While it can be a special experience to witness a truly terrifying horror movie in theaters, there were several fantastic scary movies that never made it to the big screen. While the advent of the internet means many horror movies come straight to streaming, there were also plenty of excellent straight-to-DVD or even straight-to-VHS horror movies from years gone by. These often low-budget releases didn’t have to pander to box office expectations and, in some cases, were able to be more ambitious and unique as a result.
Some of thebest non-theatrically released movieswere in the horror genre, as incredible horror movies were often produced with very little funding or support from major studios. In some cases, direct-to-video sequels even outdid their theatrical predecessors and gained cult followings among horror fans in the years since their release. Theseincredible non-theatrical horror movies proved that filmmakers don’t need to get their movies to theaters to achieve major artistic success.
Last Shift
Cast
Last Shift is a 2014 horror film directed by Anthony DiBlasi. The story follows rookie police officer Jessica Loren, who is assigned to the final shift at a decommissioned police station. Strange and supernatural occurrences soon reveal the dark, unsettling history of the station and its connection to a cult leader. The film stars Juliana Harkavy as Officer Loren and explores themes of fear and psychological horror.
Last Shiftwas an excellent psychological horror that boasts an impressive100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As a well-paced, tension-filled, and infinitely watchable,Last Shiftstarred Juliana Harkavy as Jessica Loren, a police officer taking the final shift at a closing police station who soon learns that the place may be haunted.Last Shiftwas released on video-on-demand in 2015, in 2023, director Anthony DiBlasi released a theatrical remake titledMalumto critical acclaim.
Creep
Creep is a 2014 Horror film directed by Patrick Brice. The found-footage style release stars Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice and revolves around a videographer who takes a job recording and chronicling the life of a supposedly dying man that will be showcased later to his unborn son.
Creepwas a clever twist on the found-footage genre as videography was hired to film a video for a supposedly terminally ill man’s unborn daughter. While this premise started reasonably enough, the man who called himself Josef started acting increasingly bizarre to the point that Aaron, the cameraman, began to fear for his life. This idiosyncratic horror blended elements of comedy to make it feel truly unique in the genre. It wasreleased on VOD before it came to Netflix.
Creepwas the first in an ongoing franchise with a sequels titledCreep 2, and theupcoming television seriesThe Creep Tapes,in development.
His House
Written and directed by Remi Weekes, His House is a 2020 Thriller and Horror film that stars Wunmi Mosaku, Sope Dirisu, and Matt Smith. The Netflix film revolves around a refugee couple that flees to Britain but ends up losing their daughter in the process. The couple is finally given a home to live in but struggles with assimilating into their new life and starts experiencing a powerful paranormal presence.
His Houseis about a refugee couple who have escaped wartorn South Sudan and are struggling to adjust to their new life in England. With evil brewing underneath the surface,His Houseexplored the things that desperate people must do to surviveand stood as a fascinating and chilling glimpse into the harrowing experience of migrants fleeing conflict zones. This thrilling, socially conscious horror was released on Netflix in 2020.
Gerald’s Game
Gerald’s Game is a psychological thriller directed by Mike Flanagan, based on Stephen King’s novel. Released in 2017, it follows the story of Jessie, who, after a secluded encounter goes awry, must confront disturbing hallucinations and buried secrets while handcuffed to a bed in a remote cabin.
Mike Flanagan added to his impressive array of Netflix horror projects with the excellent Stephen King adaptation ofGerald’s Game. Longthought to be unfilmable,Gerald’s Gametold the story of a woman left handcuffed to her bed after her husband unexpectedly dies who must find a way to survive while battling inner demons. With incredible suspense anda career-defining performance from Carla Gugino, this was a hypnotic horror that captured the essence of King’s novel.
Cult of Chucky
Cult of Chucky, the seventh installment in the famous horror franchise, follows paraplegic woman Nica Pierce (Fiona Dourif), who becomes the target of the demonic toy’s latest killing spree. Directed by Don Mancini, who has been involved in every Chucky film since the original 1988 film, the movie features Brad Dourif reprising his role as the voice of the titular killer doll.
