One of the oldest genres of Hollywood that still sustains interest among the audience is horror. The enduring popularity of classic films like Dracula, Frankenstein, Freaks, and numerous films evidences this interest.
The genre also evolved as time passed, with at least one notable film every decade from the ‘50s to the contemporary. The genre also saw the gradual emergence of different sub-genres like slasher, found footage, and snuff films gaining popularity.
With such a vast repertoire of films to fall back on, it becomes almost impossible to keep track of good horror films apart from the usual blockbuster films like The Exorcist, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, Insidious, The Conjuring, etc.
A list of 10 underrated horror films across decades for your next horror binge
1. Grave Encounters
This 2011 found footage horror film revolves around the crew of a horror reality television show named Grave Encounters. The crew receives an invitation to inspect supernatural phenomena and paranormal presence in a deserted psychiatric hospital. Unfortunately, they get trapped there.
What follows is a horrifying and blood-curdling experience for the audience as the crew is subjected to one creepy occurrence after another. Made on a modest budget of 120,000 US$, the film was successful enough at the domestic box office to churn out a sequel in 2012. The film enjoys a cult following among fans of the found footage horror sub-genre.
Directed, edited, and written by the Vicious brothers, the film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film stars Mackenzie Gray, Juan Riedinger, Merwin Mondesir, Sean Rogerson and Ashleigh Gryzko.
2. The Poughkeepsie Tapes
Made in a mockumentary format, this 2007 horror film deals with the brutal murders of Edward Carver, a notorious serial killer based in Poughkeepsie, New York. The film's twist is the narrative being unfolded through various footage and interviews. These materials are found in a collection of over 800 snuff films made by the killer himself.
Based loosely around real-life serial killers like Jeffry Dahmer and Ted Bundy, the serial killer in the film commits gruesome murders. He also inflicts other forms of violence on his subjects, ranging from eight-year-olds to teenagers to couples.
The film faced difficulties with release after its 2007 Tribeca Film Festival premiere and gained a proper home video release much later in 2017. Following its release, the film garnered interest among horror buffs.
While certainly not a film for the faintest of hearts, the film enjoys a cult following among underground horror fans. It can be conceived as a more unhinged version of Saw.
The film was directed, edited, and written by John Eric Dowdle and stars Ben Messmer as Edward Carver. Other cast members include Ivar Brogger, Stacy Chbosky, Samantha Robson, and Lou George.
3. As Above, So Below
Another notable addition to the found footage horror film sub-genre, this 2014 film centers around Archaeologist Scarlett Marlowe. She is on a search for Nicolas Flamel’s mythical object of the Philosopher’s Stone. This stone has the power to turn metals into gold as well as the ability to grant immortality to anyone.
Marlowe learns that the stone is located underground in the Catacombs of Paris. She then hires a documentary crew to record her mission. What unfolds is a gruesome and hellish experience for all the concerned members and a blood-curdling experience for the audience.
Made on an estimated 5-10 million US$ budget, the film was a box office hit. John Eric Dowdle, the director of The Poughkeepsie Tapes, directed the film. Like the former film, this film also received negative reviews from critics, calling it mediocre and cliché in terms of generic pleasures. However, the film enjoys a cult appreciation among the fans and can be considered a noticeable addition to the ever-increasing library of found footage films.
The film stars Perdita Weeks, Edwin Hodge, and Ben Feldman in the lead roles.
4. Macabre
This 1958 horror film directed by B-movie legend William Castle deserves to be discussed more. The director’s other notable works include House on the Haunted Hill, The Tingler, and When Strangers Marry.
The film was written by Robb White and starred Jim Backus and William Prince in the lead roles. The film is set mainly in a graveyard in a small town in California. Macabre revolves primarily around a disgraced doctor named Rodney Barrett searching for his 3-year-old daughter, Marge, who is buried alive by a notorious psychopath. The narrative unfolds in three different timelines.
Macabre was remembered mainly for the gimmick of 1000$ worth of life insurance policy being handed to each theater-going audience. The insurance was handled by the famed insurance market Lloyds in London. This was done in case they happened to succumb to death out of fright while experiencing the film.
5. Skinwalker Ranch
A curious blend of science fiction and horror genres, this 2013 film is another notable addition to the found footage genre of films. Directed by Steven Berg and Devin McGinn, this 45-minute film is loosely derived from urban legends from the 1950s. The film features the Skinwalker Ranch in Utah, a rumored site of several UFO sightings.
The film begins with the ranch owner’s son disappearing, bringing an investigative team into the ranch. This team wants to get into the crux of the mystery by setting up cameras around the ranch. The cameras capture eerie happenings around the farm, culminating in life-threatening events for the crew.
The film stars Michael Black, Taylor Bateman, and co-director Steve Berg in lead roles. Skinwalker Ranch should be appreciated for its seamless blend of two disparate genres into the found footage film format.
