Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead 2 deserves its place as a classic in horror movie canon.

Though the beats are similar, with Bruce Campbell’s Ash starting out as a hapless everyman transforming into a confident and capable hero, this sequel is more focused and engaging, with a real sense of tension and urgency.

The breakthrough use of humor adds an extra layer of entertainment value without detracting from the horror.

Stake Land (2010): A Dramatic Tone Without Becoming Overwrought

Stake Land , directed by Jim Mickle, is a post-apocalyptic vampire film that stands out from its contemporaries with its gritty atmosphere and character-driven narrative.

Martin embarks on a journey through an undead-infested landscape, guided by his wise companion Mister. Stake Land defies expectations by focusing more on human relationships and character development than typical bloodsucking action.

It Comes At Night (2017): Engaging Character-Driven Experience

In It Comes At Night , director Trey Edward Shults creates an intimate portrait of fear and paranoia set against the backdrop of an unknown threat lurking outside their home.

This slow-burn psychological thriller focuses on two families who are forced to share living quarters after society collapses due to an unspecified pandemic event.

It Comes At Night ‘s claustrophobic setting adds tension throughout the film as characters grapple with trust issues and agonizing choices amidst growing desperation.

It Follows (2014): Unforgettable Despite Polarizing Opinions

It Follows , directed by David Robert Mitchell, is a divisive film that has garnered both praise and criticism for its unique premise. The story revolves around Jay, a young woman who becomes the target of an unstoppable supernatural entity after a sexual encounter.

While some viewers find the concept of a supernatural STD too simplistic or even absurd, others appreciate its originality and atmospheric tension. Regardless of one’s opinion on It Follows , it remains an unforgettable entry in indie horror cinema.

Innovative Indie Horror Movies

Breaking away from traditional tropes, these indie horror films present thought-provoking questions and inventive spins on familiar themes. They explore enigmatic epidemics, vampire lore, suburban horrors, and grindhouse classics with heart.

Pontypool (2008): An Epidemic Consuming People’s Minds

Pontypool is a unique take on the zombie genre that centers around an epidemic spreading through language itself.

This Canadian film follows a radio host as he uncovers the terrifying truth behind the mysterious events happening in his small town.

By focusing on psychological terror rather than gore or jump scares , Pontypool offers viewers an engaging experience unlike that of horror movies with a similar premise.

Cronos (1992): Guillermo del Toro’s Debut Feature Reimagines Vampire Lore

Famed director Guillermo del Toro ‘s first film, Cronos , showcases his knack for storytelling by putting a fresh spin on classic vampire mythology.

The story revolves around an antique dealer who discovers a device that grants eternal life which comes at a terrible cost. Del Toro includes elements of body horror and dark fantasy while exploring themes of immortality and human nature.

PIN (1988): Fuses Suburban Dread with Body Horror

Directed by Sandor Stern, this film’s haunting visuals, remarkable performances, and thought-provoking subject matter revolve around a twisted relationship between two siblings and their life-sized medical dummy, Pin.

What sets Pin apart is its exploration of deeper themes, such as mental illness, family dysfunction, and the consequences of isolation, creating an unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll.

Terrifier 2 (2022): The Bloodiest of Sequels

Terrifier 2 cemented its instant cult following due to its excessive gore, visceral and realistic practical effects, and unforgettable characters.

David Howard Thornton’s standout performance cements Art the Clown as one of the most memorable horror villains in recent memory. He brings a perfect combination of humor, terror, and sadism to the role, making him a cult favorite among horror fans .

Boundary-Pushing Indie Horrors

The indie horror genre has always been known for pushing boundaries and exploring themes that go beyond supernatural entities or grotesque body horrors. These films dare to venture into uncharted territories, leaving a chilling impact on audiences .

Martyrs (2008): Explores Disturbing New Territories in Horror Storytelling

Martyrs , directed by Pascal Laugier, follows the harrowing journey of a young woman seeking revenge on her childhood tormentors, only to uncover a twisted secret society obsessed with discovering the transcendental nature of pain and suffering.

This cult classic from French-Canadian filmmaker Pascal Laugier pushes the boundaries of horror, presenting an intense psychological thriller that probes into the depths of human endurance and suffering.

Bone Tomahawk (2015): Horror Meets Western in This Unique Blend

In S. Craig Zahler’s Bone Tomahawk , horror meets western for an unforgettably graphic cinematic experience.

When a group of cannibalistic cave dwellers kidnaps settlers from a small town called Bright Hope, four men embark on a dangerous rescue mission that quickly turns into an intense battle for survival.

The Kurt Russell-led movie effectively combines elements from both genres resulting in thrilling action sequences accompanied by bone-chilling horror.

Get Out (2017): Jordan Peele Breaks Barriers with this Influential Film

Jordan Peele made waves in the film industry when he transitioned from comedy to mainstream writer/director success with his groundbreaking work on Get Out .

The movie masterfully blends horror and social commentary as it follows a young African-American man who uncovers horrifying secrets while visiting his white girlfriend’s family estate.

This trailblazing work opened the door for other filmmakers to explore similar topics and pushed boundaries.

Hereditary (2018): Debut Feature Blends Emotional Weight with Effective Jump Scares

In Hereditary , director Ari Aster showcases an impressive array of storytelling skills by combining emotional depth with terrifying supernatural elements.

Starring Toni Collette and Alex Wolff as a mother and son in mourning as their family is terrorized by both inner and outside demons, Hereditary has been lauded as one of the most remarkable independent horror movies in recent times owing to its special mix of mental fear and frightening suspense.

Psychological Thrills & Chills

The indie horror genre is no stranger to psychological thrillers that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. These films look at the human psyche, exploring complex emotions and dark themes while delivering spine-chilling scares.

Goodnight Mommy (2014): A Tale of Adaptation and Psychological Terror

Goodnight Mommy , directed by Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, tells the story of two young brothers struggling to adapt when their mother returns home from facial surgery covered in bandages.

As they begin to question her true identity, paranoia sets in, leading them down a terrifying path filled with tension and suspense. This Austrian film deftly explores themes such as trust, family dynamics, isolation, and fear through its unsettling narrative.

Green Room (2015): Showcases a Deadly Twist on Party Culture

In Green Room , director Jeremy Saulnier takes viewers on a thrilling ride as a punk rock band that becomes trapped in a secluded venue, forced to confront a group of ruthless neo-Nazis.

The film’s strength lies in its realistic portrayal of violence and the palpable tension it creates, while also delving into themes such as survival, human brutality, and the dangers of extremist ideologies. With its claustrophobic atmosphere, unrelenting suspense, and raw performances by Anton Yelchin and Patrick Stewart, Green Room stands out as a powerful example of a contemporary indie horror-thriller.

Spree (2020): Fresh Take on the Slasher Genre

Spree , directed by Eugene Kotlyarenko, cleverly mixes comedy and horror in a modern take on the slasher genre and found footage.

Joe Keery stars as Kurt Kunkle, an aspiring social media influencer and ride-share driver, who embarks on a murderous rampage while live-streaming his exploits to gain followers.

The serial-killer film offers biting commentary on society’s obsession with online fame while delivering suspenseful thrills.

X (2020): Adult Film Gone Bad

Set in rural Texas, X follows a group of young filmmakers who inadvertently provoke the wrath of a demented elderly couple while shooting an adult film on their property.

The film, by acclaimed director Ti West, addresses themes such as obsession, generational conflict, and the consequences of trespassing physical and moral boundaries through elements of suspense, gore, and dark humor.

Emerging Indie Horrors

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic slowing down film production for a time, indie horror filmmakers have continued creating unique stories.

This section will discuss three standout films that emerged amidst these challenges.

Relic (2020): Combining Haunted Houses with Monstrous Frights

In Natalie Erika James’ directorial debut, Relic , viewers are presented with both haunted house chills and monster movie thrills as they follow the story of three generations of women dealing with their family’s dark past and the impact of dementia on their relationships.

The film expertly blends psychological terror with supernatural horror elements to create an unforgettable viewing experience that leaves audiences questioning what it means to be truly haunted.

Censor (2021): Personal Struggles Amidst External Challenges

Censor , directed by Prano Bailey-Bond, explores one woman’s unraveling grip on reality within Britain’s Board of Film Classification during the 1980s “video nasty” era.

As she probes a frightful movie connected to her sibling’s vanishing, the main character is compelled to confront her own personal fears and the indistinct lines between actuality and imagination.

This psychological horror film offers a unique perspective on censorship while delivering spine-chilling scares.

Spin The Wheel (2023): A Unique Take on the Apocalypse

Co-directed by David Heacock and Neil Chase (yours truly), this film explores the lengths people will go to in order to save themselves, even if it means risking their lives – and eternal souls – to do it.

Taking place in real-time, Spin the Wheel revolves around a group of strangers playing Russian Roulette with the Devil to save the world as it ends around them.

As the tension ramps up to intolerable levels, what begins as an act of self-preservation for some morphs into a willingness to sacrifice for others in this game of no return.

Groundbreaking Indie Horror Films

The indie horror space has been thriving in recent years, delivering scares on an epic level with a small budget. These films have pushed the boundaries of storytelling and provided a platform for unique voices to explore various themes within the genre.

Night of the Living Dead (1968): A Benchmark Classic

Night of the Living Dead , directed by George A. Romero, is considered one of the most influential independent horror movies ever made.

Often copied but never duplicated, this black-and-white film introduced audiences to a flesh-eating zombie apocalypse as social commentary on classism and race relations during a turbulent period in American history – and became the benchmark for the genre in the process.

His House (2020): Survivor Guilt Turned Monstrous

In Remi Weekes’ directorial debut, His House , we follow a refugee couple from South Sudan who are haunted by their past while trying to adapt to a new life in England.

This chilling tale blends supernatural elements with real-life horrors faced by refugees worldwide, as the protagonists face an unknown evil in addition to their own inner demons borne of their tragic journey.

Psycho Goreman (2020): Campy Creature-Feature Fun

Fans of campy sci-fi horror will love Steven Kostanski’s Psycho Goreman , which follows a young girl and her brother as they accidentally unleash an ancient alien overlord.

This creature feature provides a wealth of special effects, hilarity, death, and gore that are sure to entertain devotees of the genre while at the same time pulling at heartstrings and teaching a few lessons about the importance of family.

Funny Games (1997): Hostage Horror Reinvented

Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke’s psychological thriller Funny Games explores the dark side of human nature as two sadistic men take a family hostage in their vacation home.

With fourth-wall breaks and a meta-twist, the film challenges the audience as a surrogate accomplice in the terrors inflicted on the victims, becoming so well-received that Haneke later directed an American remake starring Naomi Watts and Tim Roth.

The House of the Devil (2009): Retro Look with a Modern Feel

In Ti West’s slow-burning horror flick The House of the Devil , a college student takes on a seemingly innocuous babysitting gig at an isolated house, only to uncover something far more sinister.

The film pays homage to classic ’80s horror films by using vintage filmmaking techniques like shooting on 16mm film and emulating the styles of its predecessors while managing to bring a fresh take on the genre.

The Invitation (2015): Secrets and Lies Repurposed

Karyn Kusama’s suspenseful thriller The Invitation invites viewers into an uncomfortable dinner party where dark secrets are revealed, tensions rise, and paranoia sets in.

As past traumas resurface, this chilling tale about a man accepting a seemingly-innocent dinner party invitation from his ex-wife keeps audiences guessing until its shocking conclusion.

Movies That Explore Social Issues

Indie horror films have a unique ability to tackle timely issues by providing social commentary amidst terrifying visuals. This approach allows filmmakers to explore complex themes while still delivering an engaging and thrilling experience for the audience.

Possessor (2020): Body Horror and Autonomy Through Terror

Brandon Cronenberg presents a dystopian body horror as he explores issues surrounding technology, surveillance, identity, and personal autonomy in this chilling tale.

Possessor follows an elite corporate assassin who uses brain-implant technology to inhabit other people’s bodies to execute high-profile targets.

The compelling narrative is elevated by a unique visual style, effectively capturing the disorienting and unsettling nature of the story while highlighting the ethical implications of invasive technology.

R ELATED: If you want to write your own dystopian novel or screenplay, check out my article with 99+ unique dystopian story ideas!

I Saw the Devil (2010): Exploring Revenge and Morality

In I Saw the Devil , South Korean director Kim Jee-woon presents a chilling tale of unchecked vengeance through themes of morality and justice.

When his fiancée becomes the latest victim of a brutal serial killer, an elite special agent embarks on an unrelenting pursuit filled with bloodshed and cruelty in order to exact retribution.

By blurring the lines between heroism and villainy, I Saw the Devil challenges audiences’ perceptions of right versus wrong and justice versus revenge.

Blood Quantum (2019): A Fresh Perspective in Zombie Storytelling

Blood Quantum , directed by Jeff Barnaby, is a First Nations-directed take on zombie lore where white people are transformed into flesh-eating monsters.