AlthoughtheChild’s Playfranchisestarted in theaters, many of its best installments were direct-to-video releases, the best example beingCult of Chucky. As the seventh entry in the long-running series,Cult of Chuckyfeatured plenty of callbacks to earlier releasesand fully embraced this franchise’s over-the-top, campy energy. With Alex Vincent reprising his role as Andy Barclay and Brad Dourif’s iconic voice as the killer doll,Cult of Chuckyticks all the right boxes for lovers of this franchise but is unlikely to convert many new viewers.
Trick r' Treat
Trick ‘r Treat is a 2007 horror anthology movie from director Michael Dougherty. The film tells four different stories, all involving Sam, the now iconic Halloween demon. The film has several big stars, even though it was a direct to DVD release, including Dylan Baker, Rochelle Aytes, Anna Paquin, and Brian Cox.
The anthology horrorTrick ‘r Treatfeatured four stories all connected by Sam, a trick-or-treating demon wearing a burlap sack over his head who appears whenever the characters break Halloween conventions. With a unique premise that paid tribute to Halloween mythologies, this cult favorite was packed with old-fashioned suspense and has become annual viewing for many every October. As a movie originally released direct-to-DVD following festival screenings,Trick ‘r Treatwas never in theaters during its original releasebut, in 2022, received special Halloween theatrical screenings (viaPaste Magazine.)
Circle
Circle (2015) is a psychological thriller that places fifty strangers in a mysterious chamber, where they awaken in a circle with no recollection of their arrival. Facing an ominous device, they must confront the reality that one of them will die every two minutes until only one remains.
Circlewas a sci-fi psychological horror inspired by12 Angry Men(viaAudiences Everywhere) that saw 50 people awake in a room only to discover one of them gets killed every two minutes. When the victim realizes they can control who dies, a thought-provoking narrative emerges that highlights how personal values influence those deemed worthy of survival. Released as a video-on-demand movie,Circlewas a tense and fascinating filmthat’s well worth seeking out by lovers of clever and insightful horror.
Tremors 2: Aftershocks
Tremors 2: Aftershocks is the sequel to the 1990 film Tremors. Directed by S.S. Wilson, it stars Fred Ward as Earl Bassett, who is enlisted to deal with a new outbreak of subterranean creatures known as Graboids in a Mexican oil field. Partnered with new ally Grady Hoover, played by Chris Gartin, they discover that the Graboids have evolved, presenting new challenges and dangers in their quest to eradicate them.
While the absence of Kevin Bacon was sorely felt for the direct-to-video sequelTremors 2: Aftershocks, this comedy horror was a rare example of a non-theatrical follow-up that may even exceed the original. Although the budget was far lower than its predecessor, this creature feature kept the quality high as it kept the gore coming andwore itsJurassic Parkinfluences on its sleeve. With enjoyable special effects and some really great performances,Tremors 2ended up being way better than it had any right to be.
Splatter Farm (1987)
Thetwin brothers and filmmakers Mark Polonia and John Polonia made over 40 feature films, mainly in the sci-fi and horror genres, with practically no funds. Of this, one of the very best wasSplatter Farm, a direct-to-video horror extravaganza about two brothers going to stay with their aunt who encounters a psychopathic killer who dismembers his victims and stores their body parts in his barn. Part of the direct-to-video movement of the 1980s,Splatter Farmwas a fantastic example of filmmakers making fun of movies just for the pure joy of doing it.
Return to Sleepaway Camp
Return to Sleepaway Camp is a 2008 horror film directed by Robert Hiltzik and serves as a direct sequel to the 1983 film Sleepaway Camp. The story unfolds at Camp Manabe, where a string of mysterious murders begins to terrorize the campers, leading to the re-emergence of dark secrets from the past. Starring Vincent Pastore and Felissa Rose, the film attempts to recapture the essence of the original slasher classic.
Return To Sleepaway Campwas the fourth movie in theSleepaway Campfranchiseand the first to be released direct-to-video. As a direct sequel to the original that ignores the events of the previous two movies,Return to Sleepaway Campwas a chance to go back to the series’ roots as Frank Kostic reopened the ill-fated Camp Arawak and a new crop of kids fell victim to the serial killer Angela Baker. With a healthy mix of humor and horror, this long-awaited sequel will please fans of this underrated series.
