While it can be a special experience to see a truly terrifying horror movie in the theater, there have been several fantastic horror movies that never made it to the big screen. While the advent of the Internet meant that many horror movies came straight to streaming, there were many great straight-to-DVD or even straight-to-VHS horror movies years ago. These low-budget releases don’t have to pander to box office expectations and, in some cases, are able to be more ambitious and unique as a result.
Some of the best non-theatrical movies were in the horror genre, as incredible horror movies were often made with little funding or support from major studios. In some cases, direct-to-video sequels have even surpassed their theatrical predecessors and gained a cult following among horror fans in the years following their release. These are Incredible non-theatrical horror films have proven that filmmakers don’t need to take their films to theaters to achieve greater artistic success..
15 Last Shift (2014)
Directed by Anthony DeBlasi
Last shift It was an excellent psychological horror that boasted an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As a well-paced, suspense-filled, and infinitely watchable, Last shift Juliana Harkavy stars as Jessica Loren, a police officer on her final shift at a closed police station who soon learns that the place may be haunted. Last shift Released on video-on-demand in 2015In 2023, director Anthony DeBlasi released a theatrical remake titled known To praise the critics.
14 The Creep (2014)
Directed by Patrick Bryce
creep Videography was a clever twist on the found-footage genre as a supposedly sick man was hired to film a video for his unborn daughter. Although the premise started out reasonable enough, the man calling himself Joseph began to behave increasingly strangely enough that cameraman Aaron began to fear for his life. This idiosyncratic horror mixes elements of comedy to make it feel truly unique in the genre. it was Released on VOD before coming to Netflix.
13 Her House (2020)
Directed by Remy Weeks
his house About a refugee couple who have fled war-torn South Sudan and struggle to adjust to their new life in England. With evil sucking beneath the surface, his house Explores the things desperate people must do to survive And stands as a fascinating and chilling glimpse into the harrowing experience of migrants fleeing conflict zones. This thrilling, socially conscious horror was released on Netflix in 2020.
12 Gerald’s Game (2017)
Directed by Mike Flanagan
Mike Flanagan adds to his impressive array of Netflix horror projects with his excellent Stephen King adaptation. Gerald’s game. It has long been thought that Gerald’s game It tells the story of a woman left handcuffed to her bed after her husband dies unexpectedly who must find a way to survive while battling inner demons. With incredible suspense Carla Gugino’s career-defining performanceIt was a hypnotic horror that captured the essence of King’s novel.
11 Cult of Chucky (2017)
Directed by Don Mancini
Although children’s play The franchise began in theaters, with many of its best installments being direct-to-video releases, the best example being Cult of Chucky. As the seventh entry in the long-running series, Cult of Chucky Previous releases featured a lot of callbacks And fully embraces the over-the-top, campy energy of this franchise. Alex Vincent reprises his role as the iconic voice of Andy Barclay and Brad Dourif’s killer doll, Cult of Chucky This ticks all the right boxes for lovers of the franchise but is unlikely to convert many new viewers.
10 Trick ‘R Treat (2007)
Michael Dougherty
Physical anthology Trick ‘n’ treat Featuring four stories connected by Sam, a trick-or-treating demon wearing a burlap sack on his head who appears whenever the characters break Halloween convention. With a unique premise that pays homage to the Halloween mythology, this cult favorite is full of old-fashioned suspense and has become an annual visit for many every October. As the film was released straight to DVD after festival screenings, Trick ‘n’ treat It was never in theaters during its original release But, in 2022, the Halloween special got theatrical screenings (via Paste Magazine.)
9 The Circle (2015)
Directed by Aaron Hahn and Mario Missioni
the circle was a sci-fi psychological horror inspired by 12 angry men (via Spectators everywhere) who found 50 people awake in a room only to have one of them killed every two minutes. When the victim realizes that they can control who dies, a thought-provoking narrative emerges that highlights how personal values influence what is deemed worth living. Released as a video-on-demand movie, the circle Was an exciting and interesting film Well worth seeking out by clever and insightful horror lovers.
8 Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996)
Directed by SS Wilson
Kevin Bacon’s absence was sorely felt for the direct-to-video sequel Vibration 2: AftershockThis comedy horror was a rare example of a non-theatrical follow-up that could outdo the original. Although the budget was much lower than its predecessor, this creature feature kept the quality high as it kept the gore coming and He wore jurassic park effect on his sleeve. With enjoyable special effects and some really great performances, Vibration 2 It ended up being way better than it had any right to be.
