If you like horror movies, then you know the struggle: spending hours and hours scrolling through streaming platforms searching for something actually worth watching late at night. While there’s no shortage of content in the genre, underrated horror films are few and far between, especially for those who aren’t necessarily into cheap B-movie gore-fests or mindless slasher flicks.
That’s precisely why we went digging for hidden horror gems. This is a list of good films, like an indie masterpiece or a forgotten supernatural thriller, that might not have gotten a major worldwide release, didn’t go viral, but still feels special.
So sit back, turn off the lights, and get ready to discover a few of the best horror movies you’ve probably haven’t seen… yet.
1. The Devil’s Candy
You’ve scrolled past The Devil’s Candy on your streaming queue, haven’t you? Don’t. Released in 2017, this criminally overlooked horror gem stars Ethan Embry, Shiri Appleby, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Leland Orser, Kiara Glasco and Tony Amendola, and somehow sits with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score that no one talks about.
The plot is fairly simple. A metalhead artist moves into a rural Texas house, gets possessed, and it all goes to hell—literally.
The biggest twist in The Devil’s Candy is that you’ll actually care about the family involved, something sorely missing from horror films today. “They were charming, caring, relatable and down to Earth,” one reviewer wrote on IMDB. Best of all, the scares are real and not cheap. No dream cop-outs. No plot-breaking voodoo. Just pure, grounded horror. Why did no one hype this up?
2. Triangle
You think you’ve seen every twist a horror film can throw at you? Think again. Triangle (2009), starring Melissa George, Michael Dorman, Liam Hemsworth, and Henry Nixon, is the kind of psychological thriller that messes with your head in the best way.
A group survives a freak storm at sea only to board an abandoned ocean liner… which is somehow both empty and deadly. What follows is less “standard slasher” and more “existential panic attack.”
Fans of Timecrimes will feel right at home. The Shining nods are subtle, but the tension is not. This one’s a hidden gem. Watch it.
3. May
If you’ve never seen May (2002), starring Angela Bettis, Jeremy Sisto, James Duval, and Anna Faris, you’ve missed one of horror’s quietest gut punches.
May, a lonely vet assistant with a lazy eye, a love for sewing, and a thing for “perfect hands.” When her crush (Jeremy Sisto) doesn’t return her twisted affection, she spirals—beautifully, awkwardly, disturbingly.
It’s not your typical slasher. It’s smarter. Stranger. More personal. One minute, you’re squirming; the next, you’re uncomfortably relating.
4. Splinter
No Splinter (2008) isn’t about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ martial arts mentor. Instead, it’s a tight horror flick starring Shea Whigham, Jill Wagner, and Paulo Costanzo.
A hungry parasite traps a young couple and an escaped convict in a remote gas station, turning victims into deadly hosts.
The setup is simple—monster, isolated setting, survival. But the execution surprises. Characters think instead of scream, keeping tension high without dragging. Special effects aren’t flashy but do the job. If you’re tired of recycled horror junk, Splinter offers a solid, tense ride that might just restore your faith in the genre.
5. The Ugly Stepsister
The Ugly Stepsister flips the classic Cinderella story into something darker and way less sparkly. Like The Substance, it’s not exactly horror-level scary, but it gets under your skin by showing just how far people will go for beauty. I mean, just imagine a stepmother so twisted that she saws off a foot just to squeeze it into a glass slipper. Yeah, it’s that kind of movie. Unlike some fairy tale retellings that get lost in fantasy, this one keeps things grounded but still delivers plenty of disturbing moments. If you’re into films that make you rethink fairy tales, this one’s worth a watch.
6. Mads
MadS (2024) isn’t just another zombie horror film. David Moreau shoots the whole thing in a single, unbroken take, with no cuts and no breaks. And, no, it’s anything but a clever gimmick. This real-time dive traps you in a maze of tension that tightens with every minute. MadS leaves you gasping alongside the characters, if they even survive the night.
The synopsis reads, “A teenager stops off to see his dealer to test a new drug before heading off for a night of partying. On the way home, he picks up an injured woman and the night takes a surreal turn.”
It’s a film that defies labels, throwing you into chaos with no safety net. Read more about MadS.
