10 folk horror movies that will haunt you long after the credits roll

Folk horror delves deep into humanity’s oldest fears — superstition, rituals, and the darkness hidden in tradition. 

Unlike typical haunted-house horror, these films draw terror from ancient customs, remote villages, and the unsettling power of belief. 

From Japanese ghost stories to eerie Scandinavian cults, here are ten must-watch folk horror films and where you can stream them.

Also Read: 7 dark crime thrillers to binge before Delhi Crime Season 3

1. Kwaidan (1964)

Kwaidan unfolds through four chilling supernatural tales inspired by Lafcadio Hearn’s Japanese ghost stories — The Black Hair, The Woman of the Snow, Hoichi the Earless, and In a Cup of Tea. Each story explores spirits seeking vengeance, lonely wanderers haunted by their past, and eerie encounters that blur the line between life and death. The film’s ethereal visuals and haunting silences create a slow, meditative terror that lingers far beyond the final scene.

Where to watch: Available for streaming on  Apple TV.

2. The Wicker Man (1973)

When devout Christian police officer Neil Howie arrives at a remote Scottish island to investigate a missing girl, he discovers a pagan community that denies her very existence. The villagers’ cheerful facade hides a web of ancient rituals and eerie songs, leading Howie toward a horrifying revelation. The climax — a fiery pagan ceremony — cements The Wicker Man as one of the most unforgettable folk horror films ever made.

Where to watch: Stream on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

3. The Wailing (2016)

A peaceful South Korean village is thrown into chaos after a series of gruesome deaths coincide with the arrival of a mysterious stranger. Local policeman Jong-goo struggles to understand whether the cause is a viral outbreak, mass hysteria, or something far more sinister. As his own daughter falls ill, he turns to shamanic rituals and exorcisms in a desperate bid to save her. The Wailing fuses psychological horror with religious dread, leaving viewers questioning what — or who — is truly evil.

Where to watch: Available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

4. Sleepy Hollow (1999)

In 1799, constable Ichabod Crane is dispatched to the fog-drenched village of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a string of beheadings blamed on the legendary Headless Horseman. As Crane unravels the mystery, he uncovers centuries-old secrets, witchcraft, and family curses that bind the town together. Burton’s trademark gothic aesthetic, coupled with a haunting fairytale tone, transforms this adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic tale into an atmospheric masterpiece.

Where to watch: Stream on Amazon Prime Video.

5. Hereditary (2018)

After the death of their secretive grandmother, the Graham family begins experiencing terrifying and inexplicable events. Matriarch Annie (Toni Collette) struggles to keep her family together as they descend into madness, uncovering the dark legacy left behind by their ancestors. Hereditary slowly reveals that the family’s tragedy is not random — it’s ritualistic. Combining demonic lore with family trauma, the film builds unbearable tension until it explodes in an unforgettable finale.

Where to watch: Available on Amazon Prime Video.

6. Midsommar (2019)

After suffering a devastating personal loss, Dani (Florence Pugh) travels with her boyfriend and friends to rural Sweden to attend a once-in-a-lifetime midsummer festival. What begins as a picturesque retreat turns into a nightmare as the community’s strange traditions reveal themselves to be part of a terrifying ritual. Unlike most horror films that thrive in the dark, Midsommar weaponizes daylight, showing horror in broad, blinding sunlight. The movie’s slow-burn dread, psychological manipulation, and hallucinatory visuals make it a modern folk horror classic.

Where to watch: Stream on Amazon Prime Video.

7. The Witch (2015)

Banished from their Puritan community, a family settles near an ominous forest in 17th-century New England. When their infant son disappears and crops fail, paranoia grips the family. The eldest daughter, Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), becomes the target of suspicion as witchcraft, religious fear, and madness consume them all. Eggers’ film captures the suffocating fear of isolation and the hysteria born from faith and survival. The forest itself feels alive — watching, waiting, and ready to claim its next victim.

Where to watch: Stream on Amazon Prime Video.

8. The White Reindeer (1952)

Pirita, a lonely woman in Lapland, seeks a shaman’s help to rekindle her husband’s love. The ritual works — but at a terrible cost. Cursed to transform into a white reindeer that preys on men, Pirita becomes trapped between human desire and animalistic hunger. Set in the snow-covered wilderness of Finland, this black-and-white classic blends myth, melancholy, and terror into a stark exploration of loneliness and feminine power.

Where to watch: Available on Apple TV.

9. Celia (1989)

In 1950s Australia, nine-year-old Celia struggles to navigate her grandmother’s death, bullying classmates, and the oppressive politics of the Red Scare. Retreating into her imagination, Celia’s fantasy world grows darker and more violent, blurring the lines between childhood play and horror. What begins as an innocent story of alienation slowly transforms into a disturbing portrayal of fear and indoctrination. The film’s rural setting and psychological edge make it a haunting entry in the folk horror canon.

Where to watch: Stream on Apple TV and Amazon (rental).

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10. The Devil’s Bath (2024)

Set in 18th-century Austria, The Devil’s Bath follows Agnes, a devout but lonely woman living in an isolated farming village surrounded by dark forests and murky ponds. As her mental anguish deepens under the weight of religious guilt and social isolation, she commits an unthinkable act to escape her suffering. Inspired by real historical accounts of women who sought salvation through sin, the film explores depression, faith, and desperation in a world where belief and madness intertwine.

Where to watch: Available on MUBI and Apple TV.