70 Underappreciated and Lesser Known Horror Films

Grueling psychological horror. Don't be fooled by the gut-churning gore, there is much substance here. Classic. Avoid the horrid American remake.

The survivor of a tragic frontier disaster leads a group of military misfits into the wilds to look for survivors...but it's not survivors that awaits them but death. An amazing film laced with a dark comic edge, top notch performances, a fantastic score, and one helluva final confrontation.

Brilliant psychological horror that keeps you guessing as to the intentions of its riveting protagonists as they conduct an invocation ritual whilst isolated in a house for months. Tensions mount, paranoia boils, and the truth brings forth the unexpected. Top notch cast, great cinematography, a brilliant score, and the most realistic depiction of ritual magick I've yet to see onscreen.

Blatty's adaptation of his own book "Legion" is the true sequel to the original classic and one of the few examples of studio interference actually improving a product. It also has one of the best and most effective jump scares of all time.

Packed with disturbing imagery and eerie atmophere, this Italian film centers around demons being unleashed over the site of an ancient burial ground for corrupted Templar Knights.

A little lie can destroy love but what if it's better to lie considering the consequences of the truth?

I have no words to explain this. Just see it. You'll either dismiss it or love it. I loved it.

A man is psychologically dependent on an anatomy doll because of childhood impressions and grows up using it as a vehicle of expression...and rage. Notes of Psycho abound in this little known piece.

Genuinely atmospheric haunting flick with some expertly earned chills.

Zombie maven George A. ROmero takes on the vampire genre in this standout offering that questions the validity of the titular vampire by raising the possibility that he is the product of a warped upbringing. Who is the real madman?

A very unique take on the idea of demonic pacts. Who said it was voluntary? Who said the devil cares about what you want? Beautifully shot and atmospheric.

A Irish folklore mashup of The Thing and The Fly that stands on its own merits. Very good.

Lovecraft, John Carpenter, and 80's horror homage that pretty much does them all proud.

Carpenter full on takes on a Lovecraftian tone after toying with it in The Thing and Prince of Darkness. The results are hauntingly disturbing.

An ode to Nigel Kneale and Lovecraft in this Carpenter flick that has men of faith and science tap into the world beyond.

Want a Jim Jones/Jonestown movie? This is basically one and it's pretty damn great.

My absolute favorite version of the timeless Shelley classic. Modernized but just as relevant as it's always been.

Religious nutjob or killer for God? Watch and find out in this woefully overlooked directorial debut from Bill Paxton.

A wronged woman using her acquired skills to track down those who slighted her. Simple concept, great carryout.

A roaming demon that feeds on the lonely and forgotten crosses path with a woman on the verge while being chased by a policeman. From the elusive and awesome Richard Stanley.

In a world where slashers are a socially understood phenomenon, Leslie Vernon seeks to be as good as Freddy, Mike, and Jason. We see it all unfold through the eyes of the documentary crew that follow him.

Tales from the Crypt put through a Afro-American grinder but keeping all the grue and dark humor intact. Morality tales with a social statement and a tongue planted firmly in cheek.

A woman who killed her husband is on house arrest in the very house his vengeful ghost haunts. Awesome take on the ghost/haunting sub-genre.

Who knew that McG could direct a horror comedy that not only hits the nail on the head but deftly juggles odes to horror, style, and grue.

A surprisingly fantastic adaptation of Stephen King's novella. I say surprisingly because this was a Lifetime movie.

Psychological quandary meets survival horror. What would you do to survive or to preserve civility?

Darkly humorous body horror from James Gunn.

Specifically the uncut version which restores 7 minutes into the running time. This is a prequel to the divisive remake but it's stunningly bleak and brutal.

A mix of monster movie, fantasy, and Jaws...only with trolls. Found footage done right.

A caretaker fends of the waves of the dead in this beautifully shot horror comedy.

Fulci, the Godfather of Gore, did not have an illustrious career. He was basically a director for hire that found his groove for a while. This, however, is an undisputed masterpiece. Gore, Lovecraftian overtones, and a disjointed and haunting atmosphere come together to give us one hell of an experience.

Amazingly loyal adaptation of the classic Clive Barker short story.

The Thing in a convenience store? Sure...but it's fuckin' great.

Before Lord of the Rings Peter Jackson was a horror comedy genius. This might be the funniest movie that is also one of the bloodiest things committed to film.

Peter Jackson's first movie is about brain-eating aliens setting shop in a small town and being hunted by a group of four crazy badasses. The name tells you the nature of the confrontations and humor with which the plot is approached.

Want a peek into the mind of a serial killer? How about the footage he shot of his deeds? Found footage meets faux documentary with some unsettling scenes.

A unique and outstanding riff on the werewolf genre.

Dan O'Bannon's adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's The Case of Charles Dexter Ward suffered from studio cuts and production troubles but still produced an awesome result.

Denzel chases a body hopping demon that had possessed a death row inmate he was responsible for locking up. Need I say more? Ok, John Goodman is his partner.

A slasher from a group of horror fans with some amazing gore effects.

Clive Barker adapts and reimagines his own novella "The Last Illusion" into a visceral confrontation between a cult leader turned world destroyer and his disturbed former acolyte. Director's Cut is a must.

Stuart Gordon adapts Lovecraft's Shadows Over Innsmouth and it's a roaring success.

Bill Paxton as a vampire. 'Nuff said.

A woman fends of another who stops at nothing to take her unborn child in this home invasion classic of French cinema. Harrowing, has to be seen to be believed. Avoid the horrid American remake.

If Tomb Raider was made into a great found footage horror movie it would be this.

Tired of lame, sparkly vampires? Take a gander at this.

Hillbilly twins chase down campers, sounds generic but it actually holds itself to a higher standard with it's grim atmosphere, deliberate pace, and beautiful locations.

Wes Craven took a legit record of a culture and made a horror movie out of it. People criticized him for it but in retrospect, and separated from the source material, it's one of his best.

Only Japan can offer something as disturbing and strange as this.