This is the seventh in a series of articles where we’ll be covering the Top Films About Ghosts and Hauntings. This subgenre also includes Films About Haunted Houses, Films About the Paranormal, Films About The Supernatural, Films About Evil Spirits and Films About Séances. Also, because themes of the Supernatural and Paranormal can cover a broad range of Horror subgenres, we’ve tried to isolate films that specifically deal with Ghosts (and resulting Hauntings) for this list.
This seventh article will cover the Top Films about Ghosts and Hauntings You Haven’t Seen from 2015 – 2019 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 Ghost 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 Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 1970’s
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 1980’s
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 1990’s
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 2000 – 2004
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 2005 – 2009
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 2010 – 2014
- Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen – 2015 – 2019
- Best Recent Films About Ghosts & Hauntings
- Best Films About Ghosts & Hauntings
The second half of the 2010’s would see two prominent themes dominate the subgenre – the growing popularity of supernatural-themed World Cinema Horror and the influx of Folk Horror Films with supernatural and paranormal undertones. This period of the decade would also include a continuation of subgenre sequels from the first half of the decade, a few remakes of classic subgenre films and the slow decline of the Found Footage format that had dominated the horror genre for the past decade.
To say World Cinema Horror was growing in popularity would be an understatement. Though J-Horror and K-Horror had begun their rise to prominence in the late 1990’s, this second half of the decade would see supernatural and paranormal-themed film from a variety of countries across the globe. From Tawain you had The Tag-Along (2015), The Tag-Along 2 (2017), Secrets in the Hot Springs (2018), and Detention (2019). Ghost is All Around (2016), The Promise (2017), Premika (2017), Reside (2018) and the very gory supernatural romance Inhuman Kiss (2019) were all subgenre horror from Thailand. Indonesia would continue to add to its growing and notorious reputation for supernatural gore-filled horror in Satan’s Slaves (2017), The 3rd Eye (2017), Danur 2: Maddah (2018) and The Queen of Black Magic (2019). Other supernatural horror from Asian countries in 2015 – 2019 included The Housemaid (2016) from Vietnam, Kuwaresma (2018) from the Philippines and Stree (2018) and Tumbbad (2018) from India.
Though K-Horror and J-Horror still had a significant presence in the subgenre, most of their films from this period weren’t as impactful as previous years. Korean would have a larger presence in the subgenre with the underrated and little seen subgenre classic Forgotten (2017) followed by other K-Horror including The Silenced (2015), The Piper (2015), Keeper of Darkness (2015), Hide and Never Seek (2016), Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018), The Whispering (2018) and The Wrath (2018). Japanese subgenre horror would also not reach the levels of scares it had previously attained with sub-par (for J-Horror) films including Ju-on: The Final Curse (2015), Dorome: Girls (2016) and the Freddy Kreuger vs. Jason Vorhees inspired Sadako vs. Kayako (2016).
Working our way westward, other prominent World Cinema Supernatural Horror from the decade included Under the Shadow (2016) from Iran, Dabbe 6: The Return (2015) from Turkey, 8: A South African Horror Story (2019) from South Africa, You Die (2018) from Italy, The Influence (2019) from Spain and Terrified (2017) from Argentina.
The other noticeable trend in the subgenre in the second half of this decade was the transition from supernatural-themed Gothic Horror to Folk Horror. Though Folk Horror had emerged as a popular horror subgenre in the 1970’s, it wasn’t until the 2010’s that there was an acceleration of supernatural films with underlying themes of dark folklore. Though we’ll have a list soon of all the great Folk Horror films you have to see, in 2015 – 2019 the Folk Horror films that had elements of the supernatural and paranormal included Satan’s Slaves (2017), Tumbbad (2018), Inhuman Kiss (2019), The Curse of La Llorona (2019), Gwen (2019), 8: A South African Horror Story (2019) and The Queen of Black Magic (2019).
Subgenre franchises from the earlier half of the decade would also continue after 2015. The Insidious franchise would launch sequels Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) and Insidious: The Last Key (2018). Sinister 2 (2015) would continue the Sinister franchise. And The Conjuring franchise had a direct sequel with The Conjuring 2 (2016) along with Annabelle (2014) spin-offs including Annabelle: Creation (2017) and Annabelle Comes Home (2019). Other subgenre sequels included Ju-on: The Final Curse (2015), Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (2015), Rings (2017), Amityville: The Awakening (2017) and The Tag-Along 2 (2017).
