Cult Classics: Rediscovering Forgotten Horror Gems

The world of horror has become a dominating force in recent years. Because of this resurgence, newer horror fans may not know where to start their horror journey. Sure, you can go for the classics, Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors is still required viewing. But where should eager horror fans go next?

Luckily, we thought of that for you. Below, you will find six forgotten horror gems every genre fan should check out. Whether you are into tragic slow burns or horror comedies, these films will entertain newcomers and hardened horror veterans alike.

Blood Punch

How long would it take for murder to become boring? That's the question posed by Blood Punch. The film follows a young meth cook who gets stuck in a murderous time loop. Surprisingly, killing the same person day in and day out gets a bit tedious after a while. You know what they say, all things in moderation.

While the Groundhog's Day trope may have been popularized by films such as Happy Death Day, nobody has depicted being trapped in a time loop in a more unique way than Blood Punch. The film even begs the question, is it even worth trying to get out of the curse in the first place?

Blood Punch is a hilarious horror comedy that explores the time trap trope from a different angle. Director Madellaine Paxson and writer Eddie Guzelian are newcomers to the horror world. They have built a career for themselves working in children's films and television. Yet, Blood Punch feels like something made by masters of the horror genre.

Detention

Is this an objectively good film? That's impossible to determine. Detention uses so many tropes and plot devices that it becomes hard to keep up with what's happening. If that sounds like a complaint, it is not. This hectic storytelling style results in a delightful watch that will force you down the rabbit hole searching for answers.

The film seriously uses every filmmaking trick in the book. Audiences are subject to a time-traveling bear suit, Freaky Friday body switching, a masked high school revenge killer, and alien interference. Director Joseph Kahn and co-writer Mark Palermo manage to take all of these events and create a glorious meta-horror film that tests the limits of how we define a genre.

We Go On

This slow-burn horror takes viewers on a dark voyage searching for proof of the afterlife. We Go On takes an old premise and gives it new life by subverting audience expectations. This low-budget horror film provides more depth and heartache than is typically delivered in the ghost-hunting genre.

We Go On is a film that delivers on much more than its premise should allow for and has been praised as a harrowing look into why the afterlife may be darker than we imagine it to be.

The film is deceptively slow in the first half, but it soon ramps up, taking viewers on a catastrophic ride that they will not soon forget. It should be noted that this film may not be for everyone as it features themes of loss, depression, and suicide.

WNUF Halloween Special

The days of holiday-themed network television may be long gone. However, many people still look back fondly on a time when TV channels would dedicate their entire programming schedule to a specific event. WNUF takes this nostalgia and turns it into one of the most creative horror films on the market.

WNUF Halloween Special is presented to audiences as a home recording of a local news station on Halloween in 1987. The film is somehow able to recreate the feeling of 1980s television, right down to its low-quality video resolution and cheesy local commercials.

At its heart, the film centers on the satanic panic that occurred in the late 80s. But the film offers much more than just that. It’s found footage style and original setting make for an enjoyable watch that no horror fan should miss out on.

Daniel Isn’t Real

Speaking of nostalgia bait. Daniel Isn't Real isn't just coming for our childhood memories. This film is coming for our imaginary friends. The film follows a college freshman who resurrects his childhood imaginary friend to help him through some tough times.

While this isn't the first time this premise has been done, Daniel Isn't Real is a shining example of how terrifying this premise can be if done right. Brilliant performances by Miles Robbins and Patrick Schwarzenegger help bring this surreal nightmare to life. Further emphasizing that sometimes it's best to leave the past in the past.

Bug

Michael Shannon is beloved for his over-the-top acting style and generally angry demeanor. The man looks like someone trapped rage in a bottle and shook it up. Bug gives audiences a glimpse at what this talent looks like when taken to the extreme.

Bug provides a lens into the destructive nature of conspiracy theories and misinformation. The film attempts to dissect the rise of nationalism and fringe political identities that began to form following the attacks on 9/11. The film is just as politically relevant today as it was almost twenty years ago.

Director William Friedkin, who brought us classics such as Tales from the Crypt and The Exorcist, delivered this message subtly yet bloody. The film follows a damaged war veteran and a victim of domestic violence as they try to find a small amount of comfort in each other's company. The result is a neon hallucination covered in carnage that is sure to get under your skin.