Closely related togothic horror, “folk horror” is an umbrella term for stories that explore dark supernatural and psychological forces in isolated rural environs, drawing from existing folk traditions. In the Western world, folkhorrormovies have usually been inspired by pagan rituals and superstitions surrounding witchcraft, but as the genre has spread around the globe, we’ve also come to see some enthralling works of international folk horror that are rooted in the beliefs and traditions of other cultures.
For more recommendations, be sure to check out our lists of the bestmoviesandshowson Prime Video, thebest horror movies on Prime Video, and thebest folk horror movies on Netflix.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Prime Video.
‘The Wailing’ (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% | IMDb: 7.4/10
The Wailing
Written and directed byNa Hong-jin,The Wailingis a South Korean horror film set in a remote Korean village. After a mysterious Japanese man’s arrival in the village sets off a mysterious illness and a series of strange killings, Officer Jong-goo (Kwak Do-won) desperately searches for an explanation as his own daughter becomes one of the victims. The film stars Kwak Do-won,Hwang Jung-min,Chun Woo-hee,Jun Kunimura, and more.
The Wailingpremiered in South Korea in May 2016 and was screened out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival shortly after, receiving near-universal critical acclaim. The film was also a huge box office success, grossing over $51 million. A complex supernatural mystery film,The Wailing’s captivating atmosphere and unpredictable storytelling make it one of the most immersive (and terrifying) horror movies of the past decade. The film received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Baeksang Arts Award for Best Film.
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‘Suspiria’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 65% | IMDb: 6.7/10
Inspired byDario Argento’s iconic 1977 film of the same name,Luca Guadagnino’sSuspiriaunfolds as “six acts and an epilogue,” beginning with the story of Patricia (Chloe Grace Moretz), who arrives at the office of her psychoanalyst Dr. Josef Klemperer (Tilda Swinton), singing, dancing, and raving about a school of witches that wants to get inside her. He chalks up her fear to paranoid delusions, but when his young patient goes missing shortly after, he finds himself tangled up in the affairs of the coven as a witness — both to their rituals and to the horrors of history, in which he has been a passive participant.
Suspiriapremiered at the 75th Venice International Film Festival, where it received highly polarizing reviews, though its cinematography, score, and choreography were largely praised. The film won two prizes at the Independent Spirit Awards: Best Cinematography and the Robert Altman Award. Though it was a box office disappointment, many considerSuspiriato be a vital cult classic. -Haleigh Fouch
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | IMDb: 8.2/10
Directed and co-written byRahi Anil Barve,Tumbbadis an Indian Hindi-language period folk horror film. Set over 30 years, the movie revolves around a man born in the titular village who discovers a mythical treasure guarded by an ancient eldritch monster. The film starsSohum Shahas the main character, leading a cast that also includesJyoti Malshe,Ronjini Chakraborty,Mohammad Samad, and more.
Tumbbadpremiered in the critics' week section of the 2018 Venice International Film Festival, becoming the first Indian film to receive this honor. Subsequently screened at various film festivals around the world, the film became a critical and commercial success once it made its theatrical debut. While the movie does contain many cliché tropes and stock characters, it leans into those tendencies in a way that makes the film feel like a real folk legend come to life. With excellent cinematography, art direction, sound design, and performances,Tumbbadis arguably one of thebest Hindi horror filmsof the 21st century so far. The movie has developed a cult following in the years since its premiere, and it was re-released in 2024 to record-high box office numbers.
‘Brotherhood of the Wolf’ (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes: 73% | IMDb: 7.0/10
Brotherhood of the Wolf
A French period action horror movie,Brotherhood of the Wolfwas directed byChristophe Gans, who also co-wrote the film withStéphane Cabel. Set in 18th-century France, the film revolves around a mysterious creature that slaughters hundreds in the county of Gévaudan. Partly inspired by real events and the legend of the Beast of Gévaudan, the film starsSamuel Le Bihan,Mark Dacascos,Émilie Dequenne,Monica Bellucci, andVincent Cassel.
First released in January 2001,Brotherhood of the Wolfwas a critical and commercial success, grossing over $70 million worldwide. The film has been praised for its performances, cinematography, and extended fight scenes. One part swashbuckling actioner, one part conspiracy thriller, and yet another part creature feature,Brotherhood of the Wolfis a wildly entertaining film that flips effortlessly between genres while presenting a well-rounded period production. Since its premiere in the 2000s, multiple alternate versions of the film have been released, and in 2022, a 4K restored “Director’s Cut” version premiered in the Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival.
