10 More International Horror Movies Better Than Hollywood

Welcome to Ranking Horror. Yesterday, we kicked off a brand new series of lists as we were pushing to one side mainstream horror and checking out 10 International Horror Movies Better Than Hollywood. Today, we are continuing that theme with 10 More International Horror Movies Better Than Hollywood.

When we say better than Hollywood, we mean horror movies from all over the world that stand head and shoulders above the typical mainstream stuff that most people are used to. After all, Hollywood doesn’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to horror. Whether they are remaking superior movies from different countries or just trotting out the same old supernatural stuff. It’s tough to get excited about any big budget US horror.

This list contains 10 more International horror movies better than Hollywood mainstream equivalents. Remember, I will be adding new parts to this series for a long time to come as there is so much decent horror from around the world to talk about. Stick with us and if you don’t see the movie you love here it may be in a future list. Without further ado, let’s take a look.

10. Shutter (2004) – Thailand’s Photographic Terror

Why it Ranked: Shutter came right in the middle of the J-Horror boon and proved that other Asian nations like Thailand and South Korea were just as good at producing brilliant supernatural horror movies. Shutter went on to greatly inspire Hollywood itself. Even receiving a mainstream horror remake directed by Masayuki Ochiai that was, like many Hollywood versions of great horror movies, pretty awful. The story behind Shutter is very moving and there are enough scares to keep you on your toes throughout.

Synopsis: Thailand’s Shutter follows the story of a couple who accidentally hit a woman with their car. Not wanting to get in trouble, they speed away from the scene. It’s only later when the man starts to experience unsettling events, capturing a strange shadow in the photos he takes using his camera. Could it be nothing or is there some connection to the awful thing that happened in his past?

Where to Watch: Netflix, Shudder

9. Braindead (1992) – New Zealand’s Splatter Masterpiece

Why it Ranked: We are going to New Zealand and all the way back to 1992 for our next movie with Peter Jackson’s dark comedy, splatter horror, Braindead (also known as Dead Alive). Braindead was Jackson’s highest budget flick at the point of release. A fact that was somewhat frustrating as the movie went on to bomb at the box office. It’s an absolute cult classic now, going on to inspire Simon Pegg’s well loved zombie comedy movie Shaun of the Dead. The film is an absolute laugh riot, as well with some of the most ridiculous splatter carnage you will ever see in horror.

Synopsis: It follows the story of a young man’s overbearing mother who gets bitten by a monkey before transforming into a zombie like creature with an insatiable appetite. Somehow causing him, and his new romantic interest, even more problems than before.

Where to Watch: Rare Horror Imports

8. The Ritual (2017) – UK’s Folk Horror Revival

Why it Ranked: Directed by David Bruckner, The Ritual is a movie that is starting to see a lot more love in the past couple of years. The Ritual is a bit of a movie of two halves. Almost a road trip style story at the start with the friendship between the group playing front and centre. It transforms into a traditional horror later on and is brilliantly effective. An absolutely fantastic creature design is the highlight of the film but there are enough scares and atmosphere to keep it enjoyable, throughout.

Synopsis: The story follows a group of friends who head out on a camping trip into the Swedish woods to honour their deceased friend. Only to find themselves in a dire situation as they uncover an ancient evil hidden deep within the trees.

Where to Watch: Netflix

7. Sleep Tight (2011) – Spain’s Creepy Concierge

Why it Ranked: Sleep Tight is one of those films that will leave you feeling very uncomfortable when alone at night. Coming by way of Spain and directed by REC’s Jaume Balagueró. Sleep Tight taps into the little insecurities about privacy and comfort that most people have. The elements of voyeurism and home invasion work tremendously well and Cezar is so utterly creepy. It’s hard to get this movie out of your head when you are done watching. Sleep Tight is a great example of how much better international horror can be than mainstream horror.

Synopsis: Sleep Tight follows Cezar, a creepy janitor who loves inflicting pain on people and may have just found his new target in the form of a beautiful young woman.

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

6. The Skin I Live In (2011) – Spain’s Surgical Horror

Why it Ranked: Pedro Almodóvar’s The Skin I Live In is a movie that is genuinely shocking on multiple different levels. For one, it features Antonio Banderas playing against type as a psychopathic man with a strange obsession and, two, it has some seriously graphic scenes that stay with you. Suffice to say, giving too much away about the plot would risk spoiling it. It’s a fantastic movie that goes in some very unexpected directions and seems to get forgotten about quite a lot nowadays. Well worth checking out.

