Edgar Wright isn’t only the brain behind such contemporary cult classics as Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz—he’s also a committed horror enthusiast. Whether he’s creating his genre mashups or evangelizing about horror in interviews, podcasts, and carefully curated watchlists, Wright’s been an outspoken defender of the films that fostered his passion for cinema for years.
If you’re looking to go beyond mainstream scares and explore horror from a fresh perspective, Wright’s recommendations offer a goldmine of atmospheric, inventive, and often underappreciated films. Here are five standout titles he believes every horror fan should seek out.
1. Daughters of Darkness (1971)
This Belgian vampire film is one of Wright’s personal favorites—and one he believes hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention. Daughters of Darkness transcends the early ’70s lesbian vampire genre trend with a cool, otherworldly tone and beautiful visual aesthetic. It’s about a young couple whose honeymoon is disrupted when they meet a mysterious countess and her equally mysterious secretary in an opulent, nearly deserted hotel. As a series of murders unfolds offstage, the tension builds and the film’s sensual, dreamlike world takes over.
Wright has even suggested combining it with Only Lovers Left Alive for a double bill full of sensuality and eternal charm.
2. Berberian Sound Studio (2012)
A valentine to Italian Giallo and a study of psychological disintegration, Berberian Sound Studio is a contemporary British horror gem. Written and directed by Peter Strickland, the film traces the story of a repressed sound engineer (played by Toby Jones) brought on board to work on an Italian horror picture. As he becomes more and more immersed in the shrieks, splashes, and ominous strains of the production, the distinction between reality and fiction starts to erode.
Wright has praised the film for its technical brilliance—especially its use of sound to evoke dread—and its slow descent into madness. If you’re a fan of Dario Argento or classic European horror, this one is essential viewing.
3. The Fourth Man (1983)
The Netherlands’ Paul Verhoeven may be most famous overseas for Robocop and Total Recall, but before Hollywood’s knock on his door, he directed The Fourth Man—a chic, disturbing psychodrama that makes the distinction between eroticism and terror difficult to discern.
The film revolves around a damaged writer who falls in love with a widow whose former lovers have all died mysteriously. Wright has described it as one of Verhoeven’s most interesting early films, and it’s not difficult to see why: the film is filled with religious symbolism, hallucinatory dreams, and an insidious air of foreboding. For those brave enough to approach horror with a more intellectual and symbolic lens, The Fourth Man is an exhilarating experience.
4. Blood and Black Lace (1964)
One of the earliest manifestations of the Giallo subgenre, Mario Bava’s Blood and Black Lace is as stunning to look at as it is influential. In a high-fashion house of nightclubs and nighttime violence, models are being killed off one by one, and the film brings together refined art direction and sleazy violence to create a style and tone that would help cement the future slasher.
Wright has long appreciated the film’s flashy color work and its accuracy in building tension. It’s a must-see for anyone curious about the origins of stylized horror—and for fans of directors like Dario Argento and Brian De Palma who were inspired by Bava’s work.
5. The Asphyx (1972)
A genuine hidden gem in Wright’s horror canon, The Asphyx is a science fiction-supernatural suspense piece set during Victorian England. The story is about an obsessive scientist who thinks he can capture the being known as the Asphyx to have himself become immortal. Although certain of its special effects and concepts have an antiquated feel, the philosophical subject matter and gothic ambiance give it a specific appeal.
He has complimented it on its ambition and mood, commenting that it offers something new in that it uses the science of death as a vehicle for horror.
Whether it’s psychological thrillers, gothic sci-fi, or Italian murder mysteries soaked in color, Edgar Wright’s horror picks reveal just how diverse—and rewarding—the genre can be. Each film on this list offers something distinct: striking visuals, layered storytelling, or an eerie mood that lingers long after the credits roll. If you’re ready to step off the beaten path and dive into horror that challenges and surprises, these titles are a great place to start.