10 Underrated Horror Gems You Need to See

Many truly groundbreaking and impactful horror movies have faded from public memory, often overlooked in favor of newer, more popular films. While hits like The Exorcist and Hereditary frequently lead horror conversations, a number of quietly influential films have been shaping the genre for years.

Many fantastic horror movies have flown under the radar and never received the attention they deserve. These overlooked films, from the earliest days of cinema to quirky cult favorites, have all contributed to the evolution of horror. Each one, whether strange, disturbing, or even humorous, offers a unique experience that horror fans should discover.

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

I absolutely adore Vincent Price in The Abominable Dr. Phibes! He plays Dr. Anton Phibes, a brilliant but terribly disfigured man who’s out for revenge against the doctors he holds responsible for his wife’s death. The movie itself is stunning – it’s like stepping into a gorgeous, twisted art deco nightmare. It’s such a unique blend of over-the-top campiness and genuinely creepy horror – a truly unforgettable film!

The murders in Dr. Phibes are cleverly designed to resemble the biblical plagues. This adds a brilliant, yet disturbing, creativity to each killing, culminating in a truly grim finale. Despite the violence, the film is surprisingly visually stunning, featuring elaborate sets and a dark, almost playful, sense of humor that feels very theatrical.

Though often overlooked, The Abominable Dr. Phibes is one of Vincent Price’s most creative roles. This horror movie fully leans into silliness, creating a villain who is so charming that viewers find themselves strangely hoping he succeeds. Its blend of humor and darkness makes it a classic that deserves more recognition.

November (2017)

The Estonian film November is a unique gothic fairy tale and horror story. Set in the 1800s, it follows villagers who turn to witchcraft, make pacts with the Devil, and even rely on magical, self-aware farm tools—called ‘kratts’—to get through a brutal winter. Filmed in striking black and white, the movie has a surreal, dreamlike quality.

November is a strange and captivating story, blending ancient myths with dreamlike scenes. It delves into themes of desire, affection, and the inevitability of death, set in a world where the living share space with ghosts and spirits. It’s both unsettling and utterly fascinating.

Although not widely seen outside of Europe, the film November is truly exceptional and deserves a larger audience. It’s a remarkable example of modern folk horror, beautifully haunting and emotionally resonant. The story feels both timeless and fresh, creating a uniquely unsettling yet romantic atmosphere.

White Zombie (1932)

Often considered the very first full-length zombie movie, White Zombie presents a different kind of zombie than the ones we’re used to. These weren’t the flesh-eating creatures from Night of the Living Dead; instead, they were people turned into mindless slaves through voodoo. The film features Bela Lugosi, a famous horror actor, as the villainous voodoo master, Murder Legendre, who tries to control a young woman with his powers.

The film White Zombie, set in Haiti, is full of spooky atmosphere and showcases the early style of horror movies. Its slow, dreamlike quality and dark images create a lasting sense of discomfort. Bela Lugosi gives a mesmerizing and frightening performance, further establishing his reputation as a horror icon beyond his role in Dracula.

Even though it seems simple compared to today’s horror movies, White Zombie is a hugely important film in the history of the genre. It’s the movie that really introduced the idea of zombies as monsters – not ones created by viruses or a world-ending event, but by voodoo and the loss of free will. It’s a genuinely creepy and fascinating film that deserves to be watched again.

The Old Dark House (1932)

James Whale’s The Old Dark House is the perfect example of a classic haunted-house movie. It’s a story set on a stormy night, full of odd characters, dark humor, and a creepy atmosphere. When some travelers try to escape a downpour, they find themselves at a mansion inhabited by the strange Femm family. The film cleverly blends gothic horror with sharp wit, resulting in a uniquely campy and memorable horror experience, known for its memorable lines.

This film features a truly eccentric family, ranging from the wildly emotional Horace to a chillingly silent butler portrayed by Boris Karloff. While it didn’t achieve the same fame as director James Whale’s later films like Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, it’s one of his most clever and humorous works. The Old Dark House essentially created the now-familiar story of people finding themselves stuck in a creepy, old house.

The Old Dark House essentially created many of the classic elements you see in haunted house movies, and surprisingly, it still does them better than most modern films. It’s a truly scary movie that also feels wonderfully vintage.

Satan’s Little Helper (2004)

Jeff Lieberman’s darkly funny and unsettling horror film, Satan’s Little Helper, is a truly unique take on the Halloween genre. The story centers on an innocent boy who mistakenly believes a masked killer is just a fellow player in a game – and that the killings are all part of the fun. As the body count rises, the movie creates a disturbingly blurred line between what’s real and what’s imagined.

The movie is a darkly funny critique of how we become numb to violence. It uses over-the-top humor and intentionally uncomfortable acting to make the scary parts even more impactful. The killer’s mask is truly creepy and could have become famous in the horror genre with a little more exposure.

