The Cosmic Horror and Lovecraftian Horror Film subgenres reside within the Horror, Fantasy and Sci-Fi genres and typically features other films subgenres such as Sci-Fi Films Set in Space, Sci-Fi Films with Bad Aliens, Survival Horror Films, Horror Films About Cults and Psychological and Medical Horror Films. Cosmic Horror (or Lovecraftian Horror) films are based on or inspired by the works of novelist H.P. Lovecraft. These films often feature horror situations involved with the unknown, our insignificant place in the cosmos and existential dread.
Though most of Lovecraft’s works were from the early 1900’s, Cosmic horror themes and adaptations of his work didn’t become popular in film until the 1970’s. The Dunwich Horror (1970), Messiah of Evil (1973), Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) and Alien (1979) were all classic films of the decade that incorporated Cosmic Horror into their narratives.
The 1980’s would see a significant rise in Cosmic Horror films with adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft’s work or films inspired by Lovecraftian themes. Films based on Lovecraft’s stories included Re-Animator (1985) based on the short story Herbert West-Reanimator, From Beyond (1985) based on the short story of the same name, The Curse (1987) based on the short story The Colour Out of Space, The Evil Clergyman (1988) based on an excerpt from a letter about a Lovecraft dream, and The Unnamable (1988) based on the Lovecraft short story of the same name. Other classic films of the subgenre from this decade included The Evil Dead (1981), The Beyond (1981), The Thing (1982), Evil Dead II (1987), Hellraiser (1987) and Prince of Darkness (1987).
In the 1990’s, Lovecraftian Horror films would continue to be popular with more films based on the works of Lovecraft. The Resurrected (1991) was based on the Lovecraft novella The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Lurking Fear (1994) was based on a short story of the same name, and Castle Freak (1995) was loosely based on the short story The Outsider. The anthology film Necronomicon (1993) took things yet further with three short film adaptations of different Lovecraft works – The Rats in the Walls, Cool Air and The Whisperer in Darkness. Other classic films of the subgenre included Cast a Deadly Spell (1991), Army of Darkness (1992), In the Mouth of Madness (1995) and Event Horizon (1997).
The 2000’s would see a decline in major films based on Lovecraft, but there were two significant films adapted from his works. Dagon (2001) was based on the Lovecraft novella The Shadow over Innsmouth and The Call of Cthulhu (2005) was a silent film adaption of his short story of the same name distributed by the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society. Other notable Cosmic Horror films from this decade included Spiral (2000), Pulse (2001), The Last Winter (2006), The Mist (2007), The Burrowers (2008), AM1200 (2008) and Pandorum (2009).
In the 2010’s, there was an increase in films that utilized themes of Lovecraftian Horror but only one direct adaptation and best film of the decade with Color Out of Space (2019). Many classic films of this decade that used Lovecraft themes of cosmic insignificance and existential dread included Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010), Absentia (2011), The Whisperer in Darkness (2011), The Thing (2011), The Cabin in the Woods (2012), Resolution (2012), Evil Dead (2013), Europa Report (2013), The Void (2016), Annihilation (2018), The Endless (2018) and Mandy (2018). Other notable subgenre films from the 2010’s included The Valdemar Legacy (2010), Jug Face (2013), Banshee Chapter (2013), Black Mountain Side (2016) and Sound from the Deep (2017).
The 2020’s has only produced one Cosmic Horror film to date, but it is a classic of the subgenre with Underwater (2020).
Our list of Cosmic Horror Films features over 66+ films from 1963 – 2020. Many of these films feature direct adaptations from H.P. Lovecraft stories or incorporate Lovecraftian themes into their narratives. For our list of Top Cosmic Horror Films You Haven’t Seen, we haven’t included classic films of the subgenre including From Beyond (1986) and Prince of Darkness (1987). Rather, we tried to include a mix of more obscure films you might have missed. For the films that didn’t make our list (and we hope you still check out), those include Messiah of Evil (1973), The Evil Clergyman (1988), Cast a Deadly Spell (1991), Spiral (2000), The Last Winter (2006), Absentia (2011), The Whisperer in Darkness (2011), Resolution (2012), Europa Report (2013), Black Mountain Side (2016), The Endless (2018) and Mandy (2018).
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Cosmic Horror Films You Haven’t Seen and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Plot: An expert in the occult uncovers a family’s dark secret.
KBZ’s Take: Early 1970’s horror film that has a mix of 70’s psychedelia mixed with Lovecraftian horror that somehow mesh well together. While the film has mixed opinions, we felt it was a well-crafted film that is one of the better adaptations of Lovecraft’s novella of the same name. The film has a creepiness factor most other Lovecraft film adaptations lack, and we recommend the film for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3UqCXgQ
Plot: International research team in the Arctic Ocean start to pick up strange underwater sounds.
