Horror movies consistently make a lot of money in Hollywood, often turning small investments into huge profits. This year proved that’s still true, with new films like Sinister and Weapons attracting audiences. At the same time, sequels like The Conjuring: Last Rites and Black Phone 2 showed that people still love classic horror themes. With the upcoming release of Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 this December, the popularity of horror doesn’t seem to be slowing down, and 2025 is likely to be another successful year for the genre.
While a few horror movies become huge hits, many excellent films struggle to find viewers. These lesser-known gems often get overlooked due to limited release or are only shown at film festivals. However, for horror fans who dig a little deeper, these underappreciated films can deliver some of the most original and truly scary experiences in recent cinema.
7) Absentia
Mike Flanagan, now a leading figure in modern horror, first gained attention with the chilling independent film Absentia. Made in 2011 with a very small budget and help from a Kickstarter campaign, the film didn’t initially reach many viewers. It gained recognition through film festivals, earning positive reviews but never receiving a wide release in theaters. The story centers on a pregnant woman (Courtney Bell) who begins the process of legally declaring her missing husband (Morgan Peter Brown) dead, only for him to suddenly return. Absentia is a deeply atmospheric film that explores themes of grief, loss, and the unknown, and it deserves to be considered one of Flanagan’s best works.
6) Attachment
I absolutely loved Attachment! It’s a really smart horror film from Denmark that totally surprised me. It’s not just about scares; it beautifully tells the story of Maja, a Danish actress, and Leah, a Jewish academic from London, as they fall in love. When Leah has a health scare, Maja goes with her back home and meets her mother, Chana, who is…intense, to say the least. The film slowly builds this unsettling feeling as Maja starts to realize something’s really off with the family and their apartment. It’s a fresh take on the demonic possession story, but what really got me was how real and moving the relationship between Maja and Leah felt. It first came out at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2022 and eventually landed on Shudder, which is great, but honestly, I think this movie deserved to be talked about way more. It’s a gem!
5) Luz
Tilman Singer’s debut film, Luz, is a striking German horror movie made as a student project and shot on 16mm film. The story centers on a disoriented taxi driver (Luana Velis) who arrives at a police station while a demonic force relentlessly pursues her. This entity takes over a psychotherapist (Jan Bluthardt) in an attempt to reach her. Luz unfolds in a fragmented, dreamlike way, requiring viewers to actively piece together the plot. Premiering at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival, the film quickly gained attention for its distinctive style and throwback visuals reminiscent of 1970s and 80s European horror. Despite critical acclaim, its unconventional approach and limited distribution kept it from reaching a broad audience.
4) Good Manners
As a huge film buff, I recently discovered Good Manners, and wow, it’s something special. This Brazilian horror-fantasy, directed by Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra, starts as a really compelling drama about a nurse named Clara who gets a job looking after a wealthy, enigmatic woman, Ana, while she’s pregnant. The first half is just beautifully done, focusing on their relationship. But then, it takes this incredible turn – it completely shifts genres and becomes like a dark, modern fairy tale with a genuinely shocking secret at its core. I understand why it might have been hard to market – it’s so unique! – which is a shame because it’s been mostly limited to film festivals where it’s won a ton of awards. Honestly, Good Manners is one of those films that sticks with you, and I truly believe it’s a modern classic of Latin American horror – everyone should see it!
3) Final Prayer
Released in 2013, the British horror film The Borderlands (known as Final Prayer in the US) didn’t get the attention it deserved, especially since the ‘found footage’ style was already very popular at the time. The movie centers around a team from the Vatican sent to investigate a supposed miracle at a rural English church. They quickly discover something far more disturbing than a simple trick. What sets this film apart are the strong acting and realistic relationships between the skeptical characters, which makes the growing sense of horror feel truly believable. While its slow, creeping pace might not appeal to those wanting instant scares, viewers who persevere will be rewarded with one of the most genuinely shocking conclusions in recent horror. Final Prayer proves that found footage can be incredibly effective when it supports a well-told story.
2) Hagazussa: A Heathen’s Curse
Hagazussa: A Heathen’s Curse is a German-Austrian horror film that focuses more on creating a disturbing atmosphere than jump scares. The film, set in a secluded 15th-century Alpine village, tells the story of Albrun (Aleksandra Cwen), a goat herder who is shunned by fearful villagers who believe she is a witch. It’s a harsh look at the effects of isolation, prejudice against women, and what it’s like to be an outcast. Director Lukas Feigelfeld uses beautiful, haunting imagery and music to build a truly unsettling experience, making it a strong choice for horror fans. While it premiered at Fantastic Fest in 2017 to positive reviews, its slow pace and difficult themes might not appeal to everyone. However, if you enjoyed atmospheric horror films like The Witch, Hagazussa: A Heathen’s Curse is a must-see.
1) A Dark Song
Liam Gavin’s first film as director, A Dark Song, is a truly remarkable and deeply unsettling horror movie. It tells the story of Sophia (Catherine Walker), a mother heartbroken by the loss of her son, who enlists the help of an occultist (Steve Oram). Together, they undertake a long, difficult, and risky magical ritual aimed at finding the person responsible. Set in a secluded Welsh house, the pair embark on a surprisingly believable spiritual journey. Despite critical acclaim, the film didn’t get a wide release, meaning it didn’t receive the attention it deserved. A Dark Song stands out for its careful and authentic portrayal of ritual magic, making the supernatural aspects genuinely frightening. It’s also a slow-paced, emotionally powerful story about grief, revenge, and the desperate search for peace, building to an unforgettable climax.
What lesser-known horror film do you think is truly underrated? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-11-08 01:14