Top 10 Scariest Horror Movies From Across the Globe

#10: Train to Busan (2016)

Themes of social hierarchy and classism come into play within 2016s Train to Busan. At the same time, however, this film from director Yeon Sang-ho also never forgets to be captivatingly scary. The make-up effects upon the undead hordes here are convincing, with a sufficient gruesomeness that allows Train to Busan to feel at home within that longstanding legacy of zombie cinema. Meanwhile, the fast and hungry nature of the zombies here in Sang-hos film is ripped from the World War Z and Zack Snyders Dawn of the Dead mold. This allows for the intense pacing to reflect the fear present within the eyes of Busans human protagonists.

#9: Hausu (1977)

The stories behind the production of 1977s House, a.k.a. Hausu, belie the strange and hallucinogenic imagery that resides within this celluloid head-trip. Director Nobuhiko Obayashis young daughter, Chigumi, actually receives story credit for the film. This could lead one to believe that Hausu is going to be kid stuff. That isnt exactly the case, however, since Obayashis film melds together absurdity and morbidity in a manner unlike anything else ever released to the screen. The tone of Hausu vacillates wildly, to be sure, but its the unpredictability of this thrill ride that makes watching this vividly striking horror film so much fun.

#8: Ringu (1998)

Horror fans bore witness to a glut of Americanized remakes of Japanese horror movies during the early 2000s. The Ring from 2002 was one of the most successful of this lot. Although, for our money, theres no beating the original source material, Ringu, from 1998. The plot of a cursed videotape remains relatively unchanged between both the American and Japanese takes on The Ring, but the visuals of Ringu really set the stylistic template high for its competitors. This was a horror film that connected with an audience and refused to release its watery grip.

#7: Eyes Without a Face (1960)

We, as horror fans, might occasionally take for granted many of the stylistic tropes that have been established by older films. Classics like 1960s Eyes Without a Face from French filmmaker Georges Franju. The screenplay here allows plenty of room for its main antagonist, Dr. Génessier, to retain understandable motivations for his crimes. Génessier has dedicated himself to restoring physical beauty to his daughter Christiane, the latter of whom has suffered severe facial wounds from an automobile accident. The mask worn by Génessiers daughter deliberately obscures these wounds, although Christianes eyes express both pain and sorrow to the audience. Eyes that may not have a face, but which burrow deep into our collective soul nonetheless.

#6: The Wailing (2016)

This South Korean film from 2016 incorporates elements from multiple genres within its final product, including classic zombie cinema, occult horror tropes, and even old-school police procedurals. The Wailing is ultimately a scary film at its core, however. A modern horror classic that takes its time washing over the viewer, but bears much fruit for those dedicated to its narrative. Worlds of Eastern mysticism and an uncomfortable, almost impenetrable darkness lurk within the shadows of The Wailing, an exercise in atmospheric terror that doesnt hold the audiences hand, but instead almost dares them to come along for the journey.

#5: Cure (1997)

This Japanese horror film from 1997 may not be discussed as often as Ringu or Ju-On: The Grudge, but Cure more than deserves its place as an influential slice of J-Horror. Writer/director Kiyoshi Kurosawa inserts elements of police procedurals and psychological horror into his story of strange killings and even stranger killers, all of which are left with more questions than answers. Cure has also aged quite well over the years, and comes as highly recommended for those seeking out a little bit of contextual history regarding Japans horror boom during the late nineties and early millennium.

#4: Rec (2007)

The genesis of the found footage style of horror filmmaking can largely be traced back to Italys Cannibal Holocaust from 1980. However, Spanish movies such as Rec from 2007 serve as worthy connective tissue for that countrys rich cinematic history that dates all the way back to the 1950s and 60s. Rec proved that the found footage style could deliver some truly legitimate scares. This is thanks primarily to the anything goes atmosphere that lurks behind every corner of Rec. Cinematographer Tom Doyle creates unpredictability and chaos via the first-person viewpoint, incorporating shaky camera angles before this approach became too old hat. The results never feel cheap and remain fairly thrilling, even by the standards of today.

#3: Audition (1999)

The reputation of Audition from director Takashi Miike has traveled fairly far and wide within horror circles at this point. This is despite Miikes film not really becoming a true horror film until its final act. This is when we realize that the widower character, Shigeharu, whos been auditioning potential new girlfriends, has made one serious mistake. Her name is Asami, and although Shigeharus behavior hasnt exactly been on the up-and-up throughout Audition, what happens to both him and Asami at the films climax has to be seen to be believed.

#2: Suspiria (1977)

The world of Italian horror is vast, with many peaks and valleys. It also includes a number of crossover hits, including Suspiria from 1977. This masterpiece from director Dario Argento and screenwriter Daria Nicolodi inserts occult mysticism, dance, and even dark fairytales into the mix. The outcome is as potent as anything released within Italy or anywhere else, a violent yet perversely beautiful film with gorgeous colors and iconic music. Additionally, the murder set pieces here are wince-inducing and beyond grotesque, an almost prurient exercise in bloody excess from one of Italys most brutal maestros.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Black Sunday (1960)Mario Bavas Moody, Gothic Masterpiece

The Orphanage (2007)

Atmosphere For Days

Angst (1983)

Not Your Average Stalk & Slash

The Platform (2019)

A Dystopian, Sci-Fi/Horror Hybrid

Dont Torture a Duckling (1972)

Small Town Secrets & Hypocrisy Reign in This Cult Giallo

#1: Let the Right One In (2008)

It must be a difficult task for the average screenwriter to try and reinvest, as best they can, established creatures such as vampires. This is essentially why Let the Right One In affected so many viewers back when it was released in 2008. This Swedish film not only featured talented young leads with a legitimately compelling relationship and chemistry. Let the Right One In also made sure to include true, dyed-in-the-wool horror elements, as well as some sinister subtext thats never truly made clear. Instead, this cinematic adaptation of John Ajvide Lindqvists novel tackles thematic elements of love, violence, and loneliness, the latter of which might be the most frightening emotion of all.

Do you enjoy exploring outside of your comfort zone when it comes to horror movies? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!