Big Ass List of Women-Directed Horror
If I had made this list twenty years ago, I would have struggled to scour the waves of media for women-directed horror. It existed, but it wasn’t as easy to find. Now, I am able to find shorts, features, shows, and all kinds of delicious gory treats that women had their hands in creating. This list may not contain every movie or show directed by women, but it’s a damn good starting point if you want to begin watching. Check out this list to find horror media created or co-created by women and where you can stream them. Enjoy!
Titane (2021), dir. Julia Ducournau
Streaming: Hulu
Julia Ducournau has a hold on me; I won’t lie. I use Titane as a conversation starter and that’s why it’s at the top of this list If you want to see some freaky shit, please hit play on Titane. This movie is nearly impossible to predict and keeps the plot interesting until the very end. I will admit that this is on the further side of the weird scale, so be warned before you hit play. Here’s the plot: A woman trying to escape her situation meets up with a father looking for his missing son.
Raw (2016), dir. Julia Ducournau
Streaming: Netflix
If Titane was a taste too far, you could jump into the world of casual cannibalism with Raw. These movies share the same director and some of the same actors, but they are quite different. We follow Justine as she starts veterinary school and tries the endure the rigorous process involved. Ducournau sprinkles hazing and cannibalism over the plot of a coming-of-age story. It’s definitely worth the watch.
Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022), dir. Michelle Garza Cervera
Streaming: VOD
Bringing new life into the world can be filled with joy or horror. Michelle Garza Cervera explores the horrors of pregnancy, birth, and children in her feature film debut. I think this film is worth every penny for the rental price. The sound design is haunting. The drama is juicy. The family dynamics are chaotic. Plus, this film is also queer! Check it out.
Eve’s Bayou (1997), dir. Kasi Lemmons
Streaming: VOD
If you want to dive into a Black slice-of-life film, press play on Eve’s Bayou. It’s well-acted, beautifully shot, and beautifully written. It feels like listening to a Black woman’s memoir of her southern childhood, and I can personally relate. While it is light on scares, it is heavy on drama. Kasi Lemmons did her thing—press play.
Pet Sematary (1989), dir. Mary Lambert
Streaming: VOD
Most horror fans have a Stephen King story that they are fond of; Pet Sematary is mine. It does have a few problems, especially if you have read the novel, but overall the movie tends to stick with viewers. There’s great gore, iconic lines, and creepy ghouls. A father dealing with loss decides to use the land to recover his loss. If you are interested in Stephen King’s book adaptions, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Slaxx (2020), dir. Elza Kephart
Streaming: Shudder
It’s the attack of the killer Parasucos! This movie is a lot of fun and jumps into discourse about consumer culture. It also taps into the conversation about clothing companies using harmful sources for their supply. While it brings up heavy discussions, it remains more of a gory comedy than anything else. We follow a new employee at a retail clothing store before a huge release, and all hell breaks loose. It is absolutely worth a watch.
Torn Hearts (2022), dir. Brea Grant
Streaming: Prime Video
This is for the yee-haw disciples! In Torn Hearts, we follow two up-and-coming country starlets who pay a visit to one of their favorite country icons. Once they enter the estate, the mind games begin. This was a pleasant surprise filled with jealousy and murder. Also, the music is great!
The Invitation (2015), dir. Karyn Kusama
Streaming: Shudder, Tubi
Karyn Kusama knows how to create tension and build complex characters. In the Invitation, we follow Will and his girlfriend Kira, as they accept an invitation to an awkward dinner party. This is a tension-filled slow burn that heats up to the point of incineration during the last twenty minutes. I highly recommend this film.
Saint Maud (2019), dir. Rose Glass
Streaming: Prime Video
Here’s another slow burn to check out. The viewer follows Maud, a nurse who cares for a retired dancer. This movie poses the question; is Maud unhinged or is she a soldier for Jesus? Watch to find out.
American Psycho (2000), dir. Mary Harron
Streaming: HBOMax
Norman Bates is a well-off professional by day and an unhinged murderer by night. This film contains iconic scenes, designer clothes, and beautiful business cards. While there is quite a bit of violence and verbal abuse, there are also genuinely funny moments.
Slash/Back (2022), dir. Nyla Innuksuk
Streaming: Shudder
I love to see more coming-of-age stories from women of color. A group of kids stumbles across a parasitic alien creature that threatens the residents of their small town. They band together to face the threat. These kids are braver than me!
