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The 40+ Best Indie Horror Movies, Ranked
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- 1Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy KyesIn the iconic horror film Halloween, directed by John Carpenter, the tranquil town of Haddonfield, Illinois is thrown into a state of terror. The menace arrives in the form of Michael Myers (Nick Castle), an escaped mental patient with a chilling past. The film's protagonist, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), finds herself in Myers's crosshairs on Halloween night. As she and her friends become targets, Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence), Myers's psychiatrist, races against time to stop his murderous rampage. Unpredictable yet relentless, Halloween weaves a tale of suspense that won't soon be forgotten.
- 2Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen, Allen DanzigerIn the heart of rural Texas, a horrendous tale unfolds. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a chilling horror film directed by Tobe Hooper, tells the story of Sally Hardesty (Marilyn Burns) and her friends, who unwittingly stumble upon a family of cannibals during their trip to an old homestead. Among them lurks Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen), a monstrous figure wielding a chainsaw, whose terrifying presence dominates the film. As their peaceful journey spirals into a nightmarish chase for survival, viewers are left on the edge of their seats. Despite its low-budget production, the movie has gained cult status and is widely regarded as one of the most influential horror films in cinema history.
- 3Max Schreck, Alexander Granach, Gustav von WangenheimIn the chilling silent film Nosferatu, Count Orlok (Max Schreck), a vampire, sets his sights on the beautiful, innocent Ellen (Greta Schroeder). Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim), her husband, unwittingly brings the creature into their lives when he visits Orlok's castle. A sinister game of cat and mouse ensues, with Ellen's life hanging in the balance. The movie is a masterpiece of German Expressionist cinema, captivating audiences with its eerie imagery and unnerving performances. This classic horror tale weaves an unforgettable narrative of fear, love, and sacrifice that remains impactful even today.More Nosferatu
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- 4Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel ZovattoIn It Follows, a chilling horror film, Jay (Maika Monroe) finds herself plagued by a terrifying entity after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter. This relentless force, visible only to her, stalks her at all times. The rules are simple yet horrifying: it follows, it can take any human form, and it won't stop until she's dead unless she passes the curse to someone else. With the help of her friends, including Paul (Keir Gilchrist), Jay must find a way to escape the nightmare that has become her reality. Imbued with dread and suspense, this movie offers a fresh take on the horror genre.More It Follows
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- 5Sharni Vinson, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy GlennIn You're Next, a home invasion turns deadly during the Davison family reunion. Erin (Sharni Vinson), an unassuming guest, quickly becomes their only hope for survival. Directed by Adam Wingard, this horror-thriller cleverly subverts genre expectations while delivering pulse-pounding suspense. The film's ensemble cast includes Rob Moran and Barbara Crampton as the unsuspecting parents, with Joe Swanberg and Amy Seimetz playing their eldest children. You're Next stands out for its unique blend of black comedy and intense scares.More You're Next
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- 6Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, Joshua LeonardThe Blair Witch Project, a found footage horror film, tells the story of three student filmmakers - Heather Donahue (Heather Donahue), Michael C. Williams (Michael C. Williams), and Joshua Leonard (Joshua Leonard). As part of an academic project, they venture into the Black Hills near Burkittsville, Maryland to investigate the local legend of the Blair Witch. Equipped with cameras, they document their experiences, only to find themselves lost in the woods and increasingly terrorized by unseen entities. The low-budget movie, which cleverly blurs the line between fiction and reality, became a cultural phenomenon upon its release and pioneered a new era of horror filmmaking.
- 7Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk, Katrina BowdenIn the 2010 horror-comedy Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, two amiable hillbillies, Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine), retreat to their dilapidated mountain cabin for a peaceful vacation. Their tranquility is shattered when they are mistaken for killers by a group of preppy college students camping nearby. Misunderstanding and mishaps snowball into chaotic hilarity as Tucker and Dale attempt to clear their names. The film cleverly subverts typical horror tropes, delivering laughs alongside thrills. Directed by Eli Craig, this movie offers a fresh twist on the genre, blending comedy with suspense in a unique mix.
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- 8Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor PucciIn Evil Dead, a group of friends discovers an ancient book in a remote cabin, unknowingly summoning malevolent spirits. As they possess each member, a terrifying ordeal begins, with the remaining few battling for survival against the awakened demonic entities.More Evil Dead
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- 9Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara HersheyDelving into the realm of supernatural horror, Insidious is a chilling film that masterfully intertwines the ordinary with the eerie. The film centers around Josh (Patrick Wilson) and Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne), who are confronted with an otherworldly force after moving into their new home. Their son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) inexplicably falls into a coma, triggering a series of unsettling events. As the Lamberts desperately seek help to save their son, they cross paths with Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye), a gifted psychic. With her aid, they uncover the bone-chilling truth: their son's spirit is trapped in a dark realm known as 'The Further'. This revelation sets them on a perilous journey, where they must confront malevolent entities to rescue Dalton and reclaim their peaceful lives. Insidious, directed by James Wan, is celebrated for its inventive plot twists and atmospheric tension, making it a standout entry in modern horror cinema.
