{"id":82293,"date":"2025-07-22T04:49:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T04:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/82293\/"},"modified":"2025-07-22T04:49:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T04:49:18","slug":"10-underrated-horror-movies-that-are-almost-perfect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/82293\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Underrated Horror Movies That Are Almost Perfect"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s a great time to be a horror lover. It feels like a renaissance for the genre, with big-budget hits like Sinners<\/strong><\/a> and 28 Years Later<\/a> <\/strong>attracting new fans who are discovering all that horror has to offer. It\u2019s encouraging to see large-scale films in production, but numerous<\/strong> underrated horror movies have flown under the radar<\/strong> and could benefit from more attention.<\/p>\n

The seemingly infinite number of streaming services is loaded with hidden gems to keep horror fanatics new and old busy, so it might be difficult to figure out what titles should take top priority. With that in mind, we\u2019ll take a look at some of the best underrated horror movies that elevate the genre<\/strong> with original ideas and masterful execution. There\u2019s a variety of movies below to choose from that cover many different tastes, so this list will serve as a recommendation and not a ranking.<\/p>\n

10 <\/p>\n

‘Saint Maud’ (2019)<\/p>\n

Directed by Rose Glass<\/p>\n

\"Morfydd<\/p>\n

Image via StudioCanal<\/p>\n

A nurse slowly succumbs to madness in the riveting horror character study Saint Maud<\/strong><\/a>. When a private care nurse, going by the name Maude (Morfydd Clark<\/strong>), is assigned to care for the terminally sick but wealthy Amanda (Jennifer Ehle<\/strong>), an obsession grows between the two. Maude\u2019s religious compulsions drive her to save Amanda\u2019s soul, but as reality slips away from the nurse, isolation drives her to follow her delusions to a destructive end.<\/p>\n

Maude\u2019s interactions with other people quickly shift into uncomfortable territory, but it’s impossible to look away from Clark\u2019s performance<\/strong>. Saint Maud begins at a slower pace, but when Maud\u2019s fanaticism grows, the movie accelerates to keep up with her impulsive decisions. Seeing the world through Maud\u2019s eyes keeps the viewers empathetic to her plight all the way up until the finale\u2019s shocking display of misplaced faith.<\/p>\n

9 <\/p>\n

‘The Night House’ (2021)<\/p>\n

Directed by David Bruckner<\/p>\n

\"Beth<\/p>\n

Image via Searchlight Pictures<\/p>\n

In The Night House<\/strong><\/a>, Beth\u2019s (Rebecca Hall<\/strong>) world is shattered when her husband, Owen (Evan Jonigkeit<\/strong>), commits suicide. Desperate to know what might have been the cause, Beth digs into her husband\u2019s belongings for any insight or clues about his behavior. When Beth finds a mysterious house that her husband was secretly building, she\u2019ll come to learn a horrible truth about the man she loved and the crimes he committed while they were together.<\/p>\n

Hall is reliably fantastic, not missing an emotional beat as a woman who begins to question anything she ever believed about her partner. For a moment, The Night House looks to be another haunted house movie, but it goes in surprising and unexpected directions<\/strong> in an original and satisfying story. Fans of psychological horror or slow-burning supernatural mysteries<\/a><\/strong> should definitely check out The Night House if they missed it when the film had a small theatrical release in 2021.<\/p>\n

8 <\/p>\n

‘Creep’ (2014)<\/p>\n

Directed by Patrick Brice<\/p>\n

\"Mark<\/p>\n

Image via The Orchard\u00a0<\/p>\n

In the excellent found footage movie<\/strong><\/a> Creep<\/strong><\/a>, a videographer answers an ad to film a man, unaware of the trap he\u2019s walking into. Aaron (Patrick Brice<\/strong>) shows up with a camera in hand, learning he\u2019s filming a man named Josef (Mark Duplass<\/strong>). Josef explains he\u2019s terminally ill and wishes to record a video for his son, but the day continues to take odd and unsettling turns. As Josef\u2019s behavior becomes more threatening, Aaron will have to question whether anything Josef has said during their day is true.<\/p>\n