Piggy (2022), dir. Carlota Pereda
Streaming: Hulu
An overweight teen has to deal with neighborhood bullies while a dangerous stranger is on the loose. It’s difficult to go into detail without giving away too much. You will have to check this one out for yourself.
Near Dark (1987), dir. Kathryn Bigelow
Streaming: Shudder
A western vampire movie? Sign me up! Put some spur on my fangs, and let’s ride out. We follow a young man that meets a girl who has a special appetite. He gets caught up with her and her crew of chaotic vampires that like to have fun and a few drinks. Bill Paxton’s performance makes this worth the watch alone.
Sorry About the Demon (2022), dir. Emily Hagins
Streaming: Shudder
This isn’t the type of film I usually check out, but I’m glad I pressed play. This is for horror fans looking for a horror comedy with a side of romance. I chuckled quite a bit during this film. I also found myself rooting for the lovers by the end of the movie. It’s the perfect film for a date night.
Trouble Every Day (2001), dir. Claire Denis
Streaming: VOD
I hope you’re hungry for love and flesh. This film follows a newlywed couple that experiences passion so strong, that it becomes bloody. I recommend eating before checking this film out.
Revenge (2017), dir. Coralie Fargeat
Streaming: Shudder
If you are in the mood for payback, check out Revenge. We follow Jen on a getaway with her lover and things become violent when his friends show up early. This film is beautifully shot, and it has excellent gore. It’s worth checking out if you enjoy cat-and-mouse films.
Censor (2021), dir. Prano Bailey-Bond
Streaming: Hulu
This is for horror fans who enjoy mind tricks. We follow a film censor during the video-nasties era. She struggles to maintain her sanity while searching for clues about her missing sister. The viewer can feel the films Enid watches, begin to blend with her frayed reality. You will have to watch the film to find out the truth.
Santa Jaws (2018), dir. Misty Talley
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
We love holiday horror! This a fun yuletide flick worth checking out. After causing trouble at school, Cody wishes to be alone on Christmas. This causes his comic to come to life to make his dreams come true. Pull up to the flick with eggnog and a stocking full of friends.
The Lodge (2019), dir. Veronika Franz & Severin Fiala
Streaming: Hulu
Another holiday horror to check out is The Lodge. We follow a family trip to a cabin after a major tragedy, during a snowstorm. The trip goes left after the father leaves. The family loses power and all of their essentials disappear. Watch to find out if they have traveled to the afterlife, or if something more sinister is taking place.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992), dir. Fran Rubel Kuzui
Streaming: VOD
How funky is your chicken? If horror fans are looky for a campy vampire flick, they can press play on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We follow a cheerleader after she finds out that she has been chosen by fate to slay vampires. This flick is worth watching just for the big dance in the third act.
Fresh (2022), dir. Mimi Cave
Streaming: Hulu
I recommend skipping the trailer and checking out Fresh (yes, I am aware that I included it with the post). The movie poster gives away that this flick taps into cannibalism. This is all the information you need to press play.
The Lure (2015), dir. Agnieszka Smoczynska
Streaming: HBO Max
I went into this movie blind and found myself in the middle of a dark and bloody musical. We follow two mermaid sisters who are discovered and sent to show business in a nightclub. The plot really heats up when the sisters fall in love with the same guy. This film has a lot of uncomfortable moments because we often see older men fawning over the young mermaids in the nightclub. If you can make it through those moments, there are plenty of beautiful shots to see.
Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017), dir. Issa López
Streaming: Shudder
A young girl and a gang of boys team up to survive the real-life horrors of the cartel. Issa López displays masterful storytelling abilities and pulls horror fans in with haunting visuals. If you enjoy dark fairy tales, then press play on Tigers Are Not Afraid; it will pull on your heartstrings.
Relic (2020), dir. Natalie Erika James
Streaming: VOD
For horror fans looking for deep-seated feelings of dread, Relic is the movie for you. After Edna goes missing, her daughter and granddaughter, Kay and Sam, respectively, arrive to find her. They find a strange black mold spreading throughout the house, which is symbolic of the dread to come.
American Mary (2012), dir. The Soska Sisters
Streaming: Shudder
If you want to see blood, guts, and ass, press play on American Mary. We follow Mary’s journey through medical school as she struggles with finances. After an incident with her professors, she finds a way to money and revenge. Check it out for Katherine Isabelle.
