This is the third 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 third article will cover the Top Folk Horror Films You Haven’t Seen from the 1990’s 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
The 1990’s were quite a down decade for Folk Horror as this period of time included what is generally considered the worst horror film of all time in Troll 2 (1990) along with some subpar subgenre sequels. There was also a noticeable lack of films exploring folklore compared to the two previous decades. However, there were a few classic films of the subgenre to emerge during the 1990’s along with some new themes including Native American folklore and a few unique mythological legends from around the world.
Mythology was a strong focus of this decade’s Folk Horror with a variety of dark mythological and folklore-based creatures. The Greek mythological creature, the Hamadryad, which is a form of nymph, would appear in one of the decade’s underrated films in The Guardian (1990). The Leprechaun of Irish folklore would go on a murderous (yet comedic) rampage in Leprechaun (1993). The Fox With Nine Tails (1994) would center around the Korean legend of a paranormal Kumiho, a fox spirit that can shapeshift into a beautiful woman. And the Wishmaster (1997) would launch a series of films featuring an evil Djinn from Arabic mythology.
Native American folklore would feature prominently during the decade in one of the decade’s best films that was not horror. Clearcut (1991) is often considered a classic of the subgenre with its narrative surrounding the rights of Canada’s indigenous population, their spiritual ceremonies and a final confrontation that turns violent. The Wendigo of Native American folklore would also make an appearance in subgenre films Frostbiter: Wrath of the Wendigo (1995) and Ravenous (1999).
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 the 1990’s: Clearcut (1991), Leprechaun (1993), Wishmaster (1997), Ravenous (1999), The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Sleepy Hollow (1999).
Folk Horror Films from the 1990’s that didn’t make our list: Anchoress (1993), The Fox With Nine Tails (1994), Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (1995) and Wishmaster 2 (1999).
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Here is our list of the Top Folk Horror Films You Haven’t Seen – 1990’s:
#10
Shikoku
Plot: Years after moving to Tokyo with her parents, Hinako returns to her hometown in rural Shikoku. She soon learns that her childhood friend, Sayuri, died several years ago and that Sayuri’s mother, who used to perform seances and exorcisms, has gone almost insane with grief. After seeing Sayuri’s ghost several times during the night, Hinako consults with some local experts on the paranormal and discovers that Sayuri’s mother has something planned for her daughter…
KBZ’s Take: As we mentioned earlier in the article, there were not many great films of the decade to choose from. So, some of the films on our list are going to be graded on a curve.
Shikoku is one of the more obscure Japanese Horror films released during the J-Horror craze that began in the late 1990’s with Ringu (1998) and Ju-on: The Curse (2000). While the film isn’t particularly scary or as good as those films, it does have a creepy atmosphere centered around supernatural loss and grief.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: An American man unwittingly gets involved with werewolves who have developed a serum allowing them to transform at will.
KBZ’s Take: Another film that we’re grading on a curve that unfortunately could not live up to the horror and comedy of its predecessor An American Werewolf in London (1981). While Werewolf in London is a classic film of both the subgenre and the entire horror genre, Werewolf in Paris suffers from comedy that often falls flat and has some terrible special effects.
With that said, on its own, the film isn’t that bad. It features an interesting werewolf conspiracy narrative and has a standout performance from Julie Delpy. We can’t wholeheartedly recommend the film, but it is slightly better than some of the other substandard subgenre fare that appeared in the 90’s.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#8
Supernatural
Plot: Something strange is going on in Dolores’ apartment house – or is it mainly in Dolores’ head that the strangeness lies… When her best friend Eva is murdered on her doorstep, and her husband begins to have violent nightmares, it appears that there is something amiss in the world of delusional Dolores.
KBZ’s Take: Also known as All of them Witches, this Mexican film doesn’t feature a rural setting but does involve themes of witchcraft and science vs. magic. It was also clearly inspired by Rosemary’s Baby (1968).
It’s not a perfect film and one we’re again grading on a curve, but still recommended for completists of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#7
Nang Nak
Plot: In a rural village in Thailand, Mak (Winai Kraibutr) is sent to fight in a war and leaves his pregnant wife, Nak (Intira Jaroenpura). Mak is injured and barely survives. He returns home to his doting wife and child, or so he thinks.
KBZ’s Take: Nang Nak is a Thai film based on the ghostly legend of Mae Nak Phra Khanong. The Mae Nak legend is popular in Thailand and would be equivalent to well-known western folklore such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
What the film (and folklore) focuses on with Nang Nak are themes of a doomed romance and the supernatural. It’s more of a drama with some horrific moments, but it’s one film that fans of the subgenre will enjoy.
Where to Stream / Buy: YouTube
#6
Eve’s Bayou
Plot: Summer heats up in rural Louisiana beside Eve’s Bayou, 1962, as the Batiste family tries to survive the secrets they’ve kept and the betrayals they’ve endured.
