The Top 3 Scariest Horror Movies by Country (and 2024’s New Releases)

If you’re on the hunt for some spine-tingling horror from around the globe, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re in the mood for a gory slasher, a slow-burn psychological nightmare, or an otherworldly supernatural chiller, we’ve got the perfect list for you. These are the top 3 scariest horror movies from the United States, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, China, and Mexico, alongside a sneak peek at some of the hottest horror films set to terrify us in 2024.

United States

1. The Exorcist (1973)
   You can’t talk about horror without mentioning The Exorcist. This film about a young girl possessed by a demon is considered one of the scariest films ever made. From head-spinning to projectile vomiting, it’s a classic that shocks every time.
2. The Shining (1980)
   A true psychological horror, The Shining takes you into the mind of Jack Torrance as he slowly descends into madness in an isolated hotel. Redrum, anyone?
3. Hereditary (2018)
   This newer addition to the horror scene will leave you feeling disturbed for days. Hereditary builds dread in a slow and terrifying manner, with family secrets that unravel into supernatural horror.

2024 Release to Watch:
The Exorcist: Deceiver
The second part of the new Exorcist trilogy is due in 2024, promising more bone-chilling encounters with the forces of evil.

France

1. Martyrs (2008)
   Not for the faint-hearted, Martyrs is an extreme horror film that blends physical and existential torment. It’s a brutal but thought-provoking watch.
2. High Tension (2003)
   A nail-biting thriller, High Tension is full of gruesome kills and psychological twists that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
3. Inside (2007)
   A relentless home invasion horror, Inside will make you squirm with its intense violence and unflinching brutality.

2024 Release to Watch:
L’Horreur dans la Maison
A fresh psychological horror film set to release in France, exploring the eerie history of a haunted house in the French countryside.

Spain

1. REC (2007)
   Found footage at its finest. REC takes place in an apartment building where a news crew gets trapped during a zombie outbreak. The terror is relentless and real.
2. The Orphanage (2007)
   The Orphanage is a chilling ghost story that tugs at your heartstrings while scaring you out of your wits.
3. The Devil’s Backbone (2001)
   Directed by Guillermo del Toro, this haunting film set during the Spanish Civil War mixes historical drama with ghostly terror.

2024 Release to Watch:
Sombras Oscuras
A supernatural thriller that revolves around a cursed Spanish village, with plenty of eerie atmosphere and ghostly scares.

Germany

1. Nosferatu (1922)
   The original vampire movie, Nosferatu set the standard for cinematic horror. Its unsettling imagery and atmosphere still hold up today.
2. Goodnight Mommy (2014)
   A creepy psychological horror about two boys who suspect their mother isn’t who she claims to be. It’s an unnerving tale of paranoia and identity.
3. Der Nachtmahr (2015)
   A surreal and eerie film about a teenage girl who begins to experience terrifying visions of a strange creature that haunts her.

2024 Release to Watch:
Der Schatten des Waldes
A German folk horror film about a haunted forest that plays on old folklore and delivers bone-chilling tension.

Italy

1. Suspiria (1977)
   Dario Argento’s visually stunning horror film about a dance academy with dark secrets is one of the most iconic Italian horror films ever made.
2. Deep Red (1975)
   A giallo classic, Deep Red blends mystery with brutal killings, all set to a haunting soundtrack by Goblin.
3. The Beyond (1981)
   One of Lucio Fulci’s best-known films, The Beyond offers nightmarish imagery and a terrifying descent into the gates of hell.

2024 Release to Watch:
Il Respiro del Diavolo
A dark supernatural horror set in a remote Italian village, promising ghostly apparitions and a truly unsettling atmosphere.

Japan

1. Ringu (1998)
   The film that launched the J-horror wave, Ringu is a terrifying ghost story about a cursed videotape. It’s atmospheric, slow-building, and deeply unsettling.
2. Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)
   This chilling tale of a cursed house and vengeful spirits is one of Japan’s scariest ghost stories.
3. Audition (1999)
   What starts as a romantic drama quickly devolves into one of the most disturbing horror films ever made, with a shocking twist.

2024 Release to Watch:
Oni no Yūrei
A brand-new Japanese horror film set in feudal Japan, featuring malevolent spirits and cursed villages.

South Korea

1. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
   An eerie psychological horror with beautiful cinematography and a deeply emotional core. It’s a haunting exploration of trauma and family.
2. The Wailing (2016)
   A supernatural horror film that delves into shamanism, possession, and rural folklore. The Wailing is both terrifying and deeply mysterious.
3. Train to Busan (2016)
   This fast-paced zombie thriller adds an emotional depth rarely seen in zombie films, making it both action-packed and tear-jerking.

2024 Release to Watch:
The Cursed: Dead Man’s Letter
South Korea’s newest horror entry, revolving around a cursed letter that brings death to anyone who receives it.

China

1. The Eye (2002)
   A supernatural horror about a woman who receives a corneal transplant and starts seeing the dead. Suspenseful and chilling.
2. Dumplings (2004)
   A grotesque and disturbing film that explores themes of vanity and immortality in shocking ways.
3. Rigor Mortis (2013)
   A haunting homage to classic Chinese vampire films, filled with ghostly tension and supernatural action.

2024 Release to Watch:
The Spirit Mirror
A horror movie set in ancient China, dealing with a cursed mirror that traps souls, blending folklore and eerie visuals.

Mexico

1. La Llorona (2019)
   A political and supernatural horror based on the legend of La Llorona. This film adds depth to the folklore by tying it to historical atrocities.
2. The Devil’s Backbone (2001)
   Set during the Spanish Civil War, this film combines the supernatural with historical drama in Guillermo del Toro’s signature style.
3. Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)
   A heartbreaking blend of horror and magical realism about children surviving cartel violence, with ghosts lurking in the shadows.

2024 Release to Watch:
El Alma Perdida
A folk horror tale about a cursed town, inspired by ancient Mexican legends. Expect atmosphere, ghostly figures, and spine-tingling chills.

From demonic possessions to cursed videotapes and malevolent spirits, the world of horror is vast and varied. If you’re a horror fan, these films from different countries offer a glimpse into the fears that haunt us all. And with some exciting releases coming in 2024, there’s plenty more to look forward to if you’re ready to be scared senseless! Stay tuned to whatis.cool for more horror recommendations and updates!