Venture beyond Hollywood this Halloween with these international horror movies that tap into unique cultural fears, folklore, and visual styles you won’t find in American cinema. From Korea’s psychological masterpieces to Japan’s technological nightmares, Spain’s Gothic chillers to Indonesia’s folk terrors; this curated list spans continents to deliver fresh scares for your October watchlist.
Each recommendation includes streaming info (where available) and trailer links so you can preview before committing to a full watch. Let’s explore the world’s most haunting visions.
Quick Picks (for tonight)
- For lingering dread: The Wailing (Korea)
- For shocking folklore: Impetigore (Indonesia)
- For atmospheric Gothic: The Orphanage (Spain)
- For mind-bending horror: Cure (Japan)
- For high-energy thrills: Train to Busan (Korea)
Best Korean Horror
1) The Wailing (2016)
A rural village faces mysterious deaths after a stranger arrives. What begins as a detective story spirals into a battle between shamanic rituals and demonic forces that will leave you questioning everything you’ve seen.
Where to watch: Prime/AMC+/Shudder (varies by region)
Watch Trailer
2) Train to Busan (2016)
This high-speed zombie thriller traps passengers on a bullet train during an outbreak. Equal parts action spectacle and emotional gut-punch—perfect for viewers who want intensity without slow-burn.
Where to watch: Netflix/Prime (varies by region)
Watch Trailer
3) The Call (2020)
Two women connect across time through a mysterious phone call, setting off a butterfly effect of increasingly nightmarish consequences. A twisty, ruthless thriller that keeps tightening its grip.
Where to watch: Netflix
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Japanese Horror Films
4) Cure (1997)
A detective investigates murders where different killers have no memory of their crimes. Hypnotic, unsettling, and considered one of the greatest Japanese horror films ever made.
Where to watch: Criterion Channel/MUBI (rotates)
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5) Pulse (Kairo) (2001)
As ghosts invade the internet, isolation becomes the true horror in this eerily prophetic film about technology and loneliness. Features two of the most unnerving ghost sequences ever filmed.
Where to watch: Criterion/MUBI/AMC+ (rotates)
Watch Trailer
6) One Cut of the Dead (2017)
What begins as a seemingly amateur zombie film transforms into something brilliantly unexpected. Go in blind and stick with it—the payoff is worth it.
Where to watch: Shudder/AMC+
Watch Trailer
Spanish Horror Films
7) The Orphanage (2007)
A woman returns to her childhood orphanage to open a home for disabled children, only to face supernatural events connected to her own past. Haunting, elegant horror with an emotional core.
Where to watch: Max/AMC+ (rotates)
Watch Trailer
8) [REC] (2007)
A news crew follows firefighters into an apartment building, becoming trapped in a quarantined zone as an infection spreads. The found-footage format delivers genuine terror, especially in the infamous attic finale.
Where to watch: Prime/AMC+
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9) Veronica (2017)
Based on police reports, this possession tale follows a teenage girl who uses a Ouija board during a solar eclipse. The consequences unfold in increasingly terrifying ways.
Where to watch: Netflix
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Indonesian Horror Films
10) Impetigore (2019)
A woman returns to her ancestral village to claim an inheritance, discovering a curse connected to her birth. Stunning visuals and unflinching folk horror make this a standout.
Where to watch: Shudder/AMC+
Watch Trailer
11) Satan’s Slaves (2017)
After their mother’s death, a family experiences escalating supernatural events revealing dark secrets. A masterclass in atmosphere and dread.
Where to watch: Shudder/Prime/Netflix (varies by region)
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Thai Horror Movies
12) Shutter (2004)
A photographer and his girlfriend discover mysterious shadows in their photos following a hit-and-run accident. Features one of horror’s most memorable final revelations.
Where to watch: VOD platforms
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13) The Medium (2021)
Shot documentary-style, this film follows a shaman family as a possession case spirals beyond their control. The slow-burn pays off with a devastating final act.
Where to watch: Shudder/AMC+
Watch Trailer
French Horror Movies
14) Raw (2016)
A vegetarian veterinary student develops a taste for meat after a hazing ritual. A coming-of-age story wrapped in body horror that’s as thoughtful as it is visceral.