Remakes also made an appearance during this period though they were considered inferior to the original subgenre classics they were based on. Poltergeist (2015) was a subpar remake of one of the best films of the subgenre – Poltergeist (1984). While considered a reboot vs. a direct remake, Ghostbusters (2016) received mostly positive reviews but couldn’t attain the levels set by the 1984 subgenre classic. And the poorly reviewed Flatliners (2017) also couldn’t match the supernatural creepiness of its predecessor Flatliners (1990). The only remakes that improved on their originating source were from Indonesia. Satan’s Slaves (2017) was a loose remake and prequel of the original Satan’s Slaves (1980) and The Queen of Black Magic (2019) was a vastly superior (and gory) remake of the 1981 Indonesian horror film.
And finally, we have the waning influence of the Found Footage format on both the subgenre and horror genre at large. The only notable Found Footage Supernatural Films from 2015 – 2019 would include Unfriended (2015), Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018) and Unfriended: Dark Web (2018). Both Unfriended films would use an innovative method of Found Footage involving a computer’s video chat interface while Gonjiam would use the standard first-person format but with an interesting premise and genuinely creepy scares. Other Supernatural Found Footage Films of the second half of the decade included The Atticus Institute (2015), The Gallows (2015), Always Watching: A Marble Hornets Story (2015), Sinister 2 (2015), Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (2015), Found Footage 3D (2016), Hide and Never Seek (2016) and Night Shot (2018).
Our complete list of Films About The Paranormal, Hauntings & Ghosts features over 526+ films from 1961 – 2023. This collection features almost every film involving a ghost, evil spirit, ghost possessing a person, haunted houses, hauntings and broader themes of the paranormal and supernatural. If you don’t see a film in our collection, it is likely in other collections such as Films About Gothic Horror, Films About Exorcisms & Possession and Films About The Devil, Demons & Hell. Also, as we’re always updating our collections and will be releasing additional articles of great Films About Ghosts & Hauntings, subscribe to our newsletter for our latest updates as we post them.
Classic Films About Ghosts & Hauntings from 2015 – 2019: Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015), Crimson Peak (2015), The Conjuring 2 (2016), Lights Out (2016), Under the Shadow (2016), Spectral (2016), Annabelle: Creation (2017), Marrowbone (2017), Forgotten (2017), Satan’s Slaves (2017), Ghost Stories (2018), Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018), Inhuman Kiss (2019), Annabelle Comes Home (2019), I See You (2019), Eli (2019), Doctor Sleep (2019) and The Queen of Black Magic (2019).
Lesser-known Films About Ghosts & Hauntings from 2015 – 2019 that didn’t make our list: The Atticus Institute (2015), The Silenced (2015), The Piper (2015), Dabbe 6: The Return (2015), The Tag-Along (2015), The Forest (2016), The Other Side of the Door (2016), We Go On (2016), The Darkness (2016), Sadako vs. Kayako (2016), The Housemaid (2016), Personal Shopper (2016), Rings (2017), Don’t Knock Twice (2017), I Remember You (2017), Dead Awake (2017), The Keeping Hours (2017), Wish Upon (2017), The Changeover (2017), The Lodgers (2017), Sicilian Ghost Story (2017), The 3rd Eye (2017), Winchester (2018), Delirium (2018), Secrets in the Hot Springs (2018), The Witch in the Window (2018), Down a Dark Hall (2018), Slice (2018), Tumbbad (2018), I Still See You (2018), I’ll Take Your Dead (2018), You Die (2018), The Wrath (2018), Ghost Killers vs. Bloody Mary (2018), In Fabric (2018), Velvet Buzzsaw (2019), The Prodigy (2019), Girl on the Third Floor (2019), The Curse of La Llorona (2019), Gwen (2019), Extra Ordinary (2019), Detention (2019), Deadtectives (2019), The Vigil (2019) and Light from Light (2019).
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Here is our list of the Top Films About Ghosts & Hauntings You Haven’t Seen from the 2015 – 2019:
Plot: An old man, fated to collect souls for eternity, seeks atonement after trading his daughter’s soul.
KBZ’s Take: As usual with these lists, we’re going to start them off with an obscure film of the subgenre. This film is not only obscure but covers a just as obscure topic – South African folklore.
