While classics like Halloween, The Conjuring, or The Shining will always top the list of the most-loved horror movies, the genre is filled with hidden gems that deserve more recognition.
So, if you’re obsessed with horror but are running out of new films to watch, we have a fresh list of horror films that are sure to send a chill down your spine.
Let’s dive right in!
Top 10 Underrated Horror Films
Here’s a list of horror movies guaranteed to give you a few sleepless nights, at the very least!
1. The Empty Man (2020)
Directed by David Prior
A dreadful horror judiciously interwoven with detective noir, The Empty Man takes a slow-burn approach and builds fear without unnecessary gore. The story focuses on engulfing you in the horror of the concept while building suspense relentlessly, never to allow an escape from the fear of the “Empty Man.”
The colors are ominously vibrant in particular sequences, further building on the cosmic horror, and DP Anastas N. Michos uses both light and space to create tension. James Badge Dale effortlessly anchors the film as a traumatized ex-cop, delivering a nuanced portrayal of both loss and hope.
Unlike many horror films, this one feels too relatable. Despite the layers, the simplicity of the concept stood out to me in particular!
2. Exhuma (2024)
Directed by Jang Jae Hyun
This film digs deep within its culture to bring you real dread. Revolving around Korean cultural practices — particularly shamanism, geomancy (Feng Shui), and funeral rites — Exhuma is one of those films that doesn’t rely on jump scares to shock you. The horror lingers relentlessly as the narrative slowly unfolds, taking us on a journey of mythos and beliefs—a simultaneous reality that is often ignored in the name of modernism.
Structured into chapters, the narrative creates a rhythm of escalating dread, transitioning from atmospheric occult horror to a supernatural slasher in its second half. The performances by the lead characters (Choi Min-sik as a seasoned geomancer and Lee Do-hyun as his protégé) deserve special mention. From the bold tonal shifts to judiciously loud cues during the rituals, Exhuma is spine-chilling.
3. Prince of Darkness (1987)
Directed by John Carpenter
Often overshadowed by his more popular horror hits, Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness is equally haunting. The film combines science, religion, and cosmic horror, set against the backdrop of a church.
Moody lighting, wide-angle anamorphic lenses, and a pulsating synth score further complement the grim, grey world outside. The ominously warm, colorful interiors heighten the film’s surreal, unsettling tone. The special effects, while not perfect, are inventive and serve the story’s nightmarish logic.
Overall, its ambition, atmosphere, and unforgettable imagery make it a standout in Carpenter’s filmography.
4. La Llorona (2019)
Directed by Jayro Bustamante
A politically charged horror, seamlessly blending folklore and historical trauma, this film proves that there are bigger horrors than the paranormal. Based on the real-life atrocities of Guatemala’s murderous past, the film is almost a supernatural representation of karma.
The horror emerges not only from the ghost herself, but also from the inescapable legacy of violence and denial that haunts the family—and by extension, the nation. In his interview with NFS, Busamante told us of the struggle in making La Llorona owing to the government’s diligent efforts to shut down its production.
La Llorona, inspired by The Shining, uses light to induce horror, while keeping the dark associated with the ghost from the past, Alma (María Mercedes Coroy). The film’s visual language is rooted in restraint—long, static takes and slow zooms amplify unease, while the opulent mansion setting is transformed into a claustrophobic, haunted space through careful framing and lighting. La Llorona is a haunting meditation on justice, memory, and the ghosts that linger when a nation fails to confront its crimes.
5. When Evil Lurks (2023)
Directed by Demián Rugna
Another fascinating horror by the Argentine horror master Demían Rugna, this film is about a contagious possession, both literally and allegorically. In an interview with NFS, filmmaker Rugna said, “The idea of disease in the middle of nothing with people that [don’t] care, I guess, is one of the first inspirations for the Rotten Body.”
Shot by Mariano Suárez, the film’s visuals are strikingly clear and unflinching. Even in darkness, Rugan makes a conscious decision not to hide or dial down the scares. Instead, he aims for a feeling of, “I don’t want to see that, thank you,” and he nails it. If you love horror, don’t miss this one.