Despite being known for its over-the-top style, Satan’s Little Helper is actually a surprisingly insightful film. It uses quirky performances to deliver a disturbing but important message about lost innocence, the influence of the media, and how evil can disguise itself with a playful facade. It’s a strange, overlooked movie that still feels remarkably current.

Häxan: Witchcraft Through The Ages (1922)

Häxan is a unique and unsettling silent film from Sweden that blends documentary-style investigation with nightmarish imagery. Director Benjamin Christensen, who also portrays Satan, explores the history of witchcraft, superstition, and mass hysteria by combining historical research with shocking scenes of demons, torture, and devil worship. It’s truly unlike any other film made during that era.

Häxan is a frightening but informative film that still feels relevant today. Its portrayal of widespread fear and religious persecution remains powerful even after many years. Originally banned in some places, Häxan is now celebrated as a landmark achievement in the history of film.

The film is deeply disturbing and sad, but also essential viewing for movie lovers. It’s a unique and unconventional mix of art and the study of people. Since its release, Häxan has become known as the first film in the ‘folk horror’ genre, and has been re-released with new music and edits – including a live folk horror soundtrack created by the British band, The Witchcraft and Vagrancy Act.

He Who Gets Slapped (1924)

Lon Chaney gives a deeply moving performance in this silent horror film about a scientist who is wronged and ends up working as a circus clown. Filled with shame and sadness, he transforms his suffering into a disturbing and captivating show. He willingly becomes the spectacle, known as He Who Gets Slapped, to entertain the crowds.

Rather than relying on typical horror elements like monsters or violence, He Who Gets Slapped creates its unsettling atmosphere through emotional pain and hopelessness. The film also features surprisingly effective early special effects and dreamlike visuals. Lon Chaney’s powerful facial expressions showcase the best of silent film acting, making the movie a deeply moving exploration of shame and the desire for retribution.

Though many have forgotten it, the film He Who Gets Slapped was surprisingly influential, paving the way for decades of psychological horror and the now-familiar tragic antihero. It was one of the earliest films to show how deeply personal trauma can change a person, a concept later seen in iconic characters like the Joker and the Phantom of the Opera.

Theatre Of Blood (1973)

Okay, so as a huge horror fan, I have to say Vincent Price absolutely nails it in Theatre of Blood. He plays a Shakespearean actor getting seriously sweet revenge on the critics who trashed his work, and it’s brilliantly twisted. Each kill is staged to mirror a different Shakespeare play, which is just genius! Honestly, the movie is over-the-top gory, but it’s done with so much theatrical flair and camp that it feels like a total love letter to the stage. It’s absurd, violent, and utterly fantastic.

Vincent Price gives a wildly theatrical performance, channeling the intensity of Shakespearean tragedy, as he hilariously takes revenge on his critics – in increasingly outlandish and deadly ways. Though often overshadowed by his other famous horror films, Theatre of Blood is a clever and imaginative movie that deserves more recognition. It’s a sharp satire of those who look down on art, but also a joyful tribute to the power of acting.

Hugh Price delivers a wonderfully energetic performance. He once again manages to make us sympathize with the villain. The film turns murder into something surprisingly entertaining and theatrical.

Faust (1926)

F.W. Murnau’s Faust is a visually breathtaking film from the silent movie era. It retells the classic story of a man who trades his soul to the devil for youth and power, a bargain that ultimately causes widespread disaster. Through innovative special effects, Murnau creates a terrifying world on screen, filled with angels, demons, and the breakdown of morality.

The film is visually striking, filled with swirling smoke, dramatic shadows, and sweeping scenes of destruction. Even almost a hundred years later, these images are incredibly impressive. While often compared to and sometimes lost in the shadow of F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu, Faust is equally important to the history of horror.

Faust is a powerfully dramatic story that explores serious moral questions. It’s both frightening and heartbreaking, blending elements of classic horror, over-the-top theatricality, and dark, supernatural themes to create a truly unforgettable experience.

The Man Who Laughs (1928)

Before the Joker became famous, there was Gwynplaine, a man with a permanent, carved-on smile and a heartbreaking story. The Man Who Laughs tells the tragic tale of how he’s mistreated and pushed to the brink by the cruelty of others. Conrad Veidt’s portrayal of Gwynplaine is incredibly powerful – it’s both stunning and deeply disturbing, showing the suffering hidden behind that unchanging smile.

The film’s dark and dramatic sets and lighting create a powerfully tragic and frightening atmosphere. Though it’s not a typical monster movie, its strong emotions and striking visuals deeply impacted later horror films and characters. In fact, the villain’s unsettling grin served as a key inspiration for the famous comic book character, the Joker.

The Man Who Laughs is a deeply unsettling film that continues to resonate with audiences. It explores themes of inner and outer beauty, the pain of being judged by appearances, and the disturbing nature of being treated as a freak show. Though a classic, it’s often overlooked as one of the greatest horror movies of all time.

2025-11-14 16:04