When discussing supernatural horror it’s important to mention the films that paved the way for this genres popularity, including Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Exorcist (1973), Carrie (1976), and the Shining (1980). These films are the glittering beacons of the supernatural genre, the old reliables if you will.
But with the exception of a few later Friday the 13th and Halloween movies, and films such as The Sixth Sense (1999), and The Blair Witch Project (1999), it has been a long time since the supernatural sub-genre has made a lasting impact. That has all changed. The past 10 years has seen the rise of atmospheric and eerie horror, including witches, ghosts and killers that all bring an element of the supernatural.
This boom in modern supernatural horror should without a doubt be accredited to the release and subsequent runaway success of Paranormal Activity (2007); the first of what would become a six-movie mega franchise, and one that would establish Blumhouse Productions as a major player in the horror film industry. Paranormal Activity afforded Blumhouse the opportunity to make a name for themselves as producers of low-budget (often supernatural) horror movies. The following years saw the release of Insidious (2011), Sinister (2012), Oculus (2014), and Unfriended (2015) to name a select few.
These films have a lot in common: they all benefit from ultra low budgets that highlight the eerie and unnerving environment that often accompanies supernatural horror films, and from the immense talent that is working behind the camera. This sub-genre has the distinct advantage of employing some of the greatest directors working in horror today, including Scott Derrickson, Mike Flanagan, and James Wan.
These three directors have among them some of the very best supernatural films, including The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005), Absentia (2011), Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016), and The Conjuring (2013). But it doesn’t stop there. It Follows (2015) made a splash upon release by becoming one of the best-reviewed horror films of all time, and it's already on its way to becoming a genre classic.
Given the immense influx of supernatural horror, and its long history in horror in general, it’s impossible to give due credit to every movie but some honorable mentions include: House (1977), Session 9 (2001), The Devil’s Backbone (2001), and Lake Mungo (2008).
Not all of these movies are universally loved, but that’s the fun of horror movies, there’s always something for everyone, and here at HorrorRated we want to help you find something that fits your tastes! Let us know what you think of the movies highlighted here by rating them on the website, and browse our selection of supernatural movies to find your next favorite!
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Supernatural Horror Movies
The Shining
Year: 1980
Released: 23 May 1980 |
Director: Stanley Kubrick

8.4

8.5

61

4.4
The plot
A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence,... [read more]
The Exorcist
Year: 1973
Released: 26 Dec 1973 |
Director: William Friedkin

8.0

8.0

82

4.5
The plot
When a teenage girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.
The Others
Year: 2001
Released: 10 Aug 2001 |
Director: Alejandro Amenábar

7.6

7.2

74

4.9
The plot
A woman who lives in a darkened old house with her two photosensitive children becomes convinced that her family home is... [read more]
The Omen
Year: 1976
Released: 25 Jun 1976 |
Director: Richard Donner

7.6

7.2

3.9

4.4
The plot
Mysterious deaths surround an American ambassador. Could the child that he is raising actually be the anti-christ? The... [read more]
The Conjuring
Year: 2013
Released: 19 Jul 2013 |
Director: James Wan

7.5

7.2

68

4.3
The plot
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse.