For those of you who aren’t satisfied with the current horrors of living during a pandemic, there are plenty of horror movies to watch from the comfort of your couch. Streaming has made quarantine a heck of a lot easier, but it’s not always easy to find the right thing to watch. There are thousands of options available on a wide variety of different services, so homebound movie lovers might feel a little loss, but fear not! Taste of Cinema has you covered when it comes to the horror genre.
Though Netflix tends to reign supreme in the streaming world, they also lack smaller, lesser-known movies. That’s where the competition has the upper-hand. In particular, Amazon Prime is known for supplying viewers with a large quantity of obscure movies from different genres. Today, as stated, we’ll be focusing on horror.
Below, you’ll find ten relatively obscure horror movies that can be streamed on Prime Video. The goal of this list is to supply readers with things they may have missed. With the lack of theatrical releases, now is the perfect time to dive into something other than the latest Blumhouse release. You may find a new favorite buried in the Prime Video library. Just understand that titles come and go, so this list is most relevant immediately following its publication.
1. The Wailing (2016)
Because of Parasite’s big Oscar win, reluctant moviegoers have finally decided to give South Korean cinema the attention it deserves. Better late than never, huh? Unfortunately, they have a lot of catching up to do. South Korean cinema goes beyond Bong Joon Ho and Chan-wook Park; there’s a massive assortment of phenomenal movies waiting to be seen. The Wailing is just one example.
Specifically, it’s one example that fits the criteria of this list. This is a lesser-known horror movie that’s easily accessible through Prime Video. It’s also extraordinary, which explains its high placement.
The Wailing is massive in scale, so the story can’t be summed up in one short paragraph. To add to this, the unpredictable nature of the story means that even the lightest of spoilers could ruin your enjoyment. At its most basic, it revolves around a series of strange occurrences that start to happen after the arrival of a mysterious Japanese man, but that doesn’t do the story justice.
We all know it’s not that simple. The Wailing doesn’t settle for simple. The 156-minute runtime makes that very clear. This is a rollercoaster ride that rewards patient viewers. Whenever you feel like it’s about to overstay its welcome, it ropes you back in. The molding of different genres means that there’s always something new to see. The wildest part is that, by some miracle, everything just works.
2. Tumbbad (2018)
Tumbbad’s fantastical horror elements may be reminiscent of Pan’s Labyrinth, but don’t mistake it for a rip-off. Like Pan’s Labyrinth, Tumbbad blends period drama with fairytale-inspired thrills, but that’s where the comparisons end. This is its own beast, and it deserves to be treated as such.
The story is simple when you only observe it from a surface level. A father and son mess with the wrong demon when they go on the search for treasure. That’s the most basic summary, but there’s plenty more to talk about.
Tumbbad is a visually arresting treat with phenomenal worldbuilding and a surprisingly deep story. This is made better by the complex themes and motifs. Without the overarching message, it would still be fun to watch. With the overarching message, it’s damn-near perfect.
3. I See You (2019)
Given the numerous twists and turns, it would be wise to know as little as possible when approaching I See You. The trailer paints a picture of a simple kidnapping story, and that’s about all the average viewer should know beforehand. Just understand that there is far more beneath the surface.
Director Adam Randall’s first foray into the horror genre is a smashing success largely because he seems to understand the importance of tension. While the first half-hour plays out like a generic Blumhouse feature, things quickly turn around. As the plot unravels, the atmosphere changes. This change is designed to keep viewers on their toes. They’ll quickly understand that this isn’t a collection of jump scares; it’s something else entirely.
That “something else” can’t be detailed in a spoiler-free article, so it’s up to you to figure it out, but luckily the time commitment is worth it. You’re not going to get another bland horror movie about a spooky house. You’re going to get a horror movie that makes you second-guess yourself from beginning to end.
4. Deathgasm (2015)
With all of the chaos in the world, sometimes you just need to kick back, relax, and have a laugh. That’s reasonable, but why limit yourself to the same recycled Hangover-inspired comedy again and again? There’s a whole world of horror comedies waiting to be appreciated. It’s a relief to know that one of the best of the decade is easily available to stream.
Deathgasm is one of several horror films about black metal. Although the black metal horror flicks usually lean more toward horror than comedy, Deathgasm is a little different. It definitely fits the dictionary definition of horror, but the balls-to-the-walls insanity results in laughs that can only be found in a select few horror comedies.
The comedy is the main draw, but it’s not the only thing keeping this film afloat. Deathgasm benefits from loveable characters, catchy music, and gorgeous scenery. There’s a lot to enjoy here. Sure, it’s not the first thing people look for when they look for horror, but it still has plenty to offer.
5. Hell House LLC (2015)
The found footage boom of the early 2010s may have ended, but the genre isn’t dead. It’s just hiding behind streaming services. Movies like Hell House LLC aren’t getting theatrical releases, which makes sense given the eventual backlash that resulted from Paranormal Acitivity’s box office dominance. It’s a shame to see clever titles like this thrown into the VOD bin of shame, but that’s just how the movie industry works.
Maybe we shouldn’t feel too bad for it. Hell House LLC wasn’t a box office smash hit, but it is something of a cult classic. While it’s hardly a household name, it was popular enough to warrant two sequels. The strong word-of-mouth certainly helped this underdog find an audience, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief because of that.
The critical reaction is well-deserved. The film uses the found footage conceit to its advantage. This results in a gripping, if occasionally shallow, slice of horror. You won’t regret watching it.