The art of picking the best French horror movies is controversial. In my opinion, the industry making movies here is more diverse than the American one. It doesn’t follow a static path, but since the origin of the concept of horror in French cinema, it has experimented a lot.
And I am so thankful that it did. Now we have too many masterpieces to explore.
I still remember the first time I watched a French horror film. It was a rainy October evening, and I’d stumbled upon “Martyrs” while I was doom-scrolling to find something good for Halloween night (yes, I’m dating myself here).
What I expected was your typical slasher flick. What I got instead was something that fundamentally changed how I viewed horror cinema. French filmmakers, I discovered, don’t just want to scare you – they want to unsettle your very soul.
My Top 10 French Horror Films That I Want to Recommend
Martyrs (2008)
Director: Pascal Laugier
Release Date: September 3, 2008
Trailer:
“Martyrs” isn’t just a movie; it’s an endurance test. Director Pascal Laugier created something that transcends typical horror boundaries. While it starts as a revenge thriller, it evolves into a supernatural exploration of suffering and transcendence that’ll have you clutching your blanket.
What makes this one of the best French horror films isn’t just the shocking imagery – it’s the philosophical questions it raises. The film follows two young women seeking revenge on their childhood tormentors, but what they discover goes far beyond human cruelty.
This provocative film will linger with you. Fair warning: Martyrs has gore and disturbing elements. Fair warning: Martyrs isn’t for the faint of heart.
It has gore and some disturbing elements. I had to look away a couple of times, but I am just a faint-hearted individual- don’t mind me! 😉
Raw (2017)
Director: Julia Ducournau
Release Date: March 15, 2017
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Julia Ducournau’s “Raw” is as Raw as a movie about cannibalism can get. As a vegetarian myself, watching this movie was particularly unsettling. You’ll find yourself sympathizing with a character going through changes that are both metaphorical and horrifyingly literal.
The film expertly uses body horror to explore themes of identity, sexuality, and family. Yes, there are scenes you might find very explicit. So, it’s definitely not for kids.
Raw begins as a coming-of-age story at a veterinary school and soon transitions into a descent primal hunger that feels almost supernatural in its intensity.
The way Ducournau weaves body horror with supernatural undertones makes this one of the most unique French film horror experiences I’ve encountered.
And trust me, I love supernatural horror, not gore stuff, but this one I liked!
The Horde (2009)
Director: Yannick Dahan, Benjamin Rocher
Release Date: February 10, 2010
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Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Another zombie movie?” But trust me, “The Horde” (La Horde) reinvents the genre. Set in a decrepit apartment building, this film combines claustrophobic terror with some of the most intense zombie action I’ve ever seen. The film follows a group of crooked cops who must team up with the criminals they came to kill when a zombie apocalypse breaks out.
The plot is as fun as it sounds!
Now, here’s how it’s exactly different from other French zombie movies! It has this raw, unexplainable energy it uses in its confined setting to create supernatural dread. It can’t be told in words, but only experienced.
The zombies here aren’t just mindless creatures; there’s something otherworldly about their relentlessness that’ll make your skin crawl. It might remind you of Stalkers from The Last of Us or even zombies from Dawn of the Dead.
All in all, this is hands down one of the most intense French zombie films ever made, and you’ve got to watch it!
Also Read: The Woman in the Yard Review
Livid (2011)
Director: Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury
Release Date: December 6, 2011
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From the creators of “Inside” comes “Livid” (Livide), a French ghost movie that completely subverts your expectations. I went in expecting a typical haunted house story and came out questioning everything I thought I knew about the genre.
The film follows Lucie, a young caregiver who discovers dark secrets in an old mansion where a comatose former dance teacher lies.
But this isn’t your standard ghost story – it’s a dark fairy tale with vampiric elements and supernatural twists that feel both beautiful and terrifying.
The cinematography alone, with its gothic atmosphere and dreamlike sequences, makes this one of the top French horror films in recent memory.
The movie will kind of give you the vibe that A24’s horror movies give. If you’re a regular in the world of horror, you know what I am sayin’.
They Came Back (2004)
Director: Robin Campillo
Release Date: October 27, 2004
Trailer:
“They Came Back” (Les Revenants) takes the zombie genre and turns it into something contemplative and deeply unsettling.
Instead of flesh-eating monsters, the dead simply… return. They walk back into their old lives, creating a supernatural crisis that’s more existential than visceral.
This is perhaps the most unique take on French zombie movies you’ll ever see. The returned dead aren’t violent – they’re just slightly off, creating an atmosphere of unease that’s more disturbing than any gore could be.
I watched this during a particularly difficult time in my life, and it resonated in ways I didn’t expect.
It’s one of those French zombie films that uses the supernatural to explore grief, loss, and what it means to be human.
By the way, there’s a show called ‘The Returned’ that has been released using the same theme. But give that show a shot after you watch the movie.
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (2023)
Director: Ariane Louis-Seize
Release Date: October 13, 2023
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I love this movie. Probably one of the best indie movies from the French horror genre in existence.
This recent addition to French horror cinema proves that the genre continues to evolve in unexpected ways. Despite its darkly comedic title, this film offers a surprisingly touching take on vampire mythology.
The story of Humanist Vampire follows Sasha, a young vampire who can’t bring herself to kill, and Paul, a suicidal teenager who might be her perfect match.
What I love about this film is how it uses supernatural elements to explore themes of depression, connection, and finding your place in the world.
