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Introduction: The Long-Overdue Revolution of Women in Horror
Over the past 20 years, female filmmakers have broken down barriers and produced some of the scariest, most intelligent, and most visually gorgeous horror films ever made.
For decades, male directors dominated the horror film industry.
Did you know that Stephanie Rothman, who directed The Velvet Vampire in the 1970s, was the first female director of a horror movie?
Since then, the genre has been reinvented by female filmmakers, who have produced iconic movies like Raw, Candyman (2021), and The Babadook.
With new entries like The First Omen (2024), Your Monster (2024), and The Devil’s Bath (2024), we now commemorate Women’s History Month with an updated list of the top horror films helmed by women.
Are you prepared to explore the past of horror? Here is a list of the top 85 horror movies that were helmed by women.
A haunting psychological horror thriller, Dark Touch (2013)
Dark Touch (2013) is a psychological horror movie that explores the horrifying aftermath of a vicious massacre and is set in a small Irish village.
Authorities reject the young girl who is the only survivor’s terrifying testimony that supernatural powers were involved when they arrive at the gory crime scene.
The film tells a compelling story of anguish, telekinetic wrath, and otherworldly dread as unsettling events continue to transpire.
Starring: Catherine Walker, Padraic Delaney, Marcella Plunkett, and Missy Keating
Marina de Van is the director.
Fans of spine-tingling horror flicks should not miss this underappreciated thriller, which combines psychological drama, otherworldly suspense, and slow-burning terror.
The terrifying supernatural horror There’s Something Wrong with the Children (2023)
A weekend vacation in There’s Something Wrong with the Children (2023) becomes a nightmare as a group of friends start to believe that the children they are watching have been taken over by a malevolent spirit.
Margaret (Alisha Wainwright) and Ben (Zach Gilford) go on a leisurely vacation with their longtime friends Ellie (Amanda Crew) and Thomas (Carlos Santos).
However, when the kids start acting strangely, things get out of hand. The grownups are forced to face the horrifying reality that there is something genuinely malevolent within the kids as paranoia sets in.
Starring: Carlos Santos, Amanda Crew, Zach Gilford, and Alisha Wainwright
Under the direction of Roxanne Benjamin
Fans of possessed children horror films and dark supernatural thrillers should not miss this eerie horror picture, which combines psychological horror, supernatural suspense, and heart-pounding thrills.
American Mary (2012): A Masterwork of Dark and Twisted Body Horror
American Mary (2012) explores the unsettling realm of subterranean surgery in a graphically stunning and gory horror film.
The movie centers on Mary Mason (Katharine Isabelle), a poor medical student who, in search of quick cash, is drawn into the realm of illicit body alteration surgery.
Mary’s life takes a terrible turn as she delves further into this gory and perverted underworld, making it harder to distinguish between a surgeon and a monster.
Starring: David Lovgren, Tristan Risk, Antonio Cupo, and Katharine Isabelle
Jen and Sylvia Soska were the directors.
Fans of severe body modification flicks, psychological thrillers with a dark twist, and unsettling horror pictures should not miss American Mary, which blends body horror, psychological horror, and feminist retribution themes.
A hidden gem in the underground horror genre, this movie is perfect for fans of gruesome, surreal horror with a distinctive idea.
The eerie psychological horror film Nocturne (2020) has a sinister musical undertone.
The 2020 psychological horror film Nocturne delves into the competitive realm of classical music, examining obsession, ambition, and the paranormal.
The movie, which is set in a prestigious arts institution, centers on Sydney Sweeney, a meek and underappreciated pianist who discovers a secret notebook that appears to give her extraordinary talent at a horrifying cost.
The boundaries between reality and the evil powers at work are blurred as a sequence of unsettling and unsettling events transpire as she starts to surpass her more talented twin sister (Madison Iseman).
Starring: Ivan Shaw, Jacques Colimon, Madison Iseman, and Sydney Sweeney
The director is Zu Quirke.
Fans of mind-bending thrillers, supernatural suspense flicks, and dark psychological horror pictures should not miss Nocturne because of its unsettling supernatural aspects, psychological strain, and gloomy atmosphere.
