The 15 Finest Cult Timeless Scary Films of Perpetuity

Though these scary motion pictures might have had under-appreciated releases, in time, they have actually ended up being cult classics.
Once in awhile, a film occurs that does not have an interest wider audiences however discovers a dedicated following amongst a subsection of film fans. When this occurs, we generally describe that movie as a cult classic. A special quality of the cult timeless movie is that it goes beyond categories. A cult classic can be amusing, remarkable, and frightening. In truth, it is the horror genre that has actually produced a few of the most well-known cult timeless movies of perpetuity.
Update October 30, 2023: In honor of Halloween, this post has actually been upgraded with more cult timeless scary movies to view on the night and likewise where you can stream them all.
The dish for a cult timeless scary film includes great deals of blood and gore, a couple of laughs, and lots of outrageousnesses. A few of these motion pictures may have been hits upon release however may have faded from the leading edge of pop culture. Others might have dissatisfied critics and audiences in the beginning however discovered a life of their own as audiences uncovered them. Here are 15 cult timeless scary movies that have actually stood the test of time.
15 An American Monster in London (1981 )

An American Werewolf In London
- Release Date
- August 21, 1981
- Director
- John Landis
- Cast
- David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine, Lila Kaye, Joe Belcher
- Ranking
- R
- Categories
- Scary, Funny
An American Werewolf in London fits the requirements to be thought about a cult classic, however not in all elements. Unlike many cult timeless scary motion pictures on this list, this John Landis production primarily delighted in beneficial evaluations from critics and was a ticket office hit. It was likewise being chosen for a handful of Academy Awards, albeit primarily for the unbelievable makeup results done by the famous Rick Baker.
Yet one factor it is called a cult classic is apart from one primarily forgotten follow up, it did not cover an enormous franchise like other scary movies so it has actually not stayed in the general public zeitgeist as much and, in lots of methods, can be ignored. The environment of the movie, the gore and violence, and the air of mystique surrounding the task make it not just one of the best horror reimaginings however a strong cult timeless scary film to boot.
Stream on AMC
14 Dawn of the Dead (1978 )

Dawn of the Dead
- Release Date
- September 2, 1978
- Director
- George A. Romero
- Cast
- David Emge, Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross, David Crawford, David Early
- Ranking
- NR
- Categories
- Scary
The follow-up to his timeless 1968 ghoulish initial assisted to set the tone for zombie movies as we understand them today. Dawn of the Dead, coming 10 years after its predecessor, utilized a regional shopping center to movie primarily during the night before paving the way to maybe the real zombies, morning shopping center walkers. Accompanied by dazzling useful results from makeup artist, stunt individual, and star Tom Savini, Romero assisted to develop among the most amusing cult scary movies of perpetuity.
Although the zombies take spotlight in the story, it’s humankind that showcases its worst characteristics in the end. Dawn of the Dead is among the most prominent scary movies of perpetuity and definitely was more lucrative than its predecessor, however due to the movie not making the exact same flow as other scary movies of the time like Halloween, The Prophecy, or The Exorcist it makes a little a cult status.
For Purchase on PVOD
13 Slither (2006 )

Slither
- Release Date
- March 31, 2006
- Director
- James Gunn
- Cast
- Don Thompson, Nathan Fillion, Gregg Henry, Xantha Radley, Elizabeth Banks, Tania Saulnier
- Ranking
- R
- Categories
- Funny, Scary, Sci-Fi
Before he started composing and directing big-budget movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and ending up being the President of DC Studios, James Gunn was understood for directing some hugely amusing cult classics. Possibly none more popular than 2006’s Slither, which was his directorial launching.
This body scary movie is chock-full of B-movie conventions and informs the tale of a parasitic alien that crash arrive at Earth connected to a meteor and continues to damage a town in South Carolina. Slither uses no scarcity of gross-out scary, making use of primarily useful results to churn the stomachs of the audience. It is an enjoyable, wild trip and survives on to this day as a cult timeless regardless of being a ticket office dissapointment.
Stream on Peacock
12 Eraserhead (1977 )

Eraserhead
- Release Date
- February 3, 1978
- Director
- David Lynch
- Cast
- Jack Nance, Judith Roberts
- Ranking
- Not Ranked
- Categories
- Dream, Scary
David Lynch has actually developed a few of the most distinct and speculative motion pictures and tv programs of perpetuity, and fans of his might never ever stop attempting tofigure out the filmmaker’s twisted and fantastical mind 1977’s Eraserhead might simply be among the very best.
Similar to lots of cult timeless motion pictures, Eraserhead constructed its track record through numerous runs in theaters as a midnight film, an idea that is precisely as it sounds. Total with a dark and bleak environment efficient in making your skin crawl, mutant children, and disfigured vocalists, this David Lynch classic is as cult scary as there is.
Stream on MAX
11 Occasion Horizon (1990 )

