10 Enjoyable Cryptid Themed Horror Movies – Ranked (Spoilers)

Welcome to Ranking Horror where we do nothing but rank horror movies. If you like listicles and are looking for your next great horror movie, stick around. Yesterday we took a look at 10 Fantastic French Horror Movies. Today we are mixing things up in a huge way as we take a look at 10 Enjoyable Cryptid Themed Horror Movies.

When we talk about cryptids we, of course, mean things like Bigfoot, Sasquatch, The Jersey Devil, and the like. Cryptids are a hugely popular topic among many people. Whether it is casual interest in things like Bigfoot or a serious obsession with more spirit like creatures like Skinwalkers and Dogmen, the subject remains consistently fascinating to both the average person and the more well versed of the public.

Now you may notice the qualifier “Enjoyable” in that title. There is a good reason for that. Let’s be honest, cryptid themed horror movies don’t exactly have a great reputation. There are so many that are, quite simply, awful that putting together a list featuring some of them would be an insult and a waste of your time. All of these are actually pretty watchable. Some of these entries could be considered minor spoilers so consider yourself warned. Without further ado, let’s take a look at 10 Enjoyable Cryptid Themed Horror Movies.

10. Skinwalker Ranch (2013) – Utah’s Paranormal Hub

Why it Ranked: We are starting the list off with this one for a couple of reasons. One because it is the worst movie on this list and two because it doesn’t explore the idea of cryptids anywhere near as much as you might expect for a film based on this subject. Skinwalker Ranch is a found footage horror that sees a group of investigators searching for answers regarding the disappearance of a ten-year-old boy. Dogmen, aliens, spirits, skin-walkers; there is a lot going on in this real-life case. Unfortunately, this movie really doesn’t go into too much of the interesting stuff, instead having a bit of a one-track view towards a specific subject. Still, it’s Skinwalker Ranch, so it needs a mention when talking about cryptids.

Synopsis: Based on the infamous real-life location in Utah, the story follows a scientific research team investigating the disappearance of a ranch owner’s son, only to document a series of increasingly terrifying and otherworldly phenomena.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy), Tubi (US)

9. The Last Broadcast (1998) – The Jersey Devil

Why it Ranked: The Last Broadcast has the honourable distinction of being the first mainstream horror movie to have been filmed and edited on commercially available equipment. Yep, that accolade you assumed belonged to The Blair Witch Project actually belongs to this film from a year earlier. The story follows a group of investigators who head into the woods to search for the mythical Jersey Devil, only for all but one of them to go missing. It is presented as a documentary and, for the most part, it is quite interesting. It doesn’t nail the landing and the journey is better than the destination, but it still remains fascinating purely for its place in found footage history.

Synopsis: Two hosts of a public-access cable show are murdered under mysterious circumstances in the Pine Barrens while searching for the Jersey Devil. A documentary filmmaker attempts to piece together the truth from the surviving footage.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy), Tubi (US)

8. Exists (2014) – A Vengeful Bigfoot

Why it Ranked: Speaking of The Blair Witch Project, Exists is the 2014 effort of one of that classic’s directors, Eduardo Sánchez. Exists follows a group of friends heading into the woods to party, only to receive a very lukewarm welcome from Bigfoot. The first half of this movie is much more tense and interesting than the second half. I still think it is better than a lot of people give it credit for, though, with Sánchez taking a lot of what worked in his debut hit and applying it to a cryptid horror that has a few more ups than downs. Very inconsistent but, also, underrated in my opinion.

Synopsis: Five friends venture into the remote woods of East Texas for a weekend of fun, but they soon find themselves being stalked by a legendary predator that is more than just a myth.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy), Vudu

7. Willow Creek (2013) – Tent Terror

Why it Ranked: Bigfoot is back in Willow Creek. This movie sees a couple head out into the middle of Bigfoot territory for a night of camping, little realising that their trip won’t be a peaceful one. Did you know that the director, Bobcat Goldthwait, is a huge Bigfoot fan? He has produced documentaries and is a frequent contributor to the hairy cryptid’s community. Willow Creek is his contribution to Bigfoot’s reign as horror’s number 1 cryptid bad guy. It is a pretty effective horror movie with some genuinely tense moments, particularly a long, unbroken shot inside a tent that really tests your nerves.

