10 Recent Folk Horror Movies From Around The World – Ranked

Welcome to Ranking Horror. Yesterday we checked out 10 International Zombie Horror Movies. Today, we are switching things up as we are taking a look at 10 Recent Folk Horror Movies from Around the World.

Folk Horror is a sub-genre of horror that utilises stories of folklore to weave terrifying tales. Think things like witches, creatures living in the woods, fairy tale villains, or simply people who live an alternative lifestyle, perhaps based on things like Pagan beliefs or lesser known religions.

Folk Horror has seen a bit of a revival in recent years. The release of Robert Eggers’ The Witch really sparked a renewed interest in the genre. An interest which was only fuelled by Ari Aster’s Midsommar releasing just a few years later. In this list we are going to be looking at 10 Recent Folk Horror Movies from Around the World. When I say recent, I mean from the past 10 years. Let’s take a look.

10. Chhorii (2021) – Secrets in the Cane Fields

Why it Ranked: Chhorii is an Amazon Prime original folk horror movie from India. It is a remake of 2017’s Lapachhapi, a movie that is supposedly much better but is rather difficult to find outside of India. Starring Nushrratt Bharuccha, the story at the core of the movie is one that puts a focus on Indian society and the plight of women in poorer communities. The build up here is very effective and quite haunting. The movie unfortunately descends into something of a farce as the horror is abandoned for the sake of making a statement that I doubt anyone really needs to hear. Still worth checking out, though.

Synopsis: The story follows a heavily pregnant woman who, along with her partner, moves into a remote house surrounded by sugar cane fields after being made to leave their home. Little realising that the maze like fields hide secrets that will force her to confront some very specific fears.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

9. Antlers (2021) – The Wendigo of Oregon

Why it Ranked: Guillermo del Toro produced this movie that takes folk horror to a small town in Oregon. The story goes deep into some regional folklore to explain away matters that feel just a tad bit at odds with the overall vibe of the movie. After all, Antlers is a ruthlessly bleak movie that features a cast of characters that all seem just a tad fed up with life. It’s at times very effective but it isn’t exactly an entertaining film. A great option if you are looking to feel a bit sad about something.

Synopsis: Antlers is a Mexican, Canadian, and American collaboration from 2021. The story follows a couple who find themselves in a difficult situation while trying to help a young boy who is displaying symptoms of abuse. Little realising that the real reason behind his disturbing behaviours might be something altogether more nightmarish.

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

8. Pyewacket (2017) – Be Careful What You Wish For

Why it Ranked: Directed by Adam MacDonald, Pyewacket is one of those movies that a lot of viewers seem to really like, despite it being a fairly formulaic horror. The folk horror elements are less at the forefront but still very much present, with the focus being placed on Pagan rituals and the folklore myths specific to that region. It’s a fairly effective film in parts and a good option if you are looking for a folk horror without the usual folk horror pacing and oddness.

Synopsis: Pyewacket is a Canadian folk horror that is set in modern times. It follows the story of a teenage girl who, after losing her father and being forced to move to a remote house in the woods with her mother far away from her friends and school, decides to conduct a pagan ritual to summon a witch known as Pyewacket so that she can set all of her problems right. Little realising just what the consequences of her actions will be.

Where to Watch: Tubi, AMC+, Shudder

7. Starve Acre (2023) – Bleak British Folk Horror

Why it Ranked: Starve Acre is a bleak little folk horror from the UK. Starring former Dr Who actor Matt Smith and the brilliant Morfydd Clark from my home country of Wales. This is an ultra slow folk horror and, to be honest, it feels like it doesn’t really go anywhere. It’s one of those films that is steeped in atmosphere but the pay off never comes. Still, it has some really effective moments and it is legitimately weird in that very specific way that is so very typical of this subgenre. Starve Acre just suffers for a lack of story building with relation to the folklore aspects. Still worth checking out for the incredibly accurate to period portrayal of 1960-70’s Northern England.

Synopsis: The story is set in the 1970s and follows a family who find their lives turned upside down after their son begins to act completely out of character.

Where to Watch: BFI Player, Amazon (Rent/Buy)

6. Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022) – The Fracture of Motherhood

Why it Ranked: We have a Mexican and Peruvian collaboration for this next recent folk horror movie entry with Huesera: The Bone Woman from 2022. Huesera is based on the Mexican folk legend of La Huesera. A character who, skipping a ton of lore here, is supposed to represent the idea of women running free. A slight hint at what the story behind this movie is about. The body horror elements are very effective but it’s hard to shake the feeling that these metaphorical horror movies, even when they are folk horror style, are getting a bit long in the tooth. Still quite effective in parts, though, and very well acted by lead Natalia Solián.

Synopsis: The story follows a pregnant woman who, despite being overjoyed to finally have a baby on the way, sees her life turn upside down after watching a woman fall off a neighbouring building. Huesera leans heavily into elements of body horror as our protagonist frequently experiences visions of her own bones breaking in horrible ways.

