10 Underrated Horror Films to Watch This Spooky Season

Everyone has their Halloween staples: Halloween, The Exorcist, and Scream. But beyond the classics lies a treasure of lesser-known horror films that deserve the spotlight. These underrated gems deliver just as much fear, atmosphere, and lingering unease, yet too often slip under the radar.

This spooky season, give your watchlist a shake-up. Here are ten underrated horror films that will leave you haunted long after the credits roll.

Lake Mungo (2008)

Presented in a faux-documentary style, Lake Mungo tells the story of a grieving family uncovering chilling secrets about their daughter's death. Its power lies in subtle dread; there are no jump scares, just carefully layered reveals that slowly worm into your psyche. The final images are some of the most quietly terrifying moments in modern horror. If you want a film that feels like a ghost story you shouldn't have seen, this is it. You can find it here.

The Invitation (2015)

This slow-burning thriller is a masterclass in tension. A dinner party begins innocently enough, but small social cues and unspoken tension spiral into something much darker. The genius of The Invitation lies in how it weaponizes politeness; the horror stems from ignoring instincts until it's too late. The final wide shot cements the film as both chilling and unforgettable. You can find it here.

Session 9 (2001)

Set in an abandoned asylum, Session 9 is the kind of horror that thrives on atmosphere rather than spectacle. The film follows a cleanup crew unraveling under psychological pressure, blending paranoia with supernatural dread. Its slow pace and claustrophobic setting make it one of the most unsettling horror experiences of the early 2000s. A hidden gem for fans of psychological terror. You can find it here.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

What begins as a simple forensic examination turns into a descent into the unknown. Two coroners attempt to uncover the mystery behind a nameless corpse, only to encounter horrors far beyond science. The film's confined setting and escalating supernatural events create an inescapable dread. It's intimate, terrifying, and brilliantly performed. You can find it here.

The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015)

Also known as February, this eerie indie blends possession horror with emotional devastation. The cold, isolated setting mirrors the loneliness of its characters, making every supernatural element feel inevitable. Director Oz Perkins masterfully builds dread without needing traditional scares. The ending is both heartbreaking and bone-chilling, solidifying it as one of the decade's best hidden horrors. You can find it here.

Norio: The Curse (2005)

This Japanese found-footage horror film is an exercise in slow, creeping dread. Unlike most found-footage, it builds its terror through small details, interviews, and a sprawling mystery that escalates into cosmic horror. The final act delivers one of the most shocking payoffs in the genre. Noroi is a must-watch for fans of The Ring or Paranormal Activity who want something darker and more experimental. You can find it here.

The Devil's Backbone (2001)

Guillermo del Toro's lesser-known gothic tale combines a ghost story with wartime tragedy. Set in a haunted orphanage during the Spanish Civil War, the film uses horror as a lens for grief, loss, and the cruelty of humanity. The ghost itself is haunting, but the true terror lies in the living. Beautiful, heartbreaking, and eerie, this film deserves more recognition. You can find it here.

Pontypool (2008)

We all love a good zombie breakout movie, but Pontypool is a movie unlike any other. It takes place almost entirely inside a small-town radio station. The infection spreads not through bites, but through language itself, a brilliantly original twist. The claustrophobic setting and creeping paranoia turn the unseen horrors outside into something far more terrifying. It's inventive, chilling, and a must for anyone craving a fresh take on the apocalypse. You can find it here.

The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

This found-footage film begins as a documentary about Alzheimer's, but quickly spirals into body horror and demonic possession. The gradual shift from realism to nightmare is what makes it so effective; it tricks the viewer into believing, then horrifies them with the impossible. The final act delivers one of the most shocking images in the history of found-footage cinema. Equal parts disturbing and unforgettable. You can find it here.

Under the Shadow (2016)

Set in 1980s Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war, this film blends political unrest with supernatural terror. A mother and daughter find themselves haunted by a djinn while air raids shake their city, turning their home into a prison of both real and metaphysical horrors. The cultural backdrop adds richness to the story, making it both thought-provoking and terrifying. This is horror at its most layered and impactful. You can find it here.

Final Thoughts

While classics will always have their place, it's the underrated films that often hit hardest. They catch you off guard, surprise you with originality, and leave you thinking long after the credits roll. This Halloween, step outside the usual list of slashers and exorcisms, and let these lesser-known nightmares into your queue. If you have a favorite underrated horror movie, please drop it in the comments. Who knows, it might just appear on next year's list.