KBZ’s Take: Like Clearcut (1991), this is not a horror film but generally considered one of the better films of the Folk Horror subgenre. It’s also one of the standout films in the Gothic Horror film subgenre with its excellent Southern Gothic setting and atmosphere.
While primarily a family drama, the film does have some underlying themes of witchcraft, voodoo and psychic powers. It’s also a beautiful film to watch with its period setting in early 1960’s Louisiana. It’s a forgotten film and one of the best of 1997 that every fan of the subgenre shouldn’t miss. Just don’t expect a horror film or you might be disappointed.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#5
The Guardian
Plot: The idyllic lives of Phil and Kate seem complete when they select the winsome young Camilla as a live-in nanny for their newborn child. But the lovely young Camilla’s not what she appears to be.
KBZ’s Take: The Guardian is basically a dark fantasy version of The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (1992). Both films involve a nanny with sinister intentions, but The Guardian ups the ante with its nanny as a Hamadryad in disguise who sacrifices stolen children to a tree.
Though the film was savaged by the critics, failed at the box office and was essentially disowned by Director William Friedkin, it has developed a cult following over time. Grounded in Folk Horror, it also has some Eco-Horror elements revolving around nature fighting back in the form of an ‘evil’ tree.
We tend to agree with its cult film status as the film has grown on us over the years. It’s not the best film of the subgenre (or even the decade), but it’s a film that most fans of Folk Horror should enjoy for its unique plot.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#4
Wishmaster
Plot: A woman released a Djinn from his ancient prison, and he seeks to capture the soul of the woman who discovered him.
KBZ’s Take: This is one of our guilty pleasures from the 1990’s and it’s one of the better Dark Fantasy film franchises. Also, while it can be argued that the film isn’t true Folk Horror, we include it in our subgenre collection due to the presence of the Djinn and themes of dark fairy tales and folklore.
What we love about this film franchise are the various ways the Djinn grants people’s wishes with a twisted and sometimes ridiculous outcome. The film is worth watching for all the unique and twisted ways a wish could go wrong. However, the main reason to see this film is Andrew Divoff’s embodiment of the Djinn character. Like Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger or Tony Todd as Candyman, Divoff is The Djinn and makes it an iconic character of both horror and dark fantasy worlds.
Unfortunately, Divoff is the Djinn in only the first two films of the franchise, and thus are the only films of the franchise worth checking out. However, don’t miss out on this film as it’s one of the best of the subgenre.
Additional Lists: Top Dark Fantasy Films You Haven’t Seen – 1990 – 2009 #1
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#3
Clearcut
Plot: When a lawyer loses an appeal to stop a logging company from clear-cutting Native American land, Arthur, an Indian militant drags him and the kidnapped logging mill manager into the forest. The lawyer’s empty talk about how the company’s greed should be punished is put into brutal action by Arthur, who tortures the manager in allegorical ways mimicking what loggers do to the forest.
KBZ’s Take: We mentioned earlier in our article that Clearcut is not a horror film. Though it has some unsettling and violent sequences, you would be hard pressed to call it horror.
With that said, it’s still one of the best film’s of the subgenre from this decade with it’s narrative focused on indigenous people of the First Nations in Canada. And while the film starts off as a drama, it slowly builds into a suspenseful and violent film as Arthur (Graham Greene) decides to take matters into his own hands by fighting back against a logging company destroying his people’s land.
It’s one of Greene’s best performances and features some folklore associated with the Wisakedjak legend. It’s a film that shouldn’t be missed by Folk Horror fans as it trades horror-based themes of the subgenre for a unique and interesting story.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#2
Leprechaun
Plot: An evil Leprechaun goes on a rampage after his precious bag of gold coins is stolen.
KBZ’s Take: This Horror Comedy stars a pre-Friends Jennifer Aniston and features a very funny performance by Warwick Davis as The Leprechaun. The film incorporates some often-hilarious aspects of the Leprechaun legend including people preoccupying the Leprechaun so they can escape by making him shine shoes.
This film isn’t for everybody, but for fans of ridiculous Horror Comedies that use legends for comedic effect, then this film will be your new guilty pleasure.
Additional Lists: Top Films Based on Mythology You Haven’t Seen #2
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#1
Ravenous
Plot: At the western frontier, a group of army personnel investigate the murder of wagon train travelers.
KBZ’s Take: If you somehow have still not seen this film, it’s one of the best pure Survival Horror and Folk Horror films out there.
Set in a desolate winter location with a “Ten Little Indians” vibe, Ravenous has an absolute bonkers turning point from period piece murder mystery to Wendigo folklore shift. And this is where the film excels as it turns into a battle of the wills between Guy Pearce and Robert Carlyle. Adding to this excellent film is the very unique soundtrack you won’t get out of your head anytime soon after watching.
Ravenous is one of our favorite films of all time across multiple subgenres and one of the most unique Folk Horror films you’ll ever see and never forget.
Additional Lists: Top War Horror Films You Haven’t Seen #3, Top Survival Horror Films You Haven’t Seen #3
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
