Everybody seems to love a good scare, and horror movies are the perfect way to get that thrill. Horror has become super popular, attracting tons of people and winning lots of praise.

What’s cool is that some of the scariest movies come from all over the world, not just places like the US.

Thanks to some super creative directors and bold ideas, movies from other countries can be even more chilling and shocking than the ones from Hollywood.

1. ‘Let the Right One In’

From Sweden, Let the Right One In takes a unique spin on horror, mixing friendship and love with a dark twist. It’s about Oskar, a 12-year-old boy who’s bullied, and his relationship with Eli, a mysterious girl he falls for.

But there’s a shocker – Eli is a vampire. This movie is spooky and stunning at the same time, telling a story of young love that’s sure to stick with you. There’s an American remake called Let Me In, and it even got turned into a TV show.

2. ‘The Orphanage’

Directed by Spanish filmmaker J. A. Bayona, The Orphanage is a standout in horror cinema. Laura moves back to her old orphanage with her family, planning to restart it for disabled kids. Things get creepy fast when her son says he’s made “invisible friends.”

The movie masterfully blends scares with a deep, emotional story, revealing dark secrets of the orphanage that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

3. ‘Train to Busan’

Train to Busan is a thrill-packed South Korean horror movie. It takes the zombie virus theme to new heights with a heart-thumping story set on a train. A dad and his daughter find themselves on a terrifying journey from Seoul to Busan when a zombie outbreak erupts.

Along with other passengers, they have to battle to survive against zombies. The movie is famous for its intense action, awesome effects, and cool make-up. It’s super entertaining and shows just how good Korean movies are.

4. ‘Suspiria’

Suspiria, directed by Italian master Dario Argento, is a blend of scare and beauty that stands out in horror. It’s about Suzy, an American girl who joins a fancy German ballet school, only to find out there’s a dark mystery behind its walls. Weird and scary things start happening.

The movie is a cool way to see European horror. It’s freaky but also praised for how it looks and sounds, with lots of colors and spooky music that make it special.

5. ‘A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night’

Directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, the Persian film ‘A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night’ is a stylish vampire movie with a twist. It’s set in an Iranian ghost town where a vampire targets men who disrespect women.

The movie is filmed in black-and-white, which adds a cool and moody feel. It’s not just spooky; it also has important messages about treating women right. Plus, its artsy style makes it different from other horror movies. It’s a fresh take on the vampire genre that’s both smart and scary.

6. ‘Speak No Evil’

Speak No Evil, from Denmark, is not an easy watch. It’s about a Danish family who meets a Dutch family on vacation. They go to their new friends’ house, but the visit becomes uncomfortable and scary.

The movie starts slow but gets super shocking and hard to watch by the end. There’s also a remake in English coming, with James McAvoy. If you’re into really intense horror, this is it.

7. ‘Lamb’

Lamb is a weird but gripping movie made by A24, set in Iceland. It tells the story of a couple who can’t have kids and then finds a half-human, half-sheep baby on their farm. Sounds crazy, right? They decide to raise it as their own.

However, they soon face challenges that might break their strange new family apart. This movie mixes up a lot of feelings with its odd story but makes it work well.

8. ‘The Innocents’

‘The Innocents’ is a Norwegian film that takes the scary kid trope to a whole new level. During a summer in the Nordic regions, a group of children find out they have supernatural powers. Their innocent playtime quickly turns dark and dangerous as they test the limits of their abilities, far from the watchful eyes of their parents.

The movie brilliantly mixes childhood innocence with unsettling realism and brutality. It’s both thematic and thought-provoking, asking deep questions about the nature of innocence in children.

‘The Innocents’ is a must-watch for those who love horror, and it makes you think twice about the darker aspects of human nature. It’s the perfect film to watch before you play World of Wonka online, adding an extra layer of thrill to your experience.

9. ‘Hatching’

Hatching is a Finnish movie that combines horror with a dark coming-of-age story. It’s about a 12-year-old gymnast named Tinja who’s trying to please her mom, an influencer obsessed with their family’s online image.

Things take a weird turn when Tinja finds a bizarre egg, and what hatches is not what you’d expect—a creepy creature that starts to wreck their perfect life.

The film is packed with icky body horror and awesome special effects that make the monster super realistic. It’s a freaky mix of horror and a story about growing up under pressure.

10. ‘Goodnight Mommy’

From Austria, Goodnight Mommy is a psychological horror that gets to you. It’s about twins Elias and Lukas, who start doubting who their mom is after she returns from surgery with her face covered in bandages.

The creepy vibes, odd characters, and big surprises make this movie super unsettling. While there’s a new American version with Naomi Watts, most people think the original is way better.




About the Author