Low Budget Horror Films You May Have Missed
A list of horror films that you may not have seen but are definitely worth a watch
List activity
13K views
• 9 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
66 titles
- DirectorLiam GavinStarsSteve OramCatherine WalkerSusan LoughnaneA determined young woman and a damaged occultist risk their lives and souls to perform a dangerous ritual that will grant them what they want.A slow paced, atmospheric film that is, for the most part, a two hander. The writing, directing, acting and editing are excellent and this film is a reminder that scaring people and making them feel incredibly uncomfortable, can be a simple process, if well done.
- DirectorBen WheatleyStarsNeil MaskellMyAnna BuringHarry SimpsonNearly a year after a botched job, a hitman takes a new assignment with the promise of a big payoff for three killings. What starts off as an easy task soon unravels, sending the killer into the heart of darkness.The film that put Ben Wheatley on the map (and the best British film since the turn of the millenium), Kill List is exceptional. The sense of dread and unease cranks up scene by scene as this crime film morphs into something that channels the Wicker Man and it doesn't let up. Scary, intelligent and, simply, well made, Kill List will leave you feeling drained and concussed.
- DirectorDon CoscarelliStarsBruce CampbellOssie DavisBob IvyWhen residents of their nursing home start dying of dubious causes, an aged Elvis and an African-American senior who claims to be President John F. Kennedy discover that the perpetrator is an Egyptian mummy with murderous intentions.When you read the basic blurb about this film, (2 old codgers in a nursing home dealing with an ancient evil spirit), it is understandable that you might have reservations.
Don't.
This is a gem of a film that takes that basic premise and produces something that is satisfying on so many levels. One liners, characterisation and above all, Bruce Campbell's Elvis with Ossie Davis' JFK, as the demon fighting team.
I can never think about this film without smiling and I hope it will do the same for you. - DirectorCarlo LedesmaStarsBel DeliáAndy RodoredaSteve DavisAn investigation into a government cover-up leads to a network of abandoned train tunnels deep beneath the heart of Sydney. As a journalist and her crew hunt for the story it quickly becomes clear the story is hunting them.I found this film on Youtube, where it is available to watch legally, for free. It was made for Aus$135,000/ US$98,000 /£75,000.
I was genuinely shocked that a film as well made as this, cost that little. Nothing here is particularly new, but this found footage slow burner set in subterranean Sydney is as good as any you will have seen. - DirectorYannick DahanBenjamin RocherStarsClaude PerronJean-Pierre MartinsEriq EbouaneyAn end of the world battle between gangsters, cops and zombies.A gorefest zombie film, pure and simple. Violent and bloody but don't expect any acting masterclasses. I really enjoyed it.
- DirectorToby WilkinsStarsShea WhighamJill WagnerPaulo CostanzoTrapped in an isolated gas station by a voracious Splinter parasite that transforms its still-living victims into deadly hosts, a young couple and an escaped convict must find a way to work together to survive this primal terror.A very simple premise, delivered exceptionally, with a great script and very solid performances from the small cast. The final product is a taut, scary adrenaline ride that stands comparison with some of the best.
- DirectorTed GeogheganStarsAndrew SensenigBarbara CramptonLarry FessendenIn the cold, wintery fields of New England, a lonely old house wakes up every thirty years - and demands a sacrifice.I don't care what any critics have to say about this film (homage, rip off, overly tied to genre tropes....), because although it starts with a very familiar set-up, it doesn't stay there and the finale blew me away.
Geoghegan is a director to keep an eye on. This was his directorial debut, his 2nd film, Mohawk, can be found on Netflix. - DirectorGerard JohnstoneStarsMorgana O'ReillyRima Te WiataGlen-Paul WaruA young woman is forced to return to her childhood home after being placed under house arrest, where she suspects that something evil may be lurking.Another Antipodean gem, this one from New Zealand. Part horror, part thriller, part comedy with a standout central performance. This is one not to miss.
- DirectorJalmari HelanderStarsJorma TommilaOnni TommilaPeeter JakobiIn the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 meters deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up. This Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus.My favourite Christmas film, demonstrating the true meaning of the season of goodwill.
Ha. - DirectorPil-sung YimStarsCheon Jeong-myeongEun Won-jaeShim Eun-kyungAfter meeting a mysterious girl on an dark stretch of road, a young salesman is invited to a beautiful house with bizarre secrets and no way to escape.One of the first Korean films I watched and responsible, along with The Host and Oldboy, for my late burgeoning love of Korean cinema.
Simply put, it is a creepy, Korean take on a traditional European fairy tale. But not like any other you will have seen. - DirectorStephen ChiodoStarsGrant CramerSuzanne SnyderJohn Allen NelsonAliens who look like clowns come from outer space and terrorize a small town.This film contains the greatest Klowns in cinema history, a classic 80s synth soundtrack and a signature track by the Dickies. Novel, funny and well worth watching.
- DirectorSean ByrneStarsXavier SamuelRobin McLeavyJohn BrumptonWhen Brent turns down his classmate Lola's invitation to the prom, she concocts a wildly violent plan for revenge.I can't say too much without spoiling but this excellent Australian film puts a different spin on what is most commonly male behaviour; not taking rejection very well. Extremely upsettling and very bloody, this is one to put on your must watch list.
