The 15 Worst Horror Movies Of All Time, Ranked

In simpler terms, numerous elements contribute to making a horror movie truly terrifying, such as maniacal killers with axes, rampaging animals, or extraterrestrial invaders. However, in essence, an outstanding horror film needs to accomplish just one thing – leave you shivering with fear.

Many horror films struggle to achieve basic effectiveness – often in quite dramatic fashion. Despite noble efforts to scare audiences, these movies may unravel because of financial constraints, poor management, or simply ill-conceived concepts. Some viewers find even poorly made horror flicks captivating, much like good ones. Taste is subjective, which means that a movie deemed dreadful by one viewer could be another’s beloved cult favorite. Consequently, even movies harshly criticized in the realm of horror can still merit reevaluation.

Armed with a flashlight, we delved into the grimmest, most musty recesses of the horror movie genre, unearthing an infamous collection that encompasses subpar remakes, unimpressive creatures, and one of Nicolas Cage’s most eccentric performances ever committed to film. Here are 15 of the worst horror movies ever produced; we advise you not to ignore our warning.

15. Plan 9 from Outer Space

As a passionate gamer diving into the world of vintage cinema, I’d have to say that the pièce de résistance of exploitation filmmaker Edward D. Wood Jr.’s questionable career is none other than the mind-boggling masterpiece, “Plan 9 from Outer Space” (1957). This cosmic catastrophe unfolds with aliens in homemade UFOs swooping down on Earth to revive the deceased, aiming to prevent humanity from unleashing a doomsday device. The cast includes Criswell, the supposed television psychic, a seductive graveyard specter known as Vampira, and the legendary “Dracula” actor Bela Lugosi, who gave what was advertised as his swan song (though it was actually leftover footage from another abandoned film project). In its own unique way, “Plan 9 from Outer Space” is a true testament to ineptitude.

The film, famously known as “The Worst Film Ever Made” according to Harry and Michael Medved’s popular book “The Golden Turkey Awards,” has been immortalized in Tim Burton’s Oscar-winning biopic “Ed Wood.” This movie, titled “Plan 9 from Outer Space,” has become a beloved camp classic within the B-movie genre.

Cast: Bela Lugosi, Vampira, Tor Johnson
Director: Edward D. Wood Jr.
Rating: Not rated
Runtime: 79 minutes
Where to Watch: Mubi, Plex, The Roku Channel

14. The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies

Ray Dennis Steckler, who was not particularly famous but did direct mid-20th century B-movies such as “Rat Pfink a Boo Boo” and “The Lemon Grove Kids Meet the Monster,” reached the pinnacle of his career in 1964 with “The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies.” The movie’s title is quite a mouthful, but its poster boasts (or, more accurately, warns) that it’s the very first monster musical!

At a beachside festival, Madame Estrella (Brett O’Hara), posing as a fortune teller, transforms her clients into grotesque zombies and keeps them imprisoned as her pets. A drifter named Jerry (Steckler, performing under the alias “Cash Flagg”) falls victim to her, brutally slaughtering his way through the carnival. The movie features a monster, yet it’s interspersed with extended folk songs and dance performances from local clubs, slowing down the pace of the zombie-killer action. Despite this, “The Incredibly Strange Creatures…” carries an eccentric, dreamlike atmosphere that partially justifies its complex name.

Cast: Ray Dennis Steckler, Carolyn Brandt, Brett O’Hara
Director: Ray Dennis Steckler
Rating: Not rated
Runtime: 82 minutes
Where to Watch: Plex, Tubi

13. The Wicker Man (2006)

1973’s film “The Wicker Man” is a highly-praised horror tale, blending themes of faith, tradition, and sacrifice, which climaxes in a spine-tingling showdown between Christianity and pagan beliefs. Conversely, the 2006 remake of “The Wicker Man” has no connection to those elements at all.

In a different phrasing: Nicolas Cage portrays Edward Malus, a police officer troubled by past events, who is called to a secluded island community with neo-pagan beliefs by his former fiancée (Kate Beahan). She alleges that her daughter Rowan (Erika Shaye Gair) has vanished. Suspecting that Sister Summersisle (Ellen Burstyn) intends to perform a human sacrifice, specifically on Rowan, for a fertility ritual, the narrative unfolds into an eccentric series of events, including Edward donning a bear costume and running about the island. The storyline is filled with disturbing misogynistic undertones, excessive acting by Cage that spawned countless memes rather than genuine fear, and a multitude of bizarre scenes.

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Ellen Burstyn, Kate Beahan
Director: Neil LaBute
Runtime: 102 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Where to Watch: Apple TV, Prime Video

12. Night of the Lepus

In theory, a massive monster movie featuring Janet Leigh from “Psycho” discussing humanity’s influence on nature seems like an entertaining cinema experience. However, the enjoyment hinges on the type of monster. Movies like “King Kong” have a giant ape and “Them!” has huge radioactive ants, but the creatures in “Night of the Lepus”? A swarm of adorable, enormous, man-eating rabbits.

