Hidden Horrors and Sci-Fi Delights: A Must-Watch List

Are you a fan of horror and sci-fi films who feels like you've seen it all? Dive into this curated list of classic and lesser-known gems spanning various sub-genres. From cosmic horror to time travel, these selections will surely satisfy your craving for the strange and the thrilling.

Cosmic Horror

1. The Endless (2017)

• Plot: Two brothers return to the cult they escaped from years earlier, only to discover that the group's beliefs might be more sane than they once thought.
• Why Watch: Blends cosmic horror with a psychological thriller, offering a unique and mind-bending experience.

2. Spring (2014)

• Plot: A young man flees to Italy and forms a romantic connection with a woman who harbours a dark, primordial secret.
• Why Watch: Combines romance with cosmic horror elements in an unexpected and captivating way.

3. Resolution (2012)

• Plot: A man chains his best friend to a house in an attempt to sober him up, but strange occurrences escalate.
• Why Watch: An early entry by the directors of "The Endless," this film serves as a prelude to their cosmic horror universe.

4. Underwater (2020)

• Plot: A crew of underwater researchers must scramble to safety after an earthquake devastates their subterranean laboratory.
• Why Watch: Think "Aliens" meets "Lovecraftian horror" in the depths of the ocean.

5. Color Out of Space (2019)

• Plot: A meteorite lands near a family's farm, unleashing a terrifying alien entity that mutates everything it touches.
• Why Watch: A modern adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's tale, featuring stunning visuals and a gripping story.

Psychological Horror

1. Coherence (2013)

• Plot: A dinner party goes awry when a passing comet causes strange occurrences and alternate realities.
• Why Watch: A mind-bending thriller that keeps you questioning reality until the end.

2. The Invitation (2015)

• Plot: A man attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife, where unsettling events unfold.
• Why Watch: A slow-burning psychological horror that builds tension masterfully.

3. Enemy (2013)

• Plot: A man discovers his doppelgänger and becomes obsessed with finding out more.
• Why Watch: A psychological thriller that delves into identity and paranoia.

4. The Babadook (2014)

• Plot: A single mother and her son are tormented by a sinister presence from a mysterious book.
• Why Watch: A deeply unsettling exploration of grief and motherhood.

5. The Lighthouse (2019)

• Plot: Two lighthouse keepers descend into madness while isolated on a remote island.
• Why Watch: A visually stunning and mentally disturbing film that stays with you.

Post-Apocalyptic

1. The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)

• Plot: In a dystopian future, a teacher and a scientist embark on a journey of survival with a unique girl.
• Why Watch: Offers a fresh take on the zombie apocalypse genre.

2. Turbo Kid (2015)

• Plot: In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a young boy fights to survive using his wits and makeshift weapons.
• Why Watch: A nostalgic throwback to '80s action-adventure films with a bloody twist.

3. A Boy and His Dog (1975)

• Plot: A young man and his telepathic dog navigate a ravaged world in search of food and women.
• Why Watch: A cult classic that blends dark humor with post-apocalyptic themes.

4. Stake Land (2010)

• Plot: A hunter and a young boy traverse a vampire-infested America in search of a safe haven.
• Why Watch: Combines horror with a post-apocalyptic road trip narrative.

5. The Road (2009)

• Plot: A father and son journey through a desolate landscape in search of safety.
• Why Watch: Visually haunting and emotionally powerful, based on Cormac McCarthy's novel.

Time Travel

1. Predestination (2014)

• Plot: A temporal agent embarks on his final mission to capture an elusive terrorist.
• Why Watch: An intricate time travel narrative that keeps you guessing until the end.

2. Timecrimes (2007)

• Plot: A man falls into a terrifying time loop after witnessing a crime.
• Why Watch: A gripping and intelligent take on the time travel genre.

3. Synchronic (2019)

• Plot: Two paramedics encounter bizarre deaths linked to a new designer drug that affects time.
• Why Watch: A unique and thought-provoking exploration of time travel.

4. Primer (2004)

• Plot: Two engineers accidentally create a time machine and grapple with its implications.
• Why Watch: A low-budget, high-concept film that challenges viewers to think.

5. The Endless (2017)

• Plot: Two brothers revisit a cult, discovering the group's beliefs might be more real than they imagined.
• Why Watch: Blends cosmic horror with time travel elements seamlessly.

Body Horror

1. Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)

• Plot: A man slowly turns into a metal creature after a freak accident.
• Why Watch: A disturbing and surreal exploration of body transformation.

2. Antiviral (2012)

• Plot: A man selling celebrity illnesses on the black market becomes infected with a deadly virus.
• Why Watch: A chilling look at society's obsession with celebrity and body horror.

3. Starry Eyes (2014)

• Plot: An aspiring actress undergoes a horrifying transformation after joining a cult-like film studio.
• Why Watch: A gripping and grotesque commentary on the cost of fame.