7 Splatter Farm (1987)
Directed by Polonia Brothers
D Twin brothers and filmmakers Mark Polonia and John Polonia have produced over 40 feature films.Mainly in the sci-fi and horror genres, with virtually no funding. It was one of the best Splatter FarmA direct-to-video horror extravaganza about two brothers going to stay with their aunt, who encounters a psychopathic killer who dismembers his victims and stores their body parts in his barn. Part of the direct-to-video movement of the 1980s, Splatter Farm It was a great example of filmmakers making fun of movies for the pure joy of doing so.
6 Return to Sleepaway Camp (2008)
Directed by Robert Hiltzik
Return to the sleepaway camp It was the fourth film Sleepaway Camp suffrage And will be the first direct-to-video release As a direct sequel to the original, ignoring the events of the previous two movies, Return to Sleepaway Camp Frank Costick’s relaunch of the ill-fated Camp Arawak was a chance for the series to return to its roots, and a new crop of kids fell victim to serial killer Angela Baker. With a healthy mix of humor and horror, this long-awaited sequel will delight fans of this underrated series.
5 The Ritual (2017)
Directed by David Bruckner
ritual It was a truly terrifying story about a group of friends hiking in Sweden who encounter an ancient evil presence. An effective British supernatural folk horror film, ritual Released in the United Kingdom by Aeon Films. However, its United States distribution rights were sold to Netflix for $4.75 million (via The Hollywood Reporter.) a beautifully shot natural setting, an eerie atmosphere and wonderful camaraderie between its characters, ritual It was a stylish production that used its Scandinavian setting to deliver a truly terrifying film..
4 Bone Woman: The Bone Woman (2022)
Directed by Michelle Garza Cervera
Mexican-Purivian body horror Bone Woman: Bone Woman Natalia Solyan plays Valeria Hernandez, a pregnant woman threatened by evil magical forces. As a truly disturbing fable of motherhood, Bone Artisan Other deep anxiety-inducing horror allegory continues the tradition of the classic Rosemary’s baby And Babadook. Debuting in 2022 world premiere at Tribeca Festival, Bone Artisan It was later released on the VOD platform Shader.
3 The Fear Street Trilogy (2021)
Directed by Leigh Janiak
fear road
Fear Street is a multimedia franchise created by RL Stine that began as a book series in the 1990s. The story centers on the town of Shadyside, a place that has been cursed for centuries until a group of teenagers are forced to find a way to break it. Otherwise, they will fall victim to deathless serial killers who keep coming back until they kill their target. The series was brought back to Netflix in 2021 as a three-film event and became a huge hit.
- created by
- RL Stine
- chastity
- Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr. , Ashley Zuckerman , Ted Sutherland , Gillian Jacobs , Sadie Sink , Jordana Spiro , David W. Thompson , McCabe Sly
- character(s)
- Deanna Johnson, Samantha Fraser, Josh Johnson, Nick Good, Christine Berman, Sarah Fear, Mrs. Mary Lane, Ryan Torres, Thomas Slater, William Good, Solomon Good, Hannah Miller, Henry Fear
fear road A film franchise based on RL Stine’s book series about teenagers trying to break a curse that has plagued their town for years. Director Leigh Janiak releases three installments on Netflix in July 2021, including a new Fear Street Part One: 1994, Fear Street Part Two: 1978And Fear Street Part Three: 1666 Coming out weekly. Each entry in the series was well received by critics and audiences, and A fourth upcoming installment titled Fear Street: Prom Queen Currently working.
2 Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007)
Directed by Joe Lynch
Wrong Turn 2: Dead End A rare example of a horror movie that surpasses the quality of the original as it effectively pays homage to and parodies the slasher genre. As a direct-to-DVD release, Wrong turn 2 Punk rock legend Henry Rollins in a lead role and starred as an unrequited love letter in 1980s horror movies Texas saw chain carnage. While it’s easy to criticize this movie as derivative, that was also part of the point, as it effectively delivered entertaining horror fun that knew what it wanted to be.
1 Hush (2016)
Directed by Mike Flanagan
Slasher movie by Mike Flanagan hush It was an excellent Netflix horror classed by strong performances and a genuinely creepy atmosphere. As the story of a deaf and mute writer silently pursued by a masked assassin, hush Becomes extra scary because the lack of sensation makes the narrative more suspenseful. The old phrase ‘less is more’ has never been more apt, as the emotional deprivation of the hero raises the bar and makes the villain feel even cooler.
Sources: Paste Magazine, Spectators Everywhere, The Hollywood Reporter