15 Great Horror Movies That Were Never Released In Theaters

While it can be a special experience to witness a truly terrifying horror movie in theaters, there have been some fantastic scary movies that never made it to the big screen. While the advent of the Internet means that many horror movies are available straight to streaming, there are also many excellent straight-to-DVD or even straight-to-VHS horror movies from years gone by. The often low-budget releases did not have to limit themselves to box office expectations and, in some cases, were able to be more ambitious and unique as a result.

Some of the best non-theatrical released movies have been in the horror genre, as incredible horror movies are often produced with very little funding or support from major studios. In some cases, direct-to-video sequels even outdated their theatrical predecessors and gained cult followings among horror fans in the years since their release. The Incredible non-theatrical horror movies proved that filmmakers don’t need to get their movies to theaters to achieve great artistic success.

15

Last Shift (2014)

Directed by Anthony DiBlasi

Last shift was an excellent psychological horror that boasts an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As a well-paced, suspense-filled and infinitely watchable, Last shift Starring Juliana Harkavy as Jessica Loren, a police officer taking the final shift at a closing police station who soon learns that the place may be haunted. Last shift was released on video-on-demand in 2015In 2023, director Anthony DiBlasi released a theatrical remake with the title Malum to criticize.

14

Creep (2014)

Directed by Patrick Brice

crawl was a clever twist on the found-footage genre as videography was hired to film a video for a supposedly terminally ill man’s unborn daughter. While the premise started off well enough, the man who called himself Joseph began to act more and more strange, until Aaron, the cameraman, began to fear for his life. This idiosyncratic horror blends elements of comedy to make it feel truly unique in the genre. It was Released on VOD before it came to Netflix.

13

His House (2020)

Remy Weeks directs

His house is about a refugee couple who have escaped the war torn South Sudan and are struggling to adapt to their new life in England. with evil brewing beneath the surface, His house Explore the things desperate people must do to survive and stood as a fascinating and chilling glimpse into the harrowing experience of migrants fleeing conflict zones. This exciting, socially conscious horror was released on Netflix in 2020.

12

Gerald’s Game (2017)

Directed by Mike Flanagan

Mike Flanagan added to his impressive array of Netflix horror projects with the excellent adaptation of Stephen King Play Gerald’s game. Long thought to be unfilmable, Play Gerald’s game Tells the story of a woman left handcuffed to her bed after her husband dies unexpectedly who must find a way to survive while battling inner demons. with incredible tension and A career-defining performance by Carla GuginoIt was a hypnotic horror that captured the essence of King’s novel.

11

Cult Of Chucky (2017)

Directed by Don Mancini

Although these Play child’s play Franchises started in theaters, many of the best installments were direct-to-video releases, the best example being Cult of Chucky. As the seventh entry in the long-running series, Cult of Chucky Featured many callbacks to earlier releases and fully embraces the franchise’s over-the-top, campy energy. With Alex Vincent reprising his role as Andy Barclay and Brad Dourif’s iconic voice as the Killer Doll, Cult of Chucky It ticks all the right boxes for fans of the franchise, but it’s unlikely to convert many new viewers.

10

Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

Michael Dougherty

The anthology horror Trick ‘r treat Featured four stories all connected by Sam, a trick-or-treating demon wearing a burlap sack over his head who appears when the characters break Halloween conventions. With a unique premise that pays tribute to Halloween mythology, this cult favorite is packed with old-fashioned suspense and has become annual viewing for many every October. As a film originally released direct-to-DVD after festival screenings, Trick ‘r treat Was never in theaters during its original release However, in 2022, he received special theatrical screenings for Halloween (via Pulp Magazine.)

9

Circle (2015)

Directed by Aaron Hann and Mario Miscione

Cross was a sci-fi psychological horror inspired by 12 angry people (via Audience everywhere) which saw 50 people awake in a room only to discover that one of them was being killed every two minutes. When the victim realizes they can control who dies, a thought-provoking narrative emerges that highlights how personal values ​​influence the deemed value of survival. Released as a video-on-demand movie, Cross Was a tense and fascinating film This is worth seeking out for lovers of smart and insightful horror.