Duplass is captivating in the role, shifting between practiced emotions to disarm his prey. Meanwhile, the viewer, understanding the inevitable outcome, watches on with unease. The added element of the viewer experiencing Josef seemingly speaking directly to them adds a personal touch to the tension<\/strong>. Creep has quickly garnered a cult following that led to a well-received sequel and an equally popular series, The Creep Tapes<\/strong><\/a>, that is in production for a second season.<\/p>\n

7 <\/p>\n

‘Relic’ (2020)<\/p>\n

Directed by Natalie Erika James<\/p>\n

\"Bella<\/p>\n

Image via IFC Films<\/p>\n

The ravages of an illness take on a supernatural form in the psychological horror Relic<\/strong><\/a>. Upon hearing that her mother, Edna (Robyn Nevin<\/strong>), has gone missing, Kay (Emily Mortimer<\/strong>) takes her daughter, Sam (Bella Heathcote<\/strong>), to Edna\u2019s home. Just as mysteriously, Edna reappears days later looking disheveled and acting out of character. While Edna\u2019s physical condition worsens, Kay and Sam fear a supernatural presence is responsible.<\/p>\n

Relic is an exploration of the tragic effects of Alzheimer\u2019s disease from both the patient’s and the family\u2019s perspectives. As a metaphor for terminal illnesses, the supernatural force changes Edna, making her unrecognizable to her loved ones. Relic handles the concept with taste and care<\/strong>, spending ample time on building the characters early on to land the proper emotional balance in the quiet and powerful final scenes.<\/p>\n

6 <\/p>\n

‘The Innocents’ (2021)<\/p>\n

Directed by Eskil Vogt<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Image via IFC Midnight\u00a0<\/p>\n

Children in a Norwegian apartment building learn they have extraordinary powers in The Innocents.<\/strong> At first, the novelty of being able to psychically communicate or move things with their mind is fun to play with, but when one of the children uses their ability to cause harm, a standoff ensues. Feeling unable to ask an adult for help, two young sisters will be forced to make impossible decisions if it means saving their lives.<\/p>\n

For horror fans who don\u2019t mind a methodical pace, The Innocents is a tense film that is disturbing in its demonstrations of violence<\/strong>. Speaking of: a warning to pet lovers, there is a scene regarding a cat that is potentially a deal-breaker, but the brutality of the moment speaks volumes about the characters involved. This is primarily a cast of young children, and they carry the movie with ease, each delivering a phenomenal performance.<\/p>\n

5 <\/p>\n

‘The Dark and the Wicked’ (2020)<\/p>\n

Directed by Bryan Bertino<\/p>\n

\"Marin<\/p>\n

Image via RLJE Films<\/p>\n

When siblings return to their family farm to spend time with their dying father, they unknowingly walk into certain doom in The Dark and the Wicked<\/a>.<\/strong> Louise (Marin Ireland<\/strong>) and Michael (Michael Abbott Jr.<\/strong>) are concerned for their father, but after their visit home triggers a shocking tragedy, the two begin to sense they\u2019re in the presence of a great evil. Familial bonds will be tested as the growing darkness eats away at the siblings\u2019 sanity.<\/p>\n

There isn\u2019t a frame in The Dark and the Wicked that doesn\u2019t inspire dread, with a general feeling of unease permeating every scene<\/strong>. The Dark and the Wicked is an unsettling watch that is likely to get under the skin and make everyone think twice about chopping vegetables. Unfortunately, a limited release during the pandemic brought in less than a million dollars in worldwide ticket sales, halting the film\u2019s potential. Despite a rocky beginning, The Dark and the Wicked created enough buzz with overwhelmingly positive reviews to gain a following.<\/p>\n

4 <\/p>\n

‘The Orphanage’ (2007)<\/p>\n

Directed by J.A. Bayona<\/p>\n

\"Belen<\/p>\n

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures<\/p>\n

In The Orphanage<\/strong><\/a>, Laura (Bel\u00e9n Rueda<\/strong>) dreams of reopening the orphanage she grew up in to help children in need. Her plans are tragically put on hold when Laura loses her son, Sim\u00f3n (Roger Princep<\/strong>), somewhere on the orphanage grounds. Wracked with inconsolable grief, Laura continues the search for her son, but instead makes contact with the ghosts of children whose souls are bound to the orphanage.<\/p>\n

