This is the sixth in a series of articles where we’ll be covering the Top Folk Horror films. Folk Horror films typically feature folklore and cultural beliefs or religion within their narratives. Most films of this subgenre feature a rural setting and themes of isolation, religion, the occult and cults. Folk Horror primarily overlaps with the Films About Cults and Dark Fantasy Films subgenres but also heavily influences (or is influenced by) other horror subgenres including Films About the Devil, Demons & Hell, Gothic Horror Films, Films About the Occult & Witches, Films About Urban Legends, Films About Vampires and Films About Werewolves. Folk Horror also will feature Supernatural or Paranormal elements, but the focus of these films usually involves people’s beliefs in relation to any supernatural forces.
Folk Horror emerged as a horror subgenre in the late 1960’s and 1970’s and increased in popularity in the 2010’s. Popular Folk Horror films over the decades include The Wicker Man (1973), The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988), The Blair Witch Project (1999), The Witch (2015), Hereditary (2018) and Midsommar (2019).
This sixth article will cover the Best Recent Folk Horror Films from 2020 – 2024 and you can check out additional articles by decade below. We are also going to include a Best Of subgenre article as a grand finale. There are so many great Folk Horror films over the last 60 years that we felt it best to break down some of the subgenre’s forgotten and lesser-known gems by decade before we give you the Best Of list which will likely feature many films you’ve already heard of or have seen.
- Top Folk Horror Films You Haven’t Seen – 1970’s
- Top Folk Horror Films You Haven’t Seen – 1980’s
- Top Folk Horror Films You Haven’t Seen – 1990’s
- Top Folk Horror Films You Haven’t Seen – 2000’s
- Top Folk Horror Films You Haven’t Seen – 2010’s
- Best Recent Folk Horror Films
- Best Films About Folk Horror
We’re only halfway through the 2020’s and Folk Horror has maintained its position as one of the top subgenres of horror. Though there has been a noticeable shift of Folk Horror from rural and period settings to contemporary times, the foundation of all these films has continued to provide some of the best (and unsettling) scares over the last few years. Remakes and sequels, rural and period Folk Horror and unique mythologies and folklore explored from various cultures around the world comprised the major subgenre themes that dominated the first half of the decade.
Remakes & sequels would continue in the decade with mostly subpar offerings of Folk Horror. La Llorona (2020) would be another remake of the vengeful ghost from Mexican folklore, Pee Nak 2 (2020) and Pee Nak 3 (2022) would continue the Thai Horror Comedy folklore from Pee Nak (2019), Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021) would continue the popular Found Footage Horror Paranormal Activity franchise and Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023) would act as a prequel to Pet Sematary (1989) and explore the origins of the evil Native American cemetery.
Though contemporary folk horror would become more prevalent in the subgenre in the early 2020’s, Folk Horror set in rural period settings continued to provide folklore-based scares the subgenre became famous for. Gretel & Hansel (2020), Soul (2020), The Last Thing Mary Saw (2021), The Family (2021), You Won’t Be Alone (2022), Jikirag (2022) and Raven’s Hollow (2022) were some of the more notable Folk Horror of this period that was set in the Medieval Era up to the Industrial Age.
And finally, various subgenre films from around the world would introduce new cultural folklore and mythology. Impetigore (2020) explored Indonesian folklore about deals with the devil and babies born without skin. Witchcraft and skin-walkers that could inhabit the bodies of other people from Navajo mythology provided the basis for The Wretched (2020). The crime and horror film, Saloum (2021), featured a creature from Senegalese folklore based on cursed Bainuk people. Thai folklore involving curses and possession was the foundation of The Medium (2021). Juju Stories (2021) was a Horror Anthology Film featuring various tales based on Nigerian folklore. Icelandic folk tales mixed with Satyrs of Greek mythology appeared in Lamb (2021). No One Gets Out Alive (2021) was an underrated subgenre film based on Aztec mythology and Ītzpāpālōtl that occurs in a contemporary setting. The Wendigo from Native American folklore would again be explored in Antlers (2021). Irish folklore involving the Mandrake plant would be central to the plot of Mandrake (2022). Norwegian Werewolf Film, Viking Wolf (2022), would incorporate Norse mythology involving the wolf, Fenrir, with classic werewolf and coming-of-age film tropes. Goblins of Irish folklore would appear in the Home Invasion and Dark Fantasy film Unwelcome (2023). The Offering (2023) would feature Jewish folklore and the demon Abyzou. Malaysian folklore of Harimau Jadian (were-tiger) would provide the basis for the coming-of-age Body Horror film Tiger Stripes (2023). And the Horror Comedy There’s Something in the Barn (2023) would again feature Nordic folklore but this time tell the tale of Nisse (elves that look like garden gnomes) terrorizing an American family that has recently moved to Norway.
