10 Best Historical Horror Movies, Ranked

History can be dark, and some horror films use historical periods to their advantage, placing chilling fictional stories at significant moments in time. The threats found in stories in horror films that take place in the present day are intensified when the story is set back a few years. Monumental wars and ravaging plagues pair well with the ruthless killers and paranoia often associated with the horror genre. however, Films in the subgenre of horror vary in their use of action and jump scares.

Although each film contains graphic images of violence, some are slow-burners, allowing the audience to really immerse themselves in the historical circumstances. Films like The Nightingale And The devil's butt are haunting because their stories shine a light on unfortunate sections of society many years ago. Other films like Overlord Use historical dates as a setup for their larger concerns with fast-paced action and violence. Regardless of how each film sets out to scare audiences, There is no denying that the best historical horror films are made better by their use of the past.

10

Trench 11 (2017)

Historical Setting: The First World War

In the First World War, Trench 11 Watch Allied soldiers step foot into the titular German bunker after it is suspected that more weapons are being made there. A terrible discovery is made in the bunker, and it is enough to make the skin crawl. Trench 11 has been criticized for its predictable plot and awkward characters, but it excels in establishing an eerie atmosphere throughout the film.

Fears of tight, tight spaces and parasitic infections can be introduced in the plot of any horror film, regardless of its setting. however, Trench 11 Uses its historical setting to its advantage. The phobias highlighted in Trench 11 They are much more intense amidst the turmoil of the war. Trench 11The tale is gripping and has audiences invested in its characters' escape until the end.

9

The Nightingale (2018)

Historical setting: 1825 Tasmania before the Black War

From director Jennifer Kent, best known for her film The Babadook, The Nightingale Tells a chilling story rooted in Australian history. Set on the island of Tasmania - which was referred to as Van Diemen's Land by British colonizers starting in 1825 -, The Nightingale is a thrilling horror film that changes and moves in a direction the audience does not expect. Because it doesn't remain a horror film for its entire runtime, The Nightingale Ranks lower than other historical horror filmsBut it is not based on its quality as a film.

The Nightingale Follows Clare Carroll (Aisling Franciosi), an Irish prisoner who befriends an Aboriginal Tasmanian trucker. Together, they set out on a path of revenge targeting British forces after their lieutenant attacked Clare and killed her loved ones. The Nightingale Tells a powerful story about Australian history and its acts of racism. Although the depictions of sexual assault and murder are graphic, the story is told in The Nightingale is important and cannot be done without its historical setting.

8

Overlord (2018)

Historical setting: D-Day

Produced by JJ Abrams, the historical setting in Overlord is used to support its horror, mythological and action elements. Occurring one day before D-Day, American soldiers are sent out on a mission to destroy the German radio towers. Overlord Starts like any other war drama but earns its place in the horror genre when a shocking discovery is made.

Upon their arrival, it is discovered that German soldiers are making serums to resurrect deceased individuals. Unlike some of the other historical horror films, Overlord is not determined to be historically accurate. The moment in history that frames Overlord Is simply used as a means to establish two different sides audiences can easily identify. Overlord Combines the violence and gruesome images associated with war and zombie attacksresulting in an action-packed and entertaining film.

7

The Head Hunter (2018)

Historical Setting: The Dark Ages

Previously known for directing the comedy-horror film Thanks KillingJordan Downey has a better understanding of horror in The Head Hunter. Working with a low budget and limited resources, Downey brought to life a fantasy world set in the Dark Ages. The Head Hunter Follows a main character known as Father (Christopher Rygh) who is a bounty hunter given the task of hunting monsters that threaten a nearby kingdom.

Rygh earned praise from critics for his portrayal of the skilled hunter who is filled with a need for revenge after his daughter is killed by one of the brutal monsters. Scenes of confrontations between the father and the monsters deliberately choose not to linger on the monsters' faces to hide any digital imperfections due to The Head Hunters low budget. Downey's film delivers an imaginative thriller that has become one of the better examples of low-budget filming.

6

Black Death (2010)

Historical setting: The early years of the bubonic plague

Although Black Death Taking place before the Salem Witch Trials began, the film finds inspiration in the general hysteria surrounding witchcraft. Black Death Takes place in the early years of the titular plague and follows a monk, Osmund (Eddie Redmayne), and a group of soldiers who make their way to an isolated village in hopes of escaping the life-threatening disease.