This innovative approach provides an intriguing commentary on colonialism and cultural identity while offering audiences a thrilling experience with its gruesome visuals and intense action sequences.

Blending Genres

Indie horror films often excel at blending genres to create memorable experiences for viewers. These movies push the boundaries of storytelling and provide fresh takes on classic horror tropes.

Let the Right One In (2008): Vampire Romance Meets Coming-of-Age Drama

Let the Right One In , a Swedish film directed by Tomas Alfredson, is a prime example of how indie horrors can successfully blend genres.

The movie combines vampire romance with coming-of-age drama, as seen through the eyes of a solitary twelve-year-old boy and a mysterious vampiric girl, resulting in an atmospheric and haunting tale that resonates with audiences long after they’ve left the theater.

Dead Man’s Shoes (2004): Revenge Thriller with Horror Elements

In Dead Man’s Shoes , director Shane Meadows skillfully blends revenge thriller elements with dark horror undertones.

Paddy Considine stars as Richard, an ex-soldier seeking retribution against those who wronged his mentally disabled brother in his absence from military service.

As Richard hunts down each perpetrator one by one, Dead Man’s Shoes has themes such as guilt, redemption, and family bonds while maintaining its chilling atmosphere throughout.

Folklore-Inspired Indie Horror Films

Indie horror films often draw inspiration from folklore to create haunting tales. These movies explore the rich history of folk stories and legends.

The Ritual (2017): Uncovering Folk Horror Roots

Directed by David Bruckner, The Ritual follows a group of old college friends who embark on a hiking trip in the Scandinavian wilderness, only to find themselves stalked by an ancient, malevolent entity.

Blending psychological terror with supernatural elements – and a thoroughly unique and terrifying monster – the supernatural horror film creates an atmosphere of dread as it goes into themes of grief, guilt, and the fragility of friendships.

Titane (2021): Tackling Societal Issues Through Chilling Narratives

In Titane , director Julia Ducournau tackles gender norms, toxic masculinity, and parenthood through an unsettling narrative about a woman with a titanium plate in her head who becomes involved with a grieving father searching for his lost son.

This Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner combines body horror elements with thought-provoking themes to create an unforgettable cinematic experience that challenges societal expectations.

The Forest Of Lost Souls (2017): Grindhouse Meets Arthouse

The Forest Of Lost Souls tells the story of a young woman and an old man who meet in the titular forest – a fictional place in Portugal and loosely based on Aokigahara, the Japanese forest where some people go to commit suicide – to do themselves in.

As they venture further into the woods, it becomes increasingly clear that one of them has motives that are much more sinister than they appear.

Drawing on a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, and Japanese folklore, The Forest Of Lost Souls offers a mix of mystery and horror that will keep viewers enthralled.

Classic Indie Horrors

Films like Saw and The Babadook showcase innovative storytelling techniques that keep viewers on edge, while in the 1600s New England-set The Witch , family dynamics are explored alongside supernatural elements as puritans struggle to survive in their secluded home.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre remains iconic for its skin-masked Leatherface picking off teens one by one, while the Sam Raimi-helmed Evil Dead series launched both him and Bruce Campbell into stardom through comedic hijinks within the genre.

The Void (2016): Exploring Grief

The Void is a Canadian horror film that has themes of grief, loss, and isolation. The story follows a small-town cop who discovers an eerie cult-like group lurking around his town after encountering strange occurrences at a local hospital.

With its Lovecraftian atmosphere, practical effects reminiscent of John Carpenter’s work, and emotional depth exploring how people cope with grief, The Void has become a modern indie horror classic.

The Crazies (1973 & 2010): A Classic Horror Remade for Modern Audiences

Originally released in 1973 by George A. Romero, The Crazies was remade in 2010 by director Breck Eisner as a modern take on this classic indie horror tale about a small town affected by an unknown toxin that turns its residents into violent killers.

With updated special effects and social commentary relevant to contemporary audiences, the remake pays homage to its predecessor while offering fresh perspectives on paranoia and government overreach and control.

Final Thoughts

OK, I hope you found a great new indie horror movie to watch tonight! They may not have the marketing budgets that studio movies get, but I know you’ll love these movies if you’re a horror fan like me!

If you think I’ve left off any great horror movies here in this list, please let me know in the comments below and I will check them out!

And, if you’re hoping to create your own horror story , check out my list of fantastic scary story prompts to get started!

Common Questions (FAQs)

What is the most successful independent horror film of all time.

The most successful independent horror films of all time are considered to be The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Paranormal Activity (2007). The first is the film that launched the found-footage craze, and was made on a budget of $60,000 while grossing over $248 million worldwide. The latter was made on an even smaller budget of around $15,000 while grossing over $194 million worldwide, making them the highest-grossing indie films ever. The innovative marketing campaign and realistic approach for each film contributed to its respective success.

What is an indie horror movie?

An indie horror movie refers to a horror film that has been produced outside the major studio system, often with lower budgets and more creative freedom. These movies are typically financed by smaller production companies or through crowdfunding efforts, allowing filmmakers to explore unique ideas and storytelling techniques without mainstream constraints.

Which movie is #1 in the list of scariest horror movies ever according to Rotten Tomatoes?

Rotten Tomatoes’ list of scariest movies includes many classics and their top-rated choice for the scariest film ever made may vary depending on updates in ratings. As per their current list, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960) holds a high position as one of the best-reviewed classic horrors, and is generally considered one of the greatest horror-thrillers of all time.

What is the number 1 horror movie ever made?

Determining which movie stands as the number 1 independent horror film can be subjective, but my top choices include Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980), William Friedkin’s The Exorcist (1974), George A. Romero’s Night Of The Living Dead (1968), and Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960).

Love movie lists? Check out these other great articles!

Top 10 Evil Dads in Horror Movies

Best Evil Horror Movie Mothers [Top 10 Scariest Moms]

Knock ‘Em Dead: The Top 10 Best Horror Western Movies

Filmmaker, Author, Actor and Story Consultant

Neil Chase is an award-winning, produced screenwriter, independent filmmaker, professional actor, and author of the horror-western novel Iron Dogs. His latest feature film is an apocalyptic thriller called Spin The Wheel.

Neil has been featured on Celtx, No Film School, Script Revolution, Raindance, The Write Practice, Lifewire, and MSN.com, and his work has won awards from Script Summit, ScreamFest, FilmQuest and Cinequest (among others).

Neil believes that all writers have the potential to create great work. His passion is helping writers find their voice and develop their skills so that they can create stories that are entertaining and meaningful. If you’re ready to take your writing to the next level, he's here to help!

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pop culture

The 25 best indie horror movies to watch when you need a good halloween scare.

As ironic as it sounds, indie horror movies have proven themselves to provide a safe platform for all thrill-seekers. These movies are the perfect way for horror film lovers get all of their shrieks and screams in without actually having to put themselves in harm’s way.

Thanks to production companies like Blumhouse and A24, independent horror is currently undergoing a bit of a renaissance. Filmmakers who grew up watching some of the earliest indie horror movies are now out there creating their own grim worlds for audiences to lose themselves in. Whether it’s supernatural or psychological horrors that tickle your fancy, read on to learn more about the best indie horror movies, if you dare.

1. 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'

• Release Year: 1974
• Who's in It: Marilyn Burns, Gunner Hansen, Allen Danziger, William Vail, Edwin Neal, Paul A. Partain

The granddaddy of slasher films, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, is one of the most infamous indie horror movies ever released. Directed and co-written by Tobe Hooper, the film follows a group of traveling friends who fall prey to a family of torturous cannibals. The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre has so much going for it, but it’s impossible to mention this film without mentioning the oldest cannibal of them all: Leatherface.

This chainsaw-wielding madman has become one of the most iconic figures in horror and his first appearance perfectly displays why he is still such a creepy, terrifying force today. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre made its mark as a violent and messy film, but it also deserves praise for its realistic feel and solid ensemble performances.

2. 'Night of the Living Dead'

• Release Year: 1968
• Who's in It: Duane Jones, Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Keith Wayne

George A. Romero isn’t the first director to utilize zombies in his films, but he certainly popularized and enshrined the brain-eating creatures in modern pop culture. With Night of the Living Dead, he follows what happens when a group of seven individuals is stranded and locked inside a farm together while being attacked by mindless monsters.

Loosely inspired by Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend, Night of the Living Dead is both tense and creepy while being comical and excellently paced. The film's OG status obviously solidifies itself as one of the oldest and best indie horror movies around.

3. 'Martyrs'

• Release Year: 2008
• Who's in It: Mylène Jampanoï, Morjana Alaoui, Catherine Bégin, Isabelle Chasse

If you like indie horror movies that make you feel incredibly uncomfortable, then Pascal Laugier’s Martyrs might be for you. This French film follows two young women as they try to seek revenge for a past crime, a decision that leads them straight into the torturous and sadistic hands of a cult-like organization that believes pain brings people closer to God.

Tense and incredibly bloody, Martyrs has a spiritual and philosophical throughline that adds an interesting layer of depth to the project. Even though Saw predates Martyrs by four years, Martyrs doesn’t hesitate to show people being mutilated and tortured in a much more severe and squirmish way than its American rival; in fact, it revels in the misery that it inflicts upon its characters.

4. 'Climax'

• Release Year: 2018
• Who's in It: Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub, Kiddy Smile

After being quarantined for what feels like an eternity, a psychedelic dance party sounds pretty damn good right about now. Climax, an ensemble film that features tons of improvisation and interesting motion, sees a group of dancers come together for a good, old-fashioned '90s warehouse afterparty. Unfortunately, the night takes a turn for the worse when everyone starts acting angry and confused as it becomes clear that the party punch was spiked with acid.

Written, directed, and co-edited by Gaspar Noé, the film is highly technical, featuring long, jarring takes; on top of that, it isn’t afraid to put the camera right in the middle of incredibly uncomfortable and sometimes violently shocking moments.

5. 'Eraserhead'

• Release Year: 1977
• Who's in It: Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Jeanne Bates, Judith Anna Roberts, Laurel Near, Jack Fisk

Now, this just might be one of the best indie horror movies we've ever seen.

Anyone who has seen Twin Peaks knows David Lynch is no stranger to creepy, atmospheric filmmaking, but this quality dates all the way back to Lynch’s feature-film debut, Eraserhead. A twisted metaphor about the horrors of parenthood, the film follows a man named Henry Spencer (Jack Nance) as his life is turned upside down upon learning that his “girlfriend” gave birth to a grotesque baby.

Silly at moments due to the uncomfortable tension hanging over everything, the film is both surreal and disturbingly sexual in a way that makes it tough to stop watching. The character work and industrial setting are certainly alarming, but Lynch also excels at creating ghastly soundscapes that make everything creepier and harder to comprehend in the best way.

6. 'Green Room'

• Release Year: 2015
• Who's in It: Anton Yelchin, Patrick Stewart, Joe Cole, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat

Writer and director Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room doesn’t deal with supernatural entities or grotesque body horror, but it's still an incredibly tense, horrifying watch. A touring punk band takes a last-second gig without realizing they accidentally agreed to perform at a neo-Nazi club. Instead of avoiding a hostile scene, the punk rockers escalate the situation during their performance and find themselves locked in the green room scared for their lives.

The film has many fantastic performances, but Patrick Stewart’s turn as Darcy Banker, the intimidating and loyalty-demanding neo-Nazi leader, proves the classical thespian still has a hard edge. In 2022, the thought of being locked in a room with a bunch of angry skinheads is more relevant and terrifying than ever, and Green Room is an adrenaline-fueled ride about this group’s desperate struggle to escape with their lives.

7. 'Get Out'

• Release Year: 2017
• Who's in It: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, LaKeith Stanfield, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, Caleb Landry Jones, Lil Rel Howery

When comedian, Jordan Peele, made the transition to mainstream writer and director with Get Out, he took the cinematic world by storm. Structurally, the film is a romantic comedy gone very wrong, but the racially-charged satire and tense conversations make it feel more like a psychological thriller.

Full of fantastic performances, the most memorable was Daniel Kaluuya's as Chris Washington, a man understandably nervous to meet his girlfriend’s family who gradually realizes things aren’t as they appear. Get Out is both charming and funny while also being intensely dark and dripping in poignant societal criticism.

8. 'Hereditary'

• Who's in It: Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne, Ann Dowd

Writer-director Ari Aster’s debut feature film, Hereditary, is the perfect blend of psychological and supernatural horror. After the secretive matriarch of the Graham family dies, things slowly start to unfold for everyone else in the family. As the Grahams lose their grip and start to grasp their grandmother’s dark secrets, things quickly spiral out of control.

This is definitely a situation where the less scare-seeking viewers know going into the movie the better, but just know that Hereditary knows how to take its time and get under the viewer’s skin. Full of incredible performances, Toni Collette in particular was sorely overlooked at the 2019 Academy Awards for her work in this movie.

