We love horror movies, but from the 1960s to the 1980s, the genre was on fire. So many classic horror films were released in that 30-year span that it’s hard to pick our favorites, but those aren’t the movies we’re talking about today. The movies we’re talking about today are the chilling horror films that slipped through the cracks and that deserve to be brought back from the dead.
This atmospheric adaptation of Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw is one of the most haunting films of the 1960s. Directed by Jack Clayton, The Innocents revolves around a governess who believes that the children she’s taking care of are possessed by a malevolent spirit. The film’s eerie visuals and psychological horror make it an unforgettable watch, even if it’s often overshadowed by other ghost stories of the era.
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This 1971 psychological horror film blends gothic chills with a sense of creeping paranoia. Jessica, recently released from a mental institution, moves to a secluded farmhouse with her husband, but things take a dark turn when she begins to experience disturbing visions. This slow-burn horror film is atmospheric and unsettling, making it a hidden gem from the early 70s.
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Directed by Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz (Howard The Duck), Messiah of Evil is a dreamy horror film that’s lesser known in spite of being a great watch. The film follows a woman searching for her missing father in a strange coastal town where the inhabitants are slowly turning into cannibals. It’s kind of like Dawn of the Dead meets The Wicker Man, and we know that sounds discordant, but it works. Once you see the film, you’ll definitely join the cult of Messiah of Evil.
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Oh, you don’t know The Sentinel? Released in 1977, this supernatural horror film tells the story of a young woman who moves into a Brooklyn apartment building, and yeah, she realizes a little too late that it’s the gateway to hell. Packed with eerie moments and a star-studded cast, this movie was overshadowed by other ’70s horror blockbusters but offers a genuinely creepy experience.
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The Changeling rules. Buoyed by an absolutely unhinged performance from George C. Scott, the film tells the story of a man who moves into a haunted mansion following the death of his family. A true slow-burn horror classic, this haunted house film is so much scarier than any of the Amityville films, and it deserves its status as one of the most unsettling films of the 20th century.
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Up top we have to tell you that The Beyond makes no sense, but it totally rocks. From Italian director Lucio Fulci, this grotesque, nightmarish film about a woman who inherits a hotel built over one of the seven gates to hell absolutely rocks. Fulci knows how to craft a strange film that gets under your skin. One of the most bizarre films you’ll ever see, this is a must-watch for horror fans.
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This Australian horror film is a slow-burn psychological thriller that people don’t talk about enough. The film follows a woman who inherits a rural nursing home following the death of her mother, only to be plagued by strange visions and terrifying occurrences that may or may not be perpetrated by her aunt Rita—who’s dead, by the way. This is a serious gem, and if you’re a fan of horror that takes its time, check out Next of Kin.
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This slasher film has been largely overlooked by mass audiences, likely due to the success of more in-your-face horror films like Sleepaway Camp and Friday the 13th, but Alice, Sweet Alice is a classic for a reason. Set in the 1960s, the film follows a young girl named Alice, who becomes the prime suspect in the brutal murder of her younger sister during her First Communion. Hitchcockian in the best ways, Alice, Sweet Alice will keep you guessing until the final scene.
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This Spanish horror film, directed by Narciso Ibáñez Serrador, is set in a strict boarding school for young women. As girls begin to disappear, it becomes clear that something sinister is happening within the walls of the school. This forgotten masterpiece will scratch your gothic horror itch and introduce you to the joys of Spanish horror.
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Allegedly based on a true story, The Entity is one of the more disturbing films you’ll ever see. The film follows a woman who is repeatedly assaulted by a poltergeist in her home; it’s incredibly unnerving regardless of whether or not you believe in the paranormal. While the film wasn’t a hit at the time, it definitely holds up more than 40 years after its release.
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