It’s a French horror movie that manages to be both heartwarming and unsettling – a combination I didn’t think was possible until I saw it.
The film’s unique approach to vampire lore makes it stand out among both French horror films and vampire movies in general.
Also Read: The Devil’s Bath Review
Frontier(s) (2007)
Director: Xavier Gens
Release Date: November 13, 2007
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While “Frontier(s)” might seem like a straightforward survival horror film, there’s an undercurrent of supernatural evil that permeates every frame.
Set against the backdrop of political riots in Paris, a group of young thieves encounters a family of neo-Nazi cannibals whose evil feels almost otherworldly.
The film’s intensity is matched only by its political subtext. Director Xavier Gens uses extreme horror to comment on xenophobia and fascism, creating one of the most brutal yet intelligent entries in the French horror canon.
The film horrifically uses disturbing elements to comment on real-world issues. It’s brutal, yes, sometimes even extremely brutal, but there’s intelligence behind the bloodshed that elevates it among the best horror French movies.
Among the Living (2014)
Director: Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury
Release Date: November 5, 2014
Trailer:
Remember being a kid and thinking every abandoned house was haunted? “Among the Living” (Aux yeux des vivants) taps into those primal fears. Three boys discover something horrific in an abandoned film studio, and what follows is a supernatural nightmare that feels pulled straight from childhood terrors.
The film masterfully blends coming-of-age elements with genuine horror, creating an atmosphere that reminded me of classic Stephen King stories.
What makes this one of the standout French horror movies is how it captures the vulnerability of childhood while delivering genuinely frightening moments.
I particularly appreciated how this film balances coming-of-age elements with genuine horror.
Also Read: Late Night with The Devil Review
Ils/ Them (2006)
Director: David Moreau, Xavier Palud
Release Date: July 19, 2006
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“Them” (Ils) is a masterclass in minimalist horror. Based on allegedly true events, the film follows a French couple living in Romania who are terrorized by mysterious intruders.
Its restraint makes this one of the best French horror films. The movie proves you don’t need elaborate special effects to create terror.
The film’s power lies in what it doesn’t show. The supernatural elements are subtle but effective, creating an atmosphere of dread that builds to an unforgettable climax. At just 77 minutes, it’s a lean, mean horror machine that wastes no time in getting under your skin.
This is the film I recommend to people who think French horror is too extreme – it’s accessible but absolutely terrifying.
Eyes Without a Face (1960)
Director: Georges Franju
Release Date: March 2, 1960
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No list of top French horror movies would be complete without this classic. “Eyes Without a Face” (Les Yeux sans visage) is a poetic nightmare that influenced countless horror films that followed.
The story of a surgeon trying to restore his daughter’s disfigured face through increasingly desperate means remains as disturbing today as it was over 60 years ago.
It’s probably one of the earliest but most beautifully crafted stories of body horror films. The famous mask worn by Christiane has become an iconic image in cinema, and the film’s blend of beauty and horror created a template that French horror films still follow today.
If you want to understand why French horror cinema is so unique, this is where you start.
The Evolution of French Supernatural Horror
What fascinates me most about French horror is how it’s evolved over the years. From the gothic tales of Georges Franju to today’s boundary-pushing cinema, French filmmakers have consistently reinvented what horror can be.
The New French Extremity movement, which began in the early 2000s, has particularly caught not only mine but of horror fans from around the world. That’s the reason why there’s a spike in the audience specifically looking for French Extremity films.
Directors like Alexandre Aja, Xavier Gens, Pascal Laugier, and Julia Ducournau aren’t just making scary movies – they’re creating art that happens to be terrifying.
This movement has produced some of the most challenging and rewarding horror films of the 21st century.
My Personal Recommendations for Your French Horror Journey
If you’re new to French horror cinema, I’d suggest starting with “Raw” or “They Came Back.” These films showcase the range of what French horror can offer without being too extreme for newcomers.
For a classic experience, “Eyes Without a Face” provides a perfect introduction to the artistic side of French horror.
Why You Should Give French Horror a Chance
Look, I get it. Subtitles can be a barrier, and French cinema has a reputation for being “artsy.” But here’s the thing – the best French horror movies are accessible to anyone who loves a good scare.
They just happen to offer something more, even in movies that don’t do well in critics’ reviews.
If you’re ready to expand your horror horizons, French supernatural cinema is the perfect place to start. Trust me, once you experience the unique terror that French filmmakers can create, you’ll never look at horror the same way again.
So, which one are you watching?
FAQs
Which French horror film has a girl with a split personality?
Spoiler Alert! High Tension is the movie where Marie has dissociative identity disorder (DID). Turns out, she is the killer, terrifying everybody in the movie.
Which French horror movie has American adaptations?
Les Diaboliques (1955) inspired the 1996 American film Diabolique and influenced Hitchcock’s Psycho.
Where can I stream French horror movies with English subtitles?
Stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, TV5MONDEplus, or FrenchFlicks for free French films with subtitles.
What is the French body horror movie?
Raw (2016) and Titane (2021) by Julia Ducournau, and In My Skin (2002) are key French body horror films.
What is the movie Zombies set in France?
The Night Eats the World (2018) and La Horde (2009) are French zombie films set in France.
Are French horror movies good?
Yes, French horror like Martyrs and High Tension is acclaimed for bold, innovative scares and global influence.