9. 'Train to Busan'

• Release Year: 2016
• Who's in It: Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-seok, Jung Yu-mi, Kim Su-an, Choi Woo-shik, Ahn So-hee, Kim Eui-sung

Zombies have evolved a lot since Romero re-introduced them in Night of the Living Dead, and no movie ups the zombie-ante quite like Train to Busan. A Korean film mostly set on a singular train that is making its journey to the port city of Busan, Train to Busan is set in the earliest moments of a zombie outbreak.

As the passengers travel, the country slowly starts breaking down and the outbreak becomes present on the sealed train. Hectic and claustrophobic all at once, the film is heavy on emotions, effective jump scares, and action-packed moments that make it one of the most entertaining twists in the undead genre.

10. 'The Witch'

• Who's in It: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, Kate Dickie, Lucas Dawson, Sarah Stephens, Bathsheba Garnett

Part-period piece and part-supernatural horror, Robert Eggers' feature-film debut, The Witch (stylized as The VVItch ), is best described as an incredibly detailed nightmare. Set in a New England settlement in the 1630s, the film focuses on a Puritan family who's trying to build a successful life when they come into contact with demonic forces.

Inspired by Eggers’ own fascination with witches, the film doesn’t deliver direct scares per se, instead, it makes the viewer sit in the unknown of each moment as the family is slowly torn apart. Heads up for anyone who may not be aware though, part of why this film can be described as “incredibly detailed” is due to Eggers' decision to use painstakingly accurate dialogue and dialects, something that can take a moment to get used to.

11. 'Goodnight Mommy'

• Release Year: 2014
• Who's in It: Elias Schwarz, Lukas Schwarz, Susanne Wuest

Goodnight Mommy, a psychological horror from Austria, knows how to make its viewers stir in their chairs. Co-Directed and co-written by filmmaking team Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala, the film follows two brothers after their mother returns home from surgery. Since she is adorned with full facial bandages that make it impossible for her kids to confirm whether or not it’s really their mother, the two begin to suspect that it's actually an imposter in their home.

A tense and bloody ride, Goodnight Mommy turns into a full-out war between the young boys and their “mother” as they struggle to learn the truth and survive being trapped inside with her.   

12. 'Funny Games'

• Release Year: 2007
• Who's in It: Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt, Brady Corbet

It’s rare that people truly get second opportunities in life, but writer-director Michael Haneke completely remade his own 1997 movie, Funny Games, in 2007 with brand new performers like Tim Roth and Naomi Watts. Pretty much a shot-for-shot remake of the original except for the fact that it’s in English, the film is the perfect meta encapsulation of why you don’t talk to strangers.

When the Farber family visits their lake house, they come into contact with two young men who quickly turn from awkward conversations to sadistic games. Rather than simply rob the family and escape quickly, the two young men—played wonderfully by Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet—take their time embarrassing and torturing the family, making it clear that sometimes normal people are worse than monsters. 

13. 'The Lighthouse'

• Release Year: 2019
• Who's in It: Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe

Spending time with Willem Dafoe alone on a lighthouse sounds terrifying by itself, but Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse turns that uncomfortable scenario into a manic nightmare when a new lighthouse keeper (Robert Pattinson) comes aboard right before a powerful storm.

Like Eggers’ other entry on this list, The Witch, the film pays careful attention to details, making sure everything from dialects to set decoration is as authentic as possible as the two men spiral out of control in the isolated setting. Shot in black and white with a squared, 1:1 aspect ratio, the old-school aesthetic adds to the film rather than serving as a flashy technique that distracts the audience.

14. 'Halloween'

• Release Year: 1978
• Who's in It: Jamie Lee Curtis, Nick Castle, Donald Pleasence, P. J. Soles, Nancy Kyes, Charles Cyphers, Kyle Richards

Directed and co-written by horror legend John Carpenter, Halloween sees a deranged serial killer escape from an “insane asylum” and return to his hometown to wreak havoc on Halloween night. Six-year-old Michael Myers killed his sister, and now, 15 years later, he’s ready to kill some more.

A classic slasher film full of tense moments, Jamie Lee Curtis’ performance in the movie as high school student, Laurie Strode, proves exactly why she has earned the title of " scream queen ." At this point, Michael Myers is one of the most infamous Halloween costumes, but the original movie is definitely still worth seeing for anyone who wants to know why he’s such an iconic killer. While the film is more mainstream now, it was definitely one of the biggest indie horror movies at the time of its release.

15. 'Enter the Void'

• Release Year: 2009
• Who's in It: Nathaniel Brown, Paz de la Huerta, Cyril Roy

Life can be strange, but it can be even stranger when you’re on psychedelics. Gaspar Noé’s Enter the Void , structured after the infamous Tibetan Book of the Dead , sees Oscar (Nathaniel Brown) have an out-of-body experience after being shot by the police during a drug sale.

Heavy on neon lights and flowing camera movements, the film excels at making the audience also feel like they are in the middle of an uncomfortable, world-shattering trip. Enter the Void is more of an avant-garde art film than pure horror, but it's still incredibly unsettling and takes the audience on a wild, memorable ride. 

16. 'Bone Tomahawk'

• Who's in It: Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, Richard Jenkins, Lili Simmons, Evan Jonigkeit, David Arquette, Sid Haig

A horror-western set in the 1890s, Bone Tomahawk is writer S. Craig Zahler's directorial debut feature film. Sheriff Hunt (Kurt Russell) has to assemble a group in order to rescue some individuals who have been kidnapped. The only problem is that they weren’t kidnapped by outlaws looking for quick cash—they were taken by cannibals.

Unafraid to get grotesque, Bone Tomahawk is truly one of the most brutal films I’ve ever seen as Sheriff Hunt and his gang struggle both physically and mentally to survive and get the job done. Despite its B-movie qualities, the film is actually stacked with an amazing ensemble of actors like Richard Jenkins, Patrick Wilson, and Matthew Fox, whose performances elevate the entire movie.

17. 'Let the Right One In'

• Who's in It: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl

When people think of vampires, adult figures like Dracula and Lestat are probably the first things that pop into their minds. Let the Right One In, a Swedish film written by the man who wrote the 2004 novel it’s based on, inverts things by having the central vampire be a young girl.

Equal parts comedic, kiddy romance and dreadful exploration of how dark people can be, Let the Right One In is both shockingly violent and heart-achingly sweet, sticking with viewers for a long time . While the film did have an entertaining American remake later on in 2010, the original is far superior at creating both tense and loving atmospheres. 

18. 'Little Monsters'

• Who's in It: Lupita Nyong'o, Alexander England, Josh Gad, Kat Stewart

Sometimes, indie horror movies need a shot of cuteness and positivity to really land, and Little Monsters has both of these qualities in spades. Written and directed by Abe Forsythe, the film follows a group of quirky characters led by Lupita Nyong'o and Josh Gad as they try to protect a group of young students from a hectic zombie outbreak that's taking place around them. The zombies in Little Monsters are deadly and terrifying, but the way the film blends in comedy makes it a unique, must-watch. 

19. 'The Human Centipede'

• Who's in It: Dieter Laser, Ashley C. Williams, Ashlynn Yennie, Akihiro Kitamura

The two-girls-one-cup of the horror world, The Human Centipede is unlike anything else I’ve ever seen. A Dutch film that follows Lindsay (Ashley Williams) and Jenny (Ashlynn Yennie), two American tourists on a European vacation, things quickly go south when the tourists are kidnapped by a good, old-fashioned mad scientist who's working on a comical yet extremely dangerous torture method that sees people sewed together anus-to-mouth.

It’s hard to call The Human Centipede a good movie with a completely straight face, but the way it excels at making viewers uncomfortable makes it a one-of-a-kind horror experience that everyone needs to see at least once. And while it's maybe not the most pleasant viewing experience, it's definitely a firm entry in the most creative indie horror movies ever made.

20. 'The Invitation'

• Who's in It: Logan Marshall-Green, Tammy Blanchard, Michiel Husman, Emayatzy Corinealdi

With COVID still ripping through people’s homes, a big, group dinner sounds terrifying for a lot of reasons right now, but director Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation, which focuses on a group of old friends reuniting over dinner two years after a traumatic experience, makes it a terrifying get-together for a whole different kind of reason.

Unafraid to take its time and make people second guess all of the confusing, tense actions taking place on the screen, The Invitation is an explosive film that also does a wonderful job at exploring the emotional and psychological damage trauma can have on one’s life.

21. 'Spree'

• Release Year: 2020
• Who's in It: Joe Keery, Sasheer Zamata, David Arquette, Kyle Mooney, Mischa Barton

Spree blends comedy and horror into one as the film tracks Kurt Kunkle (Joe Keery), a driver for a rideshare service who—in the hopes of going viral—murders his passengers live for all of his viewers to see. And while the film didn't get the highest of praises with a current 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, Joe Keery's performance as Kunkle was widely applauded.

• Release Year: 2022
• Who's in It: Mila Goth, Jenna Ortega, Martin Henderson, Brittany Snow, Owen Campbell, Stephen Ure, Scott Mescudi

Just recently released towards the beginning of 2022, X is an updated take on the classic slasher genre, set on an extremely rural piece of land in Texas, which already sounds like the perfect place for a good 'ole murdering. Basically, a production team behind a pornographic film is set to shoot on the property, though while filming there, the crew realizes that they're being stalked by a serial killer.

23. 'Creep'

• Who's in It: Mark Duplass, Patrick Brice

Created by Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice who both star in the film, as well, Creep is filmed as if it were simply footage found by someone after the events of the story occurred. Duplass plays Josef, a videographer, while Brice portrays Aaron, a man with a brain tumor who only has a short time left to live.

Their worlds collide when Aaron hires Josef to record a video diary for his unborn child, though as time goes on, he realizes that Josef is fairly disturbed and decides to cut ties with him. However, things don't turn out to be as simple as that when Josef begins to stalk Aaron. Due to the film's success, it was given a sequel, Creep 2 , which aired in 2017; a third movie is in the works, which would solidify Creep as one of the best indie horror movies and series in the modern day.

24. 'His House'

• Who's in It: Wunmi Mosaku, Sope Dirisu, Matt Smith

A Netflix original, His House centers around two refugees—Bol (Sope Dirisu) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku)—from South Sudan, Africa, who flee to the U.K. with their daughter, Nyagak, in hopes of a better life free from war. As they settle down in an old, dilapidated house just outside of London, the couple realizes that their house is possessed by an unknown evil presence.

As a whole, the film received extremely high marks from critics, earning itself a solid 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

25. 'It Follows'

• Who's in It: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto, Jake Weary, Olivia Luccardi, Lili Sepe

A quick horror film clocking in at just around 100 minutes, It Follows puts a spotlight on Jaime "Jay" Height (Maika Monroe), who becomes a target of a supernatural entity after she sleeps with her boyfriend. Basically, the entity is transmitted like an STD, and the only way to "cure" it is by sleeping with someone else and passing it on to that next person, wherein the entire cycle starts over again.

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The Best Indie Horror Movies of the Decade (So Far)

The 2020s have been rough, and we’re only a few years in. COVID-19. Climate “disruptions.” Ongoing migration crises. The rise of AI and the devaluation of the worker and the artist. The highest office of American government soiled. REM sang it back in 1987—it’s the end of the world as we know it.

When the chips are down and everything is on fire, it might seem counterproductive to turn to horror movies for entertainment; closing an article about the latest violent tragedy in order to watch a fictional home invasion thriller sounds like an exercise in masochism. But a recent study shows that those who engage with horror movies are better equipped to handle times of crisis. They don’t consume the genre’s art with any interest in committing violent acts. Rather, it helps them engage with their fears within safe boundaries, with the bonus dividend of a psychological hardiness that helps the viewer weather the slings and arrows of a stressful era.

While the big studios continue to churn out mainstream scary movies for the masses, indie horror has been experiencing a resurgence. For every major franchise sequel written by committee, there’s a surplus of boundary-pushing cinema from production companies and directors you’ve never heard of. Prestige horror has made the genre more lucrative, while streaming has made it more accessible to the average moviegoer. When you add it all up, you get a bounty of riches for those of us who want something less formulaic, more unique, and—as always—a little weird and unsettling.

So sit back, turn up the sound, and turn down the lights: this early list of the best indie horror movies of the 2020s (so far) is sure to have something for everyone, from dementia monsters to uncanny clones. Happy viewing!

Relic (2020)

Right out of the gate, the 2020s have an early contender for best horror movie of the decade. Natalie Erika James’ Relic is a heady Australian horror film focused on three generations of women who converge at their old family home. Matriarch Edna (Robyn Nevin) has gone missing, and her growing dementia has daughter Kay (Emily Mortimer) and granddaughter Sam (Bella Heathcote) concerned enough to come looking for her. They find a mysterious black mold throughout the upper level of the house, and when Edna returns, she bears an odd bruise that resembles the mold. Heavy on the dread and light on the jump scares, Relic is a horror show for anyone who has had to witness a parent’s mental decline.