While The Orphanage was an international award-winning success, in the U.S., the film\u2019s limited run netted a modest sum, but it isn\u2019t as well-known. Years have been kind to The Orphanage, which has aged incredibly well thanks to haunting cinematography that gives the film a timeless allure<\/strong>, and a heartbreaking performance from Rueda. The Orphanage is a sometimes emotionally daunting movie to watch, but only because the story is told so effectively.<\/p>\n

3 <\/p>\n

‘The Mortuary Collection’ (2019)<\/p>\n

Directed by Ryan Spindell<\/p>\n

\"Montgomery<\/p>\n

Image via Shudder<\/p>\n

In the spirit of works like Tales From the Crypt<\/strong><\/a>, horror anthology The Mortuary Collection<\/strong><\/a> is a movie that adds a sense of humor to the macabre. Montgomery Dark (Clancy Brown<\/strong>) is the fateful mortician to the town of Raven\u2019s End, but he may be able to cut back hours when the mysterious Sam (Caitlin Custer<\/strong>) inquires about his help-wanted sign. As Montgomery interviews Sam for the position, he tells her stories about the people in Raven\u2019s End who have died.<\/p>\n

Great horror anthology movies<\/strong><\/a> are always noteworthy when they appear, appealing to all the fans who like being handed a variety of stories to enjoy. The Mortuary Collection works as both a horror film and the darkest of dark comedies<\/strong>, with Brown and Custer adding charm to the proceedings with their clever wraparound story. The Mortuary Collection is destined to become a Halloween tradition, especially since landing on streaming services where more people can find it.<\/p>\n

2 <\/p>\n

‘Lake Mungo’ (2008)<\/p>\n

Directed by Joel Anderson<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Image via Arclight Films<\/p>\n

An underrated film that\u2019s continuing to find an appreciative audience is the pseudo-documentary <\/a>Lake Mungo<\/a><\/strong>. The story focuses on the missing persons case of Alice Palmer (Talia Zucker<\/strong>), a 16-year-old who experienced a strange change in attitude after a school trip. As the family recounts what they remember about the disappearance, the documentary reveals footage that may give impossible proof that there\u2019s life after death.<\/p>\n

The scares in Lake Mungo come from the storytelling, leaning away from anything that would spoil the authentic tone of the documentary. One of the greatest feats of Lake Mungo is to occasionally convince a person that the documentary they\u2019re watching is real<\/strong>, creating a world and characters that feel grounded and relatable. Positive word of mouth about the creepy and well-told story has allowed Lake Mungo to build a continually growing fan base, despite having a limited release.<\/p>\n

1 <\/p>\n

‘Terrified’ (2017)<\/p>\n

Directed by Demian Rugna<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Image via Aura Films<\/p>\n

Terrified<\/strong> is every horror fan\u2019s favorite movie<\/a> they haven\u2019t watched yet. The Argentinian film chronicles a few days in a Buenos Aires neighborhood that is besieged by frightening and deadly forces. The scope of the disturbance attracts paranormal specialists who, along with an increasingly nervous police officer, pool their knowledge while investigating the affected homes. However, none of the experts will be expecting the level of evil they\u2019ll soon encounter.<\/p>\n

Terrified uses every minute of its roughly hour-and-a-half runtime wisely, never giving the audience elaborate details about the evil entities or why they\u2019re there, but the mystery makes them more unnerving during their brief appearances. The imagery <\/strong>Terrified<\/strong> throws at the viewer will be remembered for days<\/strong>, and yet won\u2019t lose its potency on a second watch, which is guaranteed to happen after forcing everyone you know to watch your new favorite movie.<\/p>\n

NEXT: Horror Fans, Unite! Can We All Agree These Are the Scariest Movies of the ’90s?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s a great time to be a horror lover. It feels like a renaissance for the genre, with…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":82294,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[171,53,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-82293","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-movies","8":"tag-entertainment","9":"tag-movies","10":"tag-united-states","11":"tag-unitedstates","12":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/114895084820890138","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82293"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82293\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}