Most under-rated horror movie

To coincide with the 'over rated thread', what do you think is the most under rated horror movie?

Texas Chainsaw Massacre - This should come as no surprise in my mentioning, it is what i consider to be the pinacle of modern horror films, it was the first of its kind and paved the way for all the other big name series. Basically, watch horror movies made before TCM, then watch the ones made directly after, they are noticeably different. TCM had a huge impact on the genre that is usually ignored, sadly credit of this impact usually goes to halloween, a far less deserving film.

Last House on the Left - Much like TCM, it changed what was acceptable in horror films, it was the first film to deal with a realistic portrayal of rape in a blunt and obvious manner. Making the viewer watch and cringe at the images on screen, rather then implying the gore, we saw it full fledged.

Henry - Portrait of a Serial Killer - Probably THE most underrated horror film of all time, and probably one of my favorites. It was the first movie that used nothing but realism to be terrifying. As the tagline says "he's not freddy, he's not jason, he's real". It showed us that fact is often more terrifying then fiction.

Return of the Living Dead- This one is finally starting to get a bigger following, which it deserves. It was an absolutely hilarious parody of the romero zombie films, throwing in some really freaky zombies, that could actually run. Great cult classic.

Cannibal Holocaust - Sadly, one of the more obscure horror films, it deserves to be seen by all horror fans. It's style and presentation was extremely unique and innovative, along with its use of music, real life mutilation, and just horrific images that looked real on a believable level.

Those are the main ones, i will post more tommorow probably. Post yours as well

I don't agree with TCM..........only because I don't think anybody under rates it. Everybody knows and loves the movie and gives it proper credit.

Everything else, I agree on.

I'd like to add Hellraiser.

Hellraiser is one of the most original films........yet is only credited as being a "cool, gory flick"........it is popular, but only because of Pinhead........not the story or creativity that went into it. All the slasher fans like it soly for the killings.......when the movie isn't even about gore or killing....or Pinhead for that matter. The story is about the excesses of greed and lust, basically pleasure and what the consequences of such searches can be. To give an example..........Hellraiser Inferno. Most Hellraiser fans don't like this movie. They say, "Pinhead is barely in it"........they don't even realize that Pinhead is not the star of the original movie nor any of the sequels except part 3. The stars of the movies are those people who greedily searching for all the pleasures they can......Inferno is most like the first movie but fans don't like it because Pinhead is barely in it. It's like they miss the entire point of the Hellraiser movie and/or series. They're like, "enough with the creative and original story, show me the guy with the pins sticking out of his head, he's cool"............

I say TCM because on most peoples lists it is not as high up as nightmare, halloween, or friday teh 13th. It certainly isnt as famous or popular as any of those either, but it certainly should be.

Hellraiser is indeed a good choice.

I see your point........I must differentiate here.

TCM is high up on the list of most true horror genre fans........these hardcore fans don't even have Halloween or Friday the 13th on their lists.

You are correct though.........TCM probably isn't high on the list of most casual horror fans or just movie fans in general........it's not as well known because it wasn't whored out with a new movie every single year like Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm St., or Halloween. That's why I'm glad we have forums like this.........there are alot of "casual fans" around here who probably havn't even heard of movies untill one of us mentions it and talks about it. Hell, look back through the forum.......you'll see posts about NOES, Halloween, Candyman, Jason, etc...........you hardly see any posts made movies that aren't pop culture icons. That's why when I discuss ranking Candyman or Halloween or something I usually put "popular horror movies" in there.......

yeah, thats what i meant, just the general publics perception of it. I know hardcore horror fans recognize it moreso then the other films.

but again, I generally find a reason to put TCM on any positive list, even if it really doesnt belong. 😛

That's okay.........it deserves as much mentioning as possible.......you could post about in one thousand times per day and it will never attain the amount of attention Jason Voorhies or Michael Myers has gotten, and that is a sad sad thing.

but at the same time, part of its charm is that it's still a cult film of sorts. It is definately well known and infamous, but not quite mainstreem, i dunno why, but i like that in a horror film.

Of course, with the remake coming out, that may change. I know at my store, it has been rented out for several months, since the remake has been largely announced to the public. People have been asking for it constantly. So its starting to get some well deserved attention.

I dunno.........The Evil Dead was at one time a cult film..........then with the mass releasing of videos a few years ago combined with the video games that came out, more and more people are watching it. It makes it lose some of it's charm when you see some 14 year old kid at the checkout lane in Walmart buying I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Evil Dead at the same time if you know what I mean.

I do completely, its so conflicting. I see that alot, working at a video store. Someone will rent TCM or some other great horror movie, with scream 3 or jeepers creepers or, i know what you did last summer...and i just hope he likes TCM more....for his sake.

The Wicker Man - Without a doubt one of the best psychological horror films ever made, Christopher Lee once again proves why he is one of the true legends of horror films,however the lack of gore and gratious violence puts alot of people off from seeing it,and it only briefly gets mentions through third parties most notably Iron Maiden,The League of Gentlemen and The Coral. The ending and the films underlining message of 'the testing of a persons faith' stay with you long after the films credits have rolled.

^true^

Critters is very underated, around here, I thinking about the Faroe Islands, when I say around here, few people know about it and those who do hate it, well thats besides me.

Critters is great........as is it's 3 sequels.........I could watch all 4 movies back to back all day every day.

i dont know if u guys have metioned this movie but it is called dog soilders i know that F likes it but i didnt read his post so i dont know if he had mentioned it it was a very good movie and i enjoyed it alot

yeah, Dog soldiers should definately be mentioned.

I absolutley agree with Henry, for those who havent seen, or those who have, Otis is by far the Scariest Movie Monster ever!!!!!

I thought Last house was a great horror to and it had the cobra Kai master!!!!

yep, last house in awesome.

havent seen last house yet is it older movie or what