You will remain engrossed in this underappreciated horror masterpiece until the unexpected crescendo if you enjoyed Black Swan or Hereditary.
Departing Seniors (2023): A Terrifying High School Horror from an Unusual Angle
A new and compelling horror thriller, Departing Seniors (2023) combines teen drama, supernatural elements, and social satire.
The narrative centers on Javier (Ignacio Diaz-Silverio), a Mexican-American high school student who is homosexual and finds it difficult to fit in.
However, he finds himself at the heart of a horrifying mystery after a string of unsettling and fatal events.
Javier must to discover the sinister mysteries of his school before it’s too late, as his classmates begin to suffer horrifying deaths.
Starring: Cameron Scott Roberts, Yani Gellman, Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, and Ireon Roach
2019’s Satanic Panic: An Incredibly Entertaining Horror-Comedy Experience
A darkly humorous horror movie, Satanic Panic (2019) combines blood-soaked thrills, satanic cults, and absurd humor into one crazy adventure.
The narrative centers on Sam (Hayley Griffith), a poor pizza delivery girl who, while delivering in a wealthy suburban area, unintentionally falls victim to a lethal demonic ritual.
She soon finds herself battling for her life against a wealthy, power-hungry sect that is determined to perform their evil ritual by offering a virgin sacrifice.
STarring: Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O’Connell, Ruby Modine, and Hayley Griffith
Under the direction of Chelsea Stardust
Satanic Panic is a fast-paced, entertaining horror film with campy energy, excessive gore, and scathing satire of the rich elite. This wickedly hilarious movie is a must-see for horror enthusiasts who prefer midnight horror comedy like Tucker & Dale vs. Evil or Ready or Not!
In My Skin (2002): An Unsettling Exploration of Self-Destructive Behavior
The grim and disturbing body horror movie In My Skin (2002) examines issues of obsession, psychological decline, and self-mutilation.
The film, which was directed and starred Marina de Van, centers on Esther, a successful marketing professional from Paris who, following a strange accident, becomes obsessed with self-inflicted wounds.
Esther battles to keep her job, relationships, and sanity intact as her obsession with her own body develops into a serious addiction.
Thibault de Montalembert, Léa Drucker, Laurent Lucas, and Marina de Van are the main actors. Marina de Van is the director.
In My Skin offers a terrifying and personal depiction of self-destruction with its visceral graphics and unsettling psychological depth.
This extremely unsettling yet thought-provoking picture is a must-see for fans of powerful, cerebral horror movies like Raw and Martyrs**.
2012’s Kiss of the Damned: A Seductive Gothic Horror Story
The 2012 sensual vampire thriller Kiss of the Damned honors the aesthetics of vintage ’70s horror.
This artistically stunning picture, which was directed by Xan Cassavetes, centers on a sullen writer (Milo Ventimiglia) who becomes caught up in a hazardous and passionate relationship with a seductive vampire (Joséphine de La Baume). However, the arrival of her rebellious, violent sister threatens their dark passion by starting a seductive but deadly fight.
Starring: Anna Mouglalis, Roxane Mesquida, Milo Ventimiglia, and Joséphine de La Baume Under the direction of Xan Cassavetes
Kiss of the Damned offers a contemporary yet nostalgic interpretation of vampire folklore with its stunning cinematography, eerie atmosphere, and eroticism and horror.
Fans of slow-burning thrillers, gothic horror, and visually breathtaking vampire movies will love this sensual supernatural story, which is a must-watch for everyone who likes horror with a seductive bite.
American Psycho (2000): A Terrifying Parody of Madness and Wealth
The cult-classic psychological horror movie American Psycho (2000) skillfully combines relentless horror, societal satire, and dark humor.
This adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’s contentious book, which was directed by Mary Harron, explores the deranged psyche of Christian Bale’s character, Patrick Bateman, a wealthy and endearing investment banker in New York who conceals a terrible secret: a voracious desire for ruthless murder.
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, and Jared Leto
The director is Mary Harron.
A grim horror film with a somber social commentary, Darlin’ (2019)
The compelling horror-drama Darlin (2019) combines psychological fear, social criticism, and primal survival instincts.