Event Horizon
- Release Date
- August 15, 1997
- Director
- Paul W.S. Anderson
- Cast
- Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan, Joely Richardson, Richard T. Jones, Jack Noseworthy
- Ranking
- R
- Categories
- Scary, Secret, Sci-Fi
A genuinely underrated cult scary movie isEvent Horizon Based upon a story composed by Phillip Eisner, Paul W. S. Anderson, following his ticket office hit, Mortal Kombat, handled the reigns of this film. The story is embeded in 2047 when the rescue vessel Lewis and Clark gets a call for help from The Occasion Horizon, a ship believed to be lost for 7 years. After a group of rescuers onboard the ship, they recognize there’s more to this encounter, as their lives remain in serious risk.
The movie had an event of stars with names such as Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, and Jason Isaacs enhancing the screen in this claustrophobic story filled with Lovecraftian aspects. As the members of the team decrease one by one, the survivors recognize the ship’s systems have actually acquired life and it’s utilizing the drive to take a trip in and out of hell, each time declaring more victims. The production had a cost of $60 million, and it hardly made half its expenses of production, however time has actually raised this movie to be considered as among the very best scary area stories ever made.
Stream on Paramount+
10 Jennifer’s Body (2009 )
Jennifer’s Body was a bomb when it struck theaters in 2009. This took everybody by surprise as it has Megan Fox, among the greatest stars on the planet at the time, and a script by Diablo Cody, who formerly won an Oscar for Juno. Yet the movie, which follows a girl ending up being a monstrous devil after a routine sacrifice failed, was primarily disregarded by mainstream audiences and towered above by critics.
Yet those who did see it enjoyed it a fair bit. It was applauded as a feminist scary classic and, as time went on, discovered an audience. Years got rid of from its release and audiences occurring on both the movie and Megan Fox, Jennifer’s Body is a precious cult scary classic. Ideally, this will equate to Cody’s next scary funny, Lisa Frankenstein, which will be launched in 2024.
Stream on Max
9 Re-Animator (1985 )

Re-Animator
- Release Date
- October 18, 1985
- Director
- Stuart Gordon
- Cast
- Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton, David Wind, Robert Sampson, Gerry Black
- Ranking
- NR
- Categories
- Scary, Funny, Sci-Fi
Re-Animator started getting its cult status in the home video release trend of the ’80s and ended up being a desirable VHS by any and all wanting to see the film amassing an outrageous track record.
Based Upon the H.P. Lovecraft story, Re-Animator informs the story of Herbert West, who brings his dead teacher back to life and continues to do so with others with significantly dreadful effects. Infamously understood for one specific scene including a powerless girl and a decapitated head, Re-Animator genuinely made its cult status.
Stream on AMC
8 Suspiria (1977 )
Famous Italian scary director Dario Argento presented the world to among his biggest movies in 1977 in the kind of Suspiria, among the mostinfamous Italian horror movies of all time Happening at a German ballet academy and concentrating on a brand-new American trainee at the school as grisly murders start taking place, the trainee recognizes there might be more to the school than fulfills the eye.
Suspiria is frequently credited and critiqued for its excess of blood and gore and applauded for its usage of colors and set pieces throughout. It has all the makings of a timeless cult scary movie. The story was just recently remade in 2018, much to the discouragement of the initial director, who disliked the brand-new offering.
Stream on Paramount+
7 The Cabin in the Woods (2011 )

cabin in the woods
- Release Date
- April 12, 2012
- Director
- Drew Goddard
- Cast
- Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins
- Ranking
- R
- Categories
- Scary, Funny, Secret, Thriller
The Cabin in the Woods is a sci-fi scary timeless composed by Joss Whedon and directed by Drew Goddard. The film was shot in 2009 and was set for release in 2010, however due to MGM declaring bankruptcy, it rested on the rack for several years. Following Chris Hemsworth’s shot to superstardom with Thor and Joss Whedon set to helm The Avengers, Lionsgate got the rights to the movie and set it to launch in April 2012, simply a month before The Avengers
In spite of the skill included and strong evaluations, the film was dissatisfied at package workplace. Nevertheless, word of mouth rapidly spread out, and especially following the release of The Avengers, it ended up being a must-watch for lots of. The Cabin in the Woods is a meta-commentary on scary as a category, and to state any longer would be a spoiler however the film has actually acquired an enthusiastic fanbase because its release.
Stream on MAX
6 Night of the Living Dead (1968 )

Night of the Living Dead
- Release Date
- October 4, 1968
- Director
- George A. Romero
- Cast
- Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman, Keith Wayne, Judith Ridley
- Ranking
- NR
- Categories
- Scary
Night of the Living Dead assisted to start the scary trend of the ’70s and ’80s and is probably the godfather of modern-day zombie movies and among the best of all time because specific subgenre. The movie is likewise a testimony to the resourcefulness and resourcefulness of filmmakers in the ’60s, as director George A. Romero shot the whole film in a Pittsburgh residential area on a preliminary budget plan of simply $6,000.
Upon its release, the movie gathered a fair bit of unfavorable promotion due to its subject and graphic representations of scary for the time duration. Making it a taboo film and one individuals were passing away to see, the accurate dish for a cult classic. The movie likewise challenged lots of social standards of the period and stood as an open review of the racially charged environment of the 1960s.
Stream on MAX
5 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974 )