In 1972, nestled in the Arizona desert, I found myself immersed in a sleepy sci-fi tale. As a character, I played Gerry Bennett, a dedicated scientist tirelessly working on a revolutionary serum to curb the explosive rabbit population that was threatening our surroundings. My young daughter, Amanda (Melanie Fullerton), in her youthful curiosity, inadvertently freed one of our test subjects. Little did we know, this simple act would unleash a horde of colossal, mutated rabbits, wreaking havoc and leaving destruction in their wake.

Rewording the sentence: It’s hard to believe a film could turn sweet images of bunnies playing on sets into something scary, but what truly sinks “Night of the Lepus” is its lack of conviction. The title (“lepus” means ‘hare’ in Latin) and the poster are misleading, giving the impression that even those who made this movie didn’t know how to market it effectively.

Cast: Stuart Whitman, Janet Leigh, Rory Calhoun
Director: William F. Claxton
Rating: PG
Runtime: 88 minutes
Where to Watch: Plex, Prime Video

11. Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan

Ever since the first film in the “Friday the 13th” series introduced him, the horror icon Jason Voorhees has faced various fates, including drowning, stabbing, hanging, being chopped by his own machete, and even struck by lightning. By the eighth movie, released in 1989, it was clear that a new setting was necessary to demonstrate that this old villain still had some life left in him.

Unfortunately, the eighth installment of “Friday the 13^th“, titled “Jason Takes Manhattan”, was met with disappointment upon its release. Contrary to expectations, Jason (portrayed by Kane Hodder) didn’t traverse the bustling city streets of New York City as suggested in the title, but instead most of the movie unfolded on a boat. The storyline revolves around Jason hunting and killing the usual group of teenagers who were aboard the ship. By the time Jason finally reaches Manhattan, depicted in a comically exaggerated manner as an apocalyptic wasteland filled with street punks and contaminated waste, it’s too late to generate interest. As movie critic Betsy Sherman put it, “The film would have been more accurately titled ‘Jason Takes a Cruise.’

Cast: Jensen Daggett, Sharlene Martin, Scott Reeves
Director: Rob Hedden
Rating: R
Runtime: 100 minutes
Where to Watch: Apple TV, Prime Video

10. Maximum Overdrive

Stephen King, renowned for his chilling novels, might be the undisputed master of the macabre, but it seems he’s not quite as skilled when it comes to filmmaking, as evident in his only directorial work, “Maximum Overdrive” from 1986. This movie was derived from one of King’s short stories titled “Trucks”, and it paints a bizarre picture where everyday machines, such as electric razors and lawn mowers, even massive trucks, start acting on their own accord and turn against humanity.

In ‘Maximum Overdrive’, we find ourselves with an unfortunate group of individuals (including Emilio Estevez and Yeardley Smith), holed up at a truck stop, being terrorized by malevolent 18-wheelers. However, the fear factor is significantly diminished when the main rig sports a whimsical Green Goblin mask from Marvel comics on its grille. Stephen King, who struggled with substance abuse during filming, later referred to the movie as ‘a moron movie’. Despite featuring an AC/DC heavy metal soundtrack, ‘Maximum Overdrive’ is about as enjoyable as dealing with a flat tire.

Cast: Emilio Estevez, Pat Hingle, Laura Harrington
Director: Stephen King
Rating: R
Runtime: 97 minutes
Where to Watch: Plex, Pluto TV

9. Hobgoblins

1984’s horror-comedy masterpiece by Joe Dante, “Gremlins,” gave birth to a horde of fuzzy screen imitators like “Critters,” “Ghoulies,” and “Munchies.” However, the most notorious offspring is “Hobgoblins.” In this grungy piece of ’80s nostalgia, the Hobgoblins are extraterrestrial creatures who ensnare their victims in their wildest dreams before extinguishing their lives.

In the film “Hobgoblins” (1988), security guard Kevin (Tom Bartlett) unwittingly sets free these tiny monsters from a seemingly unsecured vault. As they wreak havoc across town, their chaos reaches its peak at Club Scum. The characters are grotesque, the humor is offensive, and there’s hardly any fear to be found – but what’s truly unsettling? The Hobgoblins themselves are merely creepy hand puppets. Known for being showcased on “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” this movie garnered a reputation, while its sequel, “Hobgoblins 2” (2009), was unexpectedly released by director Rick Sloane to an unsuspecting public.