6. Sputnik (2020)
Directed by Egor Abramenko
An extremely successful space horror, Abramenko’s first feature is expansive in treatment despite its humble budget. When an Orbit-4 craft crash-lands in Soviet Kazakhstan, only one of the three astronauts emerges intact—but astronaut Konstantin Veshnyakov (Pyotr Fyodorov) has lost his memory.
After he is brought to a secret government facility to be treated by psychologist Tatiana Klimova (Oksana Akinshina), she learns that Veshnyakov has returned with an alien parasite, which now government crony Semiradov (Fedor Bondarchuk) intends to use as a weapon for war.
Set in 1983, against the backdrop of the Cold War, this film blends the paranoia of war with body horror and character-driven drama. In his interview with NFS, Abramenko said, “We decided to treat our creature not as a visual element, but as a character. A character that has its own beats, that has its goal.” This simple perspective made all the difference!
7. Caveat (2020)
Directed by Damian McCarthy
McCarthy’s script resists overexplanation and maintains ambiguity, keeping the audience as disoriented as the protagonist. It reveals its mysteries through Isaac’s (Johnny French) fragmented memory and the house’s hidden history.
Lone drifter Isaac accepts a job to look after his landlord’s niece, Olga (Leila Sykes), for a few days in an isolated house on a remote island. Muted, depressing hues, naturalistic lighting, and production design choices like peeling paint transform the interiors into a claustrophobic nightmare.
The camera lingers in tight spaces and shadowy corners, heightening the sense of dread and capturing the house’s decaying character. Caveat crafts tension through silence, ambient noises, and the unnerving mechanical clatter of its infamous toy rabbit, instead of relying on cheap startles. For filmmakers, it’s a compelling example of how simplicity, inventiveness, and a commitment to mood over spectacle can yield a haunting, memorable genre piece.
8. The Vigil (2019)
Directed by Keith Thomas
The story follows a young man, Yakov Ronen (Dave Davis), who takes up a job as a “shomer”—a person who keeps vigil over dead bodies until they are properly buried.
At the job, Mazzik, a malevolent spirit who feeds on broken souls, latches onto him. The spirit begins to torment Yakov, exploiting his guilt and trauma over his younger brother’s death, which is revealed in flashbacks.
Deeply embedded in Jewish beliefs and folklore, the supernatural elements serve as metaphors for unresolved trauma and the struggle to forgive yourself, taking it beyond mere genre thrills. DP Zach Kuperstein’s work is a highlight, transforming an ordinary Brooklyn home into a claustrophobic labyrinth of shadows and dread. Overall, the film is a judicious blend of supernatural horror with themes of grief, survivor’s guilt, and the struggle for self-forgiveness, all set within the unique context of Jewish ritual and folklore.
9. Before I Wake (2016)
Directed by Mike Flanagan
Before I Wake is a poignant supernatural drama that stands apart from conventional horror as “a haunted fairytale” rather than a straight horror. The story revolves around Cody (Jacob Tremblay), whose dreams (and nightmares) manifest physically while he sleeps.
The film’s tone is more melancholic and lyrical than terrifying, with Flanagan prioritizing the beauty and pain of loss over traditional jump scares. The film conjures some breathtaking images, particularly in the dream sequences—swirling butterflies, spectral apparitions, and the menacing “Canker Man.” The use of color and composition is notable, with visuals that evoke both wonder and dread.
10. Luz (2018)
Directed by Tilman Singer
Luz embraces ambiguity and non-linear storytelling for a more immersive experience. The narrative revolves around Luz (Luana Velis), a taxi driver possessed by a spirit, who is drawn into a hypnotic police interrogation that blurs reality, memory, and supernatural menace.
Shot on grainy 16mm, the film evokes the spirit of ‘70s Eurohorror and giallo, and Singer sticks to minimalism. Most of the action unfolds in a single location, relying on precise framing, atmospheric lighting, and inventive sound design to build tension in a puzzle of ambiguous storytelling and surreal transitions.
The film teaches us how to use a location to its fullest, even with minimal resources.
And there you have it! A treasure trove of underrated gems to resurrect your scare-starved soul! Let us know of any we missed.