Buzz
Whenever the greatest horror films are ranked, the same names always rise to the top. Psycho is a household name. The Silence of the Lambs is a must-see. And despite differing opinions, Jaws is regarded as a pivotal film in the genre. With over a century of horror movies in the books, surely there are more undiscovered treasures, right? Absolutely! Here are some forgotten gems that flew under the radar of the box office and the never-ending lists. [Some text courtesy of IMDB]
10. Dead End 2003
For 20 years, Frank Harrington has begrudgingly driven his family to visit his mother-in-law for Christmas. This year, he takes a shortcut, which turns out to be his worst decision yet. What follows is a terrifying nightmare. A mysterious woman in white haunts the forest, leaving death in her wake. A black car, its driver unseen, takes victims into the abyss. Every road sign leads to a destination they never reach. The survivors spiral into panic and madness, buried secrets emerge, and Christmas becomes a living nightmare. A brilliantly executed low-budget film with a small cast, yet it manages to captivate. Definitely worth a watch.
9. Tenebrae 1986
WARNING: trailer contains brief nudity. 1986 was a standout year for horror (as you'll see as you continue reading this list). With Argento’s signature visual style paired with one of his more coherent narratives, Tenebrae follows a writer who arrives in Rome, only to discover that someone is using his books as inspiration (and occasionally a method) for committing murder. As the body count rises, the police remain confused, and the writer finds himself more deeply entangled in the case than is comfortable.
Luciano Tovoli’s cinematography is nothing short of brilliant, particularly the iconic luma crane shot that glides up one side of a building, over the roof, and down the other side—all in a single unbroken take. There’s also a standout sequence featuring a girl being chased by a crazed Doberman. Today, CGI would be used for both of those scenes, but that would strip away the raw, hands-on filmmaking charm.
This film makes Hollywood thrillers like 'Copycat,' 'The Bone Collector,' and 'Se7en' look like mere imitators. It’s clear that all three of these movies borrowed heavily from this one (and from other films in Argento’s body of work).
8. Black Christmas 1974
This 98-minute film is a dark and stylish blend of horror and thriller that takes everyone’s beloved holiday season and turns it upside down. Olivia Hussey and Margot Kidder star alongside a group of doomed sorority sisters celebrating Christmas. The fun turns deadly when disturbing phone calls interrupt the peace, and it becomes clear that a psychopath is stalking the house. This film is undeniably the inspiration for many horrors that followed.
As one reviewer aptly put it: It's rare to find a thriller or horror film that has something truly 'new' to offer. So, it's even more thrilling when one of the originators of the 'slasher' genre stands out as one of the most fresh, unique, and downright entertaining films in the genre. This is the type of movie you can't wait to recommend to your friends, knowing full well they’ve probably never seen it, but they’ve definitely heard of it.
7. The Bird with the Crystal Plumage 1970
Another gem from Italy, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage marked Dario Argento’s directorial debut and instantly established him as a major name in the industry. The plot follows Sam, an American writer in Rome, who witnesses an attempted murder of the wife of an art gallery owner by a mysterious man in a raincoat and black leather gloves. Unfortunately, Sam is unable to intervene, getting trapped between two sets of glass doors as he attempts to help. The woman survives and is revealed to be the first victim of a serial killer. However, with the police unable to make any progress, Sam takes matters into his own hands, uncovering a series of clues that lead him toward a single, unsettling suspect—if he’s even sure who he’s really after.
There’s something about these old Italian thrillers that intensifies the horror they depict. The atmosphere alone adds a level of unease that’s hard to replicate.
6. Jacob’s Ladder 1990
In this film, a troubled Vietnam war veteran comes to realize that his post-war existence is not what he thought it was. His life takes a strange turn when he is attacked by horned creatures in a subway, and is visited by the ghost of his deceased son. Starring Tim Robbins—an actor I'm not particularly fond of—it still stands as a remarkable film. I find it surprising that it isn't more widely recognized, especially considering how those who do see it often consider it a brilliant work of cinema.
5. Alice, Sweet Alice 1976
Children who evoke terror have always been central to some of the most spine-chilling horror films. From Patty McCormack’s portrayal of a young psychopath in The Bad Seed (1954), to the eerie demonic children in The Exorcist and The Omen, creepy kids have often been a hallmark of horror. Despite many imitations in the 1970s, Alice, Sweet Alice stands out as one of the finest examples of horror films starring young leads. Fangoria magazine even called it one of the 'best films you’ve never seen.' The film continues to unsettle audiences, with many surprised to find that it still holds up to this day.
The film begins with two sisters, one of whom is about to celebrate her first communion. Twelve-year-old Alice (Paula Sheppard) feels a deep sense of jealousy toward her younger sister, Karen (a nine-year-old Brooke Shields in her debut role), who is receiving all the attention. On the day of Karen’s communion, she is brutally murdered in the church, strangled by a candle.
