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Added by Movie Maniac on 31 Aug 2018 07:43
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70 Underappreciated and Lesser Known Horror Films

Sort by: Showing 1-50 of 70
Decade: Rating: List Type:
People who added this item 942 Average listal rating (585 ratings) 6.9 IMDB Rating 7
Martyrs (2008)
Grueling psychological horror. Don't be fooled by the gut-churning gore, there is much substance here. Classic. Avoid the horrid American remake.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 382 Average listal rating (245 ratings) 6.6 IMDB Rating 6.9
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 70 Average listal rating (45 ratings) 6.4 IMDB Rating 6.2
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 393 Average listal rating (255 ratings) 6.1 IMDB Rating 6.5
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 116 Average listal rating (80 ratings) 6.3 IMDB Rating 6.2
The Church (1989)
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 154 Average listal rating (94 ratings) 5.4 IMDB Rating 5.7
Honeymoon (2014)
A little lie can destroy love but what if it's better to lie considering the consequences of the truth?
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 214 Average listal rating (131 ratings) 6.5 IMDB Rating 6.1
Excision (2012)
I have no words to explain this. Just see it. You'll either dismiss it or love it. I loved it.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 128 Average listal rating (59 ratings) 6.5 IMDB Rating 6.6
Pin (1989)
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 1541 Average listal rating (948 ratings) 7.1 IMDB Rating 7.4
The Orphanage (2007)
Genuinely atmospheric haunting flick with some expertly earned chills.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 259 Average listal rating (128 ratings) 7.3 IMDB Rating 7.1
Martin (1976)
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?
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 67 Average listal rating (40 ratings) 6.5 IMDB Rating 6.4
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 77 Average listal rating (48 ratings) 5.6 IMDB Rating 5.7
The Hallow (2015)
A Irish folklore mashup of The Thing and The Fly that stands on its own merits. Very good.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 140 Average listal rating (96 ratings) 5.5 IMDB Rating 5.9
The Void (2016)
Lovecraft, John Carpenter, and 80's horror homage that pretty much does them all proud.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 682 Average listal rating (448 ratings) 7.2 IMDB Rating 7.1
Carpenter full on takes on a Lovecraftian tone after toying with it in The Thing and Prince of Darkness. The results are hauntingly disturbing.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 436 Average listal rating (304 ratings) 6.5 IMDB Rating 6.7
An ode to Nigel Kneale and Lovecraft in this Carpenter flick that has men of faith and science tap into the world beyond.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 89 Average listal rating (57 ratings) 5.9 IMDB Rating 6.1
The Sacrament (2013)
Want a Jim Jones/Jonestown movie? This is basically one and it's pretty damn great.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 10 Average listal rating (7 ratings) 5.4 IMDB Rating 5.1
Frankenstein (2015)
My absolute favorite version of the timeless Shelley classic. Modernized but just as relevant as it's always been.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 686 Average listal rating (437 ratings) 6.8 IMDB Rating 7.2
Frailty (2001)
Religious nutjob or killer for God? Watch and find out in this woefully overlooked directorial debut from Bill Paxton.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 204 Average listal rating (129 ratings) 6.4 IMDB Rating 6.3
American Mary (2013)
A wronged woman using her acquired skills to track down those who slighted her. Simple concept, great carryout.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 78 Average listal rating (47 ratings) 6.6 IMDB Rating 6.3
Dust Devil (1992)
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 69 Average listal rating (46 ratings) 6.6 IMDB Rating 6.5
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 138 Average listal rating (85 ratings) 5.7 IMDB Rating 5.5
100 Feet (2008)
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 233 Average listal rating (183 ratings) 5.8 IMDB Rating 6.3
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 9 Average listal rating (1 ratings) 7 IMDB Rating 5.6
Big Driver (2014)
A surprisingly fantastic adaptation of Stephen King's novella. I say surprisingly because this was a Lifetime movie.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 149 Average listal rating (112 ratings) 5.7 IMDB Rating 6.1
Psychological quandary meets survival horror. What would you do to survive or to preserve civility?
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 871 Average listal rating (550 ratings) 6.3 IMDB Rating 6.4
Slither (2006)
Darkly humorous body horror from James Gunn.
Movie Maniac's rating:
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 590 Average listal rating (395 ratings) 6.6 IMDB Rating 6.9
A mix of monster movie, fantasy, and Jaws...only with trolls. Found footage done right.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 433 Average listal rating (256 ratings) 7 IMDB Rating 7
Cemetery Man (1994)
A caretaker fends of the waves of the dead in this beautifully shot horror comedy.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 365 Average listal rating (240 ratings) 7.4 IMDB Rating 6.8
The Beyond (1981)
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 557 Average listal rating (365 ratings) 5.9 IMDB Rating 6
Amazingly loyal adaptation of the classic Clive Barker short story.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 295 Average listal rating (181 ratings) 6.2 IMDB Rating 6.1
Splinter (2008)
The Thing in a convenience store? Sure...but it's fuckin' great.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 1147 Average listal rating (737 ratings) 7.6 IMDB Rating 7.5
Dead Alive (1992)
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 681 Average listal rating (422 ratings) 6.7 IMDB Rating 6.6
Bad Taste (1987)
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 168 Average listal rating (104 ratings) 6.1 IMDB Rating 6
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 748 Average listal rating (467 ratings) 6.7 IMDB Rating 6.8
A unique and outstanding riff on the werewolf genre.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 63 Average listal rating (28 ratings) 6.5 IMDB Rating 6.2
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 601 Average listal rating (390 ratings) 6.6 IMDB Rating 7
Fallen (1998)
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 70 Average listal rating (46 ratings) 6.3 IMDB Rating 5.3
Laid to Rest (2009)
A slasher from a group of horror fans with some amazing gore effects.
Movie Maniac's rating:
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 209 Average listal rating (134 ratings) 6.2 IMDB Rating 6.2
Dagon (2001)
Stuart Gordon adapts Lovecraft's Shadows Over Innsmouth and it's a roaring success.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 491 Average listal rating (313 ratings) 7 IMDB Rating 6.9
Bill Paxton as a vampire. 'Nuff said.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 550 Average listal rating (324 ratings) 7 IMDB Rating 6.7
Inside (2007)
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.
People who added this item 296 Average listal rating (204 ratings) 6 IMDB Rating 6.2
If Tomb Raider was made into a great found footage horror movie it would be this.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 1088 Average listal rating (706 ratings) 6.3 IMDB Rating 6.4
Daybreakers (2009)
Tired of lame, sparkly vampires? Take a gander at this.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 93 Average listal rating (49 ratings) 6.1 IMDB Rating 6.2
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 394 Average listal rating (264 ratings) 6.3 IMDB Rating 6.5
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.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 566 Average listal rating (324 ratings) 6.5 IMDB Rating 6.5
Suicide Club (2001)
Only Japan can offer something as disturbing and strange as this.
Movie Maniac's rating:
People who added this item 317 Average listal rating (188 ratings) 6 IMDB Rating 6.2
Frontier(s) (2007)
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We know the big names and the classics but here are some of the overlooked greats of the genre.

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