Horror fans know the biggest releases always steal the spotlight — but some of the scariest, weirdest, and most unforgettable movies slip under the radar. This year is no different. If you’re searching for underrated horror movies 2025 that you probably haven’t seen yet, this list will take you off the beaten path.
These are festival favorites, indie gems, and international nightmares worth discovering before everyone else catches on. And as usual, I make this list for you as well as me, because I still have to see some of these.
I’m excited. Are you? Let’s get into this.
👻 1. The Seeding – Underrated Horror Movies 2025
I should mention that this list is in no particular order. But for now, the first one on this list is The Seeding.
Although The Seeding was actually released in 2024, it’s a movie worth watching today, tomorrow, and in the future. So I’m putting it on this list because it looks insane. And well, the crazier the better, right?
What’s The Seeding About:
A hiker stumbles into a desert canyon where a mysterious group traps him, forcing him into survival against primal horrors.
There is high praise for this movie, so I’m expecting it to be pretty fantastic.
Why You’ll Enjoy It:
The Seeding is claustrophobic, eerie, and deeply unsettling. Perfect if you like survival horror with psychological twists.
Why The Seeding is One of the Underrated Horror Movies of Today:
It had a limited theatrical and streaming rollout means many horror fans missed it.
🪞 2. Handling the Undead
I love a good foreign horror movie and Handling the Undead seems like the perfect scary movie for this list.
What’s Handling the Undead About:
Set in Oslo, families face the sudden return of their recently deceased loved ones, alive, but not quite human. I’m not going to lie, this movie looks like a twisted fairy tale where you have to choose between loving your deceased and now undead loved one, or killing them one more time.
I mean, life is hard enough already but mourning the same person twice is just cruel.
Why You’ll Enjoy It:
Emotional and chilling, this is horror mixed with grief and atmosphere rather than gore. Not your tipical zombie movie.
Why Handling the Undead is one of the Underrated Horror Movies of Today:
Overshadowed by bigger zombie fare, but it’s one of the most unique horror experiences you need to watch.
🩸 3. In a Violent Nature
Slasher taken back to its gritty roots? Yes please!
What’s In a Violent Nature About:
A slasher film told almost entirely from the killer’s perspective as he stalks campers in the woods.
Why You’ll Enjoy It:
Brutal kills, haunting silence, and a new spin on the slasher formula.
Why It’s an Underrated Horror Movie:
Though buzzed about in festivals, it’s still flying under mainstream radar, and you most likely haven’t heard of it. So now, in 2025, it’s time to watch it.
🪆 4. Oddity
Oddity looks like it has a great storyline and just like it’s namesake, it looks incredibly odd. And that’s a great thing for a scary movie to have.
What’s Oddity About:
A blind woman uses her psychic powers to uncover the truth about her sister’s murder inside a strange house, using her psychic abilities to “see” what actually happened.
Why You’ll Enjoy It:
Gothic vibes, supernatural scares, and unsettling imagery. It’s not directed by Guillermo Del Torro, but it looks like it might as well be.
Why Oddity is one of the Underrated Horror Movies of Today:
A festival standout that horror fans should catch before it disappears into obscurity.
🦇 5. Late Night with the Devil
Late Night with the Devil does a fantastic job at re-creating some 70s low budget special effects that we love so much today.
It’s one of those movies that will become a cult favorite in the near future.
What’s Late Night with the Devil About:
A 1970s talk show broadcast goes horribly wrong when a live séance unleashes something sinister on air. But it’s more than that.
Why You’ll Enjoy It:
Found footage meets period-piece TV aesthetic — creepy, clever, and nostalgic.
Why It’s Underrated Horror Movies 2025:
It became popular in horror circles but I don’t believe it has entered mainstream awareness yet. I enjoyed it and believe it deserves a re-watch.
🌊 6. The Outwaters
This is a movie I just stumbled upon and need to watch. So I’m putting it on this list so I can come back to it.
What’s The Outwates About:
A found footage nightmare set in the Mojave Desert, where a group of friends filming a music video descends into cosmic chaos.
The Majave Desert itself is already a brutal landscape. Put a few rambuctious youngans and presto, horror movie beauty!
Why You’ll Enjoy It:
Disturbing, experimental, and hallucinatory, you’ll either love-it-or-hate-it. But I think the found footage movies can be like that somtimes.
Why The Outwaters is one of the Underrated Horror Movies of Today:
One of the most polarizing horror movies in years. It’s been overlooked by casual viewers and not on most poeples radars.
🎭 7. Cuckoo
This movie looks soooo good! And OMG I gotta watch it (and so do you).
What’s Cuckoo About:
A teenager relocates to the German Alps with her family, only to discover terrifying secrets in her new community. But it looks like it has multiple layers or horror including slasher elements? IDK, I havent seen it yet. That’s just what I get from the trailer.
Why You’ll Enjoy It:
It’s moody and unnerving, with a mix of folk and psychological horror.
Why It’s Underrated Horror Movies 2025:
A small indie release with limited exposure so far.
🕰️ 8. Night Swim
If you’re as afraid of drowning as I am, you’ve got to watch this film.
But, if you need another reason to watch this movie, well, James Wan is one of the producers. And he’s got one of those brilliant scary movie minds.
What’s Night Swim About:
A suburban family’s backyard pool becomes the source of supernatural terror.
Also James WAN!!!
Why You’ll Enjoy It:
Classic haunted-house energy with a fresh setting and strong suspense.
Why It’s Underrated Horror Movies of 2025:
Released early in the year, it got buried under bigger titles but it’s worth a watch.
Did I mention James Wan produced it?
🦴 9. Baghead
Baghead looks trully original and downright creepy. Let’s watch it!
What’s Baghead About:
A grieving woman inherits a bar where a shape-shifting entity offers people a chance to speak to the dead at a terrible cost.
Why You’ll Enjoy It:
Atmospheric, emotional, and eerie. A mix of supernatural horror and moral dilemma.
Why It’s Underrated Horror Movies of 2025:
Released quietly, overshadowed by flashier horror films. But I firmly believe it deserves a watch.
🔥 10. Humane
The premise of Humane is intense. I mean, in order to save the world you have to volunteer to die? WHAT!!!!
What’s Humane About:
In a near-future world struggling with climate disaster, a wealthy family dinner takes a shocking, violent turn.
Why You’ll Enjoy It:
Dystopian, tense, and socially relevant. But it’s more horror-thriller, yet deeply disturbing.
Why Humane is one of the Underrated Horror Movies of Our Time:
It’s a hidden gem but it looks like it was made with a blockbuster feel. High budget? I’m not sure, but that’s the feeling I get from it.
Final Thoughts: Hidden Horror Movies of The Present Time
Now these movies aren’t necessarily from 2025, but if you’re reading this now, in 2025, or in 2026, or way past these years, I believe they are timeless. So if you’re looking for underrated horror movies to put on your list today, regardless of the year, try these.
If you track these down now, you’ll be ahead of the curve when horror fans finally discover them.
Like all horror junkies, this list might not be enough. So, if you’re into found footage horror, I have the perfect blog post for you.
