The Best Horror Movies About Hell
- 1Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence
Featuring the iconic Pinhead and his fellow Cenobites, this classic horror film delves into the world of sadomasochistic demons summoned by a mysterious puzzle box called the Lament Configuration. As protagonist Frank Cotton becomes entwined with the Cenobites, the thin line between pleasure and pain is explored, ultimately leading to his gruesome demise. Hellraiser's nightmarish imagery and vivid exploration of the underworld has cemented its status as a must-watch for any horror film enthusiast.
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- 2Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Kenneth Cranham
The second installment in the Hellraiser franchise expands upon the Cenobite mythology, introducing a new villain, Dr. Chenard, who becomes obsessed with the Lament Configuration. The film's protagonists find themselves trapped in a twisted version of hell known as the Labyrinth, featuring a plethora of monstrous creations, psychological torment, and gruesome visuals. With its chilling atmosphere and grotesque nature, Hellbound: Hellraiser II solidifies its place among the best horror movies about hell.
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- 3Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf
This supernatural thriller, based on the DC comics anti-hero John Constantine, traverses the boundaries of heaven, hell, and everything in between. Keanu Reeves stars as the titular character who battles demonic forces, questioning his faith and morality along the way. The film's interpretation of hell features a post-apocalyptic landscape that both terrifies and intrigues viewers.
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- 4Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan
This sci-fi horror thriller takes viewers on a journey through a derelict spaceship that mysteriously reappears after a failed interstellar voyage. The crew gradually discovers the ship's disturbing fate: it traveled through a black hole and emerged within the realm of hell itself. With its desolate setting and exploration of the unknown, Event Horizon draws viewers in with its horrifying depiction of the infernal realm.
- 5
As Above, So Below
Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin HodgeSet in the haunting catacombs beneath Paris, this found-footage horror film follows a group of explorers as they venture deeper into the forbidden tunnels and inadvertently enter a hellish realm. As they encounter supernatural entities and psychological torment, their individual sins and fears are exposed. As Above, So Below weaves themes of guilt, redemption, and horror to create a unique and terrifying experience.
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- 6Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver
This Sam Raimi-directed horror-comedy focuses on a young loan officer, Christine, who becomes cursed after denying an old woman's request to extend her mortgage payment. The curse portends that Christine will be dragged to hell in three days by a malevolent demon known as the Lamia. With its darkly humorous tone, Drag Me to Hell offers both laughs and frights as it explores the consequences of one's actions and the horrors of eternal damnation.
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- 7Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin
In this supernatural thriller, Johnny Depp stars as Dean Corso, a rare book dealer tasked with authenticating a grimoire believed to summon the devil himself. As he investigates the history and power of the book, Corso becomes entangled in a sinister world of occultists, demonic forces, and ultimately, hell itself. The Ninth Gate delves into themes of obsession, power, and the allure of the forbidden, painting a chilling portrait of the infernal realm.
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- 8Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, Danny Aiello
The film follows the titular character, Jacob, a Vietnam War veteran whose experiences have left him traumatized and hallucinating. As reality and nightmares blend, Jacob descends further into his own personal hell populated by terrifying visions and supernatural entities. Boasting a twist ending that heightens its psychological torment, Jacob's Ladder explores the depths of the human mind and the dark abyss of wartime trauma.
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- 9Christopher Walken, Elias Koteas, Virginia Madsen
Christopher Walken stars as the archangel Gabriel in this supernatural thriller about a battle between angels and the fate of mankind. Gabriel seeks to unleash hell on Earth by harnessing the soul of a deceased serial killer, while other characters race against time to prevent the impending apocalypse. The Prophecy depicts a theological battleground within the realm of horror, exploring themes of morality, faith, and the unending struggle between good and evil.
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- 10James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger
Based on a true story, this classic horror film recounts the Lutz family's terrifying experiences in their new home, which was previously the site of a gruesome murder. As the family is tormented by demonic forces and nightmarish visions, their home is revealed to have been built on a gateway to hell itself. The Amityville Horror combines haunted house tropes with infernal themes, resulting in a bone-chilling exploration of the dark forces at play.
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- 11Pamela Franklin, Roddy McDowall, Clive Revill
In this atmospheric haunted house tale, a team of paranormal investigators is sent to the notorious Belasco House, dubbed "Hell House" for its violent history and supernatural occurrences. As the investigators delve deeper into the house's secrets, they uncover its connection to hell and face the manifestation of their worst fears. The Legend of Hell House is equal parts suspenseful and spine-tingling, proving that sometimes the path to hell lies within our darkest nightmares.
