Independent Horror Movies

Independent horror movies are fairly common, as the entire genre is often associated with low-budget motion pictures. But while some tales of terror are nothing more than a series of gruesome deaths linked together by laughable dialog, others transcend to truly frighten their audience, and, in rare cases, make them ponder larger social issues.

Low Budget Horror Films

The low budget horror films listed below are fine examples of films made outside the major studio system. Most achieved impressive profits over their comparatively meager budgets, and many are now considered legends within the genre. Anyone looking to familiarize themselves with indie horror should give the following a try.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) - This black-and-white independent horror movie from director George Romero would usher in a whole new genre--the zombie film. Sure zombies had popped up in movies before, but not like this. These creatures want to devour your flesh and brains, but they’re not nearly as chilling as the human race, the ultimate baddie in Romero’s seemingly endless string of undead flicks. Shot in Pittsburgh, the film’s financing came from local companies and friends of the director.
The Evil Dead (1981) - In the hands of director Sam Raimi, the camera whirls, races, and flies to tell a tongue-in-cheek horror tale of young adults beset by demons in a cabin in the woods. Bruce Campbell and his chin share equal billing as the heroic Ash, and an enthusiastic blurb from Stephen King helped the film do well enough to warrant two sequels.
The Signal (2007) - Filmed over the course of 13 days with a $50,000 budget, “The Signal” was written and directed by the collaborative team of Dan Bush, David Bruckner, Jacob Gentry, and Alexander A. Motlagh. When a mysterious signal is broadcast via television, radio, and phone, all those who hear it are driven to insanity and, in many cases, murderous rage. What makes this film unique is that most of the main characters are affected, giving the audience an interesting perspective on events.
Eraserhead (1977) - From director David Lynch comes this unsettling tale of a printer who takes on the task of caring for a malformed baby, has a fling with the girl across the hall, and weathers encounters with the grotesque Lady in the Radiator. It’s classic Lynch, which either makes it a surreal masterpiece of doom or a jumbled mess, depending on your attitude towards the artist. Shot over five years, star Jack Nance kept his Don King-like hair grown out the whole time for the sake of continuity.
Day of the Dead (1985) - The third film in George Romero’s initial trilogy of zombie flicks, “Day of the Dead” finds the world almost completely overrun with the undead, and only a few pockets of increasingly desperate military personnel represent the future of the human race. But, like with all Romero films, it’s not long before the humans turn on one another, proving that the flesh-eating zombies are only a secondary threat. This is also the first Romero film to introduce the concept of an intelligent zombie, as the adorable Bub gets plenty of screen time.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) - Up until the release of this independent horror classic, New Line Cinema had only distributed movies. That all changed when Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) was introduced to audiences. Wearing a bladed glove, fedora, and red-and-green sweater, the iconic killer struck a chord with viewers to the tune of just over $25 million (versus a $1,800,000 budget). He’s been gutting horny teens ever since.
Hatchet (2006) - In the bayou of Louisiana lurks Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder), a horribly disfigured killer who was tormented as a child, trapped inside a burning house, and hit in the face with an axe. When a group of tourists on a haunted swamp tour stumble across him, he tears them apart in some of the most energetic murders ever captured in an independent horror movie. The solid cast includes Joel Moore (“Avatar”), Tamara Feldman, Mercedes McNab, Tony Todd, and Robert Englund.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) - Loosely based on the tale of serial killer Ed Gein, this indie screamer was made on a reported budget of only $140,000. Set in rural Texas, it follows the doomed adventures of a group of teens who stumble across a cannibalistic family, most notably the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface. While director Tobe Hooper never exactly capitalized on his success following this film, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” remains a watershed moment in the history of independent horror movies.
Nosferatu, A Symphony Of Terror (1922) - F.W. Murnau’s version of the Dracula legend, the names had to be changed due to legal threats from the Bram Stoker estate. A masterpiece of German Expressionism, the film manages to convey terror without any spoken dialogue (yes, it’s a silent picture). It remains a highly-imitated classic, especially the scene where Nosferatu is struck by the rays of the sun. You should also give “Shadow of the Vampire” (2000) a look, as it provides an interesting peek at what might have went on behind the scenes during filming.
Halloween (1978) - Director John Carpenter helped mold slasher movies for years to come, as the techniques established in his film (the killers point-of-view) went on to become essential parts of the genre. Sure, “Black Christmas” did it first, but this tale of ultimate evil in human flesh managed to capture the public’s imagination, and for years it was the most profitable indie film of all time.
The Blair Witch Project (1999) - Shot for only $35,000 on a camera purchased from Wal-Mart (and later returned for the refund), “The Blair Witch Project” managed to do so much with so little. The actors were amateurs, the dialog mostly improvised, and the results were phenomenal. Buzz swept across the Internet, turning the humble indie flick into an overnight sensation that would gross close to $250,000,000. It’s also genuinely scary, as it builds ever so slowly before exploding in the final minutes.
Paranormal Activity (2009) - Much like “The Blair Witch Project” before it, “Paranormal Activity” was long on suspense and short on actual death or gore. It also once again showed the power of the Internet in promoting an indie film, as the $15,000 project went on to gross over $100 million at the U.S. box office. During test screenings, the worst was feared when people started walking out. Much to the relief of DreamWorks executives--who had initially considered remaking the film with a bigger budget--people were filing out because they were scared stiff.
Blood Feast (1963) - Considered the first splatter film, “Blood Feast“ would blaze a trail for the thousands of blood-soaked horror flicks to follow. Directed by Herschell Gordon Lewis and shot on a budget of $24,500, the results are disturbing, graphic, and sometimes amateurish…everything you’d want in an indie horror movie. Without this one, there would never have been motion pictures such as “The Evil Dead.” Lewis has been quoted as comparing the film to a Walt Whitman poem, “It’s no good, but it was the first of its type.”
Dawn of the Dead (1978) - While “Night of the Living Dead” got director George Romero noticed, it was the gory “Dawn of the Dead” that really made an impression on a new generation of horror fans. Filled with equal parts social commentary and exposed innards, the film exposed the absurdity of consumerism while treating viewers to exploding heads, helicopter decapitations, and marauding motorcycle gangs. Set in a shopping mall, it’s had a tremendous impact on both the horror genre and pop culture.