7 Forgotten Slasher Movies You Need to Watch

In the realm of cinema, horror stands out as a dominant and enduring genre, largely because it masterfully maintains suspense while providing heart-pounding excitement and chills in equal portions. Amongst all horror film categories, none have left such a profound impact on popular culture as slasher films, which have spawned some of the most iconic horror movie series over numerous decades, dishing out brutal violence. Nevertheless, for every classic like Halloween or Friday the 13th, there are countless other slasher movies that eventually become forgotten, especially during the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s – a period often considered the peak of the subgenre’s influence.

Over the years, I’ve found myself consistently attracted to the slasher subgenre due to its potential for creating suspenseful and chilling films on a modest budget. Regrettably, this aspect has resulted in an oversaturation of the genre for quite some time, with numerous slashers falling short of the fame their peers achieved, not because of any fault of their own. Consequently, we’ve been left with a treasure trove of undervalued and overlooked slasher masterpieces that truly deserve more acclaim than they received.

1) Tourist Trap (1979)

Despite gaining a cult status over the years following its 1979 release, the movie Tourist Trap is surprisingly not given enough recognition. As one of the early pioneers in the slasher genre, it stands out for its chilling mannequin sequences and supernatural theme. The film’s lack of critical praise may be one reason behind its relative obscurity, both at its initial release and in subsequent years. However, Tourist Trap is a well-crafted slasher that doesn’t receive the attention it deserves despite being genuinely terrifying.

2) Hollow Man (2000)

In the discussion of top horror films from the 2000s, there’s some fierce contention. It might be because the film Hollow Man, a 2000 sci-fi slasher directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring Kevin Bacon, Elisabeth Shue, and Josh Brolin, often gets overlooked. The plot revolves around Kevin Bacon’s character, a scientist, testing his invisibility technology which ultimately leads to a dark and murderous obsession with his colleagues. Given the impressive cast and crew behind Hollow Man, as well as its enjoyably gruesome slasher aspects, it’s surprising that it doesn’t get more recognition.

3) Theatre of Blood (1973)

The factors that prevented “Theatre of Blood” from gaining the recognition it should have had are numerous. Being a British horror film, it may not have captured the same global appeal as its American counterparts during the 1970s due to a slightly different focus. Intriguingly, this movie combined horror with an equal dose of dark humor, which was unique at the time. Interestingly, its slasher concept revolved around an actor, portrayed by the renowned Vincent Price, who sought revenge on his critics in a poetic and eccentric manner. Regrettably, this uniquely humorous yet violent slasher film isn’t as well-known as it should be.

4) Alone in the Dark (1982)

1982’s lesser-known slasher film “Alone in the Dark” is often recognized as one of the most underestimated slasher movies ever made. Produced by New Line Cinema, this movie featured a stellar cast including Jack Palance, Donald Pleasance, Martin Landau, and Dwight Schultz. The story revolves around several psychiatric patients who have escaped during a power outage. Unfortunately, its resemblance to other popular slasher films like “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th” may have worked against it, leading viewers to overlook and eventually forget about “Alone in the Dark”, despite its high-quality production.

5) Hatchet (2006)

Numerous slasher genre horror films have been underappreciated throughout history, and without doubt, “Hatchet” (released in 2006) is one such movie. This film skillfully draws on almost every convention that contributed to the subgenre’s fame, satisfying horror enthusiasts while offering a unique premise that combines fun and brutality. Notable actors like Kane Hodder, Robert Englund, and Tony Todd lend their talents to this production, making it feel like an affectionate homage to the slasher movies of yesteryears that didn’t quite achieve the popularity they deserved.

6) Cherry Falls (1999)

The tale of the movie “Cherry Falls” is a tragic one, as it stands out as a film that truly merits recognition among the greats in the slasher genre. Unfortunately, complications with its certification and distribution meant it was largely ignored, and it didn’t reach the level of acclaim it deserved. Featuring Brittany Murphy and Michael Biehn, “Cherry Falls” revolves around a small town plagued by a serial killer who is murdering virgin teenagers. Its concept, a blend of sex and violence, was an ideal recipe for slasher fame, but regrettably, it’s not discussed nearly enough.

7) Urban Legend (1998)

1998’s “Urban Legend” stands out among horror films based on urban legends due to its extreme portrayal of the concept. The plot revolves around a string of gruesome murders inspired by well-known urban myths, enacted by an impressive cast including Jared Leto, Alicia Witt, Rebecca Gayheart, Tara Reid, and Michael Rosenbaum. Despite its unique premise, compelling execution, and overall entertainment factor, this slasher movie is often overlooked in discussions about horror films.

2025-06-30 00:43