- 12Donald Pleasence, Jameson Parker, Victor Wong
Directed by John Carpenter, this supernatural horror film centers around a group of students who discover an ancient canister containing a malevolent liquid that threatens to unleash hell on Earth. As they unravel the nature of the liquid and its connection to Satan himself, the students confront demonic forces and confront their worst fears. Prince of Darkness offers a chilling exploration of the apocalypse, drawing upon themes of science, religion, and the unknown.
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- 13Cristina Raines, Ava Gardner, Chris Sarandon
This slow-burning, psychological horror film follows Alison, a young woman who moves into a seemingly idyllic apartment building, only to find herself battling supernatural forces and her own inner demons. As events escalate and hellish entities infiltrate her life, Alison discovers the building's true purpose as a gateway to hell. The Sentinel's ominous atmosphere and surreal visuals make for a harrowing descent into the infernal realm.
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- 14Stephen Dorff, Christa Denton, Louis Tripp
In this coming-of-age horror flick, two young boys unwittingly unleash a horde of demonic creatures from a mysterious hole in their backyard. The film explores themes of childhood innocence, friendship, and courage as the boys confront their fears and battle the forces of hell. Surprisingly heartwarming amidst its chilling scares, The Gate is an enjoyable horror romp that plays out like a dark fairy tale.
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- 15Craig Sheffer, Doug Bradley, Nicholas Turturro
The fifth installment in the Hellraiser franchise follows Detective Joseph Thorne, who becomes obsessed with solving a grisly murder tied to the infamous Lament Configuration box. As he succumbs to his own vices and sins, Thorne encounters the Cenobites and endures a terrifying journey through a personal hell. Hellraiser: Inferno maintains the series' gruesome aesthetic while delving into themes of self-inflicted damnation and the consequences of one's actions.
- 16Christopher Walken, Russell Wong, Jennifer Beals
In this sequel to The Prophecy, Gabriel returns to wage war on humanity once more, seeking to halt the birth of a half-human, half-angel being that could disrupt the balance of the universe. Meanwhile, other characters must navigate the treacherous realms of heaven and hell to prevent the apocalypse. The Prophecy II further explores the cosmic battle between good and evil and the eternal struggle for power within the infernal realm.
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- 17
Baskin
This Turkish horror film follows a squad of police officers who stumble upon a seemingly abandoned building that harbors a horrific secret: it's a portal to hell. As the officers encounter grotesque creatures, torturous rituals, and their own worst nightmares, they quickly learn the line between reality and nightmare is frighteningly thin. Baskin's unsettling visuals and nightmarish atmosphere make for a truly chilling descent into hell.
- 18David Warbeck, Veronica Lazăr, Catriona MacColl
In this atmospheric Italian horror film, a woman inherits an old hotel that sits atop one of the seven gateways to hell. As she attempts to restore the hotel, spectral forces and demonic entities wreak havoc, drawing her ever-closer to the infernal abyss. The Beyond's dreamlike visuals and eerie atmosphere make for an unnerving exploration of the hidden underworld that lurks just beneath the surface.
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- 19Clarence Williams, Joe Torry, Wings Hauser
This anthology horror film combines social commentary with supernatural elements, as four criminals visit a sinister mortuary where the eccentric owner recounts terrifying stories tied to the deceased. Spanning subjects such as police brutality, racism, and child abuse, each tale possesses a hellish twist that imparts a moral lesson upon its doomed characters. Despite its dark subject matter, Tales from the Hood injects humor and style into its infernal nightmares, resulting in a memorable and significant horror experience.
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- 20John D. LeMay, Kari Keegan, Kane Hodder
In the ninth installment of the Friday the 13th series, infamous serial killer Jason Voorhees is finally slain, but his malevolent spirit possesses various individuals to continue his murderous spree. As a bounty hunter seeks to end Jason's reign of terror for good, the film unveils a backstory that connects the masked killer to the very depths of hell itself. Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday offers a unique spin on the franchise by incorporating supernatural and demonic elements into the slasher formula.