And the central performance by Robyn McLeavy, as Princess, is just superb. - DirectorDavid MoreauXavier PaludStarsOlivia BonamyMichaël CohenAdriana MoccaLucas and Clementine live peacefully in their isolated country house, but one night they wake up to strange noise... they're not alone... and a group of hooded assailants begin to terrorize them throughout the night.All the more terrifying because what happens in this film is no stretch of the imagination. Creepy and terrifying, this film cranks up the tension and doesn't let up.
Don't watch it on your own. - DirectorScott GlossermanStarsNathan BaeselAngela GoethalsZelda RubinsteinThe next great killer and psychopath has given a documentary film crew exclusive access to his life as he plans his reign of terror over the quiet town of Glen Echo.Exactly what it says in the blurb, this film gives you the inside track on how masked, film slashers do what they do. Packed full of injokes and references, some of which you need repeat viewing to spot. A thoroughly entertaining spoof that retains an ability to thrill and scare.
- DirectorDominique RocherStarsAnders Danielsen LieGolshifteh FarahaniDenis LavantThe morning after a party, a young man wakes up to find Paris invaded by zombies.The other end of the zombie genre, this is a quiet examination of the effect of isolation, that has been much maligned by some. For me, though, a slow burner to reflect on and revisit over the years to come.
- DirectorRoxanne BenjaminMatt Bettinelli-OlpinDavid BrucknerStarsChad VillellaMatt Bettinelli-OlpinKristina PesicFive interlocking tales of terror follow the fates of a group of weary travellers who confront their worst nightmares - and darkest secrets - over one long night on a desolate stretch of desert highway.A more than solid anthology that links the stories together well. And there are enough surprises so that even the most jaded horror fan can find something to like.
- DirectorDuncan SkilesStarsDylan McDermottCharlie PlummerSamantha MathisA picture-perfect family is shattered when the work of a serial killer hits too close to home.A very recent watch and one that I will revisit. A serial killer film with very little violence, but one that asks a number of interesting questions before dropping an unexpected, almost touching ending.
Also contains, at least for me, a suprisingly good perfomance from Dylan McDermott. - DirectorTakashi MiikeStarsFumi NikaidôTakehiro HiraHideaki ItôA popular high school teacher concocts an extreme plan to deal with the rise of bullying and bad behavior among the student body.Another of Takeshi Miike's best films; this one far to complex to sum up briefly. But I will say this. If you enjoy seeing irritating teenagers get theirs in a variety of bloody ways, this is the film for you.
Bloody, violent, creepy and funny. - DirectorJacques TourneurStarsDana AndrewsPeggy CumminsNiall MacGinnisAmerican professor John Holden arrives in London for a parapsychology conference, only to find himself investigating the mysterious actions of Devil-worshipper Julian Karswell.One of the first horrors I saw as a child. It scared me witless then and although it doesn't have the same impact now, is still a great example of the best of 50s horror.
Worth watching for Karswell, alone, who is suitably creepy and sinister. - DirectorJeremy GillespieSteven KostanskiStarsAaron PooleKenneth WelshEllen WongShortly after delivering a patient to an understaffed hospital, a police officer experiences strange and violent occurrences seemingly linked to a group of mysterious hooded figures.On the face of it, another 80s homage but one that becomes it's own bloody, occult, terror-ride. It has a few issues, including some flat performances, but still well worth your time.
- DirectorJuan Antonio de la RivaStarsSofía SisniegaNatasha DupeyrónAna Sofía DuránDuring the battle between insurgents and the royalist Spanish army during the Mexican civil war, some outlaws seek treasure within a families compound only to find horrors they could never have imagined.Not quite as weird as The Similars (another Mexican horror) but, still, properly barking. I have no idea how to describe this film, so I won't. Left me wanting to find other Mexican horrors to watch, because I've never seen anything quite like it.
- DirectorChristopher MacBrideStarsAaron PooleJames GilbertIan AndersonA documentary about conspiracy theories takes a horrific turn after the filmmakers uncover an ancient and dangerous secret society.Another found footage film but a very solid, satisfying film that doesn't (unusually) take the mickey out of conspiracy theorists. What if they really do.......................?
- DirectorSteven GomezStarsThure LindhardtVanessa KirbyDavid AjalaSet in a near future, technology-reliant society that pits man against killing machines.A low budget robot, sci-fi, horror thriller that channels James Cameron and is much better made and much more satisfying than many big budget hollywood attempts at similar.
- DirectorJohn GulagerStarsNavi RawatKrista AllenBalthazar GettyPatrons locked inside a bar are forced to fight monsters.Nothing original here but this single location, trapped by creatures horror has some excellent stereotype caricatures and a few surprises.
- DirectorKwang-tae KimStarsRyu Seung-ryongLee Sung-minChun Woo-heeShortly after the Korean war, a father and a son are wandering through the country and make a stop in a remote village, where strange and dangerous happenings occur.
A dark, almost gothic film that puts a Korean spin on the old fairytale. Slow in pace but with a payoff that delivers.