- 10Essie Davis, Daniel Henshall, Noah WisemanA chilling venture into the realms of psychological horror, The Babadook is a masterful exploration of grief and fear. Amelia (Essie Davis), a widowed mother, struggles to manage her troubled son Samuel's (Noah Wiseman) nightmarish visions of a monster he believes is coming to kill them. The line between reality and imagination blurs when they discover a sinister storybook titled Mister Babadook. As the unsettling occurrences escalate, Amelia is forced to confront the presence that has taken root in their home. Directed by Jennifer Kent, this Australian horror film won the AACTA Award for Best Direction in 2014.More The Babadook
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- 11Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine KeenerIn Get Out, Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya) is an African-American photographer, who sets out to meet his Caucasian girlfriend's parents for the first time. Rose Armitage (Allison Williams) assures him that her parents won't mind his race, but their overly accommodating behavior grows unsettling. Directed by Jordan Peele, this film deftly blends elements of horror and dark comedy. The narrative takes a chilling turn when Chris stumbles upon the family's disturbing secret. Garnering accolades like the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, Get Out presents a unique spin on the traditional suspense thriller.More Get Out
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- 12Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica PotterIn the heart-pounding horror-thriller Saw, two men, Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) and Adam Stanheight (Leigh Whannell), wake up in a dilapidated bathroom with no memory of how they arrived there. They soon discover they're pawns in a deadly game orchestrated by the notorious serial killer, Jigsaw (Tobin Bell). As their grim surroundings start to reveal horrific clues, they must solve riddles and endure unthinkable physical torment to survive. Directed by James Wan, this film is a chilling exploration of human survival instincts that redefined the horror genre and spawned a long-running franchise.More Saw
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- 13Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Barbara CramptonIn Re-Animator, medical student Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) arrives at Miskatonic University, bringing with him a serum that can resurrect the dead. He teams up with fellow student Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott), and they start conducting experiments in their morgue. Their work, however, takes a sinister turn as the revived bodies become increasingly violent and unpredictable. The duo's unethical practices catch the attention of Dr. Carl Hill (David Gale), leading to catastrophic consequences. This 1985 film, directed by Stuart Gordon, is a cult classic in the horror-comedy genre. It cleverly combines gore with dark humor, offering viewers a uniquely macabre narrative experience.More Re-Animator
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- 14
The House of the Devil
Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, Mary WoronovDesperate to make some money so she can move into a new apartment, college student Samantha Hughes (Jocelin Donahue) takes a mysterious babysitting job. When she arrives at the house, Mr. Ulman (Tom Noonan) mentions a full lunar eclipse and explains there is no child, but that Samantha will be watching his mother instead. After exploring the sinister-seeming house, Samantha soon comes to realize that her employers are hiding a horrifying secret and have plans to use her, dead or alive.- #314 of 397 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
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- 15Teresa Palmer, John Jarratt, Kestie MorassiWolf Creek is a 2005 Australian horror film written, co-produced, and directed by Greg McLean, and starring John Jarratt. The story revolves around three backpackers who find themselves held captive and subsequently hunted by a man in the Australian outback. The film was ambiguously marketed as being "based on true events"; the plot bore elements similar to the real-life incidents of tourists in Australia by Ivan Milat in the 1990s and by Bradley Murdoch in 2001. Wolf Creek premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2005, and premiered in Australia in March 2005 in Adelaide.More Wolf Creek
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- 16
Creep
Mark Duplass, Patrick BriceAaron answers an online ad and drives to a stranger's house to film him for the day. The man wants to make a movie for his unborn child, but his requests become more bizarre as the day goes along. - 17Desmond Harrington, Eliza Dushku, Emmanuelle ChriquiIn the film Wrong Turn, a group of six friends, including medical student Chris Flynn (Desmond Harrington) and Jessie Burlingame (Eliza Dushku), find themselves stranded in the West Virginia wilderness. Their car troubles lead them to a remote cabin, where they soon discover they are not alone. They fall prey to a trio of disfigured, cannibalistic mountain men. Directed by Rob Schmidt, this horror-thriller tests their survival skills and ability to outwit these horrifying predators, as they desperately try to escape the woods alive. The film is known for its intense suspense and chilling storyline that unfolds amidst an eerie Appalachian backdrop.
- 18Sarah Oliver, Zahn McClarnon, Bill Oberst Jr.Resolution is a 2012 horror, mystery and thriller film written by Justin Benson and directed by Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson.