Titane (2021)

Back in 2018, The Mary Sue’s Stefania Sarrubba observed that horror was using unorthodox methods to unpack women’s sexual empowerment, citing Julia Ducournau’s 2016 coming-of-age cannibal movie Raw as a prime example. So it should surprise no one that Ducournau’s next feature is equal parts erotic and disturbing body horror. The basic plotline of Titane is that a woman named Alexia (Agathe Rousselle), who has a titanium plate in her head, commits crimes and goes on the run, has sex with a car, and eventually poses as the long lost son of a firefighter (Vincent Lindon). It gets more strange from there, but through it all are incredibly human themes that deal with the body and personhood. Recommended for fans of David Cronenberg’s movies.

We’re All Going to the World’s Fair (2021)

Plenty of horror movies have emerged from the shadowed interiors of nationwide lockdowns, but few are as strange and isolating as Jane Schoenbrun’s We’re All Going to the World’s Fai r. Written, directed, and edited by Schoenbrun, the story follows teen Casey (Anna Cobb), who takes the World’s Fair Challenge, an occult-centric internet challenge that involves pricking one’s finger on camera, making a blood oath, and recording any subsequent experiences. Another user reaches out to Casey as her videos become more disjointed, but it’s tough to tell if he is truly concerned about her or if his correspondences are predatory. “Alienating” isn’t a strong enough characterization of the relationships in this story; everyone’s interactions happen through a screen, bathed in the glow of the after-hours online world in a feature-length experiment in unreality and dissociation. Coming-of-age movies rarely get this dark.

Saint Maud (2021)

Saint Maud technically premiered in 2019 (at Toronto International Film Festival, where A24 and StudioCanal picked it up) but was released in 2020 in the UK with a US release following in 2021; it would be a crime to leave it off of this list. Rose Glass’ feature debut stars Morfydd Clark (whom you might recognize as Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ) as a support worker to a former dancer (Jennifer Ehle) with stage four lymphoma. A staunch Roman Catholic, Maud assigns herself the task of saving the terminally ill woman’s soul in order to redeem herself for losing a patient in the past. Ostensibly a religious thriller, Saint Maud is really a hard look at the toxicity of loneliness, with one of the greatest final images the genre could offer.

Barbarian (2022)

Zach Cregger’s feature debut Barbarian is the story of a homestay experience from hell. Amid a vicious thunderstorm, Tess Marshall (Georgina Campbell) arrives at a Detroit rental home she booked only to find a man (Bill Skarsgård) already occupying the double-booked home. She proceeds to ignore every red flag telling her to leave the house until she finds herself locked in the basement with a hidden hallway that leads to even bigger, redder flags. One thing’s for sure: you will not be able to guess how Barbarian ends.

Skinamarink (2022)

Skinamarink is considered an experimental horror film in that it plays fast and loose with narrative. The core story is that of a pair of young siblings who awaken during the night and can’t find their father. Then they find a chair on the ceiling, their toilet disappears, and doors go missing. In the hands of director Kyle Edward Ball, and with an infusion of analog horror aesthetics, the children are plunged into a hellscape in their own home. What makes Skinamarink effective? It hits a universal nerve that runs through every childhood nightmare: your parents are gone, and there’s something scary in the house. Ball’s coy composition worsens the tension, focusing on a random corner or a darkened room while the sound design makes the imagination rev with speculation on what might be lurking nearby.

The Outwaters (2022)

Every time I get the urge to declare a subgenre dead, a film comes along that shuts me up. Zombie movies were dead to me until Train to Busan reanimated them. I was over ghost stories until The Vigil changed the game. For those who have seen every found footage horror movie available, The Outwaters is that film. A trio of memory cards found in the Mojave desert reveal the saga of a group of friends who trek to the vast desert to shoot a music video, where they experience strange and terrifying occurrences. Director Robbie Banfitch’s patient and transgressive movie trades in cosmic horror and the power of influential imagery; it suggests horrific abominations more than it shows or explains them. That’s not to say The Outwaters is bloodless; its mutilation-mayhem should be kept far away from the kiddies. While plenty of found-footage horror deals with the supernatural and worlds beyond ours, few reach the abyssal scope of The Outwaters .

In the age when Barbie has hit dogs hollering in a lot of male-written reviews, the accusation that Alex Garland’s Men is a feature-length spectacle of man-hating only strengthens its power. After her abusive husband dies in an apparent suicide, Harper (Jessie Buckley) heads to a rural Hertfordshire village for mental recovery. Soon enough, a series of men—all played by Rory Kinnear—come along and disturb her peace with increasingly menacing intensity. The most corrosive elements of masculinity work to entrap, stifle, and nearly consume Harper in a highly unsubtle bit of folk horror.

A Wounded Fawn (2022)

Travis Stevens tends to tell stories about men learning lessons the hard way. The director of Girl on the Third Floor (2019) and Jakob’s Wife (2021) returns with his biggest swing yet in A Wounded Fawn , which sees a serial killer (Josh Ruben of Scare Me ) inviting a new potential victim to a weekend retreat. The cat-and-mouse battle that ensues is a 16mm fugue-state study in madness, with Greek mythology (Furies!) and buckets of blood to add to its ambitious artistry. Everyone in and behind this movie is clearly working at a creative peak. Those who enjoy the uncomfortable end-credits of Pearl should stick around for an equally disquieting credits scene from Stevens and Ruben.

Infinity Pool (2023)

Brandon Cronenberg may be horror royalty as the son of genre giant David Cronenberg ( The Fly , Videodrome ), but in recent years the Canadian storyteller has forged a path as a formidable voice in the realms of sci-fi and horror with films like Possessor and his latest, this year’s Infinity Pool . The latter follows struggling novelist James Foster (Alexander Skarsgård) whose vacation to the fictional coastal country of Li Tolqa takes a bizarre, dark turn. He commits a crime and is sentenced to be executed, but in Li Tolqa, the wealthy can pay for clones to take the punishment in their place. What follows is a hedonistic journey into humanity’s most perverse vices, given a huge boost by Mia Goth’s unhinged performance as a fellow vacationer. Sci-fi satire doesn’t get much weirder than when a Cronenberg gets their hands on it.

(featured image: Neon / 20th Century Studios / IFC Films / A24)

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The Best Indie Horror Movies Of 2023

The best indie horror movies coming out in 2023 are a frightfully good time and sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. From eerie psychological thrillers and devious supernatural forces to blood-curdling slashers and mind-bending body horrors, we’ve got all the details about this year's most talked-about scary independent films. So if you’re looking for some truly terrifying entertainment that will leave you shaking with fear, these independent horror films have got you covered. You'll find the experimental low-budget Canadian horror movie like Skinamarink, and there are more to come as the year goes on.

Vote up all your favorite 2023 indie horror movies so that other fans will know what to watch next. Don't hesitate to vote down the scary indie films you think others should skip over to help them out. Also, look for the Shudder, Hulu, and Netflix buttons below each film to stream them whenever you want a fright.

Infinity Pool

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The Price We Pay

Small-time crooks take a hostage during a botched pawn shop robbery and make their way to a rural farmhouse. But only time will tell who should be afraid of who.

• # 94 of 116 on Which 2023 Movies Absolutely Had To Be Seen In The Theater?
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Skinamarink

An experimental horror film hailing from Canada. Skinamarink places two children at the center of a nightmarish scenario where they wake up without their adults, and all the doors and windows in their house are missing. Get ready to be creeped out by the cinematography and unsettling atmosphere.

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• # 16 of 19 on The Best Movies On Shudder

Mother May I?

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The Offering

The Offering is a religious horror film that focuses on an ancient evil, an unborn child, and a son attempting to reconcile with his father. The Offering will terrify audiences by preying on our fears of forgotten Jewish lore and demons.

The Devil Conspiracy

Science and religion collide in this action horror flick. With tons of special effects and jump scares, fans of scary religious movies are not going to want to miss out on this one. 

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Kids vs. Aliens

This is a must-watch if you love campy horror films that make cringe as much as they make you laugh. Get ready to kick some extra-terrestrial butt with this fun flick.

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Alone at Night

This joint effort between the U.S. and Finland throws several stars together into a quirky slasher film that will keep you guessing until the end. Look for Pamela Anderson, Luis Guzmán, Paris Hilton, G-Eazy, and Winnie Harlow as they slip in their cameos throughout this scary indie flick.

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Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey

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Lists for fans addicted to horror films (and shows) and all the jump-scarin', blood-splatterin', "b*tch, get out the house!" adrenaline that goes with them.

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It takes about a half hour (or, approximately 27 minutes) for the admirably ruthless indie psychodrama “1BR” to get really unpleasant. Until then, “1BR” is a familiar Los Angeles horror story: an unfortunate patsy, I mean young woman runs away from home and is immediately preyed upon by the members of an unassuming, but vicious gated community.

At first, you might not think that Sarah’s neighbors are capable of being bloodthirsty cultists, because they listen to AM radio (a lot of “Happy Heart”), and live in a cozy apartment complex with a pool and regularly scheduled barbecue shindigs. Still, you also might be able to guess that something’s amiss as soon as twenty-something architecture student Sarah ( Nicole Brydon Bloom ) attends an open house: paternal community leader Jerry ( Taylor Nichols ) asks Sarah if she has any LA-based contacts or pets. These two boilerplate questions might not seem like red flags, but well, this is a horror movie about a single white woman called “1BR.”

And as if that wasn’t bad enough: writer/director David Marmor prefaces this scene with a dialogue-free, slow-motion montage that looks like it’s the cornerstone of a tacky and totally unbelievable ad campaign. Just take a look at the apartment’s inclusive, multi-culti community, whose members include: a little white girl chasing a ball; a pregnant woman talking to an older beardo; a same-sex couple doing their laundry; and a black woman watering her plants. Everything seems too good to be true, because it obviously is.

Marmor also immediately over-stresses the blatant creepiness of quirky neighbors like klutzy retiree Esther (Earnestine Phillips), one-eyed lurker Lester ( Clayton Hoff ), and Bobby Sherman-eque love interest Brian ( Giles Matthey ). These side characters are walking, talking plot points waiting to be set into motion, so it’s easy to get lost imagining what they’ll eventually become once Sarah realizes that she’s unwittingly joined a hippie-ish cult (imagine a combination of Charles Manson’s “ Family ” and Charles Dederich’s Santa Monica-based Synanon group).

To be fair, you can’t honestly blame Sarah for her victimization. She just ran away from her overbearing father ( Alan Blumenfeld ), and while she owns a concerned-looking house-cat, she only has one other source of non-neighborly human contact: Lisa (Celeste Sully), a sympathetic colleague at Sarah’s generically taxing and underpaid internship.

Then again, if you think Sarah’s cat will survive “1BR” unharmed, you are probably not the ideal audience for “1BR.” Sarah’s neighbors essentially live in a self-policing panopticon, a central metaphor that’s made explicit in a later scene where her neighbors observe each other through closed-circuit cameras. There are also a few conspicuously mounted cameras trained on the neighborhood’s human monitors, though Sarah’s told not to think about those cameras. Just like when Brian, in early scene, tells Sarah not to worry about the cameras that are posted above the apartment complex’s mailboxes. Everything in “1BR” is over-exposed, often literally thanks to the movie’s basic camera set-ups and general emphasis on naturally and/or harshly front-lit close-ups, or medium shots of brown stucco walls.

At this point, I must admit: I was also reluctantly taken in by “1BR,” mostly because, at the 27-minute mark (or so), Marmor truly commits to making life hellish for poor Sarah. In theory, there’s not much to Jerry and his Synanon-like fixation with de-programming all the “selfish fantasies” and “bad conditioning” that define Sarah as a normal, self-interested twenty-something. But it’s hard to resist “1BR” given that every other scene escalates Sarah’s peril in a memorably sadistic way.

Several sequences involving graphic violence and psychological torture are effectively jarring because they’re as over-ripe and sensationalistic as this type of horror movie needs them to be. I mean, I knew what type of movie “1BR” was before I found out how evil Brian is, or what happened to Lester’s eye. But I was still impressed by “1BR,” especially since Marmor somehow found a way to make his movie’s pervasive grubbiness seem more like a feature than a bug.

I’m honestly not sure how well a movie like “1BR” will play for horror fans now that there are so many true-crime docu-series and LA-set indie horror films about serial murderers, religious cults, and other seductive frauds. I can, however, tell you that I eventually stopped second-guessing Marmor’s creative choices, and eagerly waited for Sarah’s situation to become even more bleak. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel for Sarah, and seeing her claw her way to it is often fun, albeit in a gasp-inducing sort of way. 

Premieres on VOD today, 4/24.