Cast: Tom Bartlett, Paige Sullivan, Steven Boggs
Director: Rick Sloane
Rating: Not rated
Runtime: 92 minutes
Where to Watch: Plex, The Roku Channel

8. Birdemic: Shock and Terror

As a seasoned gamer, let me tell you that nothing could have primed me for the nerve-wracking experience of “Birdemic: Shock and Terror.” Directed by James Nguyen, this chilling tribute to Alfred Hitchcock seems to have taken a detour through Al Gore’s climate change awareness campaign. In essence, it’s like stepping into a post-“An Inconvenient Truth” reboot of “The Birds.”

Initially, the narrative unfolds as an awkwardly charming, if painfully rigid, love story between software salesman Rod (Alan Bagh) and Victoria’s Secret model Nathalie (Whitney Moore). However, the tranquility is short-lived when hordes of birds – mutated and enraged due to global warming – start launching vicious attacks on every human they encounter.

This budget-restricted movie struggles in every department, from its script filled with illogical jokes to poor sound quality and wooden performances by the untrained cast. However, those who watched “Birdemic” in 2010 will never forget the atrociously rendered CGI birds that flap and hover awkwardly over the actors, reminiscent of out-of-control clip art run amok.

Cast: Alan Bagh, Whitney Moore, Janae Caster
Director: James Nguyen
Rating: Not rated
Runtime: 93 minutes
Where to Watch: Pluto TV, Plex, Prime Video

7. Troll 2

A list of the most dreadful horror films wouldn’t be whole without the disastrous “Troll 2.” Just how terrible is it? Firstly, there isn’t a single troll in this movie. Released in 1990 as an unofficial sequel to the 1986 film “Troll,” the story follows the Waits family who relocate to the town of Nilbog (which spells out goblin when read backward). The goblins of Nilbog intend to consume the unwary family, but since they are vegetarians, they have to deceive humans into eating their cursed food so that they can be transformed into plants and then eaten. (I hope you’ve got it!)

Just young Joshua (Michael Stephenson) understands the truth, and with the help of his grandfather-ghost armed with Molotov cocktails, he embarks on a mission to rescue his family. The movie “Troll 2” is a gruesome, green nightmare filled with terrible makeup, cringe-worthy dialogue, and some of the most disturbing eating scenes ever recorded. Later, Stephenson directed the 2009 documentary “Best Worst Movie”, which chronicles the creation of “Troll 2” and its transformation into a beloved midnight cult classic.

Cast: Michael Stephenson, George Hardy, Margo Prey
Director: Claudio Fragasso
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 95 minutes
Where to Watch: Kanopy, Prime Video

6. One Missed Call

At the lowest point of the surge in J-horror remakes during the 2000s, “One Missed Call” stands out as a diluted and confused mess. It’s so unoriginal that it would still seem derivative, even if it weren’t a direct adaptation from a 2003 movie by renowned Japanese director Takashi Miike.

The 2008 movie “One Missed Call”, similar to how “The Ring” impacted videotapes, attempts, but ultimately falters, in using cell phones as its central horror device. A group of unremarkable young adults, headed by Beth Raymond (Shannyn Sossamon), start getting eerie phone calls from their future selves, revealing the last words they spoke before meeting a gruesome demise. The film then unfolds with predictable horror tropes like malevolent kids, subpar CGI specters, and an unsuccessful exorcism. It’s strongly advised to skip “One Missed Call” altogether.

Cast: Shannyn Sossamon, Edward Burns, Ray Wise
Director: Eric Valette
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 87 minutes
Where to Watch: Hoopla, Prime Video

5. House of the Dead

Seeking a wild night on a shrouded isle, a contentious band of sexually charged college students persuade a gun-smuggling boat skipper to ferry them, ignoring the cautions of his superstitious crewmate Salish (renowned actor Clint Howard in the role). Upon their arrival at the rave, they are set upon by mobs of cannibalistic zombies. Fleeing into a deserted dwelling, the coeds encounter another cluster of party-seekers and discover that the island was previously inhabited by a fallen Spanish cleric who pursued eternal life. Can they make it through “The House of the Dead”?

As a gamer, I’d say it’s a shameful understatement to call “House of the Dead,” the movie, a misguided attempt at adapting the popular arcade game. Directed by the notorious Uwe Boll, who’s won Razzie Awards for his work, this 2003 film tries to up the ante with graphic violence, nudity, and snippets from the actual game. But the execution is clumsy, ineffective, and anything but frightening. Watching “House of the Dead” is like stumbling through a zombie-infested landscape – disoriented, confused, and left craving for a more coherent storyline.

Cast: Jonathan Cherry, Tyron Leitso, Clint Howard
Director: Uwe Boll
Rating: R
Runtime: 90 minutes
Where to Watch: Plex, Prime Video

4. Jaws: The Revenge

In the infamous Hall of Shame for poor films, “Jaws: The Revenge” occupies a unique spot of disgrace. Contrasting “Jaws,” the 1975 masterpiece by Steven Spielberg that terrified audiences for half a century and is hailed as one of cinema’s greatest works, the continuation in “Jaws 3” strained credibility, while “Jaws: The Revenge” pushed believability to its absolute limits when it was released in 1987.