Synopsis: A man obsessed with the Bigfoot legend drags his sceptical girlfriend to the site of the famous Patterson-Gimlin film in search of evidence, leading them into a terrifying nocturnal encounter.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy), Shudder

6. Wendigo (2001) – Antlered Antagonist

Why it Ranked: I am cheating with this one because Wendigos are spirit creatures of Native American myth, not strictly cryptids. Still, Larry Fessenden helms this artsy psychological horror movie with enough cross-over appeal that it would be a crime to leave it out. Wendigo is one of the better movies on this list, playing out like a character study into the decline of a person’s mind. It uses the myth as a prop for some decent psychological scares and creates a heavy, wintry atmosphere that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Synopsis: After an accidental encounter with a deer and a group of hunters on a winter road, a city family finds their holiday in a remote cabin disrupted by a vengeful presence that seems to embody an ancient forest legend.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy)

5. Incident at Loch Ness (2004) – Searching for Nessie

Why it Ranked: Zak Penn’s directorial debut is a clever mockumentary inside of a mockumentary starring the visionary Werner Herzog. It pokes fun at the entire idea of documentaries, including the way producers manipulate the audience. All while highlighting Herzog’s obsessive nature when it comes to his subjects. It loses its way towards the end, but that’s the part where the cryptid Nessie really comes to life, so you have to stick with it. It is easily the strangest movie on this list and a lot of fun for those who enjoy a bit of meta-commentary with their monsters.

Synopsis: Werner Herzog sets out to make a documentary about the Loch Ness Monster, but the production is sabotaged by a producer determined to create a more commercial, sensationalised film.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy)

4. The Mothman Prophecies (2002) – The Winged Harbinger

Why it Ranked: The Mothman Prophecies is often forgotten in cryptid horror discussions, which is surprising given its high-profile release in 2002. Directed by Mark Pellington and starring Richard Gere, it follows a reporter investigating sightings of a moth-like figure that precedes tragedies. The story is based on real-life sightings in Point Pleasant in the 1960s. While it can go in circles without a satisfying conclusion, the movie is stunningly beautiful and legitimately atmospheric. The well-hidden appearances of Mothman deserve careful watching and it works perfectly as a relaxing, chilling horror movie.

Synopsis: After his wife’s death, a journalist finds himself in a small town in West Virginia where a series of bizarre events and sightings suggest the presence of a prophetic, otherworldly entity.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy), Starz

3. Thale (2012) – The Tail of the Huldra

Why it Ranked: I probably love Norwegian horror movie Thale quite a bit more than most. It focuses on a pair of crime scene cleaners who discover a woman hiding in a remote cabin who isn’t quite what she seems. Based on the Scandinavian cryptids known as the Huldra (human-like creatures with cow tails), Thale leans more into dark fantasy than outright horror. It is a captivating movie that goes in directions you won’t expect. If you want something truly unique that steps away from the standard Bigfoot or Yeti tropes, this is the one to pick.

Synopsis: Two forensic cleaners discover a concealed basement in a remote cabin, where they find a woman who has been held captive for decades. They soon learn she is a creature from local myth with a dark secret.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy), Tubi (US)

2. The Ritual (2017) – Moder of the Woods

Why it Ranked: Again, I am slightly cheating as The Ritual features a Nordic Godling rather than a traditional cryptid, but any cryptid fan who hasn’t seen this will be grateful I suggested it. It features a stunning creature design of the God Moder, an offspring of Loki that traps lost travellers in the Swedish woods. It marks those suffering from emotional pain and forces them into worship. It is an absolutely fantastic movie that is often overlooked. The tension building in the first half is masterfully done, and the final reveal of the creature is one of the best in modern horror cinema.

Synopsis: A group of college friends reunite for a hiking trip in the Swedish wilderness, only to find themselves stalked by a menacing presence in the ancient forest.

Where to Watch: Netflix

1. Troll Hunter (2010) – Jotun Hunting

Why it Ranked: Troll Hunter is a brilliant Norwegian horror movie by the excellent André Øvredal. Trolls are loosely defined, but many of legend can definitely be considered cryptids, and this film treats them as a government-hidden reality. It is one of the best found footage horror movies of all time. Sure, the special effects can be a bit naff, but the film is just so damn enjoyable it is easy to forgive. Fun, compelling, quite scary in parts, and just a damn good time. If you haven’t seen it yet, make it your priority; it is a must-watch for fans of cryptids.

Synopsis: A group of film students following a suspected bear poacher discover that he is actually a “troll hunter” employed by the Norwegian government to keep the giant creatures contained.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy), Max, Hoopla

Cryptid Curiosities

There we have it, 10 cryptid themed horror movies that manage to be enjoyable despite the sub-genre’s shaky reputation. From the found footage antics of Troll Hunter to the moody atmosphere of The Mothman Prophecies, there is plenty here to satisfy your curiosity about the things that go bump in the night. Whether these creatures are real or just the product of overactive imaginations, they certainly make for some compelling cinema.

I’ll be back soon with more lists. In the meantime, why not check out some more of our found footage rankings? Stay spooky.

👣 Quick Picks: Cryptid Essentials

• 🏆 The Best Overall: Troll Hunter (2010)
• 🌲 The Bigfoot Choice: Willow Creek (2013)
• 🛸 The Paranormal Mix: Skinwalker Ranch (2013)
• 📽️ The Found Footage Classic: The Last Broadcast (1998)
• 🦋 The Atmospheric Pick: The Mothman Prophecies (2002)