Simon Abrams

Simon Abrams is a native New Yorker and freelance film critic whose work has been featured in  The New York Times ,  Vanity Fair ,  The Village Voice,  and elsewhere.

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Film credits.

Nicole Brydon Bloom as Sarah

Alan Blumenfeld as Gus

Giles Matthey as Brian

Taylor Nichols as Jerry

• David Marmor

Cinematographer

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55 Best Indie Horror Movies in 2023 (and All-Time)

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Indie horror movies have been around for decades, but often they do not get as much attention as box-office movies. Sometimes though the movies jump into mainstream media and become fan favorites for years to come. Check out our list of the best indie horror movies to watch and expand your view of the horror genre.

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What Is an Indie Horror Movie?

Indie horror movies are also known as low-budget horror movies, because they often are used for experimentation within the horror genre, and trying to gain maximum shock value from the viewer. These can include slashers, ghost stories, mockumentaries, comedy horror, and horror that bends genres together into something new. Even though they are low budget, many of these indie horror movies have gone on to become prominent cinema. 

What Is the Most Successful Independent Horror Film of all Time?

Pulling in $258 million, The Blair Witch Project is the highest grossing independent horror film. Though it is not the highest grossing independent film, it changed the way horror films were made and was the first horror film to instigate what Blumhouse Productions, a huge horror industry, has made their business model. Considering this film only had a budget between $200,000 and $500,000, this is an incredible pull by an independent film. 

What Is the Number One Horror Movie Ever Made?

Many consider The Exorcist to be the best and scariest horror film of all time. Premiering in 1973, this movie has been able to outlast decades of other horror films and has led to five other films in the same vein. The original focuses on a mother who is trying to save her possessed daughter with the help of two Catholic priests. 

What Is the Best Horror Movie According to IMDB Ratings?

According to IMDB, the psychological horror film The Silence of the Lambs takes the prize of being the best horror film with a rating of 8.6 out of 10. This score is cemented by the fact that The Silence of the Lambs is one of three films in history to win the five major categories at the Academy Awards. 

What Is the Best Horror Movie According to Rotten Tomatoes Audience Scores?

According to the Rotten Tomatoes audience scores, Psycho is the best horror film with a rating of 95% on the Tomatometer. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this is one of the well-known horror films, even to people who don’t like watching scary movies. Even with no blood or gore in the movie, you still will not want to turn off the lights when it gets dark out. 

How We Have Decided on the Best Indie Horror Movies

We will be evaluating the best indie horror movies based on the Rotten Tomatoes Audience score, because it holds the most accurate rating in our opinion, since the score is made up of viewers just like us. 

5 Best New Indie Horror Movies

Here are our top five best indie horror movie picks from 2023.

5. Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023)

Transformed from our favorite children’s book into feral and bloodthirsty monsters, Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet terrorize Christopher Robin and a group of young women at a remote house in the woods.

• IMDB: 2.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 50%

4. Infinity Pool (2023)

Couple James and Em Foster are enjoying an all-inclusive beach vacation on the island of La Tolqa. When a fatal accident exposes the resort’s perverse subculture of hedonistic tourism, reckless violence and surreal horrors, the couple must fight to survive their new world of horror.

• IMDB: 6.1/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 52%

3. Mother May I? (2023)

After Emmett’s mother passes away, he starts to notice that his fiancé Anya is acting like his mother. In order to free Anya from this freakish possession, he must confront his deepest traumas from childhood.

• IMDB: 5.3/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 65%

2. My Animal (2023)

Heather, an outcast starts to fall for newcomer Jonny, a tormented figure skater. As their relationship progresses, Heather’s desires clash with her secret animal inside, making this a twisted web of love and lycanthropy.

• IMDB: 4.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: No score (critics 73%)

1. Talk to Me (2023)

When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, egging each other on to hold onto the hand as long as possible. Everything is going “okay” until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces.

• IMDB: 7.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 82%

5 Best Indie Horror Movies in 2022

These are our top five best indie horror movie picks from 2022.

5. Enys Men (2022)

In 1973, on an uninhabited island off the Cornish coast a wildlife volunteer records observations of a rare flower. These observations slowly turn into a metaphysical journey that makes the viewer question what is real and what is a waking nightmare.

• IMDB: 5.7/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 23%

4. The Price We Pay (2022)

During a pawn shop robbery Grace gets kidnapped by the criminals, who escape and find refuge in a remote farmhouse. As they wait for the heat to die down, a malevolent presence is lurking in the shadows of the farmhouse, and the criminals will not be so lucky this time.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 36%

3. Skinamarink (2022)

In this bone-chilling film, two children wake up in the middle of the night to find that their father is missing, and all the windows and doors have vanished.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 44%

2. The Offering (2022)

After the disappearance of a young Jewish girl, the son of a Hasidic funeral director comes home to his pregnant wife and wants to repair the bonds between him and his father. But underneath their feet in the family morgue is an ancient evil, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash its plans for the unborn child.

• IMDB: 5./10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 48%

1. The Devil Conspiracy (2022)

In a combination between religion and science, The Devil Conspiracy is a horror born from twisted desires. When a cabal of Satanists posing as a biotech company finds a way to clone people with DNA, they steal the shroud of Christ so they can reawaken him and make the ultimate offering to the devil. Archangel Michael comes down to earth to fight against the devil’s plans.

• IMDB: 4.5/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 51%

5 Best Indie Horror Movies in 2021

These are our top five best indie horror movie picks from 2021.

5. In the Earth (2021)

In the aftermath of COVID-19 comes In the Earth , where the world is searching for a cure to a disastrous virus. The story focuses on a scientist and park scout who venture into the forest for a routine equipment run, but instead must go through a terrifying voyage into the heart of darkness as the forest comes alive around them.

• IMDB: 5.1/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 24%

4. Censor (2021)

Film censor Enid takes pride in guarding audiences from the gory killings she pores over, amplified by the disappearance of her sister years ago and declared dead in absentia. When a new film appears in Enid’s archive echoing her hazy childhood memories, Enid takes steps to see how this eerie film might be connected to her past.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 57%

3. My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell it To (2021)

In a twisted family dynamic older brother Dwight and older sister Jessie must kill strangers in order to give their blood to Thomas, their youngest brother, in order to survive. As Dwight yearns for another life and Jessie tries to keep the family together, Thomas continues to yearn for blood.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 60%

2. Willy’s Wonderland (2021)

Nicolas Cage stars in this movie as a quiet drifter who was tricked into a janitorial job for the condemned Willy’s Wonderland. As he completes mundane tasks, his easy job turns into a battle for survival when the demonic animatronics come alive and attack, and only one side will come out alive.

• IMDB: 5.5/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 68%

1. Last Night in Soho (2021)

After moving to Soho to pursue her fashion designer dreams, Eloise is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters and “becomes” wannabe singer Sandie. The glamour is not all it seems though, and as the dreams of the past turn dark, Eloise must figure out what really happened all those years ago.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 90%

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5 Best Indie Horror Movies in 2020

These are our top five best indie horror movie picks from 2020.

5. Relic (2020)

Three generations of women are terrorized in Relic — a daughter, mother, and grandmother. As the grandmother becomes more hostile, the mother realizes there is something evil lurking in their family’s home.

4. Possessor (2020)

Taysa Vos, an elite corporate assassin, is part of a secretive organization that uses brain-implant technology to inhabit other people’s bodies to commit high-profile assassinations. When Vos gets hacked though, she must figure out what happened and how to save herself in this mind-gripping horror film.

• IMDB: 6.5/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 59%

3. Spree (2020)

Obsessed with gaining a large social media following, rideshare driver Kurt Kunkle has figured out the perfect plan to go viral. Unfortunately for his riders, this plan is quite bloody and deadly.

• IMDB: 5.9/10

2. The Night House (2020)

Trying to pick up the pieces after her husband unexpectedly dies, Beth is alone in the lake house that he built for her. When the house starts calling out to Beth in her dreams, she decides to dig into her husband’s belongings, against the advice of her friends. What she ends up finding are secrets to a disturbing mystery she must unravel in order to find the truth.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 69%

1. His House (2020)

After successfully escaping from war-torn South Sudan, a refugee couple try to adjust to their new lives in an English town. But there’s evil lurking under the surface and its coming to get them.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 73%

10 Best Indie Horror Movies of the 2010s

These are our top ten picks for the best indie horror movie from the 2010s.

10. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

Dr. Steven Murphy, a cardiovascular surgeon, has the perfect life with his wife and two children. The only problem is Martin, a fatherless teen who continues to edge his way into Steven’s life in unsettling ways. When Martin makes his intentions clear with a long-forgotten transgression, Steven’s world will be shattered forever.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 63%

9. Goodnight Mommy (2014)

After their mother has face-changing cosmetic surgery, twin boys move into a new house with her to recover. But over time, the strange demeanor of their mother has the children on edge, and they might not recognize who lies beneath the bandages.

• IMDB: 6.7/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 66%

8. The Battery (2012)

Forced to survive together during a zombie apocalypse is two former baseball players who must work together to survive, as they traverse the rural back roads of New England that are now teeming with the undead.

• IMDB: 6.3/10

7. Hereditary (2018)

When the matriarch of the Graham family dies, her daughter and grandchildren begin to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry, and must try to outrun the sinister fate they have now inherited.

• IMDB: 7.3/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 70%

6. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

In an Iranian ghost-town called Bad City, a place full of death and loneliness, there is something lurking the in the shadows. The townspeople are unaware that they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire who preys on men that are rude to other women.

• IMDB: 6.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 75%

5. Green Room (2015)

After witnessing a murder at a neo-Nazi skinhead bar, a punk rock band is captured and brought to a remote Oregon roadhouse. As each of the members are tortured in horrifying ways, they must come together if they want to survive.

4. Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

Two vampire lovers played by Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston try to understand their place in the modern world after living for centuries. This peace gets interrupted though when Tilda’s younger uncontrollable sister appears in their home.

3. Raw (2016)

Vegetarian Justine is starting veterinary school and must endure a new dangerously seductive world around her. Trying to fit in, she eats raw meat for the first time and experiences terrible consequences as her true corrupted self begins to emerge from the shadows.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 76%

2. Blue Ruin (2013)

After returning to his childhood home to commit an act of vengeance against those who killed his parents, this mysterious outsider proves himself to be an amateur assassin. He then winds up in a brutal fight in order to protect his estranged family

• IMDB: 7.1/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 79%

1. Get Out (2017)

Couple Chris and Rose have finally gotten to the meet-the-parents stage of dating, and Rose invites Chris for a weekend trip with her parents. Chris originally takes their overly accommodating behavior as attempts to be okay with an interracial relationship, but as the trip progresses Chris uncovers the truth that he never could have imagined.

• IMDB: 7.8/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 86%

10 Best Indie Horror Movies of the 2000s

These are our top ten best indie horror movie picks from the 2000s.

10. Cabin Fever (2002)

Five college graduates rent a cabin in the woods, but begin to fall victim to a horrifying flesh-eating virus. This attracts the unwanted attention of the homicidal locals, so the college graduates must fight horror from inside their bodies and outside in the woods.

• IMDB: 5.6/10

9. Wrong Turn (2003)

Chris and a group of five friends are deep in the middle of the woods after their cars collide, leaving both of them stranded. As they venture deeper into the woods, they face an uncertain and bloodcurdling fate when a group of backwoods cannibals appear.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 54%

8. Paranormal Activity (2007)

Not long after moving into their suburban home, Katie and Micah become increasingly frightened by what appears to be a supernatural presence in the house. Hoping to capture evidence on film, they set up video cameras around the house but are not prepared for the real horror to come.

7. The House of the Devil (2009)

Needing to make some extra money to move into a new apartment, college student Samantha takes a mysterious babysitting job. After arriving at the house, the owner Mr. Ulman explains that instead of a child Samantha will be watching his mother. As Samantha explores the creepy house, she realizes her employers are hiding a terrible secret and have horrifying plans for her.

6. Eden Lake (2008)

Trying to make the best out of their romantic weekend, a young couple refuses to let anything spoil the fun. When they encounter a group of loutish youths though, a series of events takes them to terrifyingly brutal consequences.

5. Martyrs (2008)

In a quest for revenge against the people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child, a young woman joins forces with her friend who was also a victim of child abuse. They embark on a journey that leads them down a path into a living hell of depravity.

4. The Descent (2005)

A fun exploration into a cave goes horribly wrong as the explorers become trapped in the depths of the earth, and are pursued by a strange breed of predators that have a craving for human flesh.

3. REC (2007)

A “found footage” horror film, REC is about a reporter and her cameraman that follow emergency workers into a apartment building and are locked inside. Turns out there is a disease that turns humans into vicious cannibals, and now they are trapped inside the building with no way out.

• IMDB: 7.4/10

2. Saw (2004)

Photographer Adam and oncologist Lawrence wake up chained to pipes in a filthy bathroom, new victims of the serial killer nicknamed “Jigsaw.” In order to live, the two must complete his perverse puzzle, as flashbacks relate the fates of previous victims, and on a closed-circuit video Lawrence’s wife watches on in terror.