When Osmund mistakenly kills a woman he loves, believing that witchcraft was done to her, he is blinded by his devastation and spends the rest of his life killing random women he assumes to be witches. There are plenty of bloody scenes for horror fans to enjoy, but beyond that, Black Death Includes a subtle amount of commentary around the dangers of acting senselessly out of fear. Additionally, the creation of 1348 Medieval England is well done with the production design and special effects.

5

The Devil's Bath (2024)

Historical setting: 1750 Austria

The devil's butt Follows a religious woman, Agnes (Anja Plaschg), who finds herself stuck in a monotonous work routine after marriage. Agnes, inspired by Eva Lizlfellnerin's real-life story, is unfulfilled in life and spirals into a depression. Plaschg deftly portrays a woman out of options with no way out of her debilitating routine. Agnes' ending and the loop she takes to end her suffering while hoping to avoid eternal punishment, is inspired by the actions of many women during the 17th and 18th century Europe.

The effort that the writer and director-duo Veronica Franz and Severin Fiala put in to create a historically accurate film, in all respects, is clear and adds to the horror atmosphere. The devil's butt Goes against what most audiences expect from a horror film. Instead of an action-packed fight for survival that sees a bloody escalation in the third act, The devil's butt is more of a slow-burn which uses its dated setting of 1750 Austria and real-life inspirations to create an unsettling film.

4

Witchfinder General (1968)

Historical Setting: The English Civil War

Mass paranoia of witches living among communities has popped up several times throughout history. Michael Reeves' latest film, Witchfinder Generalis loosely based on the story by Matthew Hopkins. During the English Civil War, Hopkins worked as an unofficial witch-hunter, accusing many people of participating in witchcraft, and was responsible for a surge of witch trials during that time.. Hopkins and his assistant John Stearne are played by Vincent Price and Robert Russell and are pursued in the film by a soldier named Richard Marshall.

Reeves' film did not have jump scares, but audiences were kept at the edges of their seats due to the haunting setting and acts of violence. The violence throughout the film cleverly contrasts its open countryside background and its score, which includes a few gentle songs inspired by classic folk music. Despite its low budget, the elements helped Witchfinder General Become an effective cult horror film.

3

The Devil's Backbone (2001)

Historical setting: The Spanish Civil War

Two of Guillermo del Toro's films - Pan's Labyrinth And The Devil's Backbone - Take place during the Spanish Civil War and center around the experiences of children. The latter film stars Fernando Tielve as Carlos, a young boy in an orphanage who comes across a haunting ghostly figure of a young child. The Devil's Backbone Allows the audience to see the horrors of political tension through the eyes of Carlos.

According to del Toro's how commentary of The Devil's Backbone, Carlos represents a sense of innocence in the film. For his seamless ability to create an equally moving and terrifying horror film, del Toro has earned a lot of praise for The Devil's Backbone. Too many fans and critics, The Devil's Backbone Ranks near the top of del Toro's best horror films, falling close behind the award-winning Pan's Labyrinth.

2

The Witch (2015)

Historical setting: 1630s New England

Growing up in New Hampshire with an interest in witches, Robert Eggers made his directorial debut with The witch. from A24, The witch Follows a Puritan family in the 1630s who encounter a strange, evil force outside their farm. The evil forces that ascend over the family are largely unseen, leaving it to the audience to create a horrifying image in their minds.

that is, The witch is more of a psychological horror film that builds slowly but has a gripping story, modest pace and gradual tension to keep audiences engaged. Anya Taylor-Joy, making her film debut, plays the family's eldest child and is mesmerizing to watch on screen as accusations and accusations of witchcraft are often thrown her way when something bad happens to the family. Eggers' horror film has an overall creepy ambiance and is rich with detail, allowing the viewer to feel transported to its New England setting.

1

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Historical Setting: After the Spanish Civil War

Pan's Labyrinth is considered one of Guillermo del Toro's best films and one of the best fantasy-horror films of all time. Pan's Labyrinth Takes place in Francoist Spain, a moment in Spanish history after the Spanish Civil War in which Francisco Franco ruled the region. Impacted by the conflict in Spain and her own household is 10-year-old Ofelia. like The Devil's Backbone, The world of Pan's Labyrinth is shown predominantly from the child's perspective.

To escape her troubles, Ofelia steps into an imaginative labyrinth, but the place is far from a peaceful getaway. Ofelia encounters some of the scariest creatures in del Toro's filmography, such as the Faun and the Pale Man. The horrors in the fantasy setting and those as an after-effect of the war come together to create an equally breathtaking and gritty film.