The film does have some flaws – its pacing is erratic, and it takes awhile to get to actual horror elements – but it’s an interesting subgenre film of the period with some quality horror moments. Recommended for fans of the subgenre and Folk Horror Films.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/45MH6lk
#9
Marrowbone
Plot: A young man and his three younger siblings are plagued by a sinister presence in the sprawling manor in which they live.
KBZ’s Take: We had put off watching Marrowbone for awhile as it sounded like a generic variation of the ‘family haunted by ghosts’ theme which is typical of the subgenre. We were wrong – very wrong. This is one of the best films of the decade and has one of the best ‘twists’ of the entire subgenre.
While the film does start off in a generic manner (specific to the subgenre), it develops into a unique tale of a family haunted by tragedy from the past and present. There are not only some great scares in this film but the performances from George MacKay, Anya Taylor-Joy, Mia Goth, Charlie Heaton and Kyle Soller make the revelations of the story much more tragic and impactful. It’s a film no fan of the subgenre should miss and one of the decade’s best.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/44sGYq4
#8
Terrified
Plot: Police commissioner Funes and three researchers of supernatural phenomena investigate inexplicable events that are occurring in the suburbs of Buenos Aires.
KBZ’s Take: Argentina isn’t well known for producing horror films, but Terrified is one of the scariest films produced by the country and of the subgenre. It’s a film that shocks you with horrific scares from it’s opening chaotic bathroom scene.
Terrified will not be for everybody as it balances a slowly developing sense of dread against scattered shock scares that might turn off fans of faster paced horror. But we would recommend every subgenre fan check the film out at least once as it also has some of the best and creepiest ‘ghost’ designs of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3st3J01
Plot: In the dead of winter, Kat and Rose, two very different girls, find themselves spending winter break at their prestigious prep school. What they don’t know is that Kat is being stalked by an evil entity, and their lives are about to change forever. Meanwhile, Joan, a young, troubled woman, makes her way across a frozen landscape towards the school. But why?
KBZ’s Take: This is a film that most subgenre fans might have already seen but it’s so well done we wanted to also feature it for those who have not yet checked it out. It’s one of the better horror films that blends multiple subgenres together – Films About Exorcism & Possession and Films About Psychological & Medical Horror layered over themes of the supernatural.
The knock against this film is that it’s confusing with non-linear storytelling and a convoluted plot. That’s fair criticism for the first time you see the film, but watching it again, all the pieces fall into place and make the film that much easier to understand – and also that much more horrifying.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/45sbuSk
Plot: Professor Phillip Goodman devotes his life to exposing phony psychics and fraudulent supernatural shenanigans. His skepticism soon gets put to the test when he receives news of three chilling and inexplicable cases — disturbing visions in an abandoned asylum, a car accident deep in the woods and the spirit of an unborn child. Even scarier — each of the macabre stories seems to have a sinister connection to the professor’s own life.
KBZ’s Take: Most Horror Anthologies have 1-2 good segments, 2-3 horrible segments and a somewhat decent wraparound segment. Ghost Stories is unique in that the all the segments are tied together through investigations of paranormal events by Charles Cameron (Martin Freeman) and all four segments are some of the better anthology stories of the subgenre.
However, this film will not be for everyone as it’s more creepy than scary. It’s also British Horror that’s more akin to old school Hammer Film horror of the 1960’s and 1970’s than more current popular subgenre horror like The Conjuring and Insidious franchises. It’s still a film worth checking out for some good storytelling and scares.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3OSQ4XJ
Plot: After the death of their college age son, Anne and Paul Sacchetti relocate to the snow swept New England hamlet of Aylesbury, a sleepy village where all is most certainly not as it seems. When strange sounds and eerie feelings convince Anne that her son’s spirit is still with them, they invite an eccentric, New Age couple to help them get to the bottom of the mystery.
KBZ’s Take: We Are Still Here is a Haunted House film that you might have found in the 1970’s. As a result, there are some very divided ‘love it’ or ‘hate it’ opinions of the film.
For the record, we loved it. We also love 1970’s supernatural horror films so this film felt like a blast from the past for us. But we can understand how current generations might feel the film is too slow, taking too much time to build up the story and suspense. But for those of you who are patient, you’ll be rewarded with one of the more visually terrifying and bloody endings of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/44ukQf0
Plot: A middle-class family travels into rural Indonesia to visit the terminally ill director of the orphanage where the father was raised as a child. Sinister and terrifying events soon befall them and the other visiting families.