Where to Watch: Shudder, AMC+

5. Daddy’s Head (2024) – A New Monster in the Woods

Why it Ranked: Directed by self taught filmmaker Benjamin Barfoot. Daddy’s Head is a surprisingly effective folk horror that really went under people’s radars in 2024. There is loads of atmosphere here and the monster design is pretty unique. Much like the aforementioned Pyewacket, the folk horror vibes are slightly less prominent thanks to the modern setting. A trait which may make it more welcoming for people who are new to the subgenre. The monster, in question, could have used a little more fleshing out to build on the actual folklore behind it. Still, it’s a pretty decent movie that is worth a watch.

Synopsis: Daddy’s Head is another recent folk horror set in modern times. Coming by way of the UK, the story sees a boy and his young, ill equipped step mother being haunted by a strange creature that comes from the woods and appears to have the head of the child’s recently deceased dad.

Where to Watch: Shudder

4. The Damned (2024) – Isolation and Guilt

Why it Ranked: This interesting recent folk horror released in the latter stage of 2024, meaning it went under the radar a bit thanks to the amount of great movies that year. Like a lot of folk horror, it is a very slow paced movie that wants to bathe the audience in an unending sense of dread. It works, for the most part, and the international cast are stellar. Unfortunately, the ending unravels quite a bit but the journey there is an atmospheric and enjoyable one.

Synopsis: The Damned is an international collaboration between Iceland, Belgium, the UK, and Ireland. The story takes place in the early 19th century and follows an Icelandic community who are forced to make a horrifying choice when a foreign ship sinks off the coast of their village. Help the sailors or help themselves?

Where to Watch: Amazon (Rent/Buy)

3. La Llorona (2019) – The Weeping Woman’s Justice

Why it Ranked: La Llorona is a Guatemalan and French collaboration from 2019. We actually talked about this movie in our list of 10 La Llorona themed horror movies. The truth is, the folklore legend of La Llorona is used here as a vehicle to tell a story about political turmoil. Jayro Bustamante has crafted a story that highlights the plight of the indigenous Maya people at the hands of successive Guatemalan governments during the civil war. Powerful and moving. It might not do enough to win over all horror fans and does require patience but it is well worth watching for a recent folk horror movie that isn’t afraid to address the country’s controversial past.

Synopsis: An aging war criminal is tormented by the spirits of his past in the form of the wailing woman.

Where to Watch: Shudder, AMC+

2. The Devil’s Bath (2024) – A Cry for Help

Why it Ranked: Written and directed by Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz, who also brought us the fantastic Goodnight Mommy and The Lodge. The Devil’s Bath is based on a real life story that follows a very similar outline to the above. I won’t go into it too much for fear of spoiling the story. But suffice to say, it’s a sad and moving tale that isn’t exactly designed to entertain. Like a lot of recent folk horror movies, it is slow and very, very gloomy. If you like that type of thing, however, this is a fantastic option.

Synopsis: The Devil’s Bath (Des Teufels Bad) is a period folk horror movie set in the 18th century in Austria. It follows the story of a woman who is horribly unhappy with her life and wants to find a means to escape. The only problem is the unimaginable fate that awaits her if she takes matters into her own hands. Meaning she must come up with a horrifying plan to find a way out of her misery.

Where to Watch: Shudder, AMC+

1. You Won’t Be Alone (2022) – A Witch’s Coming of Age

Why it Ranked: You Won’t Be Alone is a folk horror in the most traditional sense of the word. Slow paced, steeped in folklore, artsy almost to a fault, and with a few choice scenes that will make you grit your teeth for how uncomfortable they are. Goran Stolevski chooses to opt for an almost coming of age tale rather than outright horror, as our main character begins to experience the human world that had been denied to her all of her life. It’s a fascinating move and absolutely stunning to look at in parts. Like many of these recent folk horror movies, however, you do have to be patient with this one.

Synopsis: Set in 19th century Macedonia. You Won’t Be Alone is an Australian, Serbian, and British collaboration. Starring the always fantastic Noomi Rapace. The film sees a young girl being transformed into a shapeshifting witch by an ancient spirit. Only to be abandoned and sent out into the world alone where she begins to experience life as a human for the first time.

Where to Watch: Peacock, Starz

Old Tales, New Nightmares

And there we have it, 10 recent folk horror movies from around the globe that prove the genre is alive, well, and terrifyingly diverse. Whether it’s the sun-drenched fields of India or the snowy forests of Austria, these films show that the old ways are still very much with us, and they are just as scary as ever.

We are constantly digging up new horrors, so be sure to check back for more lists. If you enjoyed this journey into folklore, why not take a look at some more of our folk horror rankings? I’ll be back soon with more lists. Stay spooky.

🌿 Quick Picks: Global Folk Horror Essentials

• 🏆 The Artistic Masterpiece: You Won’t Be Alone (2022)
• 🦴 The Body Horror: Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022)
• 👻 The Political Haunting: La Llorona (2019)
• 🩸 The Bleak History: The Devil’s Bath (2024)
• 👹 The Creature Feature: Antlers (2021)