The 40 Best Horror Movies You've Never Seen
This is a list of mostly moratorium horror classics from the last 4 decades that stand out for me and hopefully for you the most. I made this list as a way to contribute to those who may be fatigued by the same recycled horror we've been plagued with for so long. This is for those who look for something different. A great portion of these movies are so rare that if they're not siezed by an aware consumer soon, all chances of viewing it may soon be lost.
List activity
63K views
• 22 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
40 titles
- DirectorWillard HuyckGloria KatzStarsMichael GreerMarianna HillJoy BangA young woman goes searching for her missing artist father. Her journey takes her to a strange Californian seaside town governed by a mysterious undead cult.In my opinion the best horror movie in history. When I first viewed it I had to watch it twice just to absorb how good it was. It was worth every penny.
- DirectorKen WiederhornStarsClarence ThomasBrooke AdamsLuke HalpinVisitors to a remote island discover that a reclusive Nazi commandant has been breeding a group of Zombie soldiers.Peter Cushing film. A true classic.
- DirectorTobe HooperStarsBrad DourifCynthia BainJon CypherA young man finds out that his parents had been used in an atomic-weapons experiment shortly before he was born, and that the results have had some unexpected effects on him.Many have probably seen this but I felt the list must have this film to ever be complete.
- DirectorDavid L. CunninghamStarsDaniel CaltagironeFlora MontgomeryNicholas AaronUrban Explorers are extreme sports' answer to computer hackers: a growing breed of thrill-seekers who thrive on infiltrating the planet's most dangerous man-made structures... Just because they can.The story in this is downright different. I don't watch it every day but I never get tired of seeing it.
- DirectorStuart GordonStarsEzra GoddenFrancisco RabalRaquel MeroñoA boating accident runs a young man and woman ashore in a decrepit Spanish fishing town which they discover is in the grips of an ancient sea god and its monstrous half human offspring.A Lovecraft adaptation. A must for his fans. Commonly viewed I think but a future classic nonetheless.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterTobe HooperLarry SulkisStarsJohn CarpenterTom ArnoldTobe HooperThree short stories in the horror genre: the first about a serial killer, the second about a hair transplant gone wrong, and the third about a baseball player.The price is very steep unless you buy VHS. It's a John Carpenter movie but not well known. I wouldn't pay any price for it but $25 or less is worth it.
- DirectorDan O'BannonStarsJohn TerryJane SibbettChris SarandonCharles Dexter Ward's wife enlists the help of a private detective to find out what her husband is up to in a remote cabin owned by his family for centuries.This is a Lovecraft adaptation. I would pay any price for it. VHS is the only affordable way of buying it unless you really shop around. Either way is saddens me this movie is being abandoned.
- DirectorBrad AndersonStarsDavid CarusoStephen GevedonPaul GuilfoyleTensions rise within an asbestos cleaning crew as they work in an abandoned mental hospital with a horrific past that seems to be coming back.This one may be more well known but scares me every time. Still cheap though and a common find.
- DirectorWillard CarrollStarsPeter RiegertJoan SeveranceWilliam HickeyA Norse runestone is discovered in Western Pennsylvania. The prophecy upon it tells of the Norse great wolf Fenrir (Fenris), and that its release from the stone will bring about Ragnarok --- the end of the world. Archaeologist Sam Stewart and wife Marla find it has some connection to their friend Martin. A young boy named Jacob is haunted by terrifying nightmares of what is to come, and his family explains these dreams through stories from Norse legend, which says that the only one who can destroy Fenrir is Tyr, the Norse god of war, who is prophesied to return to fight the creature.This movie gets more rare and expensive every year. It's based on Viking lore. This is another that breaks my heart that future gen's won't be able to view it.
- DirectorPhilippe SetbonStarsJeff GoldblumKathy BakerAlan BatesA serial killer gets sent to a mental institution, but as his insidious presence cause the doctors and orderlies to receive strange visions, his psychiatrist tries to find out his true identity.This movie is flat out off the shelves. Never had a U.S. DVD release and there are no more laser disks for sale that I can find. The VHS is expensive but worth any price. I did find out there was a DVD release in Belgium so if you're commited you can look there. It's an unknown classic.
