Are you tired of the same old jump scares, overused tropes, and predictable plots? Fear not, horror aficionados, as we venture into the shadowy corners of the film industry to unearth 10 underappreciated horror flicks that are sure to send shivers down your spine. Prepare to expand your watchlist with these hidden gems, each of which embodies unique forms of horror and terror.

1. Lake Mungo (2008)

Joel Anderson’s Australian horror mockumentary follows a family grappling with their daughter’s death. However, as they discover her secrets, they start encountering chilling supernatural events. This slow-burn psychological horror excels at building an uncanny atmosphere that seeps into your bones long after viewing.

2. Noroi: The Curse (2005)

This Japanese found footage-style film from director Koji Shiraishi takes a deep dive into the world of curses and paranormal activity. A far cry from traditional Western horror, it employs a slow-building narrative that results in a deeply unsettling finale.

3. A Dark Song (2016)

Irish director Liam Gavin blends occult rituals and profound grief in this tightly woven narrative. A bereaved mother enlists an occultist’s help to perform a grueling, months-long ritual. The extreme isolation and slow-paced psychological horror make for a deeply unsettling experience.

4. Possum (2018)

Matthew Holness’s directorial debut weaves an eerie tale of a disgraced puppeteer returning to his childhood home. The combination of surreal imagery, psychological torment, and the ever-present grotesque spider puppet, Possum, results in a nightmarish experience that stays with you.

5. The Devil’s Candy (2015)

Blending metal music and satanic horror, this film by Sean Byrne sees a family’s dream home turn into a living nightmare. Byrne expertly utilizes sound and a relentless pace to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

6. Ghostwatch (1992)

This infamous British TV movie, presented as a live broadcast, resulted in numerous panic-stricken calls to the BBC. Its verité style and slow revelation of a haunting create an unnerving sense of dread. Despite its reputation, it remains a hidden gem outside the UK.

7. The Eyes of My Mother (2016)

Shot in striking black and white, Nicolas Pesce’s debut is a chilling exploration of loneliness and madness. Its disturbing content and eerie visuals are not for the faint-hearted but offer a unique viewing experience for those willing to endure.

8. Session 9 (2001)

Filmed at the actual Danvers State Mental Hospital, this psychological horror from Brad Anderson sees an asbestos cleaning crew uncovering the facility’s dark past. Its oppressive atmosphere and haunting audio tapes result in a deeply unsettling slow-burn horror.

9. Starry Eyes (2014)

Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer’s body horror is a chilling allegory for Hollywood’s destructive nature. A struggling actress’s pursuit of success leads her into a horrific nightmare of transformation that both terrifies and mesmerizes.

10. The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

Adam Robitel’s found footage film transcends its genre trappings through its believable performances and the harrowing transformation of its titular character. As a documentary crew films a woman’s Alzheimer’s progression, they encounter something far more sinister.