Where to watch: Netflix/Prime (rotates)
Watch Trailer
15) Inside (À l’intérieur) (2007)
A pregnant widow is stalked by a woman who wants her unborn child. Extreme, unflinching horror—not for the squeamish.
Where to watch: AMC+/Shudder
Watch Trailer
Mexican and Latin American Horror Movies
16) Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017, Mexico)
Orphaned by cartel violence, a group of children are guided by magical realism as they navigate urban dangers. Haunting, beautiful, and devastating.
Where to watch: Shudder/AMC+
Watch Trailer
17) La Llorona (2019, Guatemala)
A war criminal faces the consequences of his actions when the legendary weeping woman appears in his home. A powerful reimagining of folklore as political horror.
Where to watch: Shudder/AMC+
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Italian Horror Movies
18) Suspiria (1977)
A ballet student discovers her academy is a front for a witch coven. Dario Argento’s masterpiece remains unmatched for its vibrant colors, dreamlike atmosphere, and iconic score.
Where to watch: Tubi/AMC+/Shudder (rotates)
Watch Trailer
Scandinavian Horror Movies
19) Let the Right One In (2008, Sweden)
A bullied boy befriends a mysterious girl who only appears at night. A vampire tale unlike any other—tender, brutal, and visually stunning.
Where to watch: Prime/AMC+/Hulu (rotates)
Watch Trailer
20) Trollhunter (2010, Norway)
Students filming a documentary discover Norway’s secret troll-hunting program. Blends folklore with found footage for a uniquely Scandinavian monster movie.
Where to watch: Prime/AMC+
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Indian Horror Movies
21) Tumbbad (2018)
Spanning decades, this visually spectacular film follows a man’s obsession with finding a mythical treasure guarded by an ancient deity. A rain-soaked fable about greed with unforgettable imagery.
Where to watch: Prime
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More Essential International Horror
22) Goodnight Mommy (2014, Austria)
Twin boys suspect their bandaged mother isn’t who she claims to be. Clinical, precise horror that builds to a shattering conclusion.
Where to watch: Prime/AMC+
Watch Trailer
23) Under the Shadow (2016, Iran/UK)
During the Iran-Iraq War, a mother and daughter face a mysterious evil in their apartment. War trauma meets supernatural threat in this taut, intelligent horror.
Where to watch: Netflix (varies by region)
Watch Trailer
24) Terrified (Aterrados) (2017, Argentina)
An entire neighborhood experiences extreme paranormal events, bringing together investigators trying to understand the phenomenon. Delivers genuine scares from start to finish.
Where to watch: Shudder/AMC+
Watch Trailer
25) The Wretched (2019, Canada)
A teenage boy discovers his neighbor is possessed by a thousand-year-old witch. Combines folk horror with coming-of-age elements for fresh scares.
Where to watch: Netflix/Hulu (varies by region)
Watch Trailer
Halloween Watch Guide
By Mood:
- For Psychological Horror: The Wailing, Cure, Goodnight Mommy
- For Action-Horror: Train to Busan, [REC], Trollhunter
- For Folk Horror: Impetigore, Tumbbad, The Medium
- For Gothic Atmosphere: The Orphanage, Let the Right One In, Suspiria
For Group Watching:
- With Mixed Audiences: Train to Busan, The Orphanage, Trollhunter
- With Horror Enthusiasts: Inside, Terrified, The Medium
- With Film Buffs: Cure, La Llorona, Raw
FAQs
What’s the scariest international horror movie on this list?
For psychological dread: The Wailing or Cure. For jump scares: Terrified or [REC]. For disturbing content: Inside.
I’m new to international horror—where should I start?
The Orphanage, Train to Busan, and Let the Right One In offer accessible entry points with high production values and compelling stories.
Where’s the best place to find these movies?
Shudder specializes in curated horror including international titles. Netflix and Prime carry many options but rotate frequently. JustWatch.com can help locate specific titles across platforms.
Any family-friendly options?
Most titles here aren’t suitable for young viewers. Trollhunter is the most accessible for teens, with more adventure than horror.
