Japanesehorrorhas given cinema fansmany of the scariest films ever made, and, as a result, J-horror has become one of the most popular varieties of the genre in the world. Japanese horror movies tend to do an excellent job of building up suspense and psychological terror, and they often mix in supernatural and folkloric elements, making for wholly unique twists on familiar subgenres.
Although there are a number of Japanese horror films that have received worldwide recognition and acclaim, such as Kiyoshi Kurosawa’sCureand Hideo Nakata’sRing, there are dozens of excellent examples of the genre that haven’t been as well received in the West. In the list below, we’ve collected 20 of the most underrated and unknown horror treasures from the depths of the J-horror canon. These little-seen scary movies are just as good as the more popular J-horror fare, and deliver uniquely terrifying experiences that are well worth having.
20Black Cat Mansion (1958)
Black Cat Mansionis a stylish folk horror gem from Nobuo Nakagawa, who directed many influential chillers throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s. This one may not be as well-known ashis seminal surrealist freak-outJigoku, but it’s just as good. Mixing Universal Monsters-esque black-and-white aesthetics with occasional bursts of eye-popping color, this nonlinear nightmare is as creative as it is creepy.
It follows a woman who returns to her ancestral home, only to find that it is haunted by a cat-like creature possessed by vengeful spirits. Ripe with gothic atmosphere and surprisingly effective scares, this is a forgotten horror treat you don’t want to miss.
19Gemini (1999)
A quintessential J-horror classicfrom one of the genre’s most prolific directors, Shinya Tsukamoto,Geminifollows a young doctor in late Meiji era Japan who fears that someone is trying to kill him and his amnesiac wife. It is overall less well-known and universally praised as Tsukamoto’s other films likeTetsuo: The Iron Man, probably because it lacks the director’s signature theme of humankind’s relationship with technology.
It is a more restrained film than most of his others, but equally (if not more) impactful. With a focus on atmosphere and drama, this creepy period piece makes a lasting impression and further proves that Tsukamoto is a master of the horror genre.
18Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters (1968)
Yokai Monsters: 100 Monstersis a folklore-influenced monster movie about a bunch of greedy land developers running afoul of ancient spirits and suffering dire consequences. It’s a slow-burn affair for most of its runtime, taking the time to build up the evil deeds of its corrupt villains before finally exploding into a final act full of cathartic comeuppance at the hands (and claws) of an army of strange folklore creatures.
The monsters are horrifying feats of special effects, with the long-neck vampire (rokurokubi) and the living umbrella with its tongue sticking out (kasa-obake) being stand-outs.
17Organ (1996)
Possibly the most disturbing film on this list (though there are other candidates, for sure),Organis a grotesque shocker that has the distinction of being the sole film on this list directed by a woman. It follows a pair of detectives who investigate a shady team of black market human organ dealers. A raid on the dealers’ warehouse goes horribly wrong, and leaves one of the cops helpless in the hands of the sadistic creeps. Bodily dismemberment and buckets of blood await in this splatter epic that’s not for the faint of heart.
16Kuroneko (1968)
A classichorror film based on Japanese folklore,Kuronekotells the tale of a pair of women who are raped and murdered by samurai mercenaries coming back to life as vengeful cat spirits. Kabuki theater-influenced terror and drama commences, with occasional moments of heartfelt tenderness peppered throughout. The film’s greatness is further bolstered by a feminist message and some powerful social commentary.
Directed by pioneering indie filmmaker Kaneto Shindo, best known perhaps for his 1964 horror masterpieceOnibaba,Kuronekopacks plenty of ghostly thrills and chills all wrapped up in a gorgeously-shot, atmosphere-heavy package.
15Tokyo Vampire Hotel (2017)
Although technically a miniseries (an omnibus feature film version does exist, but the series is the better version to watch),Tokyo Vampire Hotelis one of the most underrated horror-action jams in Japanese cinematic history. It was created by infamous iconoclast Sion Sono, who was given free rein by the powers-that-be at Amazon Video to create a vampire saga in his own particular style.
The result is a wild and action-packed thrill ride full of vampire clan wars, perverse rituals, and over-the-top violence, all captured in Sono’s signature sensationalist style. If you love pulpy monster mayhem, his gloopy, blood-drenched vampire series should be at the top of your list.
14Noroi: The Curse (2005)
An under-seen found footage gem,Noroi: The Curseis a blood-curdling horror film about paranormal researchers investigating a series of mysterious happenings that seem to be connected to the legend of a demonic creature called Kagutaba.As Collider puts it, “It’s unlike most found footage point-of-view films that consist of frivolous characters scaring themselves with nothing remotely scary to offer audiences, featuring shaky cams that are just nauseous to look at.”
Instead, the film features a likable and thoroughly developed cast of characters and a boat-load of genuine scares that outdo many other horror movies made with considerably higher budgets.
13Blind Beast (1969)
Blind Beastis a horror film about a model who is kidnapped by a blind sculptor and forced to live in the maniac’s isolated warehouse full of his bizarre creations. Over time, a strange bond forms between the two characters. The film was directed by Yasuzo Masumura, a cult auteur known for his exploitation films that transcend the typical genre trash with their sociopolitical commentary and lush cinematography.
Blind Beastis no exception to Masumura’s standards – the film is a wild and weird chiller that is as sleazy as it is thought-provoking, and is loaded down with stunning production design and gorgeous compositions.
12Curse of the Dog God (1977)
Curse of the Dog Godis a surreal horror film from exploitation filmmaker Shunya Itō. Although Itō is best known for kicking off the action-packedFemale Prisoner #701: Scorpion(Sasori) series of films, this weirdo occult horror jam may just be his masterpiece. It centers on the denizens of a small mining town who suffer the terrible effects of an ancient curse after they inadvertently disturb the slumbering “Dog God.”
Demonic possession, exorcism, and other lurid happenings ensue in this utterly bizarre, folklore-tinged horror flick that has unjustly been all but forgotten about since its initial release.
11Goke, Body Snatcher from Hell (1968)
Goke, Body Snatcher from Hellis a wonderful little sci-fi horror flick about a group of plane crash survivors coming into conflict with an alien entity that possesses some of them and turns them into deranged killing machines. With an eclectic cast of characters, a very cool, isolated setting, and some brilliant lo-fi special effects,Goke, Body Snatcher from Hellis more than just a great title. What’s more, the film has a fiery undercurrent of mid-Vietnam War-inspired angst, an unconventional visual style – complete with a blood-red sky and tons of expressionistic lighting – and an extremely downbeat and apocalyptic final act that is impossible to forget.