Suspicion immediately falls on Alice, and the movie morphs into a twisted murder mystery, bearing resemblance to modern slasher films in terms of its thrills. Alice begins to wear a yellow rain slicker and a clear plastic mask, which prefigure the iconic costumes and masks in later slasher flicks. The body count rises as the film also introduces the death of a sleazy, lecherous landlord who attempts to take advantage of Karen.
For a film with a modest budget for its time, Alice, Sweet Alice holds up remarkably well visually. The scenes are expertly crafted, and even though the killer is revealed partway through the story (much like in Hitchcock’s Vertigo), the suspense never fades. The murder scenes are genuinely shocking, not at all cheesy, and the conclusion… let’s just say Hitchcock himself would likely have been proud. With exceptional editing and a striking soundtrack, it’s a tense thriller that still remains gripping today.
4. Night of the Creeps 1986
This film flew under the radar when it was first released, but it has since developed a dedicated following among horror fans. Night of the Creeps is a comedy-horror flick that takes every chance to poke fun at the genre. Unlike modern parodies like Scary Movie, it carries an edgier tone. It's clear the filmmakers were fans of horror, and that’s probably why it resonates so strongly with its audience. You can feel the love for the genre in every frame.
The names of the main characters pay homage to iconic figures in the genre: Chris Romero and Cynthia Cronenberg, students at Corman University, and the police officers later in the film, Detective Landis and Sergeant Raimi. If you’re a horror enthusiast, you’ll recognize the significance of these names. The plot takes off when two nerdy students accidentally thaw out the body of a deceased jock, who’s been infected with an alien virus, sparking a zombie outbreak.
The film crams in nearly every horror movie cliché imaginable, from kids in the woods to escaped lunatics. While this may sound like a typical B-movie, it’s actually executed with a surprising amount of care, managing to satirize the genre without ever going overboard. If more horror comedies were like this, we'd have more films like Shaun of the Dead and fewer like Scary Movie. Despite all the humor, the movie still manages to deliver plenty of chills, as the title suggests.
3. Paperhouse 1988
This is one of the most overlooked horror films in cinematic history. While it may have flown under the radar for most, those who have seen it often say, 'Wow, that was unsettling!' Paperhouse isn’t just disturbing; it’s mesmerizing. When Anna, the main character, realizes that the things she draws come to life in her dreams, she tries to use this power to help a disabled boy. However, her efforts lead to dangerous and unpredictable consequences. You’ll have to watch to see what happens when Anna starts erasing or altering her drawings.
This film is a rare gem in the horror genre that invites you to suspend your disbelief and embrace its fantasy elements. Not everything you witness makes perfect sense, but the result is both haunting and visually stunning. Perhaps some viewers were expecting Paperhouse to conform to typical horror conventions, which might explain its poor reception at the box office. However, for those with a love of fantasy—those who, like Fox Mulder, 'want to believe'—this movie is a hidden treasure.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking a film isn’t worth your time just because it didn’t land on the critics’ top ten lists or win the approval of hardcore horror fans. These films prove that even the most underappreciated movies can offer something special. Whether you choose to buy or rent one, you might find yourself wondering just like many others why these films didn’t receive the recognition they deserve.
2. The Asphyx 1973
The Asphyx faced unfortunate timing in its release. Had it come out a few years earlier, it might not have been so overlooked. Unfortunately, it debuted at a time when horror films were increasingly incorporating explicit content, a feature the Asphyx lacked. Additionally, it was released right after The Exorcist, which dominated the genre. However, in the context of its time, The Asphyx was among the more impressive horror films of the early ’70s and deserves another look.
Set in Victorian England, the film stars Robert Stephens (notable for his role in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes) as a scientist exploring early photography and motion picture technology. He captures the moment a soul departs from the body on film, discovering the 'asphyx.' This revelation leads him to the belief that trapping the asphyx at the time of death could grant him immortality.
The scientist begins a series of experiments to test his theory, but as expected in a horror film, things don't go as planned. The Asphyx is a dramatic and sophisticated film – rare qualities for movies of that era. It steers clear of the campy, low-budget feel of ’70s horror, and instead, it has genuinely chilling moments. The Asphyx deserved much more recognition than it got before it...well, asphyxiated.
1. Nomads 1986
This is a film for those who enjoy thoughtful horror, a genre sadly lacking in recent years. Hollywood often underestimates its audience, assuming viewers are just adolescent boys, and caters to that with mindless scripts. Nomads, a hidden gem, was a surprise success but is now largely forgotten. It features Pierce Brosnan (fresh from Remington Steele), Lesley-Ann Down, and post-punk Adam Ant, with a soundtrack (uncredited) by Ted Nugent. Directed by John McTiernan, who would later gain fame with Predator and Die Hard.
This unique film begins with the death of its protagonist (Brosnan), but his doctor (Down) becomes haunted by his memories, experiencing his final day and the events leading to his death. As an anthropologist, he had unearthed the remains of a long-lost Inuit tribe, and now these vengeful beings are tracking him across the globe. Through the doctor's eyes, we witness their pursuit and the terror they inflict. A well-crafted, unforgettable thriller with an unexpected conclusion. If you’re a fan of intelligent thrillers and this one passed you by, be sure to watch it soon.
