October is in full swing, and Halloween is right around the corner. Fans of the spooky season traditionally have a comprehensive checklist of horror-centric activities that last the entire month. From haunted houses and costume parties to decorating the house, October has no shortage of seasonally appropriate events. For most Halloween addicts, October's most important tradition is to consume as many horror films as possible.
Unless you're steeped in the history of the genre, finding exciting and underrated horror films is a challenge. Several online lists are replete with a selection of horror movies that, despite their revered status as classics, are often predictable choices. If you're looking to raise your profile as a horror aficionado and learn about some hidden gems in the genre, we've got you covered.
We've sifted through Reddit horror movie suggestions and even sat down with Shudder hidden gems to write this. So, from horror movies like The Return of Doctor X to Santa Sangre, here's our list of 10 underrated horror movies you've never heard of, ranked.
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10.Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Pulse
Aside from perfecting the slasher film, America is also known for remaking Japanese horror classics. Even neophytes in the horror genre are aware that 2002's The Ring is a remake of the 1998 Japanese film titled Ring, which paved the way for future American adaptations.
One such example was 2006's Pulse starring Kristen Bell and Ian Somerhalder. Although several people are aware that the 2006 film is a remake, most horror fans haven't seen Kiyoshi Kurosawa's original version. As one of the first horror films to tackle internet-related nightmares, the original Pulse is a groundbreaking entry in the horror genre.b
9.The Return of Doctor X
Part of horror's appeal stems from the genre's sheer breadth. Littered with a plethora of subgenres, there's a unique flavor of horror for every conceivable palette. While horror purists hold the classic black-and-white Universal monster films in high regard, most fans tend to avoid other monochromatic horror movies. For fans that aren't dissuaded by campy films from yesteryear, The Return of Doctor X offers a refreshing vision for fans of contemporary creepshows. Following the evil exploits of the titular Doctor X, the film is a must-watch for cinephiles, as it is Humphrey Bogart's only starring role in a horror film.
8.Inferno
If you talk with a serious horror enthusiast long enough, one name is guaranteed to make an appearance: Dario Argento. Few auteurs cast as long a shadow on horror movies as Argento.
By focusing on mystery over gore, Argento's giallo subgenre carved a specific niche in slasher flicks. Which isn't to say Argento skimps on bloody spectacles within his dense filmography. With his 1980 film, Inferno, Argento doubles down on the supernatural elements that made the movie's predecessor, Suspiria, a massive hit. Despite being the second film in his Three Mothers trilogy, Inferno works perfectly fine as a standalone offering.
7.Tod Browning's Freaks
There are few moments in life as satisfying as discovering the source of a meme. By the time most people encounter memes, they're so far removed from their origin that uncovering their proverbial source code can be nigh impossible. As the genesis point of countless memes and cultural references, Tod Browning's 1932 film Freaks is a must-watch for both meme and horror historians.
From The Wolf of Wall Street and South Park to a professional wrestling stable, Browning's controversial movie about a troupe of side show attractions has become one of the most influential horror films that you've never seen.
6.Possession
Thanks to slasher films dominating the latter half of the 20th century, most people mistakenly believe that horror movies can't tackle mature subject matter. Critics often deride the genre for being incapable of exploring complex emotions.
With his haunting and critically acclaimed masterpiece, Possession, Andrzej Żuławski channels the trauma of his divorce to create a richly allegorical horror film. At once, Possession is both a surreal psychological horror and a realistic look at the breakdown of a marriage. Żuławski's ability to convey truth while still delivering the visceral thrills of the horror genre cements Possession's unassailable reputation in horror circles.
5.House
Japan's legacy for producing memorable horror is almost as illustrious as its history of groundbreaking animation. With their bone-chilling storylines and equally disturbing cinematography, Japan's contributions to the horror genre are undeniable. However, Japanese horror can also be wildly experimental and surreal, as is the case for 1977's House.
Landing somewhere between a live-action anime and a traditional haunted house movie, House is one of the most unique films within the entire horror genre. While mileage may vary based on the viewer's tolerance for absurdity, House's idiosyncratic approach to horror makes it essential viewing for serious fans of the genre.
4.The Wailing
There are infinite ways to be innovative within the horror genre. While most directors use breathtaking special effects to set themselves apart from the pack, a tight script and confident direction can have a congruent effect. With his 2016 film The Wailing, Na Hong-jin's taut and compelling narrative about a father searching for his daughter has continually earned tremendous critical acclaim since its release.
The Wailing walks a fine line between horror and genuine drama with stellar performances throughout. Despite being a lengthy film, The Wailing's ability to command the audience's attention with palpable tension makes the time fly by.
3.Santa Sangre
Whether it's spine-tingling visuals, blood-curdling concepts, or a spooky atmosphere, the ability to accurately capture everyday horrors on film separates the novice filmmaker from a master.
With his 1989 film Santa Sangre, which translates to Holy Blood, the multi-talented Chilean and French auteur Alejandro Jodorowsky effectively transmutes the essence of the unsettling ambiance of a nightmare from the theater of the mind to home theaters worldwide. Following the chilling exploits of a mentally traumatized man who becomes a murderer for his armless mother's approval, Santa Sangre feels eerily similar to watching a vivid and disturbing nightmare unfold before your eyes.
2.The Grandmother
Although he probably wouldn't categorize the majority of movies in his filmography as horror, the late David Lynch possessed the rare gift of being able to creep out audiences on a whim.
Several surreal moments in Mulholland Drive and Blue Velvet cause both films to feel closer to horror than any other genre. However, one of Lynch's earliest flicks, The Grandmother, is not only one of his most overlooked movies but a genuine horror spectacle that demands one's attention. As a mostly silent film, Lynch lets his imagery convey the horrors of a tormented boy obsessed with his ailing grandmother.
1.Cure
To bring the list full circle, we return not only to Japan but to filmmaker Kiyoshi Kurosawa's 1997 horror masterpiece Cure. Following a detective who is trying to determine the motive for a series of brutal crimes, with suspects who compulsively confess, director Kurosawa crafts a true horror masterpiece that will leave you unnerved for weeks.
Whereas most directors allow a film's soundtrack to help inspire fear, Kurosawa takes an unconventional approach by eschewing a traditional soundtrack for Cure. Although it seems like an odd choice at first, the film's starkness winds up aiding the horror rather than deterring it.