- 19Calvin Reeder, Lane Hughes, Adam WingardHired to steal a rare VHS tape from a remote house, a ragtag band of crooks finds a dead body, old TVs and a lot of cryptic footage.More V/H/S
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- 20Jordan Ladd, James DeBello, Rider StrongIn Cabin Fever, a group of five college friends, led by Paul (Rider Strong), set out for a fun-filled vacation in a remote cabin. They're looking for relaxation and escape, but their hopes are dashed when they become the hosts of a gruesome, flesh-eating virus. The quiet, forested setting becomes an arena of terror as each friend falls victim to the relentless disease. Eli Roth directs this horror flick that takes cabin in the woods to new, horrifying heights. This is survival at its most desperate and fear at its most raw.More Cabin Fever
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- 21Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon ZombieIn Rob Zombie's directorial debut, House of 1000 Corpses, a group of unsuspecting travelers stumbles upon the sinister world of Dr. Satan (Walter Phelan). The film follows Jerry (Chris Hardwick), Mary (Jennifer Jostyn), Denise (Erin Daniels), and Bill (Rainn Wilson) as they are lured into the Firefly family's gruesome abode, presided over by the chilling matriarch, Mother Firefly (Karen Black). This horror flick weaves a tale of macabre fascination with a dash of dark humor. It's an exploration into the depths of human depravity, leaving no stone unturned in its portrayal of sadistic obsessions and deranged family dynamics.
- 22Daniella Alonso, Madeline Zima, Andrea RothThe Collector is a 2009 horror film written by Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton and directed by Dunstan. Originally titled The Midnight Man, the script was originally intended to be a Saw prequel, but the producers were against the idea and quickly dismissed it.More The Collector
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- 23Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Marshall ManeshA Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, is an imaginative Iranian vampire Western that intersects themes of loneliness, feminism, and vigilante justice. In the ghost town bad city, the story unfolds around a chador-wearing, skateboarding vampire known simply as The Girl (Sheila Vand). By night, she stalks the town's unsavory denizens, while an unconventional romance brews between her and Arash, a decent young man burdened by his father's addictions and debts. The film has become a cult favorite for its unique blend of genre elements and mesmerizing soundtrack.
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- 24Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman, Alexander LudwigMax, recently orphaned, goes to see a screening of a B-horror movie that her mother made 20 years earlier. When Max and her friends find themselves in the world of the film itself, they must apply their knowledge of horror tropes to survive.More The Final Girls
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- 25Malcolm McDowell, Amanda Tapping, Adrian PaulThe Void is a 2001 American direct-to-DVD science-fiction thriller film which follows a scientist who has discovered that a man who's been attempting to solve an energy crisis has inadvertently created a black hole which, unless stopped, will swallow the world. The film features Amanda Tapping as Prof. Eva Soderstrom, Adrian Paul as Prof. Steven Price, and Malcolm McDowell as Dr. Thomas Abernathy. Principal photography was completed in British Columbia, Canada.
- 26Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Amber ArmstrongParanormal Activity is an innovative horror movie that pushes the boundaries of the genre. This intimate thriller, directed by Oren Peli, primarily revolves around a couple - Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat). The duo experiences inexplicable occurrences in their suburban home, leading them to believe it's haunted. Armed with a simple video camera, they document their chilling encounters over several weeks. As the nocturnal events intensify, their relationship strains under the weight of fear. The movie won Best First Feature at the 2009 Scream Awards, testament to its unique approach to suspense and terror.More Paranormal Activity
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- 27
Let Us In
Sadie Stanley, Siena Agudong, Tobin BellA 12-year-old girl is determined to uncover who or what is behind the rash of disappearances occurring in her small town.More Let Us In- #68 of 80 onThe Best Teen Horror Movies Of All Time
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- 28Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton, Dakota GoyoLacy (Keri Russell) and Daniel Barrett (Josh Hamilton) share a peaceful life in the suburbs with their sons, Jesse (Dakota Goyo) and Sam (Kadan Rockett). However, that peace soon shatters with a series of disturbing events that escalate. When it becomes clear that their family is being targeted by an unimaginably terrifying, deadly -- and possibly alien -- threat, Daniel and Lacy draw on their courage and determination to protect their family and identify what is after them.More Dark Skies
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- 29Alexie Gilmore, Bryce Johnson, Bucky SinisterA man (Bryce Johnson) and his girlfriend (Alexie Gilmore) camp in the woods to capture firsthand evidence of Bigfoot.More Willow Creek
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- 30Will Rogers, Kristen Connolly, Andrew StahlThe Bay is a 2012 American found footage horror film directed by Barry Levinson and written by Michael Wallach. It premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in theaters on November 2, 2012. Chaos breaks out in a small Maryland town after an ecological disaster occurs.More The Bay
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