Horror fans know the feeling all too well: each year, a handful of flashy, big-budget slashers and ghost stories steal the spotlight, while dozens of inventive, weird, and genuinely creepy films fly under the radar. 2023 gave us no shortage of those hidden gems. If you think you’ve seen everything worth watching, think again. From bizarre creature effects to slow-paced psychological horrors, here are ten 2023 horror movies that didn’t get nearly the recognition they were due—listened from cult curiosity to indelible standout.
10. Killer Kites
Yes, it’s a killer kite. And miraculously, it succeeds. This cheesy, low-budget quirk never takes itself too seriously—and that’s precisely why it’s so entertaining. What starts as a preposterous premise becomes a wildly silly ride, replete with a kite with destruction on its mind and a healthy dose of political undertones. Dread Central complimented the filmmakers for squeezing out humor and charm from the confines of a micro-budget operation. If you’re into horror, that’s in no way, shape, or form, sorry, this one’s a must.
9. Slotherhouse
A sloth. A sorority. A body count. Sloth House is just the type of unhinged horror-comedy you didn’t even know you were missing. In place of blood and gore, you have stealthy humor, inventive kills, and plenty of slow-motion dread. Director Matthew Goodhue doesn’t attempt to make it “elevated” horror—he goes all in on the absurdity. IGN even went so far as to call it “the real deal.” Roll with the absurdity, and you’ll have a great time.
8. She Came from the Woods
Nostalgia collides with new narrative in this Valentine to ’80s summer camp horror. Killer campfire stories, an avenging spirit, and counselors who don’t quite measure up, this blend of homage and winking humor is both frightening and self-referential. Directed by the Bloomquist brothers, it balances on the fulcrum. Dread Central called it “a better, smarter version of Friday the 13th,” and that’s no minor endorsement.
7. The Sacrifice Game
Imagine Christmas cheer with a healthy dose of cult carnage and ’70s horror sensibility. Director Jenn Wexler takes us down into a winter-covered boarding school where Christmas break becomes a killer. Chic and sinister, The Sacrifice Game features satanic terror flashbacks and a stellar ensemble cast. IGN called it one of Shudder’s best 2023 titles—and you’ll be grateful once you’ve watched it.
6. Loop Track
This is a New Zealand indie that has nothing to do with jump scares—this is about unease, paranoia, and the outdoors smothering. When a group of campers is convinced they’re being hunted, tension slowly builds, but with a relentless intent. Thomas Sainsbury writes, directs, and stars in this edge-shredding psychological thriller with a surprise twist. Dread Central recommends a blind watch—just let the fear creep up on you.
5. Mother, May I?
Trauma, grief, and trippy therapy converge in this creepy psychological descent. Shot in an isolated country house, the movie is about a grieving couple who attempt to reconcile through role-playing, but it takes a sinister turn. Kyle Gallner and Holland Roden are mesmerizing, and the dreamy setting only helps to heighten the mystery. IGN described it as an experimental thriller with a surreal aesthetic, and they are right.
4. Dark Harvest
Drawing on the cult novel, Dark Harvest is a dark, Halloween-hued horror tale with a mythic beast and a town with secrets to keep. Imagine small-town America, 1960s ambiance, and a pumpkin-headed monster that needs to be halted from getting to the church. Director David Slade creates a visually impressive, gore-splattered tale that was worth more attention than it received. Dread Central even included it on their seasonal watchlist.
3. Huesera: The Bone Woman
Horror pregnancy is a subgenre in itself, and Huesera executes it with unsettling sophistication. With Mexican folklore layered in, the film touches on motherhood, social pressure, and otherworldly terror in a manner both intimate and horrifyingly universal. Natalia Solián shines as a woman spiraling out of control—perhaps to something old and malevolent. IGN praised its feminist undertones and creeping sense of terror, and it’s not hard to see why it made such an impact.
2. Birth/Rebirth
This Shudder original is a reimagined Frankenstein with a contemporary, female spin. When a child passes away, a nurse and a pathologist team up to revive her, but the emotional and ethical cost starts to snowball. Judy Reyes and Marin Ireland anchor the story with deep, nuanced performances. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill mad scientist story—it’s a creepy exploration of motherhood, morality, and obsession. If you prefer your horror thoughtful and character-driven, don’t miss this one.
1. Moon Garden
At the top of the list is Moon Garden, a creepy fantasy that plays like an eerie dream realized. When a young girl goes into a coma, she travels through a bizarre and frightening world of twisted lands and grotesque creatures, yet also has emotional depth. Stunning to look at, as well as emotionally wrenching, this indie gem walks the line between horror and fairy tale. 25YL Site declared it the best horror film of 2023—and it’s difficult to disagree. It’s one-of-a-kind, dreamscape-like, and impossible to forget.
Missed These? Time to Catch Up.
If you’re sick of formulaic frights and hungry for something a little weirder, a little heavier, or just crazily original, these 10 hidden gems of horror movies from 2023 are on the case. Just don’t be surprised if one of them lingers with you long after the credits have rolled.