‘Wake Wood’ (2009)
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 5.5/10
An Irish supernatural horror film produced by Hammer Film Productions,Wake Woodwas directed byDavid Keating, who also co-wrote the screenplay withBrendan McCarthy. The movie starsAidan GillenandEva Birthistleas Patrick Daley and his wife, Louise, whose daughter, Alice (Ella Connolly), is tragically killed by a dog. The grieving couple moves to a rural village, where they discover strange rituals that can resurrect the dead for three days. The film also starsTimothy Spall,Ruth McCabe,Amelia Crowley,Brian Gleeson, and more.
Wake Woodwas a rather under-the-radar movie when it premiered in 2009; however, it did receive largely favorable reviews from critics. On the surface, the film appears like just another well-composed but decidedly low-budget folk horror movie, but its story invokes powerful themes of grief, the power of ritual, and the terrifying inevitability of death. It also has some solid performances and a tight (if a little too short) runtime, makingWake Wooda fascinating and easy watch for horror fans.
‘The Curse of Audrey Earnshaw’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 4.8/10
The Curse of Audrey Earnshaw
Written and directed byThomas Robert Lee,The Curse of Audrey Earnshaw(also released asBlood Harvest) is a Canadian supernatural horror movie set in a remote village in the 1970s.Catherine WalkerandJessica Reynoldsstar as Agatha Earnshaw and her daughter Audrey, witches who possess mysterious powers. Agatha goes to great lengths to keep her daughter’s existence a secret, but when a plague decimates the village while sparing the Earnshaw farm, it draws the ire of the locals and awakens a thirst for vengeance in Audrey. Besides Walker and Reynolds, the film also starsJared Abrahamson,Hannah Emily Anderson,Sean McGinley, and more.
The Curse of Audrey Earnshawpremiered at the 2020Fantasia International Film Festival, where it received somewhat mixed but largely favorable reviews. While the film has been criticized for its meandering plot and inconsistent setting (though set in the ’70s, it feels a century older), it does have a powerful, moody atmosphere and excellent cast performances. If you’re a fan of endlessly creepy yet beautifully composed visual experiences,The Curse of Audrey Earnshawis certainly worth adding to your watchlist.
‘Hagazussa: A Heathen’s Curse’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 5.8/10
A German-Austrian horror film,Hagazussa: A Heathen’s Curseis a period folk horror thriller written and directed byLukas Feigelfeldin his feature directorial debut. Set in a remote part of the Alps in the 15th century, the film starsAleksandra Cwenas Albrun, a reclusive goat-herder whose secluded life draws the suspicions of the superstitious. Traumatized by the death of her mother and the town’s ever-present harassment, Albrun finds herself pushed into a darkness that threatens the life of her infant daughter.
Hagazussa: A Heathen’s Cursepremiered at the 2017 Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, ahead of its theatrical release in Germany. The film was quite positively received by critics, receiving great praise for its atmospheric audio-visual experience. A dark, grueling, and unsettling slow-burner,Hagazussabreaks from the narrative conventions of traditional horror films to present a surreal psychological story about how paranoia and superstition create the very monsters it fears. In short, it’s a cinematic nightmare that haunts you long after the credits roll.
‘The Isle’ (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 4.9/10
Set on a remote Scottish island in 1846,The Islewas directed byMatthew Butler-Hart, who also co-wrote the script with his partnerTori Butler-Hart(who also stars in the film). The movie follows three shipwrecked sailors who become stranded on the island, which is inhabited by four strange residents. As one of the sailors begins to question how they ended up there, he uncovers an ancient mystery involving a ghostly siren and must fight to escape the spooky isle. Besides Butler-Hart, the film also starsConleth Hill,Alex Hassell,Fisayo Akinade,Emma King, and more.
The Islehas received generally favorable reviews, with praise for its eerie atmosphere and stunning visuals but some criticisms for the predictable plot. However, the movie has proven quite popular with audiences and received a number of accolades, including the Jury Prize for Best Sci-Fi/Horror Film at the 2018 London Independent Film Festival. Ultimately,The Isle’s dark, moody cinematography, solid performances, and haunting musical score make it an enthralling watch. Yes, the plot isn’t exactly fresh, but with an immersive production like this, you can easily look past those flaws and enjoy the show.