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- 21
The House by the Cemetery
Katherine MacColl, Paolo Malco, Ania PieroniIn this Italian horror film directed by Lucio Fulci, a family moves into a historic home, only to discover it is haunted by a series of gruesome murders that occurred years prior. As they unravel the house's dark secrets, the family is drawn into a hellish nightmare filled with malevolent spirits and supernatural forces. The House by the Cemetery plunges viewers into a chilling world of terror, mystery, and the horrors that lurk in the shadows of the past.
- 22Rory Calhoun, Nancy Parsons, Paul Linke
In this cult classic horror-comedy, a seemingly kind-hearted motel owner and farmer, Farmer Vincent, is revealed to have a gruesome secret: he kidnaps, incapacitates, and buries his victims alive, then harvests them to make his famous meat products. As the plot unfolds and Vincent's demented actions escalate, the motel becomes a nightmarish hellscape of twisted morals and macabre violence. Equal parts funny and horrifying, Motel Hell delivers a gleefully gory portrayal of hell on Earth.
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- 23Patrick Bergin, Chad Lowe, Kristy Swanson
This horror-comedy follows the adventures of a young man who must journey to hell to save his kidnapped girlfriend from a demonic police officer known as Hellcop. Along the way, he encounters various bizarre and nightmarish landscapes, creatures, and inhabitants that make up this unique version of hell. Combining humor with grotesque visuals, Highway to Hell offers an entertaining and inventive trip through the infernal realm.
- 24Ned Beatty, Hal Holbrook, Trevor Howard
Centered around a newly ordained priest struggling to save his parish from a malevolent force that seeks to corrupt and destroy it, this supernatural horror film explores themes of faith, temptation, and hidden evil. As the priest delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers the Church's dark connection to the forces of hell. The Unholy's sinister atmosphere and exploration of religious horror make it a captivating descent into the depths of the infernal abyss.
- 25Emilie Autumn, Dayton Callie, Shawn Crahan
Set in an otherworldly carnival governed by a demonic ringmaster, this musical horror film weaves together three separate tales of damnation and redemption. Blending dark fantasy elements with a colorful, twisted aesthetic, The Devil's Carnival creates a unique and memorable vision of hell populated by eccentric characters and grim morality plays. With its catchy songs and mesmerizing visuals, this film offers a macabre and entertaining journey into the infernal realm.
- 26Yoichi Numata, Shigeru Amachi, Fumiko Miyata
Also known as Jigoku, this groundbreaking Japanese horror film tells the tale of a group of individuals who find themselves trapped in hell after dying in various tragic circumstances. As they navigate the torturous landscape and face the consequences of their past sins, the film offers a visual feast of nightmarish imagery and beguiling set pieces. The Sinners of Hell stands as a pioneering example of the horror genre's fascination with the realm of the damned.
- 27Stipe Erceg, Hannah Herzsprung, Angela Winkler
In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of survivors struggles against the wrath of the sun, which has scorched the Earth and left it a desolate wasteland. As they face cannibalism, dehydration, and solar radiation, the survivors navigate a hellish landscape that serves as both a physical manifestation of the end times and a reflection of humanity's darkest instincts. Hell's evocative visuals and thematic weight make it a haunting and thought-provoking journey into a dystopian nightmare.
- 28Angela Featherstone, Nicholas Worth, Charlotte Stewart
This supernatural romance film follows the story of a rebellious young demoness, Veronica, who escapes from hell and falls in love with a mortal man on Earth. As she defies the orders of her demonic father and battles the forces of darkness, Veronica must confront the complexities of love, morality, and the nature of evil. With its fusion of romantic drama and horror, Dark Angel: The Ascent offers a unique and emotional portrayal of hell's influence on the human experience.
- 29Susan Lucci, Soleil Moon Frye, Joanna Cassidy
An unsuspecting family moves into a seemingly idyllic suburban neighborhood, only to discover that the local country club is actually a gateway to hell. As they attempt to resist the club's seductive allure, the family is drawn into a battle against demonic forces and sinister temptations. Invitation to Hell's blend of horror, mystery, and social satire make for an engaging and entertaining descent into the underworld.
- 30Jeri Ryan, William Shatner, Ciara Hanna
When a disgraced archaeologist accidentally unleashes a vengeful demon upon the world, he must team up with his estranged family to right his wrongs and prevent the rise of hell on Earth. As they battle demonic forces and confront their personal demons, the film delves into themes of redemption, family bonds, and the consequences of unleashing evil. Devil's Revenge combines action-packed suspense with a haunting portrayal of hell's influence on mankind.