• IMDB: 7.6/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%

1. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Shaun is a 30-year-old loser that works at an electronics store and lives with his best friend Ed in the outskirts of London. Shaun’s girlfriend Liz just wants him to grow up and be a man, and he may finally get his chance when the town is overrun with zombies, and Shaun must protect Liz and his mother.

• IMDB: 7.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 93%

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10 Best Indie Horror Movies of All-Time

These are our top ten best indie horror movie picks of all-time.

10. The Collector (2009)

Trying to find a way to repay his debt to his ex-wife, an ex-con plans to steal a precious gem from his new employer’s home. But, someone else has targeted the property and by the time the ex-con gets there, the family inside is tied up and the house is riddled with deadly traps.

9. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The found footage on a videocamera reveals the story of three film students who’ve traveled to a small town in order to create a documentary about the legendary Blair Witch, a local murderer. As the students collect interviews from townspeople and gather clues to support the tale, they end up getting lost in the woods and begin to hear horrific noises around them.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 56%

8. The Witch (2015)

This horror film takes a step into the past to evoke fear from its viewers. In 1630 New England, panic encloses a family when their youngest son Samuel disappears. The family blames the oldest daughter Thomasin, and as twin siblings Mercy and Jonas suspect Thomasin of witchcraft, the clan’s faith, loyalty, and love is put to the test.

7. Midsommer (2019)

Starring Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor, Midsommar is about a couple who decides to visit a Northern Europe town’s fabled Swedish mid-summer festival. Instead, the idyllic retreat quickly turns into a violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult.

6. It Follows (2014)

After teenager Jay sleeps with her new boyfriend Hugh, she learns she is the latest recipient of a fatal curse passed via sexual intercourse. Death will now creep towards her as either a friend or stranger. Jay’s friends don’t believe her at first, until they too see the phantom assassins and band together to protect Jay.

• IMDB: 6.8/10

5. Eraserhead (1977)

Henry lives alone in industrial gloom, until his earlier fling with Mary X has left her pregnant and prompts Henry to marry her and have Mary move in with him. When the baby is born though, it’s a weird lizard-like creature that will not stop wailing. Other odd characters add to Henry’s troubles as he struggles to cope with having a wife and child.

4. Re-Animator (1985)

When an odd new medical student arrives on campus, a dedicated local and his girlfriend become involved in bizarre experiments centering around the re-animation of dead tissue with a special serum, and end up bringing their headless professor back from the dead.

3. Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

One of the most popular horror movies is Texas Chain Saw Massacre , where five friends are heading into rural Texas to visit the grave of a grandfather. On the way though, they stumble across a seemingly deserted home, only to discover that there’s something there…something with a chainsaw.

2. The Evil Dead (1981)

A group of five friends decide to hike into the woods to a cabin for a fun night away. Once inside, they find an old book titled the Necronomicon, and unknowingly release of flood of evil and must fight for their lives, or become one of the evil dead.

1. Halloween (1978)

On Halloween in 1963, six year old Michael Myers brutally killed his 17 year old sister and was sentenced to fifteen years behind bars. But on October 30, 1978 as Myers is being transferred for a court date, the 21 year old escapes by stealing a car. He returns to his quite hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, intent on finding more victims.

• IMDB: 7.7/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 89%

5 Best Indie Horror Movies Based on True Stories

This is our top five best indie horror movie picks based on true stories that might even be scarier than the movie itself.

5. Open Water (2003)

Based on the true story of two scuba divers that were accidentally stranded in shark infested waters after their tour boat left them, Open Water is a guess at what happened to the divers, as their real bodies were never found.

• IMDB: 5.8/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 33%

4. Wolf Creek (2005)

Three backpackers traveling through the Australian outback become stranded, and are then plunged inside a hellish nightmare of torture by a sadistic psychopathic local that finds them.

• IMDB: 6.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 49%

3. The Amityville Horror (1979)

A couple of newlyweds and their three children move into a large home where a mass murder was committed years ago. As they live inside the house, the family starts to experience strange manifestations which have strong effects on everyone living in or those that visit the house.

2. Compliance (2012)

A normal Friday goes horribly wrong at a fast food restaurant, when service is interrupted by a police officer claiming an employee stole from a customer. He then subjects the worker to intense interrogation, all the while something more sinister lurks in the background.

• IMDB: 6.4/10

1. An American Crime (2007)

An American Crime is about a divorced housewife, Gertrude Baniszewski, who kept a teenage girl locked in the basement of her Indiana home during the 1960s. She tortured her and allowed her kids to follow suit in this horrifying twist.

• Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 74%

55 Best Indie Horror Movies of All Time, Ranked

55. Enys Men (2022) 23%

54. In the Earth (2021) 24%

53. Open Water (2003) 33%

52. The Price We Pay (2022) 36%

51. Cabin Fever (2002) 44%

50. Skinamarink (2022) 44%

49. The Collector (2009) 48%

48. The Offering (2022) 48%

47. Wolf Creek (2005) 49%

46. Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023) 50%

45. The Devil Conspiracy (2022) 51%

44. The Amityville Horror (1979) 52%

43. Infinity Pool (2023) 52%

42. Relic (2020) 52%

41. Wrong Turn (2003) 54%

40. The Blair Witch Project (1999) 56%

39. Paranormal Activity (2007) 57%

38. Censor (2021) 57%

37. Possessor (2020) 59%

36. Compliance (2012) 60%

35. My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell it To (2021) 60%

34. The Witch (2015) 60%

33. Spree (2020) 60%

32. Midsommer (2019) 63%

31. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) 63%

30. The House of the Devil (2009) 63%

29. Mother May I? (2023) 65%

28. It Follows (2014) 66%

27. Goodnight Mommy (2014) 66%

26. Eden Lake (2008) 66%

25. The Battery (2012) 66%

24. Willy’s Wonderland (2021) 68%

23. Martyrs (2008) 69%

22. The Night House (2020) 69%

21. Hereditary (2018) 70%

20. His House (2020) 73%

19. My Animal (2023) 73%

18. An American Crime (2007) 74%

17. Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) 75%

16. Green Room (2015) 75%

15. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) 75%

14. The Descent (2005) 76%

13. Raw (2016) 76%

12. Blue Ruin (2013) 79%

11. Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) 82%

10. Re-Animator (1985) 82%

9. Eraserhead (1977) 82%

8. Talk to Me (2023) 82%

7. REC (2007) 82%

6. The Evil Dead (1981) 84%

5. Saw (2004) 84%

4. Get Out (2017) 86%

3. Halloween (1978) 89%

2. Last Night in Soho (2021) 90%

1. Shaun of the Dead (2004) 93%

Horror has always been a prominent genre in movies, whether the budget is millions of dollars or only a couple thousand. Indie movies bring out the best in horror because they have no strict limits, and often directors take impressive creative liberties with the characters and storylines, making a great movies. Be sure to check out some of these indie horror films from our top 55 list.

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Arcadian Review: Legitimately Scary Monsters Pack a Wallop

A father (Nicolas Cage) protects his sons (Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins) in a post-apocalyptic world.

• Excellent acting brings intelligent characters to life in this thrilling horror film.
• Terrifying monsters keep the tension high, despite a lot of familiar story beats.
• Themes of family, survival, and hidden dangers make for a nail-biting experience.

A father tries to protect his teenage sons in a post-apocalyptic world teeming with terrifying creatures in Arcadian , which takes a familiar scenario to legitimately scary-as-hell heights. Director Ben Brewer and screenwriter Michael Nilon deserve a golf clap for delivering originality in a genre we've seen before ad nauseam. Jaws will drop as ferocious monsters display unique abilities and work together to fill their hungry bellies . Strong performances by a solid ensemble lift the narrative when it strays into simplistic territory. Arcadian is a lean film that packs a wallop in its relatively short runtime.

Paul (Nicolas Cage) runs at top speed through a city on the verge of collapse. Gunfire, sirens, and explosions are heard as he reaches his destination. Paul picks up a pair of infants hidden in a garage. He clutches his precious boys as the skyline reveals the magnitude of what has happened. Paul doesn't look back as he trudges ahead towards an uncertain future.

15 years later, Paul nervously scans the horizon as the sun sets on his rural compound. He yells at Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins), his oldest son, for being late. He doesn't care what Thomas was doing at the nearby Rose farm. Joseph (Jaeden Martell) eyes his brother with annoyance as they enter the house. Paul begins his twilight routine of securing every entrance on the first floor. Windows are boarded up, the front door hammered shut and blocked.

Nicolas Cage Raises Boys in a Nightmare World

Arcadian (2024).

• The acting is great and you care about these smart characters.
• The monsters are genuinely scary.
• Themes of parenting and brotherhood are explored well.
• Arcadian has a lot of overused tropes and story beats but is done well.

The family eats upstairs after Joseph says a prayer. The boys continue to argue as howls loom in the distance. Paul stops their bickering. He hopes the worst is over. America will be reborn through the survivors. Their days of hiding shall come to an end. Joseph doesn't share that sentiment. He takes notes as clawing and shrieks are heard at the door. Paul and Thomas race downstairs to steady it as the hinges start to buckle under a withering assault. Joseph doesn't budge as his brother and father hold the line. He knows the unseen attackers can't break through. Joseph wants to learn more about their relentless enemy.

The 30 Best Apocalyptic Movies of All Times

Arcadian's remote setting is key to understanding the strained dynamics between Thomas and Joseph. Brothers are naturally competitive . They're both restrained by Paul's rules but understand the reasons. Daylight is the only guaranteed safety. The monsters come at night and have been predictable so far. The intelligent Joseph doesn't believe this will always be the case.

Brewer ( The Trust ) and Nilon, producer of Cage's last 11 films , deftly build suspense before dropping a masterful reveal . We learn snippets of what caused doomsday during casual conversation. That knowledge doesn't remotely prepare you for the horror spawned in the aftermath. Our first glimpse of the baddies is merely a peak behind the curtain, but alarming enough to build serious anticipation and dread. Audiences are going to be jumping out of their seats when the curtain finally drops. The filmmakers don't disappoint after carefully crafting tension.

Brothers in Arms in a Familiar Storyline

Martell and Jenkins, seasoned child actors who've successfully transitioned to older roles, are entirely believable as siblings . Their anger and frustration with each other comes to a boiling point. This turn in the second act reflects a pivotal time in adolescence. Good parents prepare their children and pass on the values needed to make smart decisions. Paul has done everything possible to ready his sons for the inevitable crisis. They must choose to be their brothers' keeper or face a horrific outcome alone.

Arcadian's overall narrative can be compared to a team version of Richard Matheson's classic novel and Will Smith's blockbuster adaptation of I Am Legend . Terror haunts at night. What happens when defenses are breached? And there's a dog along for the ride. The film has admittedly rote story elements like these and others that play out along an expected path .

Audiences are savvy. Something is obviously hiding in the closet. The trick is to make what comes lunging out of the darkness far worse than expected. Then to capitalize on that moment by amping up every interaction afterward. Brewer and Nilon aren't trying to reinvent the wheel. They stick to their guns until the opportunity arises to do something different.

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Arcadian Ticks Every Box

Arcadian ticks every box for a horror thriller. You're engaged, frightened, and genuinely root for the characters. It also helps that they're not brainless morons. These teenagers aren't running blindly into the woods without a plan. They're not putting themselves on a platter. Dad's lessons weren't ignored. The monsters may have met their match.

Arcadian is a production of Saturn Films, Redline Entertainment, Highland Film Group. It is currently in limited theatrical release from RLJE Films with a Shudder network premiere forthcoming. You can watch the trailer below.

The Indie Horror Film That Everyone Is Suddenly Talking About

Barbarian capitalizes on the thing viewers love and hate most: the unknown.

This story contains major spoilers for Barbarian .

On the opening day of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival , one film was on everybody’s lips. As I ran into other critics around town, they kept asking, “Have you seen Barbarian yet? You’ve gotta.” That kind of chatter is typical at a festival, but the only wrinkle was that Barbarian wasn’t even playing at TIFF. It was just a small-budget horror film that had been plunked into theaters in early September, a so-called dead zone for new releases. The title is cryptic, and the trailer mostly avoids imagery from anything past the first act. Despite these hurdles, the movie became a word-of-mouth hit .

Now that it has started streaming on HBO Max, I’ve received a second wave of messages from friends who are discovering it and are floored, baffled, or simply want to compare notes. Small-scale films, unattached to any preexisting intellectual property, face significant challenges to gaining a foothold with the viewing public, so Barbarian ’s success is rare and heartening. It also speaks to a wryly intelligent selling point: The film’s story, much like its marketing, capitalizes on the simultaneous terror and appeal of the unknown.