7. The Devil’s Bath
Why isn’t anyone talking about The Devil’s Bath? Streaming quietly on Shudder, this horror-thriller might have been 2024’s most disturbing slow-burn. Set in 18th-century Austria, it’s grim, grimy, and deeply unsettling, in the best possible way.
Even the plot, which reads: “Agnes readies for married life with her beloved. But her mind and heart grow heavy. A gloomy path alone, evil thoughts arising”, sounds weird.
With no theatrical release, the film skipped the hype machine and went straight for your nightmares. It’s not flashy, but its muted palette and haunting stillness pull you under fast. “The movie looks artistic,” one viewer noted, and they’re not wrong. If you’ve been desensitized by loud jump scares and forgettable gore, this one sticks. Read more about The Devil’s Bath.
8. Lowlifes
A road-tripping family makes the rookie mistake of stopping at a remote homestead. Big red flag. But what follows is a barrage of unpredictable twists that’ll keep your palms sweaty.
What actually makes a horror movie good? It’s not just blood or jump scares. It’s the tension, right? Well, Lowlifes is one of those rare films that doesn’t hold your hand through the scares. It also doesn’t care about any of the classic rules. You might think you know where it’s going. But you really don’t. Read more about Lowlifes.
9. Strange Darling
Strange Darling sneaks in like a stylish home invader, flips the furniture, and dares you to figure out who’s actually in danger. Shot on gorgeous 35mm with a non-linear structure that messes with your brain just enough, this indie thriller is more than just vibes. It’s a masterclass in misdirection. Every frame feels deliberate, every reveal hits harder than expected. If you miss the grit of golden-era horror, this one’s for you. It’s best to go into this one without watching a trailer or reading about the plot. Read more about Strange Darling.
10. Snowtown
Snowtown isn’t a film you watch. It’s one you survive. Justin Kurzel’s 2011 feature about Australia’s most infamous serial killer, John Bunting, doesn’t dwell on body counts. Instead, it zooms in on his relationship with 16-year-old Jamie Vlassakis. Daniel Henshall is chilling as Bunting, the friendly neighborhood psychopath who convinced an entire Adelaide community he was their moral compass. “You have to clean the filth,” he tells Jamie, justifying unspeakable violence. It gets really dark.
11. Alma and the Wolf
Alma and the Wolf is either going to be your new obsession or the film you warn friends about. There’s no middle ground. Directed by Michael Patrick Jann, the story kicks off fast when Deputy Ren Accord (Ethan Embry) finds Alma (Li Jun Li) on the roadside after a brutal animal attack. Things spiral when Ren’s son vanishes, possibly taken by a wolf haunting Spiral Creek. Abby Miller’s script whiplashes between terror and absurd comedy, almost daring you to call it a mess. But stick around. Embry and Li deliver powerhouse performances, and the final act ties it all together in shocking fashion.
12. Ash
Cancel your weekend plans, because Flying Lotus’ Ash is the sci-fi horror you’ll be talking about for weeks. The musician-turned-director pulls off what few can: a debut as commanding as Jordan Peele’s Get Out. Imagine Memento colliding with The Thing, all set against the hellish backdrop of Event Horizon. Eiza González’s Riya wakes up battered, her crew dead, and Aaron Paul’s Brion showing up with questionable timing. The mystery unravels piece by piece until the third act locks it in. Add a chilling Carpenter-inspired score, and Ash proves a tighter budget can outclass Netflix’s bloated blockbusters.
13. Rosario
Rosario isn’t your typical horror flick that shoves gore in your face for cheap thrills. Directed by Felipe Vargas and written by Alan Trezza, this 88-minute gem uses its scares to unpack guilt, regret, and sacrifice. Emeraude Toubia shines as Rose, a Wall Street broker trapped in her late grandmother’s apartment during a snowstorm, only to uncover a hidden room tied to Palo Mayombe rituals. Between confronting literal demons and her family’s past, Rose delivers laugh-out-loud lines like “Nope” when faced with danger. With David Dastmalchian’s airfryer subplot stealing laughs, Rosario proves horror can be smart, sharp, and surprisingly relatable.
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