10 Cult Classic Horror Movies You've Probably Never Heard of but Should Watch this Halloween!

It's officially one week until Halloween and that means the glow of horror movies adorn our television nightly. It's true, I was raised on horror movies (thanks ma) many of which I to this day, won't allow my own kiddos to watch, but I have to give my enthusiasm for the genre respect - I get it from my momma. Whether it be cult classics or modern remakes, gore and lore or hauntings and witchcraft - they all have a special place in my spooky loving heart. Well, most of them...

There are tons of horror movie lists out there but this one hopefully offers you some new suggestions of lesser known cult classics. 

1. Dead End (2003)- this is one of the newer ones on my list but rarely one I see on any horror movie list and that's a shame! Directed by Jean-Baptiste Andrea and starring Lin Shaye and Ray Wise, the movie follows a family as they head to a Christmas Eve gathering and like most family car rides, tensions between family members and a series of mishaps make this one movie you have to add to your list! Albeit a little quirky at times, it's that balance of dark humor and jump scares my spooky little heart thrives on.

2. The Howling (1981) - Directed by Joe Dante, starring Dee Wallace and Patrick Macnee, The Howling, in my humble opinion, should be considered a classic (not just a cult following). Dee Wallace plays a news reporter who aides police in their arrest of a serial killer, leaving her in a bit of a traumatic state. At the advice of her psychiatrist, she heads to an isolated psychiatric retreat where she begins undergoing treatment and then things really get interesting! 

3. Motel Hell (1980) - Directed by Kevin Connor, Motel Hell falls into that cult classic category except no one knows it, haha! Considered a comedy-horror, Motel Hell stirs up all kinds of questions right from the beginning. A brother and sister running a quaint motel, selling world famous jerky and frankfurters, appear to be saviors to a young girl after her and her boyfriend have a motorcycle accident. Unfortunately, we all know there are no accidents in horror movies. Starring Rory Calhoun, Nancy Parsons, and Nina Axelrod.

4. I Spit On Your Grave (1978) - Most horror fans probably already know about this emotion fueled tale of delivering justice for horrendous crimes. Directed by Meir Zarchi and starring Camille Keaton, Eron Tabor and Gunter Kleeman, "I Spit On Your Grave" follows a young writer to a secluded cabin in the woods, overlooking a serene lake, making it an ideal place for her to finish up her novel. That is, until some local guys with sinister plans enter the picture. For all of it's downfalls, this one achieves what many cannot in this genre - true emotions with an initial shock and awe factor that hasn't been easily replicated. The newer remakes aren't half bad either...

5. The Changeling (1980) - While gore and guts often come to mind when one hears "horror movie", there is a lot to be said for good old fashioned ghost stories. Directed by Peter Medak, starring George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere, The Changeling is a must watch for haunt story lovers. After a tragic accident kills his wife and daughter, composer John Russell relocates to a secluded home with an intriguing past. Still dealing with grief from his tragic loss, John begins to question his own sanity as unexplainable phenomenon in his new home leads him closer to unveiling secrets some would rather keep quiet.

6. The Last House on the Left (1972) - In his directorial debut, Wes Craven makes quite a first impression. Following two teenage girls after a venture to a concert in the city, things take a turn for the worse when they fall victim to a family of fugitives. The fugitives find themselves in the home of one of their victims, where the victim's parents take matters into their own hands, literally. Similar to "I Spit on Your Grave" - this one is considered a cult classic, to shocking for it's realistic violence, something many at the time weren't prepared to see on the big screen and still aren't today.

7. Burnt Offerings (1976) - Directed by Dan Curtis, Burnt Offerings has a star studded cast compromised of Karen Black, Oliver Reed, Bette Davis, Burgess Meredith, and Eileen Heckart. When a wife is desperate to getaway for a family summer vacation and locates a beautiful summer home for an unbeatable amount, she's met with hesitation from her husband but ya know, happy wife, happy life. The family moves into their new summer home under the pretense that they wouldn't mind taking meals up to an attic room where the owner's mother resides. Before long, this happy family finds themselves in a fight for survival against nothing other than the house itself! I'm not sure this one is really considered a 'cult classic' but it absolutely applies to Karen Black followers!

8. The Funhouse (1981) - Directed by Tobe Hooper and starring Elizabeth Berridge and Shawn Carson. A group of teenagers head to a carnival for a night of fun and games, deciding what could be cooler than sneaking into the closed "funhouse" attraction to spend a lust-filled night there. Sadly, for them, in their teenage angst, they find themselves trapped with a killer carnival worker.

9. Sssssss (1973) - Directed by Bernard L. Kowalski and starring Dirk Benedict and Heather Menzies. Imagine being a college kid, looking to make a few extra bucks over the summer, only to find out the scientist who hired you is secretly turning you into a slithering serpent under the guise of preventive antibiotics? Yup. That pretty well sums up this little known but must watch (at least once) classic haha...

10. The Tingler (1959) - Directed by William Castle and starring horror legend Vincent Price, this one probably is better known than I think (I just don't see it given the attention it deserves!). When a doctor discovers what causes that tingling sensation people get when they become frightened, a man uses the new found discovery to scare his wife to death! Make sure you can scream before watching!

Okay friends, I know there are a ton of other cult classics not on this list, but like I said at the beginning - I felt these deserved special attention! I hope you have an extra creepy movie night and an equally creepy Halloween!

 

xxoo,

Crystal