Zach Cregger, the writer and director of Barbarian , has wittily described it as “Fincher upstairs, Raimi downstairs.” The first half is taut, high-concept storytelling that gives the audience no room to relax; the back half is a loopy, makeup-heavy monster movie. The film begins with Tess Marshall (played by Georgina Campbell) arriving one night at a Detroit Airbnb, only to find it has been double-booked: A mystery man named Keith (Bill Skarsgård) is already inside. Caught in a rainstorm and anxious about a job interview she has the next morning, Tess decides to share the space. She keeps her guard up against Keith and notes several red flags in the house. Every detail is loaded with tension, including the glass of wine Keith offers her and the fact that he talks in his sleep (although he graciously insists on taking the couch and leaving her the bedroom).

Read: The people who can see inside David Fincher’s head

Cregger mines her paranoia, the unsettling feeling that something is not right even as no actual threat presents itself. Get out of there , I wanted to urge Tess during the first 30 minutes, but I also understood the predicament she was in—she doesn’t want to appear rude to Keith or dash her chances at making it to the job interview. Her decision to stay is perfectly plausible. David Fincher sets one of the highest bars for depicting creeping dread; Barbarian doesn’t quite clear it, but it certainly offers a master class in wringing frights from both graphic violence and the viewer’s own imagination. (If you don’t want to be spoiled, you should stop reading further … and go watch Barbarian .)

After her interview, Tess explores the Airbnb’s basement and unearths a hidden door to a dank tunnel, which leads to a distressing subterranean room with a mounted camcorder and a bloody bed. She wisely flees, but Keith goes exploring and vanishes. Out of some mix of altruism and curiosity, Tess looks for him and finds even deeper tunnels—and a monstrous creature prowling within them. Keith is every inch the nice guy he presented himself to be, but unfortunately, he gets his head smashed to bits right as the audience figures that out.

I’d already be on board with Barbarian if it stopped there: a nice anxiety number followed by gory chaos in the basement. But just as the violence ramps up, Cregger cuts away from the entire situation and introduces a new character, AJ Gilbride (Justin Long). An entitled Hollywood actor, AJ is cruising down the highway singing along to Donovan’s “Riki Tiki Tavi.” The lighthearted switch is perhaps more of a shock than Keith’s skull getting pulped by a superhuman beast. AJ immediately comes off as villainous in his own right: He’s a sitcom star who has been credibly accused of rape by another actor, and his response to the charge is deep denial, both outwardly and inwardly.

But his connection to the story isn’t clear until, looking to fund his legal defense, he decides to sell his extraneous properties—including a home in Detroit that is, of course, the very same Airbnb we’ve become well acquainted with. Cregger’s brilliance here is that this second horror narrative is a mirror image of the first. Tess and the viewer spend the first act of the film on the edge of their seat, wondering what awaits them around every corner of the little house. AJ barges into the same situation with complete obliviousness, eagerly measuring square footage while ignoring all warning signs, such as the empty glasses Keith and Tess left out. Essentially, this horror movie gets to have it both ways: It offers an unselfish hero (Tess) whom audiences can support, and a wincing buffoon whose inevitable comeuppance they can root for.

Eventually, AJ finds his way into the basement, Tess reemerges, and the origins of the brute in the tunnels are revealed. Barbarian laces each narrative loop with sharp social commentary. Tess’s most reckless decisions are made with the goal of helping someone; she’s not stupid, merely noble, which infuses her arc with a sad vulnerability. Although the monster is the biggest physical threat in the film, AJ represents a vile, cowardly rot—the kind Cregger has likely noticed in powerful men in his industry.

The film never underlines who the titular barbarian is, but part of the fun is deciding for yourself where to pin that label. Plenty of horror movies are roller-coaster rides that drop us off after 90 minutes with little else beyond the message “Monsters are scary.” Barbarian serves up all the requisite thrills with panache, but it also provokes deeper, longer-lasting reflections. That balance is why the film has continued spreading so organically months after its release, and why it’ll keep tempting viewers down to the basement for years to come.

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10 amazing independent sci-fi horror movies you need to watch.

Sci-fi and horror often pair well together, and these are the 10 best independent movies to successfully combine the two genres.

Sci-fi and horror are two phenomenal genres, so what could be better than putting them together? As special effects equipment has become cheaper and more obtainable in recent decades, it's allowed more independent filmmakers to partake in the growing subgenre.

RELATED:  10 Cosmic Horror Movies That Left Fans and Critics Divided, From Best to Worst

The 10 movies on this list all blend elements of sci-fi and horror together perfectly, creating films that are captivating, unsettling, and wholly unique. From a truly bizarre musical to a Larz von Trier masterpiece, here are 10 amazing independent sci-fi horror movies.

The Beach House (2019)

To describe  The Beach House , imagine  Cabin Fever on steroids. In the film, global warming has released underwater microbes into the atmosphere. These microbes seem to be able to manipulate the physical world around them, and, if breathed in by humans, a horrifying mutation begins .

The movie was originally shown at a few film festivals and was then picked up by the streaming service Shudder . It has since received rave reviews from horror fans, and its release date (summer of 2020) seemed oddly pertinent with the global COVID-19 pandemic. The film is streaming on Shudder and can be rented on Amazon Prime.

Melancholia (2011)

At first glance, Lars von Trier's 2011 film appears to be about depression. Kirstin Dunst plays newlywed Justine, who is so overcome with depression that she can't even enjoy her own wedding reception. However, it soon becomes known that a rogue planet, Melancholia, will do a 'fly-by' of Earth and that Earth's gravitational force will ultimately pull the planet into a collision, obliterating all life.

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Through very sly, small moments in the movie, it becomes clear that Justine might have the power to see the future and has always known of Earth's impending doom, hence her ever-present depression. Dunst was even awarded the Best Actress award at Cannes for her role. Melancholia is currently streaming for free on Tubi.

The Void (2016)

The Canadian supernatural film   The Void  has been polarizing viewers since it first premiered. The movie is a heavily stylized, retro-throwback that very much follows in the footsteps of Lovecraft. In the film, a small town seems to be mostly abandoned aside from some murderous townspeople, robed cultists, and Dr. Richard Powell, the ringmaster behind it all.

It becomes evident that that cult is trying to open a portal to another world. Also, there are Lovecraftian monsters being birthed in the hospital... and this was part of audience complaints. The plot was truly all over the place. However, with epic practical effects and a great vibe, it's an incredible film for genre fans. It's currently streaming for free on Crackle.

Contracted (2013)

In what's surely one of the most traumatic movies ever made, Contracted portrays the very beginning of a zombie apocalypse—and it all began with a mutated STD.

In the film, Samantha is drugged by a necrophiliac. When she comes to the next day, she notices she feels different. Over the course of the film, Samantha's body begins to fall apart, her mood changes, and eventually, she becomes murderous. Contracted  is part drama, part science fiction, and part body horror . It's a painful slow burn that's sure to make audiences squirm, and it can be rented on Amazon Prime.

The Lodge (2019)

In this trippy horror movie, two kids head to New England for Christmas with their father and soon-to-be stepmother, Grace, after some serious family drama. While at the remote Massachusetts lodge, the kids decide to get revenge against their father's fiance.

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Throughout the film, Grace can't figure out what's happening. She wonders if she's dreaming or trapped in the afterlife. Audiences will also be left questioning the entire film until the shocking surprise ending. The Lodge  is currently streaming on Hulu.

The Bay (2012)

In 2012's The Bay , farm animal waste that's filled with industrial steroids is being dumped into the Chesapeake Bay. Before long, a small coastal island begins experiencing strange phenomena. Divers' corpses are washing up completely mutilated, residents are growing violently ill, and strange lesions are appearing on people's bodies. The culprit provides the film with an unexpected twist.

The Bay was directed by Oscar-winning Hollywood veteran Barry Levinson, who wanted to explore the idea of a potential environmental disaster caused by  manmade pollution and habitat destruction . The movie premiered at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival to positive reviews and is now streaming on AMC+ and can be rented on Google Play and YouTube.

Daybreakers (2009)

In Daybreakers , humanity falls victim to a plague caused by an infected bat. The disease turns people into vampires , and, before long, almost the entire populous has transitioned. Because of the dwindling human population, the supply of blood has become increasingly thin, causing some of the vampires to devolve into monsters.

Daybreakers is like Dracula meets The Matrix meets Children of Men . It's a unique movie that doesn't easily fit into any one genre, and that's part of what makes it such an interesting watch. It's currently streaming on Peacock and can be rented on Amazon Prime, iTunes, and YouTube.

Repo: The Genetic Opera (2008)

In the future, pollution and overconsumption have turned the world into a toxic dump. Organ failures are common, and having them replaced is a necessary procedure. The wealthy have taken this new surgery-centric lifestyle to the next level and routinely have unnecessary and extreme cosmetic surgery to show off their wealth and opulence.

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For the rest of mankind, however, if they can't pay for their transplants, the repo man will come and cut out the organ, leaving the victim to die. This is Repo: The Genetic Opera . Yes, it's a musical . Yes, it has a totally random cast, like Sarah Brightman and Paris Hilton. And, yes, it's an incredibly interesting film. It's streaming for free on Tubi and Pluto TV and can be rented on iTunes, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.

CUBE (1997)

This little indie gem from Canada has been cited as a precursor to SAW . In the film, a group of strangers wakes up in a giant cube made up of ever-shifting smaller cubes. Some cubes are rigged with traps, and a mathematical formula written on each cube's entryway is the only way to decipher which ones are dangerous.

The film is filled with paranoia and a sense of isolation, claustrophobia, and imminent doom. It's beautifully made and was done so on an extremely small budget. It also led to a sequel and prequel. All three CUBE movies can be streamed for free on Vudu, Tubi, and Pluto TV.

Sunshine (2007)

If someone took Event Horizon and combined it with elements from Alien , as well as The Day After Tomorrow , and then had Danny Boyle direct it , they would end up with  Sunshine . In the movie, the sun is dying and Earth is getting colder and colder. A team is sent to restart the star with a massive bomb. However, unforeseen events get in the way.

Sunshine  is a stylized masterpiece, and, halfway through the film, the plot shifts wildly in some very unexpected ways. The best part is that it works perfectly.  Sunshine  is also loaded with A-List stars like Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans, Michelle Yeoh, and Rose Byrne. It can be rented on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and YouTube.

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The 10 Most Underrated International Horror Movies, Ranked

Don't miss out on these great international horror movies when looking for your next scare.

International horror films are an essential canon for genre fans to explore. Made outside the US film industry, many of these films explore themes unique to their cultures and some can even push boundaries beyond what is considered palatable to American audiences.

Although films such as Japan's Ringu and Italy's Suspiria have garnered more mainstream attention and acclaim in the US, many international horror gems remain criminally underrated due to factors like distribution, cultural differences and language barriers. Exploring films from ten different countries, these are wildly underrated international horror films.

10 'Magic Magic' (2013) - Chile

Directed by sebastián silva.

Written and directed by Sebastián Silva , Magic Magic is a 2013 Chilean psychological horror film . The film follows Alicia ( Juno Temple ), a fragile and introverted American woman who travels to Chile with her cousin Sara ( Emily Browning ) but soon finds herself alone with three strangers, Agustín ( Agustín Silva ), Bárbara ( Catalina Sandino Moreno ), and Brink ( Michael Cera ). Alicia quickly begins to psychologically unravel from stress and isolation, becoming a danger to herself and those around her.

The film explores themes of isolation and mental illness, using anxiety-inducing filmmaking to place the audience in Alicia's head - especially in one particularly nauseating sequence involving cliff diving. Framing its story from the point of view of an outsider, Magic Magic explores themes of Chilean culture, portraying Alicia's culture shock as well as the contrast between Agustín and Bárbara's modernity and the ancient folk religions of rural communities. The film is tightly directed, well-acted and undeniably underrated.

Rent on Apple TV

9 'At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul' (1964) - Brazil

Directed by josé mojica marins.

Written, directed by and starring José Mojica Marins , At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul is a 1964 horror film. The film was a landmark in the horror genre, being the first horror film produced in Brazil and launching the character of Zé do Caixão, known as Coffin Joe to English speakers. The film follows Joe (Marins) as he embarks upon a murder and maiming spree in a small and heavily Catholic town, in the pursuit of securing a male heir to continue his bloodline.

In the film's native Brazil, the character of Coffin Joe is considered a cultural icon of the horror genre, but he is relatively obscure on an international level, with this film in particular being an underrated gem. At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul is wonderfully over-the-top and surprisingly violent for its era, and the blasphemy portrayed in the film was considered legitimately transgressive for the religiously conservative culture of 1960s Brazil.

Watch on AMC+

8 'Hatching' (2022) - Finland

Directed by hanna bergholm.