Goodnight Mommy (2014), dir. Veronika Franz & Severin Fiala
Streaming: Tubi
This is for horror fans looking for a shocking psychological thriller. We follow twins brothers spending the summer with their mother, however, they aren’t sure if that’s their mother. Is it just doubt, or has a copy taken the place of their mother? Watch until the tragic end to find out the truth.
Slumber Party Massacre (1982), dir. Amy Holden Jones
Streaming: Tubi and Plex
A film that seems like standard 80’s horror fare, ends up slipping interesting commentary in the subtext. We follow a group of girls having a slumber party while a driller killer is on the loose. This film has a great chase scene, women in STEM, and women in sports! You can also catch a side of boobs, blood, and pizza.
Slumber Party Massacre II (1987), dir. Deborah Brock
Streaming: Tubi and PlutoTV
This sequel thrives off of pure chaos. We follow a group of teens celebrating Courtney’s birthday. Their fun turns into terror when the driller killer, who is inexplicably a greaser now, punctures reality through Courtney’s dreams. If you enjoy rockabilly tunes and leaking chickens, press play.
Slumber Party Massacre III (1990), dir. Sally Mattison
Streaming: VOD
This sequel sticks closer to the original plot. A group of teens decides to have a slumber party and a killer with a drill crashes the party. This entry isn’t as interesting as the original, but it’s worth a watch.
Slumber Party Massacre (2021), dir. Danishka Esterhazy
Streaming: VOD
This reimagining takes many of the tropes from the original and flips them on their head! The kills are great, the characters are smart, and the final girls kick ass. This movie is worth the rental price if you can’t catch it streaming.
Fear Street Trilogy (2021), dir. Leigh Janiak
Streaming: Netflix
The Fear Street trilogy gives us a mix of supernatural slashers and witchcraft. We follow a group of teens who stumble upon the town’s dark secret after a series of brutal murders. The teens try to save themselves and the town while uncovering the force behind their inescapable bad luck. This trilogy is worth its weight in kills.
Knock Knock (2018), dir. Kennikki Jones-Jones
Streaming: Youtube
If you have 13 minutes, check out this flick on Youtube. We follow Sinia who looks out for the children next door to her. One night, she hears a violent incident go too far in her neighbor’s apartment. When she goes to investigate, she finds horror beyond her belief.
Head Count (2018), dir. Elle Callahan
Streaming: Starz
This women-directed horror film feels like a Creepypasta story. A group of teens tells ghost stories at a campfire, but one of the stories kicks off a horrific chain of events. This flick was a pleasant surprise.
New Year, New You (2018), dir. Sophia Takal
Streaming: Hulu
Start the new year off right with murder! A group of friends meets up for old times’ sake on New Year’s Eve. The gathering becomes tense once the friends begin to confront their past. It’s worth a watch, especially during the holiday season.
The Babadook (2014), dir. Jennifer Kent
Streaming: Tubi
I have never wanted to close a book so fast in my life. We follow Amelia after the death of her husband, while she tries to manage her grief, her job, and her son. One day a mysterious book, that she can’t get rid of, pops up on her porch. This one is definitely worth checking out if you can make it past the screaming child.
Good Manners (2017), dir. Juliana Rojas & Marco Dutra
Streaming: Shudder & Tubi
I love a werewolf movie! Clara is a nurse who is hired as a nanny by a woman with money and an estranged family. Clara finds out that the child has a special trait. It’s a bit lengthy, but it’s worth the watch.
Bloodthirsty (2020), dir. Amelia Moses
Streaming: Shudder, Peacock, Tubi
Another werewolf film you should check out is Bloodthirsty. Grey links up with a peculiar producer in a secluded cabin to record her next album. It becomes evident that the producer is hiding a dark secret. Check it out for the music.
Candyman (2021), dir. Nia DaCosta
Streaming: Prime Video
This new entry in the Candyman franchise is visually dazzling. The use of mirrors, reflections, and shadow is masterful. Nia DaCosta expands the urban legend with the introduction of Candymen. We follow Anthony and Brianna after they move into gentrified Cabrini Green. Anthony uncovers his eerie ties to the area.
Sissy (2022), dir. Hannah Barlow & Kane Senes
Streaming: Shudder
Sissy is unhinged and I love it. Celicia reluctantly ends up on a bachelorette weekend with her old friend and an old enemy. Tensions spiral out of control, but Sissy begins to steer the ship in her favor; making content along the way.