This follow-up to The Woman, which was directed by Pollyanna McIntosh, centers on a wild adolescent girl who is adopted by a devout Catholic organization and prepared for her First Holy Communion.
But as she tries to fit in, violent pasts and sinister secrets come to light.
Charlie Talbert, Eugenie Bondurant, Peyton Wich, and Nora Jane Noone are the main actors.
Under the direction of Pollyanna McIntosh
XX (2017): A Terrifying Horror Collection by Female Directors
The 2017 horror anthology XX has four terrifying stories, all of which were directed by women.
Combining supernatural horror, psychological terror, and unsettling reality, this compilation offers a novel take on the genre.
What to anticipate from this horror anthology: ✔ The Box: A family’s unsettling disintegration following a child’s refusal to eat.
✔ The Birthday Party: A mother’s worst day, a darkly humorous nightmare.
✔ Don’t Fall – A terrifying camping trip gone wrong.
✔ Her Only Living Son: A woman struggles with a devastating discovery about her son.
Starring: Natalie Brown, Jonathan Watton, Peter DaCunha, Peyton Kennedy
Directed by: Jovanka Vuckovic, St. Vincent, Roxanne Benjamin, Karyn Kusama
With distinct female voices shaping each unsettling narrative, XX offers a thought-provoking, feminist take on horror.
Are you ready for these four twisted nightmares? Watch XX and decide which story haunts you the most.
Nothing Bad Can Happen (2013): A Unsettling Examination of Cruelty and Faith
The 2013 psychological horror film Nothing Bad Can Happen bends the boundaries between human cruelty, faith, and resiliency.
This terrifying German drama, which is based on actual occurrences, probes the limits of credulity and psychological suffering.
Plot Synopsis: Tore (Julius Feldmeier), a devout kid, has his unshakable faith put to the ultimate test when he gets involved with a seemingly good family. An act of kindness soon devolves into a terrifying journey of psychological suffering, torture, and manipulation. As Tore endures unspeakable abuse, he clings to his faith—refusing to fight back—leading to a devastating and thought-provoking climax.
Why You Should Watch:
✔ Unflinching, disturbing, and emotionally intense
✔ Explores the clash between faith and reality
✔ A gripping, slow-burning horror-drama hybrid
Starring: Swantje Kohlhof, Annika Kuhl, Sascha Alexander Gersak, and Julius Feldmeier
Under the direction of Katrin Gebbe
The movie Nothing Bad Can Happen stays with you long after the credits have rolled.
Do you think faith alone can overcome true evil? Watch and decide for yourself.
The Velvet Vampire (1971): A Seductive Horror Cult Classic
An underappreciated gothic horror masterpiece, The Velvet Vampire (1971) combines seductive vampire mythology, creepy atmosphere, and psychedelic imagery.
Directed by Stephanie Rothman, one of the first female horror filmmakers, this stylish and surreal film offers a feminist twist on the classic vampire mythos
Plot Summary: An alluring young couple is drawn into the alluring, paranormal web of Diane LeFanu (Celeste Yarnall) after accepting her invitation to stay at her remote desert mansion. Unaware of their impending death, they continue to be hypnotized by her as the nights go by.
Why You Should See It: ✔ A unique and fashionable female-directed horror film from the 1970s ✔ Combines erotic and creepy, dreamy horror ✔ A feminist interpretation of the myth of vampires
Starring: Gene Shane, Celeste Yarnall, Sherry Miles, and Michael Blodgett
Under the direction of Stephanie Rothman
Humane (2024): A Terrifying Combination of Social Commentary and Psychological Thriller
Humane (2024) offers a compelling, high-concept horror experience that compels viewers to face uncomfortable moral quandaries in a world on the verge of collapse.
This psychological thriller, which was directed by Caitlin Cronenberg, is a thought-provoking film experience that combines suspense, moral ambiguity, and powerful performances.
Plot Synopsis:
Humane is set in a dystopian near-future, barely months after a devastating ecological disaster, and takes place over the course of one tense day.
One wealthy family gets together for dinner while world leaders enforce severe population control measures, only to learn they have been chosen for a terrifying, irrevocable fate.
