Often drawing from folklore, myths or even ancient traditions, horror has long been a way for cultures to capture and preserve their deepest fears.
Netflix has an impressive collection of folk horror films that explore these chilling legends while delivering terrifying cinematic experiences. Below listed are some of the best folk horror movies:
The Ritual: A group of friends hiking in Sweden takes a shortcut through a dense forest, only to encounter a sinister force rooted in Scandinavian mythology.
Apostle: A man infiltrates a remote cult to rescue his kidnapped sister, only to uncover dark rituals and supernatural horrors lurking beneath the surface.
The Old Ways: A journalist visiting her Mexican hometown is accused of being possessed and subjected to an exorcism based on traditional brujería practices.
Incantation: A Taiwanese found-footage horror about a woman and her daughter cursed by a dark ritual, blending Buddhist and Hindu folklore into an eerie supernatural tale.
Hereditary: A family’s descent into madness and demonic terror unfolds as they uncover a sinister inheritance tied to ancient occult traditions.
The Binding: A slow-burning Italian horror that explores the Evil Eye (Mal’occhio) as a malevolent curse threatens a mother and child.
Blood Red Sky: A unique blend of horror and action where a mother must protect her child on a hijacked plane—by unleashing her terrifying secret.
Hold the Dark: A tense thriller set in Alaska, where a wolf hunt reveals the true horror lurking within a mysterious community.