Cannibal Ferox 1981

Horror is one of the most readily dismissed genres from critics and film buffs, yet is, arguably, the genre with the most avid and steadfast niche following and remains popular with the general public. With horror films aiming to terrify, spook, shock, disturb, repulse, amuse, entertain and more, it's no wonder the genre is so varied, divisive and controversial.

With so many people ignoring or simply not understanding horror, many great films slip under the radar and are relatively unknown to an audience outside of hardcore horror fans. In order to counteract this and bring awareness to the greatness of the genre, this list was created.

Compiled using 2,614 lists taken from various critics/polls/magazines/books/websites/forums/horror fans, They Shoot Zombies, Don't They? is intended to be the ultimate canonical top 1000 horror list. Spanning several decades, countries and sub-genres, and using lists from a wide range of people and publications, the resulting list is quite a diverse spread and representation of the best of horror.

Source: http://theyshootzombies.com/

Not for those with heart conditions. You might get dirty looks if you mention these films. Welcome aboard fellow traveller. Remember it's only a movie...

Prior to the establishment of UK state censorship implemented in the Video Recordings Act of 1984, censorship was in the realms of the courts and the Obscene Publications Act. This required the courts to apply the test of whether videos were likely to "deprave and corrupt" the viewer. The Director Of Public Prosecutions (DPP) maintained a list of those videos that were felt likely to be found obscene by the courts and hence worthwhile prosecuting.
Of course, the real drivers behind the moral panic were the UK press led by the ever obnoxious Daily Mail. Not to mention a few politicians who felt they could make a name for themselves.

Several versions of the video nasty list were published with videos added and removed over the period 1983-1985. 72 videos were listed at least for a while. Another couple of films can stake a claim via a shared name with listed films. 39 made it through to the end, and these became known as the DPP39s. These 39 titles became the most sought after collectibles.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_nasty

To get you into the right mindset just watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzolFFd9NcU

Trashy cult cinema from the fringes of good taste.

Based on the book by Jennifer Eiss

A list originally mirrored from Letterboxd.

Bachiche sensuality from Laura Antonelli to Monica Bellucci.

From the book by Jennifer Eiss. The list is arranged by chapter. Each chapter starts with a top 10 (in alphabetical order), followed by the "best of the rest" (in alphabetical order).

#1-83: Dramatic Situatons
#84-133: Gripping Tales
#134-165: Lights, Camera…!
#166-228: Visionary Universes
#229-280: Criminal Underworlds
#281-360: Tales of Terror
#361-432: Cult Humor
#433-453: The Wild Wild West
#454-502: Film Lab

Source: https://www.amazon.com/500-Essential-Cult-Movies-Ultimate/dp/1402774869

Movies within the genre of horror, sci fi, fantasy or mystery.
Mostly low budget or at least not very well known.
Not all of them are necessarily good, but interesting in their own way if you approach with the right mindset.

Horror Movies

Films always have the ability to anger us, divide us, shock us, disgust us, and more. Usually, films that inspire controversy, outright boycotting, picketing, banning, censorship, or protest have graphic sex, violence, homosexuality, religious, political or race-related themes and content. They usually push the envelope regarding what can be filmed and displayed on the screen, and are considered taboo, "immoral" or "obscene" due to language, drug use, violence and sensuality/nudity or other incendiary elements. Inevitably, controversy helps to publicize these films and fuel the box-office receipts.

Source: http://www.filmsite.org/controversialfilms.html

The decade to rule them all.

A large collection of stand-alone HORROR categorised Movies & TV Shows.
*Last update 06/03/2024

A list of every film mentioned in the documentary In Search of Darkness.
UPDATED to include the films mentioned in the follow-up documentary In Search of Darkness: Part II.

List by hotsake

Horror movies featured in the documentaries In Search Of Darkness 1, 2 and 3