Synopsis: The story follows a brilliant plastic surgeon who, after losing his wife in a car accident, sets about developing a type of skin that is resistant to damage. Developing an obsession with his test patient along the way.

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy)

5. The Descent (2005) – UK’s Claustrophobic Nightmare

Why it Ranked: Often described as one of the scariest modern horror movies. The Descent manages something quite rare in that it scares the viewer with both the setup and the creature designs. Neil Marshall’s follow up to Dog Soldiers is a massively effective horror movie with tension for days. The claustrophobic confines of the cave system play host to some serious toe curling moments that put you right in the constricted passages with the women. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the things hiding in the caves are some of the scariest in horror history.

Synopsis: The story follows a group of friends heading into the Appalachian mountains to explore a cave system. Little realising that they may have stumbled on the home of something truly evil.

Where to Watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video

4. Bedevilled (2010) – South Korea’s Revenge

Why it Ranked: Bedevilled is a South Korean movie that straddles a few different genres. Starting off as a slow moving drama movie, it eventually transforms into something completely different and altogether more violent. The majority of Bedevilled is a rather depressing drama movie that will leave you feeling, for the lack of a better word, a bit miserable. It then becomes a full blown revenge flick full of violence and brutality. Well acted, brilliantly filmed, and compelling throughout. This isn’t a movie you watch to feel good but definitely deserves the attention of South Korean horror fans who missed it.

Synopsis: The story follows an abused, and downtrodden, woman living on a small island who, after meeting with an old friend, decides that she can’t take it any more and must do whatever she can to get out.

Where to Watch: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video

3. Lake Mungo (2008) – Australia’s Hidden Gem

Why it Ranked: I know! Everyone who knows horror knows about Australia’s Lake Mungo. It gets talked about a lot but that doesn’t mean to say it doesn’t deserve a mention, here. Presented as a documentary, Lake Mungo features interviews with relatives, archival footage from the family, and news reports about the girl’s death. All while a story of grief, the human condition, and the paranormal is weaved in the background. It takes a few missteps that will put some people off but it is so realistic and moving that it’s hard not to be completely enthralled. It has some genuinely scary moments, too.

Synopsis: The story follows a grieving family who, after losing their daughter, begin to experience strange goings on in their home.

Where to Watch: Tubi, Shudder

2. Cold Fish (2010) – Japan’s Nihilistic Nightmare

Why it Ranked: Cold Fish is one of my favourite Japanese horror, thriller, movies. Directed by the legendary Sion Sono. Based on the real life case of the Saitama Dog Lover Murders. Cold Fish is part gruesome horror, part thriller, and part crime drama with just a sprinkling of dark humour. It’s an utterly compelling movie that manages to shock on a number of occasions. Cold Fish is not a story that will leave you feeling positive about the world but it is definitely a film you will struggle to turn away from.

Synopsis: The story follows a small fish shop owner who finds himself becoming embroiled in a sick, twisted world of violence after becoming friends with the owner of a much larger fish shop.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

1. Let The Right One In (2008) – Sweden’s Vampiric Love Story

Why it Ranked: Perhaps the greatest modern vampire horror movie of all time. Let The Right One In (Låt den rätte komma in) was a massive breath of fresh air when it released in 2008. The coming of age nature of the story belies some serious horror moments that are genuinely scary. The atmosphere is thick throughout and the oppressive, snow covered landscape provides the perfect backdrop for a plot that feels, somehow, both hopeless and hopeful.

Synopsis: Following the story of a bullied boy living in a rundown apartment complex. Developing a relationship with a girl who moves in next door and seems to be hiding a dark past. This movie could, perhaps, best be classed as a horror romance.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, Peacock

Horror Has No Borders

And there we have it, 10 more reasons why you should be looking beyond Hollywood for your horror fix. Whether it’s the cold isolation of Swedish vampire tales or the frenetic splatter of New Zealand zombie comedies, the world is full of terrifying stories waiting to be discovered.

We are constantly exploring new territories in the genre, so keep checking back for more international lists. If you enjoyed this global tour of terror, why not check out some more of our international horror rankings? I’ll be back soon with more lists. Stay spooky.

🌍 Quick Picks: Global Horror Essentials

• 🏆 The Vampire Masterpiece: Let The Right One In (2008)
• 🔪 The Extreme Horror: Cold Fish (2010)
• 📹 The Mockumentary Gem: Lake Mungo (2008)
• 🩸 The Splatter Comedy: Braindead (1992)
• 👻 The Asian Ghost Story: Shutter (2004)