Directed by Hanna Bergholm , Hatching is a 2022 supernatural body horror film from Finland . The film follows Tinja ( Siiri Solalinna ), a pre-teen girl who is routinely placed under immense pressure by her mother ( Sophia Heikkilä ), an uptight social media influencer. Tinja's life is made all the more complicated when she begins taking care of an egg from which an unexplainable creature hatches and begins to slowly develop into a doppelgänger of Tinja.

Hatching is a story about teenage angst and mother-daughter relationships, brought to life by a phenomenal central performance by Siri Solalinna as both Tinja and the creature. Featuring great visual effects and an unpredictable plot, the film is consistently extremely engaging and at times utterly grotesque. Finnish horror as a whole is underrated, with the country's films receiving fairly little attention on an international scale, and Hatching is one of its best works.

Rent on Amazon

7 'Terrified' (2017) - Argentina

Directed by demián rugna.

Written and directed by Demián Rugna , Terrified is a 2017 supernatural horror film from Argentina. The film takes place in a Buenos Aires neighborhood that finds itself plagued by supernatural events ranging from poltergeist activity to sightings of physical monsters. Eventually, these events led to an official paranormal investigation being conducted in the affected street, resulting in horrific outcomes for all involved.

Full of both disturbing visuals and extremely well-timed jumpscares , Terrified is just as scary as its name implies. Prior to his successful 2023 follow up When Evil Lurks , Terrified put writer-director Demián Rugna's name on the radar of horror fans with its shocking scares and Rugna's obvious love of and respect for the horror genre . Underrated and incredibly effective, Terrified is a great example of Latin American horror .

6 'The Lure' (2015) - Poland

Directed by agnieszka smoczynska.

Directed by Agnieszka Smoczynska , The Lure is a 2015 Polish horror musical film with feminist themes. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen 's The Little Mermaid , the film follows two mermaid sisters , Silver ( Marta Mazurek ) and Golden ( Michalina Olszańska ), who venture onto land to work as singers. While Golden lusts after human blood, Silver becomes infatuated with a human man ( Jakub Gierszał ) and both women must contend with their place in the world as both women and non-human creatures.

The film strikes a perfect balance between its gory horror and its musical numbers , creating a strikingly unique tone. Mermaid body horror is an underutilized subject in horror cinema, with The Lure and Lisa Brühlmann 's Swiss coming-of-age body horror film Blue My Mind being two notable exceptions. Disturbing and oddly fun, The Lure is a compelling and underrated international horror film.

Watch on Max

5 'Demons 2' (1986) - Italy

Directed by lamberto bava.

Demons 2 is a 1986 Italian horror film directed by Lamberto Bava . Continuing the story of 1985's Demons , the film follows the residents of an apartment building as they are terrorized by a horde of demons that aim to kill or convert everyone they encounter. The film follows the stories of an ensemble cast of characters including a gang of bodybuilders, a vulnerable pregnant woman ( Nancy Brilli ) and even a demonic dog.

Produced by master of giallo Dario Argento , who also co-wrote the screenplay, Demons 2 is a fast-paced and delightfully goofy splatter-fest. The film's primary selling point is its incredibly gruesome and creative practical effects created by Sergio Stivaletti , one of the most celebrated makeup and special effects artists in Italian horror history. Superior to its predecessor due to its gloriously chaotic visuals and story, Demons 2 is an underrated Italian horror classic.

4 'Impetigore' (2019) - Indonesia

Directed by joko anwar.

Written and directed by prolific Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar , Impetigore is a 2019 Indonesian folk horror film . The film follows Maya ( Tara Basro ), a young woman who travels to her childhood home accompanied by her friend Dini ( Marissa Anita ) in the hopes of securing inheritance money. However, upon arrival, Maya discovers a horrific curse that afflicts the village's children, and it is up to Maya to heal the village.

International folk horror , more so than other horror subgenres, has the potential to explore the nuances and history of other cultures - a quality that is used to great effect in Impetigore . From its horrific and intense opening scene, the film grabs its audience's attention and never loosens its grip. Featuring striking visuals, fascinating folklore and a haunting performance from Christine Hakim as the film's antagonist, Impetigore is a fantastic and underrated international horror film.

3 'Baskin' (2015) - Turkey

Directed by can evrenol.

Baskin is a 2015 Turkish horror film directed by Can Evrenol . The film follows a group of police officers who are called to a mysterious abandoned building and find themselves in the center of a terrifying occult ritual . As the situation becomes increasingly bizarre, it becomes clear that the men may have actually found themselves in Hell. The film is graphic and intense, employing both surrealism and gore to convey its horror.

One of the film's most memorable aspects is the excellent performance given by Mehmet Cerrahoglu , in his acting debut, as the villainous cult leader known as The Father. Aided greatly by Cerrahoglu's performance, the ritual sequences feel utterly otherworldly in a way reminiscent of the works of Clive Barker . Although certainly not for the faint of heart, Baskin is a wildly underrated international horror film.

2 'Huesera: The Bone Woman' (2022) - Mexico

Directed by michelle garza cervera.

Directed by Michelle Garza Cervera , Huesera: The Bone Woman is a 2022 supernatural horror film from Mexico. The film follows Valeria ( Natalia Solián ), a woman whose marriage to her husband Raúl ( Alfonso Dosal ) is placed under great stress by her becoming pregnant and also reconnecting with her ex-girlfriend Octavia ( Mayra Batalla ). Valeria's inner turmoil is symbolized through the haunting presence of a mysterious woman with cracking bones, representing her fears of motherhood and her body changing.

Containing scenes of disturbing body horror and themes of witchcraft and the occult, the film absolutely delivers on scares. However, it also tells a sensitive and relatable story at its core, exploring pregnancy and bisexuality as well as the cultural pressures placed on young women. Huesera: The Bone Woman is a gem of Mexican horror that deserves a far greater reputation among horror fans.

Huesera: The Bone Woman

1 'house' (1977) - japan, directed by nobuhiko obayashi.

House is a Japanese surrealist comedy-horror film directed by Nobuhiko Obayashi and released in 1977 . The film follows a group of teenage girls, led by the image-conscious Gorgeous ( Kimiko Ikegami ), as they travel to a remote mansion owned by Gorgeous' mysterious aunt ( Yōko Minamida ). Upon arrival, the girls find themselves afflicted by supernatural events and gradually begin to be consumed by the house.

Obayashi was inspired by the popularity of American horror films like Jaws when developing the film's script, but the finished product is utterly unique. Exploring themes of womanhood and aging through experimental editing and bizarre visuals , the film is always engaging and exciting. Although it has developed a strong cult following among horror fans and international cinema enthusiasts, House is far from mainstream, remaining an underrated work of J-horror .

NEXT: The 10 Best International Horror Movies, Ranked

New Horror Movie With 85% Rotten Tomatoes Score May Topple Civil War At The Box Office This Weekend

• Abigail could potentially surpass Civil War at the box office this weekend, with projected earnings between $12-15 million.
• Civil War set a record for A24 with a $25.7 million debut, but Abigail 's positive reviews may help it become a horror hit.
• The buzz around Abigail is strong, with a positive critical reception and high box-office predictions for the horror film.

Abigail can potentially overtake Civil War at the box office this weekend. Civil War is a political thriller from writer-director Alex Garland that hit theaters on April 12. Abigail is a soon-to-be-released horror film about a group of killers who kidnap a young ballerina only to discover that she is secretly a murderous vampire.

Per Variety , new box office predictions for this weekend say that Abigail could beat Civil War at the box office. The source predicts that Abigail will take in between $12 million and $15 million at the domestic box office during its debut this weekend. Civil War is estimated to take in between $10 to $15 million. If these projections turn out to be true, Abigail would top the box office domestically, with Civil War coming in second. Fellow new releases The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Spy x Family Code: White are both looking at roughly $5-6 million.

Will Abigail Be a 2024 Horror Hit?

Civil War has had an impressive box office run since opening. It brought in an impressive $25.7 million domestically during its debut weekend, setting a record for the largest debut for A24 in their history. This record is notable because Civil War ’s budget of $50 million also made the film the highest budget for A24. Because of these huge records, Abigail beating Civil War would be even more notable for the horror film .

Civil War ’s reviews have been as positive as its box office. The film has a positive 82% on Rotten Tomatoes for its critics score, and a 77% audience approval rating. While these scores make Civil War a force to be reckoned with, Abigail ’s early reviews are also positive. At the time of writing, Abigail holds an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes with 41 critics . Abigail does not yet have an audience score, but this positive critical reception is a great sign.

Civil War nearly doubled Hereditary 's opening weekend box office.

Abigail ’s reviews and buzz are just positive enough that the film could manage to follow through on their high box office predictions. After all, the spring has started off well for horror, with The First Omen bringing in a respectable $8.3 million during its opening weekend, with a $36.2 million worldwide gross to date. If Abigail does bring in the higher end of its estimated range, the film could be on its way to becoming the biggest horror debut of 2024 so far.

Abigail will release in theaters April 19.

Source: Variety

Abigail (2024)

Abigail is a 2024 horror thriller directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. The plot follows a group of people who kidnap the daughter of a dangerous crime lord only to discover that the little girl is actually a vicious vampire out for blood. Alisha Weir stars as the titular character alongside Kathryn Newton, Melissa Barrera, and Dan Stevens.

Director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett

Release Date April 19, 2024

Distributor(s) Universal Pictures

Writers Stephen Shields, Guy Busick

Cast Angus Cloud, Alisha Weir, Kevin Durand, Dan Stevens, William Catlett, Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, Giancarlo Esposito

Genres Thriller, Horror

Main Genre Horror

Get Ready to Be Scared Sick Because This ‘Horror Movie of the Year’ Is So Terrifying It's Making Viewers Queasy, And I Can Confirm

Think you have what it takes to watch without tossing your cookies?

In the world of great horror movies , making audience members lose their lunch, which was the case with 2022’s Terrifer 2 , seems to be a badge of honor. The latest movie that is allegedly making viewers queasy is the prequel The First Omen . Usually, I'd approach such claims skeptically. But having watched this chilling flick myself, I can attest to its intensity. Multiple scenes even made me, a seasoned horror hound, feel my stomach churn. Believe the hype— The First Omen might just be the horror movie of the year.

A prequel to Richard Donner’s 1976 classic, The First Omen has been generating buzz for several reasons, most notably for its intense violence. The film's gruesome birth scene was so graphic that it almost received an NC-17 rating . According to UNILAD , this particular scene has been making viewers give the technicolor yawn. Ed Potton, from The Times , hilariously wrote:

As for the graphic birth scenes, let’s just say that one of these is definitely not born every minute. This is Call the Midwife directed by Satan.

Having seen the movie, I can attest that the birth scene is incredibly intense. Yet, according to director Arkasha Stevenson in an interview with CinemaBlend's Jeff McCobb, this isn’t even the most shocking part of the film . How about the 20-foot incubus phallus? It's easy to miss the demon dong amid the constant barrage of disturbing visuals that fill the screen every few minutes. I cannot emphasize enough how exceptional The First Omen is—not only is it one of the standout horror movies of the year, but it's also one of the finest prequels ever made, strongly justifying the case for making prequels in the first place.

The prequel horror flick has garnered an impressive 80% rating from 158 critics on Rotten Tomatoes , and it truly deserves it. So far, it has earned $35 million globally on a reported budget of $30 million. I'm hopeful these numbers will continue to rise because I would personally love to see more from this universe and this director, especially after hearing her exciting ideas for a potential sequel .

The First Omen marks a significant return for The Omen franchise, which had been quiet since the poorly received 2006 remake. It's been nearly two decades since the chilling tales of Damien Thorn, Satan’s child, have graced the screen. This time, director Arkasha Stevenson brings a fresh twist that might just have even seasoned horror buffs pitching a pavement pizza. Her knack for crafting squirm-inducing scenes has added much-needed vitality to the series. Diverging from earlier sequels that either followed Damien’s unnerving lifecycle or barely touched on him, Stevenson's installment explores the origins of Damien, unveiling aspects of his story that fans didn't even know they were missing. It looks like the future of this devilish series might just be wickedly bright.

If you’re in the mood for a film that could cause a tummy tantrum, The First Omen is now terrifying theatergoers everywhere. Or, for a nostalgic chill, you can revisit its 1970s predecessor with a Hulu subscription .

Be sure to check out our 2024 movie schedule to see what other upcoming horror movies are coming to a theater near you and might have you praying to the porcelain god.

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Ryan graduated from Missouri State University with a BA in English/Creative Writing. An expert in all things horror, Ryan enjoys covering a wide variety of topics. He's also a lifelong comic book fan and an avid watcher of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. 

John Travolta Opened Up About His Friendship With Bruce Willis As He And Pulp Fiction Cast Reunited Without The Actor For 30th Anniversary

I Loved Ready Or Not, But I'm Not Sure How To Feel About The Idea Of A Sequel

Fans Are Having Big Reactions To Taylor Swift's Tortured Poets Department, And I Think We Can File Them Into Three Major Buckets

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