The evening takes a sinister and lethal turn as secrets are revealed and survival instincts take over.
Reasons to Watch: ✔ A suspenseful, one-location thriller ✔ A powerful psychological horror with societal overtones ✔ A terrifying examination of the deepest human tendencies
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire, Peter Gallagher, Enrico Colantoni
Directed by: Caitlin Cronenberg
The 2014 Blood-Soaked International Horror Anthology ABCs of Death 2
Prepare yourself, horror enthusiasts! Each of the 26 horrifying, graphic, and incredibly creative short videos in ABCs of Death 2 (2014) shows a different and cruel method to pass away.
A must-watch for fans of horror anthologies, this sequel improves on the first one with a sharper creative edge, darker humor, and greater execution.
Reasons to Watch: ✔ A variety of horror genres, including gore, suspense, dark humor, and sheer dread ✔
Better effects and storytelling than the first movie ✔ An exhilarating and surprising journey for ardent horror enthusiasts
Starring: Andy Nyman, Eric Jacobus, C. Ernst Harth, and Martina GarcÃa
Directed by: Aharon Keshales, Navot Papushado, Alejandro Brugués, Bill Plympton
With 26 spine-chilling tales, ABCs of Death 2 is the ultimate horror roulette—which letter will haunt you the most? Watch and find out!
Plot & Concept: Aharon Keshales, Alejandro Brugués, Navot Papushado, and Bill Plympton are among the 26 innovative filmmakers from around the globe who collaborate to create brief horror parts that are each connected to an alphabet letter.
Every segment tackles a new form of fear, from visceral physical horror to psychological torture, keeping viewers on edge throughout.
Amulet (2020): A Haunting Mystery and Slow-Burning Psychological Horror
Amulet (2020) is a slow-burning thriller that combines psychological dread with otherworldly aspects, making it a must-see for aficionados of atmospheric horror. Even though there aren’t always jump scares, fans of cerebral horror should not miss it because of its eerie disclosures and underlying tension.
Plot and Premise: In a dilapidated London home, a former soldier, troubled by his past, accepts a job helping a young woman and her sick, housebound mother. But as he learns more about their enigmatic and gloomy society, he starts to think something much darker is hiding there.
Reasons to Watch: ✔ A superbly written, psychologically complex slow-burning horror
Imelda Staunton’s performance was terrifying ✔ A distinctive fusion of horror and mythology that leaves you wondering
Starring: Carla Juri, Imelda Staunton, Alec Secareanu, Angeliki Papoulia
Under the direction of Romola Garai
Amulet is a film that will unsettle you long after the credits roll—are you ready to uncover its terrifying secrets?
Shapeless (2021): A Realistic and Haunting Psychological Horror
Shapeless (2021) provides a terrifying yet moving glimpse at the hidden horrors of addiction for fans of psychological horror with a strong emotional impact.
This film explores the dark depths of an eating disorder through frightening body horror and strange graphics, taking a terrifyingly genuine approach in contrast to standard horror films that rely on otherworldly beings.
Plot and Premise:
In New Orleans, Ivy, a struggling singer, battles to maintain her ambition. But behind the surface, she suffers from a covert addiction that frightfully distorts her body and mind. She enters a terrifying realm where her body starts to turn on her as her illness advances.
Reasons to Watch: ✔ A psychological horror movie that centers on real-life traumas ✔ An intense, moving performance by Kelly Murtagh ✔ Distinct body horror components that give the conflict a horrifyingly realistic feel
Starring: Marco Dapper, Jamie Neumann, Bobby Gilchrist, and Kelly Murtagh
Samantha Aldana was the director.
Shapeless is a disturbing yet essential watch, tackling addiction in a visceral and terrifyingly unique way. Are you ready to confront its horrors?
A twisted social media thriller that keeps you guessing is Follow Her (2022).
Follow Her (2022), for those who enjoy psychological thrillers with a tech-horror twist, offers a gripping and terrifying meditation on the perils of the digital era. This movie will keep you on edge till the very end if you enjoy movies that examine the negative aspects of social media, online anonymity, and obsession.