KBZ’s Take: This short film won Best Short and Audience Choice Award at the 2017 H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival and after seeing this film, it’s easy to see why. Though only 30 minutes long, the film is very effective at building dread and unease amongst the research team as they get closer to discovering where the strange underwater sounds are coming from. Highly recommended film for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti231UvSvfQ
#8
AM1200
Plot: A man reluctantly investigates a distress call he is receiving from an AM radio station.
KBZ’s Take: This is another short film that won the Audience Award at the 2008 H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival. While it’s not adapted from a specific Lovecraft work, it has enough Lovecraftian themes that you would think it was based on one of his prior works. Though only 40 minutes long, the film does a great job of building tension until it’s shocking finale. Highly recommended film of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aoe1xMzxyNc
#7
Pandorum
Plot: Two crew members wake up on an abandoned spacecraft with no idea who they are or how long they’ve been asleep.
KBZ’s Take: This is a great Cosmic Horror film with Lovecraftian elements intertwined with survival horror. It’s also a very original film with three core components. First, the existential dread of the two crew members as they wake up in a spaceship without knowing who or where they are. Second, the pivotal reveal of what they discover on the ship (and how they soon become hunted). Third, the final reveal which we admittedly did not see coming. It’s one of the better “Survival Horror Films in Space” and one of the best of this subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3FmxWC4
Plot: A man pieces together his grandfather’s documents and starts investigating the Cthulhu cult.
KBZ’s Take: The H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society distributed two great adaptations of Lovecraft’s work – The Whisperer in Darkness (2011) and this film. We personally prefer The Call of Cthulhu as the silent film treatment and period setting seems to make Lovecraft’s original source material come alive. Though the film is not without its faults and was made on a limited budget, it’s still a film fans of the subgenre should seek out.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3OTNQa0
Plot: A doctor holds a girl with psychic powers captive in his institute.
KBZ’s Take: Opinions are divided on this film as most people love it or hate it. If you’ve seen Mandy (2018) by Panos Cosmatos, then you’ll likely know what you’re getting in this film – Lovecraftian atmosphere, psychedelia and disturbing scenes. In our opinion, it’s a great film that you’ll want to rewatch to understand the depth of what’s going on with the Arboria Facility, how the Sentionauts function, what is hallucination vs. reality, etc. After you have watched the film, there’s some great discussions and theories about the film that you can check out here and here.
Additional Lists: Top Films About Psychic Powers You Haven’t Seen #1
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3OWimjv
#4
Necronomicon
Plot: H.P. Lovecraft anthology with 3 films based on Lovecraft’s work.
KBZ’s Take: While we’re assuming most diehard “HPL” fans have seen this film already, we wanted to list it for people getting into Cosmic Horror of Lovecraft film adaptations for the first time. While each of the stories have their own strengths and weaknesses, they are all quality Lovecraft adaptations. We personally prefer the 3rd film, Whispers, the best, but to each their own. This film also has the Godfather of Cosmic Horror, Jeffrey Combs, playing HPL himself (though the Godmother of Cosmic Horror, Barbara Crampton, surprisingly does not make an appearance in any of the shorts). Recommended for fans of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3EVAANt
#3
Dagon
Plot: After a boating accident, a man and his girlfriend encounter strange and disturbing events in a small fishing village.
KBZ’s Take: After From Beyond (1985) and the first film on our list, this is our 3rd favorite direct Lovecraft adaptation. Adapted from the Lovecraft novella The Shadow Over Innsmouth, the film version is one of the best at showing Lovecraftian ambiance and unsettling dark themes on screen. While the film does get gory at times (especially in the third act), it’s still a highly recommended film of the subgenre and one of the best Cosmic Horror films out there.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3uiPcS8
#2
The Void
Plot: After a man takes another injured man to the hospital, he discovers the hospital is being surrounded by a cult.
KBZ’s Take: Many films have tried (and failed) at emulating 80’s horror, but The Void does it in spades. It’s hard to describe this film as it oozes Lovecraftian horror elements, is a horror film about cults, and also has many survival horror elements. It’s the type of film where the deeper you go down the rabbit hole with its story, the more “WTF” you are going to be saying to the screen. This is not only one of the best films of the Cosmic Horror subgenre, but one of the best lesser-known films of the entire Horror genre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3B3EYZB
Plot: Family in rural New England discovers meteorite that crashes into their yard and starts to infect the surrounding area.
KBZ’s Take: Color Out of Space is not only one of the best Alien Invasion films but is also one of the best Cosmic Horror films based on H.P. Lovecraft. Featuring a ‘good’ Nicolas Cage and a return to directing by Richard Stanley (Hardware (1990)), this film is an unconventional alien invasion that will have you transfixed throughout. Next to From Beyond (1985), we think it’s the best pure HPL film adaptation and one of the best at emulating the Cosmic Horror subgenre’s existential sense of dread. Highly recommended film of the subgenre and one of its best.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3B3Fh6H