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsLesley-Anne DownPierce BrosnanAnna Maria MonticelliA French anthropologist specializing in nomadic groups moves to Los Angeles with his wife, and starts following a group of sinister street punks who seem to live and move around in a black van. But they aren't what they seem.I'm a big fan of Pierce Brosnan. My opinion of this movie may be biased. Still available but gets more expensive every year.
- DirectorAndrew ParkinsonStarsGiles AspenEllen SoftleyDean SiplingA young man gets infected and gradually starts turning into a zombie.Not for the squeamish but a truly original zombie classic. Won't be around for much longer I think.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsScott GlennIan McKellenAlberta WatsonNazis are forced to turn to a Jewish historian for help in battling the ancient demon they have inadvertently freed from its prison.The book was brilliant, the movie great but disappointing how it was made. Could have been better but with it's cast and story it's worth any price. There was no disk release and the tape is pricey and nearly not available. There could be a remake one day but I wouldn't let this one get away.
- DirectorRichard BurtonNevill CoghillStarsElizabeth TaylorRichard BurtonAndreas TeuberA man sells his soul to the devil in order to have the woman he loves.Saw this as a small child and it haunted me for decades. This movie isn't for everyone but then again, what is?
- DirectorThom EberhardtStarsAnita SkinnerCaren L. LarkeyPeggy McClureA lone survivor of a plane crash is haunted by a feeling unworthy of survival. Dead people start coming after her to collect her.Creepy. It's still available but don't bet it being around forever. Not worth any price but definitely worth alot unless you have no patience for low budget 80's cinema.
- DirectorPearry Reginald TeoStarsLayton MatthewsChad GrimesSantiago CraigExplores the use of a tattooed Ouija Board through the lives and perspectives of 4 people.Some like it. Some don't. I love it though. Still widely available and cheap. I'd suggest a rental first just to be sure it's for you though.
- DirectorMark YoungStarsYul VazquezWilliam ForsytheJonathan SacharA man who must atone for a tragic mistake by saving a little girl from a ruthless, undead preacher.An odd little piece. I'm not obsessed with it but it's great for at least a rental.
- DirectorLucio FulciStarsTisa FarrowIan McCullochRichard JohnsonStrangers searching for a young woman's missing father arrive at a tropical island where a doctor desperately seeks the cause and cure of a recent epidemic of the undead.Recently had a BD release which I'm grateful for. This movie introduced me to Italian cinema. One of my eternal favorites.
- DirectorJoseph SargentStarsCristina RainesJoe LambieAnthony JamesAnthology of four horror tales with a supernatural twist based on urban legends.Lance Henrikson and Emilio Estevez play a bit in this. If you want the DVD I hope you have deep pockets. The VHS isn't cheap either. Be careful the version though. It's a semi-common movie title. The cover will be your clue. Worth any price.
- DirectorRoy Ward BakerStarsCurd JürgensTerry-ThomasTom BakerAn anthology of five horror stories shared by five men trapped in the basement of an office building.British horror. It won't keep you up at night but it's a treasure for the shelves nonetheless. Still common for now.
- DirectorKevin ConnorStarsPeter CushingIan BannenIan CarmichaelAn anthology of four short horror stories revolving around a mysterious antique shop owner and his antique pieces, each of which hides a deadly secret.Peter Cushing. Moratorium but as of 2011 still cheap. This movie introduced me to Cushing and his utter screen dominance. Worth any price.
- DirectorFreddie FrancisStarsJoan CollinsPeter CushingRalph RichardsonFive strangers get lost in a crypt and, after meeting the mysterious Crypt Keeper, receive visions of how they will die.This was my 2nd British horror film viewed. Great story. I've lost count how many times I've watched it.
- DirectorRoger CormanStarsVincent PriceElizabeth ShepherdJohn WestbrookA man's obsession with his dead wife drives a wedge between him and his new bride.Creepy. In my opinion one of Vincent Price's best.
- DirectorRoger CormanStarsVincent PriceHazel CourtJane AsherA European prince terrorizes the local peasantry while using his castle as a refuge against the "Red Death" plague that stalks the land.Never get tired of this one. For this I hope you have deep pockets. Everywhere I look the price is astronomical and getting higher by the year. Get this one while you can.
