6 Horror Films That You Might Not Know About

When it comes to horror fans, old and new, people often recommend films that are widely known in the horror fandom. Especially the classics that are relatively accessible and referenced quite a bit throughout other media. For example, most horror fans know about the Scream franchise or Halloween. But what about horror films that fly under the radar? The very films that people might not even know exist.

Finding underrated horror films isn't all that hard, as long as you're doing your research and being persistent about it. There are a plethora of horror films that might have gotten theatrically released, but failed to become a sensation. Meanwhile other times it's a matter of people not appreciating it when it came out. Regardless, if you consider yourself a horror fan then sometimes it's fun to expand your viewing experiences. Free apps like Tubi and Plex are great places to find lesser known horror titles.

If you're hoping to find a horror film to watch that maybe has never been recommended to you, look no further than this list. There's bound to be something that you'll be interested in!

Dog Soldiers (2002)

Werewolf flicks don't get nearly as much appreciation as vampire horror films. Dog Soldiers is a tremendous example of that fact and it's certainly a blood soaked experience. The film primarily focuses on a British squad who end up in quite the pickle when they're forced to deal with werewolves. It doesn't hold back in terms of killing off characters or putting them in a perilous and impossible situation. Just like nearly any werewolf film, it doesn't have a picturesque ending.

If you're a fan of The Descent, then Dog Soldiers might also appeal to you because it's also a Neil Marshall film. But instead of being a main cast that consists of just women, it's a cast consisting of mostly men. But the cast does a great job of owning their respective characters. And there are a few themes explored throughout the film, especially societal norms. It's worth checking out if you tend to enjoy British horror and practical effects.

The Den (2013)

Found footage is a subgenre that often gets a bad rap amongst horror fans. Therefore people might have easily overlooked the gem that is The Den. The films follows a college student who is studying online chat users, but when sees a disturbing murder, she becomes wrapped up in the mystery behind who's behind it. It's a relatively short film in hindsight and manages to pack a punch. Considering it's found footage, the murders look like snuff films and they look relatively real as a result.

The Den isn't a game changer type of horror film and it might come across as too unrealistic for some. But the violence is gruesome enough to be memorable. And as the film carries on, it feels more and more hopeless for Elizabeth (Melanie Papalia) because her life is unraveling. Not to mention the ending is absolutely gnarly because it's unexpected.

The Invitation (2015)

Slow burn horror films aren't always worth the wait, but The Invitation is absolutely worth the uncomfortably effective build to the chaos. The film follows a grieving man who goes with his current girlfriend to ex wife's house for a get together. But little does he know, his ex has different intentions altogether. Karyn Kusama's directing is tremendous and as a viewer, you're bound to be immersed in every uncomfortable moment.

The Invitation doesn't amp up the violence until much later in the film and when it happens, you'll be squirming in your seat. The sequences feel real, almost like they're happening in front of your eyes. Instead of focusing on a slasher villain or supernatural presence taking them out, it does something entirely different. And it's absolutely worth checking out if you're craving a slow burn.

Pet (2016)

If you've watched or are a fan of the series You, then you might find yourself seeing similarities in Pet. The film is a classic tale of obsession that involves a man who really know the woman he decides to kidnap. It's a twisted film that isn't perfect, but it's entertaining enough to check at least once. Not to mention the performance from Ksenia Solo will keep your eyeballs on the screen.

Pet has enough twists and turns that you might have to suspend your disbelief with. But when you initially go into the film, you likely won't be suspecting them. It makes for an intriguing watch and it's not lacking in some gruesome moments of violence. All in all, Pet is throwing on at least once to see if you like the vibes and the direction the film goes.

Tragedy Girls (2017)

Sticking together is sometimes a promise soaked in blood, especially in the case of Tragedy Girls. The film follows two teenage best friends who want to become social media famous and are willing to kill to do it. It's a comedy horror film that falls into influencer horror and is certainly topical because of that. And both Alexandria Shipp as well as Brianna Hildebrand really sell their performances as budding serial killers.

Tragedy Girls is a fun and bloody time that isn't saying anything new about social media, but it makes for a good time. The humorous moments are dark in tone and they fit in perfectly with the wacky world that Tragedy Girls throws its viewers in. And the relationship between McKayla (Alexandra Shipp) and Sadie (Brianna Hildebrand) is queer coded enough to analyze. All in all, it's one of the more underrated horror films from the 2010s and deserves some more appreciation.

Overlord (2018)

Fighting back against Nazis who are performing monstrous experiments? Overlord has got you covered. The film follows American soldiers during World War II who find out that the Nazis are performing disturbing experiments. And it's up to them to stop what the Nazis are trying to do. It's a very violent and action packed horror film that'll have your heart pounding once the violence kicks off. And naturally it's obvious who you'll be rooting for.

Overload will satisfy anyone looking for a horror film where Nazis get wrecked. Not to mention it has a decent cast of people you might recognize like Wyatt Russell, Pilou Asbæk and others. It's not what one would consider to be a fun time, but it's certainly an experience that'll be satisfactory if you're into action horror films. And the body horror, as well as visuals will be enticing to horror fans who are into that. At the end of the day, Overlord is for those who like action packed horror with gore.

You can find where to watch all of these films by visiting Just Watch.

(image credit: IFC Midnight, Gunpowder & Sky, and Paramount Pictures)