The Best Horror Movies Set In Paris, Ranked
With beautiful landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe, you probably don't associate the "City of Light" with horror. However, the best horror movies set in Paris absolutely provide chills and thrills. Setting scary films here may not be obvious, but it works. Putting lurid or terrifying images in such a gorgeous city helps to create an unsettling atmosphere. Horror films showing Paris occasionally make use of the famed catacombs that run underneath its streets. What could be scarier than that?
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You might also like this list of action movies set in Paris or if you are looking for a change of pace, try romantic movies set in Paris.
- 1Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli, Édith Scob
Eyes Without a Face masterfully merges grisly horror with atmospheric Parisian settings for an unforgettable cinematic experience. Set in the outskirts of the City of Light, this macabre tale of a mad scientist attempting facial transplants is heightened by the contrast between the beauty of Paris and the darkness of the story's central themes. Alongside the iconic Eiffel Tower and Seine River, the film's gothic aesthetic comes into its own, delicately balancing the grotesque with the romantic. A haunting portrayal of obsession with youth, beauty, and control, Eyes Without a Face solidifies its place as one of the best horror films set in Paris.
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- 2
As Above, So Below
Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin HodgeAs Above, So Below descends into the catacombs beneath Paris, unearthing a visceral horror that exploits the city's rich history and intricate network of underground tunnels. Delving into the capital's necropolis, the found-footage style generates an immersive experience that leaves audiences feeling trapped and disoriented alongside the film's doomed protagonists. The City of Light fades away, replaced by bone-lined passages and layers of darkness, creating a unique backdrop for a chilling story of psychological and supernatural power. As Above, So Below utilizes Paris's underbelly to deliver an unrelenting and claustrophobic descent into hell.
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- 3Roman Polanski, Isabelle Adjani, Melvyn Douglas
Roman Polanski's The Tenant weaves a chilling tale of paranoia and psychological terror in the heart of the Parisian urban landscape. Brought to life with masterful cinematography, the city's post-Haussmann buildings become a suffocating and eerie environment where the protagonist - a reserved Polish immigrant - unravels amid mounting fear of his neighbors' true intentions. Paris's cold, stark beauty plays a crucial role in amplifying the character's sense of isolation and alienation, culminating in a claustrophobic thriller that encapsulates the darker side of the French capital. By juxtaposing the allure of Paris with its sinister undertones, The Tenant delivers an unequaled piece of psychological horror.
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- 4Lon Chaney, Patsy Ruth Miller, Ernest Torrence
The Hunchback of Notre Dame remains an all-time classic in the horror genre by exploiting the shadowy nooks and crannies of medieval Paris to tell the heart-wrenching story of Quasimodo. Notre Dame Cathedral's gothic architecture serves as an exquisite backdrop for the twisted tale, with its gargoyles and intricate stonework imbuing the city with an air of mystery and foreboding. The film's exploration of social outcasts and physical deformities against the stunning Parisian landscape transforms this timeless novel into a visually striking and emotionally resonant horror masterpiece. With its potent mix of love, tragedy, and persecution, The Hunchback of Notre Dame captures the essence of horror within the picturesque confines of Paris.
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- 5
The Horde
Andrei Panin, Maksim Sukhanov, Romuald Andrzej KlosThe Horde stands out as a unique addition to the horror genre, injecting an adrenaline-fueled zombie-infested nightmare into the urban sprawl of modern Paris. Set in a decaying housing project on the outskirts of the city, the film's claustrophobic atmosphere and visceral action sequences are heightened by the stark contrast between the idyllic Parisian streets and the grim, desolate setting of the story. The mix of gritty realism and supernatural terror, coupled with the portrayal of a diverse group of survivors, creates an unyielding and frenzied Parisian horror experience. By utilizing the less picturesque side of Paris, The Horde offers a fresh and daring perspective on the classic zombie apocalypse.
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- 6Tom Everett Scott, Julie Delpy, Vince Vieluf
An American Werewolf in Paris masterfully blends horror and dark humor with iconic Parisian landmarks, resulting in a uniquely thrilling experience for audiences. The stunning backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and Pont-Neuf bridge amplifies the surrealism of the film's werewolf transformations and intense chase sequences, propelling it into the pantheon of great Parisian horror films. Through its juxtaposition of American tourists and French culture, this film delivers a refreshing and modern take on the werewolf mythos within the breathtaking City of Light. An American Werewolf in Paris expertly weaves together horror, comedy, and romance to craft a memorable and atmospheric adventure set against the backdrop of a quintessentially Parisian setting.