- DirectorBruce McDonaldStarsStephen McHattieLisa HouleGeorgina ReillyA radio host interprets the possible outbreak of a deadly virus which infects the small Ontario town he is stationed in.A future classic.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsSam NeillJürgen ProchnowJulie CarmenAn insurance investigator begins discovering that the impact a horror writer's books have on his fans is more than inspirational.2nd favorite horror movie of all time. John Carpenter directs and a stellar cast. The story is lovecraftian but priceless. Moratorium and I'm angry because of it.
- DirectorChris ThomsonStarsTimothy BusfieldBrenda BakkeAidan DevineAliens arrive, parking in a geostationary orbit over Nevada. Using powers unknown to us, they declare war, and use unmanned trucks as weapons.Stephen King adaptation. Still cheap but I'm not sure how mainstream it is. Great movie.
- DirectorGeorge PavlouStarsDavid DukesKelly PiperHugh O'ConorAn ancient creature called Rawhead is awakened from its slumber near an Irish village and goes on a rampage killing anyone in sight.Only affordable way to buy it is on tape. Clive Barker adaptation. It's been criticized but the critics are the minority. Fantastic settings and original story but not cheap though.
- DirectorJack MessittStarsRebekah BrandesDaniel BonjourGreg CirulnickA midnight showing of an early 1970's horror movie turns to chaos when the Killer from the movie comes out of the film to attack those in the theater.An independent horror movie that broke some rules and got noticed. A future classic.
- DirectorDaniel MyrickStarsJohnny MessnerJon HuertasDaniel BenzaliTwo paramedics responding to an emergency call find themselves kidnapped by a religious sect whose great obsession is to stop the end of the world by committing suicide and killing people.The ending is worth the ride. Costs much less than it's worth.
- DirectorMarcel SarmientoGadi HarelStarsShiloh FernandezNoah SeganCandice KingTwo high school boys discover an imprisoned woman in an abandoned mental asylum who cannot die.This movie bothers me on many levels which is why I included it. I'd suggest a rental first.
- DirectorJamie BlanksStarsJim CaviezelClaudia KarvanStarA vacationing couple in the wilderness learns what happens when they disrespect nature.Stunning acting. Highly original story.
- DirectorRob GreenStarsJason FlemyngAndrew TiernanChristopher FairbankGermany, 1944. The forests of the Ardennes. A platoon of battle weary German soldiers, forced into confusion and retreat by advancing Allied forces, take refuge in an isolated Siegfried Line bunker.Military horror. Worth any price.
- DirectorHiguchinskyStarsEriko HatsuneFhi FanHinako SaekiThe inhabitants of a small Japanese town become increasingly obsessed with and tormented by spirals.First Japanese horror I ever saw and definitely not the last. This movie sits with you for a long while.
- DirectorTakashi ShimizuStarsShin'ya TsukamotoTomomi MiyashitaKazuhiro NakaharaA fear-obsessed freelance cameraman (Shinya Tsukamoto) investigates an urban legend involving mysterious spirits that haunt the subways of Tokyo.Japanese horror. Anyone who loves horror should see this one without any doubt.
- DirectorMasayuki OchiaiStarsMichiko HadaMari HoshinoTae KimuraINFECTION takes place in a dark, isolated hospital, where a doctor's mistake has led to dire consequences for a patient.I see this one about once a year. Never tire of it.
- DirectorMartin CampbellStarsFred WardDavid WarnerJulianne MooreIn a fantastical 40's where magic is used by everyone, a hard-boiled detective investigates the theft of a mystical tome.Lovecraftian and gone. Need deep pockets but worth any price. The fact this is moratorium bothers me.
- DirectorPaul SchraderStarsDennis HopperPenelope Ann MillerEric BogosianIn a twisted 1950's where everyone does magic, a private detective investigates a murder case without it.Sequel to #37. The late Dennis Hopper. #37 comments apply.
- DirectorJason WulfsohnStarsScott BairstowRachel ShelleyWarrick GrierAfter miners disappear in the Namib Desert, scientists find their remains and seek to find what killed them.This one is surprisingly good. Terrific locations. Great story.
- DirectorMicheal BafaroStarsLaura MennellPaul DzenkiwChristie Will WolfA troubled young woman, haunted by her mother's ghost, is suddenly confronted by paranormal events which are wreaking havoc on her small college town. She struggles to understand the meaning of these supernatural events...Not the greatest movie out there but definitely worth at least a look.