Watcher (2022), dir. Chloe Okuno
Streaming: Shudder
Watcher is worth checking out if you enjoy tension and slow burns. Julia and her husband move to a new town in Romania, and she is convinced someone is watching her.
You Are Not My Mother (2021), dir. Kate Dolan
Streaming: Hulu
Horror fans who enjoy changeling lore may want to check out You Are Not My Mother. Char’s mother goes missing. When she returns, she is different. As her behavior becomes more violent, Char and her grandmother decide to intervene with deadly consequences.
Amulet (2020), dir. Romola Garai
Streaming: Hulu
If you enjoy women getting revenge and slow burns, then check this out. An ex-soldier takes residence at an old house where a creature is imprisoned in the attic. We follow his journey as he tries to defeat the creature and free Magda.
Cargo (2017), dir. Yolanda Ramke & Ben Howling
Streaming: Netflix
This film is set in a world where a virus has taken over and those infected have 48 hours before they become rabid. After losing his wife to the virus, Andy sets out to take his baby daughter somewhere safe.
Hatching (2022), dir. Hanna Bergholm
Streaming: Hulu
Hatching is for fans of creature features. This film features decent special effects and a surprising ending. A young girl finds an egg and we follow her journey as she nurtures what hatches.
Hellbender (2022), dir. Zelda Adams, Toby Poser, & John Adams
Streaming: Shudder
If you are looking for something witchy, press play on Hellbender. We follow a mother and daughter as they live a secluded life in the woods. Once the daughter begins to branch out, tensions begin to rise between the two.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014), dir. Ana Lily Amirpour
Streaming: Tubi
Check out this flick for beautiful shots, great music, and an interesting vampire. Viewers take a trip to Bad City as a vampire stalks the streets and rides a skateboard. This is definitely worth the watch.
Yellowjackets (2022-present), created by Ashley Lyle & Bart Nickerson
Streaming: Showtime
I can’t say enough about Yellowjackets! We get a mix of drama, cannibalism, and murder as we uncover the truth about a high school soccer team’s survival after a plane crash. What happened in the wilderness has followed them to adulthood. The performances are stellar! Plus, Karyn Kusama directed a few episodes.
Nanny (2022), dir. Nikyatu Jusu
Streaming: Prime Video
Take a look into African folklore with Nanny. This film is a slow burn and it isn’t full of scares. However, it has eerie visuals and an engaging story. We follow a nanny’s journey to bring her son to New York. Once she begins working for a seemingly affluent family, she begins to see terrifying visions. You won’t want to miss this film.
The Stylist (2020), dir. Jill Gevargizian
Streaming: Shudder
This film started its journey as a short and bloomed into a full feature. Claire is a hairstylist that has a dark secret. She becomes obsessed with one of her clients and everything begins to go downhill from there.
All That We Destroy (2019), dir. Chelsea Stardust
Streaming: Hulu
Hulu’s Into The Dark series is sometimes overlooked. There are several interesting movies within the series. All That We Destroy explores the life of a geneticist who is trying to cure her son. How far is a mother willing to go to help her son? Press play to find out.
The Ranger (2018), dir. Jennifer Wexler
Streaming: Shudder
If you are looking for a killer good time, press play on The Ranger. A group of friends goes to a cabin in the forest to hide from the law. Unfortunately, the ranger lurking in the wild is far more dangerous than the trouble they were fleeing from. This film reminds me of an old-school 80’s slasher. It definitely worth the watch on a Friday night.
My Valentine (2020), dir. Maggie Levin
Streaming: Hulu
This is another Into The Dark installment that ended up being a pleasant surprise! A singer gets locked in with her ex, who is trying to steal her music. When tensions rise, the night becomes violent. This is a fun date night movie.
The Power (2021), dir. Corinna Faith
Streaming: Shudder
Horror fans who enjoy atmospheric horror films should check out The Power. A nurse’s first night on the clock becomes filled with terror once the lights go out. This is the perfect movie to watch alone in the dark.
Cocaine Bear (2023), dir. Elizabeth Banks
Streaming: VOD
I’d like to end this list on a chaotic note. Cocaine Bear is exactly what it sounds like. A bear finds an excessive amount of cocaine and begins to terrorize the locals in the forest. You will have to suspend your disbelief to enjoy this movie, but it can be a fun time.
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