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- Release Date
- October 1, 1974
- Director
- Tobe Hooper
- Cast
- Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain, William Vail, Teri McMinn, Edwin Neal
- Ranking
- R
- Categories
- Scary
What Night of the Living Dead provided for zombie movies, Tobe Hooper’s 1974 iconic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre provided for slasher movies and scary on the whole. It set the tone. For a movie including really little real blood and gore, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre made a track record as being among the most questionable movies of the years.
In truth, it is the film’s usage of suggested violence and horror that assisted to make it among the best scary motion pictures of perpetuity. While it takes pleasure in excellent appeal now, it genuinely had a little and dedicated following throughout the ’70s and ’80s, and truly so.
Stream on Peacock
4 The Important Things (1982 )

The Thing (1982)
- Release Date
- June 25, 1982
- Director
- John Carpenter
- Cast
- Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, T.K. Carter, David Clennon, Keith David, Richard Dysart
- Ranking
- R
- Categories
- Scary, Secret, Sci-Fi, Thriller
By the 1980s, John Carpenter was the lead name in scary, even if not all his movies were crowning achievement. The Thing definitely wasn’t an accredited hit when it was launched. Still, the film increased its profile after being launched in home media. It made the cult status it takes pleasure in today, even stimulating a prequel launched in 2011. Today it is considered as among the best scary movies ever made.
Starring Kurt Russel and Keith Davis, the movie starts with a male flying a chopper while attempting to shoot a sled pet dog. After the circumstance is diffused, Clark, the pet dog handler, takes the pet dog and puts him with the others. The pet dog is exposed to be an alien able to duplicate the shape of any living organism, which pits every member in the proving ground versus each other, looking for out who’s being used by the creature as a disguise.
Stream on Peacock
3 The Evil Dead (1981 )

The Evil Dead
- Release Date
- September 10, 1981
- Director
- Sam Raimi
- Cast
- Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker, Theresa Tilly, Philip A. Gillis
- Ranking
- R
- Categories
- Scary
The Evil Dead is a movie that went from a low-budget and unknown scary film to being a part of the popular culture zeitgeist in the years following its release. Something that you may believe removes from its cult timeless status, however upon its release and due to its subject, it ended up being a heavy rotation of the VHS motion pointed out previously.
Where the initial movie sustains remains in the credibility and dedication on display screen by everybody included. The Evil Dead likewise signs up with other motion pictures on this list as one of the lowest-budget-produced scary motion pictures ever made. Its impact on a generation of filmmakers is indisputable, and the film is still a part of scary film marathons worldwide.
Stream on AMC
2 Technique ‘r Reward (2009 )

Trick r Treat
- Release Date
- October 26, 2007
- Director
- Michael Dougherty
- Cast
- Dylan Baker, Rochelle Aytes, Quinn Lord, Lauren Lee Smith, Moneca Delain, Tahmoh Penikett
- Ranking
- R
- Runtime
- 82
- Main Category
- Funny
- Categories
- Funny, Scary, Thriller
- Studio
- Warner Best
- Writers
- Michael Dougherty
- Tagline
- Toxin, Drowning, Claw, Or Knife. A Lot Of Ways To Take A Life.
Trick ‘r Treat is the little film that could. At first set for release in 2007, the movie was postponed several years and was provided the straight-to-DVD release. Typically, this would spell doom for a film as it showed poor quality, however as audiences rapidly discovered, Technique ‘r Reward was a yummy reward of a scary movie. An anthology movie that accepts whatever about Halloween, from the aesthetic appeals to numerous famous figures like serial killers, monsters, ghosts, satanic forces, and zombies, this film rapidly discovered an audience, and word of mouth spread and became a cult classic.
Given that its release, it has actually had several restricted theatrical runs, and the movie’s signature character, Sam, has actually ended up being a Halloween icon in his own right. The movie got its own labyrinth at Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Scary Nights, and conversations of asequel have been underway for years If one has actually not seen Technique ‘r Reward, make it a concern throughout the Halloween season, as no other film will put you in the state of mind like this.
Stream on Max
1 The Rocky Scary Photo Program (1975 )

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Release Date
- August 14, 1975
- Director
- Jim Sharman
- Cast
- Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O’Brien, Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell
- Ranking
- R
- Categories
- Funny, Scary, Musical, Sci-Fi
Possibly the most well-thought-of film when the expression “cult timeless” is said is the 1975 scary funny musical,The Rocky Horror Picture Show Like other cult timeless motion pictures on this list, this movie got traction at midnight provings where audience members were motivated to dress up and bring props while talking and communicating with the film screen and each other. All throughout the world, The Rocky Scary Photo Program can still be seen in theaters throughout the year for midnight provings. It is among the couple of titles that Disney still enables to play in theaters for re-releases following their acquisition of 20th Century Fox since they understand how upset audiences would be to not have the ability to view this one at a midnight screening.
The setting of the story could not be more innocent as the movie starts with a couple getting a blowout. Yet, it rapidly spirals into weirdness when they discover themselves caught in the estate of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a goofy researcher with a fondness for crossdressing. It’s still among Tim Curry’s many specifying functions.
Stream on Hulu