Our complete list of Films About Folk Horror features over 178+ films from 1964 – 2024. This collection features almost every film featuring witchcraft, the occult, cults and folklore set in a rural environment. If you don’t see a film in our collection, it is likely in other collections such as Dark Fantasy Films, Films About Cults, Films About the Devil, Demons & Hell, Gothic Horror Films, Films About the Occult & Witches, Films About Urban Legends, Films About Vampires and Films About Werewolves. Also, as we’re always updating our collections and will be releasing additional articles of great Folk Horror Films, subscribe to our newsletter for our latest updates as we post them.
Classic Folk Horror Films from 2020 – 2024: Lamb (2021), No One Gets Out Alive (2021), Antlers (2021), Unwelcome (2023), When Evil Lurks (2023) and There’s Something in the Barn (2023).
Folk Horror Films from 2020 – 2024 that didn’t make our list: La Llorona (2020), Impetigore (2020), Gretel & Hansel (2020), Soul (2020), In the Earth (2021), The Djinn (2021), The House of Snails (2021), The Medium (2021), The Feast (2021), Boys from County Hell (2021), The Last Thing Mary Saw (2021), The Family (2021), Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021), You Are Not My Mother (2022), Mandrake (2022), You Won’t Be Alone (2022), Incantation (2022), Moloch (2022), Men (2022), Evil Eye (2022), Raven’s Hollow (2022), Nocebo (2022), Viking Wolf (2022), Pensive (2022), Waktu Maghrib (2023), The Offering (2023), Dark Nature (2023), It Lives Inside (2023), Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023), Lord of Misrule (2023), Tiger Stripes (2023), Wolfkin (2023) and Amelie’s Children (2024).
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Here is our list of the Best Recent Folk Horror Films from 2020 – 2024:
#10
Saloum
Plot: Shot down after fleeing a coup and extracting a drug lord from Guinea-Bissau, a group of mercenaries must lie low at a remote holiday camp, stash their stolen haul, and repair their plane to escape back to Dakar, Senegal.
KBZ’s Take: Saloum takes its time getting to the actual Folk Horror in the film, but you likely won’t mind as the first half of the film is a stylish and action-oriented crime film. If you pay close attention though, you will see the groundwork being laid for the arrival of the ‘entity’ that starts to take each mercenary out.
It’s hard to put this film in one genre as it has Tarantino crime action, Predator survival horror and some unique special effects-driven folklore based on the curse of Gana Sira Bana. For fans of the subgenre, this is one unique subgenre film you shouldn’t miss.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#9
Gaia
Plot: A park ranger takes shelter with two survivalists after an attack by mysterious creatures in a primordial forest.
KBZ’s Take: This South African film is a mashup of different horror subgenres – Folk Horror, Survival Horror, Body Horror and Eco-Horror. Though the film has a suspenseful buildup based on the mythology of the forest (and its creatures), the film’s explanation of this mythology gets a bit muddled as the film progresses.
With that said, the film does have some amazing visuals, great creature designs and a unique and dark atmosphere that makes the film worth watching. The Body Horror elements are tied to the Folk Horror elements so fans of both subgenres should enjoy this film.
Additional Lists: Best Recent Body Horror Films #8
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#8
Matriarch
Plot: Afflicted with a mysterious disease after surviving an overdose, a woman returns to her childhood home to confront her personal demons but instead discovers a real one.
KBZ’s Take: Matriarch has some very divided opinions with some people loving the slow-moving, atmospheric film while others hated it. Having seen just about every Folk Horror film from the last 50 years, we can say this is one of the most underrated and better films of the subgenre this decade – once you understand it.
The film doesn’t get too specific with the folklore the ‘Goddess’ is based upon, but that’s a small point that’s overcome with a film that seamlessly blends together themes of Folk Horror, Body Horror and The Occult. The film is admittedly a slow burn (until the third act), but if you find yourself confused by the ending, Looper has a good explanation of events and themes found within the film.
Where to Stream / Buy: Hulu
Plot: Bill moves his American wife Carol and children Nora and Lucas to Norway where he’s inherited a family estate. There, Lucas discovers a mischievous barn elf from ancient folklore living in the barn who elf plots to get rid of the American intruders.
KBZ’s Take: There’s Something in the Barn is a film very reminiscent of another Christmas horror classic – Gremlins (1984). While it’s nowhere near as good as that film, it does feature similar elements of home invasion by mythical creatures with some very fun horror comedy.