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- 7Estelle Lefébure, Samuel Le Bihan, Aurélien Wiik
Frontier(s) brings forth a harrowing vision of dystopian Paris and its outskirts, plunging audiences into the depths of brutality and despair. Set amid a near-future France engulfed in chaos, the grim scenery contrasts sharply with the romanticized image of Paris, further instilling dread and unease in its viewers. The unflinching portrayal of societal collapse and horrifying acts of violence showcases the French capital's grim potential, challenging traditional notions of the city's picturesque beauty. By pushing the boundaries of horror in both its themes and its setting, Frontier(s) sears itself into the memories of those who dare to explore the dark potential of the City of Love.
More Frontier(s) - 8P!nk, Shannyn Sossamon, Cabral Ibacka
Catacombs delves into the shadowy realm beneath Paris, introducing audiences to a world of horrifying legends and gruesome secrets lurking within the maze of subterranean tunnels. The film's atmospheric use of the city's ossuaries and crypts creates an engulfing sense of unease and suffocation, forcing viewers to confront the chilling convergence of past and present terrors beneath the city's surface. The unforgiving darkness of the catacombs emerges as an ever-present character, swallowing the film's protagonists in its unyielding grip and amplifying the horrors they encounter. Catacombs expertly manipulates the eerie history of Paris's underground to deliver a nightmarish descent that few can forget.
- 9John Carradine, Jean Parker, Nils Asther
Bluebeard reimagines the classic folktale as a chilling tale of deception and murder set within the opulent confines of 17th-century Paris. The film's lavish costumes and intricate set design capture the grandeur and extravagance of the period, while simultaneously casting a shadow of dread and foreboding over the proceedings. Through its masterful exploration of dark secrets and twisted desires, Bluebeard exposes the sinister underbelly of the city's seemingly enchanting charm. By delving into a forgotten era of Parisian history, this cinematic gem unearths a haunting tale of horror that remains etched in the minds of its audience.
- 10Caroline Munro, Telly Savalas, Helmut Berger
Faceless offers an unsettling examination of obsession and vanity set against the glamorous and decadent landscape of Paris. The film's exploration of wealth and power, tainted by acts of disfigurement and grotesque surgery, creates a twisted reflection of the city's famed beauty and sophistication. Lurking beneath the glittering façade of Parisian high society, Faceless unravels a horrifying tale of ambition and desire that leaves viewers unnerved and captivated. The stark contrast between the film's grisly subject matter and its elegant setting cements Faceless as one of the most memorable horror films set in the French capital.
- 11Juliette Binoche, Annie Girardot, Daniel Auteuil
Caché unsettles audiences by weaving a haunting tale of psychological intrigue and surveillance against the backdrop of a seemingly idyllic Parisian suburb. The film's unrelenting tension results from the juxtaposition of the protagonist's comfortable bourgeois life with the inexplicable terror of anonymous videotapes, revealing the hidden depths of anxiety lurking beneath the city's surface. Through its exploration of guilt, repression, and vengeance, this slow-burning masterpiece exposes the darker side of human nature that lies within even the most picturesque Parisian settings. Caché adeptly employs the veneer of domestic tranquility to craft a chilling puzzle, forcing viewers to question the deceptive allure of the City of Light.
More Caché - 12Vincent Gallo, Béatrice Dalle, Tricia Vessey
Trouble Every Day juxtaposes the sultry allure of Paris with the visceral horrors of cannibalism and sexual violence, crafting a unique and unsettling experience for audiences. The film's subversion of the traditional romantic narrative allows for an exploration of the darker side of passion and desire, culminating in a chilling portrayal of humanity's baser instincts. Parisian landmarks and idyllic scenery take on a sinister quality as the film's protagonists unravel amid their blood-soaked encounters, creating a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. In Trouble Every Day, the City of Love transforms into a nightmarish tableau of primal terror, solidifying its status as one of the greatest horror films set in Paris.