4. The Fly (1986)

• Plot: A scientist's experiment goes awry, causing him to transform into a fly-human hybrid.
• Why Watch: A classic film that masterfully blends body horror with emotional depth.

5. Possessor (2020)

• Plot: An assassin uses brain-implant technology to inhabit others' bodies and execute targets.
• Why Watch: A visually striking and unsettling exploration of identity and control

Torture Porn

1. Martyrs (2008)

• Plot: Two women seek revenge on those who brutalized them in their youth, uncovering a sinister conspiracy.
• Why Watch: A profoundly disturbing film that pushes the boundaries of horror.

2. Hostel (2005)

• Plot: Backpackers in Europe fall victim to a sadistic organization that tortures tourists.
• Why Watch: A grisly look at the dark side of travel and exploitation.

3. The Collector (2009)

• Plot: A burglar becomes trapped in a house rigged with deadly traps by a masked killer.
• Why Watch: Combines heist elements with intense and gruesome horror.

4. Saw II (2005)

• Plot: A detective and eight strangers awaken in a deadly trap-filled house orchestrated by the Jigsaw killer.
• Why Watch: Expands on the original "Saw" with more elaborate and challenging traps.

5. The Loved Ones (2009

• Plot: A high school student is kidnapped by a classmate and subjected to horrifying torture.
• Why Watch: A brutal and stylish take on teenage obsession and revenge.

Comedy Horror

1. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)

• Plot: Two well-meaning hillbillies are mistaken for killers by a group of college students.
• Why Watch: Hilariously subverts horror tropes while delivering genuine laughs.

2. What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

• Plot: A documentary crew follows four vampire roommates navigating modern life.
• Why Watch: A delightful and witty mockumentary that charms and entertains.

3. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

• Plot: A man and his friends attempt to survive a zombie apocalypse with humour and heart.
• Why Watch: A beloved classic that blends horror and comedy seamlessly.

4. Housebound (2014)

• Plot: A woman under house arrest discovers her family home is haunted.
• Why Watch: A clever and funny ghost story with genuine scares.

5. The Final Girls (2015)

• Plot: A group of friends are transported into a '80s slasher film and must survive the killer's rampage.
• Why Watch: A meta-horror comedy that pays tribute to and parodies the slasher genre.

Serial Killers

1. Maniac (2012)

• Plot: A disturbed mannequin shop owner stalks and kills women in brutal fashion.
• Why Watch: An unsettling first-person narrative that immerses the viewer in the killer's psyche.

2. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

• Plot: A chilling, realistic depiction of a serial killer's life and crimes.
• Why Watch: A raw and unflinching look at the mind of a murderer.

3. The House That Jack Built (2018

• Plot: A highly intelligent serial killer recounts his elaborate murders to a mysterious figure.
• Why Watch: A controversial and thought-provoking film that pushes boundaries.

4. My Friend Dahmer (2017)

• Plot: A biographical drama about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer's teenage years.
• Why Watch: A chilling look at the early signs of a notorious killer.

5. Summer of '84 (2018)

• Plot: A group of teens suspect their police officer neighbour is a serial killer.
• Why Watch: A nostalgic throwback to '80s thrillers with a dark twist.

Ghosts

1. Lake Mungo (2008)

• Plot: A family mourning their daughter's death experiences eerie events that suggest her ghost lingers.
• Why Watch: A haunting and emotionally resonant mockumentary.

2. The Innkeepers (2011)

• Plot: Two employees of a haunted hotel investigate supernatural occurrences on its final weekend.
• Why Watch: A slow-burning ghost story with effective scares.

3. We Are Still Here (2015)

• Plot: A grieving couple moves into a new home, only to discover it harbours vengeful spirits.
• Why Watch: A chilling and atmospheric horror film with a strong narrative.

4. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

• Plot: A father-and-son coroner team encounters supernatural phenomena while examining a mysterious corpse.
• Why Watch: A gripping and unique take on the ghost genre.

5. A Ghost Story (2017)

• Plot: A recently deceased man returns as a ghost to observe his grieving wife and the passage of time.
• Why Watch: An introspective and poignant film that explores loss and legacy.

Classic Horror

1. Don't Look Now (1973)

• Plot: A grieving couple in Venice encounter a psychic who claims to have made contact with their deceased daughter.
• Why Watch: An unsettling and suspenseful film that holds up as a classic horror masterpiece.

1. The Exorcist (1973)

• Plot: A mother seeks help from two priests when her young daughter is possessed by a malevolent entity.
• Why Watch: A groundbreaking and terrifying film that set the standard for possession horror.

1. Halloween (1978)

• Plot: A masked serial killer terrorizes a small town on Halloween night.
• Why Watch: An iconic slasher film that spawned a franchise and defined the holiday horror subgenre.