Like Gremlins, there is also some gore and violence in the film that isn’t suitable for younger children (even though most of it is on par with the PG-rated Gremlins while this film is rated R). And while Martin Starr (as Bill) shows he can lead a film, it’s Calle Hellevang-Larsen (as Tor Age) who steals every scene he’s in as the friendly, yet often inebriated, Norwegian.
Additional Lists: Best Recent Christmas Horror Films #3
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#6
Unwelcome
Plot: Londoners Maya and Jamie escape their urban nightmare to the tranquility of rural Ireland only to discover malevolent, murderous goblins lurking in the gnarled, ancient wood at the foot of their new garden. When heavily pregnant Maya’s relationship with a local family turns sour, who – or what – will come to her rescue and what extremes will she go to protect her unborn child?
KBZ’s Take: This film starts off as a Home Invasion film but slowly changes gears in the second and third acts to feature some very dark and gory Folk Horror. It does take a while to get to the ‘creatures’ but when they start appearing, bloody and vengeful chaos ensues.
Additional Lists: The Best Horror Films of 2023 for Halloween #10
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#5
The Wretched
Plot: A family takes refuge in a fallout shelter to avoid a dangerous outbreak.
KBZ’s Take: We’re recommending this film if you’re looking for some Halloween Horror in the vein of Stranger Things. Hardcore horror fans might not like the film as it doesn’t feature gore and violence typical of more mature horror. But it does have a great 80’s vibe, suspenseful mystery elements and a great ‘creature’ design for a surprisingly good little horror film loosely based on Navajo folklore involving skin-walkers.
Additional Lists: The Best Horror Films of 2020 for Halloween #8
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: An immigrant in search of the American dream is forced to take a room in a boarding house and soon finds herself in a nightmare from which she can’t escape.
KBZ’s Take: We were honestly surprised that this film currently only has a rating of 5.4/10 on IMDb. It was by far one of the better horror films we’ve seen in the last few years, and we’ve seen quite a few of them.
This is a good slow burn and creepy film with a very unsettling third act that most horror fans will enjoy. You’ll just need to be patient until the scares (and monster based on Aztec mythology) reveal themselves.
Additional Lists: The Best Horror Films of 2021 for Halloween #8, Best Recent Films About Ghosts & Hauntings #4
Where to Stream / Buy: Netflix
#3
Lamb
Plot: An Icelandic couple live with their herd of sheep on a beautiful but remote farm. When they discover a mysterious newborn on their land, they decide to keep it and raise it as their own. This unexpected development and the prospects of a new family brings them much joy before ultimately destroying them.
KBZ’s Take: This film takes its time getting to the mid-film reveal and the even more surprising third act twist, but you will be rewarded if you are patient. It’s a very unique and disturbing film of the Folk Horror subgenre and the slower moments of the film are carried by the main leads in Noomi Rapace and Hilmir Snær Guðnason. If you like Dark Fantasy with a Folk Horror twist, there aren’t many better recent horror films than Lamb.
Additional Lists: The Best Horror Films of 2021 for Halloween #7, Top Dark Fantasy Films You Haven’t Seen – 2010 – 2022 #8
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#2
Antlers
Plot: A young teacher discovers that her troubled student s father and younger brother harbor a deadly supernatural secret. Taking the boy into her care, the teacher must fight for their survival against horrors beyond imagination.
KBZ’s Take: Antlers is much more of a Folk Horror film than Supernatural Horror. But the film is able to balance elements of both subgenres for one of the more effective (and scary) horror films of the last few years.
If you’re a fan of Wendigo folklore such as Dark Was the Night (2014) and other Folk Horror such as The Ritual (2017), then this is one of better films that both represents the physical manifestation of a Wendigo and why it was feared in Native American folklore.
Additional Lists: Best Recent Films About Ghosts & Hauntings #2, The Best Horror Films of 2021 for Halloween #6
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: The residents of a small rural town discover that a demon is about to be born among them. They desperately try to escape – but it may be too late.
KBZ’s Take: When we were preparing our list of The Best Horror Films of 2023 for Halloween, we had already posted the article before seeing When Evil Lurks. If we had seen the film sooner, it would have easily made the Top 3 as it’s one of the most unsettling and scariest films of the last few years.
This is not an easy film to watch as it mixes in a slow burn atmosphere with some very gory, disturbing, and violent sequences. Where other horror films have a certain line they won’t cross, this film has no problems crossing that line as you watch in absolute horror. There are two specific sequences in this film that you won’t be able to ‘unsee’ and will likely haunt you months (or even years) after viewing.
With that said, the film itself is a good tale of rural Argentinian folklore associated with evil spirits and demonic possession. The folklore in the film isn’t explained beyond the need to stop ‘the evil’ from spreading, but as the evil continues to spread, so too will your fear with one of the most horrific films of recent memory.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
