Plot: After being replaced by a younger coworker, TV host Hyo-jeong enrolls in an intensive yoga course that has serious consequences for anyone who fails to follow its rules.

KBZ’s Take: This K-Horror film starts off a bit slow, but by the third act gets into some horrifying scenes and situations. Like most films in this subgenre, there is a theme of ‘be careful what you wish for” but Yoga shows some unique and disturbing results of the dark pact. Recommended for fans of the subgenre.

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Plot: A naïve young boy unknowingly becomes the pawn of a serial killer.

KBZ’s Take: This film should be better well known – especially on lists of Scariest Halloween Films. Though it’s low budget, it does an effective job of combining Slasher film and Black Comedy elements. And it keeps you guessing throughout if the maniac in the Satan mask is your run-of-the-mill Serial Killer or Satan himself. Highly recommended for fans of the subgenre and a good Horror Comedy to watch on Halloween.

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Plot: An evil succubus is preying on libidinous black men in New York, and all that stands in her way is a minister-in-training, an aspiring actor, and a cop that specializes in cases involving the supernatural.

KBZ’s Take: This film has been lost to time and was an obscure subgenre film from the early 1990’s. It’s a low budget film that hits above its weight. As mentioned in our article introduction, this is one of a few subgenre films to feature a Succubus – and it does one of the better portrayals of a demon seductress. Also, look out for an early career performance from Samuel L. Jackson as a minister.

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Plot: A man emerges with his autistic daughter and three others from a hospital elevator to find themselves trapped in the building with devilish monsters.

KBZ’s Take: This film has very divided reviews that seem to be split between whether or not you find the ‘monster’ designs effective. While we found the monster designs interesting, we were more drawn to the suspenseful and dark atmosphere throughout the film. It’s not the greatest film of the subgenre, but definitely one most subgenre fans should check out.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3UkOL4l

Plot: A man on the run is hunted by a demon known as the Collector.

KBZ’s Take: Though Tales from The Crypt has developed a stellar reputation for its anthology stories, it’s been much more hit or miss with their feature length films. Demon Knight is the best of the three feature films and you won’t miss out on much if you pass on the other two – Bordello of Blood (1996) and Ritual (2002). Though Demon Knight was panned upon it’s release in the 90’s, it’s developed a cult following and one of the better films of the subgenre from this time period.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3UqgroD

Plot: A young woman with no strong religious beliefs, Frankie Paige begins having strange and violent experiences, showing signs of the wounds that Jesus received when crucified. When the Vatican gets word of Frankie’s situation, a high-ranking cardinal requests that the Rev. Andrew Kiernan investigate her case. Soon Kiernan realizes that very sinister forces are at work and tries to rescue Frankie from the entity that is plaguing her.

KBZ’s Take: This is one film on our list that doesn’t explicitly feature a demon, Satan or a depiction of hell. It has more surface level Exorcism and Possession themes while also delving into much deeper religious aspects. And that’s where the film succeeds with its representation of religious politics and the investigations of people afflicted with stigmata. Though it was panned by critics, it was a minor hit in the late 1999’s with great performances from Patricia Arquette, Gabriel Byrne and Jonathan Pryce. Highly recommended film of the subgenre.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3iyHvow

Plot: Homicide detective John Hobbes witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese. Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese’s style.

KBZ’s Take: This is one film we wanted to highlight on our list as it’s one of the best films of the subgenre that is relatively unknown. While it had a major release in 1998 and features some A-list actors in Denzel Washington, John Goodman and Donald Sutherland, it’s a film that’s been lost to time. It has an interesting premise with frenetic and fast-paced possession by the Demon, Azazel. Highly recommended film of the subgenre.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3EX2BEf

Plot: Aspiring Florida defense lawyer Kevin Lomax accepts a job at a New York law firm. With the stakes getting higher every case, Kevin quickly learns that his boss has something far more evil planned.

KBZ’s Take: While this is a classic film of the subgenre and very well-known, it’s also a film we were surprised more than a few people (from the younger generations) had not seen yet. So, we’re making it a mission to highlight this film for the Gen Y and Z subgenre fans that might have not yet seen this classic film. Al Pacino gives a great performance as Satan and this is also one of Keanu Reeves better performances as the young lawyer, Lomax. The special effects are a bit dated, but the theme of the film has endured over the last few decades and is one of the few subgenre films no one should miss.

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3B2kXCH

Plot: The angel Gabriel comes to Earth to collect a soul which will end the stalemated war in Heaven, and only a former priest and a little girl can stop him.

KBZ’s Take: This film had us the moment Christopher Walken appeared as the angel Gabriel. Though a minor hit in the mid-90’s, it’s a film that has been lost to time despite cult film status. So, we’re doing our best to help shed some light on this great film. Yes, the plot can be convoluted at times, but it has a unique premise and is one of the better religious apocalypse movies out there. It has some great performances from Elias Koteas, Virginia Madsen, Eric Stoltz and Walken…but the kicker is Viggo Mortensen as Lucifer. Don’t miss out on this gem of a film.

Additional Lists: Top Dark Fantasy Films You Haven’t Seen 1990 – 2009 #3

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Plot: On their way to elope in Las Vegas, teenager Charlie Sykes (Chad Lowe) and his bride-to-be, Rachel Clark (Kristy Swanson), make a wrong turn that brings them face to face with Sgt. Bedlam (C.J. Graham), an undead demon who abducts Rachel and disappears. Then Charlie meets Beezle (Patrick Bergin), a demonic technician who informs him that to free his fiancée he must defeat a hellish highway patrolman in a no-rules road race in which losing means death – followed by eternal damnation.

KBZ’s Take: We’ll start of by saying we struggled with putting The Devil’s Advocate or The Prophecy as #1 here. But after internal deliberations, we had to put this film at #1 for a few reasons. First, both The Prophecy and The Devil’s Advocate are more well-known films and most subgenre fans have likely seen both films. Second, anytime you can combine all three themes of the subgenre into one film, it should be highest ranked. The film features a unique version of Hell, a brilliant turn by Patrick Bergin as The Devil and one of the craziest representations of a Succubus we have seen in any film.

As for the film, it’s criminally underrated and should be much better well-known than it is. Though its low budget, it has a great concept, sense of humor and even better cameos. The concept itself is great as our hero needs to race the undead demon to win his wife back. The film doesn’t take itself seriously and there are many funny moments throughout – especially the Succubus demon. There are also many great performances in this film from Chad Lowe, Kristy Swanson and Bergin. You even get some funny cameos from Ben Stiller, Jerry Stiller, Lita Ford and Gilbert Gottfried. Highly recommended film of the subgenre.

Additional Lists: Top Dark Fantasy Films You Haven’t Seen 1990 – 2009 #4

Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3B5vzkj