KBZ’s Take: Indonesia has slowly been building up a reputation for gore-filled horror over the years. From Macabre (2009) which emulated much of the blood-soaked horror from Inside (2007) to May the Devil Take You (2018) acting as a spiritual successor to The Evil Dead (1981), The Queen of Black Magic is one of Indonesia’s latest horror films that further solidifies its horror and gore credentials.
While the film is a remake of the 1981 film, it’s much bloodier and grosser than its predecessor. And by grosser we are referring to the large number of bugs found in the film (and within the unsuspecting house guests) which make for some of the harder to watch Body Horror elements in the film.
However, despite the gore, blood, and grossout fest, it has one of the better stories about family and revenge of the subgenre with some genuinely scary scenes. Just make sure you don’t eat right before watching…
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3EeXD63
#3
Inhuman Kiss
Plot: An innocent young woman is the unwitting host to a Krasue, a demon who causes havoc in her village as it searches for vengeance at night.
KBZ’s Take: What is a Krasue might you ask? Well, it’s a spirt from Thai folklore that detaches itself from its human host at night with only the head and attached internal organs flying out and about in search of food. Needless to say, it isn’t your typical feel-good fairy tale.
Inhuman Kiss features an infamous Krasue which possesses the body of Sai (Phantira Pipityakorn) and soon mysterious deaths start occurring in Sai’s village. And despite the film having many bloody and horrific sequences, it’s also a Horror Romance between Sai and Noi (Oabnithi Wiwattanawarang). Their love shows that it’s still possible to care for another even when their head is detached from their body and hungry for flesh.
In all seriousness, this was a surprisingly good film with great special effects – especially for the Krasue. You have to see the fight between a female Krasue and the very different embodiment of a male Krasue to believe it. It’s a film we had no expectations for going in but after watching, felt it was not only one of the best subgenre films of the decade but one of the most unique films in the entire Horror genre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/81093122
#2
Forgotten
Plot: Seoul, South Korea, 1997. When the young but extremely anxious student Jin-seok, his parents and his successful older brother Yoo-seok move to a new home, mysterious and frightening events begin to happen around them, unexplained events that threaten to ruin their seemingly happy lives. Unable to understand what is happening, Jin-seok wonders if he is losing his mind.
KBZ’s Take: We’re going to be careful with our thoughts on this film as revealing too much about the plot will ruin it for others. So, we’re going to tread carefully here…
First, it’s a film that has supernatural themes but is much more of a Psychological Thriller and Mystery.
Second, if you liked other Korean films such as The Chaser (2008) and I Saw the Devil (2010), there’s a good chance you’ll also enjoy Forgotten.
Finally, it’s one of the best films we’ve seen recently not only from this subgenre, but from any subgenre. We wish we could say more about the film, but you’ll have to trust us that it’s one of the best films you’ll have the pleasure of seeing and one that will stay with you longer after watching.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://www.netflix.com/title/80223050
Plot: During the Iran-Iraq War, a mother becomes convinced a supernatural force is trying to possess her daughter.
KBZ’s Take: For our list of films, we’ve tried to include a variety of different subgenre films with unique cultural tales of ghosts and hauntings. For Under the Shadow, it’s likely the one film on our list that provides an even more unique view on Middle Eastern horror that western audiences haven’t yet been exposed to.
This Persian-language film is part Supernatural Horror and part Psychological Horror. While those horror subgenres typically go hand in hand together, Under the Shadow brilliantly interweaves the psychological aspects of being in a war zone with the supernatural threat of a Djinn. It’s a horror film where the sense of dread is coming from both outside and inside Shideh’s (Narges Rashidi) home and is one of the most unnerving films of the entire subgenre. And the film has its share of ‘jump scares’ that are used to maximum effect to add shock to your uneasiness while watching.
Despite this film landing on quite a few Best of Horror lists for 2019, it’s criminally underseen. It’s truly a unique film and one of the scariest of the decade. It’s easily our best subgenre film of the decade and one every true horror fan shouldn’t miss.
Additional Lists: Top World Cinema Horror Films You Haven’t Seen #7
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3YaXqIO
