10 Asian Horror Movies You’ve Never Heard of, Ranked | ScreenRant – Screen Rant

Although it seems like the Asian horror boom has since long ended in the West,fervent fans know that isn't true. The latest installment inThe Grudge series is proving that interest still exists. Also, the genre is thriving quite well overseas.The difference now is there is more variety than ever before. No longer are studiosriding the coattails of Hideo Nakata'sRing orTakashi Shimizu'sJu-on: The Grudgewe have a variety of subjects, more than ever before.

RELATED:10 Asian Horror Movies To Watch Before You See The Grudge (2020)

In recent years, films likeThe Wailing andOne Cut of the Dead have earned attention here. But, there are other titles, both old and new, that have flown under the radar. If you're looking for something new and scary, and you don't mind subtitles, then check out these ten horror movies from various Asian countries.

Teen slashers never go out of fashion, it seems. Thailand, like other neighboring countries, originally rummaged through native folklore when making horror movies. They eventually looked elsewhere for inspiration. Namely, theFinal Destination series that was making serious money overseas.

In the tradition of976-EVIL,999-9999 concerns a suspicious phone number that curses anyone who calls it. Anyone unfortunate enough to ring the notorious number, soon ends up dead.

Inspired by the obscure 1997 American horror anthologyCampfire Tales,Darna Mana Hai(or,Fright is Forbidden)sets itself up in a similar way. A group of friends traveling on a long and deserted, backwoods road find themselves stranded after the car breaks down. Until help arrives, they share spooky stories with one another.

UnlikeCampfire Tales, this Indian horror movie boasts six tales rather than five.Aside from the six segments, the wraparound containsits own involving subplot about the storytellers, all of whom are in mortal danger themselves.

In this all but forgotten Taiwanese horror movie, a woman is heartlessly murdered by her lover. To exact revenge on those involved in her death, the victim possesses the body of a dancer. To free their friend of the spirit's hold, though, a man and his girlfriend contact a spiritualist.

RELATED:10 Absolutely Terrifying Chinese Horror Movies

Split of the Spirit is not remarkable by no means, but its inventive practical effects and stylish aesthetic keeps it in rotation for fans of vintage Chinese horror.

In this elusive 2006 horror movie from Japanese directorMakoto Tanaka (Sing Salmon Sing), a tabloid reporter investigates a bizarre incident in a little town. A child is found dead, but his organs are somehow missing upon autopsy. This leads to a greater mystery where the corpse has literally run off. To add more confusion to this case, the boy died over thirty years ago...

The Vanishedis originally titledAme no Machi(Town of Rain), which is the name of the Hideyuki Kikuchi short it's based on. It's a pensive, creeping kind of horror movie that echoes early David Cronenberg at times.

Sometimes a film is so bad, it's actually quite 'good.' This is the case forDangerous Seductress (or Bercinta dengan maut in Indonesian), an early '90s horror movie that has understandably developed a cult following over the years. Although available in the West on DVD, copies are now scarce. However, the movie was shot in English so there's no need to worry about translation issues if you come across another release.

InH. Tjut Djalil'soutlandish final movieDangerous Seductress, an abused woman makes a deal with evil and becomes a succubus-likecreature.

In the vein ofDonnie Darko, this fantasy-horror movie is based on the novel of the same name byTatsuhiko Takimoto. It never outright induces scares or summons the sensibilities of a traditional horror movie, butNegative Happy Chainsaw Edge teeters on the edge.

RELATED:10 Scariest Japanese Movies To Never Watch Alone, Ranked

In this romantic oddball of a film, two mournful teenagers come to meet one night when the other is battling a chainsaw-wielding entity. This is no isolated incident as it happens quite often for Eri, a grieving, young woman. Through these trials, though, she and Yosuke become the closest of friends.

From the studio, Toho, that gave the worldGodzilla is this near-lost 1960 sci-fi/horror treasure that pioneered a lot of futuretokusatsueffects. InThe Secret of the Telegian, a serial killer uses amatter-transporationdevice when carrying out his crimes.

Jun Fukuda's The Secret of the Telegianwas originally intended to be released theatrically in the West, specifically the United States. Plans fell through and the movie was sent straight to television. Although it was dubbed in English, this televised version of the film is in black-and-white rather than color.

Not to be confused with the South Korean movie The Handmaiden, this Vietnamese ghoster is a period film with supernatural elements.Set in 1953 Indochina, a housemaid's affair with her widowed boss results in the return of the man's wife, now a displeased spirit.

RELATED:10 Asian Slashers That You Never Heard Of (But Need To Watch Right Now)

Vietnam has had a lot of trouble building up its cinema industry. So, when something likeThe Housemaid comes along, one has to commend those involved. This spooky tale is sometimes a melodramatic soap opera, but compared to other Viet horror movies, it's a cut above the rest.

Kiyoshi Kurosawa has dealt with horror since the beginning of his career. Years afterSweet Home was practically locked away by Toho, he gave the worldCureandPulse. One of his lesser known films is one produced for television.

In the slow burnSance (originallyKrei), a woman with supposed paranormalpowers helps the authorities find a missing girl. Yet, when the child appears before her, the woman and her husband keepher hidden in their home. This way, the psychic can prove her gift is legitimate. Unfortunately, the girl dies in her captors' care, and she now haunts the couple responsible for her death.

This 1981 horror movie combines several sub-genres, all coalescing into one of the best hidden gems inSouth Korean cinema. It all starts with a lonely housewife whose husband, a biologist, brings home a young housekeeper. As he's busy with his work, the matriarch suspects something is not right about her new employee. She not onlypossesses an ominous shaman statue, the housekeeper may be having an affair with the wife's husband.

Suddenly in the Dark isa gaslit and supernatural psycho-thriller. Its lead actress delivers an unsettling performance that credits the movie's evocative, mania-induced feeling. Anyone who loves classic horror should not miss out on this one. Especially since it's been remastered and translated for a wider audience today.

NEXT:10 Scariest Korean Movies To Never Watch Alone, Ranked

NextTop 10 Sci-Fi Movies That Never Got Sequels

Freelance writer currently writing for Screen Rant and CBR. Also, a junior editor. Bylines at Bloody Digusting, Nightmare on Film Street Podcast, and Gayly Dreadful. Subjects of interest include horror, Sailor Moon, and Buffy.

See the article here:
10 Asian Horror Movies You've Never Heard of, Ranked | ScreenRant - Screen Rant