6. Skinamarink
Although a reasonably new addition to the list, this 2022 Canadian supernatural abstract horror film is an exciting experiment in the genre. Aesthetically reminiscent of the hallucinatory works of David Lynch and Nicolas Winding Refn, the film revolves around two siblings, Kaylee- who’s six years old, and Kevin- who’s four years old.
One night, they are left home alone and can’t find their dad anywhere. They realize that certain uncanny entities are lurking in the darkness, surrounding them through whispers in the dark. In addition, the siblings discover that doors, windows, and other objects are slowly disappearing from their house.
The film moves onto weirder territory from this narrative point. Here on, it becomes an experience that, in equal measures, is unsettling and unique for any lover of the elevated horror genre.
The film was directed and written by debutant director Kyle Edward Ball, who based the movie on comments made by viewers on his YouTube channel. Made on a meager budget of 15,000US$, the film collected more than 2 million US$ and was well received by the critics. The film stars Lucas Paul, Dali Rose Tetreault, Jaime Hill, and Ross Paul in the lead roles.
7. Carnival of Souls
Although not a film strictly revolving around the supernatural horror genre like others in the list, this 1962 psychological horror film deserves a mention. It is especially noteworthy for its influential usage of guerilla filmmaking techniques. These techniques produced sequences of genuine terror and unease while inspiring a generation of filmmakers from George R. Romero to David Lynch.
Made on a budget of 33,000 US$, the film is a master class on low-budget filmmaking and can be regarded as the inspiration for other low-budget horror films.
The film's plot revolves around a young American woman named Mary Henry. She moves to Salt Lake City after getting involved in a devastating car accident in Kansas, which disturbed her psychologically.
In the new city, she starts experiencing hallucinatory visions of a ghoulish figure in an abandoned carnival. What unfolds next is a chilling and atmospheric horror film with accompanying eerie music. Carnival of Souls will leave the audience unsettled and disoriented throughout the film.
Written by John Clifford and directed by Herk Harvey, the film featured Candace Hilligoss in the lead role. Sidney Berger, Art Ellison, Frances Feist, Stan Levitt, and the director himself appeared in supporting roles.
The film was remade in 1998 by Adam Grossman and Ian Kessner, with little similarities with the original movie.
8. The Empty Man
Directed by debutant director David Prior, this 2020 supernatural horror film is based on the eponymous novel by Vanesa R. Del Rey and Cullen Bunn. The film revolves around an ex-cop, James Lasombra, who is still dealing with the death of his wife and son in a tragic car accident one year back.
James takes on the case of the disappearance of his neighbor Nora’s missing daughter, Amanda. The search makes him unfold the evil workings of a pagan cult that worships the Empty Man.
Although the film was delayed multiple times and was received negatively upon its theatrical release, its subsequent release on Disney+ has allowed the film to find its audience. The film has now gained a considerable cult following.
The film stars Marin Ireland, James Badge Dale, Stephen Root, Sasha Frolova, and Robert Aramayo in lead roles.
9. The Visit
A reasonably successful film during its theatrical release, this 2015 found footage horror film by M. Night Shyamalan is the original comeback film for the director after back-to-back disasters.
Forgotten mainly due to the astounding success of his 2016 film Split, this film shows Shyamalan embracing his early horror roots of The Sixth Sense with delightfully terrifying results.
The film revolves around Tyler and his elder sister, Becca, as they visit their maternal grandparents’ house for the first time. The initial days were fine as their grandparents welcomed them upon their arrival in Pennsylvania Farm County. However, suddenly, the siblings begin to notice strange and erratic behavior from their seemingly ordinary grandparents.
This leads to the siblings discovering certain secrets. This discovery makes The Visit increasingly scary and unsettling for the characters and the audiences alike.
Equal parts scary and intriguing till the final moments, the film stars Ed Oxenbould, Olivia DeJonge, Deanna Dunagan, Peter McRobbie, Kathryn Hahn, and Benjamin Kanes in the lead roles. The Visit has the director’s trademark twist ending, making for a scary watch for horror movie lovers.
10. Hell House LLC
This 2015 mockumentary horror film written and directed by Stephen Cognetti follows a documentary crew. This crew wants to unfold the truth behind the tragic death of 15 that occurred on the opening day of Hell House LLC, a planned haunted house attraction.
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Through interviews with the tour visitors, a journalist, and an author, the documentary crew speculates supernatural involvement in the accident. They investigate further to undergo a harrowing journey of genuine scare and atmospheric eeriness.
The film was a massive success upon its release and was lauded by critics and fans alike. The film spawned four sequels, with the most recent one yet to be released in 2025. The film stars Danny Bellini, Ryan Jennifer Jones, Gore Abrams, and Jared Hacker in lead roles.
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