8

Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996)

Directed by SS Wilson

While the absence of Kevin Bacon was greatly felt for the direct-to-video sequel Tremors 2: AftershocksThis horror comedy was a rare example of a non-theatrical follow-up that could even surpass the original. Although the budget was much lower than its predecessor, this creature feature kept high quality as it kept the gore coming and to be worn Jurassic Park Influences on his sleeve. With enjoyable special effects and some really great performances, Tremors 2 It was far better than it had any right to be.

7

Splatter Farm (1987)

Directed by the Polonia Brothers

The Twin brothers and filmmakers Mark Polonia and John Polonia made over 40 feature filmsMainly in the sci-fi and horror genres, with almost no money. This was one of the best Splatter FarmA direct-to-video horror extravaganza about two brothers going to stay with their aunt who encounters a psychopathic killer who dismembers his victims and stores their body parts in his warehouse. Part of the direct-to-video movement of the 1980s, Splatter Farm was a fantastic example of filmmakers making fun of movies just for the pure joy of doing it.

6

Return to Sleepaway Camp (2008)

Directed by Robert Hiltzik

Return to Slipaway camp was the fourth movie in the Slipaway camp Franchise And the first to be released direct-to-video. As a direct sequel to the original that ignores the events of the previous two movies, Return to Slipaway camp There was an opportunity to go back to the roots of the series as Frank Kostic reopened the ill-fated Camp Arawak and a new crop of kids fell victim to the serial killer Angela Baker. With a healthy mix of humor and horror, this long-awaited sequel will please fans of this underrated series.

5

The Ritual (2017)

Directed by David Bruckner

The ritual was a truly creepy story about a group of friends hiking in Sweden who encounter an ancient evil presence. An effective British supernatural folk horror film, The ritual was released by eOne Films in the United Kingdom. However, its distribution rights in the United States were sold to Netflix for $4.75 million (via Hollywood Reporter.) with beautifully shot natural surroundings, an awe-inducing atmosphere, and excellent camaraderie between its characters, The ritual was a modern production that uses its Scandinavian setting to deliver a truly terrifying film.

4

Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022)

Directed by Michelle Garza Cervera

The Mexican-Purivian body horror Huesera: The Bone Woman Starring Natalia Solyan as Valeria Hernandez, a pregnant woman threatened by evil occult forces. As a truly disturbing tale of motherhood, Huesera Continued the tradition of other deeply anxiety-inducing horror allegorical classics viz Rosemary’s baby And The Babadook. Debuting at the 2022 world premiere at the Tribeca Festival, Huesera was later released on the VOD platform Shudder.

3

The Fear Street Trilogy (2021)

Directed by Leigh Janiak

Fear Street is a film franchise based on RL Stine’s book series that combines slasher and supernatural elements as teenagers try to break a curse that has plagued their town for years. Director Leigh Janiak released three installments on Netflix in July 2021, with a new one Fear Street Part One: 1994, Fear Street Part Two: 1978And Fear Street Part Three: 1666 Coming out weekly. Each entry of the series was well-received by critics and viewers, and A fourth upcoming installment titled Fear Street: Prom Queen is now at work.

2

Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007)

Directed by Joe Lynch

Wrong Turn 2: Dead End was a rare example of a horror movie surpassing the quality of the original, as it effectively paid homage to and parodied the slasher genre. As a direct-to-DVD release, Wrong turn 2 featured punk rock legend Henry Rollins in a starring role and acted as an unapologetic love letter to 1980s horror movies like The Texas chain saw massacre. While it’s easy to criticize the movie as derivative, that’s also part of the point, because it effectively delivered entertaining horror fun that knew exactly what it wanted to be.

1

Hush (2016)

Directed by Mike Flanagan

Mike Flanagan’s slasher movie Quiet was an excellent Netflix horror characterized by strong performances and a truly creepy atmosphere. Like the story of a deaf and mute writer who is followed in silence by a masked killer, Quiet It became extremely scary as the lack of senses made the story even more exciting. The old phrase ‘less is more’ has never been more apt as the protagonist’s sensory deprivation raised the stakes and made the villain that much more chilling.

Sources: Pulp Magazine, Audience everywhere, Hollywood Reporter