In simpler terms, after her youngest son was killed by a great white shark, Ellen Brody (played by Lorraine Gary, the sole returning cast member from “Jaws”) travels to the Bahamas to heal. Her tragic loss has led her to think that sharks are targeting her family as retribution for the ones they had destroyed in the past films. Remarkably, this is indeed the case. The seemingly mysterious bond between woman and shark, and the notion that sharks have a sense of revenge, might seem just as absurd as the romance between Ellen and seaplane pilot Michael Caine.

Cast: Lorraine Gary, Mario Van Peebles, Michael Caine
Director: Joseph Sargent
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 89 minutes
Where to Watch: Apple TV, Prime Video

3. The Devil Inside

In a chilling amalgamation of a demonic possession film and a “found footage” style mockumentary, the 2012 production titled “The Devil Inside” stands out for its notoriously poor ending. The protagonist, Isabella Rossi, portrayed by Fernanda Andrade, is producing a documentary about her mother who perpetrated numerous murders during an exorcism. Regrettably for Isabella, her mother isn’t tormented by a single demon but rather four of them, each aiming to possess not only Isabella but also everyone within her circle.

In “The Devil Inside”, after Isabella’s friends attempt an exorcism, their car collides and the scene fades to black. The film concludes with a title card stating that the Rossi Case details remain undiscovered, accompanied by a link to a website for additional information. However, this unexpected, unresolved ending received backlash from audiences and critics alike, who viewed it as a cunning marketing ploy. As of now, the associated website is no longer accessible.

Cast: Fernanda Andrade, Simon Quarterman, Evan Helmuth
Director: William Brent Bell
Rating: R
Runtime: 83 minutes
Where to Watch: Apple TV, Prime Video

2. Blood Freak

Angel, who is kind and aims to assist Herschell in his recovery, and Anne, who has a wicked intent to charm him with her charms and marijuana.

In a strange turn of events, Herschell finds employment at a local turkey farm, following a period of irrational behavior. Corrupt scientists coerce Herschell into consuming genetically-altered, chemical-laden turkey meat, which results in him becoming the “Turkey-Headed Fiend” as depicted in the title. Now adorned with an oversized turkey head, Herschell is driven to disfigure and murder drug addicts so he can feed on their blood – a challenging task given his beak.

As a fan, I can’t help but admit that nothing seems to halt Herschell’s murderous rampage, except perhaps the strength of… prayer? Indeed, 1972’s “Blood Freak” stands alone as the globe’s only turkey-themed anti-drug religious horror flick. If the preachy dialogue doesn’t make the message clear, co-director Brad F. Grinter frequently pauses the film to light up in a rustic room and deliver sermons to the audience. “Blood Freak” is one wild, psychedelic cinematic journey.

Cast: Steve Hawkes, Dana Cullivan, Heather Hughes
Director: Brad F. Grinter and Steve Hawkes
Rating: Not rated
Runtime: 86 minutes
Where to Watch: Plex

1. Manos: The Hands of Fate

1966 saw the direction of an extraordinary film titled “Manos: The Hands of Fate,” a project initiated by Harold P. Warren, a fertilizer salesman from El Paso, Texas, who sought to demonstrate that movie-making was within anyone’s reach. Everything about this production seems unbelievable. A family goes astray during their vacation and lands in the terrifying grip of Torgo (played by John Reynolds), a satyr-like housekeeper, and his Master (portrayed by Tom Neyman), who heads a cult devoted to the deity Manos. The movie’s title is a play on words, as “Manos” means “hands” in Spanish, so its full title is “Hands: The Hands of Fate.

As a hardcore movie enthusiast who’s seen it all, I can honestly say that watching “Manos” feels like embarking on a cinematic marathon for those accustomed to the worst films out there. The director’s lack of expertise, evident in every poorly framed shot (and not forgetting his acting stint as the family head), is painfully obvious. The final product, with its awkward editing and off-key dialogue, is a mesmerizing and eerie disaster that includes a bizarre catfight among the Master’s ethereal wives and an extended car ride where the missing opening credits should have been.

Before appearing on “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” the movie titled “Manos: The Hands of Fate” was relatively unheard of, but it’s now celebrated as the show’s top episode. Since then, it has sparked sequels, a video game, and various stage productions, such as the puppet musical “Manos: The Hands of Felt.” This demonstrates that “Manos: The Hands of Fate” stands out among the very worst films ever made.

Cast: Harold P. Warren, Tom Neyman, John Reynolds
Director: Harold P. Warren
Rating: Not rated
Runtime: 70 minutes
Where to Watch: Hoopla, Kanopy, Plex

2025-07-06 17:32